We earn commission on sales tracked from our links and codes. Thank you for your support! We earn commission from affiliate links/codes. Thank you!
These are five eyeshadows that I think are worth splurging on! They’ll all set you back $20 or more, but over time, these are shades that have stuck with me.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
Armani ETK in #2 and #24 are most definitely two of my personal HE favs as well and both have the expected quality! I love #2 for smoky fall looks. #24 is one of those effortless shadows where you don’t have to work hard to end up with a truly gorgeous eye look.
I would add two workhorse NARS shadows on my list which I guess are more mid-range?: Mekong (dark brown with gold) and Night Clubbing (black with gold pearls).
It just dawned on me that proportionally speaking, I really do not own that many HE eyeshadows.. most of my collection falls in the mid to more budget friendly range. Still, it’s fun to indulge, especially for shadows that have the something extra special.
I’m the same, actually – I think it’s because most of the eyeshadows that I have over $20+ are palettes. I almost put NARS Bali on the list, but the ETK really are incredible so I couldn’t resist!
Love Mirifique and Chameleon! Chameleon is part of my personal made-up “kaleidoscope”, because I always use it with Corinthian, Midnight Sky, and Sugar.
GA Eyes to Kill Intense #13 Black is one I use multiple times a week to add little extra drama to my eyeliner, and it even sets it a little to last all day! It’s intense but smoky, and you can’t go wrong with black.
Very pretty Kaleidoscope you put together!
So pretty! Never really spurged on an eyeshadow, well I have a Mac paint pot I really like in Rubenesque 🙂
That’s a pretty shade!
Ah, Chanel Mirifique…so hard to wear on my hooded eyes, so worth the time to make it work. <3
Looking at this list makes me realize I actually have a comparatively small collection of HE eyeshadows. The only other singles I have are NARS Night Porter and Chanel Gri Gri, while the rest are either mid-range/drug store or in palettes. I guess having hooded eyes keeps me from splurging to much? 🙂
There aren’t too many singles over the $25 price point – you have Chanel and Dior singles (and none of them impressed me enough to make this list), but a lot of the higher end brands seem to do palettes, primarily!
Both Georgio Armani eyeshadows really draw the most attention for me 🙂
Chameleon looks stunning.
I’m a little shocked that you didn’t put Burberry Trench on the list, haha. Then again, it’s a more dupeable shade
I tried to pick more unique/interesting shades that were less easily replicated at other price points. I love Trench, but it IS just a beige, lol!
How does Le Metier De beaute chameleon shadow compare to MAC Sumptuous Olive?
Sumptuous Olive is greener and darker 🙂
sooo i need to try those armani etk shadows!!
They are awesome! L’Oreal’s Infallibles have a similar texture (and are a great product, too), but GA has more depth/nuance (generally speaking — some GA shades are more basic, too).
i have 2 of the loreal infalliables and i want more but i want these toooooooooooooo lol
I love Chanel Epatant and also Illisoire, I love layering them over top of similar colors. Also for a purple MUFE 92. 🙂
Oh I LOVE my Armani ETK # 20! I was just wearing it yesterday. #2 looks gorgeous two. In fact, all those eyeshadows look epic.
They are so amazing!
the armani #2 eyes to kill is my favorite fall eyeshadow. I also love armani #24 and chanel mirifique.
I would recommend the armani eyes to kill #13 which is a black, anyone who likes black eyeshadow needs to try this one.
#13 is amazing!! 🙂
For me t was between 13 and mirifique. Mirifique is more unique so j went with that
My favorite is the Stila trio in Goddess. I wear it every day, and since my last pot shattered it has technically cost me double the price in just a few months! :0(
Aww 🙁
Burberry, Le Metier de Beaute and Guerlain singles are consistently good, at least in my experience. Some that I consider being worth the splurge are:
Guerlain Reve
Guerlain Emotion
Le Metier de Beaute Jojo
Burberry Pale Barley
Burberry Rosewood
Burberry Mulberry
Mostly basic colors, but the formula is great. Smooth, finely milled, long-lasting and easy to blend.
I can’t believe I forgot Rouge Bunny Rouge! Everyone run out and buy Abyssinian Catbird and Delicate Hummingbird, they are both amazing!
Great picks 🙂
I really want to try Mirifique! It looks great for a quick smoky eye. I have the Illusion D’Ombre in Fantasme, and it’s one of my daily essentials. I lightly apply it over my eyeshadow to give a subtle day time sparkle. Love it!
A one-shade splurge? Either Chanel Illusoire or Nars Lhasa (is Nars considered a “splurge”? The price isn’t in the stratosphere but it’s not cheap either).
NARS is a splurge (to me!) – I went for $20+ for this post!
Nars is definitely a splurge. For the longest time i thought nars was overpriced.
Nars coconut grove. You don’t have this you’re missing out. I second mirifique. Bought it, yet to use though. Please do more stuff like this. Blush, lipstick, I know the blush will have tom ford in it.
I would LOVE to see a splurge-worthy blush post!
Great swatches! I’ve never tried Armani eyeshadow but those are beautiful! I may just have to check them out.
Nars Outremer. Nars Persia. I have hooded eyes and I’m allergic to everything (watery eyes). I scrape these onto a plate, add MUFE eye seal and literally paint them on.
Chanel Mirfique is my favorite!!!!
OMG!! ETK #2 is gorgeous!! I’ve never splurged on an eyeshadow, except a couple NARS, but this one will probably be in my future dreams.