How Do I Choose the Best Eyeshadow Kit?

When choosing the best eyeshadow kit, often referred to as an eyeshadow palette, it is important to pick one that has a range of finishes. It is also beneficial to swatch the colors in the eyeshadow kit before you purchase it to determine the quality of the product. When picking a palette for everyday use, one with a range of neutral colors and a few brighter ones is often the most versatile choice.

Eyeshadow comes in several different finishes, most commonly matte, satin, shimmery, and metallic. While the most wearable are typically matte and satin shades, the more sparkly varieties can be useful for certain looks. Even if you prefer bolder makeup or more shine, most beauty experts recommend balancing heavy shimmer with more subtle finishes. If you want a useable eyeshadow kit, picking one with a good mix of the less glittery shades is often a good idea.

One of the most important parts of picking an eyeshadow kit is making sure that each individual shadow is high in quality. In most makeup stores, a palette will be available as a tester so you can swatch each shade. Lightly touch each color with your finger or a tester brush to see how easily it is picked up; if it takes several hard rubs to see any color, the eyeshadow kit as a whole will be difficult to work with.

If the color picks up well, try blending the different shades on the back of your hand. This will let you know what kind of texture they have and how easy they will blend. If you like to use several colors on your lid, try layering two shades together and blending them out. Some eyeshadows, no matter how pigmented, do not blend well with other shades; if this is important to you, test them first.

As you’re doing all of this, watch to see how much fallout occurs between the tester brush and your hand. If several specks of color appear around the area where you swatched the eyeshadow kit colors, this means the color may be difficult to keep on your lids. It could travel onto the undereye area during application or throughout the day.

When choosing an eyeshadow palette, appraise each color for how wearable it will be. Eyeshadow kits are often ideal for makeup beginners looking for a first eyeshadow kit or for those who travel a lot. In these instances, finding a kit with mostly neutral colors — such as brown, grey, and even pastels — will likely increase how often you will be able to use it. If you are looking for a truly all-in-one eyeshadow kit, choose a kit with several dark colors that can be used for eyeliner, some good neutral colors, and a select few bold colors.