COLOR PALETTES + EYESHADOW

The main purpose of eyeshadow is to add color to your lids—though what color, and how intense you want it, is up to you. Using subtle neutral colors can help define your eyes for a soft, natural eye makeup look, while bolder, brighter hues are ideal for creating statement eye makeup looks.

There are several different types of eyeshadow, with most shadows falling into one of three categories: powder, cream, or liquid eyeshadow. Powder shadows are available in singles and palettes, while cream and liquid shadows are usually sold individually. As far as benefits go, powder shadows are usually formulated to be pigmented and long-lasting. Cream and liquid shadows, on the other hand, tend to be easy to apply and often come with their own applicators, making them great for quick looks (and on-the-go touch-ups).

There isn’t a particular eyeshadow that we can definitively call the “best”—mostly because it all comes down to your personal preferences. That being said, we generally recommend beginners start with a palette that contains several hues, like one of our Ultimate Color Palettes. This allows you to experiment with different shades and create a variety of looks without having to load up on dozens of different eyeshadow singles.

If you’re having trouble narrowing down which eyeshadow color to pick, we recommend taking a look at your skin tone and undertone. As with foundation and concealer, you’ll find that the most flattering eyeshadow colors are often those with the same undertone as your skin. For example, if you have light, cool-toned skin, cooler eyeshadows like silvers and blues are ideal; for those with warmer skin, we recommend opting for warm shades like golds, bronzes, and browns. If you have a neutral skin tone, the sky is the limit—you’re likely to find that a wide range of shades flatters your skin.

If your goal isn’t to create a natural look but to make your eyes pop, try reaching for an eyeshadow in a shade that contrasts with your natural eye color. For example, if you have blue eyes, make them stand out with orange or copper shadows; for green eyes, earthy hues like bronze and gold are gorgeous. Purple shades, meanwhile, can help emphasize the depth and richness of brown eyes. But remember that this is just a jumping-off point: Ultimately, you should feel free to pick whichever color (or colors) make you happy.

When applying eyeshadow, blending is often crucial. If you’re using powder eyeshadow, you can help make blending easier by first sweeping on a base eyeshadow that matches your skin tone. Then, place your chosen colors where you want them—for example, on the lid, in the crease, and at the outer corners. Once you’ve applied your eyeshadow colors, use a blending brush like our Micro Blending Brush to slowly buff out the edges in small, circular motions. This will help create a soft, diffused effect between colors for a seamless blend.

If you’re on the go or don’t have any makeup brushes on hand, a liquid eyeshadow will probably be the easiest to apply. They typically come with their own applicators built-in (eliminating the need for an eyeshadow brush) and can be blended easily with your fingers. Similarly, pencil eyeshadows, like our Jumbo Eye Pencil, can be drawn directly onto your eyelids and blended out with your fingers for a soft, subtle look. If you’re using powder shadow, stick with something simple. You can dip your finger into a lightly sparkly eyeshadow and pat it onto your lid for a hint of color and shine, but we’d advise against attempting a more detailed look—your fingers won’t offer the same precision as a brush.