Beauty Makeup The 10 Best Nude Eyeshadow Palettes of 2023 Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eyeshadow Palette is our go-to By Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal is a beauty and fashion commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on November 23, 2022 @ 11:24AM Pin Share Tweet Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Sephora / Ulta If you still own the same nude eyeshadow palette from high school, it’s time to update the dusty, over-used compact for something better. But with so many sandy beiges, shimmery champagnes, and dark chocolate browns out there, it can be hard to find which palette is best for you. Fortunately, there are so many amazing products that cater to different skin tones, finishes, sizes, and even occasions. So, to help you find your perfect palette, we researched the most loved options favored by shoppers, professionals, and us and asked professional makeup artist, Carl Ray, for tips on shopping for one. Considering application, pigment, versatility, and longevity, we came up with the 10 best neutral eyeshadow compacts. It’s no surprise that Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eyeshadow Palette came out as the best overall because this no-fuss makeup product is the perfect way to dip your toes in the shimmery nude eyeshadow pool. Read on to find out the best neutral palettes for you. The 12 Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Glitz, Glam, and Everyday Beats Our Top Picks Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Splurge: Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette in Amber Neutral at Sephora Jump to Review Best Value: Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette Jump to Review Best for Dark Skin Tones: Fenty Snap Shadows Mix and Match Eyeshadow Palette in Deep Neutrals at Sephora Jump to Review Best for Medium Skin Tones: Juvia’s Place The Warrior Eyeshadow Palette at Ulta Jump to Review Best for Fair Skin Tones: Natasha Denona Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora Jump to Review Best Matte: Tarte Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette Jump to Review Best Shimmer: Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Sultry Muse at Viseartparis.com Jump to Review Best Clean Eyeshadow: ILIA The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Travel: Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette 4.5 Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Charlottetilbury.com What We Love: This palette is great for professionals and novice beauty lovers. What We Don’t Love: The colors apply sheer, but are buildable with more application. Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eyeshadow Palette is your one stop shop for creating endless neutral looks. Featuring six total shades — two satin (one cool and one warm) and four matte shades — these velvety colors will curate a fool-proof eye makeup look. It caters to all undertones, making it a truly universal palette. Recommended by professional makeup artist, Carl Ray, this aptly named compact contains lightweight shadows that are easily buildable and and never crease or appear patchy over time. While the cruelty-free palette recommends using the first three shades for a day look and the last three for a date look, you can mix and match the tones to curate a unique look. Because the shadows do go on slightly sheer, we recommend building up the eyeshadow pigment with multiple swipes for a sultry look, regardless what colors you use. Price at time of publish: $57 Finishes: Matte, Satin｜Shade Number: 6 Best Splurge Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette in Amber Neutral Sephora View On Sephora What We Love: This palette comes with an eye primer. What We Don’t Love: These shadows can blend together in their case, so be sure to dust off any fall out. Looking to treat yourself to a neutral palette perfect for everyday use? The Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette is the crème de la crème of luxurious day-to-day makeup. Raved about by Ray for its velvety feel and universally flattering tones, this compact features eight different shades, varying from matte taupes to shimmery champanes, and one built in primer. Apply the primer onto your lid and follow with a matte shade to contour the eye or a glitter for more of a wow factor. We even recommend using the deeper shades as liner to achieve a blurred cat eye, perfect for everyday wear. These shadows aren’t as pigmented as others on this list, but they are buildable so you can achieve your desired look. Be cautious when picking up the product as the shadows do tend to mix, so be sure to dust off any fall out from the compact. Price at time of publish: $49 Finishes: Matte, Shimmer｜Shade Number: 8 Best Value Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette 4.5 Amazon View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Target What We Love: This palette offers a variety of shades and finishes that are suitable to multiple skin tones. What We Don’t Love: The plastic packaging isn’t the most protective. This drugstore favorite has 12 striking neutral shades curated to make an infinite amount of makeup looks from the everyday no-makeup-makeup to a sultry smoked out look. Including both matte and shimmer finishes, this combination of colors complements a variety of complexions, offering deeper shades for those with darker skin and cooler hues for lighter tones. The shadows easily blend onto your face without any pilling or creasing and the pigmentation is buildable. Note: The shadows are packed in plastic packaging, so be careful not to drop the palette as the shadows may break. Price at time of publish: $13 Finishes: Matte, Shimmer｜Shade Number: 12 Best for Dark Skin Tones Fenty Snap Shadows Mix and Match Eyeshadow Palette in Deep Neutrals Sephora View On Sephora What We Love: The rich shades seamlessly blend on the lid, patch free. What We Don’t Love: The powders have quite a bit of fall out. Anyone with deeper skin complexions will appreciate the gorgeous selection of warm and bright neutral colors that will pop on the eye. Rihanna’s Snap Shadows Mix and Match Eyeshadow Palette in Deep Neutrals contains both nude mattes and glistening blush tones that are long-wearing and blend together seamlessly. We suggest applying the easy-to-wear matte shades onto the crease of your eye, then popping the shimmery shades onto the inner corner to open up your eyes. For even more drama, dab the glitter shadows onto the lid with your finger for max shimmer payoff. The powders do have quite a bit of fallout, so we recommend applying your eye makeup first with this kit. Also, you can mix and match other Fenty compacts by snapping them together for an easy portable customized makeup kit. Price at time of publish: $28 Finishes: Matte, Shimmer｜Shade Number: 6 Best for Medium Skin Tones Juvia’s Place The Warrior Eyeshadow Palette Ulta View On Ulta What We Love: Apply the satin or shimmer finishes with a damp brush for an extreme pop! What We Don’t Love: The shadows have quite a bit of fallout so we recommend doing your eye makeup first. Juvia’s Place The Warrior Eyeshadow Palette features nine alluring shades ideal for medium skin tones. The black-owned beauty brand prides themself on enhancing the richness in people’s skin tones, and this palette does that and more by enhancing an olive complexion. Formulated without sulfates or parabens, these vibrant shadows packed with pigment blend smoothly with one another, regardless if you choose one of the matte, satin, or shimmery finishes. For a more intense color payoff, apply the satin or shimmery finishes with a damp eyeshadow brush. But we recommend doing your eye makeup first to avoid any excess powder falling off onto your foundation. Price at time of publish: $20 Finishes: Matte, Satin, Shimmer｜Shade Number: 9 Best for Fair Skin Tones Natasha Denona Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette Sephora View On Sephora What We Love: The metallic finish shades leave your eyes looking beautifully dusted in shimmery pigment. What We Don’t Love: The pans tend to fall out of the palette, but easily pop back in. This stunning, five shade makeup palette may look subtle at first glance, but these pigments pack a punch. Valuing quality over quantity, the pressed powders come in two easy-to-wear matte shades (quoin and soil) and three metallic hues (sienna, lumino, and bronzage). The velvety mattes melt into your skin, leaving your lids evenly covered with a rich color, while the shimmery shades dust the eye in a glimmer that will sparkle in any light. This glistening combo of shadows complements fairer skin thanks to the cooler metallics and paler bronzes. When I first used this compact, I was shocked at how creamy these colors were on my lid — they blend effortlessly and remain patch free. If you’re an eyeshadow novice or plan to be on the go often, opt for the Mini Nude Eyeshadow Kit, which features a vegan fiber blending brush. Trust me, when I say you will get stopped and asked about what eye makeup you’re wearing. Price at time of publish: $27 Finishes: Matte, Metallic｜Shade Number: 5 Best Matte Tarte Tartelette Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette Ulta View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora What We Love: The packaging feels luxurious and comes with a great mirror. What We Don’t Love: This palette is best suited for those with cooler tones. Tartlette Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette comes with 12 bold and subtle mattes that will become your everyday go-to. The assortment of colors includes, sandy taupes, deep browns, blushy beiges, and pale creams that are arranged in rows to help you easily create a look. Ideal for anyone with oily lids, these shadows made from amazonian clay and vitamin E to last longer actually minimize excess oil by absorbing any oil and controlling shine. Plus, professional makeup artist Ray says, “Matte shades appear more youthful on mature skin.” We love that the palette features a huge mirror for easy application and use on-the-go. We wish it had warmer tones, though, as it mostly consists of cooler shades, to be a more universal option. Price at time of publish: $42 Finishes: Matte｜Shade Number: 12 Best Shimmer Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Sultry Muse Viseart Paris View On Viseartparis.com What We Love: These 12 shimmering shades can be used as highlighter and blush. What We Don’t Love: The price tag is slightly higher on this palette, but fortunately, they offer a mini version that is more affordable. Recommended by Ray, this stunning collection of 12 shimmery shades (ranging from cool beiges to warmer orange tones), is the ultimate product for those who love glitter. These highly pigmented shadows come in a mix of satin, metallic, and shimmer finishes that consistently blend onto the lid. These soft shadows immediately illuminate the eye, creating a dazzling look. Pop these glistening shades onto the center of the lid to open up the eye and elevate your eye look. Although this compact has a higher price tag than some of the others on this list, the color payoff and seamless blend make it so worth it. Not to mention, you can also use these shadows as blush and highlight — a huge bonus in our eyes! But, if you do want to opt for a cheaper option, Viseart sells this palette in a smaller version. Price at time of publish: $80 Finishes: Shimmer｜Shade Number: 12 Best Clean Eyeshadow ILIA The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette Sephora View On Amazon View On Iliabeauty.com View On Sephora What We Love: This palette comes in two different color variations catering to those with both light and dark skin tones. What We Don’t Love: We recommend priming the lids to enhance the shadow’s longevity Finding a clean, talc-free eyeshadow palette may seem like an impossible feat, but as more beauty manufacturers become aware of harmful ingredients more amazing products, like this one from Ilia, are emerging. Featuring jojoba seed oil and vitamin E, these six buttery shadows seamlessly work together to hydrate the lid and protect it from free radicals. Not only is this makeup clean and vegan, but it also appeases multiple skin tones — it has a kit for cool complexions, which features blue based nudes and blushes, and warm tones, which include deeper browns and orange based shimmers. The cruelty-free shadows have both matte and metallic options, and whether you blend them together or apply one on top of the other, they wear well with one another. We recommend priming the lids to enhance this clean beauty product’s longevity. Price at time of publish: $38 Finishes: Matte, Metallic｜Shade Number: 6 Best for Travel Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart What We Love: With 14 different shades and three different finishes (matte, duo chrome, and metallic), this palette offers a wide variety of makeup looks. What We Don’t Love: To avoid any creasing, we recommend using an eye primer with these shadows. Sadly, we can’t all cram 10 different eyeshadow palettes into our carry-ons. Fortunately, this palette has it all: An array of hues, finishes, a built in mirror, and a dual ended brush. When traveling, you want a reliable compact that is durable and functional. The built in mirror and dual ended brush are the perfect travel-friendly additions. Not to mention, the case is protective, so you won’t open up your palette after a long trip to find it shattered. With 14 different shades, ranging from noir to pale nudes, the palette offers ultra-pigmented shades that apply beautifully to the eye without worry of harsh strokes or uneven shadow distribution. We do recommend using an eye primer with these shades, as the shadows can crease on the lids. Price at time of publish: $45 Finishes: Matte, Metallic｜Shade Number: 14 What to Keep in Mind Skin Tone Professional makeup artist Ray says, “Nude eyeshadow looks are a complementary everyday look you can apply without feeling overdone,” adding, “It’s very important to choose the correct eyeshadow shades for the skin tone you are working with or have.” For deeper skin tones Ray advises choosing palettes that feature “heavily pigmented shadows, in deep rich golds, coppers, bronzes, bricks, and tangerines,” like the Fenty Snap Shadows Mix and Match Eyeshadow Palette in Deep Neutrals. For fairer folks, opt for cooler undertones like the Tarte Tartlette Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette, which will complement your complexion. For medium tones, golden hues will amplify your natural coloration and will give you a beautiful sheen. Also, Ray notes that hair and eye color can help determine which colors are most flattering. Finish Eyeshadows come in a multitude of different finishes: matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic. You can easily mix and match finishes as long as you understand their properties. Matte shadows appear flat on the lid and are great for those with oily lids, as they absorb excess oil, and mature skin, as they won’t show as much texture as shimmery shades do. Shimmery shadows contain particles that catch the light, making your eyes appear glittery. Ray notes, “Sometimes for evening I like to add a little shimmer with my finger for some dimension and sparkle.” Metallic finishes have a foil-like appearance, often with gold, bronze, silver, or copper undertones. They appear shiny on the lid and are a great way to glam up a look. Lastly, satin eye makeup is the perfect fusion of matte and shimmer. Satin products aren’t as flat as mattes, but aren’t over the top glittery. They offer a balanced blend of sparkle and depth. Your Questions, Answered How do you apply nude eyeshadow? “Nude eyeshadow looks are definitely one of my favorite go-to looks,” exclaims Ray. First, he advises applying an eye primer to the lid, to increase longevity and pigment. “Then, apply a bare shade of shadow from lash line to brow” to create the perfect base for your look. “Next, apply a light to medium shadow shade across the entire eyelid area” to add some dimension to the eye. “Using a crease brush, apply a deeper shade in and just above the natural eye crease using back and forth strokes like a windshield wiper.” If you want to keep it simple, you can simply apply one layer of matte shadow, but if you want more drama, apply a metallic, shimmer, or glitter finish to the center of the eye to create a glamorous look. You can also place a slight shimmer on the inner corner to open up your eyes. How do you create a nude eyeshadow look on hooded eyes? For those with hooded eyelids, Ray recommends applying “eyeshadow from the lash line upward and outward just past your natural crease.” He also advises tightlining (applying liner close to the lash line) the eye to give definition without losing any lid space. He recommends using lightweight shadows so the eyes don’t look heavy. To create dimension use deeper eyeshadow hues on two-thirds of the outer lid. To tie the look together be sure to apply that darker shade on the outer lower lash line. Why Shop With Us Amanda Rosenthal is a commerce writer for InStyle. Amanda has experience researching and testing different nude eyeshadows and has tried tons of different makeup kits, including palettes on this list. With additional knowledge from professional makeup artist, Carl Ray, and first-hand experience trying out numerous shades and finishes, she rounded up the top picks for this story. The 11 Best Full Coverage Foundations of 2023, Tested and Reviewed