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11 Best Eye Shadow Palettes

Find the palette of your dreams on this list of oh-so-pretty eye shadow sets
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There are few beauty products that look prettier on our vanities and makeup counters than eye shadow palettes. The sleek packaging, the assortment of pretty matte colors and shimmery shades — a good eye shadow palette is like an artist's palette of paints, but better, because, well, eye shadow.

Every great eye shadow palette has a few key characteristics. First, the best eye shadow palettes feature elegant, display-worthy packaging — something you don't necessarily get with a single eye shadow. They also offer a selection of shades that perfectly complement one another, but still allow you to create a range of looks that take you from day to night.

Then, there are the eye shadows themselves. The best eye shadow palettes feature top-quality shadows, each of which is pigmented, blendable and lasts for hours without creasing or smudging. If you've truly won the eye shadow palette lottery, it might even come with a nice brush.

But that's a lot to live up to. And not every eye shadow palette on the market passes the test. Furthermore, eye shadow palettes can get expensive — so instead of having to try every last one to find your perfect match, our TotalBeauty.com reviewers have done the work for you. Our trusty reviewers narrowed down the myriad eye shadow palettes available to come up with this list of the top 11. Here, the eye shadow palettes you can display on your vanity with pride.

Image via Imaxtree

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Best Eye Shadow Palette No. 11: Cargo Essential Palette, $32
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8*
Why it's great: Readers love that this palette of "great neutral colors" is "very wearable" and "labeled for easy use." According to reviews, "The shadow is smooth, rich, blends and wears well."

Though the colors are fairly basic, readers recommend them for "the office and those just starting out with makeup."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Cargo Essential Palette here.

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*At time of publication

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Best Eye Shadow Palette No. 10: theBalm Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette, $36
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.0*
Why it's great: "This is an easy, 10-shadow palette [that] has all the colors you need to start off with a daytime look and end up with a nighttime one," says one reviewer. "It's easy to use ... [and] has very pretty packaging."

Reviewers also enjoy "the pigmentation and quality of the shadows." Simply "use an eye shadow primer beneath, and you are good to go for the day," one reader writes.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for theBalm Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette here.

Buy Now on Amazon

*At time of publication

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Best Eye Shadow Palette No. 9: Urban Decay Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette, $54
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.3*
Why it's great: "I'm not surprised at all that I fell in love with Urban Decay's Naked Smoky Palette," one reader gushes. "UD gives you rich, thick color that lasts all day or night."

Other users love this palette's versatility. "Matte shade Dirtysweet paired with Whiskey in the outer corners and lower lash line is [a] beautiful [look] for everyday, while Password pairs nicely with any of the cooler colors for a more dramatic night look," another reviewer writes.

Users also adore the gorgeous packaging, which they say "looks and feels so rich."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Urban Decay Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette here.

Buy Now on Amazon

*At time of publication

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Best Eye Shadow Palette No. 8: NYX Cosmetics Love in Paris Eye Shadow Palette, $10
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.4*
Why it's great: Readers find that this is one of the best drugstore eye shadow palettes, because the "pigmentation is awesome" and the colors blend beautifully. "It's a great dupe for Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette," one reader writes, due to the palette's similar color selection.

Several reviewers say the shadow "has to be packed on a bit to get [enough] color payoff," but all users agree — it's "totally worth" the $10 price tag.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for NYX Cosmetics Love in Paris Eye Shadow Palette here.

Buy Now on Amazon

*At time of publication

BY AMANDA MONTELL | OCT 28, 2015 | SHARES
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