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Eyeshadows are the enigma of makeup; there are plenty of palettes to choose from, but few are worth high praise.
It’s fair to say that there aren’t any foundational criteria for eyeshadow palettes since they come in various forms, sizes, pigmentations, and finishes. And since every makeup brand in existence produces its version, it makes choosing one an even more arduous task.
Picking the right palette will change the way you do eye makeup, and a matte eyeshadow palette serves as the basis for building color overtop. In other words, matte palettes are the paradigm of all shadows.
What is a ‘matte’ shadow?
‘Matte’ refers to a powdery, dry finish that’s the safest choice for a makeup novice. However, matte shadows are also a pro’s go-to since base shades are usually found within a matte palette.
Matte eyeshadows achieve the best “me but better” look, as matte shades are the easiest to blend regardless of the age of your skin. A matte eyeshadow can redefine and reshape your eyes to achieve a glam or subdued makeup look.
What truly makes matte shadow a quintessential makeup staple is how it can be layered and combined with shimmer or metallic shadows. Matte eyeshadow itself can function as a base for other shadow textures, and it contours a definitive crease on your lid fold for a seamless look.
How to Choose the Best Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Shopping for the best matte eyeshadow palette can result in a never-ending hunt, so it’s essential to understand your objectives when making a purchase. Imagining the looks you hope to create in advance can help narrow down your options.
That being said, the best matte eyeshadow palette should:
- Contain a spectrum of colors or have a theme, such as neutrals or smokey eye
- A more extensive matte eyeshadow palette should contain one or two additional features like a mirror or eyeshadow brush
- Not feel heavy, flake, or become patchy throughout the day
- Be swatched with a visual guide
- Be accessible to all skin tones
Price
The best matte eyeshadow palettes adopt the concept of quality over quantity. Prices vary depending on the makeup brand and its target demographic. There are also a few luxe options brought to us by celebrities and professional makeup artists, ranging from $29 to $66.
Brand
This review will cover a range of the best matte eyeshadow palettes, from coveted favorites like Urban Decay and Tarte to up-and-comers like Viseart or Makeup by Mario.
Some brands are well-known and loved by the masses because their eyeshadow palettes have gone viral. From influencers to makeup gurus on YouTube, we’re all walking in their footsteps and vying for their looks or wanting the same palettes they utilize in order to follow a makeup tutorial accurately.
Don’t let this faze you since professionals use eyeshadow palettes that are lesser known to the general public, honing in on quality rather than popularity, so you could say that a few of the makeup brands listed are ones that offer tricks of the trade.
Versatility
Are you looking for something more compact, with a specific colorway? Or do you want a broader range of options in a more extensive palette? Do you intend to carry eyeshadow on the go with you for touch-ups? Or do you prefer to have a palette for at-home makeup sessions?
Questions like these are worth considering before reaching for just any palette because it’s trendy. Knowing your individual needs should be first and foremost before selecting. Also, consider a palette in which you’ll use all, if not most, of the shades available.
Versatility is essential, but makeup must cater to you and not the other way around.
- Morphe 350 Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette, $34
- Smashbox Cover Shot Eyeshadow Palette, $29
- Tarte Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette, $39
- Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Desert Haze, $53
- Hourglass Graphic Eyeshadow Palette in Myth Mattes, $58
- Makeup By Mario The Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette, $48.90
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Signature Smokey Eye Brick, $56
- Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette, $38
- Viseart Paris 01 Neutral Mattes SlimPro Palette, $80
- Too Faced Natural Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette, $39
Versatility is essential, but makeup must cater to you and not the other way around. An eyeshadow palette should reflect your level of artistry and comfortability, so if you’re looking for the bare minimum, then a palette with less than three shades may be the best option.
10 Best Matte Eyeshadow Palettes
#1 – Morphe 35O Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette
A brand formed as a collaborative initiative by influencers and makeup artists, Morphe has made a name for its affordability without compromising quality.
Morphe’s eyeshadow palettes are also well known for their comprehensive and inclusive range, with plenty of color options. The 350 Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette contains 35 pigments of both pressed matte and shimmer eyeshadows, allowing you to experiment and layer.
This full-sized neutral palette includes warm and cool tones, making blending a dream. Morphe’s 350 Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette retails for $34.
#2 – Smashbox Cover Shot Eyeshadow Palette
Produced in a Los Angeles photo studio, Smashbox is a renowned makeup brand that tests the quality of its makeup against a camera lens to create an airy and photogenic finish.
Founded by Davis Factor, a famous 90s photographer, and his brother Dean, both sons of an acclaimed Hollywood makeup artist, they extended their photography studio’s philosophy into their makeup brand.
The Cover Shot Eyeshadow Palette delivers intense pigmentation and is small enough to carry for on-the-go touch-ups. The product’s ambassador is Shay Mitchell, whose signature natural yet alluring look matches this matte palette.
Also, this matte palette is cruelty-free and contains six eyeshadows, including two shadows that work perfectly as a base. So, you can go primer-free, the color payoff so intense that less is more.
Smashbox’s Cover Shot Eyeshadow Palette retails for $29.
#3 – Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette
A giant in the makeup industry, Tarte is an ingredient-conscious brand that has been formulating
makeup products since the late 90s, bringing the world cult favorites that are suitable for all age groups.
The Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette is one of the best matte eyeshadow palettes for its skin-loving formulas and design. Blended with amazonian clay for longer wear and a sprinkling of sweet-smelling vanilla extract, it’s free of harmful substances like parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and gluten.
However, what makes this eyeshadow palette especially easy to use and effortless is the design concept, which places its 12 colors in a single row. Each column of eyeshadow creates buildable and blendable coverage for a warm-toned effect.
Tarte’s Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette retails for $39.
#4 – Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Desert Haze
Named after founder Charlotte Tilbury, the British makeup artist and editor of British Vogue, this brand is all about elegance, from its packaging to brand philosophy.
The Luxury Palette is uncomplicated and mature, containing four shades of peach, nude, and brown tones that are naturally sultry and resemble the horizons of a desert. This matte eyeshadow palette is also modeled on different skin tones and contrasted against different eye colors to show its versatility.
Charlotte Tilbury also gives you the option to virtually try on the shadows with a unique camera feature on her brand’s website. The Luxury Palette in Desert Haze rings in at $53.
#5 – Hourglass Graphic Eyeshadow Palette in Myth Mattes
Luxurious and elevating, Hourglass is a cruelty-free brand that aims to be transformative with its product design and formulation. It’s been entirely vegan since 2020.
The Graphic Eyeshadow Palette in Myth Mattes is velvety for buildable coverage and blending. It includes five shades, from a light nude-beige to a charcoal brown, allowing you to go from natural-looking to bold in seconds.
What sets this matte eyeshadow palette apart is its compact and small size. The palette can be nestled within the palm of your hand so that no matter the room, situation, or place, an eye-catching look is always possible and manageable.
The Hourglass Graphic Eyeshadow Palette in Myth Mattes has a price tag of $58.
#6 – Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
Founded by one of the most famous makeup artists today, Makeup By Mario is named after its founder. His down-to-earth origin story as a Sephora MUA to becoming a favorite of the Kardashian clan has won the hearts of many.
Makeup by Mario centers on teaching makeup novices the tricks of the trade. The Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette consists of 12 varying shades, and rather than just browns and peaches, Mario has included a mustard yellow and soft pastel pink.
Buttery and blendable, this matte eyeshadow palette delivers a clean finish that is universally applicable for all skin types and tones. In addition, Mario himself breaks down the palette and provides a step-by-step tutorial online so that you can gain confidence in your eyeshadow game.
The Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette retails for $48.90.
#7 – Victoria Beckham Beauty Signature Smokey Eye Brick
Victoria Beckham has moved on to found her own beauty brand, as if excelling in the fashion category wasn’t enough. And of course, the former Spice Girl’s products reflect her signature look: smokey and sultry.
Formulated with sodium hyaluronate, an ingredient with hydrating and anti-aging properties, VB’s Smokey Eye Brick leaves your lids anything but dry and patchy. What sets it apart are the four subtle colors that can double as contouring shades for the face and the satin-matte finish.
This matte eyeshadow palette can be applied to various skin tones, though it also comes in a bronze version for deeper complexions. Plus, the professional application tutorial makes using this palette less daunting.
The Signature Smokey Eye Brick retails for $56.
#8 – Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette
The OG of neutral matte palettes, Urban Decay redefined eye makeup with the Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette. Consisting of six cool tones that can be paired with the original Naked2 Palette, Naked2 Basics contains neutral shades with a powdery yet buttery feel.
Overall, this is the palette to reach for minimal daily shades that pair easily with bold, exotic colors. It retails for $38.
#9 – Viseart Paris 01 Neutral Mattes SlimPro Palette
An underrated brand that has long withstood the test of time as a professional’s staple, Viseart is a Paris-based company that offers a studio-finished look.
The Neutral Mattes SlimPro Palette consists of 12 shades that are mostly nudes and browns. It is considered a core palette for any makeup artist or enthusiast. It has multiple functions, with a colorway that can be mixed and applied to the entire eyelid and certain highlighting areas of the face.
Usually priced at $80, Viseart Paris’ 01 Neutral Mattes SlimPro Palette is currently on sale for $56.
#10 – Too Faced Natural Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Too Faced is known for its fun, feminine approach to makeup and its luxurious yet delicate product design. Too Faced is also known for infusing its products with sugary scents like chocolate and peach.
Founded by Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson, who created the world’s first-ever glitter eyeshadow in the late 90s, Too Faced has evolved into a house brand that celebrates inclusivity and delight.
The Natural Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette is compact and consists of nine shades for a natural yet sexy look. Infused with coconut butter for a creamy and nourishing application, the Natural Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette shades also smell like coconut!
Ideal for those wanting a stunning eye look without having to worry about patchiness or dryness, Too Faced’s Natural Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette offers a solution for only $39.
Which matte eyeshadow palettes are the most versatile?
The most versatile matte eyeshadow palette will be the most functional for blending, buildability, and how many different areas of the face you can apply it on. The TarteletteToasted Eyeshadow Palette from Tarte, Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette from Makeup By Mario, and the Neutral Mattes SlimPro Palette from Viseart Paris check off all the boxes.
Which matte eyeshadow palette is the most affordable?
The Morphe 350 Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette is the most affordable dollar-wise ($34) and contains the most extensive shade range of the bunch.
How should I apply matte eyeshadow?
Ideally, a matte eyeshadow should be applied using a primer first, but if the pigment is intense enough, then you can omit that step or use a concealer. Follow it up with a base shade that closely resembles your natural skin tone, then apply a matte shade of your choice on the outer, middle, and inner lid before blending in a complimenting shade on the crease fold.
For a more elevated look, apply a highlighting shade on the inner corner of your eye or right on the brow bone. If you’re looking to recreate a smokey eye, apply a darker shade or the same shade used for your crease to your lower lash line and outer corner of your eye.
Final Thoughts
The best matte eyeshadow palette is painless and trouble-free to use. It can transform a day look into glamorous evening makeup without having you exert too much effort. And in the end, the best matte eyeshadow palette will gratify you no matter your age, skin tone, or personal style.