15 Best Matte Eyeshadow Palettes Of 2024, Expert-Approved
Ace the perfectly mattified and stylish look this season to steal the show at parties.
Kerrin is a 4-time Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist. She has worked on TV shows, such as The Walking Dead, The Mandalorian, and Our Flag Means Death, and films, such as Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars - Attack of the Clones, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, The Hobbit Trilogy, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales to name a few.
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Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.
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Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
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Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
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Eyeshadows make your eyes appear elegant and make you look pleasing. They offer many kinds of attractive finishes – shiny, metallic, satin, and shimmer. But if you are a fan of matte finishes, you must check out some of the best matte eyeshadow palettes. Matte eyeshadows offer a subtle look without shine, and yet they make you look classic. And, if you are a newbie, these palettes make an excellent beginning for you to practice your hands. The matte finish goes well with any makeup and is easily available in smokey and nude shades. In this article, we have mentioned a sifted list of the 15 ideal matte eyeshadow palettes that provide high pigmentation. Scroll down to check them out!
In This Article
15 Best Matte Eyeshadow Palettes You Will Need In Your Makeup Arsenal + Buying Guide
1. Best Large Palette: EyeSeek Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Are you looking for some pop-up colors to create a colorful and versatile eye look? Try out the EyeSeek Matte Eyeshadow Palette. The expertly crafted palette includes 45 highly pigmented shades and has a soft, smooth, and powdery texture. Its smudge-proof formula ensures an intense matte finish with all-day wear, allowing you to create a variety of day-to-night looks with vibrant hues and cool tones. All the gorgeous colors are easy to blend, and you can create endless looks with these shades. Whether you are a working professional or going to a party, this eyeshadow palette by EyeSeek will come in handy for you. Ethically conscious makeup enthusiasts are obsessed with the product because it does not undergo animal testing. However, if you have sensitive skin it is better to get a patch test done before using the product.
Pros
- Smooth texture
- Matte shimmer finish
- Easy to blend
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Sweat-proof
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not very pigmented
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 19,755 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
2. Best Travel-Friendly: Maybelline New York The City Mini Palette
The City Mini Palette by Maybelline New York features 6 neutral matte shades perfect for everyday use. If you’re trying to get the perfect eye makeup look on the go, this eyeshadow palette will be the ideal choice. It has a creamy, smooth texture that glides effortlessly on your lids. Reviews have mentioned that the creamy pigments add precise depth and dimension to your eyes. This warm tone palette helps you achieve enviable matte smokey eyes with nude tones and earthy shades. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out.
Pros
- Suitable for everyday wear
- Creamy and delicate texture
- Easy to apply
- Highly pigmented
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- None
"This eyeshadow palette has earthy tones that blend beautifully. I can layer them with other shades or build them up as per my preferences. The shades are highly pigmented and last for a long time."
Trivia3. Best Silky Texture:L.A. COLORS Matte Eyeshadow
The silky-smooth and blendable texture of the L.A. COLORS Matte Eyeshadow will make you a fan of it. The highly-pigmented, velvety formula delivers intense color payoff which stays for a longer period of time. The sleek palette has five silky, soft matte neutral shades which are very smooth to apply. Its richly pigmented shades have buildable intensity, and their fade-proof formula makes them perfect for multi-purpose use. The eyeshadow palette is easy to carry while traveling. The product is not tested on animals, which makes it ideal for people seeking cruelty-free options. Take a look at this YouTube video to learn about a reviewer’s experience with the nude eyeshadow palette.
Pros
- Easily blendable
- Long-lasting
- Travel-friendly
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- None
"This matte palette has soft colors that stay put, especially if I pair them with a primer. The shades blend well and can be built if you prefer a dramatic eye look. They settle without any heaviness on my eyelids and I like their subtle finish."
Pro TipEyeSeek Matte Eyeshadow Palette Best Large Palette | Maybelline New York The City Mini Palette Best Travel-Friendly | L.A. COLORS Matte Eyeshadow Best Silky Texture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | A02 - Colorful-45 | Matte About Town | Nude Suede |
| Dimensions | - | 3.94 x 2.36 x 3.94 inches | 4.25 x 0.25 x 1.75 inches |
| Weight | - | 1.4 Ounces | 0.16 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 19,755 | 7,014 | - |
| Price | $9.99 | $7.59 | $3.5 |
4. Best Blendable: Julep Eyeshadow Palette
The Julep Eyeshadow Palette is a professional-level palette that features metallic, shimmer, and matte finishes. The high-quality ingredients deliver pigments that give long-lasting, crease-resistant, and multidimensional eye looks. The finely milled powders are easy to apply and blend effortlessly to offer seamless professional results. The statement-making matte shades and shimmer shades can help you create a wide range of eye-catching looks from natural, everyday appearances to dramatic, bold looks.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Crease-resistant
- Buildable
- Fade-resistant
Cons
- None
"The shades in this Julep eyeshadow palette are easy to apply. They do not fade or fall out easily. They are highly pigmented and give me a long-lasting look. I mostly use the shades when I am in the mood for some warm-toned makeup."
5. Best In Budget: Makeup Revolution Flawless Matte Ultra 32-Eyeshadow Palette
This cool-toned palette is excellent for everyday use to create many looks, and if you are on a budget, this one’s a total value for money. The subtle all-matte eyeshadow shades are easy to use and blend out to brighten up your eyes for a nice natural effect. Many reviews have asserted that these natural hues will look stunning on pale or fair complexions and on every eye color.
Pros
- Easy to wear
- Classy packaging
- Versatile shade selection
- Buildable pigmentation
- No fallout
Cons
- A few shades are powdery.
"This eyeshadow palette is great for both subtle day looks and more dramatic evening styles. I like how these shades settle on my lids without any fallout. They blend easily and stay for a long time."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 2,225 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
6. Best Nude Shades: LORAC Pro Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Created by celebrity makeup artist Carol Shaw, this LORAC Pro artistry palette is packed with eight eyeshadows to create the hottest Red Carpet looks. These shades have a velvety-smooth texture and are infused with soothing botanicals that offer exceptional results. You can use them wet or dry to shade, shadow, line, and define your eyes as part of your daily makeup routine. Many reviewers are of the opinion that the shades would look exceptionally stunning on gray, blue, and green eyes.
Pros
- Extremely pigmented
- Long-wearing
- Crease-resistant
- Infused with soothing ingredients
- Smooth texture
Cons
- Flimsy packaging
"The shades in this matte and shimmer eyeshadow palette blend seamlessly. They are highly pigmented and stay for a long time. They settle without any flakiness. However, I recommend using the palette carefully because some of the darker shades are quite intense."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 1,490 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
7. Best Long-Lasting: BYS Matte Eyeshadow Palette
The BYS Matte Eyeshadow Palette features 12 expertly colored pigments. The shades are easily blendable and can create infinite looks. The on-trend tin packaging is designed with a full-length mirror and 2 dual-end sponges and brush applicators for quick and on-the-go application. With this palette, you can create nude and smokey as well as soft and sultry eye looks. Reviewers love this palette for its incredible staying power. So whether you’re out for a long day at work or a night out with friends, this eyeshadow palette will be the perfect pick.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Can create infinite looks
- Double-end applicators
- Easy to blend
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not much pigmented
8. Best Versatile: Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Palette
If you’re a matte-queen and love your nudes, then you need to invest in this palette. These gorgeous mattes are incredibly easy to wear and are perfect for any day and night look. The pigments are creamy and blendable and give you an airbrushed finish. You can combine several shades to create a whole bunch of versatile looks. Its staying power is impeccable. The shades ‘Chocolate Cookie’ and ‘Sexspresso’ are enjoyable to work with, and their colors are incredibly buildable. These shades will look highly flattering on light to medium complexions and will complement every eye color.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Great pigmentation
- Versatile
- Long-lasting
- Applies smoothly and evenly
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- No brush included
9. Best Long-Lasting Palette: Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
Tarte’s matte eyeshadow palette is a makeup staple. We had to check this out because this is a big hit among makeup vloggers. It’s versatile enough to be worn daily, or you could combine a few shades for some extra glam. The everyday palette consists of 12 matte shadows, and all these are made of Amazonian clay, vitamin E, and mineral pigments. This palette is one of the best for brow highlighting, base, crease, and transition color. In addition, these shades will flatter all skin tones and eye colors.
Pros
- Good pigmentation
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Made with natural ingredients
- Perfect for everyday wear
Cons
- Expensive
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 468 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
10. Best for Sensitive Skin:Physicians Formula Matte Monoi Butter Eyeshadow Palette
If you are looking for a palette with vibrant colors that are buttery soft in touch and glide smoothly on eyes, the Physicians Formula Matte Monoi Butter Eyeshadow Palette is the best for you! It is enriched with a blend of monoi butter, murumuru butter, and argan oil, which nourish and moisturize the skin around the eyes and ensure smooth application. The versatile shades blend effortlessly and can be used to create a range of looks from soft to bold and dramatic. Create professional makeup looks with a stunning array of pigmented shades, including transition colors and matte pastels. The high-quality formula is hypoallergenic and is perfect for sensitive skin. However, a patch test is still recommended before committing to the nude eyeshadow palette for regular use.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Nourishing formula
- Long-lasting
- Blends easily
- Smooth-buttery texture
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"The shades in this matte monoi butter eyeshadow palette give me a smooth finish. I like the shades because they are ideal for both day and night looks. The shades are beautiful and make my eyes appear vibrant."
11. Best For Nighttime Wear:iT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette
This eyeshadow palette by iT Cosmetics features 14 complementary shades perfect for both day and nighttime wear. The formula is developed with plastic surgeons and is enriched with hydrolyzed collagen, natural silk, peptides, and proprietary No-Tug Technology. Each talc-free shadow glides on effortlessly to brighten your eyes and smooth your lids. Each of these shades can be worn alone or mixed to create the perfect eye look. This palette is a must-have for every eyeshadow lover!
Pros
- Anti-aging
- Talc-free
- Highly pigmented
- Long-wear shades
Cons
- None
12. Best Complimenting Shades:e.l.f Mad For Matte Palette
If you’re looking for the perfect matte shadows at an affordable price, go for the e.l.f Mad For Matte Palette. It features 10 matte shades that will help you create the perfect bold and subtle look. All the 10 complimenting shades can be used for shading, highlighting, and perfectly defining your eyes. It has a luxurious and creamy formula. The satin, matte eyeshadow can be used as a liner.
Pros
- Intense color payoff
- Creamy formula
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Phthalate-free
- Paraben-free
- Hydroquinone-free
- No triclosan or triclocarban
Cons
- None
13. MAC Eye Shadow X 9: Semi-Sweet Times Nine
A perfect pocket-sized option by MAC includes smokey, brown hues, and offers many versatile color combinations. The shades have a rich, matte texture that glides smoothly. In addition, it is highly pigmented, dermatologist-tested, and can be applied effortlessly, and blends well.
Pros
- Pocket-sized
- Can be used wet or dry
- Safe for contact lens wearers
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Non-acnegenic
Cons
- None
14. Best Versatile One:Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Shadow Palette
This palette is endlessly versatile with dark pigmented shades, and you can mix and match the colors to customize your favorite look. The palette includes 6 eyeshadows and 2 double-sized base shades. It offers intense color payoff and blends effortlessly. The saturated colors give ultra-high coverage and settles into a sparkly finish.
Pros
- Intense color payoff
- Slight shimmer finish
- Easy to blend
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"I like the neutral shades in this matte eyeshadow palette from Smashbox. The shades go on smoothly and do not appear patchy. I also like how they enhance my eye look without making my eyes appear dramatic. This palette is perfect for people who prefer subtle looks."
15. Best Highlighting Shade:IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty
This eyeshadow palette by the celebrity-endorsed IT Cosmetics is an anti-aging, silk-infused powerhouse. It is intensely pigmented and is packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hydrolyzed collagen, acai, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E. It is a talc-free eyeshadow palette developed by plastic surgeons and contains 3 versatile shades, including a demi-matte highlighting shade. It offers instant coverage that lasts all day. This minimal eyeshadow palette can be easily carried in your purse and is ideal for those who like to bring their best with minimal makeup.
Pros
- Anti-aging
- Highly pigmented
- Eliminates oily eyelids
- Ultra-compact size
- Lasts all-day
- Talc-free
Cons
- None
This was the round-up of the best 15 matte eyeshadow palettes. In the next section, let’s have a look at how to pick the best eyeshadow palette.
How To Choose The Best Eyeshadow Palette – Buying Guide
- Choose The Type
Determine the texture and type of eyeshadow that you want before picking a palette. There are many varieties like matte, shimmer, and metallic, mineral, or cream eyeshadow palettes. Matte is ideal for those who have oily skin as it is long lasting and causes no flake. Mineral eyeshadows are composed of purely natural mineral components, making them suitable for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. Shimmer and metallic shades are for party enthusiasts. Finally, cream eyeshadows also last for very long and are a good choice for dry skin. However, it is recommended to conduct a patch test before using the product, especially if you have sensitive skin to avoid any unnecessary reactions.
- Consider Your Eye Color
Before choosing your ideal eyeshadow palette, start with your face. Specific colors complement certain eye colors better; so you’ll want to select a palette that includes the right shades for you. For example, neutral metallics look great on everyone, but if you have brown eyes, consider a palette with teal or eggplant shades, while those with light blue or green eyes could rock pale pinks or grays. The best part about an eyeshadow palette is that you get to play around with different shades without having to commit to just one look.
- Choose Your Palette Size
The next important factor before choosing an eyeshadow palette is the size. Think about how often you wear makeup. Usually, an eyeshadow palette has a shelf life of up to 2 years, and palettes generally have more shades in tiny amounts. You can purchase a more extensive palette if you wear makeup regularly and love to play with different looks. But if you’re into occasional makeup, opt for a smaller palette first to see how long it lasts. After all, is there anything worse than having to toss your beloved makeup because it’s hit its expiration date?
- Price Range
You don’t have to make a hole in your pocket to pick a good eyeshadow palette. Nowadays, many drugstore brands have come with good quality and highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes. Hence, you can still find a palette within your budget. All you have to do is fix a price range and then start your search. Look for brands that fall within your price range, or go for celebrity-endorsed brands, check reviews, and try a few colors at the store to know if they look good in your eyes.
- Go For Useful Colors
Don’t choose a palette, which has only one color that you like. A palette that has a good combination of colors and textures, blends well with one another, like a dark and light shade, a neutral one, and a metallic or shimmer.
The Bottom Line
Glitter finish or metallic finish eyeshadows may come and go, but the best matte eyeshadow palette is a must-have in your arsenal. Matte eyeshadows help create a subtle, all-time classic look. Whether you are a newbie or a professional in the makeup world, these statement-making matte eyeshadow palettes will be your go-to. You can create different looks, from simple and subtle to bold, smokey eyes with a matte eyeshadow palette. For a waterproof and sweat-proof formula, the EyeSeek Matte Eyeshadow Palette is an excellent choice. Opt for the Julep Eyeshadow Palette, offering buildable coverage, crease-resistance, and long-lasting wear for those long, hectic days. For easily blendable and cruelty-free options, the BYS Matte Eyeshadow Palette is perfect.
Kerrin Jackson, a 4-time Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist, says, “A matte eyeshadow palette (or palettes) is a must-have in your makeup bag. Not only is it one of the single-most versatile eyeshadow options for your looks, but it is one of the easiest, most user-friendly types of eyeshadow to work with. A subtle and soft taupe daywear eye makeup can easily be transformed into an evening, glam look with the addition of deeper, darker tones to add instant drama to your eyes. I never go anywhere without my neutral matte eyeshadows.”
The reviewed options in the list have a smooth texture, are highly pigmented, and have a good staying power. Consider dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested shades after determining your eye color, choose the palette size and price range before purchasing the best matte eyeshadow palette.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is matte eyeshadow better than shimmer?
Yes, matte eyeshadows are better than shimmery ones as they are suitable for everyday use and add both shadow and definition to your eyes.
Is matte eyeshadow better for older eyes?
No, for older and mature eyes, creamy formulas will work better.
How many eyeshadow palettes should you own?
Get several eyeshadow palettes so that you have the basic colors covered. Many beauty enthusiasts recommend having ten eyeshadows mixed with shimmer, powder, and matte shades.
What color eyeshadow should a 70-year-old woman wear?
Warm neutral tones and shades like brown, grays, and nude are great for mature skin. Steer clear of bright colors like blues or purples as they tend to highlight anti-aging signs.
Who should wear matte eyeshadow?
Many beauty enthusiasts use matte eyeshadows as the base. They are great for adding definition to your eyes. People who are interested in defining the eyes while covering up signs of aging can opt for matte shades.
What is the difference between matte eyeshadow and regular eyeshadow?
Matte eyeshadows add definition to your eyes whereas, regular eyeshadows are meant to highlight the entirety of your eyes. However, matte is less likely to look messy and comes with great staying power.
What is the difference between matte and satin eyeshadow?
There is no major difference between satin and matte eyeshadows except for their finishes. Matte finish offers a rich color payoff with no shine or shimmer. On the other hand, satin eyeshadow, which is typically a combination of matte and shimmer eyeshadows, comes with an intense shiny finish.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, the author of this article, is certified in makeup artistry. She is an expert in reviewing makeup tools and products, and her extensive knowledge in the field helped her choose the best matte eyeshadow palettes for her readers. She also spent hours reading the user reviews to curate this list of the best matte eyeshadow palettes available. They are water-proof, long-lasting, and safe to use.
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