In case you didn’t know, colorful eyeshadow is coming back in 2026. As a beauty editor, I strongly believe that the resurgence of this trend is largely influenced by the nostalgia happening in 2016. To be honest, I’m not mad about it. The pretty girl makeup aesthetic has officially been discontinued (for the time being, anyway).
If you’re ready to join in on all the glamor that’s coming this year, chances are you’re thinking about which eyeshadow palette you need to invest in. Of course, it’s not always easy, especially for people with darker skin. why? Simply put, melanin can soften certain colors, so they may require more effort and time to appear. Additionally, if your eyeshadow isn’t pigmented enough, it may not be as pigmented as it should be, giving it a dull or ashy look. Luckily, there are plenty of highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes on the market that are sure to flatter every skin tone.
To make your search easier, we chatted with editors and experts to determine which palettes deserve a spot in the top 10. If you’re curious about which palettes made the list, read on to learn more, along with insights from celebrity makeup artists. J. St. James How to make eyeshadow last longer.
An overview of the best eyeshadow palettes for dark skin
Best eyeshadow palettes for dark skin in 2026
Grand Prize Overall: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Blooming Romance
danessa myricks beauty
Base: Blooming Romance
There are several reasons why this palette from Danessa Myricks has earned the top spot. First of all, our editors love the color payoff of these shades, and St. James agrees. “If you want a multi-use warm matte palette that does it all, this is it,” she says. “The base shadows seamlessly ease your skin from day to night, and the oil-absorbing formula keeps your eyelids smooth and wrinkle-free.” Neutral tones are especially difficult to get right, but this choice doesn’t disappoint.
Strong Points: Buildable, easy to blend
Cons: cracks easily
Number of shades: 10
Finish: mat
Customer reviews: “So glad I tried this! The powder has zero fallout. The color works wonders and stays on for hours. I’m no expert, but these colors are easy to use and build up. The formula doesn’t dry out my lids!”
Best Variety Palette: Juvia’s Place Culture 2 Palette
Juvia’s Place
culture 2 palette
This stunning palette from Juvia’s Place is a no-brainer if you love experimenting with colorful looks. I have been a fan of this brand for many years and St. James is also co-signed with this brand. “Culture 2 is a beautiful one-stop option for achieving a deeper complexion with a carefully curated palette featuring matte, duo-chrome, shimmer and metallic shades,” she says. “Affordable shadows that naturally enhance brown tones and provide impressive all-day wear.”
Strong Points: Can be used day or night and comes in a variety of shades
Cons: May be dry for some people
Number of shades: 30
Finish: shimmer, matte
Customer reviews: “The color is very pigmented and long lasting. Highly recommended.”
Best Day Tonight Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall Romance Eyeshadow Palette
anastasia beverly hills
fall romance eyeshadow palette
Users who tested this palette said they immediately received compliments because of the pop of these colors. The 12 warm shades are comprised of mattes and shimmers in earth and plum tones that last all day and are wrinkle-free. It’s also perfect for those looking for a palette that can be used from day to night.
Strong Points: very pigmented
Cons: The color is cooler than it looks
Number of shades: 12
Finish: matte, shimmer
Customer reviews: “I wanted to treat myself to a new palette and I’m so glad I did. The colors are incredible and long lasting. I love every shade.”
Best Shimmer Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eyeshadow Palette
Pat McGrath Institute
Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eyeshadow Palette
Pat McGrath’s Gilded Nirvana Palette is a standout product for anyone who loves shimmery eyeshadow. “The jewel tones of this palette inspire everything from sensual looks to truly eye-catching looks,” says St. James. “I consider this a special occasion palette, but the creamy, blendable texture creates a striking contrast on deep skin tones, making it a palette you’ll want to reach for again and again.” It’s also large enough to travel with, so you won’t have to leave it behind on your next vacation.
Strong Points: Good color and suitable for travel
Cons: It may be too sparkly for some people, and some may find it too small for the price.
Number of shades: 12
Finish: metallic, sparkle, velvet
Customer reviews: “This palette is beautiful. There’s a shade for almost every color I can wear, so I don’t have to pack in too many colors.” [different] palette. The size makes it very easy to travel. The glitter is beautiful. I can’t say enough good things about this palette. ”
Best Gold Palette: Natasha Denona Yucca Eyeshadow Palette
natasha denona
Yucca eyeshadow palette
If you love gold tones or smokey eyes, you’ll love this great option from Natasha Denona. These pressed powder formulas last all day and the color really pops. It’s expensive, but testers say it’s worth every penny for an eyeshadow this good
Strong Points: Bright and perfect for smoky eyes
Cons: Versatility is not that high
Number of shades: 15
Finish: Sparkly foil stamping, matte, metallic
Customer reviews: “These shadows are beautiful. I love this palette. Packaging, quality, colors – 10/10”
Best Budget: Morphe Chromaplus 12 Pan Eyeshadow Palette
morphe
Chromaplus 12 Pan Eyeshadow Palette – Moon Stone
Some people prefer gold, others silver. If you identify with the latter, you’ll fall in love with this amazing Morphe palette. ChromaPlus formula delivers a highly pigmented eyeshadow that is easily pigmented without looking patchy. The combination of mattes, shimmers and metallics makes this a versatile palette that can be used for a variety of occasions.
Strong Points: Perfect for beginners, perfect for any occasion
Cons: For matte shades, additional coats may be required
Number of shades: 12
Finish: matte, shimmer, metallic
Customer reviews: “I like the color payoff. It’s a color that’s easy to use for everyday wear, has good color retention, and can create a soft, bold look. I think it’s perfect for makeup beginners.”
Luxury at its finest: Huda Beauty Empowered Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty
empowered eyeshadow palette
If you’re looking for a little pampering, look no further than this versatile palette from Huda Beauty. “The gold and copper shades in the Empowered Palette really accentuate deep skin tones,” says St. James. “The combination of wet metallic and hybrid eyeshadow gel cream delivers rich pigmentation with impressive staying power.”
Strong Points: Can be worn day or night and is perfect for a smokey eye
Cons: May cause wrinkles
Number of shades: 18
Finish: matte, metallic, satin, shimmer
Customer reviews: “I really love this eyeshadow palette. The colors are especially perfect for fall and evening. Also, the formula of this product is silky and creamy.”
Best buildable item: NARS Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette
Nars
Afterglow Tempting Eyeshadow Palette
If you tend to gravitate toward pinks and purples, consider Nars’ Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette. It comes in nine shades, ranging from mattes and shimmers to more subtle glitter-based tones. The formula goes on smoothly and is easy to build and blend, making it a great option for beginners.
Strong Points: Blends well and is perfect for everyday use
Cons: Glitter shades bring more fallout
Number of shades: 9
Finish: matte, shimmer, glitter
Customer reviews: “The shades in this palette are easy to blend and pair beautifully. The mattes are smooth and the shimmers add the perfect glow. Perfect for everyday wear or an elevated look.”
Perfect for the gram: Aora Makeup Mírame
I tested the palette a few months ago and can confidently say that this eyeshadow lasts all day and is very pigmented. I love that the gold packaging is so chic and it’s sustainably made. The dermatologist-tested formula contains mica, shea butter, silica, vitamin E, and titanium dioxide.
Strong Points: Sustainable and highly pigmented
Cons: Some people wish the palette was bigger for the price
Number of shades: 9
Finish: matte and metallic
Customer reviews: “I love this palette. Unique design, great pigments, and beautiful colors. I also love that the brand is sustainable and eco-friendly.”
Perfect for smoky eyes: Juvia’s Place The Sahara Palette
Juvia’s Place
sahara palette
The Sahara palette is a staple in the eye makeup world, so it’s only natural that it should be included on the list. These intense shades will help you create everything from special occasions to everyday looks. It’s an eyeshadow that feels luxurious even though it’s a small price, and lasts all day.
Strong Points: Lasts all day and is affordable
Cons: There may be some radioactive fallout
Number of shades: 12
Finish: matte, shimmer
Customer reviews: “I’m a big fan of all the eyeshadow palettes! They’re so pigmented and luxurious!”
How to make eyeshadow last longer on dark skin
Do you want your eyeshadow to pop but stay on all day? If so, here are some pro tips from St. James to guide you from start to finish.
- Use a lighter concealer shade or eyeshadow base and set with a translucent powder.
- To maximize the effect of the pigment, use a dense flat brush to pack the color into your eyelids. (Avoid using swiping motions, as the colors may be distributed unevenly.)
- To intensify the pigment, lightly dampen your brush with water or setting spray before applying your eyeshadow.
Which eyeshadow colors look best on the darkest skin tones and why?
A highly pigmented palette should give you the freedom to use any color you like, but St. James says that some colors Really It is noticeable on dark skin tones. “If you’re going for a dramatic eye look, jewel tones like sapphire blue, amethyst purple, emerald green, and bronze are perfect,” she says. “These rich, saturated tones provide a beautiful contrast to deeper skin tones and create a striking eyeshadow look.” For daytime options, she suggests using soft neutrals, as long as they don’t have ashy or dull undertones.
How we choose
As with all Who What Wear buying guides, we compile our editorial compilations based on independent testing and expert recommendations. To find the best eyeshadow palettes for dark skin, we relied heavily on our expert insights and knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, such as the number of shades and finishes. We know how important these factors are to a wide range of needs and preferences, so we’ve made sure to list all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also taken into account when creating this list.
Why do we trust who is wearing what?
Since 2006, Who What Wear is a digital fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends and must-have products to define and evolve their style. Consider Who What Wear your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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