Fact: makeup trends come and go. The ‘80s were all about neon eyeshadow, the ‘90s saw ultra-thin brows, and we're still trying to forget the tanning bed craze that plagued the early aughts (today's best self-tanners are much safer and significantly less orange). Still, one makeup product has remained relevant throughout the decades: the best nude eyeshadow palettes. Neutral shades in taupes, browns, and blacks complement every skin tone and eye color and can be worn for both every day makeup or a special occasion look. Think of the best nude eyeshadow palettes as the makeup equivalent of a white button-down shirt—they're timeless classics.
Given a nude shadow palette's never-ending color combos, it should come as no surprise that makeup artists reach for them time and time again. “In my personal experience with neutral eyeshadow palettes, they are remarkably versatile, and I have a habit of blending and utilizing all the shades,” says celebrity makeup artist Dominique Lerma. The best palettes can create anything from a glamorous glittery eyeshadow look with dramatic definition to the more subtly contoured makeup styles that are great for daytime wear.
Whether you want to refresh your nude eyeshadow palette collection or start from scratch, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve consulted the experts on how to choose the right palette for you. These are the 13 best nude eyeshadow palettes on the market right now, from Charlotte Tilbury to the cult-favorite Urban Decay Naked3.
The Best Nude Eyeshadow Palettes
- The Best Nude Eyeshadow Palette Overall: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
- The Best Matte Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: the Neutrals
- The Best Shimmer Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Spice Mini Eyeshadow Palette
- The Best Warm-Toned Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Lisa Eldridge Muse Eyeshadow Palette
- The Best Editor-Approved Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Mini Amazonian Clay Palette
- The Best Drugstore Nude Eyeshadow Palette: Juvia's Place The Coffee Shop Palette
Marie Claire's Beauty Editor Samantha Holender swears that this palette is worth the investment, saying she's "hit pan on each and every square." Complete with two creamy shadows packed away in their own little plastic safe (a genius move for eyeliner lovers), you can create multidimensional looks for day, night, and every minute in between. Mix and match the long-lasting and highly pigmented shades—a mix of warm and cool nudes—and rest easy knowing you'll happily use every color.
Finish: Matte
Formula: Powder and Cream
Shades: 12
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Editor-approved; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Vegan formula; A mix of warm and cool nude shades.
What I Don't: More expensive than other options.
Review for MC: "This eyeshadow palette is unbelievable. With one row of warm tones and one row of cool tones, I have created countless eyeshadow looks for both day and night. With a preference for warmer hues, I tend to swirl the darker shades from the top row into my crease and pat on the lightest nude color onto the inner third of my lid. The product has one of the blackest black eyeshadows I've ever tried and a black cream shadow so that I can layer the two together for an incredibly sharp and long-lasting wing. There's barely any fallout or fading, and the colors just blend so seamlessly together. It's truly my secret to professional-looking makeup!" — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses Patrick Ta Major Dimension III Matte Eyeshadow Palette
"If you’re a makeup artist (or a makeup lover in general), you need this in your kit," says celebrity makeup artist T. Cooper. "The shadows are buttery smooth, there’s a shade for everyone, and it creates a perfectly sculpted nude eye with minimal effort. The versatility of this palette is unmatched." I couldn't agree more. The magic behind this palette is the truly neutral shades—nothing is too warm or too cool—making every shade flattering for all skin tones.
Finish: Matte
Formula: Powder
Shades: 12
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Pro- and editor-approved; Shades work for all skin tones; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Applies smoothly; Includes a mirror.
What I Don't: Includes only matte shades.
Review for MC: "There's beauty in simplicity, and that's exactly why I love this palette. The truly neutral shades can be blended into any combo. The formula is also incredibly matte, leaving a gorgeous soft and smooth texture on my lids. They're pigmented and easy to blend, and with barely any fall out. I used a few medium and dark brown shades in my crease, and placed the nearly-white shade on my lid for a little matte highlight. Of course, I added a wing with the black shadow and slightly smudged it out to top off my look. Even without my oily lids, these shadows don't budge, so my lids can stay sculpted all day long." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer.
Emma Aerin Becker uses Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
How could I not include Tate McRae's favorite eyeshadow? Each shimmering shade is absolutely stunning and packed with pigment. The nine-shadow palette has a mix of glittery metallic and subtle shimmer shades. This product is perfect for a natural everyday look or glitter-filled glam, from warm-toned neutrals to popping champagnes.
Finish: Shimmer
Formula: Powder
Shades: 9
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Subtle and metallic shimmers; Unlimited color combinations; Great for everyday or full-glam eyeshadow
What I Don't: Some reviewers complain of bad fall out
Review for MC: "Glitter girls, this one's for you. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Spice Mini Eyeshadow Palette has shimmer shadows that pack a very glittery punch. Plus, the pink-toned shades are absolutely stunning, and impressively highlight my very dark brown eyes. I especially love the iridescence of the middle three colors, which can be seen shining on my lids from miles away. I used the two toasty red shades in my crease with a fluffy blush and swiped on the iridescent pink and champagne shades across my lid with my finger for a more intense shine. There was a bit of fallout, but nothing a few swipes of a big fluffy brush under my eyes couldn't fix." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses the Anastasia Beverly Hills Spice Mini Eyeshadow Palette
A true foil to the matte options on this list, this gorgeous palette by celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge is heavy on the shimmer shades. The pans all have a pretty metallic finish that varies in intensity: use an eyeshadow brush for a more subtle finish or your finger or a damp brush for a high-impact payoff. It's not a bad idea to use a primer, though—despite the silky finish, you might experience a bit of creasing a few hours after application.
Finish: Shimmer
Formula: Powder
Shades: 6
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Gorgeous shimmer finish; Easy to apply; Highly pigmented; Includes a mirror.
What I Don't: Some creasing experienced; More expensive than other options.
Review for MC: "Lisa Eldridge had my jaw on the floor with my first dip into this palette. I'm a sucker for warm pink and red toned eyeshadows, and these shimmering shades are to die for. They're not glitter, per say, but rather a foil-y metallic (think: wet-look) or scattered shimmer. I've used every shade in every color combo possible at this point, and I'm never disappointed. I apply with a brush and experience zero fallout, fading, or creasing throughout the day. While it's hard to choose just one, my favorite shade has to be the bright fuschia metallic, which reads much lighter on the eye for a subtle pop of pink over any eye look." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses Lisa Eldridge Makeup Muse Luxury Eyeshadow Palette
In my humble opinion, Tarte makes some of the best eyeshadow palettes on the market—and they are a great value, too. While their full-size, 12-pan palette isn't currently being sold, the brand has gifted us a mini version with some of the same amazing smokey colors I love to blend in the crease for a defined eye. There are also metallic shades, in case you want to have a little more fun with your look.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 6
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Editor-approved; Under $30; Includes a mix of matte and shimmery shades; Long-wearing; Dermatologist-tested.
What I Don't: Payoff isn't amazing on all colors.
Review for MC: "The Tartelette in Bloom palette has long been a staple in my nude eyeshadow collection. It has a perfect balance of matte and shimmery shades, allowing for endless eyeshadow looks. The lighter colors may not be as pigmented as the darker shades, but the shimmers are super shiny and the dark, more pigmented mattes blend out beautifully. The mini version makes creating a classic nude shadow look even simpler. Plus, it still has my two favorite shades from the ful-size: Trendsetter and Go Getter." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer.
Emma Aerin Becker
Celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz is a huge fan of Juvia's Place's The Coffee Shop Palette for a couple of reasons: the colors are all different shades of coffee/latte and there's a lovely selection of nude shimmers in the mix. "The color payoff is excellent, meaning what you see is what you get," she adds. I also love the affordability offered here: you receive a whopping 16 shades—that apply like an actual dream—for less than $30.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 16
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Affordable; Pro-approved; A mix of matte and shimmer finishes; Highly pigmented.
What I Don't: None found.
Review for MC: "I could play with this palette for hours. With a mix of warm, cool, metallic, and matte shades, The Coffee Shop Palette can be used to create any neutral look imaginable—from full-on smokey eyes to a touch of dimension. I love how pigmented the powder formula is without creating piles of fallout with each brush tap. Plus, the dark chocolate colors work perfectly for applying a buffed-out wing (no eyeliner necessary)." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses Juvia's Place The Coffee Shop Palette
Other Nude Eyeshadow Palettes I Love
"This one is the GOAT because it’s not just for eyes—you can also use it on the brows and lips, too," says Cooper. There's a velvety cream and pigmented powder for each of the 10 shades, which work together to control oil and smooth texture while locking in shape and definition. "This palette is my go to whenever I am providing a makeup service for a woman of color—I just know it’s gonna work!" With this high-performance, lightweight palette, it's extra easy to create neutral eyeshadow looks like a pro.
Finish: Matte
Formula: Powder and Cream
Shades: 10
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Not just for eyeshadow; Great for women of color; Pro-approved
What I Don't: It's so good, it's often sold out!
Customer Review: "Love, love, love this product. I’m not advanced with my makeup skills but this palette makes doing my makeup so easy. I can do my eyes, cheeks, contour, and line my lips. Worth the price." — Sephora
For under $30, you get 35 neutral shades in range of finishes—it's a swatcher's heaven. This palette has everything from warm browns to rose tones and cool nudes, and each shade has an impressive color payoff and applies so smoothly.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 35
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Under $30; Includes 35 colors and a nice mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Has a range of undertones; Silky formula
What I Don't: The packaging feels a bit cheaper than other options
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this palette. I have many other Morphe palettes but this has quickly become my favorite. There is a good mix of warm and cool shades. Mattes and shimmers. It blends out very well with no fallout. Stays all day with eyeshadow primer. I use this palette daily. It's gorgeous." — Ulta
An oldie but a goodie, this list would be incomplete without Urban Decay's cult-favorite Naked Palette. The original palette is iconic, but this rose-toned version is, dare I say, may be better than the OG. The rosy eyeshadows glide right on and make my hazel eyes pop from a mile away by highlighting the green tones. Another major bonus is that this palette comes with a mirror and its own eyeshadow brush that works surprisingly well.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 12
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: A true classic; Editor-approved; Consists of a mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Blendable; Long-wearing; Includes a mirror and dual-ended eyeshadow brush; Travel-friendly
What I Don't: Some of the lighter shades have fallout
Customer Review: "These are so pretty and natural looking. I need a true neutral, not warm or cool, and these really hit that spot for me." — Ulta
While this palette is pricey for its size, Charlotte Tilbury products have stellar quality. Each pan delivers major color, doesn't crease, and blends easily. This six-shade palette has everything you need. Use one or two shades for a pared-down everyday look, or go more multi-dimensional by combining them. I like to use the lightest shade all over the lid and upper brow bone and the second-lightest shade to enhance my crease. The dark shade is perfect for lining lashes and smoking everything out. It's also worth noting that I've worn this baby morning to night with zero creasing.
Finish: Matte
Formula: Powder
Shades: 6
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Gorgeous satin finish; Easy to apply; Highly pigmented; Includes instructions for three simple looks; No creasing experienced.
What I Don't: Only comes with matte shades; More expensive than other options.
Customer Review: "I threw out all of my other pallets because of this one. It's perfect for everyday and perfect for glam! I love using the darker shadows for eyeliner!" — Ulta
Too Faced is genius for creating this versatile nude palette. Not only are these nude, rose, and brown shades gorgeous, but you'll notice that the matte shades come in a bit larger pan than the sparkly ones. This palette earns major bonus points because these shadows are infused with skin-loving ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid, meaning they apply smoothly and easily. You can rock them all day and all night with no creasing, even without a primer.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 16
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Includes a mix of finishes; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Infused with skincare ingredients; Includes 16 shades
What I Don't: Some of the glitter shades have fallout
Customer Review: "This eyeshadow pallet has the most beautiful colors and even though the glitter shades do flake a little when you it but you can just easily pick up the flakes and press them into your eyelids for more coverage. 10/10 formula." — Ulta
Cassandra Garcia, a celebrity makeup artist, considers this rose-toned palette her "all-time favorite." This particular version (there's a gold-toned and smokey variation, too) is full of neutral blush tones you can use to create a range of looks from a soft, everyday glam to a dramatic smokey eye. We love that this palette has a range of finishes—matte, shimmer, and metallic—so you can switch up your look from day to day. Despite only having five shades, this palette will last thanks to its large pans.
Finish: Multiple
Formula: Powder
Shades: 5
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Pro-approved; Includes a mix of finishes; Long-wearing; Large pan sizes.
What I Don't: The shimmer shades have a bit of fallout.
Customer Review: "I love that I can do a variety of looks with this palette. I can do a natural everyday look, or a smokey look for evening. I have very oily eyelids. I do use an eyeshadow primer before applying the eyeshadows. That also helps this eyeshadow to stay on longer. It really wears well during the day with no fading. I'm very happy that I purchased this palette." — Neiman Marcus
If you want to feel like a pro makeup artist while doing your eyeshadow, turn to Viseart. Because of its incredible blendability and high-impact color, pros everywhere have this palette stashed in their kits. Case in point: celebrity makeup artist Dominique Lerma says she "cannot live without" this palette. "The pigments are long-wearing, they’re easy to blend, highly pigmented, and the packaging is compact and easy to travel with," she explains about her top pick.
Finish: Matte
Formula: Powder
Shades: 12
Cruelty-Free: Yes
What I Love: Pro-approved; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Multi-use formula; Travel-friendly.
What I Don't Only comes with matte shades; More expensive than other options.
Customer Review: "Stunning palette. Effortlessly glides on. Pricey but worth every penny!" — Revolve
What to Look For in a Nude Eyeshadow Palette
Not every nude eyeshadow palette on the market is going to fit your needs—and that's okay! To narrow them down, pro makeup artist Isabel Y Rosado says to ask yourself two questions: "First, do you like warm or cool tones? Then, do you prefer mattes, shimmers, or both?" Use those parameters as a starting point when shopping for a new palette.
- Tones
The most important factor to consider when shopping for your next favorite neutral eyeshadow palette is the tones and shades it offers. For Garcia, nude, skin-like shades are a must, as is a taupe shade. “I love a taupe shade to make sure I have my soft defining shade for my crease and under the eye,” she explains.
Lerma recommends a wide range of brown shades. “When I am on the hunt for a new eyeshadow palette, I like to look for one that carries a few matte, neutral brown, warm brown, and rust-colored shades,” she explains.
Nude palettes also typically fall under one of three categories: cool-toned, warm-toned, or true-neutral. While Rosado says the best for you boils down to personal preference, you may find that the palettes that match your skin's undertone will complement you the best.
- Finishes
Having a variety of eyeshadow finishes will ensure you can create any look your heart desires. I, for one, am a huge fan of glitter eyeshadows for both daily wear and going-out looks. I also recognize the power of matte shades though. “Matte eyeshadows tend to be the most universal shades and can be used for daily eyeshadow looks," Lerma says. Unless you have a strong preference, you can't go wrong with a palette that has a mix of finishes.
How to Use a Nude Eyeshadow Palette
The best neutral eyeshadow palettes can create a multitude of looks; use them to nail your smokey eye makeup, create monochromatic looks, or add subtle contour to your eyes.
"A nude eyeshadow palette is a must-have in your makeup kit because it’s so versatile," says Loiz. "You can use it for a simple everyday makeup look, no-makeup makeup, smokey eyes, etc. The list is endless. They’re also user friendly for makeup beginners and never go out of style."
Lerma has two easy recommendations to get you started. First, she suggests choosing a brown shade two to three shades darker than your skin tone and going over your crease in a windshield motion. This will create major depth to the eye and is what Lerma calls "a primed eye." She adds, “this technique is an old makeup hack and has been used by educators for decades.”
The beauty pro also has a go-to look that uses just three shades: A creamy light color to use across the lid and brow; a light brown or caramel-colored brown to add definition in the crease; and an espresso shade to smoke out the outer corners. “The result of using the right tools and intentional technique is remarkable, and that’s only using three eyeshadow shades,” she explains.
How Long Does an Eyeshadow Palette Last?
How long an eyeshadow palette lasts really depends on how often you use it, but in general, eyeshadows can last around two to three years. Just be sure to store them in a clean and dry place.
However, Cooper notes that there are some exceptions to this rule because you don't know how long a palette was on the shelf before you purchased it or what conditions it has been stored in. She says, "My rule of thumb is that if it smells off, feels chalky, or isn’t performing the way it’s supposed to, it’s time to let it go."
How Do You Fix a Broken Eyeshadow Palette?
We've all shattered are favorite shadows (right? Please tell me it's not just me), and there's truly no worse feeling. Fortunately, you can definitely fix them in four easy steps, as Cooper explains. All you need is a little patience and love. Full disclaimer: They won’t look as pretty as before, but they’ll still get the job done.
Step 1: Crush up the broken shadow completely (I know it feels so wrong, but just trust me).
Step 2: Add rubbing alcohol to the crushed shadow until it forms a thick paste.
Step 3: Smooth the paste back into the pan with a spatula, spoon, or even your finger.
Step 4: Let it dry overnight, and she’s ready to clock back in for work!
Meet the Experts
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
When she’s not creating press-worthy red carpet and editorial looks for famous faces, Renee can be found working with renowned international brands such as NARS, Beauty Blender, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Sephora, J.Crew, Disney, Target, BuzzFeed, Adidas, and Warner Brothers.
Her industry expertise and artistry are regularly tapped by the top fashion publications including InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Essence, EBONY, People, L’Officiel, Who What Wear, Vanity Fair, The Zoe Report, Allure, and featured on Saturday Night Live.
She is also known as the founder of Color May Vary—the ultimate guide to the best black-owned brands for beauty enthusiasts. After launching, Color May Vary was recognized by Ulta Beauty in an initiative to celebrate inspirational Black voices, and won a Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award. She continues to spread positive change in the beauty industry by representing the underrepresented.
Dominique Lerma a Hollywood bred Internationally published Makeup Artist and Beauty Educator, known for her ability to create flawless complexions and innovative beauty looks. She grew her love for makeup artistry at a very ripe age and began beautifying faces for her fellow classmates at her all girl parochial high school. Her self taught passion flourished while she was given the opportunity of working with the world reknowned Mac Cosmetics and soon became a Viva Glam Ambassador. Dominique’s vast resume includes Beauty, editorial, celebrity, advertising, rebranding and bridal. She serves as a Beauty Educator for Frankie Rose Cosmetics and is a bilingual traveling sales representative for both Enzo Milano Professional Hair Styling Tools and Royal Langnickel Brush. Her creative expertise consists of Makeup artistry, hairstyling and men’s grooming.
Cassandra Garcia is a New York-based makeup artist. As an optimist and naturally curious person, Garcia is at ease working across all types of mediums and creating a broad range of looks, whether it’s an effortlessly undone or an iconic red carpet moment. Her celebrity clients include Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Heidi Gardner, and Vanessa Bayer, and her work can be found in publications such as Glamour, Marie Claire, GQ, and Hollywood Reporter. In addition, brands such as Reem Acra, Cynthia Rowley, Jenny Packham, Tibi, and Veronica Beard have called on Garcia’s expertise for runway looks. Garcia represents Bobbi Brown Cosmetics as its resident editorial makeup artist.
Isabel is a pro makeup artist born and based in New York City. She's worked with brands and publications such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hill House, Moda Operandi, Teen Vogue, Elle Mexico, Glossier, Levi's, Office Magazine, and more. Her work has graced the red carpet with the likes of Sarah Hoover, Michelle Hellman, and Mollie Acquavella. Isabel is also a member of the Latinx Creatives Collective.
T. Cooper is a world-renowned celebrity makeup artist with over thirteen years of expertise in the beauty industry. She founded Major Face, an on-location beauty service company offering a full range of on-demand services, including makeup, lashes and more. As a Black-owned business, her mobile beauty agency specializes in inclusion, servicing diverse skin tones including African American, Mediterranean and Asian Skin. T. Cooper also served as Keyed Makeup Artist for many of NYFW’s FW 2025 runway shows & presentations.
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