Eyeshadows Under $10 | 2019 Editor’s Favorites
With over 2,000 powder eyeshadows (loose and pressed) tested and reviewed (that includes shades found only in palettes) in 2019, there’s a lot to go through! In the under $10 category, the two heavy players are ColourPop and Sydney Grace, both of which have fairly consistent, better-performing formulas and in volume. Sydney Grace in particular as I did the majority of my reviews for the brand in 2019 (only 28 in 2018). These include eyeshadow singles only, whether permanent or limited edition, but they had to be available individually to count toward this list!
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 2019, 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 2018 if you missed it.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Eyeshadows Under $10 | 2019
Colour Pop Paradiso Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark berry with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had...
Colour Pop Paradiso Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark berry with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Blushed Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent...
Sydney Grace Blushed Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent...
Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is medium, plummy bronze with warm undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is medium, plummy bronze with warm undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. It was...
Colour Pop Misty Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy copper with warmer undertones and a lightly sparkling, metallic...
Colour Pop Misty Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy copper with warmer undertones and a lightly sparkling, metallic...
Sydney Grace Tiara Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium bronze with a cooler, reddish undertone and warmer, golden shimmer paired...
Sydney Grace Tiara Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium bronze with a cooler, reddish undertone and warmer, golden shimmer paired...
Sydney Grace Slayed Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, bluish-black with cool undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had...
Sydney Grace Slayed Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, bluish-black with cool undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had...
Sydney Grace Totally Worth It Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium purple with warm, pink undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Sydney Grace Totally Worth It Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium purple with warm, pink undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Sydney Grace Ladies Dancing Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a frosted...
Sydney Grace Ladies Dancing Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a frosted...
Sydney Grace Go for It Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium plum with subtle, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish....
Sydney Grace Go for It Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium plum with subtle, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish....
Sydney Grace Take the Time Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, grass green with warm, yellow undertones and a shiny, metallic...
Sydney Grace Take the Time Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, grass green with warm, yellow undertones and a shiny, metallic...
Sydney Grace Keep It Fun Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium aqua-green with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Keep It Fun Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium aqua-green with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic finish. It was...
Fyrinnae Luxury Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark gold with moderate, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. It...
Fyrinnae Luxury Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark gold with moderate, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. It...
Fyrinnae Queen Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark purple with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. The eyeshadow...
Fyrinnae Queen Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark purple with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. The eyeshadow...
Fyrinnae Tardigrade Arcane Magic Pressed Eyeshadow ($8.50 for 0.07 oz.) is a deep gold with warm, olive undertones and a metallic finish. The...
Fyrinnae Tardigrade Arcane Magic Pressed Eyeshadow ($8.50 for 0.07 oz.) is a deep gold with warm, olive undertones and a metallic finish. The...
Sydney Grace Chocolate Bar Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Chocolate Bar Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Moon Landing Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a pale taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented...
Sydney Grace Moon Landing Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a pale taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented...
Sydney Grace Commission Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, olive green with warm, bronzy undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Commission Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, olive green with warm, bronzy undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Cadet Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, olive green with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Cadet Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, olive green with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Herky Bird Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, army green with warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. The...
Sydney Grace Herky Bird Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, army green with warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. The...
Sydney Grace Officer Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, purplish taupe with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Officer Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, purplish taupe with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had rich...
Sydney Grace Poolside Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, light-medium blue-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and faint...
Sydney Grace Poolside Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, light-medium blue-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and faint...
Sydney Grace Thrilled Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. The...
Sydney Grace Thrilled Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. The...
Sydney Grace Sweetheart Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had excellent...
Sydney Grace Sweetheart Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had excellent...
Sydney Grace Somber Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium taupe-brown with soft, warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had rich color...
Sydney Grace Somber Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium taupe-brown with soft, warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had rich color...
Fyrinnae Feline Pretty Femme Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, deeper pink-red with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It was...
Fyrinnae Feline Pretty Femme Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, deeper pink-red with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Levy Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a cooler, bluish-teal base with warmer, golden shimmer paired with a metallic finish....
Sydney Grace Levy Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a cooler, bluish-teal base with warmer, golden shimmer paired with a metallic finish....
Sydney Grace Mythical Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Mythical Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Colour Pop Earthshine Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, pinky-lavender with warmer, orange undertones and blue-to-lavender...
Colour Pop Earthshine Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, pinky-lavender with warmer, orange undertones and blue-to-lavender...
Sydney Grace Hot Stuff Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium bronze with warm, golden shimmer and a warmer, reddish undertone. It...
Sydney Grace Hot Stuff Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium bronze with warm, golden shimmer and a warmer, reddish undertone. It...
Sydney Grace Evergreen Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark green with very subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Evergreen Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark green with very subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Sydney Grace Meadow Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium lime green with soft, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. ...
Sydney Grace Meadow Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium lime green with soft, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. ...
Fyrinnae Reindeer Fur Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light-medium taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Fyrinnae Reindeer Fur Pressed Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light-medium taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Troops Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, plummy taupe with subtle, cool undertones and warmer, golden shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Troops Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, plummy taupe with subtle, cool undertones and warmer, golden shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Fierce Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, medium purple with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic sheen. There's...
Sydney Grace Fierce Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, medium purple with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic sheen. There's...
Sydney Grace Awake Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had rich color coverage...
Sydney Grace Awake Shimmer Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had rich color coverage...
Sydney Grace The Greatest Gift Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) has a soft, pinky-mauve base with gold-to-green shifting shimmer. It had...
Sydney Grace The Greatest Gift Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) has a soft, pinky-mauve base with gold-to-green shifting shimmer. It had...
Colour Pop Antimatter Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep, navy blue with subtle, cool undertones--almost a "warmer" blue but it was...
Colour Pop Antimatter Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep, navy blue with subtle, cool undertones--almost a "warmer" blue but it was...
Sydney Grace Beyond Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep brown with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a...
Sydney Grace Beyond Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep brown with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a...
Sydney Grace Timber Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, forest green with subtle, warm undertones and a cooler green shimmer. The...
Sydney Grace Timber Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, forest green with subtle, warm undertones and a cooler green shimmer. The...
Sydney Grace Siren Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Siren Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Glee Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep purple with neutral-to-cool undertones and a metallic sheen with moderate, green...
Sydney Grace Glee Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep purple with neutral-to-cool undertones and a metallic sheen with moderate, green...
Colour Pop Turntables Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark, pink-coral with strong, warm peachy-gold shimmer that gave it a...
Colour Pop Turntables Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark, pink-coral with strong, warm peachy-gold shimmer that gave it a...
Sydney Grace Blaze Pressed Pigment ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish-copper with flecks of pink and gold sparkle over a more metallic...
Sydney Grace Blaze Pressed Pigment ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish-copper with flecks of pink and gold sparkle over a more metallic...
Colour Pop Conjure Up Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium green with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque...
Colour Pop Conjure Up Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium green with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque...
Sydney Grace Indiana Love Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, inky blue with a satin finish. It had opaque color payoff that adhered well to...
Sydney Grace Indiana Love Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, inky blue with a satin finish. It had opaque color payoff that adhered well to...
Sydney Grace Maids a Milking Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with warmer undertones and cooler, blue-to-violet...
Sydney Grace Maids a Milking Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with warmer undertones and cooler, blue-to-violet...
Colour Pop Mr. Sandman Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a warmer, plummy-brown base with pink-to-blue shifting shimmer that gave it a...
Colour Pop Mr. Sandman Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) has a warmer, plummy-brown base with pink-to-blue shifting shimmer that gave it a...
Sydney Grace Comforting Light Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) has a warmer, reddish-plum base with blue-to-green shifting sparkle and shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Comforting Light Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) has a warmer, reddish-plum base with blue-to-green shifting sparkle and shimmer that...
Sydney Grace Plummet Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had opaque...
Sydney Grace Plummet Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had opaque...
Colour Pop Superzoom Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted emerald green with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It seemed a little...
Colour Pop Superzoom Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted emerald green with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It seemed a little...
Glossover Breakdown
95%
Average Score
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Eyeshadow Edition — Part 1
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 were your must used single eyeshadows this year?
- Was there a custom palette you used often this year? What’s in it?
- Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020?
What were your most used single eyeshadows this year? MAC Grain was definitely my most used eyeshadow because I used it with palettes, too. Other MAC singles I used a lot were Shale, Omega, Quarry, and Twinks.
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? Nope.
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020? About the same.
What were your must used single eyeshadows this year? MAC Kid, Orb, Haux, Soft Brown, Folie, Arena, ColourPop Facet, Now & Zen, Mr. Sandman, UD “X”, Tonic, Dive Bar.
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? Yes.
What’s in it? MAC Kid, Goldbit, Uninterrupted, and Orb.
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020? About the same…with my only problem being that my 2-3 year palette-palooza has me feeling that I MUST use those up somehow.
What were your most used single eyeshadows this year? The #1 most used was ABH Love Letter, because I use the single for my eyebrows. Notoriously Morbid Autumn Flower, MPZ Everything Looks Better on a Meat Hook, MAC Shiny Pretty Shadow in P for Pink, NYX Prismatic Shadow in Mermaid.
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? What’s in it? 1) SugarPill Pro Palette, which has almost all my favorite SP shades. It’s mostly brights. 2) Coastal Scents 28-pan palette, which is mostly colored mattes. 3) ColourPop. Mixed colors and finishes. 4) NYX Prismatic Shadows. I have all of them. 5) Looxi Beauty. It has mostly Aurora Shadows, but there is also 1 or 2 mattes and a couple shimmers.
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020? I hope to focus more. I adore palettes, but I tried using more of my singles in 2019. I especially have a lot of neglected loose powder shadows that are gorgeous and need more attention.
What were your must used single eyeshadows this year? I didn’t use single shadows a whole lot, but there are a few from Fyrinnae cosmetics that were really lovely: the Exquisite Pressed Eyeshadow in Fantasy Creatures being on. The exquisite pressed eyeshadows were probably my favorite formula I discovered this year.
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? What’s in it? I have a larger singles palette of rosy tones that I love to use. It’s a mix of ABH, Colourpop, and Makeup Geek Shadows and a few others.
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020? Probably more as I plan on focusing more on what is in my collection as opposed to buying new things.
What were your must used single eyeshadows this year? Pro Pan refills of MAC All That Glitters, Typographic and Sumptuous Olive, along with Cork and Soba (I read that Soba has now been d/c’d too!). I still use WnW Nutty (not sure if that is even still available)
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? What’s in it? It’s a larger, empty MAC palette with the divider removed and I’ve put my most used MAC singles in there – the ones listed above along with Charcoal Brown, Wedge, Phloof, Omega, Patina, Era, Grain, Goldbit – not really any rhyme or reason to what’s in there except that they’re all neutrals (except one or two) that I reach for often, so they’re all in one place
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020? Probably less – it’s still easier for me to reach for quads, smaller palettes (the Smashbox ones) or even somewhat larger ones like UD’s Naked.
Sydney Grace shadows and a few PMG’s are the only shadows I tend to buy/wear in single format. A big thumbs up to them for 2019 👍
What were your must used single eyeshadows this year?
Definitely my City Color singles – Cleo, Sandstorm and All Eyes on Me.
Was there a custom palette you used often this year? What’s in it?
No, I don’t have a custom palette, but I am going to have to get one as when I ordered from SG recently, they arrived in just the pan – not a cover or anything. I was a bit annoyed actually.
Do you expect to focus more or less on single eyeshadows in 2020?
Once I get my z palette going, I will probably order some more shades from SG – I will see how I go with the ones I have – Tiara, Cadet, Recruit, Troops and Herky Bird.