It seems like every season all of the brands come out with new eyeshadow palettes, right?
It’s like the thing to do now.
But how often do people actually use those palettes? Speaking for myself, a lot of the time I’ll fall in ? love with a palette, use it vigorously for a month, and then stick it in the drawer where I keep my nude/natural palettes (the ones with every shade of brown imaginable are the ones I love the most).
Then I’ll kinda forget about it for a few months…
Even though I’m a bonafide eyeshadow palette #hoarder, there’s still really only one I use all the time.
I know, right?! It’s the MAC Nordstrom Naturals Palette, which has 15 fantastic shades from the permanent line ALL IN ONE PLACE.
Granted, it’s not a super flashy palette or revolutionary or anything, but the shades happen to be the ones I use the most, like, Wedge, Carbon, Brun, Satin Taupe, Woodwinked, Mulched… The only thing missing is Soft Brown, but I usually have a single pan of that in my makeup bag anyway.
Unfortunately, Nordstrom Naturals was LE, but you can recreate it with an empty $8 MAC Pro Pan palette and the Pro Palette Refill Pans (which are only $6 each!).
How about you? Which eyeshadow palettes do you reach for on the regular? There are so many purr-worthy palettes out there to collect and love (and hoard, haha!), but which ones do you actually use on a daily basis?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Every time a new palette comes out that I want I try to stop myself from buying it because I know I’m going to use it for a few weeks and then stop! I usually fluctuate between my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette and a Tarte holiday set from a couple years ago.
Hi Kristen,
Naked 2 is a good one! I haven’t worn it in a minute so I should take it out and give it some love.
If you like Tarte’s shadows you might enjoy the Tartelette palette. I went through a phase where I wore it for six months straight!
I was actually looking at that palette a couple months ago at Ulta! I’ll have to check it out again.
It’s not flashy but it’s really easy to work with if all you want to do is a get a little color and structure on your lids. Plus you can use the darker shades as liner, which is what I do all the time. Gotta love powder shadow as eyeliner because you can mess it up royally and then smudge it out and then say you meant to do it. 🙂
I’m certainly not a makeup guru but new eyeshadow palettes always entice me! I’ve been loving the Anastasia Renaissance palette lately.
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That one seems to be very popular! I’ll get around to it one of these days, LOL!
Chanel Les Beiges. Perfect for a really fast, natural look on my fair skin. I’m pretty good about not falling for all the new palettes out this year. Especially the super shiny or warm toned ones with the reds. I do admit though…..it’s the lipsticks where I have my little problem.
Hi Dawn,
I have that Chanel palette and like it a lot for the same thing. If I wanna get a little color/structure on my lids, it’s SO handy.
Please tell me you’ve also tried the Stylo Yeux liners. They’re my FAVORITES!
Oh yes…..I have several of those liners. I always seem to pick them up. The colors are classic with a little bit of a twist and the formula just works well for me. I seem to like most Chanel products for the reason that so many other people dislike them for. I prefer a little less pigmentation. Much easier and faster for me to work with and I always look very polished.
The liners are SO good. My favorite of all time is 88 Noir Intense (the pitch black one). Right now I’m all about the deep green liner they did for the holiday collection. It’s SO good. Just super dark black with a tinge of green! Ugh… Obsessed. 🙂
So I totally know what you mean because I love Chanel for the same reason! It’s colorful but not overly so, and that purposeful dialing back of the pigment makes it appear elegant. What are your current Chanel faves? I love Malice Blush and the Codes Subtils eyeshadow quad.
I don’t own many palettes, for the reason of not giving them enough love on a regular. Right now I reach a lot for Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance that I received as a gift a while back, but I think that is a seasonal thing.
I’ve never tried that one but know a lot of people love it.
I reach for one of my morphe palettes, my Lorac pro 4 (I think? It’s the rose gold/neutral one), Tom Ford Honeymoon, and Tim Ford Golden Mink.
Now that I think of it I should purge the ones I don’t use.
Hi Katie,
I have Honeymoon and it’s one of my faves. Been a while since I’ve taken it out, thank you for reminding me.
How are you and the little one today? I’m taking Connor to gymnastics and hoping it’ll get all her wiggles out. 🙂
Wow, are those all your palettes? I recently got rid of my eyeshadow palettes that I had accumulated over the years (nowhere near as many as you have) because I only had shades that I never wore left. I stopped buying palettes for that reason. I will only buy shadows that I know I will wear. having said that, I am trying to put together my own palette with the shadows I have. My problem is de-potting and where to put them. BTW, I hope you aren’t near the wildfires burning throughout California. Stay safe!
Yeah, these are the ones that I keep around and wear on a regular basis. Well, I try to wear them, HAHA! I get stuck on the MAC Nordstrom Naturals one. Did you ever end up going to MAC? I hope Patina worked out for you!
You know, I haven’t been using palettes that much lately. I’ve gotten in into the habit of swiping some cream shadow across my lids or quickly applying a single neutral shadow. However, I still love the original Urban Decay Naked palette and the Too Faced Natural Eye palette.
Hi Ruchita,
Yeah, I love a wash of cream shadow and a little bit of liner and mascara for a fast, polished look. What are your faves? I’m all about MAC Groundwork or MAC Constructivist.
It’s actually one I found at the drugstore – Revlon Creme Shadow in Espresso. I’ll have to try the ones from MAC too. Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh nice! I love a good drugstore cream shadow. I have to go to Target this afternoon… Adding it to my list! 🙂
Do you use a primer underneath it, or is it fine as is?
I always use my Milani shadow primer. It’s a great drugstore primer that I find comparable to Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Have fun at Target! 🙂
My most used, well-loved palette is the Viseart Paris Nudes, which contains all shimmers and satins. I usually grab a single brown or other crease color if I need something matte to balance out the look. Another favorite is not a palette, but the NARS Isolde duo. It’s perfect for a quick, all-over wash of color.
Hi Raeanne,
I have one Viseart Palette (the one with the all-matte neutrals) which I use often and love. They do good shadows! I’m also a fan of NAR Isolde. Have you ever tried NARS Cordura? It has a bronze on one side and a purple bronze on the other, and it’s gorgeous!
Mine is the same. MAC Nordstrom naturals. It’s perfect for work no matter what my mood is.
Hi Bea,
Isn’t it the best palette? I really hope they launch it again.
Hope you’re having a great Thursday!
UD Naked 1 and 2 are always out for use; LORAC Unzipped Gold and Tarte – one of the bazillion ones they came out with this year – the one with eye shadow and purported contouring powders (which are way too dark for me to wear), but I love the eye shadows
Hi RedHedd,
I’m a fan of the Tarte shadows, too. Have you tried the Tartelette palette? It’s one of my faves for fast, simple neutral eyes.
The one palette I’ve been reaching for several years every day is Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. It’s partially empty now, and also it’s with me from the time it was launched. And there’s also a little story behind how I got it.
I travelled to US (I’m from Europe) and at that time did not have quite lucrative job. But as makeup tutorials at youtube were skyrocketi ng at that time, I was quite sure how good is Urban Decay and dreamed about having Naked eyeshadow palette. Unfortunately in EU it was not so widely available as it is now. Shortly before I went to NYC, UD launched Naked2 and I learned that it’s exactly what I have to bring home from NY!!!
While having limited resources and purchasing all kind of gifts to my family, I realized that I’m almost out of money. But a day before I left NY, I went to sephora and got my baby? Naked2 palette.
Not to mention that after my purchase I had only 7 USD in my pocket and skipped the dinner at that day?.
Currently for the past 6 months I use Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Look in a Palette, because it’s an easy to use palette if you need to bring kid to kindergarten before work and still want to look glamorous?
Hi Lelde,
It sounds like you’ve gotten a lot use out of your cherished palette! That’s great. One of these days I’ll have to try one of the Charlotte Tilbury palettes.
I usually use my Tarte Rainforest of the Sea palette & my Smashbox all-matte travel palette.
Hi Suzanne,
Those Rainforest of the Sea palettes are really nice. I love the texture of the shadows.
Hope you’re having a great Thursday so far. Connor and I just got back from gymnastics, and now I’m about to fuel up on more coffee so I can write while she naps in the afternoon. What are you up to today?
Baby gymnastics- that is just the cutest ever. I’m sick and Little Bit was home sick today, too. We’re just trying to stay warm and dry: it was endless drippy rain and a high of 49 in ‘sunny’ Florida today, lol.
Poor SoCal. I think those fires might be more frightening than a hurricane. I’m glad that at least they’re not near you guys this time.
Oh gosh, I know. I have friends who live down there who are getting emergency alerts on phones and packing up just in case. It’s scary! It’s all too real.
I hope that you and lil’ one feel better soon. Since you were stuck in the house did you ready anything or watch anything good? I picked up a new book from the library yesterday by Beatriz Williams (I’m on a kick) called Wicked City.
Naked basics! It’s the only palette I’ve found that:
1) has more light colors than dark colors — I need those transition shades!
2) is all matte — shimmer shades accentuate every bump on my lids, including every tiny milia! Additionally, I find shimmer shades often do not come across as shimmery on the eyelid, but rather, look powdery… another sweet mystery of life!
3) is almost exclusively warm-toned — cool tones make my very pale but yellow-undertoned skin look older, dull, and tired
4) extremely compact! just enough space between shadows so that the brush doesn’t pick up multiple colors, narrow enough space between shadows so as not to add a bunch of useless plastic to bulk up the palette
I tried naked basics 2, but the colors are both too cool and too dark. I gave it to my mom, who is pale and pink-undertoned, and she used it up.
I just picked up naked ultimate basics as it was on sale everywhere for $27 this week, but I have yet to try it. I am skeptical of the various cool-toned colors and may gift it this christmas if I don’t test it out before then. I also do not like the packaging, as I feel it has unnecessary bulk and does not have the soft feel of the naked basics packages.
Hi Irene,
I like the Naked Ultimate Basics Palette but wish that it as in slimmer packaging. I’ve often thought of depotting the shadows but have yet to figure out an elegant way. Anywho, I hope it works for you!
Naked 2 used to be my go-to, but mine is a little worse for wear, after lending it to my daughter for gigs. Another one that is banged up and busted because of overuse is Nars And God Created the Woman. Perfect mix of matte and shimmery neutrals, great size to travel with. My other absolute favorite is the very first Laura Mercier Artist’s palette, I love so much, I had to back this up! Lately I have been reaching for Chanel Les Beiges, UD Gwen Stefani(my pale skin loves all the golden pink satins for base, highlight and blending) and Chanel Tisse Rivoli.
Bobbi Brown’s holiday palette from years ago, beautiful natural shades.
Use it all the time 🙂
Hugs ladies
I have Naked 2, Naked 3, Anastasia Modern Renaisance, some old all matte Stila palette, and Naked basics. I use them all, but I long to be the girl who can live for weeks with a single quad of natural colors and one single pop shade. we’ll see if that ever happens.
I have mostly palettes, majority from Bobbi Brown, but also the Laura Mercier Artist palette, which I loved for its assortment of browns and purples. The past six or eight months I have been loving the Nars Loaded palette, although there are a couple of colors in it I just won’t use. I have really tried to limit palettes to those that I will use all or the majority of colors, aren’t glittery, and limit the shimmer.
Right now at this moment – 3 in current rotation:
Huda – smokey and mauve obsessions
KvD – Saint/Sinner palette
And for funsies – the very first Narsissist palette. I still heart that one!
Naked three is the only true palette I reach for all the time. If you mean anything more than a single, I have quite a few Nars duo’s and a Chanel quad I love. I also just got the KvD Plum quad and it’s amazing. I’ve used it almost every time I’ve done my makeup for the last month.
I only own, like, one palette. I’m not a big palette person! Also my eyeshadow game has been super lazy as of late.
I use to be a bit of a palette hoarder, but I’ve definitely slowed down and pared down. The newest one I got is the UD Basquiat Tenant palette and while I LOVED the colors (except that pink. Ugh, that pink. Why?), I felt I needed to use another palette to be able to get the true potential of that palette out and that’s just not what I think a palette should do. You should be able to get multiple looks just using the palette you’re given, y’know? (Is it just me? Have I been spoiled by the Naked line?) I really want the Heavy Metal palette though. Arrrrrgh.
My most heavily used palettes are the Urban Decay Naked 1 and Naked Basics palettes definitely. I used them for my 5-minute school face when I was in school and now I use them for my horse competitions as they make judge-friendly eye looks. When I’m at home, the Urban Decay Electric palette gets a fair amount of use as I love bright eyeshadow (as eyeliner for the most part), but still the original Naked wins most. I think over half of those shadows have been worn away. HA HA HA.
Hi Kate,
The Heavy Metal palette is fun. I think you’d like it!
I hope Bree is settling in nicely. Give her a hug for me. 🙂
I’m hoping to get it soon!
It’s very slow with Bree, but that is okay with us. She’s managed to move out of my bathroom (finally! Showers in peace!) to my office and she is exploring more. We’re really working on the toilet training. She was in a kennel 24/7, so she was never properly trained to toilet outside. She particularly likes to toilet in my office (which isn’t at all surprising as she thinks of it as her “kennel” of sorts even though I keep the pocket doors open), but she only had a little accident today after three days of no accidents, so we’re starting to figure out her toilet schedule.
We have issues to work out, but we are working with a trainer, so it’s slow and hard work, but that’s okay with us. If it means a few accidents on the floor in the process while we iron out the wrinkles, yep, it means a few accidents. We’ve so far learned we cannot forget her 1:00 am-ish potty break. Thankfully, I’m awake at that point so I let her out. Then she’s usually fine until 6 or so.
The palette I regularly reach for is UD Naked 1. That is my all time favourite.
Hi Genevieve,
That’s a classic! An oldie but goodie that goes with everything.
Hi Karen,
I actually bought the Nordstrom Naturals palette palette based on your review from 2 years ago (gosh has it been that long?!). I loved it!! However, I stopped using it for the past year, but recently dug it up while I was cleaning my makeup stash and tried to use it, but the eyeshadows are really dry on the surface– is your palette like this too? The eyeshadows don’t seem to stick to my brush or even my fingers as well as they used to, I almost feel as if I should scrape off the top layer. Any tips on how to revive the beloved palette? I’m so sad it’s discontinued!!!
Love your blog! <3
Hi Kristina,
It’s really easy! You take either a plastic knife or a clean spoolie (like the ones you can toss from the beauty supply store, or a cheap spoolie brush), run it lightly across the top to break up the hard surface on the top layer, and then take a piece of tap, press it down on the surface of the pan, then lift it up to remove any leftover hard powder.
Hard surface build up is common on powder products, by the way. It can happen when the oils from your skin mix in to the product, or when you’re using wet brush heads. Happens all the time. Removing the top hard layer should revive your beloved palette!
Let me know if you have any more questions and keep me updated on how it goes. 🙂
Just tried this, it worked–you are a lifesaver!! I feel the urge to send you a check because you basically saved me the cost of buying all the MAC eyeshadows again. Can’t wait to use this palette this weekend!
I mostly reach for Tom Ford Nude Dip, Cocoa Mirage or Orchid Haze mixed with some singles from Burberry (original formula) or Chanel (the new Ombre Premiere formula). Occasionally I reach for Urban Decay Naked 2. I tossed my original Naked palette because it was getting so grungy.
I love me some Cocoa Mirage, girl. I should take it out soon to play! I also have an original Naked Palette — from the first time it was released! I don’t use it any more because it’s so old, but keep it around for sentimental reasons.
Anywho, happy Friday!
Happy Friday to you too!
I had the original Naked palette from one of the first releases, rarely used it and gave it to Dear Daughter. (She still has it and keeps it pristine) A friend didn’t want her original Naked palette (also from one of the first releases) and sold it to me. That’s the one that got well used and rather grungy. I wanted to replace it, but when I compared the ones in production now, the colors seemed a bit different and not as good and the pans seemed all wonky. The quality difference is probably not noticeable to others. I decided I own enough eyeshadow for a dozen life times and didn’t bother to repurchase it.
Hmmm… Interesting that you noticed the difference. I bet they changed labs or manufacturers! I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened since the palettes were in such high demand for a while. Who would’ve guessed that the original Naked palette would spark such a huge trend?!
I’m looking forward to the day when I get to gift Connor with makeup. Well, that’s assuming she’s into it. Maybe she’ll be a tomboy? Who knows! El Hub and I were talking last night and wondering what she’s going to be like when she’s older, and how it’s going to be so scary sending her out into the world. We’re looking into preschools and I’m already freaking out. The rational side of me knows she won’t be by my side forever but the irrational side wishes I could always protect her.
That’s the thing about kids, they don’t turn out exactly the way you imagined or hoped they would, but they’re still pretty darn awesome the way they are because they’re yours and you helped to shape them. I remember wondering with Dear Husband what Dear Daughter would be like as an adult. Doesn’t look like she’s on track to become the supreme court justice Dear Husband imagined.
BTW, Dear Daughter was such a huge, high energy, tomboy (I dislike that word) when she was little. Wanted to wear all red and royal blue and climb everything. Then she went through a pink and purple phase. She always loved dressing in costumes and having her face painted at Halloween. And all of a sudden in 8th grade she asked if she could wear makeup for her school pictures. I couldn’t see any logical reason to say no, so I took her to a MAC store and the gal there did her makeup in a tasteful, age appropriate, fresh faced way and I bought my daughter her first makeup that fall.
I use UD’s Naked Basics 2 and when I used up one of the shades it was really hard to find a suitable replacement without buying the palette. I also use the ambient lighting trio from Hourglass for casual days.
Hi Jen,
Oh that’s cool that you like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Trio (I adore their Ambient powders). Do you use it the powders on your lids as an all-over wash? Or do you just place it on certain spots (like the inner corner) for highlighting?
Hi Karen! I use dim light for all over color on my lids, it’s almost an exact match for my skin, and incandescent light for inner corner and/or center of the lid, and radiant light for the center of my lid. I have hooded eyes so there’s not much crease to work with.
Hi Jen,
It never occurred to me to try the palette as a shadow so thank you! I’m so excited to give your look a go. I think it would be perfect for weekends!
By the way, my eyes are slightly hooded, so I know the struggle. It’s so real.
I bought the Hourglass palette based on your review so I’m glad to give you a new idea for how to use it!!
I love me some cool tone eyeshadows.. lorac mega pro 2 and naked palette 2 are my most reached for.
Something about those cold steely Taupes, navy blues and moody mauves makes my heart sing.
Enough of the warm trend already! It’s time to cool things down a notch.. ;p
Hi Melissa,
I totally get it. I have warm skin but love wearing cool-toned browns and taupes. There’s something about the contrast of the cooler tones on warm lids that I like (I think it’s the structure and the depth).
I always go back to Old Faithful (AKA: Anastasia’s Modern Renaissance). I love the reds, browns and oranges! I’m actually still waiting for a palette to knock my socks off the way that palette did when it came out. ABH set the bar high for me with that one!
I LOVED my Naked3 palette. I used that one and my Stila In The Light palette regularly; but I just recently tossed both because I had an case of contact dermatitis on my eyelids (ugh, whyyyyy). I was eye-makeup free for over a week and figured it was probably my eyeshadows causing the pain…so now I’m on the hunt for my next go-to because I can’t justify $54 on another Naked3 and In The Light is discontinued. 🙁
I’m looking at the Cargo Emerald City palette or one of the Nude ones from the balm …but recreating that MAC palette is pretty tempting!
You could totally do it! The Pro refills are pretty darn affordable. 🙂
I’ve been reaching for my singles a lot lately, so I wouldn’t say that any of mine are in much use at the moment! I use KVD Metal Mattes a lot for colorful looks, ABH Modern Renaissance for warm looks, and the Makeup Atelier Natural Chestnut palette for smokey looks. The Makeup Atelier one is tragically underrated!
I had to think about this one. I’m a palette hoarder with a huge collection, so I try to rotate through them.
*UD Naked Basics is one I keep going back to for both my eyes and face (that, foundation, setting powder, lip color, blush, and mascara are all I need to do my whole face if it comes to that). I always travel with it. It’s my default palette for when I don’t know what makeup to do: I use it for a pin-up eye and throw on some red lips. I’m actually close to hitting pan on a couple shades!
*UD Electric Palette gets used tons, whether on its own or for a pop of color with other shadows. This is one of my favorite palettes of all time. I’m so sad that they discontinued it. I even bought a backup, and I NEVER buy backups of palettes.
*UD Urban Spectrum. For me, the #1 best eyeshadow palette ever, so I come back to it often. If only the packaging were more practical, I’d use it even more.
*ABH Modern Renaissance gets used in some capacity every week or so.
*Too Faced Chocolate Bar, Semi-sweet, and Bon Bons all get used relatively regularly and are my favorite travel palettes.
*Kat von D True Romance Palette in Sinner. It has the perfect purplish gray shades for my eyes. Usually, I don’t like gray eyeshadow on me, but these do the trick. I get kick-ass smokey eyes from this one.
I would say palettes I use regularly are ABH Self made, I love this thing you can get so many different looks out of it. I feel like it didn’t get the attention it deserved. I also wear ABH Modern Renaissance alot, I love the burgundys and reds in this palette. In this past year I would definetly add UD naked 2. Even though I love warm tones this palette gives me life….so many different looks from such a basic looking palette. I took it on vacation with me along with the UD electric palette. I used naked2 every night and the electric palette for liner and blush. I loved every single look!
My most used palette is Cargo’s Suited to a Tea. It’s a cream eyeshadow and I use it everyday as a primer.