What is the most you've spent (or would spend) on an eyeshadow palette?
I think palettes priced around $50 or less is a good mark for more budgets than less. That seems to be the sweet spot for getting some value out of buying multiple shades all at once, giving up the ability to customize, etc. I don’t think that palettes at $100+ are “worth it” in the sense that you’re getting +$50 more in quality than a great palette at $50, but I think that the right set of colors, finishes, formula, and packaging can certainly make it justifiable to someone who has the disposable income to buy it.
I could see myself spending quite a bit on a palette if the function was there for review purposes – e.g. if a brand came out with a $500 palette but it contained all of their permanent shades so I could review them at once (and that it would be cheaper than buying the shades individually). I think the most expensive single palette I’ve purchased was Make Up For Ever’s 30th Anniversary Palette ($250), which included 30 full-sized Artist Shadows (and I intended to review the whole line).
Please respect other members of this community who may spend more or less than you. It’s about discussing and thinking about own personal limits without judgment of others’ choices nor insulting someone who does or doesn’t want to spend more or less.
I was in Saks and makeup artist applied eyeshadow. It was love at first sight. It was a Guerlain palette in shades of grey and purple. When I got to cashier I found out it was $85. Ouch! I did buy it but learned a lesson. Ask price point first! Have not spent that amount again.
The most I’ve spent on an eyeshadow palette was $80 on a Viseart palette. I LOVED it. I then proceeded to invest in 4 more Viseart palettes (on sale!!!) Most I really enjoy and we’re well worth the price point. Dark Mattes- not so much…. too intense for me. I adore my Bijou Royale and Paris Nudes to add a lovely touch to a matte look. My two favorites would have to be Cool Mattes and Natural Mattes. They are workhorses and I’ve almost hit pan on two shades in each palette.
I have enough eyeshadow now to avoid spending on any others….hmmm. ?
I definitely think the Viseart palettes are worth it but I’ve bought most of mine during the Sephora VIB Rouge sale.
This is my goal, simplify my life have a few pallets that will work together. I am just worried about the shimmery colors settling in wrinkly mature skin. What is you thought on that topic, i had a sales person at a popular make up haven, say that Visiart is hard to work with, you need to use primer then base color then apply blend blend blend then set with setting spray more color then setting powder then finishing spray ????? I use several popular high end and have no problem with mattes and some satins using primer and shadow. It’s just frosty that are the issue very hit or miss. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I find the Viseart shadows very easy to work with! I always used to stay away from shimmers (never use frosts) because of the crepey eyelid thing, but Viseart is such high quality that wearing the shimmers on my lids only is beautiful. I always use mattes in the crease and above. I do use an eyeshadow primer no matter what palette I’m using and I cover my whole eye with a matte nude shadow to start with a clean slate. I do this to cover discoloration and veins, etc.. The Paris Nudes palette is so lovely on aging eyes imho. Just beautiful and not too shimmery at all. Classy. I would never classify Viseart shadows as “frosty”. Viseart is a really great company and I would be happy to only use Viseart to simplify. The twelve pan palettes are awesome! Fantasy palette? The Grande Pro……drool. I don’t need it, though.
I think the most that I’ve actually spent is for Viseart’s $80 palettes, though I acquired all of mine on some sale or another. Yes, Viseart is good quality, but I don’t know if I would do it over again and I’m not sure I would consider them worth it (don’t kill me, beauty community, but Viseart shimmers have terrible micro glitter fallout!).
I take that back – I did also drop $80 on Tom Ford’s Nude Dip quad, but that one is such beautiful quality I don’t regret it at all. The colors are just perfect for me and the texture/ finish is divine. $80 for 4 shadows is absurd in general and I won’t be buying more, though.
I guess that makes ~$80 my upper limit. I would love to try the Natasha Denona Star Palette, but I’m not dropping $170 on it, or even $140 during a 20% off sale and despite its size. My general comfort zone is in the $50 range.
You spoke for both of us, I too purchased a couple of Viseart palettes and the Tom Ford Nude Dip during Sephora’s 20% off sales. Not feeling the need to do that as a habit. I’ve never finished an eye shadow palette in my life and don’t really expect to. I would prefer smaller palettes for a smaller price.
The most I’ve ever spent was on the Huda Beauty desert dusk palette, which clocks in at $85 CAD, but I also bought it during the 20% off VIB Rouge sale last year. I think I would spend up to $100 if I was sure I was going to get use out of ALL the colours, that the formula was amazing, and it was a good price per gram (so more expensive palette but you also get more shadows).
On average I think $50-60 CAD is the price point I like to stick to (though I’ll never complain about palettes being cheaper than that!)
I think it would depend on how functional the palette is – I love the Path McGrath palettes but would only considering spending that much for 1 of them (Decadence) because it would be my fancy schmancy go wild with an eyeshadow look palette. The others I have dupes for and they, while beautiful, are nothing special as far as dupes in my stash thus far (never say never, though). Urban Decay has those vaults for around $300 that are kind of like a huge palette and if I bought from them, I would jump on that because of all the staples offered.
This question boils down to ‘How do you define your cost/benefit ratio?’’ And that depends on how you use the product. If you are content with a signature look, a palette like L’Impreinte, or any other HE, big or small, that covers your preferred colors would be well worth it. If you wish to express the latest trends (which are persisting, rather than changing) or like variety, you might need to consider your budget and downsize your item price, and put ‘quantity’ over ‘quality.’ But, as you point out weekly, there are terrific budget friendly options. Personally, have not yet indulged in any UHE palettes. 30 years ago, the French brands usually were better and the explosion of US brands had not happened. Then, it was pretty ordinary to select French quads and quints, because the benefit was so obviously there. Now, we have options that fit both desires and price ranges. Think I’m pretty much middle of the road…but I like endless variety and don’t do the same look/combo twice. So 40-60 range. Don’t usually go higher than UD/Lorac range. Though my current faves are Zoevas, which are not trendy stateside, non-mega, but also aren’t highly duped, and are very wallet friendly, to boot.
I think the most I’ve spent on one eye shadow palette at one time is $175 for the Viseart Grande Pro Vol. 1 palette. I’m sure I’ve spent more cumulatively, i.e. buying a few palettes at one time from one brand. So if it’s a brand I love and works wells for me, I will indulge (although I do try and buy things with coupons or ebates or on during the VIB rouge sale, etc.).
I have spent $239 on a Natasha Denona palette….twice. But I have not regrets about that and would do it again. If I was asked tomorrow to only have like 10 palettes the first ones I would grab would be those two, followed by their Natasha Denona siblings.
So, the only pricy palettes I have contemplated buying are the Natasha Denona 28 (?) pan palettes that ring in at $239. And the only way I have rationalized this is to buy them on BeautyLish for payments! (I also don’t like the idea of paying for it over 3 months or whatever the case may be!) And then I can’t decide between the 2 that they have being that I have green eyes…do you have one that you use over the others?
I have also heard innumerable awesome things about the new Too Faced Chocolate Gold palette and am considering that one at its retail price point, which I agree is about $50ish dollars.
Cate, my first ND palette was a 5 pan so I could test if they worked for me. Just putting that out there. Also the Chocolate Gold is pretty nice! As far as if I use one more than another… I have green eyes and have used my purple blue more. But I am a colored eyeshadow wearer and I have had it a bit longer!
I have to said I only own two expensive eye-shadow palettes in my collection. The Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (which I love ) and the Viseart Dark matte palette. I want a Pat McGrath palette.. but I don’t know yet. I probably get with a coupon.. or if I get GC .. lol.. I love palettes. 😀 .. Buying the Natasha Denona on Beautylish was good because I didn’t feel that guilty since you can split the payments.. LOL…
Does BeautyLish do three monthly payments?
If you spend more than $100 yes you can do three monthly payments. If you spend less them $100 but more than $50 you can do two monthly payments…
The most expensive palette I own is the first Estee Lauder Victoria Beckham the was $95. Mentally, I had to break up the cost per shadow to justify it and know that I’ve spent more on Urban Decay singles. The shadows are great and the packaging is fantastic, so I don’t regret it.
The second most expensive is a Chanel Christmas quint that came out about three years ago. It’s a cool-toned neutral palette that is nice. I don’t remember the cost, but it had to have been around $70-80.
I would like to try a Pat McGrath palette but the shades are to chrome-ish. I’m at the age now where I’d prefer something a little bit more balanced/muted. Especially is the asking price is over $100.
My disposable income budget is 10% of my gross income. My beauty purchase take the majority chunk of that amount. $50 for a palette is also about my affordable limit because I can equate it with a night out with friends as a night out can also run me roughly around $50 as well (DC/Baltimore area)–I can justify a $50 palette by saying okay, one less night out this month. But if I start upping that amount, say $100 but then I go out two less times (aka two weekends), then I’m basically buying something and having no where to wear it out to. 🙂
I think the most expensive eyeshadow palette I’ve purchased is probably the UD Naked 1 palette at $52. It was my first eyeshadow palette purchase. I don’t have a ton of palettes, and the ones I do have are smaller and range 30-45$.
I’m incredibly picky with palettes since I have to want to use every color, if not 90% of the palette, for me to consider purchasing it. It needs to be great quality, packaging has to be nice, it can’t be too bulky for me to store, the colors have to be in somewhat of the same story line. I think I’d be willing to pay just about anything if the palette sung to me in the right way for me to purchase it. I guess the cap I would spend would be $250.
A majority of the palettes that I purchase are in the $50 – $65 range, which I feel is a fair price for mid to high end brands such as Kat Von D. I find that most/all eyeshadow palettes have a handful of shadows that I never use, so I would be willing to spend $200 on a palette if I knew I would hit pan on every shadow.
$85, for a Tom Ford quad, and I regretted it as too expensive for four shades. For my needs, $80 Viseart palettes for 12 shades is ok though only occasionally. Otherwise, $50 feels about it and for that I have to be certain on quality and how much I’d use it.
The most I’ve ever spent is £40 on a Chanel palette. When you think about it, in general, eye shadows contain the same ingredients whether they’re high end, mid end or whatever, so really you’re paying for the name. To me, Chanel implies luxury, and the brand has been around since year dot so it’s well established. Natasha Denona is pretty new, however, and while I appreciate a lot of people like her products, I personally find her price point seriously eye-watering. Each to their own.
Do build-your-own palettes count? Because I have a Sugarpill Pro palette that I filled with 12 shades and individually it costs close to $150, I believe. But I also built it over time and when budget would allow.
The most I would be willing to spend is probably $50-60 – I think that’s reasonable for a palette where you like most of the shades, but not all of them. I think my most expensive purchase is my Urban Decay Naked Heat palette at $54, but even then, I got it on discount. I would have still purchased it even without a discount because it is one of my most beloved palettes, I use every shade in it repeatedly and I’m sure I’ll hit pan on a few. And as much as I ADORE the Natasha Denona and Pat McGrath palettes, I’m afraid they’re too rich for my blood – though, I wouldn’t say no if a family member or my partner gifted me one…;)
I would have to say $170 USD for the NARS X Man Ray Love Game palette. It wasn’t available here, but I found it on eBay for what I felt was a fair price, all things considered. I have been a fan of Man Ray for as long as I can remember, and NARS is my absolute favorite brand for eyeshadow, so it was definitely worth what I paid.
As far as MSRP/retail palettes, I *think* $85 for the MAC 15 pan palettes…
Overall, I’m comfortable in the $50-75 range on larger palettes, and I don’t really bother with quads/quints. That said, I don’t think twice about dropping $36 on a NARS duo…
I’d say in the $50 range although I can’t count how many times I’ve been tempted by more expensive and beautiful palettes ! So much temptation out there !
$70 on a Bobbi Brown Greige palette, though I had a $30 discount on $154 worth of product, so I don’t know what the actual breakdown was. I was new to makeup then, and was totally taken with Bobbi Brown after reading an interview with her. I wanted to be her, and I thought the palette would make me more like her. Surprise, it didn’t. I definitely regret it. I really don’t even want any palettes now, because I have gotten to the point where I have way more than I could ever use. If my makeup collection were wiped out and I had to start from scratch, I might buy an $80 Viseart on sale, but I might be happy sticking with Colourpop. Urban Decay Naked 1 was my very first palette purchase, and to me it’s a comfortable price for what it is.
The most I’ve spent is $80 each on two of the Viseart palettes, but I had $150 in Sephora gift cards 😉 I had been eyeballing those palettes for a while, so when two different family members gifted me with Sephora cards it seemed like a justifiable splurge. I probably wouldn’t spend that much of my own money on them.
The most I’ve spent of my own cash was however much the NARS Dual Intensity palette was (minus 20% with a Sephora coupon), which I purchased to celebrate getting a new job and have barely ever used. I’ve actually been meaning to revisit it this month to see if I can get it into a regular rotation with my makeup looks.
I spent something like $60 on a Laura Mercier palette. It was an impulse purchase made at an emotional time (my dad had just died), and while I like it, I don’t $60 like it. I can imagine spending more than that on a palette in the future – I’d like to get Viseart Warm or Neutral Mattes – I’d have to plan and research more to make sure it’s really what I want to spend my money on.
It WAS the Naked Heat palette at $54. I really like it even though I haven’t been using it as much lately. It just doesn’t feel “wintery”. Up here in the North I’d love a clear, cool toned Naked Ice. I also have the original Naked palette, but I use the slightly less expensive Tartelette in Bloom much more.
I’m waiting for the Pat McGrath Decadence to arrive. I used my $98 ebates check. I don’t need it and I wouldn’t have bought it without the rebate money. But it’s soooo pretty. I’m rationalizing, because I know darn well I could have used that on skincare to last me 6 months.
I think the most I have spent on a palette is the $80’s I spent on Viseart palettes. I don’t feel like I have a maximum line that I would automatically say, “No that is too expensive and I am never going to pay that for an eye shadow palette.” If the palette contained a large number of unique or wanted colors, the formula was good and the shades are ones that I would use then I would likely buy it regardless of price. I came really close to purchasing the Natasha Denona brown/green palette which when swatched looked like the colors were right up my alley but after trying a 6 pan palette I wasn’t that impressed with the quality of her shadows so I ultimately ended up passing. I feel like if I am willing to purchase a palette for $50-$60 and it likely contains several shades I don’t like, don’t work well, or just look terrible on me then what would I spend on the “perfect” palette for me?
I spent $80 on a Tom Ford quad once, but was so underwhelmed with the quality that I returned it. For $20 per shadow, I’d hope to be in love with it.
Otherwise I’d say I’m comfortable spending $50 on a palette of which I would use a majority of the shades. I never use matte black eyeshadows, so bonus if that shade is not included in the palette!
Just bought the new Pat McGrath, so the most I’ve spent on an eyeshadow palette is $125, haha. I generally am more about the $50 or lessrange, but I did get the Viseart Dark Mattes for Christmas from my husband.
I’m not a palette person like before. I would choose the Colourpop Palettes or do a build your own with singles. Palettes are still worth the money depending on what the person is going for.
The Makeup Forever Palette you mention is worth it for the money because they are all full size with a nice color scheme. Natasha Denona is also worth the money. I tested out her 5 pan palette and was so impressed with the quality. Her 5 pan palette is something I can see myself investing in the future.
I still like palettes. The most recent ones I bought were the Becca Ombre Rouge, Kat Von D Mini Metal Matte, and Colourpop Element of Surprise.
Since palette schemes are basically the same everywhere else, I feel I don’t need the latest nude palette.
Palettes are very tricky due to the schemes. I feel I don’t need palettes as much as I used to. Palettes are still cheaper than doing a build your own (depending on the brand discount once the shadows/empty palette are selected).
Moving foward in 2018, I don’t plan on buying any high end palettes, but rather stick with a few singles here and there. When I feel the urge to buy a palette, I still with Colourpop for now.
Bona fide palette addict here, I bought the Pat McGrath Mothership Totale, so three palettes for $300. No regrets, though it was a big decision for me at the time, I knew I wanted them all though and it was a $75 saving, it’s just a shame about the repeat shades. I think £100 ($140-ish) would be my comfortable limit, unless it was something truly astonishing.
My one major splurge was on Natasha Denona Lila Palette, but I did use my Sephora Rouge. 20% coupon on it. That made it sting far less. So, I would have to say then that my max is roughly $125 – ish, but using a coupon if at all possible!
The bulk of my other palettes fall in the $35-60 range, though.
Today, I’m fighting the urge to buy the $75 Boom-box palette. It has gorgeous packaging, but the shades seem rather tepid. ?
I swatched the Boombox Palette today and wasn’t that impressed with the pigmentation. I think most of the shades could be easily duped. You’re basically paying for the packaging which is pretty bulky.
Ever since I discovered indie eyeshadows there’s almost no point for me to buy big palettes other than for the brand. I still like to buy pretty ones because I do like the brand, but my budget is $45. I think my most expensive ones are two ABH palettes which are 42$. Currently considering a Nars palette for $49, again, for the brand. Anything above that I seriously have to justify to my budget—also because I have 20 palettes already and hardly use them.
I won’t buy an indie eyeshadow palette for $45 but the benefit is for $45 you can get an amazing and unique assortment of singles and pop em in an empty palette, which I think is easier and more fun than investing in a pre-built palette that’s overpriced just because of branding.
My upper limit on buying palettes is $60. Although I have spent more making my own palettes with Inglot and MUFE I have done that over time so I didn’t feel the pain as much. I am currently at a point where I really don’t need any more additional shadows or palettes so these uber expensive palettes are just lovely for me to look at but I am not at all interested in buying.
The most expensive ones I’ve bought:
Pat McGrath Mothership II palette – $125 – paid $87.50
Nars Narsissist Palette – (15 pan, from 2014) – $79 – paid $63
I’m a Sephora employee so I got both at a discount, but those were still very expensive. I had a friend give me the Natasha Denona Green/Brown palette and that’s $239! I tend to buy palettes around the $55 range, with the latest being the Huda Desert Dusk palette (I paid $52).
Hi,
Just had to ask, but how did you get Pat’s palette at such a great price???
I work for Sephora and every holiday season they up our employee discount from 20% to 30% and there’s no restrictions on what we can buy. After I saw the palettes in store in NYC, I bought it online with my additional employee discount, so that’s how I paid $87.50 for it.
Great for the employees to have such bonuses. I’ll have to wait until next Christmas, and maybe a 25% Gold member deal. 😉
I think I’ve maxed out at around $60. For me, I just don’t have the money or desire to shell out the dough for Natasha Denona, Pat McGrath, Viseart, or other luxury eyeshadow palettes. Especially now that palettes don’t hold much appeal for me and singles are my poison of choice. I understand how they can be worth it for some though.
Confession: I’ve actually never bought an eyeshadow palette! But I have had my eye on the Lorac Unzipped palette which is in the $40 range. And that’s probably the most I’d pay.
I’m loving these questions, btw.
It depends on the palette and my financial situation. When my finances were good, I’d pay $80 for a well-reviewed, well-swatched Viseart, or a Naked palette on sale. Lately, I’ve been strictly Colourpop (bemoaning the lack of cool colors). But I still dream of buying the Pat McGrath Labs Subliminal palette.
Regardless of how much I’m willing/able to pay, I only throw money at things that 1) suit my undertones, 2) suit my taste, and 3) performs very well. After meeting those requirements, what can get me to spend more is a definite conceptual point-of-view that matches my sensibilities.
I seriously balk at anything over $90 CAD. I’ve been eyeballing a Pat McGrath, but haven’t been able to convince myself to make the leap. I’ve bought gobs of her lipsticks tho..
I have a good solid e/s stash of quality core products so it would take something pretty spectacular ( hello COOL toned palette) to get me to reach big. Happiest latest would be Huda Mauve palette… 35 cad buckeroos.
Maybe if I had great big eyes that would showcase shadows, I might view it differently.
I think the most I’ve spent for a palette is $74 Canadian (IIRC) for KvD’s MetalMattes. I bought it for myself as a treat for Christmas 2016 — and have never used it, not even to swatch. I fell for her less expensive Alchemist palette some time later, and it’s the same situation, sitting there untouched. I question my sanity sometimes!
I had to laugh at your comment. I think most of us are in the same situation where we just had to have something and then never even used it. I have a couple in my stash right now and even mentioning them doesn’t entice me to go get them and use them. Probably just need to declutter them!
I spent $100 Cdn ago a few years ago on MAC Warm X 15 and have not regretted it once. My normal breaking point is about $65 Cdn for a palette, but for some reason, don’t balk at spending more than that for a highly rated Chanel quad or Dior quint. I prefer smaller palettes though.
I’m in a rather unique position in being allergic to certain pigments that are used in many eyeshadows (and other powder products), by many brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, etc. This means that I’m open to whatever cost I need to pay for quality eyeshadows that don’t have these ingredients and suit my purposes.
After I learned about this allergy and cleaned out all of my eyeshadow palettes, and then purged my collection of any eyeshadows that weren’t flattering for my age or skin tone, were too patchy or had fallout, I ended up with just a few single shadows in neutral colors. I was lacking transition colors as well as some deeper lid colors, so filled up two Urban Decay DIY palettes (one 4-pack for transition colors; one 8-pack for lid colors) with colors I needed that had very good to excellent reviews/ratings and lacked the problematic ingredients. UD runs about $20 per shadow, so that made each palette be about $80 and $160 respectively. (I realize that most people who comment on your blog detest UD’s shadow prices and (rightly) prefer similar or slightly higher priced brand eyeshadows, but as I mentioned above, I’m locked out of these brands because they use the ingredients I need to avoid.)
Although I’m pretty much sticking to neutrals these days, I did buy the Pat McGrath Decadence palette last week ($125 minus 10% discount), mainly because I do like a pop of color. I imagine I won’t ever hit pan on any colors in that palette, but I think I’m pretty much set now in having safe, quality shadows in all the colors I’d need or want.
So much depends on whether it’s something that’s available locally, that I can see, try and test in-store (and, let’s be honest, take right home with me for instant gratification). Considering that everything is more expensive here, my top dollar for a palette would probably be about $80. Any more that than and I’d be expecting LOTS of shadows and, to tell the truth, I am finding really large palettes (along the lines of UD Vice palettes) just to be really unwieldy. So I prefer something the size of the Buxom customize-able palettes or the UD Naked palettes and so I don’t want to spend a lot of 6 or even 12 shadows. And, dollar for dollar, probably the priciest “palettes” I’ve purchased have been from Guerlain, Chanel and Viseart (the Cashmere Theory palette) because they’re only 4 shadows (6 for Viseart) but they had fairly hefty price tags.
The most I have ever spent on an eye shadow palette is the whopping sum of $10 – on the NYX Velvet Rope palette of purples. I can easily see spending a lot more than that if eye shadow is an important part of your look. Because I am quite pleased with the performance of my neutral Revlon Color Stay quad, I don’t need to raise my price point. Instead, where I spend is on lipstick which, I think, has a greater impact on my look and my psyche.
For a single item, it would have to be my ND Lila palette which I believe was $125. I think my regular range is between $60 to $80 given the number of Tom Ford and CdP shadow quads I own; and I have two of the Tom Ford Soleil palettes, but I didn’t count that over ND since it has cheek products in it.
Conceptually, I like the idea of the ND 28 pans, but my tastes in reality make me wish she sold that in individual themes – I’m drawn to the brown and plums, less interested in the green and not at all interested in the blue. Given that, I haven’t been able to bring myself to justify getting one of those. ND is definitely better to buy in a palette though – as individual shadows, (1) you can’t get all the palette colors as singles and (2) they are horribly expensive for a single and the pricing gets out of hand way to easily IMO.
After some hemming and hawing, I bought the Viseart Grande Pro Vol. 1 in January. I have zero regrets – it is beautiful and wearable, and will keep me from having to buy any matte shadow for some time. The price per pan was worth it to me, and it is great for professional travel. It plays nicely with my other favorites, so I only end up needing to pack that and maybe one other palette. I have the ND Star and Lila palettes too, which I also love and use frequently.
I’m trying to spend this year on a low-buy and re-curating my collection with only things which bring me joy. I would rather buy one or two ultra high-end palettes per year than to buy middle-range palettes that go unused. I’m not into Too Faced or Tarte as brands – the former feels too gimmicky, and they both seem to have consistency issues. I like my Naked palettes for being easy and complete (have 1 and 3), but not a big fan of the other palettes I’ve swatched. KVD makes some beautiful palettes, but I’ve never felt moved to buy one.
59 bucks for the TF Natural Love palette.
Its a good work/day palette. Unusual colors.
I use it at least 2-3x a week so I am getting my use out of it.
“If I were a rich man….deedeedee”, song from Fiddler on the Roof comes to mind for this question. I think I’d spend between 200-300$ for an eyeshadow palette if it was an all-inclusive palette for a brand I REALLY like, Natasha Denona, MUFE (old ones), or Pat McGrath. But for now, the 150$ range is my limit and that for the same brands. And I feel best when I’m in the 30-50$ range, and the quality is high. Then I feel like I’ve gotten value for my money.
$10 on elf Mad for Matte 2 (Summer Breeze). Absolutely worth it, I would recommend it to anyone who finds warm neutrals flattering.
I bought one of Pat McGrath’s eye palettes for $125 CAD, and it is beautiful, it wears forever and is wonderful to apply and builds up beautifully. That was the most I have spent on an eye palette and I’m glad I did. It would have to have really good reviews and be something that is missing from my stash for me to purchase any more though.
By the time the US palettes get to Australia, they are hit by the dollar conversion plus shipping, plus cosmetics tax, so they are really expensive. For example UD Naked palettes retail for $85 or so here.
However I have generally been able to get most of my eyeshadow palettes from ebay (reputable sellers) at better prices – but not lately as the international shipping rates are so prohibitive.
My most expensive palettes have been the UD Naked 2 at $81, Dior Jardin at $95. – both of which I love and use.
I haven’t bought any of the Kat Von D or ABH palettes because of the cost here – just way too expensive.
The moral of the story is if the palette is worth $50 or so in the States, it is almost double elsewhere.
My goodness!!! $80 for a Naked palette?! I think I must take being stateside for granted. I wouldn’t pay that much in USD for one of those.
HI Genevieve,
I remember a few years ago selling some (new) Mac items to buyers in AUS, and the shipping was pretty reasonable. The buyers were thrilled.
So can’t you buy stuff from a reputable seller and save some serious Money? I assume that customs would tax you, but perhaps it would still be cheaper than the retail purchase…
It’s the darn customs and protecting the local economy there.
Obviously in the U.S., our country favors cheaper imports. Sad!
$125 is the highest I will go, and that’s only because of the Pat Mcgrath Mothership palette (Gawd, I want that thing!). I generally think palettes in the $40~$60 range are the best balance in terms of quality and pricing. There are some palettes that go over that and are “worth it”, but those generally are larger ones with much more color selection to offer.
Tom F is about as high as I will go. I think it’s relative to how much makeup you have, too. I’d splurge for a Pat McGrath if I knew I’d use it all and I didn’t have so much makeup. When you have a zillion palettes, it’s hard to justify the Natasha or Pat palettes. To me, anyway. I think the Sephora Pro is well priced for what you get, Viseart worth it, especially with VIB sale, and the Naked Heat, etc are in a comfort zone, if still a little high.
The most I’ve spent is $239 x 2 for both Natasha Denona 28 Palettes I’ve purchased every palette that she’s released but the 5 palette pans (except for the holiday edition ones) since those same shades are included in the bigger palettes.. I also bought the Viseart Grande Palette Pro Vol. 1 for $175 and all 4 Pat McGrath Mothership Palettes at $125 each. I have no regrets spending that money since they are my favorite eyeshadow brands. Generally, I try to stay within the $50-60 price range. I’m definite,y a palette junkie but I plan to sell or donate a bunch of the palettes that I don’t use. Trying not to hoarde makeup anymore. Love your site so much!
I love eyeshadow palettes.They always have been my favorite.I have the Cyber Monday Make Up For Ever palette that was in the same set up as MUFE’s 30th anniversary one.It is the most expensive one I own and I still use it often.I missed out on that one?I called stores in New York and was on a waiting list but they never rerelease the 30th Anniversary one. I bought the Pat McGrath Mothership Palettes in the $300 bundle for my birthday in September.If anyone is interested in that bundle she just put the palettes back on her website for that price for all 3.I love them and I purchased the Mothership 4 Decadence and I love it also.I have all the Natasha Denona palettes except the 2 Large 28 Pan ones.If the quality is there I’ll purchase it.
I’ve gotten 2 of the $99 Marc Jacobs palettes. However, I see them as “free”. I frequently get items at the Sephora at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, CT for “free” using their casino points program. It’s kinda of like the Best Buy Rewards program. I justify a lot of beauty purchases this way.
I usually calculate the cost per gram of the product I’m getting. If I feel I’m getting a substantial amount of product, provided that it’s good quality of course, then I consider whether this palette is something I would love and use or not. I usually don’t go over the $60 dollar price point, though. I don’t think I would ever purchase a very high end luxury palette such as Pat McGrath or something like that. They may be beautiful and good quality, but I can’t justify paying so much for a luxury product like that.
$50-ish is a good limit—like Kat Von D’s Shade & Light and Urban Decay’s Nakeds. I don’t think I’ve bought a palette that cost more than $60, so it seems that’s a price point that keeps me from pulling the trigger.
The most I’ve ever spent is $80 for the NARS Narcissist Dual-Intensity Palette, and it wasn’t worth it for me. It was a great deal on the shadows, to be sure, and I like it OK, but I just don’t get all the gushing raves everyone was giving it at the time (bloggers and average consumers alike). I wish I hadn’t given into FOMO on that one.
I think Kat von D Saint + Sinner was the next most expensive at $65. Very worth it, and in the future I’d spend that much again for a palette with that kind of beauty and quality inside and out. In fact, probably would have gone up to $75-$80 for that one.
So I guess my limit is $80, unless some kind of holy grail huge palette full of incredible shadows comes out — then maybe $100 or so. Most of my palettes are under $55, though.
Around $55.00. (Kat Von D Shade and Light and Naked 2) However, I bought enough of the old style MUFE shadows that I don’t forsee any puchases for quite some time. I loved the old formula and bought 24 during the clearance sale. These added to my other MUFE shades make a good collection for me.
The most expensive palette I have is the Lila palette by Natasha Denona but it was a gift for my 30th birthday. I am considering splurging on either the Viseart Grande Pro or a Pat McGrath mothership palette (number 1 or number 3 ? I’m hesitating. If anyone has seen both please advise 😉 ) but it would be the max I’d be prepared to pay and that’s only because they’re pro brands and I’ve heard so many great things about them.
Ps I do think eyeshadow palettes are worth the splurge though because you can keep them for years as opposed to other makeup products. I could pay $125 for a Pat McGrath palette but I wouldn’t pay $40 for a mascara if that makes sense ?
I’d say it’s more about whether you’d use it – I think if you used that $40 mascara every day and finished it in three months that it could definitely be a better “value” to you than an eyeshadow palette that maybe you use once a month!