Just like fashion, makeup trends come and go. it was neon eyeshadow in the 80s and ultra-thin brows in the 90s that made us forget about the early fake tan craze. But the makeup look that has been a staple for decades: neutral eyeshadow. We’re talking about nudes, taupes, browns and blacks that complement a variety of skin tones. Think of a neutral eyeshadow palette as the makeup equivalent of a white button-down eyeshadow-a classic that can be used over and over again to create a variety of looks.
Given the enduring popularity of nude eyeshadow palettes, it’s no surprise that makeup artists use them time and time again. “Based on my personal experience with neutral eyeshadow palettes, they are very versatile and I am used to mixing and utilizing all shades,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist and Omnia Pro Executive Makeup Artist. The beauty expert explains that her staples come in just three neutral shades: a cream for the lids and brows; a cream for the lids and brows; a light brown or caramel brown to add definition to the crease; and espresso to smoke out the outer corners. “The results of using the right tools and purposeful techniques are dramatic and use only three eyeshadow shades,” she adds.
Whether you love Lerma and prefer a sophisticated, everyday look or tend to mix and match colors, there’s no denying that a great neutral eyeshadow palette is a must-have in your makeup bag. If you want to refresh your options, or don’t have one yet (no pun intended), then you’ve come to the right place. We consulted the experts to learn how to narrow down the best palettes for you and get their favorites. From Charlotte Tilbury’s The Sophisticate to the highly coveted Urban Decay Naked, these are the best neutral eyeshadow palettes ever.
What to look for in a nude eyeshadow palette
Tones
First and foremost, the most important factor to consider when purchasing your next favorite neutral eyeshadow palette is the shades and tones it offers. For Cassandra Garcia, global makeup artist for Bobbi Brown, nude is a must-have color to catch the eye, and then make sure it has taupe tones. “I like taupe to make sure I have soft definition shades in my crease and under my eyes,” she says.
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Lerma, meanwhile, recommends a variety of brown shades. “When I’m looking for a new eyeshadow palette, “I like to look for a palette with some matte neutral browns, warm browns and rusty shades,” she explains.
Finishes
It may come down to personal preference, but having a variety of eyeshadow finishes will ensure you can create whatever look your heart desires. On the one hand, I’m a big fan of glitter eyeshadows, but I also recognize the power of matte shades. In fact, according to Lerma, “matte eyeshadows tend to be the most versatile shades for everyday eyeshadow looks and are great for creating a base look.”
Pro tip: Choose a brown shade that is two to three shades darker than your skin tone and cross your crease with a windshield motion. This will create greater depth for the eyes, which is what Lerma calls a “ready eye. She adds, “This technique is an ancient makeup technique that has been used by educators for decades.”
Best Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Best Overall Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eye Shadow Palette
Best Budget Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette
Best Splurge-worthy Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette (opens in a new tab)
Best Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Viseart Eyeshadow Palette 01 Neutral Mattes
Best Shimmering Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Covergirl TruNaked Nude Eyeshadow Palette (opens in a new tab)
Best Multipurpose Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Morphe 35U Gilded Desert Artistry Palette
Best Overall Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nude Eyeshadow Palette
Ulta $52
Too Faced is the genius that created this palette. Not only are these nude, rose and brown shades gorgeous, but you’ll notice that the matte shades are a little bigger than the shimmery palette. Like Lerma mentioned, the matte shades are perfect for everyday use, which means you’ll get more use out of them compared to the fun shimmery shades. These eyeshadows are also infused with skin-friendly ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid, so that’s a major win.
Pros: Includes blended finishes; highly pigmented; durable; blendable; infused with skincare ingredients
Cons: Over $50.
Best Blush Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Bobbi Brown New Nudes Eyeshadow Palette in Blushed Nudes
Neiman Marcus $45
One of Garcia’s favorite eyeshadow palettes: Bobbi Brown’s New Nudes. This particular version (also available in gold) is full of neutral blush shades that you can use to create a range of looks from soft everyday glamour to a glamorous smoky eye. We love that the palette comes in a range of finishes – matte, shimmer and metallic – so you can really change your look every day. Each shade is durable and blends well together.
Pros: Pro-approved; includes a mix of finishes; durable; large pan size
Cons: Some reviewers note that the shimmer shades have an impact.
BEST CULT-FAVORITE Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette
50 USD
at Nordstrom
This list would not be complete without Urban Decay’s Naked palette. Sadly, the iconic original palette has been discontinued, but we now have an improved or “reloaded” version that can be rotated on neutral shades. While the versatile shade selection of the original colors remains, we’ve gained some new colors such as Retro and Dreamweaver. these shades are just as tinted as the old palette, and you can get mixed finishes, which means the possibilities are endless.
Pros: Includes 10 other shades; consists of multiple finishes; highly tinted; blendable; durable.
Cons: Some reviewers note that the lighter shades can be distracting.
Best Multipurpose Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Morphe 35U Gold Plated Desert Art Palette
Ulta $27
Morphe is a beauty brand that gives you great value for your money. For less than $30, you can get almost all the neutral shades you want in this palette (35 to be exact!) and a range of finishes. From warm browns and rosy tones to cool nudes, this palette has it all. Each shade has an impressive color payoff and applies so smoothly, you’ll be surprised that they’re powders.
Pros: Under $30; includes 35 colors and multiple finishes; highly pigmented; comes in a range of base colors.
Cons: Some reviewers note that the packaging feels cheap.
BEST PRO-APPROVED Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Charlotte Tilbury Luxe Eyeshadow Palette The Sophisticate
Sephora $53
While this eyeshadow palette is pricier, Charlotte Tilbury knows how to create quality eyeshadows. It’s another top choice for Garcia because it comes in four basic shades that you’ll use time and time again. Each of the four shades offers key colors that are crease-free and easy to blend together. Whether you want a simple everyday eye or a smoky eye, these are the shades you really need.
Pros: Pro-approved; buildable; highly pigmented; vegan formula.
Cons: Over $50; comes in matte shades only.
Best Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Viseart Eyeshadow Palette 01 Neutral Matte
Amazon $80
If you want to feel like a professional makeup artist when applying eyeshadow, use Viseart’s palette. Professionals everywhere stash this palette in their kits thanks to its incredible blendability and high-impact colors. A case in point: Lerma says she “can’t live without” the palette. “These pigments are durable, easy to mix, and develop color.
