Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you’re not really into makeup but want to play with your colors or experiment with your daily look, then you should get yourself a single eye shadow. With the best single eyeshadow, you can accentuate your eyes and make them stand out. You can create a variety of celebrity-inspired looks ranging from cute and simple to glamorous and even intimidating.
They come in various textures, from loose powder to cream formulas and even pressed powder versions—so making a choice is not easy. Take a look at this list as we review some of the best expert-recommended eye shadows.
Top Picks
15 Best Single Eyeshadows For A Glamorous Look In 2024
1. Best Natural Looking: Mallofusa Single Baked Eyeshadow
Mallofusa single eyeshadow is a luxury metallic powder eyeshadow with a quality silky texture. The baked technology makes it ultra-smooth, exquisite, and natural-looking. The scientifically formulated texture of this eye shadow is light but lasts up to eight hours. It gives a natural crease-free look with a metallic finish and does not smudge or fade away even if you sweat or wear it in harsh weather conditions.
"I found this eyeshadow easy to apply. It gives great coverage with just one layer and lasts all day without creasing. I was expecting more sparkle and brightness, but the product has a good selection of colors and has become a staple for eyeshadow applications."
Caution2. Best Dermatologically Tested: Pure Ziva Smokey Plum Matte Eye Color
Add this opaque powder eyeshadow to your makeup collection to create numerous captivating eye looks. It is dermatologically tested and minimizes the risk of irritation or allergy. Tests are also done to check its compatibility for contact lens wearers. It is a silky smooth texture that is easy to blend. This monochromatic shade is paraben-free and is not tested on animals.
"As a fan of single-color pots, I like their dark copper-tone brown. It almost looks better in person than in the pictures. The product quality remains top-notch, lasting all day while keeping my lids crease-free. It has exceeded my expectations, and I'm eyeballing a few more shades."
3. Best Paraben-Free: Stila Eye Shadow Compact
Stila eye shadow is loved not just by girls but also by professionals and beauty editors. It is lightweight and offers the right amount of glitter pigment. When wet, the intensity of the color increases even more. It does not contain sulfates or parabens and compliments all skin tones. The celebrity-favorite eye shadow manages to highlight and give a shimmering effect to your eye makeup.
"I've been using this for years, and I'm quite fond of its shimmer which isn't overly sparkly. This eyeshadow delivers an all-day-long wear, and you don’t have to constantly touch it up. I would recommend this eyeshadow for its pigment and versatility."
Beauty tipMallofusa Single Baked Eyeshadow Best Natural Looking | Pure Ziva Smokey Plum Matte Eye Color Best Dermatologically Tested | Stila Eye Shadow Compact Best Paraben-Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Night Rose | Smokey Plum Matte | Kitten |
| Dimensions | 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.79 inches | 2 x 2 x 2 inches | 2 x 2 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.35 Ounces | 1.13 Ounces. | 0.32 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,727 | 1,670 | 217 |
| Price | $9.99 | $14.99 | $20 |
4. Best Pigmented: Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Single
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Do not miss out on this product that has earned 726 positive reviews on Amazon.
Anastasia Beverly Hills offers a finely processed, easy-to-mix full-shade eyeshadow. It is available in eight types, including ultra-matte, metallic, satin, duo-chrome, titanium, shimmer, sparkle, and velvet. Each eyeshadow’s metallic pigments offer high shading, visible results, and buildability. This eyeshadow offers hours of wear, and the intense color payoff makes it easy to create the perfect eye makeup look.
"I like the attractive color options of the eyeshadow, though it is a bit smaller than I expected. The shimmer finish is suitable for both casual and formal wear, and this one is easy to blend and has good staying power."
5. Best Cruelty-Free: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Compact
Urban decay eyeshadows are highly pigmented, and the velvety smooth texture makes them easy to blend. You can create various looks, including matte, sparkle, duotone, shimmer, and metallic, using this single shadow. Just apply a primer and color the eyes for a crease-free look that lasts the whole day. There is a minimum fallout that means less mess. It is a cruelty-free product.
6. Best Intense Texture: Bele Makeup Italia Eyeshadow
Accessible in 104 design tones, the expert-recommended and gradient eyeshadow is uniform and smooth. It delivers a full-tone, intensely textured look and is compatible with high-strength makeup. Manufactured by certified Italian suppliers, this eyeshadow is GMO- and cruelty-free. It does not contain any nano-materials, and the ingredients used comply with EU legislations.
"I'm amazed this stays put the entire day. The color representation is accurate, and its smooth, pigmented finish with a touch of shimmer is great for a casual, everyday look. I also enjoy the range of available colors to choose from."
7. Best Creamy: Eddie Funkhouser Hyperreal Eye Color
Simplify your makeup routine with the Eddie Funkhouser hyperreal eye color. With this eyeshadow, you can create a multitude of looks, from regular to exemplary, breathtaking to cutting-edge. The premium colors allow a smooth application. It is accessible in matte, pearl, radiant, and shines for different looks. Its blendable, budge-proof, and creamy texture helps you create your desired celebrity-inspired look and makes it ideal for all-day wear.
"I found this eyeshadow in the exact smoky eye shade I've been searching for. The formula is smooth and lasts all day. I wish it came with an applicator, but to my delight, it even adheres without primer."
8. Best Crease-Resistant: Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow
The Mineral Fusion eye shadow is paraben- and gluten-free with a richly pigmented and crease-resistant formula, making the application simple and quick. It is a cruelty-free, natural formula that helps you enhance your beautiful eyes. This pigmented single eyeshadow contains aloe vera, pomegranate, green tea, and sea kelp, all-natural skin smoothing, and anti-aging ingredients. Moreover, the product is free of nasties and has not been tested on animals.
"The eyeshadow applies smoothly and has impressive long-lasting, rich pigmentation. The darker colors are handy for filling in sparse eyebrows! What keeps me loyal to it is its environmental score. It is also cruelty-free and doesn’t have any harmful chemical ingredients."
Caution9. Best Blendable: NYX Professional Make-up Singles Eyeshadows
NYX Professional makeup hot singles eyeshadows can give an exceptional, blendable shading result in matte, glossy, silk, or a metallic look. Experiment, play, and discover the colors that suit you from a huge range of pressed single eyeshadow shades.
"I've been using this soft, rose-hued matte eyeshadow daily. It glides smoothly, and its subtle color complements a sleek eyeliner shape. It is suitable as a base layer, and it provides lasting wear. It's challenging to find quality light matte shades, so I’m happy with this!"
10. Best Vegan-Friendly: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single, Brulee
The vegan-friendly and cruelty-free eye shadow is an all-time favorite of many individuals. It could be an exceptional addition to the makeup kit. You can also use this high-quality single shade as a primer and under-eye setting powder. The silky surface feels as great as it looks–without wrinkling with better blendability and major resilience.
"This was a good find - it's a great starter shadow for the entire eyelid. The subtle pigmentation suits both beginners and advanced users; I especially enjoy using it as a base or blending shade. Its smooth formula and blendability make me glad I ordered it."
11. Best Long-Lasting: Maybelline New York Expert Wear Eyeshadow
The trusted brand has a huge collection of eyeshadows that offer easy application. Wearing won’t crease even when worn for around 14 hours. With superior smoothness, it glides on with ease. The velvet-tip applicator blends smoothly without the need for tugging or dragging. It is ophthalmologist-tested for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
"I love the shade of this eyeshadow - it's neither too light nor dark. The other shades also work well with various attire, and you can take them from day to night look effortlessly. I also love that they are not overly shiny - just a subtle lustrous finish."
12. Best Fragrance-Free: Idun Minerals Single Eyeshadow
The scientifically formulated eyeshadow from Idun Minerals contains highly purified mineral pigments that produce intense color in shimmery and matte finishes. It is a creamy solution that doesn’t crack or fold in your eyelids, leading to a satin finish. The texture is velvety smooth and simple to work with when creating various forms of makeup. It is vegan, cruelty-free, ophthalmologically tested, and fragrance-free, and is suitable for contact lens wearers.
"I adore this eye shadow for its lasting color. Though I feared it might be too light, it surprised me with its rich pigment. It's now become my trusted choice for all-day wear."
13. Best Paraben-Free: Nars Single Eyeshadow
Pigment Power Suspension technology creates rich, long-lasting, high-impact color in one stroke by suspending pigments in an advanced liquid binding method. The velvety texture is addictive and blends easily to produce a smooth, even color. It comes in three finishes and shades—basic and neutral colors, shimmery pigments for a glam look, and vibrant colors —to let you try something bold and new. Additionally, it has magnetic eyeshadow pans that are easily removable and refillable. It is suitable for all skin types and is paraben-free.
"I found it to be a lovely neutral shade with a subtle shimmery finish. However, I wish it came with an applicator — something as simple as a sponge tip would make application easier. But I’m a fan of the color and the quality and will continue to use it."
14. Best Dual-Wear: Prestige Eyeshadow Single
Prestige single eye shadow is silky smooth, with great control on pigmentation, and it blends easily. With one stroke, it builds a full color. It offers long-lasting wear that does not cause creases. The cruelty-free product can be used either wet or dry.
"I've been using this pigmented, smooth eyeshadow for years now. The color is rich and great for those who prefer a metallic finish over glitter. It stays put all day and is noticeably pigmented. The lid can be a bit tricky to close, but I can't deny it does make my eyes pop."
15. Best Shimmery: Steel Wool Grey Matte Pearl Eyeshadow
Grey eyeshadow is a long-lasting powder with a frosty finish that gives every eye look an iridescent and brightening effect. Shimmery shades are feminine, delicate, and provide a crystal shimmer finish, while matte shades are creamy smooth. These blendable paints with incredible pigmentation provide all-day wearability. This eyeshadow can be applied wet or dry for visible results. Individual pans can be stored in an empty magnetic palette, making them compact and travel-friendly. This blendable eyeshadow formula is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and paraben-free.
"This eyeshadow applies seamlessly, and its rich, intense color makes it suitable for dramatic looks. Also, I discovered it works great for brow coloring. I wish it had a more robust case to help with easier storage, but I enjoy the color options and the color payoff."
How To Choose The Right Single Eyeshadow?
Here are a few important things you should keep in mind when buying a single eyeshadow.
- Eye color: Choose a shade that suits and complements your eye color. Jackie Alves, makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of the beauty brand The Real Makeup Artist, says, “If you have brown eyes, try brick red, forest green, and such colors that can enhance the look of your eyes. And if you have blue or green eyes or a hint of gold in your brown eyes, warm neutrals can make them pop and draw attention to them.”
- Skin tone and undertones: Check your veins under your skin to find your undertone. If they look green(ish), choose a warm undertone. Similarly, if you have blue-looking veins, pick a cooler undertone.
- Personal preference: Choices like “matte or shimmer” should completely depend on the look you are going for on that particular day and your outfit. Pair it accordingly, and you are good to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are single eyeshadows worth it?
Single eyeshadows are great for skeptical newbies who don’t want to invest in a full-range eyeshadow palette at the onset or when you want to try a new shade or brand for the first time. Plus, they are travel-friendly.
2. Are single eyeshadows safe?
Eyeshadows free of parabens, talc, nano-materials, and other harsh ingredients mentioned by the FDA are generally safe when used correctly and intermittently.
3. How long do single eyeshadows last?
Depending on the quantity of the eyeshadow, their color payoff, and how frequently you use them, a single eyeshadow could last for a couple of months if applied occasionally.
4. Should I wear single eyeshadows after foundation?
For a long-lasting effect, better color, and to limit chemical penetration into the skin, it is better to apply a skin-friendly base before the eyeshadow.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a fashion and beauty enthusiast who suggests high-quality products to her readers. In this post, she has rounded up the best single eyeshadows that can help accentuate your eyes. These eyeshadows are versatile makeup products and enable you to create a variety of looks. Read on to learn more about the features of each product and ways in which you can select the right one for yourself.
The Bottom Line
If you are not an expert makeup artist yet, choosing a single eyeshadow makes perfect sense. Finding the best single eyeshadow shade that suits you can help highlight your eyes and make them pop even after a tiring day. Always select the shade that blends best with your natural skin tone and eye color. Also, ensure the eyeshadow is crease-free, smudge-proof, and GMO- and cruelty-free. You may also choose from loose powder to pressed powder formulas or cream-based eyeshadows based on your preference. We recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Single for its buildable and pigmented formula, the Pure Ziva Smokey Plum Matte Eye Color, which is cruelty-free and safe, and the Stila Eyeshadow Compact, which complements most skin tones.
Infographic: What Are The Advantages Of Using Single Eyeshadows?
Single eyeshadows offer a versatile and customizable option for creating stunning eye looks. With a wide range of shades and finishes, they allow you to express your unique style easily. If you’re still wondering why investing in individual eyeshadows is worthwhile, check out the following infographic that enlists the merits of owning single eyeshadows.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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