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10 best neutral eyeshadow palettes for easy, effortless everyday makeup – tried and tested
We hit pan on all of these
As an eyeshadow minimalist, I can’t stand buying a giant palette only for the ultra-colourful shades to sit untouched. No matter how hard I try to spice up my eye makeup, the light browns and soft, pale pinks are always the first to dwindle down.
I just stick to a neutral palette filled with shades I’ll actually wear on the daily. Sure, a pop of colour can be fun and playful, but it’s just not my everyday makeup vibe. I like swiping on one or two shades and feeling put together enough to move on to mascara.
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The best neutral eyeshadow palettes do all the heavy lifting for you. They’re versatile for a quick five-minute face in the morning, but still buildable for a sultry evening look. They make it almost impossible to mess up – a blessing if you’re blending with your fingers in an Uber (me) or lacking in the makeup skills department.
Ahead, the best neutral eyeshadow palettes for any eye colour and any level of glam, according to Cosmo editors.
Best neutral eyeshadow palettes...
One Cosmo editor says: “I know this isn’t the most exciting palette to look at, but for £5 you truly can’t complain. Anyways, it’s about what’s on the inside – and let me tell you, it seems way more expensive than £5. The four matte shades are surprisingly very pigmented (tbh, my expectations were low when I first tried this) but they pack on bold colour with one swipe.
I typically use the creamy shade all over my lid, the warm brown in the crease, the deep brown in the outer corner and then the dark brown to create a wing. The palette is also quite titchy – although the size of the pans seem fairly average – making it great to travel with!” – Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | Four |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | One (matte) |
One Cosmo editor says: “Whether you like matte finishes, sparkles or pressed glitter, this eyeshadow palette has it all! From Kay Beauty, which recently launched into Space NK, this 12-pan palette contains a mix of pinky-brown hues which can literally create hundreds of looks. Each shade applies like a dream in one swoop; so smooth, buttery and richly pigmented. Typically I stick to the more matte, neutral shades (it’s just more my vibe) but the pressed glitters are there for whenever I need. You can’t argue the price tag either,” – Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | 12 |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | Three (shimmer, pressed glitter and matte) |
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m sure any beauty buff can say they owned a Morphe eyeshadow palette back in the day – they were the GOAT for big artistry palettes. While a little more refined, this palette contains 12 perfect shades I reach for every day (literally, this is my go-to palette), as they’re super buttery, pigmented shadows that make applying makeup a breeze. While the shimmers I only reach for on special occasions, the array of warm matte hues are perfect for day-to-day wear. I also appreciate there is a deep brown shade to create a small wing,” – Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | 12 |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | Two (matte and shimmer) |
Kylie Cosmetics Bronze Pressed Powder Palette
One Cosmo editor says: “Kylie Cosmetics continues to impress me. Tbh, it’s one of the few celeb-founded makeup brands I actually use (alongside Victoria Beckham Beauty). The assortment of shades in this eyeshadow palette means I can use it for every occasion – I can create an entirely matte look for day time or doll my eyes up with a layer of sparkle. It sort of gives me 2016 Kylie Jenner vibes with the super rich, warm tones, but there are enough cool shades to compliment so you can create a more natural look,” – Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | 10 |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | Two (matte and metallic) |
Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette
One Cosmo editor says: "Although these palettes look extremely simple, they include some of the softest, most blendable shadows I’ve ever worked with as a beauty editor. The mattes are velvety and smooth—not chalky at all. I typically apply the creamy shade all over my eyelid, then buff the medium brown into my crease. But I’ve also went all-in with the dark brown to smudge out a liner and get a smokey eye." – Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | Four |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | Four (velvety-matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic) |
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in Exaggereyes
One Cosmo editor says: “I love using a neutral palette that leans slightly pink to let my green eyes stand out, and this Charlotte Tilbury one does exactly that. The palette’s shimmer pink shade is ideal for everyday wear on its own, and you can amp your eyes up with maroon and glitters for a full glam look.
It also comes in a few other neutral options that lean more brown, so you can choose which shades best suit your eyes. Not to mention, these shadows also have an impressive wear time. I can go from morning 'til night without creasing or flaking.” – Jasmine Hyman, Assistant Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | Four |
|---|---|
| Finishes | One (shimmer) |
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes The Neutrals Eyeshadow
One Cosmo editor says: “I have a lot of makeup, so I keep the bulk of everything in drawers and then a small selection of my go-to everyday products in a drawer at my desk. The only eyeshadow palette that lives in this drawer is this matte one from Makeup By Mario. It contains the perfect selection of neutral and cool shades to create hundreds of looks. Most days, I just dust on a light shade and blend it into my crease. But I also use this for liner, smoking out the outer corner, cut creases, and so much more.” – Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | 12 |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | One (matte) |
One Cosmo editor says: “If you want one simple shadow to do the trick, Merit’s Solo Shadow has you covered with a slew of neutral shades. It applies like a cream, and gives me that soft, lived-in matte look without ever feeling chalky. On lazy days, this plus a coat of mascara is all I need. It's an unfailing shadow for those of us who aren't the most skilled when it comes to eye makeup.” –Jasmine Hyman, Assistant Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | Eight different options |
|---|---|
| Finishes | One (matte) |
Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette
One Cosmo editor says: “Coolest palette ever: This contains a mixture of powders and pomades (a slightly denser version of a cream) that you can use all over your face. So while it might look like a standard neutral eyeshadow palette, it’s fab for shaping my eyebrows, contouring my cheekbones, highlighting my under eyes, and even lining my lips. I’ve used this countless ways (and cleaned out a lot of extra products in my drawers since I only need this).” – Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades | 10 |
|---|---|
| Finishes | One (matte) |
LookFantastic Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Pallet
One Cosmo editor says: “Ever since these launched, I’ve used one of them at least once a week. I can easily do a quick, simple eye with the mattes. But what I really love are the glittery shimmers. The sparkles are extra fine, so they give a sheer, wet-look to my eyes that is so luxe and chic. Often times, I’ll just swipe that one shade all over my lids with my finger, then smudge the deep-brown matte on my lower lash line. Bonus points for the prettiest packaging ever, ever, ever, btw.” – Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor.
Features at a Glance
| Shades: | Four |
|---|---|
| Finishes: | Three (matte, shimmer, satin) |
How we test:
To find the very best neutral eyeshadow palettes, this took teamwork. Luckily, a neutral eyeshadow palette is one of the most-used compacts by Cosmo editors. Find the right one and you can take your look from day to night with just a few swipes. But unfortunately, with such popularity there are so many available. So we split up the Cosmo beauty team to test the very best ones, looking at everything from shades to finishes and price point.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan US where she writes about the best makeup products and trends. For this story, she, along with team Cosmo, tested dozens of neutral eyeshadow palettes and selected their favourites best on longevity, shades, and value.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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