Image: MomJunction Design Team
Get ready for your next party with the best smokey eye palettes and make your eyes look attractive and bright. A smokey eye look works for all occasions, effortlessly giving your eyes intensity and glamor. The trick behind creating the right look is knowing when to blend and smudge. As a beginner, you might make mistakes, but you can create the look easily with enough practice and patience.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will need a suitable eyeshadow palette to work with. These palettes should have enough nude, brown, and black shades to create a smokey look. With multiple shades, sufficient pigmentation, and other features, choosing the right palette can be challenging. So, we have reviewed multiple expert-recommended shadow palettes with proven efficacy to let you create dramatic, bold, and celebrity-inspired eye makeup that exudes confidence and style.
Top Picks
15 Best Smokey Eye Palettes For An Attractive Look In 2024
1. Best Long-Lasting: Lamora Nudes Exposed Eyeshadow Palette
Lamora’s gorgeous and professional-grade palette comes with 16 pigment-rich trendy eyeshadow shades with incredibly long-staying power and bendability. Created with high-quality ingredients and ultra-micronized formula, this set is luxurious. The 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and waterproof eyeshadow palette comes in a variety of colors, from dark browns to rose gold shades, and in shimmery, natural, and dramatic finishes.
Its velvety application gives it a smooth finish and it can be used both dry and wet depending on the look you are going for. The easy-to-apply eyeshadow comes packaged in a small, portable sleek case with a magnetic lid so it can conveniently accompany you on all your travels. Here’s a video that demonstrates exactly how easy it is to use this product every day.
Pros
- Ideal for day and night makeup look
- Natural colors
- Wide shade range
- Lasts all day
- Does not crease
- Smooth and easy to blend
- Offers a shimmery finish
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May require a light primer or foundation for the colors to be vibrant
- May have a powdery texture
"I got this eye palette primarily for a teenager. It has a splendid variety of hues that she can playfully experiment with. The fact that it can be utilized either wet or dry offers versatility."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 26,488 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
2. Best Waterproof Formula:Ecofavor De’Lanci Panda Eyeshadow Palette
The expert-recommended Ecofavor De’Lanci Panda eyeshadow palette features nine cool-toned neutral shades that are richly pigmented, making them suitable for creating a stunning celebrity-inspired smokey eye or dramatic goth makeup look. This versatile palette is also great for creative Halloween looks. Its waterproof formula ensures long-lasting wear, and the smooth texture of the shadows makes them easy to blend.
The shadows offer an impressive color payoff, so you only need a small amount to achieve the desired shade. Additionally, the shades of this smokey eye palette for beginners and professionals are sweat-proof, non-streaky, and hypoallergenic.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Easy to remove
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some shades may be a bit chalky
- May experience some fallout during application
"This smokey palette has been a pleasant and welcome surprise. The eyeshadow longevity is super impressive, and the formula is super gentle on my sensitive skin. Its beautiful shades have made it my new favorite eyeshadow palette."
3. Best For A Shimmery Effect: Vodisa Matte And Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette
This professional-grade eyeshadow palette is a combination of 18 matte shades and seven shimmer eyeshadows. It’s the perfect palette for day and night use with its mix of cool and warm mattes with neutral shimmer hues. The easy-to-wear, long-lasting, waterproof eyeshadow is made of safe and high-quality extracts and ingredients. The 25 colors enable you to go from subtle to dramatic depending on your mood and occasion, making it the ideal smokey eye palette for experts and beginners.
Made of highly pigmented, natural, and nourishing ingredients, it’s suitable for both normal and oily skin. The soft textured powders with their super blendability give you a seamless finish, and the colors are dye-free and range from cream colors for highlighting to dark colors for smokey eyes. This expert-recommended palette comes with a set of six eye makeup brushes to make application a cinch.
Pros
- Blends well
- Wide shade range
- Includes both cool and warm tones
- Comes with brushes for blending
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Brushes could have been a little less stiff
- Might cause mild irritation to sensitive eyes
"The diverse shades of this palette have helped me create so many different looks. Although slightly drying, they have been perfect for my oily skin type. Moreover, it's been joyful to experiment with different color combinations."
4. Best Highly-Pigmented: Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner
This six-eyeshadow palette set has multi-reflective shimmer shades for a glamorous look for any occasion. The six shimmery glitter shadows are creaseless, long-lasting, and have a blendable formula. Made with safe and healthy ingredients, they are suitable for even those with sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.
The product is dermatologically approved and recommended by plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and allergists. This hypoallergenic product is devoid of 150+ harsh ingredients usually found in makeup products. It’s also cruelty-free, so you can use this product without an iota of guilt.
Pros
- Compact size
- Blends smoothly
- Comes with an eye shadow stick
- Suitable for day and night wear
- Long-lasting
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Some may find it a little too glittery
- May not be highly pigmented
"I've been using this eyeshadow palette for years now. It has a shimmery effect, and the unique applicator makes it easy to apply the product. Despite slight issues with the top layer adhering to the brush at times, it remains a go-to for daily use and special occasions."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 3,401 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
5. Best For All Skin Tones:Rimmel Magnif’eyes Eye Palette
The Rimmel Magnif’eyes palette features 12 high-shimmer shades in light and dark colors, suitable for creating versatile day and night makeup, from natural to dramatic look. The smooth and blendable formula of this expert-recommended product ensures effortless application with minimal creasing or smudging, making it long-lasting.
With this sultry palette, you can break free from the traditional black and gray colors typically used for smokey eyes and create multiple monochromatic smokey looks that will turn heads.
Pros
- Compact size
- Wide shade range
- Soft texture
- Suitable for all skin tones and eye colors
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be as pigmented as expected
- May not be suitable for daily makeup routines
"I've been using this product for years and truly appreciate its lasting effect. The palette offers an array of colors, allowing for fun diversity in my looks. Although the powder, at times, tends to stain my fingers, it has remained a staple in my routine."
Trivia6. Best Smudge-Proof: Almay Smoky Eye Trios Eyeshadow – Lavender Haze
This eyeshadow is suitable for every occasion and comes in a unique and compact eye-shaped palette. The velvety and rich texture of these dermatologically tested eyeshadows is sure to enhance your eye makeup. These long-lasting shades last for up to 16 hours so you can wear them for work or to party without worrying about smudging, creasing, or fading.
The hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, and non-irritating formula is safe for all skin types. You can make gorgeous blends with the three colors of this palette and create a bold and beautiful look.
Pros
- Doesn’t irritate the eyes
- Soft and smooth texture
- Easy to use
- Blends easily–not too heavy
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Colors may be a bit too subtle
- Does not come with applicators
"The hypoallergenic eyeshadow by Almay is the perfect find for someone with sensitive skin. Applying it is a breeze and lasts for the whole day. I especially love its choice of colors and the way it glides on the skin."
7. Best Blendable: BYS Eyeshadow Palette – Nude Smokey
The matte and metallic shimmers of this collection help accentuate the beauty of the eyes. It comes with a tried-and-tested dual applicator blender as well as a brush which makes application quick and easy. This palette features 12 shades ranging from barely visible nude to deep shades, so you can create a subtle or dramatic look that’s suitable for every occasion.
These velvety, highly pigmented eyeshadow shades with proven efficacy define, and brighten your eye and are extremely long lasting and blendable. The easy-to-apply eyeshadow palette comes with a full-width mirror that enables you to apply these matte to shimmer shades on the go whenever you please.
Pros
- Contains cool shades of gray
- Colors are not dusty of flaky
- Blends extremely well
- Resistant to oil or sweat
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Staying power could have been better
- May require multiple layers
"With the unique dark pigments of this eyeshadow palette, I find it hard not to experiment. The colors give an effortless smokey eye look that lasts long. This palette has earned me so many compliments and has been a worthy addition to my makeup collection."
8. Best Soft-Textured: Ucanbe Luxury Gathering 60 Colors Eyeshadow Palette
This professional-grade smokey eyeshadow palette has 60 nude spectrum eye colors with soft and blendable textures. The highly pigmented long-lasting eyeshadow palette has soft mattes and shimmery metallics to suit your mood and occasion, and makes for a great starter palette. It has a good balance of cool and warm tones and can create both a glamorous smokey look or an everyday look with equal panache.
The ingredients used in these scientifically-formulated and waterproof eyeshadows are of high-quality and have an ultra-micronized pigmented formula and silky and creamy texture. They can also be used as a liner and for contouring your eyes.
Pros
- Contains a good mix of matte and shimmer shades
- Soft shadows
- Blends well
- Good color payoff
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
- May require multiple layers to get the desired look
- May not include enough cool tones
"The diverse pigmented shades of this palette and their smooth consistency allow me to achieve numerous gorgeous looks. Its colors can even be blended with my fingers and have made eye makeup a breeze even when on the go."
Did you know?9. Best With Natural Mineral Oil: Shany Smokey Eyes Eyeshadow Palette
One of the best eyeshadow palettes for smokey eyes, it comes with 12 shimmer and highly pigmented smokey colors—three shades of white to off-white, three shades of gray to silver, three shades of brown, and three shades of black to jet black. Each eyeshadow is made from a natural mineral oil base that creates their vibrant shade, allows smooth application, and makes them resistant to smudging or fading.
It comes in a compact, slender, sturdy, and portable container, which makes it an ideal travel companion. The high-quality, buttery soft colors of this expert-recommended palette are blendable and smooth to apply and are ideal for both day and night use. With this, you have a wide range of looks at your disposal to experiment with different styles.
Pros
- Combination of light and dark shades
- Good pigmentation
- Blends smoothly
- Stays on for long
- Doesn’t smudge
- Easy to carry
- Nor tested on animals
Cons
- Does not include a brush
- May not be great for those with sensitive eyes
"I've long sought a smokey palette that veers from the typical browns and nudes. This palette, packed with cool monotones and pigmented colors, fulfilled my quest. They are easy to blend, irritation-free, and convenient to carry in my handbag. Recommended for those seeking something different yet reliable!"
10. Best For Full-Coverage: L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Eyeshadow Collection – Smokey
The bold and smoky 12-color eyeshadow palette offers full coverage and has a super soft texture. Its blendable and buildable formula gives your lids a beautiful look in shimmer, metallic, and matte finishes. This scientifically formulated collection includes four basic brown matte shades, a light gray, a deep navy blue, two highlighting shades in cream and silver, and four shimmery colors—gray, taupe, brown, and purple. These pretty shades can be mixed and matched for different smokey looks. The cruelty-free product has good pigmentation, and long-staying power. In addition, it has a great texture with subtle, dimensional shimmer, so you have none of that chunky glitter on and around your lids.
These cool-toned eyeshadows are ideal for creating the perfect smokey eyes. This palette comes in a magnetic case that includes a mirror and double-sided eyeshadow applicator, making it easy to use while on the go.
Pros
- Panel includes a mirror
- Lovely colors to let you create different looks
- Colors are buttery, buildable, and pigmented
- Doesn’t run or flake
- Suitable for mature skin
Cons
- May not stay on for long
- May be slightly messy during application
"I love this product for its enduring colors and used it so much that I had to buy the second set. Its charm and functionality remain the same. I plan on buying my third one super soon!"
11. Best Customizable: Palladio Eyeshadow Quad
This elegant smokey eye palette has four highly pigmented eyeshadows and is a combination of matte and shimmery shades, which can be customized to suit all occasions. The off white, light gray, dark gray, and pink colors of this palette can be used all year round and for both day and night wear. It comes in a compact palette with a dual sponge applicator for convenient and on-the-go application.
This scientifically formulated product is infused with aloe vera, shea butter, and vitamin E, which keep the eyes hydrated and gives these eyeshadows a silky smooth texture. And you can use this four-shade palette guilt-free as it’s cruelty-free too.
Pros
- Contains just the right amount of shimmer
- Vivid colors
- Easy to apply
- Easily blends with other makeup
- Free of parabens, talc, and gluten
Cons
- May be a little too shimmery for day use
- Might not show up well on medium to dark skin tones
"This eyeshadow palette is intensely pigmented and long-lasting. It seamlessly blends and provides even coverage. Though the colors may seem lighter in person, layering them enhances the look. Also, the shimmer isn't too overwhelming. A flattering product overall!"
12. Best Cruelty-Free:Ccolor Soft Natural Eyeshadow Palette
If you are looking to experiment with a smokey eye makeup look but find the intense black shades overwhelming, the Ccolor natural eyeshadow palette can be a great starting point. With soft neutrals like brown and beige, you can still achieve a beautiful smokey eye without appearing too harsh. This versatile palette features shimmer and matte shades suitable for daytime and nighttime wear.
The colors are highly pigmented and offer a one-swipe color payoff with buildable intensity to suit your preferences. The soft, satin texture of the shadows allows a seamless application, and the formula won’t fade or smudge, letting you play around and create various looks.
Pros
- Blends effortlessly
- Cruelty-free and free of harsh chemicals
- Long-lasting formula
- Suitable for wet and dry applications
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- May be a bit smaller than expected
- May require more product for better coverage
"I bought this palette as an affordable alternative to the other ones I had, and I wasn't disappointed! It glides on effortlessly and has impressive staying power and pigmentation. Also, the variety of mattes and shimmers is great. It's perfect for an easy smoky eye or a vibrant look. This palette exceeded my expectations!"
13. Best Buildable Formula: Lancome Drama Hypnose Eyeshadow Palette
The Lancome Drama Hypnose eyeshadow color palette features five cool-toned shades that range from matte to metallic to help you create beautiful day-to-night looks. Its smooth and soft texture makes application a breeze, and the buildable pigment lets you intensify the look according to your preference.
These versatile eyeshadows are flake-resistant and smudge-resistant, making them suitable for creating a striking smokey eye. You can use the lightest shade to highlight the brow bone and inner corner, while the darkest shade can be used to smoke out your eyeliner and intensify the waterline.
Pros
- Compact size for portability
- Blends smoothly
- Includes two foam applicators
- Long-wearing pigment
Cons
- Colors may crumble
- Some shades may shinier than expected
"This compact palette has just five shades, from shimmer to matte, and is versatile for any look. While I may not use these shades with my regular makeup, they are perfect for creating stunning smokey eyes for a glam, sultry look. Also, it's so pigmented and blendable, and I love how it fits in my makeup bag."
14. Best Vegan:Winky Lux Galaxy Kitten Eyeshadow Palette
The Winky Lux galaxy eyeshadow palette features nine colors with a balanced mix of matte, satin, and shimmery shades to create fun eye looks. The fun colors are highly pigmented and have a velvety formula that goes on smoothly and does not crease even with long wear.
This versatile, cool-toned, micro-milled palette is suitable for daytime and nighttime wear and has beautiful light, dark, and transition shades that can be used to create natural or dramatic looks. It is flattering on all skin tones and is free of harsh chemicals.
Pros
- Compact size
- Long-lasting formula
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Some colors may be a bit patchy
- Coverage may be a bit light for some
"I bought this cruelty-free and vegan palette for its long-lasting stay. The shimmery shades blended smoothly without settling in my wrinkles or fine lines. And I was amazed by its easy application."
15. Best Travel Companion: Ecofavor Nude Gold Smokey Eyeshadow Palette
This smokey eyeshadow palette contains 15 naked, warm, and neutral metallic shadows for that perfect smokey eye makeup look. The highly pigmented colors are extremely blendable and come in a smokey velvet matte, shimmer, and metallic finish for super dimensional looks. The long-lasting and waterproof eyeshadow palette comes in a compact and convenient size which makes it an ideal travel companion.
The velvety and silky soft powders blend evenly and smoothly, adhere easily to the lids, and create an eye-catching effect. Moreover, the organic formula glides smoothly along your eyelids, giving full coverage and is suitable for all skin tones.
Pros
- Has a creamy and silky texture
- Easy to put on
- Good collection of nude shades
- Comes with a mirror
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
- Colors may be a bit too bright
- May not be highly pigmented
"I adore the warm, neutral tones of this eyeshadow palette; it's great for both daytime and evening looks. The pigmentation is delightful, with a nice shimmer in some accents. The quality is impressive, and they apply effortlessly. It's a versatile option that has become a staple in my makeup routine."
How To Choose The Right Smokey Eye Palette?
Go through these pointers to choose an eyeshadow palette that works the best for you.
- Texture and finish: Before you choose your eyeshadow palette, you need to be sure whether you want a matte, creamy, shimmery, or metallic palette. A matte finish is good if you have oily skin, as it has no shine or sparkle and has a long wear. If you have sensitive skin, a natural mineral based eyeshadow palette is a good choice. Creamy eyeshadows are great for dry skin, while a shimmer and metallic palette is ideal for those late night parties.
- Eye color: Brown and black eyes look their best with burgundy, but warm browns also work well if you want to go for a more neutral look. Midnight blues and rich navy blues give a very dramatic look to brown and black eyes. Warm peach and mustard hues brighten up green eyes. Layering and blending with colors like milk chocolate, cool taupe, or gold can help highlight and add richness, intensity, and dimension to your eyes. Those with blue eyes can get a greyer tone for a smokey eye effect with complementary shades of lavender and purple eyeshadows. But if you want a more electric look, go for rust colored eyeshadows.
- Versatility: A nude eyeshadow palette is very versatile and goes with most outfits, making it a good choice for beginners’ makeup. It helps you to understand the difference in the colors that should be applied to the crease, the outer corner of your eyes, the eyelid, and brow bone. However, palettes that offer a wide range of colorful shades are great too.
- Quality over quantity: Sometimes you may get tempted to buy a palette because it has 30 different colors in it, but they may have no pigmentation to speak of. Choose an eyeshadow palette that contains highly pigmented shades in a versatile color scheme that go with your eye color, skin tone, as well as personality. Also don’t choose a palette just because you happen to like one color in it. If you are not going to use at least 80% of the colors in your eyeshadow palette, then it’s better to go for single colors. Make sure your palette has a good mix of textures and colors— a lighter shade, a darker shade, a neutral shade, and one with shimmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does a smokey eye look good on everyone?
Yes, there’s a smokey eye variant for every eye type. For instance, a winged smokey eye makeup look complements almond-shaped eyes, while a thick liner on both lashes smokey avatar accentuates big round eyes.
2. What color lipstick goes with smokey eyes?
Although it’s a matter of personal preference, light or subtle shades of pink, nudes, and peach are recommended to accompany smokey eyes as they make the eyes and smokey effect more prominent and noticeable.
3. Can I wear red lipstick with smokey eyes?
Red lipstick paired with smokey eyes screams a perfect party or glam look when you want to make a bold statement with panache.
4. How do I achieve a smokey eye as a beginner?
To get the smokey eye-look, apply a gel-based eye pencil on the lower and upper waterlines. Use the same eyeliner as a primer and color half the eyelid or till the fold. Buff the edges of the primer with a small fluffy brush. Now, set it with black eye shadow for a crease-free matt finish. Smudge out the lower lash line with a flat definer brush. Then, soften the edges by buffing a brown shadow and soften the new edges with a blending brush for a dissolved effect. Finally, apply a bit of highlighter in the inner corners and just below the brow bones.
Smokey eyes are the trending eye makeup in recent times. It comes from the retro phase that is now back in style, and everyone wants to master the look. You can also attain a dramatic eye look with the help of a palette consisting of the right shades. Ensure to consider the finishing and smoothness of the product and choose shades that naturally blend in with your skin tone. Lastly, research the brand and quality of the product to ensure your safety.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a writer and editor passionate about fashion, makeup, and skincare products. She undertakes extensive research to make her reviews informative and objective. In this article, she lists the best smokey eye palettes that are high-quality, pigmented, and long-lasting. Poulami has considered user reviews to give you an unbiased opinion. The list includes a buying guide to help you choose the right beauty product.
Infographic: Mistakes To Avoid When Creating Smokey Eyes
Creating the perfect smokey eye effect is not only about using the right eyeshadow palette but also avoiding certain mistakes that can ruin your look. The following infographic lists such mistakes you should avoid when creating the smokey eye look.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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