Eyeshadows Over $10 | 2020 Editor's Favorites
While eyeshadow releases slowed down a bit this past year, they still largely were released within palettes, particularly for mid-end and higher tier brands. MAC released some new eyeshadow singles (which also served to debut their updated eyeshadow formula), but otherwise, the single eyeshadows I reviewed that fell in this pricing tier were largely from Clionadh.
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2020, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out best of 2019 if you missed last year’s.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Eyeshadows Over $10 | 2020
Clionadh Kiln Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow (~$19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from reddish-burgundy...
Clionadh Kiln Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow (~$19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from reddish-burgundy...
Clionadh Weld Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a black-based multichrome that shifted between rosy plum to dirty, darker gold...
Clionadh Weld Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a black-based multichrome that shifted between rosy plum to dirty, darker gold...
Clionadh Sunbeam Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($7.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a more transparent, light pink base with finer sparkles that shifted from...
Clionadh Sunbeam Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($7.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a more transparent, light pink base with finer sparkles that shifted from...
Clionadh Forge Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) had a blackened base with a metallic, multichrome shift that went between...
Clionadh Forge Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) had a blackened base with a metallic, multichrome shift that went between...
Clionadh Anneal Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from deep, emerald...
Clionadh Anneal Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from deep, emerald...
Clionadh Gothic Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from bright,...
Clionadh Gothic Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from bright,...
Clionadh Smoulder Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from warmer,...
Clionadh Smoulder Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from warmer,...
Clionadh Throne Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a rich, yellow base that looked more lemon-lime to warmer, golden yellow as...
Clionadh Throne Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a rich, yellow base that looked more lemon-lime to warmer, golden yellow as...
Clionadh Heirloom Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium, bluish-teal base with sparkling shimmer that shifted from gold to...
Clionadh Heirloom Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium, bluish-teal base with sparkling shimmer that shifted from gold to...
Clionadh Courtyard Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, lime green base with metallic shimmer and faint sparkle that...
Clionadh Courtyard Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, lime green base with metallic shimmer and faint sparkle that...
Clionadh Ochre Deep Iridescent Multichrome Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a a warmer, brown base with metallic shimmer that shifted from brighter...
Clionadh Ochre Deep Iridescent Multichrome Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a a warmer, brown base with metallic shimmer that shifted from brighter...
Clionadh Tower Pastel Multichrome Eyeshadow ($14.25 for 0.05 oz.) has a grayish base with a smoother, more metallic finish that shifted from lighter...
Clionadh Tower Pastel Multichrome Eyeshadow ($14.25 for 0.05 oz.) has a grayish base with a smoother, more metallic finish that shifted from lighter...
Chanel Or Blanc (926) Ombre Premiere Longwear Powder Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, pewter gold with subtle, warmer undertones and...
Chanel Or Blanc (926) Ombre Premiere Longwear Powder Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, pewter gold with subtle, warmer undertones and...
Chanel Cuir Brun (928) Ombre Premiere Longwear Powder Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark olive green with strong, warm brown...
Chanel Cuir Brun (928) Ombre Premiere Longwear Powder Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark olive green with strong, warm brown...
NARS Slam Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium gold with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. ...
NARS Slam Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium gold with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. ...
Clionadh Oculus Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted between bright,...
Clionadh Oculus Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted between bright,...
Clionadh Lineage Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a light, bluish-aqua base with subtle, cool undertones paired with a smooth,...
Clionadh Lineage Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a light, bluish-aqua base with subtle, cool undertones paired with a smooth,...
MAC Give a Glam Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep brown with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely...
MAC Give a Glam Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep brown with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely...
Clionadh Rosette Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from deeper, more...
Clionadh Rosette Jewelled Multichrome Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a blackened base with a multichrome finish that shifted from deeper, more...
Clionadh Opulent Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($7.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a reddish-plum base with warmer undertones paired with flecks of sparkle that...
Clionadh Opulent Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($7.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a reddish-plum base with warmer undertones paired with flecks of sparkle that...
Clionadh Bloodline Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a darker, rosy plum base with flecks of shimmer and micro-sparkle that...
Clionadh Bloodline Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) has a darker, rosy plum base with flecks of shimmer and micro-sparkle that...
Clionadh Royalty Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, lighter purple with cooler undertones in the base color paired with...
Clionadh Royalty Vibrant Multichrome Eyeshadow ($12.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, lighter purple with cooler undertones in the base color paired with...
Clionadh Azure Deep Iridescent Multichrome Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a warmer, grayish base with a metallic finish that shifted from warmer...
Clionadh Azure Deep Iridescent Multichrome Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a warmer, grayish base with a metallic finish that shifted from warmer...
MAC Devoted to Chili Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep, reddish-copper with moderate, warm undertones and a matte...
MAC Devoted to Chili Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep, reddish-copper with moderate, warm undertones and a matte...
MAC Natural Wilderness Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a lighter, very yellowy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color...
MAC Natural Wilderness Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a lighter, very yellowy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color...
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Eyeshadow Edition — Part 2
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year?
- What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021?
- How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year?
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? Chanel Blanc Or is the eyeshadow of my white gold dreams! Plus, any idea how many of those Clionadh multicrome shadows I’ve got sitting on my WL? Ha! Too many!
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? The emerald green in Mother Pat’s Mothership 2 palette, the white gold in that Rare Beauty e/s palette that I intend to purchase today and I’m not sure what else, but I know I’ll remember later today while in Sephora in Happy Valley!
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? Roughly 2-4 X’s per week.
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? it would have to be Clionadh for me. Now I just have to master them.
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? If you mean palettes from 2020, I didn’t buy any. I would love to have Sponsored from ABH Jackie Aina as a single since it works so well as a one-and-done shade. I can’t think of any others. Probably the most interesting shadows are singles anyway and not in palettes.
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? I wore it everyday during the past year. Putting on makeup everyday helped me cope.
Since I cut way back for many reasons, I purchased none of these (and shocked myself. But every once in a while reality takes hold.). Not sure I bought any HE singles, though did some SG singles. If you think about creating/manufacturing these, it seems impossible to fathom how some shades (like trichromes) can have similar ‘component’ colors, yet swatch out totally differently. I don’t know whether to say ‘Magic!’ In a unicorn voice, or ‘Science!’ like Thomas Dolby. If I had any, they’d be swatched on my arm so I could SEE them, move them through different lighting and twisting my arm. I wouldn’t need any substance to get high. These are enough.
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? It’s not new but I purchased MAC Sweet Heat Extra Dimension Shadow and wonder why I took so long to fall in love with it! And while I didn’t buy it, that Chanel Cuir Brun caught my eye and would have been mine if I still had a Chanel counter in “striking distance”.
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? ABH Marina, UD Winter is Here and Dior New Look #3
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? Every day. I love eyeshadow – I love wearing it and since my eyes were pretty much the only part of me “on display” from March or April onward, I saw no reason not to wear e/s.
Ugh..be still my heart. I was so bummed out that Kiln and Smoulder weren’t even available to purchase for the preorder in February by the time I saw about the reopen. Later I was bummed about the shipping costs (basically a whole other eyeshadow or a brush bundle) for an order that was without some of my top wishlist items so I had to scrap it. Maybe next year they’ll be able to take a breather and restock some of the more popular items.
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? Clionadh for sure. My favorite that I’ve purchased was Forge. If I could afford every single shadow in their collection, I would purchase all of them.
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? Odyssey, Corruption, and Cosmik from the PMGL Celestial Divinity. And Dragonfly.
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? Almost every day. I had a bit more time in the morning because I was able to work from home and really enjoyed experimenting this year.
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? I think Chanel’s Or Blanc was the standout higher end single for the year – there weren’t many others. The Cliondah range you introduced us to Christine, was fabulous.
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? Rose Quartz by Lorac and I would dearly like CP to bring back Snakebite, but that’s about it – I have pretty good dupes for everything else.
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? I wore eyeshadow every single day last year – it was one of the joys of the day (and sometimes the only joy!).
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? Clionadh was the winner this year
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? I can’t think of any really
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? Besides just playing with my Clionadh eyeshadows at home I don’t recall going anywhere to where eyeshadow this year, I hope next year I have a more colorful year!
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? That I bought — Baby Bat Beauty Pressed Multichrome in Amulet; Devinah Multichrome Madness and Butterfly Kaleidoscope collections
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? Pat McGrath VR Sextraterrestrial from Divine Rose II, Chronic from Melt 420 (the one phenomenal shade in that crappy palette), and ABH Cyborg from the Sultry Palette.
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? Jan – March: Five to seven days a week. After that it was two or three times a week, and the last three or four months it’s been a few times a month.
I forgot a couple: MAC Tide ‘n’ Seek Bronzer Foiled Shadow. That was my favorite one and done eyeshadow of last summer. Also Terra Moons Cosmetics Chameleon in Red Giant.
Clionadh singles and JD Glow Galaxy Shadows beckoned to me, to I haven’t bought any yet. I’m hoping to try both in 2021. (I did buy some palettes from JD Glow.)
Were there any standout, higher-end eyeshadow singles from the past year? The only single shadows I bought this year was Angelica Nyqvist’s Clionadh bundle during the December sale that hasn’t even shipped yet, so I can’t currently speak to the quality
What three shades from a palette would you love to see sold as singles in 2021? “The Force” from the Colourpop The Child palette, “Zamn” from the ABH Jackie Aina palette, and “Silver Crystal” from the Colourpop Sailor Moon palette
How often did you wear eyeshadow during the past year? After lockdown started, only when I film. My parents don’t like when I wear makeup because they feel it makes me look too mature, so once the dorms closed and I moved back home, my only chance to wear makeup is when I shut the door to my room to film