Get ready for your next party with our list of 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 glamour. 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 products to bring you high-quality ones for dramatic, bold eye makeup that exudes confidence and style.
15 Best Smokey Eye Palettes
1. Best Long-Lasting: Lamora Nudes Exposed Eyeshadow Palette
Lamora’s gorgeous eyeshadow palette comes with 16 pigment-rich colors, with incredibly long-staying power, and blendability. Created with good-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 rose gold to dark browns, and in shimmery, natural, and dramatic finishes. Its velvety smooth application gives it a flawless 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
Perfect for both day and night use Natural colors Lasts all day Does not crease Smooth and easy to blend Offers a shimmery finish
Cons
May require a light primer or foundation for the colors to be vibrant May have a powdery texture
2. Best For Smoky Eyes: Milani Bold Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette
This eyeshadow palette is a combination of 12 cool, iridescent, neutral metallics and smokey velvet mattes that can be easily layered and blended. This long-lasting, sultry palette is perfect for creating smokey eyes—all you need to do is apply the rich, deep shades from the fourth row of the palette and then apply a shimmery shade on top of it for the perfect dramatic look. You can try a wide range of looks with this compact and convenient eyeshadow palette. Check out this video to understand the product and how it works. Pros
Pretty shades Blends nicely Allows you to mix and match metallic and matte colors Good for contouring and creating smokey eyes Cruelty-free
Cons
Could have been a bit more pigmented May be slightly messy
3. Best For A Shimmery Effect: Vodisa Matte And Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette
This professional eyeshadow palette is a combination of 18 matte shades and seven shimmer eyeshadows. It’s perfect 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 ingredients. The 25 colors of this makeup palette enable you to go from subtle to dramatic depending on your mood and occasion. 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 palette comes with a set of six eye makeup brushes to make application a cinch. Pros
Blends well Lots of colors to choose from Includes both cool and warm tones Comes with a set of brushes Long-lasting
Cons
Brushes could have been a little less stiff Might cause mild irritation to sensitive eyes
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 shades 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 recommended by dermatologists, 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
Cons
Some may find it a little too glittery May not be highly pigmented
5. Best For All Skin Tones: W7 Ultimate Collection Eye Color Palette
Say yes to variety as this collection features four high-quality eyeshadow palettes that are long-lasting. They ensure minimal creasing and do not require a primer. These highly pigmented colors come in mattes, duo-chromes, and metallic shimmers and are suitable for all skin tones and types. It includes nude, brown, pink, and gold shades and is ideal for day and night makeup. The collection also makes a great gift for those who love makeup. This product is also cruelty-free. Pros
Come in cute tin containers Each set includes a brush and eyeshadow applicator Pretty colors Contains colors with a creamy texture Does not crease for hours
Cons
Some wish there were more matte colors Could be a little messy during application
6. 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 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
7. Best Blendable: BYS Eyeshadow Palette – Nude Smokey
The matte and metallic shades of this collection help accentuate the beauty of the eyes. It comes with a 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 smoky tones, so you can create a subtle or dramatic look that’s suitable for every occasion. These velvety, highly pigmented eyeshadows shade, 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
8. Best Soft-Textured: Ucanbe Luxury Gathering 60 Colors Eyeshadow Palette
This 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 waterproof eyeshadows are of high-quality and they have an ultra-micronized pigmented formula and soft and silky 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
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 color, 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 palette are blendable and smooth to apply and are ideal for both day and night use. With this, you have a wide range of shades at your disposal to experiment with different smokey looks. Pros
Combination of light and dark shades Good pigmentation Blends smoothly Stays on for long Doesn’t smudge Easy to carry
Cons
Does not include a brush May not be great for those with sensitive eyes
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. The 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 eyeshadows in cool-toned colors 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
11. Best Customizable: Palladio Eyeshadow Quad – Smokey Eyes
This 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. The formula 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 product 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
12. Best Vegan: Seprofe New Elegance Nude Eyeshadow Palette
This elegant smokey eye palette offers you 18 nude and funky, highly pigmented colors with matte, shimmer, duochrome, and metallic finishes. The brown and golden shades are great for a natural or dramatic look with a touch of shimmer, while the neutral shades work well for nude or smokey eye look. These eyeshadows have a long wear, smooth finish, and are waterproof. The super-soft colors are blendable and can be used both wet and dry for a hassle-free application. This palette is made of high quality extracts and ingredients for an extremely soft texture. Moreover, the formula has a silky and creamy texture, and won’t fade or smudge as easily. Pros
Beautiful colors Good pigmented glitters Smooth texture of mattes Can be picked up easily with a brush Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
Some may find the colors a little less shiny May not last long
13. Best Water-Infused Texture: Sumeitang Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow Set
This eyeshadow set with its ten colors is designed for shimmery and glittery eyes and contours your eyes for that added wow factor. The vegan and cruelty-free product is made of healthy and safe ingredients, is hypoallergenic, and is easy to apply and wash off. Its waterproof formula is quick-drying, glides on smoothly, and neither smudges nor fades, so its glossy luster stays on all day long. Its pearlescent diamond formula adds a sparkle to your face, and as it contains natural plant ingredients, it’s safe to use. This versatile product with its lightweight and its water-infused texture is suitable for all occasions. Pros
Comes in a package suitable for gifting Well-pigmented Long-lasting Cute shades Easy to apply
Cons
May be a little too watery May not be easy to remove the colors
14. Best Healthy And Safe: Onmay Sunset Glory Eyeshadow Palette
A combination of 20 buttery matte colors, 13 shimmer metallic eyeshadows, and two glitter eyeshadows, this waterproof makeup palette is long-lasting and stays on all day. These wearable shades can be used alone or combined to create a vivid and three-dimensional look. The smokey eyeshadow palette is a right balance of warm and bright tones and is great for a simple everyday look or a glamorous, sultry look. It is hypoallergenic and contains high-quality, safe, and healthy ingredients. The super-creamy formula is easy to wear, highly pigmented, and blendable. It also makes a great gift and would be appreciated by anyone who has a love for makeup. Pros
Suitable for different occasions Highly pigmented Stays on for long Blends nicely Vegan and cruelty-free formula
Cons
Glitters and shimmer shades could have been better Fall out could have been a little less
15. Best Travel Companion: Ecofavor Nude Gold Smokey Eyeshadow Palette
This smokey eyeshadow palette contains 15 naked, warm neutral shades for that perfect smokey eye look. The highly pigmented colors are extremely blendable and come in a 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 eyes, and give a great smoky eye 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
Now that you have been through our review of the 15 best smokey eye palettes, it’s a good idea to go through some pointers to help you choose a eyeshadow palette that works the best for you.
How To Choose The Right Smokey Eye Palette
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. Blended with colors like milk chocolate, cool taupe, or gold, they do a good job of highlighting and adding richness, intensity, and dimension to your eyes. Those with blue eyes can get a greyer tone for a smokey eye effect with shades of lavender and a purple eyeshadow. 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 and is also a good choice for beginners. It helps you to understand the difference in the colours 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 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 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 light shade, a dark shade, a neutral shade, and one with shimmer.
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 product.
Apply a gel-based eye pencil on the lower and upper waterlines Use the same eye liner as a primer and color half of the eyelid or till the fold Buff the edges of the primer with a small fluffy brush Set it with black eye shadow for a crease-free matt finish Smudge out the lower lash line with a flat definer brush Soften the edges further by buffing a brown shadow Soften the new edges with a blending brush for a dissolved effect Apply a bit of highlighter in the inner corners and just below the brow bones
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