These Matte Eyeshadow Palettes Will Convince You to Ditch the Glitter for Good

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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

• 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

• Best Budget: e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadows

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 looking 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 that meet our expert's guidance.

Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

This palette from Kim Kardashian's favorite makeup artist features 12 gorgeous nude mattes to play around with, and it's one of Mellinger's go-to matte eyeshadow palettes. She calls it an all-around fantastic palette of neutrals that is flattering on all skin tones.

Montoya considers this a fantastic palette for someone more skilled or a makeup junkie who can take advantage of it and enjoy. Saunders agrees, noting the high-performance pigments stay put for hours on end without fading, and they're so easy to blend together.

"With a dozen beautiful shades that allow for creative yet wearable lewks, this was the clear best overall winner. Plus, not every palette includes a black eyeshadow, and I'm grateful this one does feature a panther black color perfect for creating a soft or dramatic feline flick,"Saunders says.

More: Makeup Artists and Our Beauty Editor Love These Waterline Eyeliners

Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in The Sophisticate

I've been wearing the Luxury Eyeshadow Palettes since 2019 and have amassed a mini collection of six, including The Sophisticate, a gorgeous quad with cream, tan, taupe, and chocolate shades. These classic hues are seasonless and flatter every eye color and skin tone.

The colors can be subtle with a simple wash of color on the lid and crease for office and editor events. I can amp up the look for a gorgeous brown-toned smokey eye during evenings and weekend activities like dinners with friends.

My favorite part about these soft-to-the-touch eyeshadows is they don't crease, which is normally an issue for someone like me with hooded eyes. I've even worn them without eye primer and yet somehow they magically don't crease, but when paired with my go-to MILK Hydrogrip the results are *chefs kiss*. Once again, Charlotte Tilbury knocks it out of the park.

Super Nudes Easy Eyeshadow Palette

I own a substantial collection of Charlotte Tilbury products because the brand delivers across the makeup and skincare categories. Surprisingly, this is one of the few eyeshadow palettes I haven't tried yet. Still, based on my positive experiences using many of her other shadows, I'm more than confident this palette is on point!

Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury created a truly splurge-worthy matte eyeshadow palette that makes it easy to embrace your inner supermodel whenever the mood strikes. You can sport a stunning mix of universally flattering cool, caramel browns, or warm, bronze shades. Of course, you can combine to create a neutral-toned look if that's more your vibe.

Montoya calls it her current go-to eyeshadow palette, and she often works with NYC socialites and on fashion campaigns, so you know this palette is legit. Reviewers especially love that these matte eyeshadows are finely milled and formulated with oils and waxes, ensuring they never look patchy on my eyelids. Plus, they've never experienced fallout when using these eyeshadows, which is always appreciated.

Mad For Matte Palette

Only have $10 to spare on makeup? I got you! e.l.f.'s 10-shade palette offers up a matte finish at an affordable price, and it's undoubtedly deserving of of your money. Whether you're an eyeshadow newbie or a professional makeup artist, you genuinely can't go wrong with this eyeshadow palette.

For starters, the warm neutrals will get you through a daytime shift, while the smoky end mixes things up for cocktail hour. The brand has a few different takes on this palette, but Summer Breeze mixes sultry deep pigments and light, blendable nudes.

Although there can be a bit of fallout, it's not too bad and shouldn't ruin your undereye concealer. My advice: Wear under-eye masks when applying any eyeshadow, so it catches any potential fallout while your dark circles fade.

Bite-Size Eyeshadows

Every shade you need for a matte smoky eye for 3-7 bucks? Sign us up! This versatile e.l.f. steal features three perfectly coordinated shades, allowing you to customize your look from lightly defined to bold and dark.

It's available in eight enticing colorways, but we're especially partial to the warm brown tones found in this matte eyeshadow palette because it's genuinely hard to find this universally flattering color combination in a matte finish. We also love the compact size that won't take up much space in your makeup bag or trendy Barbiecore purse.

"[This is the] second time I’ve purchased this from e.l.f. and I haven’t been disappointed in the quality or the price," gushes an Amazon reviewer. These cheap palettes earned more than 10,300 5-star Amazon reviews, so rest easy knowing you can't go wrong with this option.

The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Trying to do your makeup on the go? Whether you're traveling across town or have miles to go, this small, yet mighty compact has you covered. It comes with six pink and purple matte shades to create a simple natural look to enhance your eyes wherever you go.

Given its entry-level price point, you shouldn't expect an intense color payoff, but with a bit of patience and finesse, you can amp up your eye looks in no time.

Greatest Hits Classics Eye and Face Palette

With a refined, buttery-soft formula and vibrant one-swipe coverage, it’s easy to see why Mellinger adores this matte eyeshadow palette. She’s most impressed with the stunning rich red and pink tones found in this matte eyeshadow palette. “They look great on everyone, but they are especially beautiful on darker skin tones,” Mellinger says.

This unique palette includes traditional flat matte and unique sparkle mattes for a multidimensional finish without compromising on the desired matte effect.

"This is a beautiful palette to create a rosey smoky eye look with. The shades are true to color and they are so pigmented and smooth. Very little fallout and I promise your looks will last through the day," says a 5-star Nordstrom review.

PRO Matte Eye Shadow Palette

Eight essential nude hues make up this palette, and they're formulated with soothing botanicals that help each highly pigmented powder glide over lids effortlessly. Plus, they have an exceptional color payoff whether applied wet or dry — so feel free to experiment!

Need further proof this is a must-have product? Let this impressive 5-star Amazon review convince this $25 palette is totally worth purchasing. "Love this palette. This is my fourth purchase. The colors are rich and go on without effort. I don’t feel that I have makeup on. I’m older, and there’s no caking. Comes off clean with my usual nightly routine."

Ultimate Edit Petite Shadow Palette

Who said mattes had to be nudes? Sure, we all love a subdued color palette every now and then, but sometimes we want a bright and vivid look. This petite eyeshadow palette will let you live out your technicolor dreams with its six intensely pigmented mattes for stunning looks in just a few swipes.

If you're drawn to these vibrant hues, but find them a bit intimidating, I suggest using them as eyeliner for a welcome pop of color to your otherwise neutral look. Just wet your fine eyeliner brush and dip it into your matte eyeshadow palette. The eyeshadow will turn into a paste-like consistency that's ready to be applied to your lashline, similar to using a gel or liquid eyeliner.

Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

You won’t find any red-flag ingredients in this matte eyeshadow palette. Formulated with Tarte’s signature Amazonian clay, vitamin E, and mineral pigments, this is a quality palette full of matte shadows we love. It features 12 different shades, offering an endless combination of looks from everyday neutrals to intense smoky eyes.

Our deputy editor, Joana Mascioli, says, “This is the only eyeshadow palette I’ve used in the past 5 years. The texture, shades, and longevity of the shadows in this palette are untouchable for me. It’s a classic in my beauty routine, and I can’t live without it!”

Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette

If you want a simple matte eyeshadow palette that's easy to use and can be worn daily, this is it. This mini eyeshadow palette comes with six matte shades to create a low-maintenance look in seconds, and it's tiny enough to stow away in your bag for touch-ups.

Reviewers argue that if you're hesitating to purchase this matte eyeshadow palette, just take a cute from Shia Labeouf and Nike's playbook and "just do it." To quote a 5-star Sephora review, "This is the only palette I own where I actually use every shade! The shades are buildable and blendable for a natural look, to a smokey eye, and everywhere in between."

Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette

Craving something sweet? Then allow us to introduce you to these creamy dessert-themed shades! It comes with nine smoky matte hues, like Mocha Minded and Pink Sienna, Carbon, arguably the blackest matte eyeshadow in the game. You can blend these colors together in any possible combination for delectably chic looks or wear them alone to make a statement.

Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup is notorious for causing a few skin issues, but these neutral shades from IT Cosmetics are packed with skin-nurturing ingredients. Each of these seven hues contains skincare heroes collagen, silk, and peptides to give your lids an anti-aging treatment all day long. As a bonus, these shades are also enriched with the brand's proprietary "No-Tug Technology" for crease-free lids for hours on end.

"I love these colors! They are not overpowering. I have used up my first palette and order a second one. I'm hooked. The shadow can be as dramatic or subtle as you want it to be. Being an older woman, less is more and these are the perfect colors," says a 5-star Ulta review.

Warrior II Eyeshadow Palette

Take your matte neutrals to the next level with this palette from Juvia's Place. This revamped version of the brand's original Warrior Palette features nine highly pigmented shades to choose from.

Montoya says Juvia's Palace is an excellent brand for women of color to experiment with because the brand does an excellent job at creating colors that look phenomenal on melanin-rich complexions.

From a warm terra-cotta hue to deep bronze, each shade will give your eyes dimension and radiance like never before.

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