14 Best Matte Eyeshadow Palettes Loved by Makeup Artists and Our Beauty Editor
Time to meet your matte with these shadows that provide shimmer isn't always better.
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I love a good glitter eyeshadow as much as the next beauty enthusiast, but some days, I want to keep things simple with an easy-to-use matte eyeshadow palette. As our beauty editor (and resident eyeshadow obsessive), I'm constantly testing new beauty products and asking professional makeup artists about their no-fail picks. So naturally, I rummaged through the eyeshadow section of our beauty closet and consulted with two makeup artists about all things matte eyeshadow palettes. Keep scrolling for our pro tips on how to shop for matte eyeshadow palettes, our most beloved products, and tips for applying them.
The Best Matte Eyeshadow Palettes
- Best Overall: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Budget: e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadows
- For a Non-Creasing Formula: Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in The Sophisticate
- Best for $10: e.l.f. Mad For Matte Palette
- For Pink and Purple Looks: Maybelline The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Benefits of Matte Eyeshadow Palettes
Celebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger promises that matte eyeshadow palettes are super versatile and are great for everyone. "I also prefer them for people with more mature skin as they don’t highlight fine lines the way a shimmer shadow might. They're great for adding depth and blending out other shadows and are beautiful on their own. You can even use them to color correct," says Mellinger, who counts Emma Watson and Stephanie Beatriz as clients.
Another benefit of using matte eyeshadows is they create seamless eye makeup looks. "You can use them as transition shades for different finishes and colors," notes NYC-based makeup artist Karina Montoya.
What to Consider
Number of Matte Eyeshadows
Like so many beauty products, the perfect matte eyeshadow palette all depends on your personal preferences. Looking for something easy to stow away in your purse? A mini matte eyeshadow palette, such as the NYX Ultimate Edit Petite Shadow Palette, will do the trick for your on-the-go needs. Want more shade options? Grab a larger palette that has 10-plus shades in it, like the e.l.f.Mad For Matte Palette.
Pigmentation
Montoya, who has 20 years of pro experience, advises readers to consider the pigmentation needed for their skin color and type. For example, those with oily skin, likely have oily lids, like me. Using an eye primer, such as the MILK Makeup Hydrogrip, will do wonders for helping your makeup last longer and for the shades to be more noticeable.
Our skin tone also plays a role in our ideal matte eyeshadow palette. For example, everyone can wear brown eyeshadow, but someone with a fairer complexion can get away with lighter tones of brown on their and in their crease, while someone with a deeper complexion would look stunning in a palette with deeper tones.
Price
And don't sweat it when it comes to prices: Sure, an expensive $50-plus palette, like the Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eyeshadow Palette, is always nice, and the pigments may be more intense and long-lasting, but there are also tons of drugstore options, including L.A. Colors 5 Color Matte Eyeshadow Palette, to choose from that hold up pretty well.
“Eyeshadows at a higher price point tend to be more pigmented and finely milled, packing more of a punch on application. They also require a bit more skill to blend,” says Mellinger. “Budget-friendly matte shadows are great for beginners since the pigment isn’t as intense and is easier to manipulate. However, you won’t get the same color payoff.”
Tips and Tricks
- Application: Mellinger and I both agree that using fluffy eyeshadow brushes is key because they allow you to easily blend your makeup.
- Use them dry or wet as eyeliners: Montoya says when dry, matte eyeshadow is used alone it gives your eyes dimension and a timeless look. Whichever matte eyeshadow palette you opt for, make your new shadow do double duty by using them as an eyeliner alternative. "When wet, you can use it as an eyeliner using an angled brush for a softer eyeliner look. You can use a liquid transformative product like Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal or Inglot Duraline to create a waterproof eyeliner," she says.
- Matte shadows are also great for mixing: When you don’t have quite the desired shade in your palette, Mellinger suggests mixing neutral and fun colors together, just like foundations. We love this tip because it saves you some money and embraces the rule-breaking creativity of makeup. Mellinger adds, "Makeup is meant to be fun! Eyeshadows are one of the most colorful makeup products available, so there really are no limits. Just go for it!"
How We Chose
If you're ready to spruce up your makeup collection, don't forget to add one (or all) of these matte eyeshadow palettes during your next beauty haul. They also make an excellent beauty gift for your favorite makeup-obsessed bestie or a loved one just getting into makeup or itching to switch up their look.
After chatting with the pros, I scoured the Web for matte eyeshadow palettes aligned with their guidance. For example, every product on this contains at least four matte eyeshadows. Since I strive for our beauty content to be as inclusive as possible, most of these matte eyeshadow palettes, including the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in The Sophisticate, contain universally flattering tones that look stunning on all skin colors. It also doesn't hurt that the iconic celebrity makeup artist created high-quality products with every complexion in mind.
As for pricing, you can find a healthy mix of cheap palettes from Amazon and higher-end ones sold at Sephora and Nordstrom. For added comfort, I own many of these palettes, and others earned snaps from Montoy and Mellinger, who stock them in their pro kits. As for the others, I did my due diligence by carefully researching hundreds of palettes on the market and I settled on a few more that also meet our expert's guidelines.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
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