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5 of My Favorite Neutral Eyeshadow Palettes
With so many neutral palettes available these days, it can be hard to keep them all straight! These are my current favorites that are permanent…
- Urban Decay Naked — the original is still a go-to for travel for me, though I love Naked2 and Naked3 as well
- LORAC Pro Palette — 16 shades of neutrals from matte to shimmer
- Chanel Raffinement — smokier, cooler neutrals
- bareMinerals The Truth — cooler-toned, darker neutrals
- LORAC Unzipped — warm, shimmery pinks, browns, and bronzes
Oh these are the best of the best! 🙂 The only one I have is the original Naked palette and have hardly used it! I find it too fragile somehow and uber confusing! 😛 I am lusting after the Lorac Unzipped though!
Really! I travel with that one frequently and find it so durable, lol!
And light weight.
If you place a Kleenex in between n close it, it gives “protection”
I love bareMinerals The Truth for when I need a quick neutral eye. UD Naked’s (1-3) for when I have more time to create looks. The Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette is also good for when I need an easy neutral eye. There’s just so many options!
It was hard to just pick one Naked, lol! I really love all three.
You make a really good point. I love my Naked 1 but when I just want a quick simple look–all of those shadows start distracting me with all the possible looks I could do. Maybe I should pick up a Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette too.
Christine–I would love to see a review on the new version of the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette–not sure if it’s on your review list or not. A lot of people seem to like it and I’ve never used Too Faced shadows.
I don’t think I have it, and I’m about 20 palettes behind already (that I need to write-up), so I don’t know that I would rush to add it to the list (because I have about 50 that are already on that list!), unfortunately! I was hoping for a bigger lull between summer and fall releases, but apparently it’s fall, lol!
Great list! Sonia Kashuk’s eyeshadow formula is quite beautiful and I’ve loved her Bronzed Beauty quad for years, as well as her 12 – pan Eye on Neutral Shimmer palette. I am a shimmer and metallic junkie! I am also pretty in love with Kat Von D’s neutral palette, Saint. I use a shadow from it almost daily. But again, pretty glittery/shimmery! It’s lovely though. Happy Saturday!
Very nice picks, Sarah!
Love Urban Decay Naked. Bought it on a splurge and I am glad I did.
So glad you love yours, Lily! It’s my most-used of the three Nakeds.
The pic above does not give a true colorization of Naked One. Plan to use it all down to the pan….Only two have hit the pan…. dont really need another set of neutral browns.
I love the Marc Jacobs Lolita & The Too Faced Natural Eyes palettes too
Great choices, Amanda!
My fav neutral palettes would be Lorac Pro original and Naked 3. I think both fit neutral skintones quite well.
I really like Naked3 as well! I find it’s not quite as naturally flattering on my skin tone as Naked, but I really love all three.
The Chanel is lovely!
It is!
I really feel overwhelmed with large palettes. I am just fine with a quad or even a trio, the Smashbox Photo-Op eyeshadow trio in Multi-Flash. Maybe not quite as versatile, but easy to use and great for an everyday look.
Whatever works for you is what matters 😀
I recently picked up UD naked 1 finally….cudnt b happier n I know why its a fav amongst the beauyy world…I picked up a bobbi brown LE neutral palette 2 years back n that was also very well used for me..
YAY!! 🙂
The LORAC palette really jumps out for me in this list.
It’s a nice palette!
I absolutely love: BareMinerals “Power of Neutrals” and Urban Decay “Naked Basics”!
Great picks, Erica! I can tell you like your mattes and satins!
Christine just curious about Marc Jacobs Starlet palette? If I was going to go out today to purchase one of these would the MJ one be in the running?
The Starlet is a lovely palette but very frosted/metallic! That’s really its biggest con – so for me, it’s a palette that isn’t as versatile as a standalone palette, but if you’re mixing and matching at home, it’s great quality.
Christine any thoughts on the Stila palettes? In particulate “In the Light”? I am in the market for a new palette an am considering that one, Lorac or one of the UD – I don’t have any neutral palettes believe it or not. Would you be able to make a recommendation? I have blue eyes and fair complexion if that helps. 🙂
Haven’t tried too many Stila products in the past few years, so I can’t weigh in, but I have heard good things about that palette, I believe!
I bought it, I liked the 10 shadows vs 12 (less overwhelming) and that a Smudgestick liner was included, plus a little booklet of 6 looks! It certainly isn’t in the MJ Siren territory but I don’t think anything will ever compare to that. If you know of anything please tell me!!! That MJ palette has blown me away – never felt texture like that before.
Nice! 😀
The texture of MJB’s frosts/shimmers is pretty dense – bareMinerals Ready, Urban Decay, and Tarina Tarantino formulas have a similar density, though I think MJB’s is the “creamiest” in a sense (dense, packed in there, but not stiff).
NO GUERLAIN TURANDOT?! I mean it’s neutral-ish 😛 I know it’s one of your faves, you used it for your wedding!
It was LE, so I didn’t include it 🙂 Since it is also more plummy, it’s less neutral to me!
I think Chanel Raffinement is about to be discontinued.
There is a new Tom Ford combining out that looks like Enchanted.
Dang that Ipad autocorrection “new Tom Ford” coming out looks like Enchanted quad….hoping Christine emails it before it gets sold out.
We shall see…
Again auto correct…..reviews it before it gets sold out.
Is it online yet? I haven’t seen it at Saks or NM yet… they usually get TF in first.
I was just thinking it would be nice if you made a top 5 of neutral palettes! I know everyone’s sick of all the neutral palettes, but I only have the Naked Palette, and only a few of the colours really work on me.
I like the look of the unzipped palette, but I generally prefer smaller palettes like quads (which is weird as the bigger ones are much better value). It would be nice if bareminerals made a warmer version of The Truth!
Quads are often easier to use since there are less choices, lol!
YES!! I would LOVE it if BareMinerals made a warmer toned version of The Truth. I would be ALL OVER that.
The original Naked palette has to be my most favorite so far. I just purchased Naked 2 and 3 and I have The Smoked palette as well, plus I just discovered The Balm Meet Matte Nude palette, oh my gosh, I cant stop buying and getting into these, I love being able to experiment with all of them!
LOL! Neutral palettes are great. Once you have a few, you don’t NEED all the rest, but a good neutral palette is always welcome (because you never know who hasn’t bought one yet!).
Lovely choices! I’ve been very on the fence about my NAKED3 though. it’s a nice palette but I never reach for it and I’m regretting paying full price for it now lol
Aww! That’s too bad! I like Naked3 in the spring/summer and in the day, since it is leans a bit lighter.
I love the LORAC palette and the Naked3 as well 🙂
Yay! 😀
Love your list. I just bought Viseart’s neutral matte palette on sale at Alcone Co. yesterday, and it hasn’t arrived yet. It’s been getting raves. Have you tried it? I hope it’s as good as the hype makes it out to be.
I haven’t heard of that one before!
It’s a MUA pro brand primarily
Oh my – the Viseart matte and shimmer palettes are both lovely. They have excellent texture and pigmentation – they deserve more love.
I have to go with Too Faced Neutal Eyes/Neutral at Night. I love that TF will group the shadows for you and show you how to wear them. I have no color coordination ability, so these take the guesswork out.
Yay! That’s a nice feature! What I like about it is that it’s not a little piece of paper – it’s visually right in front of you!
My favourite nude palete it’s one of mac, with just only 4 shades, the Showstopper Quad.
I bought it recently and love it. Beside this one i’m using a lot the Too Faced one, Chocolate Bar.
With love,
The pink lemonade
Fun picks!
I’m happy you like it.
I’m a follower of your website ina while but i’m dont usually a active comment maker, probably now this fact it’s changing! =)
With love,
The pink lemonade
Happy commenting!
I love my Lorac Pro palette! I use it so much I’m close to hitting pan on a few shades. I also like the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and Naked 1 & 3.
Wow!! Which shades have you almost hit pan on?
I’m marvelling at the satiny, creamy finish of that US Chanel Raffinement here from Europe. I have this quad in the version they shove down our throats, and it’s the usual dry, chalky mess we expect from Chanel (why can’t I stop buying it then?
My favourites are: The Nars And God created the Woman palette, Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage, Laura Mercier The Artist’s Palette 2014 (I couldn’t get the other two),Too Faced neutral eye palette and as a tie for 5th place, the self-composed Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier neutral palettes I have.
I heard they revamped the Chanel formula abroad – have you tried that version?
The Urban Decay Naked palette is so gorgeous, full of amazing colours! Definitely a top pick 🙂
It’s awesome!
I have 3 of these haha, the Chanel, the UD, and the Lorac Unzipped. Pretty sure you get the blame for at least two of them : ) The Lorac Pro 2 is on my to-buy list next… you can never have enough neutral eyeshadows, right?
Never 😉
The UD palettes are fantastic quality, though not what I’d recommend for the truly cool-toned. Neutral and warmer toned women will get great use out of them, though. The Lorac palettes are a little more friendly but still lean warm.
Too Faced Naked Eye and NYX Butt Naked are fairly good neutral palettes for us cool-toned ladies, though the face products in the latter run warm (and I think it was LE?). I’ve also been eyeing Chanel’s Prelude palette as a big splurge. Who can’t use more taupe in their life? 🙂
Thanks for sharing some cool-toned faves!
Nice Picks! UD Naked 1 and Too Faced Natural eye kit are some of my long time faves.
Nice!
This makes me want to take out my Naked1 and Naked3 palettes and use them again! Lately, I’ve been using MAC’s Pedro Lourenco & Dior’s Sundeck palette (which are both unfortunately LE). LORAC’s Unzipped palette looks gorgeous, but I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t need more eyeshadows :).
The Pedro quad is quite nice!
Naked palettes are amazing. I love my naked 3. That chanel one looks really nice too.
What’s your favorite combo from N3?
LOVE the Ben Nye Theatrical Eye Shadow Palette! It has everything that it needs to be a neutral palette but with two shades for pops of colour. The quality is fantastic!! Also love the Pupa Milano Quad in Bon Ton. So amazing but discontinued now and only available via eBay:(
Looks pretty!
Chanel Raffinement is also one of my all time favorites, so is the bareMinerals The Truth. I actually sold both the LORAC palettes, I just never reached for them. I never bought the UD Naked :).
Do you find you’re more of a fan of quads?
Definitely. I only have four big palettes and I never reach for three of them. The fourth, Naked3, is actually a big favorite, but I still don’t use it all that often…
My picks:
Chanel Charming
Chanel Raffinement
Dior Rosy Tan
Burberry Dark Spice
Guerlain Les Fumes
Thanks for sharing, Aida!
UD Naked 1 and 2; The Balm Nude Tude; Smashbox Full Exposure and Paula’s Choice Nude Mattes are my faves. I have LORAC Pro and rarely reach for it.
What do you think is the reason why LORAC Pro has worked out as well for you? I always love hearing why people love (or loathe!) popular products 😀
Adding EL Bronze Goddess Nudes palette, NYX Champagne & Caviar palette, Clinique Nudes palette, and the old Revlon quads were great too. Love the Lorac Unzipped in your list.
Is the Clinique Nudes palette with their newer eyeshadow formula?
I somehow own none of these. Using my Too Faced Matte eye and UD Roller girl a lot. Think I prefer using smaller palettes, even though the big ones seem exciting
Love, LOVE Rollergirl, but since it is LE, I couldn’t have it on the list!
I do love my Naked 2 palette 🙂 I’ve never tried any of the others, but the Chanel looks nice!
Chanel’s feels really classic to me.
I don’t own any of them and I want them all! D= I bought the Naked 2 palette because I already own the UD Theodora palette and now the Laura Mercier Holiday Edition one sold during Christmas last year. LORAC’s not available in Singapore, unfortunately. =/
Love Naked2 😀
This is a great list! My favorites are probably Lorac Pro, Naked 1 and Naked 3–I love gold and pink tones. I actually stumbled into pink tones (who would have ever thought pink would look good on eyes?!) with a sample quad from Coastal Scents so Naked 3 was a dream come true when it came out. I definitely lust for Lorac Unzipped and the Balm’s Nude Tude.
So glad that you were able to try pink-toned eyeshadows!
I seriously use at least 1 eyeshadow in the original Urban Decay Naked Palette with EVERY makeup look. It is my absolute favorite.
Nice!
I am so glad to see this , i dont use eyeshadow much these days as my eyes are so sensitive lately , but sooo want to pick one , dont know why ?
I dont have NAKED 1 and any of the Lorac palettes , what would you recommend for me dear ?
NAKED 1 , Lorac 1 or 2 , or any other palette .
i am not a neutral person , my all time fav would be UD smoked ( weird na )
but i want to hear your recommendation 😀
I would hold off buying until your eyes feel better, Rashmi! They are all permanent, anyway 🙂
But if I did, I would say Naked1!
Lovely pics. I love Too Faced Palettes too. I just wish UD changes its packaging for their first palette from felt to metal or plastic… 🙂
It’s funny – I love the felt, because you can drop it and it’s no big deal!
I have never been a huge fan of neutrals because I am cool toned and most nuetral palettes are not. But I have to say, I’m in love with BareMinerals Power Neutrals and IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty palettes. They are both exceptional. Have you tried any IT Cosmetics products? I can’t recall reading any reviews for them.
I have tried IT Cosmetics and have reviewed a few products 🙂
I don’t have any of these. I have a dupe for Naked, but I sometimes really want to order the “real” one. Of all of the five I most want the Lorac one, probably just because it’s the one I can’t get. I just love that it includes the purpely “Deep Purple” Not that I need another nude palette, I have Naked 2 and 3 and I like them both. I also have one or two quite good Dior 5 colour palettes in nude shades that are quite nice.
I often prefer the original, just because I like the idea of supporting the original, not the copycat, if that makes sense? but at the same time, I think having alternatives is a good thing! It’s not a perspective that fully makes sense, I know, lol!
The fun thing is, when I got it I just didn’t see how much alike Naked it was. Then I was considering ordering Naked I saw I already had a palette with almost exactly the same shades in it.
I guess at times I buy or want things in a certain colour, could explain why I have some 7 nail polishes looking like I’m not a Waitress 🙂
At least you caught yourself! 🙂
I love The Truth. I hit pan on Serendipitous long ago, I’ve had to cut right back on how often I use it! I wish I could just replace that colour! I really have had my eyes on the first Naked palette, I am going to pull the trigger… soon, very soon!
I would LOVE bareMinerals to offer all of the shades individually!
I picked up the Chanel quad yesterday after seeing this post and I LOVE IT!!! Finally, a palette that doesn’t have unnecessary shades and is neither a total glitterbomb nor a matte snoozefest!
So happy you’re loving it, Amanda! xo
I have 3 of the 5 you listed – UD Naked 1 and the two Lorac palettes. My favorite of the three is Lorac Unzipped. It is amazing.
Woohoo!! 😀
Love these. Great choices
Thanks, Liz!
I love neutral shadows so it stands to reason that I have quite a few neutral palettes. Among my favourites:
Naked 2 (and 1 but not as much as 2)
Bare Minerals The Power Neutrals
Clarins Forest quad
TheBalm Nude ‘Tude
Wet n Wild Vanity (discontinued) and Comfort Zone
I can’t believe WNW discontinued Vanity, to be honest.
I own the naked 1, it’s indeed a great palette for everybody. But the big question is are the Naked and Lorac Pro so similar that I should skip Lorac Pro? It seems to be a beautiful super useful palette, but still, very similar to the Naked palette.
I think LORAC Pro is different enough, especially in texture, myself!
If you say so, I’ll go for it 😉
Anyways I’m so addicted I believe I’d still buy it in some point.
I feel that the Naked2 doesn’t get as much online love as its siblings but it’s such a beautiful palette. I had the Vegan palette, which is why I skipped Naked1 and bought 2, and every time I use it, it’s love. I also really enjoy Sleek’s Oh So Special. I try to resist myself when it comes to buying eyeshadows because I won’t know what to do with too many.
Restrain myself*
I honestly love all the Nakeds. I think UD did a great job, even if the palettes aren’t perfect answers for every person, but the quality of the palettes is quite good.
Christine, I think the picture links for the bare minerals and lorac unzipped palettes are mixed up, they don’t bring me to the right review page. Just letting you know if you didn’t catch it!
Fixed! Thank you so much for catching that!
I finally bought the LORAC Pro Palette yesterday-although I took the longest time trying to decide between that and Naked 1. I already have too many eyeshadows, but I’m still lusting after the original Naked palette and the LORAC Unzipped!
How are you liking the LORAC Pro so far?