Looking for the best eyeshadow at Sephora? There’s no single answer. (Sorry!) It depends on who you ask. A makeup minimalist might get by on one pot of neutral cream shadow. A maximalist might not leave the house without a palette of a dozen shimmers and mattes. Either way, Sephora has options for both, and it’s where I usually start my search. I’m guessing I’m not alone.
These days, the top-rated eyeshadows at Sephora aren’t just palettes. There are the original obsessions, like Urban Decay, which set off the neutral-palette craze with its Naked collection in 2010, and Anastasia Beverly Hills, whose Soft Glam palette has been a best-seller for nearly a decade. But cream, liquid and stick eyeshadows are earning just as much praise, like Laura Mercier’s swipe-and-go Caviar Sticks, Armani Beauty’s Eye Tint and Kaja’s pocket-sized Eye Bento trio. Even newcomers like MERIT are racking up thousands of five-star ratings.
To find the best Sephora eyeshadows according to real shoppers, I went through the ratings and reviews and only included products with more than 1,000 five-star reviews. That means every pick has serious weight behind it. Keep scrolling to see what makes each one stand out and to find your new makeup must-have.
1 / 11
A classic you can’t go wrong with! This 14-pan palette has been around since 2016 and has over 2,000 five-star ratings on Sephora’s website, making up the majority of its reviews. It includes both essential mattes and shimmers in a range of warm neutrals, from soft beige and pastel peach to cinnamon and coffee browns.
2 / 11
I can’t be the only reader with an emotional connection to this palette, which I first received as a holiday gift in high school. It’s a classic, famously great for hazel and green eyes (but flattering on all), as its rosy pinks and mauves make green tones pop. The mix of matte and shimmer shades runs from soft pinks to taupes.
3 / 11
Urban Decay is practically synonymous with 12-pan eyeshadow palettes, but this half-size version, which debuted in 2014, is equally covetable, especially if you prefer cooler-toned neutrals or want something small enough to toss in your bag. The colors span pale nudes and cool taupes to rich browns.
4 / 11
There are several things I find straight-up genius about this palette. For one, the shades can double as eyeliner, crease color and highlight. Plus, each row makes a complete eye look, which takes the guesswork out of putting one together and makes it great for travel or quick mornings.
5 / 11
As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better option on this list for frequent travelers or people who like to apply makeup on the go. It has three stacked, creamy-powder shades in a compact, pocket-sized format that you apply with just your fingertips, so you don’t need brushes.
6 / 11
If palettes and brushes feel like too much work, this stick does the job in one swipe and you can blend it out with a fingertip. The creamy formula has hyaluronic acid and glides on without tugging. It’s also waterproof and sweatproof, and it won’t crease for up to 24 hours. It comes in both shimmer and matte shades, and reviewers especially love how easily it blends and how pigmented it is.
7 / 11
This liquid shadow comes in both shimmers and mattes. It blends like a dream, builds to bold color and stays put for up to 16 hours (and that’s without primer!). Better yet, the applicator handles everything from a quick wash of color to a sharp wing.
8 / 11
Sometimes one good shade is all you need. This one goes on sheer and builds from there, in a soft matte or a pearly shimmer. It’s tested to last 12 hours without creasing, smudging or fallout. It's also vegan, fragrance-free and Clean at Sephora.
9 / 11
Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is the master of mattes, and this beloved palette proves it with 12 warm-toned matte shades inspired by skin tones from light to deep.
10 / 11
Yes, it’s a highlighter, but Fenty made it for your eyes, too. The cream-powder formula melts into skin, and reviewers rave about the pigment and glow. Sweep it over your lids to match the shine on your cheekbones. Fair warning: it has some glitter, so stick to a softer shade if that’s not your thing.
11 / 11
Okay, this one isn’t technically an eyeshadow palette. It’s a face palette of finishing and highlighting powders, but shoppers keep using it on their eyes. Reviewers say the shades blend easily and settle nicely on the lid, with little fallout.
