If you're a makeup enthusiast looking for the best drugstore eyeshadow to add to your collection, then look no further. We've rounded up the top five must-have drugstore eyeshadows that offer great pigment and color payoff without breaking the bank. From richly pigmented mattes to shimmery metallics, these shadows have everything you need – plus they won't damage your wallet. Read on for our curated list of the best drugstore eyeshadows money can buy.
We take the guesswork out of finding the best products. Each product was individually selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try out for ourselves and some we combed through thousands of reviews to find, but all opinions in this article are our own.
P.S. LindsaysReviews may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something at no extra cost to you (that's how we stay in business and keep bringing you the best finds to save you time).
How We Choose The Best Drugstore Eyeshadow
We researched several drugstore eyeshadows and considered factors such as pigment intensity, color payoff, texture, longevity and overall value. We also looked at user reviews from reputable beauty websites to get an accurate idea of the quality of each product.
When choosing our top picks for the best drugstore eyeshadow, we considered a range of factors including color payoff, blend ability, price, and staying power. All of our picks are budget-friendly yet offer high-quality performance that rivals more expensive eyeshadows.
Best Pro Eyeshadow
Why It's Our Top Pick
The Best Pro Eyeshadow Palette is our top pick because it offers a wide range of shades in both matte and shimmer finishes. The colors are pigmented and blend easily, making them perfect for creating a variety of looks. The palette is also travel-friendly and comes in a slim, lightweight design. Plus, it's made with natural ingredients and has not been tested on animals – so you can feel good about buying this product.
It's an ideal choice for those looking to create eye looks without breaking the bank. With its quality ingredients and affordable price tag, it's no surprise that this palette has become a go-to choice among drugstore eyeshadow shoppers.
All The Details
This eyeshadow palette is the perfect choice for makeup enthusiasts looking to find the best drugstore eyeshadow. Featuring 16 highly pigmented shades, it offers a range of matte, shimmery and metallic finishes that will give you a stunning look without breaking the bank. With its blendable texture and intense color payoff, you can easily create a variety of looks to suit any occasion.
The convenient travel-friendly size and slim lightweight design make it perfect for on-the-go application. So if you’re looking for the best drugstore eyeshadow, look no further than the Best Pro Eyeshadow Palette it’s a must-have for any makeup enthusiast.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Why It's Our Top Pick
The NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette offers a stunning range of warm neutral shades in both matte and shimmery finishes. The high-performance pigments provide superior color payoff, while the blendable texture allows for easy blending. Plus, this palette is made with natural ingredients and has not been tested on animals – so you can feel good about buying this product.
It's an ideal choice for those looking to create eye looks without breaking the bank. With its quality ingredients and affordable price tag, it's no surprise that this palette has become a go-to choice among drugstore eyeshadow shoppers.
All The Details
Highly pigmented eyeshadow palette with 16 individual eyeshadows; Each shade is buttery smooth and highly pigmented for an intense color payout; Perfect for creating unique looks for day or night. Suitable for all skin tones, this palette features warm neutrals in a mix of finishes, from mattes and satins to shimmers and metallics; Ideal for creating everyday looks or dramatic evening styles.
Formulated with the highest quality ingredients, this eyeshadow won't irritate your skin or cause fading throughout the day; Plus, it's cruelty free and not tested on animals. Create complete looks with other NYX Professional Makeup products, from primer and setting spray to eyebrow gel and more.
Maybelline New York The 24K Nudes Gold
Why It's Our Top Pick
The Maybelline New York The 24K Nudes Gold Eyeshadow Palette is a must-have for any makeup enthusiast. This palette features 12 expertly curated shades that are perfect for creating custom eye makeup looks. The highly pigmented eyeshadows offer intense color payoff, and the unique blend of matte and shimmer finishes is ideal for creating subtle, everyday looks or dramatic evening styles.
The addition of metallic gold pigments to these shades adds an extra sparkle to your look, while the dual-ended applicator makes it easy to perfect your eye makeup. With its quality ingredients and beautiful packaging, this palette is sure to become a staple in your collection. All The Details Highly pigmented eyeshadow palette with 12 individual eyeshadows.
All The Details
The 24K Nudes eyeshadow palette comes packaged in an elegant gold square case with a built-in mirror; The shadows are formulated to be crease and fade proof for long lasting wear and easy application. Suitable for all skin tones. Paraben-Free. Mineral oil free. Not tested on animals.
The palette includes 12 shades of shimmery, metallic eyeshadows in a range of colors: from warm golds and coppers to smoky grays and purples. The formula is highly pigmented so you get intense color payoff with just one swipe. The shadows are buttery soft and blend easily, allowing you to create a variety of looks. Whether you want to create a subtle, everyday look or an intense smoky eye, this palette has everything you need.
EYESEEK Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Why It's Our Top Pick
The EYESEEK Matte Eyeshadow Palette is a great choice for makeup enthusiasts on a budget, offering an incredible selection of shades to choose from. The palette features 45 shades in cool and warm tones, ranging from sheer colors to intense metallics. The highly pigmented formula is creamy, blendable, and long-lasting for a professional look that won't smudge or fade.
Plus, it's cruelty free, paraben-free, mineral oil free, and not tested on animals. With so many shades to choose from, this affordable palette is a must-have for anyone who loves experimenting with makeup looks. Pick it up and you won't be disappointed.
All The Details
The EYESEEK Matte Eyeshadow Palette is the perfect choice for any makeup enthusiast looking for an affordable and versatile eyeshadow palette. This palette contains 45 shades ranging from soft mattes to shimmery metallics, allowing you to create any look you desire. The high-pigment shades are long-lasting and blend easily, so you can achieve a flawless finish with minimal effort. Best of all, the packaging is made from recyclable materials and EYESEEK is a cruelty-free brand, so you can feel good about your purchase.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the EYESEEK Matte Eyeshadow Palette is a must-have for creating stunning looks. Add it to your collection and show off your makeup skills with this top drugstore eyeshadow.
2Pcs UCANBE Twilight Dusk
Why It's Our Top Pick
The EYESEEK Matte Eyeshadow Palette and 2Pcs UCANBE Twilight Dusk + Aromas Nude Eyeshadow Palette Makeup Set are our top pick for the best drugstore eyeshadows money can buy. These palettes offer a great variety of shades, from sheer to intense metallics, allowing you to create any look you desire.
The formulas are highly pigmented, long-lasting and blendable for a professional finish without the hassle. Plus, both of these palettes are affordable and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin. Whether you're looking to create a subtle everyday look or an extra glam night time look, these palettes have everything you need – so go ahead and give them a try.
All The Details
NYX Professional Makeup Prismatic Eye Shadow: This affordable drugstore eyeshadow offers great color payoff in a shimmery finish. With eight shades to choose from, it's easy to create a smoky eye with the NYX Professional Makeup Prismatic Eye Shadow range. This drugstore eyeshadow comes in a wide range of shades, from bold bright to muted neutrals. The creamy formula and intense pigmentation make it easy to create looks that last all day long.
This long-wearing cream eyeshadow offers up to 24 hours of intense color and shimmer. Maybelline's Color Tattoo range comes in a variety of shades, from soft nudes to bold metallics and everything in between.
Best Drugstore Eyeshadow FAQs
What type of eyeshadow is best for mature eyes?
Mature eyes often benefit from softer shades that don't settle into fine lines. Look for soft mattes in beige, taupe and mauve tones, as well as creamy metallic shades like champagne and rose gold. These shadows will enhance your look without emphasizing wrinkles or age spots.
Which drugstore eyeshadow is most pigmented?
Many drugstore eyeshadows offer high levels of pigment. For example, the NYX Professional Makeup Color Foil Eyeshadow Palette is packed with highly pigmented shades in a range of metallic and shimmer finishes.
What is the best drugstore eyeshadow for everyday wear?
For day-to-day looks that are easy to apply and look natural, try a neutral palette like Maybelline New York The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette. This palette includes 12 nude shades in a range of finishes, from velvety mattes to creamy shimmers.
Which drugstore eyeshadow is best for an evening look?
If you're looking for something more dramatic for nighttime glamour, try the 2Pcs UCANBE Twilight Dusk. This palette includes highly saturated shades in a range of finishes, from velvety mattes to metallic shimmers.
What is the best drugstore eyeshadow for beginners?
For those just starting out with eyeshadow, try the Best Pro Eyeshadow Palette. These palettes are great for experimenting with color and look beautiful on any eye shape. They have a range of finishes, from mattes to shimmers, as well as easy-to-blend formulas that make it easy to create stunning looks.
What eyeshadow looks good on everyone?
A good rule of thumb is to pick shades that are similar in tone to your skin color. For example, if you have fair skin, look for soft browns and pinks with a hint of shimmer. If you have medium or olive skin tones, opt for taupes and warmer browns. And if you have dark skin, try dark browns, plums and deep burgundies. For a universally flattering look, pick shadows in the same color family to create an all-over wash of color.
What is the easiest eyeshadow to apply?
Cream eyeshadows are the easiest type of eyeshadow to apply, as they go on smoothly and evenly with just your fingertips. For a long-lasting finish, try a cream shadow that can be set with powder for extra staying power.
What do you put on your eyelids before eyeshadow?
Before applying eyeshadow, make sure to apply an eyeshadow primer or base. This will help the shadows stay in place and intensify their color payoff. You can also set your eyelids with a powder before applying shadow for extra staying power.
What is the best drugstore eyeshadow palette?
The best drugstore eyeshadow palette is the one that meets your needs, suits your style and fits within your budget. We recommend looking for palettes with a range of finishes, pigmented shades in flattering tones, as well as easy-to-blend formulas.
What color to hide dark circles?
To help conceal dark circles, opt for a salmon or peach-toned corrector. These shades are designed to neutralize the blue and purple tones of dark circles and brighten up the under eye area. Top with a concealer that matches your skin tone for an even finish.
Best Drugstore Eyeshadow For You
If you’re looking for the perfect nude eyeshadow palette for everyday wear, look no further. One of these five palettes is bound to be your dream basic. Experiment with different colors and effects until you find the one that suits your aesthetic best. With their high quality pigments and affordable price tag, you can’t go wrong with any of these top 5 best drugstore nude eyeshadow palettes.
Check out our other favorites guaranteed to make your eyes pop!
Lindsay Sewell
Lindsay Sewell
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