Choosing an eyeshadow palette can be confusing. With so many brands, formulas and colours on the market, finding the best eyeshadow palette for you and your style can feel like a daunting task. And once you’ve navigated the minefield of which one to buy, you then have the problem of knowing how to actually use it to its full potential.

We compiled a list of best neutral eyeshadow palette 2021 UK, best neutral matte eyeshadow palette UK, and best neutral everyday eyeshadow palette.

best neutral everyday eyeshadow palette

How do I know which one is best for me?
First, decide on what sort of colours you’re looking for in your palette. For example, you might be a fan of wearing neutral, earthy tones, or you may have a special occasion coming up that requires a more dramatic look, in which case you could go for smokier, darker shades. Or if you love bright colours, why not branch out to a jewel-toned palette. If you haven’t got a clue, that’s fine – many palettes contain a mixture of colour families. Whatever your requirement, though, have in mind a few colours that you know you want to try and that will give you a good starting point.

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Formula is important, too – think about whether you prefer a shimmery finish that catches the light as you move, or if you like your eyelids to look more matte. Also, if you don’t have your own eye makeup brushes, choose a palette that houses at least one applicator to save on spending on brushes elsewhere. If you’re partial to applying your makeup on-the-go, make sure you opt for a palette that includes a mirror on the inner lid, too.

The other thing you need to factor in is how many colours you want to work with. Some palettes contain just a few colours, while others contain lots. If you’re prone to feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to eyeshadows, keep it simple and go for an eyeshadow quad, or even a trio – sometimes it’s just easier if you’re limited on choice. On the other hand, some palettes can have up to 20 or more colours to choose from, and these are the perfect option if you love being spoiled for choice. It just depends on how much space you have in your makeup bag!

How do you use an eyeshadow palette?
It depends on the makeup finish you want to achieve, but if you’re using more than one colour, the general rule of thumb is as follows:

1. Wash the most neutral/natural shade all over your eyelids.
2. Next, apply a darker shade – perhaps a slate grey or smoky brown – into the creases of your eyes using a windscreen wiper motion. This will make your eyes look bigger and help to leave you with a flattering three-dimensional look. You can then use the same colour along your top and bottom lash lines too if you want some extra definition.
3. Take a light shimmery or pearly highlighter shade and apply it to the inner corners of your eyes for added radiance, and to finish, dab a pop of the most colourful shade into the very centre of each eyelid.
4. The final step is to blend the corners of each shade into the next so that your eyes look less paint-by-numbers, and the better the blend, the more professional a finish you’ll create.

best neutral matte eyeshadow palette UK

Milani Ungilded Most Loved Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The best matte eyeshadow palette

If you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette that lasts, this one won’t disappoint. Comprising 12 gorgeous shades, the super strong pigments mean that a little goes a long way. Just sweep it on once and there’ll be no need for a second layer.

What’s more, the colours are true to what you see in the palette – so what you see is what you get – and the beautifully soft matte finish leaves eyelids looking luxuriously velvety and vivacious without a shimmer in sight. We love the shade names, too – from “Bust a Mauve”, a vibrant pink, and “Umber the Sun”, a burnt orange, to “Don’t Raisen Your Voice”, a daring browny-red, this palette is certainly bursting with personality. Our favourite combination? Salty Caramel swept into the creases of the eyes with My Daily Latte washed over the whole lid.

There’s no brush included, but with these matte formulas all you need is your finger to sweep on each shade. They go on easily, quickly and oh-so smoothly.

Nars Summer Unrated Eyeshadow Palette: The best luxury eyeshadow palette

Slide this Nars palette out of its sleek matte box and you’ll fall in love with its vibrant pink, reflective lid – and that’s even before you’ve seen what’s inside. The palette is reassuringly heavy and very sturdy, too: the sign of a good-quality palette that you know won’t crack or open on its own.

Lift the lid and the 16 shades are a mixture of shimmery, sparkly and matte in formula. “Love on Fire” is a beautiful glittery rose gold shade, but you can also dial it back with earthy tones such as “Isla”, “Laguna” or “Palmas”. There are few pretty pinks, purples and bronze tones, too, as well as a handy chocolate brown called “Fetish”, which will help to smoke up your eye makeup look.

You can’t really go wrong with a Nars eyeshadow so a palette full of them is just the trick. Whether you’re looking for a palette to accentuate your everyday look or add a bit of evening glamour, this one is worth every penny.