Best ('basic') eyeshadow palette for daytime wear?? - YouLookFab Forum

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Best ('basic') eyeshadow palette for daytime wear??

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I'm hoping some YLF makeup mavens will chime in. My head hurts after wading through page after page at Makeup Alley!

I am looking for a modest-sized makeup palette to get my feet wet again wrt to wearing eye makeup.

My wants are:
* mostly neutrals, but a brighter/more dramatic color is okay, too (i.e. deep purple)
* mostly mattes, some metallic okay
* good pigmentation, not too sheer
* easy to wear during the day, but possible to turn up volume for evening looks
* good-sized mirror and makeup pans
* nice travel brush included

And of course the basics that most people look for in eyeshadow - easy to blend, creamy/velvety vs chalky, no 'fallout' from sparkles/metallic shades.

I'm fairly pale, so I do have to be careful with going "too" neutral (i.e. BLAH).

Any thoughts on department store palettes? I'm really just looking to have a little fun. I do not want 150 shades, or even 20-30. I'd be happy with as few as 4 and probably not more than 10. Any suggestions will greatly help me when I'm testing things out at the makeup counter.

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Missey

Krista

Veteran

I personally like the makeup at MAC and the generic brand at Sephora. I've used both for a few years now and find them comparable in quality and staying power (although, the best thing for staying power is to apply a primer on your eyelid before you apply eye shadow - especially if you have oily skin!).

Sephora has nice palettes available in a variety of shades and I find the staff quite helpful in finding something that works with your complexion. Their generic brand has neutral palettes for makeup (approx 5 shades per palette), as well as "fun" palettes, so I know it won't be difficult to find what you are looking for.

MAC is not really known for their palettes, they usually sell their shades in individual pots (although they sell small palettes each season I think for their new shades) . Even so, you really only need 4 pots at the most to have a basic eye shadow "capsule". You can get away with 3 at the most for day wear and then your fourth shade can be the one you add for drama when you are going out. The only problem is that the pots do not come with their individual brushes and mirrors, so when you travel you have to bring your own.

Although I wear full makeup every day, I find makeup expensive and you really don't need that much. That's why I like Sephora and MAC - they tend to let you browse on your own and buy what you need.

Hope that helps!

Raisin

Veteran

A lot of people love the Naked palettes by Urban Decay. I do have the first one, and the shadows are great quality, but too many have sparkles for me. I need more mattes. So I'm still on the hunt for a perfect basic nudes palette. They have a palette of browns by LORAC on Sephora that looks really promising, I think it's called Unzipped. I have always found their shadows to be fantastic. They're not matte, but they're not sparkly or frosty either.

Atlantia

Veteran

Smashbox Photo Op has kits based on your eye color, and the pigmentation is nice. You can do a lot with the colors they give you, so if you're just getting your eyeshadow love on, that's a great way to start.
I love the LORAC Unzipped palette that RunnerRae mentioned. Laura Mercier has empty palettes with three or six spots so you can make your own, and that's really fab. I'm not too keen on Stila, even with the beautiful Kitten color that everyone loves, because I always find there's tons of fallout.
Hope that helps, and have lots of fun!

Anonymous

I am loving the brand-new Urban Decay Naked Basics palette! Here's a review on Temptalia:

http://www.temptalia.com/urban.....s-swatches

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Wow - fantastic feedback, THANK YOU!

Krista - Is this the Sephora 'eye color' palette you were thinking of?
http://www.sephora.com/pro-les.....Id=1332055
(I would need the green.)

Looks promising - I could definitely use the 'built-in' tutorial of day and night looks.

This might be one of the 'fun' palettes you were thinking of? http://www.sephora.com/primal-.....Id=1430503 Pretty!

I have heard GREAT things about MAC eyeshadow pots - this will help me focus my search for reviews on MUA, and also when I go to the makeup counter. I do not mind assembling my own set (in fact it sounds ideal) -and I'm sure the counter gal can offer great suggestions. I might even find some "standard" combinations that work for green eyes in the MUA reviews. Thank you!

RunnerRae - I keep waffling on the Naked palette, but always end up shying away because so many shadows seem sparkly. Glad you chimed in on that as well. I noticed the Lorac browns set as well: http://www.sephora.com/unzippe.....Id=1385988 Still 6 shimmer shades...guess I'd have to get some counter help to find out if these are appropriate for daytime looks. Love all the colors tho!!!
Have you looked at the Lorac Pro palette? It looks AMAZING. Even number of matte and shimmer. I can't wait to check it out in person...http://www.sephora.com/pro-pal.....Id=1432384

Atlantia - LOVE the hazel eyes kit from Smashbox - http://www.sephora.com/photo-o.....Id=1469550 Will absolutely check this out in person. I might have some tough choices ahead! I *am* just "getting my eyeshadow love on" (love that phrase!) so I don't want to go overboard, neither do I want to get such a limited selection that I'm already bored. I so appreciate ALL the suggestions in this thread!

I have heard wonderful reviews on LM eyeshadow pigmentation, so I will swing by that counter as well and see what kind of 3 or 6-color set I could create.

Wow - so much great help here! Thanks, all!

Raisin

Veteran

Yes I do find the Naked palettes a little sparkly for my tastes. Although some shades are fine, and there are like 12 so you could get it without using some. I know the LORAC ones say shimmery but they are a very nice, grown up shimmer. DH was actually the one that bought me a LORAC palette a long time ago, and I was smitten. I always wore my LORAC eyeshadows for day wear and they were not too shimmery at all. I find a *bit* of shimmer is actually more flattering and easier to use than totally matte. I honestly think they are the best shadows I've used. I think you have talked me into getting the Unzipped palette now! haha.

Anonymous

Girls, the new Naked Basics palette is not sparkly! Mattes and satins. Love it!

Raisin

Veteran

Oh really Alicat! I only have the first one, maybe I should try the new one. I do like the shades better in that one. Well I am traveling to my parents for Christmas and they have Sephora there so I will definitely have to test it out. I actually almost never wear eyeshadow anymore so I got rid of almost everything, but when I do wear it I want just neutrals, and I'm still looking for the perfect palette.

Anonymous

Rae, I'm talking about the brand-new Basics palette:

http://www.sephora.com/naked-b.....Id=1458157

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I bought the Smashbox *Limited Edition* Image Factory Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette in "Muse" during the NAS (I think it was NAS, but can't remember) last summer, and I love it. Unfortunately, Sephora and other mainstream stores no longer carry it, since it was a limited edition. Here's a pic of the item on Amazon...(photo #1). I think you can still get it at places like Amazon and QVC etc.

That said though, I see that there is a Smashbox kit for hazel eyes as mentioned in your last post..and I think you might be wise to investigate that one. I can say from my own experience that I love the Smashbox eye palette that I bought, it's good quality and nice colours etc.

I have shied away from the Naked (Urban Decay) palettes because of the glitter factor ...I think Smashbox has a better assortment of softer, more wear-able colours, imo.

Also, there are some reasonably good Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow quads out there...although these wouldn't come in a fancy case, or with a decent brush etc. Here's one from Ulta in "Additude" (pic #2). By the way, these are available everywhere, so if you just wanted to try a few colors out and play around a bit before getting a more expensive palette, these would be an excellent choice. Here's a link (Ulta) of all the available colour quads in the Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow lineup:

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....sku2240017

I like "Addictive", "Attitude" and "Moonlit". Good basic everyday colours. Very good quality for the price, although the casing isn't going to last forever, and no nice brush etc. Still, fun to try.

Enjoy

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Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Alicat - I'm sorry I missed your reply! We must have cross-posted. I think the full Naked palette may not be right for me but I'm intrigued by the 'basics' collection - or maybe I'm just a sucker for anything that says basics/essentials/must-haves, etc. LOL I do worry that the light shades will disappear on me, but I want to check it out in person.

tayleigh

Temptalia has really great reviews if you want to wade through a little less material than Makeup Alley. Plus you can look at swatches without cross referencing all the time. Looks like the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette got a really great review.

http://www.temptalia.com/categ.....p-palettes

I have theBalm Nude'tude palette which I really like. You get a dual ended liner/shadow brush with it too. It's not the greatest brush but it's not bad either and it is at least convenient

http://www.temptalia.com/theba.....s-swatches

I actually kind of like the packaging with the naked ladies but I have the tame packaging version instead because that was what was on sale when I bought it.

Urban Decay Naked 2 has more mattes if that's a concern - since you don't have the Naked palette already there shouldn't be a problem with similarity

http://www.temptalia.com/urban.....os-reviews

Hope that helps!

Raisin

Veteran

Alicat that new basics palette looks awesome! Thanks!

Lisa

Veteran

I wear a Lancome shadow/liner set in Taupe for daytime.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....tback=2281

And I use their eyeshadow base for all day coverage.

Kristin L

Veteran

I love the make-up palettes from Stila. The one I have is similar to this http://www.sephora.com/vibrant.....Id=1451301 , except mine is in shades of taupe with a purple.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I second Alicat. I love the Urban Decay Naked palette (the first one). I wear it 90% of the time for day.
If you aren't interested in a palette, I love MAC's Wedge for a crease shade. It's almost nude, but creates the perfect "shadow". A lot of times I will use a cream white shadow (Chanel Fantasme) on the lid, and pop the crease with MAC Wedge and then line. It's a great, bright day look.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Lisa - pretty! I love Lancome.

Kristen - what a fun palette from Stila!

Sarah - I was hoping you would chime in ...You're actually the impetus for me stepping up my makeup game! I love seeing your makeup on your blog, especially mini-pseudo tutorials (hint, hint). I tried Smashbox foundation and primer - I think I like it - well, I liked it before she put powder on, and I could see every pore and facial hair. blech. I know you've recommended a powder before on your blog, but the brand escapes me.

I tried the Lorac Pro Palette today...guys, I look about 150 years old! So crepey and dry looking on and around my eyes. Yikes. I will post pix soon. Please be assured that the camera is not picking up all the hideousness of the makeup. Aside from a slightly too harsh application, I just worry that the shimmer shadows are not right for my skin texture.

Besides which my husband informed me flat out that he is NOT a fan of shimmery eyeshadow. So I'm going to take another look at the Naked basics palette...I don't mind a palette that has maybe one shimmery, but it looks like I'll be best served with a small palette of mostly matte. (Maybe Laura Mercier custom palettes are the way to go then...I can get mostly mattes with only one or two shimmers for girls' nights out, etc.)

Please, if you have any other suggestions, let me know - this is a great thread!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Hm, not as harsh in the photos, but oy, so crepe-y in person.

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annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I should dig through my eyeshadow stash. I can't wear it anymore. It would be used, but you can spray it with alcohol. Would you be interested? They'd be high end department store and Sephora quality.

Atlantia

Veteran

You can always try a primer to help with crepeyness, but I find it better to find a formula that loves your eyelids.
By the way, love the colors you've got on there, especially the one right on the center of your eyelid. Find yourself a duplicate in a formula you like, and you're going to be happy.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Atlantia - she did use primer, and I still got very "nice" definition on my laugh lines - which normally don't bother me, but the skin on and around my eyes just looks so, leathery or something.

Anna, that is incredibly generous of you - I hope you won't mind if I decline - mainly because I really need to try things on in person, and because I'd be too lazy to pass things on if they didn't work for me! You are a very thoughtful person though. :)))

Traci

Veteran

I know it's waaaaaaay below your price point, but I recently got a $5 elf eye shadow palette from Target that I've been using instead of my UD naked palette. I'm really enjoying it. They had a nude set and a more colorful set.

This is the more colorful one
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/st.....ed_edition

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I really like UD Naked and of course, Naked 2.

Krista

Veteran

MPJ, I like the Sephora palette you linked to! It was not what I was thinking of, but it looks like it would be good!

This is the one I was thinking of: http://www.sephora.com/colorfu.....Id=1238500

It's really important to choose what you like, though! Otherwise, the makeup will go bad and it's too expensive to never wear it!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

lyn* - the Naked palettes totally have a huge following. I am a little overwhelmed by them. Maybe it's just my minimalist nature.

VC - I missed you earlier, sorry! I am going to give DS quads another look, particularly the Revlons you mentioned. I have been burnt by DS makeup before, as I find it can often be heavily scented (foundations, lipsticks, etc), or skew a little young (super sparkly). But I like some of the Revlon quads I'm seeing, so I'll take another look. I guess the other big reason I wanted to go the department store route is that you *can* get help from the counter gal. Then again, you can have someone who is just determined to sell you makeup no matter WHAT you look like.

Tayleigh - I'm going to dive into the Temptalia site - thanks for the link!

I really want to find something, SOON. Looking at the second picture above, I seriously want to cry.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Not sure if you've considered it, but I'd like to recommend Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (in pic below)....this stuff really does work, and will smooth out lids as well as help eye-makeup stay on. No matter what eye shadow palette you end up choosing, the UD primer potion will go a long way in terms of making lids look much better, helping eye makeup stay on and last longer etc. This stuff is like 'foundation makeup' for eyes. I would suggest getting the nude colour - you will be surprised at how much better this stuff makes your lids look, and further - how well it helps eyeshadow and liner stay put. It also acts as a 'primer' in that it helps smooth things over, fill things in - if that makes sense. To compare the UD eyeshadow primer potion to face makeup - the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion is a two-in-one deal - acts as a primer (smooths things out) and also works beautifully as a kind of 'foundation' makeup for eyes.

Meanwhile, I agree with you, re: department store versus drugstore - it does help to have someone find just the right colours and formulations. Having said that though, the Revlon Colorstay quads are a great deal for the price. No, the packaging isn't the best, and there's no nice eye brush or what have you, but if you wanted to experiment a wee bit, these are fun to try and are much better quality than you'd think.

I've yet to try an Urban Decay eyeshadow palette - while I was kind of intrigued by their Naked palettes, in the end I decided that Naked and Naked II had too many 'glittery' colours in them (for me). Meanwhile, I'm very interested in Alicat's suggestion of their new 'basic' palette - featuring mostly matte colours. Seems to be a new, more moderate palette worth looking into

...

You know what? The Lorac eyeshadows you tried today look really beautiful on you...the colours are fabulous on your eyes, and if it's just a matter of not liking the texture or worrying about barely-there fine lines or what have you - the UD Eyeshadow primer potion stuff I mentioned will fix all of that.

Keep shopping, and looking around - you'll find the perfect eye palette soon enough. I think Angie's PPP suggestion/rule applies - it's ok to be patient, picky and ...particular, persistent...something along those lines - I can never remember what the third word acutally is. Patient and picky for sure. Take your time, and have fun with this!

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keruchina

There is also a Naked Basics palette that is completely matte.

My personal preference is to put together your own neutral 4 pack palette at MAC. You don't get the ease of having someone else put it together for you, but you can choose exactly the level of shimmer that you want (IMO a touch of shimmer is generally softening.

They will work with you to get the right combo for you and you can choose the type of case that you put them in.

Golden

Veteran

Individual shadows might be better than a palette, this way you have a better chance of using your colors, all of them. MAC might be a goog place to start, brûlée and omega or wedge might be a couple of good ones for a starting point or bobbie brown sometimes does a basics palette with 3 colors. Make up should be fun and it's washable so enjoy!!!!

Liz

Veteran

Just noting that this is a year-old thread; the original poster may not see the current responses.

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