As much as I love drugstore makeup (click here for my latest haul) I generally skip the eye shadows. But over the past few months, I've found myself picking up the latest palettes and being really surprised. I've got 4 brands, with a couple of palettes from each. After lots of testing and swatching, I'm excited to report what I've found. Look for these in your local drugstore or big box store (Walmart, Target, etc). If they can also be purchased online, I linked to them as well--you can find ingredients there too.
- 3 palettes: goldens (see here for review), nudes, roses
- $11.99 (I've seen a huge range of prices though)
- 8 shades per palette, with 3 or 4 matte shades and the rest are shimmer
- These are best worn wet to get the most pigmentation.
- Advertised as similar to the leading $50 palette (UD Naked), but I disagree. I really liked nudes and roses, but not goldens. All are soft and do have fall out. They do contain parabens.
swatches of nudes, roses, and nudes on lid
use a primer and/or wet the shadows for the most pigmentation.
the pink shades really faded fast on my lid.
the pink shades really faded fast on my lid.
- 6 pallettes, pictured are Earthy Elements and Bare Necessities
- $9.99
- 6 shades per palette, 2 matte, 6 shimmer
- I really liked the Bare Necessities, but not a fan of EE. See original review here.
- I would purchase more.
swatched: bare necessities and earthy elements. wearing: bare necessities (note: I should have worn mascara for the other looks!)
Wet N Wild Au Naturel
- 2 palettes: Bare Necessities, Nude Awakening
- $5.62
- 10 shades, 3 matte
- This is a Walmart-only in-store exclusive, so I don't have a link for you. I saw this on their Instagram, and couldn't wait to try! Several years ago, WNW released a LE 8 pan palette called Nude Awakening. That is completely different from this palette.
- Also note, you can find other 10 pan palettes of WNW at drugstores--they have a rounded packaging that was part of the Fergie collection that has been rebranded.
- To me, these don't feel like the same consistency of the WNW shadows that I know and love. I prefer using them wet for pigmentation, since a primer doesn't really help.
swatched: bare necessities, nude awakening. wearing: bare necessities
- 2 palettes: Natural Nudes, Sounds of the City
- $5.99, $6.99 on the website
- 10 shades per palette, 4-5 mattes, some satin and shimmer
- I found these at Rite Aid on Feb 13, and had not seen them before (they do offer other palettes but I skipped those), so I grabbed them, but apparently they were seen on Ipsy in 2015? They were new to me.
- I really liked these for the price and the amount of shadows and size of them. They do have parabens though.
While I don't see any of these as my #1 palette of all time, I do think they are great for beginners, those who want a more natural look (you can build some of the shades up), those who want to build up their collection or not want to invest a lot in beauty. I liked them. Most of the shades are very soft (Milani and JG are a little drier, minus JG mattes). I'm glad to see drugstore shadows have upped their game.
What's your favorite drugstore eyeshadow palette?
Extra Elle:
- Two more days until vacation!
- I also picked up the new Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly palette. I like it so far!
I've been dying to try those Maybelline palettes myself - disappointed to hear that they aren't a true dupe for UD though. :/
ReplyDeletexx
you mean covergirl?
DeleteOhh I love the colors in the Covergirl Trunaked Nudes palette! SO pretty! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
ReplyDeleteI'm completely smitten with my UD Naked palette --- it doesn't seem like these really stack though. Or am I nuts?
ReplyDeleteCourtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
All these palettes have amazing shades! =D
ReplyDeleteNEW POST on http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/
xoxo,
Jessica
I love the Milani palette on you! The colours are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI really love the shades in the Milani Bare Necessities palette! I'm going to have to check that one out!
ReplyDeleteJill
Doused In Pink
the are GREAT for beginners - good call. and those who don't want to commit to a more expensive set. the milani one looks nice and natural!
ReplyDeletexoxo cheshire kat
What lovely starter palettes!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living
[ Smiles ] I think that Milani looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the choice is up to you!
I hate how W&W quality changes so much. I love their oldie and goodie palettes but their newer ones are always crap! Thanks for this review :)
ReplyDeleteI really love your Malani EE, so pretty one you! I am not a big drug store eyeshadow shopper, but I may have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Sadly I don't have a favourite drugstore eyeshadow palette...actually, come to think of it I don't have any drugstore eyeshadow palettes at all! I do want to purchase Milani eyeshadow palettes but last I checked, it's not released in Canada yet.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
I don't have a favorite drugstore eyeshadow. I love my naked palette. Which I use it everyday. Love that there is other option out there. If you don't want to drop the 50 down on a naked palette.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home/
I actually almost bought one of the CG palettes while at Target the other day- great tip on wearing 'em wet to get the most pigmentation!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Hold on... you said wet it for better pigmentation... is there a special way to do that? Just dampen the applicator? I've never thought to do that. Does it dry OK? Smear?
ReplyDeleteI have never bought drug store eye shadow. I stick with my naked pallete and wear the same thing all the time. I need to check these out for a cheap alternative or branch out. My favorite on you is the Milani.
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the looks of the Milani palettes the best! I love my Bare Necessities palette.
ReplyDeleteI got the CoverGirl Roses palette and it was a major fail for me. The shadows blended away so easily and there was so much fall out.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with all of my UD Naked Palettes, but several of these look just as beautiful! The Milani looks so pretty on!
ReplyDeleteokay so i might be clueless, but how does one wet eyeshadow? just curious. i generally stay away from drugstore eyeshadow, it's the only thing i regularly buy 'brand name' (not necessarily high end, just not drugstore) but i have one maybelline one that sucks and i could possibly try that wet trick (if i knew what to do lol) instead of getting rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI have two of the Urban Decay palettes and then if you throw in all of the eye shadow Ipsy sends me, I think I am set. The Naked palettes seem to last FOREVER. Although, I still really did enjoy this post and I think if I went drug store brand, I'd try the Milani one!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
I do not own any palettes, but I imagine Natalie will get some!
ReplyDeleteOK, all of these look so gorgeous on you! I think the nude colors are my fav :) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
OK, all of these look so gorgeous on you! I think the nude colors are my fav :) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
I've seen those jesses girl palettes before but haven't tried them. I do like their smaller palettes though!! I want to pick up the Covergirl nudes one, and I've been so curious about this wet n wild palettes!! I didn't know the rounded packaging ones were just repacked from the fergie collection!
ReplyDeleteI feel a little slow - what exactly do you mean wear them wet? I have never heard of that, but it sounds like I need to know! :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to feel a little overwhelmed by drugstore eyeshadow palette displays. Thanks for testing these and letting us know what's good out there.
ReplyDeleteThe Milani colors are so pretty!! I love the way they look on your eyes.
ReplyDeletexo,
Angela
It's sooo hard to find good quality drugstore eye shadows. Out of all of these, my favorite on you are the Milani. I hated their Bella eyes singles, but I think I would give Bare Necessities a chance! Especially since I do love all other Milani products! I like a few singles from Wet n Wild, as well as select shades from their trios I end up popping them out for a z palette.
ReplyDeleteThe covergirl palette looked the best to me but the Milani one transferred the best. I love how it came out so will have to check out that palette when I'm at the store.
ReplyDeleteOh, they are so beautiful - Milani was my favourite among them if I have to pick one. And I love the make-up you did! Delicate, natural and chic! x
ReplyDeleteI rarely buy drugstore eyeshadows, they are usually a miss for my oily eyelids. I've heard mixed reviews on some of these, so I think I'll probably avoid them for now. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the swatches and eye looks! Super helpful. Have a great day Elle!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about the Covergirl TruNaked palettes, so it's great to see this comparison :)
ReplyDeleteLove the nude colors! Those Milani shades looks so pretty on you!!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I don't own many drugstore palettes, but I do have a few WnW palettes that are pretty cool. The Milani Everyday Eyes looks really nice. A cute little Spring friendly palette!
ReplyDeleteLove how you go all out for your reviews...!
ReplyDeleteJesses Girl eyepalettes looks great... These colors are perfect for neutral lovers. :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as color and pigmentation the wet n' wild one shows up the best. Looks really pretty!
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about the drugstore palettes because mine is running out. I love the look of the Milani on you!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try the Milani one I think, or possibly the CG one. I love the idea of palettes but I don't want to spend a lot of money, so these would be a perfect "starter palette" for me :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to find the Milani ones anywhere around here. Maybe they will restock soon. I have never heard of Jesse's girl. Yay for vacation!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really want that Milani palette. I love that drugstore brands keep coming out with these palettes. It seems like they just keep getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteI glanced through this post in my car, but now that I'm looking on the computer, I'm not super impressed with any of these palettes. Like you said, fine for beginners, but nothing too exciting. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete7% Solution
I really love Milani's everyday eyes. One of my favourite palettes.
ReplyDeletePalettes always make me nervous because I'm afraid I'll only like a few of the colors!
ReplyDeleteThough I have a lot of eye palettes I need to use more I am interested in the nudes and roses as I see all those earthy and neutral colors good for any time and any occasion. The roses especially would be pretty for Spring, too bad they don't stay on for long. Where can the Milani brand be found?
ReplyDelete