If you had to start over, what eyeshadow palette would you purchase first?

I feel like my palettes with Sydney Grace are really suitable to what I’d wear regularly, and if I had to pick one to start with, On the Horizon. Otherwise, I’d say Natasha Denona Biba, as it is a workhorse neutral palette for me.

— Christine

31 Comments

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Notjust Irene Avatar

Ohh that’s a difficult one!
The PMG moonlit seduction is a really good allrounder for me. It works both for office appropriate looks and more fun or going out looks.
Mm. The other palettes…
LH cosmetics shimmer saga I also use really frequently so I’d definitely buy that one!
Then the Natasha denona mini nude and mini glam palettes.
And then finally I’d probably make my palettes of glamshop Poland, micka beauty shop and MAC singles all over again!

Mariella Avatar

All my choices are discontinued, of course, but the original NAKED palette would be high on the list, as would Naked Smoky and the ABH “Mario” palette. UD Vice 2 and Vice 3 would be high contenders too and they have the beauty of both containing a lot of shades which is always a bonus in a “starting over/only one palette” conundrum.

Mariella Avatar

I think to some extent it’s this whole move to “clean” that is resulting in a lot of inferior products. I’m probably one of the oldest posters here and, at the risk of sounding like the “when I was young, we walked 5 miles to school, UPHILL, both ways” type, I’ve been using “unclean” (for want of a better word) makeup, skin and haircare products for close on 60 years and haven’t suffered (which isn’t to say that everything in cosmetics won’t have a negative effect on someone….look what we learned about talc around “lady parts”). But I think the move to “clean”, coupled with the desire to make outrageous and often impractical palettes – well, it makes things like the original Naked palette seem as precious as an original Chanel suit (though far less expensive!)

ShariP Avatar

I so agree!!! I’ve been wearing makeup for 45 years and have never had an issue that was related to it. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, just that I’ve never experienced a problem. UD used to be my favorite lne for shadows, lipsticks, eyeliners, lipliners, and mascara. Now I only buy Perversion mascara. They’ve lost their way.

Jane Avatar

Oooo, along with the one I selected (and don’t have) this is the only other palette that still really want, but have duped almost every single one. I can’t shake it, that feeling when I see it. I’m glad to hear it works well for someone. Do you achieve multiple looks without tapping into other palettes? That (beside the price for it) is my only concern.

Matilda Avatar

Colourpop Making Mauves. After years of experimentation, I have found that a palette with mauvy/purplish light mattes, a medium dark matte or two for shading, and a few shimmers for visual interest works best for my brown eyes and fair cool skin tone. Plus, it is compact enough to use as a travel palette.

Genevieve Avatar

Of the palettes that are available now, it would be ND’s Glam – it has the right amount of variations on the neutral theme and the most shimmers available in any palette I own.
My second choice would be On the Horizons Light too Christine.
Honourable Mention goes to ABH Sultry.

Latika Avatar

Pat McGrath Bronze Temptation ! Love it every color I have panned most of it except for the pink which I use a lot of times as a blush!

Jane Avatar

I’ve always wanted ND Biba (but I now have too many dupes to justify it); but as to what palette I’d purchase first with what I know today…hard because I really liked ND’s original Star palette, which was my “first big palette”. In actuality, Too Faced’s Natural Matte was my first palette.

So, back on point, what would I want today as my first palette……….thinking……..hard because I don’t have it, but from everything I’ve seen here and heard, PML Mothership VIII : Divine Rose II. Okay, I said it! I think I’d look great and be able to wear it everywhere, anytime of the day.

Thoughts from any,ne who has it? It’s the only palette that I can dupe much of and yet still would like (and that from someone who doesn’t like pinks in a palette). somehow I think I could make it work on me.

Jane Avatar

I retract, “the only palette that I can dupe…and still would like” because later I saw someone mention ND’s Triochrome and that definitely is another one I still would like and yet have mostly duped. All that said, I stick with my choice of the PML Mothership VII. 😉

Jessica Avatar

This hypothetical makes me sad! If I could only use one palette for a long period of time, it would be Persona Identity 1 (because it has a setting shade and highlight for my skin tone, and lovely shimmers). If I could buy only one but knew I’d be rebuilding my collection soon, it would be Viseart Neutral Mattes. It’s my most used palette of all time. But I’d be eager to supplement with color and shimmer ASAP, with top contenders of ABH Jackie Aina, and Sydney Grace On the Horizon.

Cara Avatar

Viseart’s Cool Mattes, the discontinued original and current version, have been my most used shadows for years. When they discontinued the original, I bought 2 backups!

Kira Avatar

I really like NARS quality now, so I might get the NARS Orgasm Rising Eyeshadow Palette for its compact size and color selection. I would also consider the Natasha Denona My Dream Eyeshadow Palette, which is also compact and has colors I use a lot. But then the next palette would definitely have to be some Pat McGrath for some pizzaz and magic.

Cara Avatar

It may be cheating bc it’s discontinued but I’d buy Viseart’s original Cool Mattes palette. This and the current Cool Mattes have been my most used shadows for years and although I have 2 backups of the original, I’ll be very upset when I go through them.

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