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8 of the best budget-friendly eyeshadow palettes under $30

Quality makeup at drugstore prices

By Briar Clark

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / July 28 2022

We like to think of ourselves as the seasoned bargain hunters of makeup.

We’ve searched high and low for the essentials, stalking for drugstore foundations, drugstore mascaras, and drugstore bronzer too. Even exxy cult-products aren’t safe because we’ve managed to find drugstore makeup dupes galore.

And now we’re on the lookout for eyeshadow palettes (under $30, of course) that meet our high standards. But, if you think we’re compromising on pigment, blendability or wearability, you’re dreaming.

We’ve scoured the far reaches of the Internet to find a healthy handful of drugstore eyeshadow palettes that don’t disappoint, and we’re now prepared to share our hoard with you.

Here are eight budget-friendly eyeshadow palettes that’ll help you conserve your coin…

MECCA MAX Mini Mix Eyeshadow Palette in ‘Disco Friends’

Not only do these conveniently mini palettes fit snugly into our purse, but the high-impact pigment payoff and combination of neutral and metallic shades get our hearts racing every time we open the compact. Plus, the buttery-soft formula makes blending a breeze too.

$20 at MECCA

MORPHE 2 Quad Goals Multi-Palette in ‘Oh-So-Nudie’

We’re just going to say it: this multi-purpose quad is genius. You can create an on-trend monochromatic makeup look in mere minutes with this quartet of lip, lid and cheek-friendly colours on hand.

$25 at MORPHE

MCo Beauty Eyeshadow Palette in ‘Peachy Nudes’

Perfect for creating everyday looks or navigating glam makeup territory, this well-curated eyeshadow palette boasts a collection of mattes and shimmers in a modern peachy colour-way.

$16 at MCo Beauty

ColourPop Nude Mood Shadow Palette

You can’t go wrong with a palette of warm-toned neutrals. That’s just a fact. Play it safe with a sheer wash of matte shadow or play a little with the palette’s impactful metallic and super shock shades.

$20.57 at ColourPop

e.l.f Cosmetics Bite-Sized Eyeshadow in ‘Pumpkin Pie’

We’re still reeling from the fact that this quad is only $6. Plus, it delivers delectably dramatic makeup looks in a deliciously rustic colour palette – slice of competitively-priced pumpkin pie anyone?

$6 at e.l.f Cosmetics

Revlon Colorstay Looks Book Eye Shadow Palette in ‘Maverick’

We were enticed to add this comprehensive look book palette to our kits after seeing celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes create literal makeup magic on the lids of model Ashley Graham. Practice pro-level looks that last for up to 24 hours with the range of eight matte, satin, shimmer and metallic shades on offer in this palette.

$18.49 at Chemist Warehouse

SHEGLAM Glitz Wiz Palette in ‘Ecstasy’

Remember the now discontinued Huda Beauty Desert Dusk eyeshadow palette? If you’re still mourning this great loss, you can finally wipe away your tears. The creative combination of playful and neutral shades in a variety of finishes has been emulated by SHEGLAM with a relief-inducing amount of accuracy. Reminisce on nights out, friends’ weddings and 3am glam sessions with this unlikely doppelganger in hand.

$11.95 at SHEIN

Revolution Beauty I Heart Revolution Mini Match Palette in ‘Peach Please’

Did we make an absolute fuss out of the adorable peaches adorning this mini palette? Yes, yes we did. The excitement only amplified when we discovered a selection of five peachy-hued shimmer and matte shades inside.

$10 at Revolution Beauty

We’re in the mood to save a bit of money, which is why we have our sights set on these Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter dupes.

Main image credit: @dixiedamelio

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).