Eyeshadow Palettes | 2021 Editor's Favorites

Christine — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0000

There were over 225 eyeshadow palettes reviewed this year, despite it being a “lighter” palette year, so clearly… the trend isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. OF COURSE!! I am going to include my collaboration palettes with Sydney Grace on the list (I just included the deep versions, but the light versions are just as much my favorites). There were a lot of decent palettes, but these were the 26 that I really enjoyed using!

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 2021, 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 the best of 2020 posts if you missed last year’s.)

Temptalia’s Favorite Eyeshadow Palettes | 2021

Celestial Odyssey Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

LELimited Edition. $82.00/0.79 oz.

Pat McGrath Celestial Odyssey Mega MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palette ($78.00 for 0.684 oz.) is a new, limited edition eyeshadow palette for the holiday...

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Pat McGrath Celestial Odyssey Mega MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palette ($78.00 for 0.684 oz.) is a new, limited edition eyeshadow palette for the holiday...

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Bronze Borealis Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

-Unknown. $54.00/0.6 oz.

Pat McGrath Bronze Borealis Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad ($54.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition warm-toned neutral quad that included three...

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Pat McGrath Bronze Borealis Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad ($54.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition warm-toned neutral quad that included three...

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Royal Heir-itage UOMA Beauty

UOMA Beauty

LELimited Edition. $44.00/0.42 oz.

UOMA Beauty Royal Heir-itage Black Magic Color Palette ($44.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that included five matte eyeshadows and...

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UOMA Beauty Royal Heir-itage Black Magic Color Palette ($44.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that included five matte eyeshadows and...

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Quintessence (Deep) Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $40.00/0.76 oz.

The Quintessence palette is inspired by space, which is a theme I've always found to be a rich source of color inspiration. It features a mix of cool...

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The Quintessence palette is inspired by space, which is a theme I've always found to be a rich source of color inspiration. It features a mix of cool...

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On the Horizon (Deep) Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $40.00/0.76 oz.

This is my take on neutrals with the overarching theme being grungier neutrals that are more muted, more neutral/cooler-toned, and aren't just shades...

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This is my take on neutrals with the overarching theme being grungier neutrals that are more muted, more neutral/cooler-toned, and aren't just shades...

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Radiant Reflection (Deep) Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $40.00/0.76 oz.

The concept of this palette was to create something rich in jewel-tones and almost rainbow-like, but I didn't want it to be a neon rainbow or use...

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The concept of this palette was to create something rich in jewel-tones and almost rainbow-like, but I didn't want it to be a neon rainbow or use...

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Coffee Talk (Light) Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $36.00/0.54 oz.

Sydney Grace Coffee Talk (Light) 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($33.00 for 0.54 oz.) is a new, muted neutral palette that included five matte shades and...

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Sydney Grace Coffee Talk (Light) 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($33.00 for 0.54 oz.) is a new, muted neutral palette that included five matte shades and...

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Night Bird (459) Dior

Dior

LELimited Edition. $68.00/0.24 oz.

Dior Night Bird (459) 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette ($62.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette from the brand's fall collection....

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Dior Night Bird (459) 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette ($62.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette from the brand's fall collection....

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Sweet Indulgence Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $36.00/0.54 oz.

Sydney Grace Sweet Indulgence 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($33.00 for 0.54 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that included four shimmer eyeshadows and five...

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Sydney Grace Sweet Indulgence 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($33.00 for 0.54 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that included four shimmer eyeshadows and five...

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El Barrio Terra Moons

Terra Moons

PPermanent. $45.00/0.45 oz.

Terra Moons El Barrio 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($45.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes five matte shades paired with four shimmer shades, and it is sold as a...

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Terra Moons El Barrio 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($45.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes five matte shades paired with four shimmer shades, and it is sold as a...

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Zendo Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $69.00/0.67 oz.

Natasha Denona Zendo 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) contains a real assortment of finishes: four cream-powders, four creamy...

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Natasha Denona Zendo 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) contains a real assortment of finishes: four cream-powders, four creamy...

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Climax NARS

NARS

LELimited Edition. $49.00/0.45 oz.

NARS Climax 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($49.00 for 0.45 oz.) is a limited edition earthy, neutral color story that included four matte eyeshadows and...

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NARS Climax 9-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($49.00 for 0.45 oz.) is a limited edition earthy, neutral color story that included four matte eyeshadows and...

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Deep Space Divinity Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

-Unknown. $54.00/0.6 oz.

Pat McGrath Deep Space Divinity Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad ($54.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition smokier, neutral quad that included three...

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Pat McGrath Deep Space Divinity Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad ($54.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition smokier, neutral quad that included three...

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Circo Loco Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

LELimited Edition. $129.00/1.2 oz.

A-

Natasha Denona Circo Loco 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that included six matte eyeshadows and nine...

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Natasha Denona Circo Loco 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that included six matte eyeshadows and nine...

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Retro Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $69.00/0.67 oz.

A-

Natasha Denona Retro 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) is the newest mid-size palette release from the brand. It includes a mix of...

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Natasha Denona Retro 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) is the newest mid-size palette release from the brand. It includes a mix of...

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Hot Chocolate ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $9.00/0.21 oz.

A-

ColourPop Hot Chocolate Pressed Powder Shadow Quad ($9.00 for 0.21 oz.) includes one shimmery shade and three mattes in a richer, deeper neutral color...

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ColourPop Hot Chocolate Pressed Powder Shadow Quad ($9.00 for 0.21 oz.) includes one shimmery shade and three mattes in a richer, deeper neutral color...

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Limoncello ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $22.00/0.3 oz.

A-

ColourPop Limoncello 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette ($18.00 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, 12-pan palette featuring five shimmery eyeshadows and seven...

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ColourPop Limoncello 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette ($18.00 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, 12-pan palette featuring five shimmery eyeshadows and seven...

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Of Quartz ColourPop

ColourPop

-Unknown. $14.00/0.32 oz.

A-

ColourPop Of Quartz 9-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($14.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a new, nine-pan eyeshadow palette that leans cooler-toned and a little...

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ColourPop Of Quartz 9-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($14.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a new, nine-pan eyeshadow palette that leans cooler-toned and a little...

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The Mandalorian ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $14.00/0.32 oz.

A-

ColourPop The Mandalorian 9-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($14.00 for 0.32 oz.) is the brand's newest Star Wars tie-in collaboration. The palette...

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ColourPop The Mandalorian 9-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($14.00 for 0.32 oz.) is the brand's newest Star Wars tie-in collaboration. The palette...

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Fairytale Forest LORAC

LORAC

-Unknown. $35.00/0.56 oz.

A-

LORAC Fairytale Forest Pro Palette (2020) ($35.00 for 0.56 oz.) is a more desaturated neutral eyeshadow palette with a mix of mattes and shimmers. It...

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LORAC Fairytale Forest Pro Palette (2020) ($35.00 for 0.56 oz.) is a more desaturated neutral eyeshadow palette with a mix of mattes and shimmers. It...

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On a Wing ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A-

ColourPop On a Wing 5-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($10.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, pink-and-mauve leaning color story that included two shimmers and...

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ColourPop On a Wing 5-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($10.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, pink-and-mauve leaning color story that included two shimmers and...

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Gone Matte ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $35.00/0.92 oz.

A-

ColourPop Gone Matte 30-Pan Shadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.92 oz.) is a new, all-matte eyeshadow palette that has 30 shades. To my eye, they read as...

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ColourPop Gone Matte 30-Pan Shadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.92 oz.) is a new, all-matte eyeshadow palette that has 30 shades. To my eye, they read as...

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Lush Life ColourPop

ColourPop

LELimited Edition. $22.00/0.3 oz.

A-

ColourPop Lush Life 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette ($18.00 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition (limited life? randomly available?) palette...

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ColourPop Lush Life 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette ($18.00 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition (limited life? randomly available?) palette...

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Bijoux NARS

NARS

LELimited Edition. $59.00/0.48 oz.

A-

NARS Bijoux 16-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($59.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, limited edition holiday release that is the brand's "biggest" palette yet. The...

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NARS Bijoux 16-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($59.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, limited edition holiday release that is the brand's "biggest" palette yet. The...

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Wilderness By Beauty Bay

By Beauty Bay

LELimited Edition. $18.00/1 oz.

A-

By Beauty Bay Wilderness 20-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($15.00 for 1.0 oz.) is a limited edition elements-inspired palette with 13 matte shades and seven...

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By Beauty Bay Wilderness 20-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($15.00 for 1.0 oz.) is a limited edition elements-inspired palette with 13 matte shades and seven...

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It's a Mood ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $35.00/0.92 oz.

B+

ColourPop It's a Mood 30-Pan Shadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.92 oz.) is a new palette that includes 26 regular eyeshadows, three Pressed Glitters, and...

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ColourPop It's a Mood 30-Pan Shadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.92 oz.) is a new palette that includes 26 regular eyeshadows, three Pressed Glitters, and...

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Your Year in Review: Eyeshadow Palette Edition

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!

What was your most used eyeshadow palette? Least used?
Will you repurchase it or will you look for something new?
Were eyeshadow palettes a big part of your routine in 2021?

Pat McGrath Celestial Odyssey Mega MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palette