8 cute and compact eyeshadow palettes you'll actually use

This is quite possibly the best news we’ve had all year – Makeup by Mario is finally available in Sephora Australia. And you know what that means; we finally have access to all the ultra-pigmented and blendable eyeshadow formulas he’s been using on Kim Kardashian for years. The Glam Quad is available in two shade selections – ‘Bronzey’ and ‘Rosey’ – with a variety of long-wearing matte, metallic, and satin finishes to play with in both of the expertly-curated palettes. We’re about to look like we just stepped out of one of the makeup artist’s masterclasses, BRB. 

$38 at Sephora

When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, we love a compact offering that’s stuffed full of options. And that’s exactly where this discovery palette from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty comes in. With seven glitter, matte, metallic and shimmer shades that can be worn in a myriad of ways – the possibilities are endless. Amp up the drama with a berry hued smokey eye or keep things casual with a neutral matte brown eye look; to quote Britney Spears – “it’s your prerogative”.

$49 at Sephora

Though you might mistake this jam-inspired delight as a party palette, the matte shade selections allow for tentative eyeshadow play. With a subtle sunset orange and burgundy brown on offer you've got your daily go-to's sorted, plus you can take a dip into the pastel pink and lilac shades for a perky pop of colour that’s still wearable during the day. Come night time though, we’re delving straight into those standout metallic shades. Trust.

$38 at MECCA

If the price tag of Pat McGrath eyeshadow palettes has always left you feeling a little woozy, this curated quad will give you a taste of the makeup artist’s signature silky, smooth textures and impressive use of shimmer and glitter without breaking the bank. Use the stand-out shades together to create a knockout nighttime vibe or dip into the daring picks to give any eye look that extra bit of va-va-voom.

$95 at Sephora

A Tom Ford quad is a covetable piece to add to any kit. From the luxe feel of the plum metallic compact to the velvet texture of the eyeshadow formulas, the entire experience is a dream to be sure. Personally, we love the shade collection ‘Pretty Baby’, it’s giving us all kinds of sparkly lilac-hued goodness. 

$122 at Myer

Dior’s famous 5-colour eyeshadow palettes just got a makeover. Look forward to rich, vibrant colour and velvet-soft shadows that almost melt into skin. They’re perfect for eye looks that look like they’ve walked themselves straight off the runway. 

$109 at Myer

Probably our number one pick for best nude eyeshadow palettes *ever*, the ABH soft glam palette just got shrunk into a carefully curated selection of eight wearable shades. The perfect pick for a day-to-night moment, this mini palette makes any eye look a breeze, packing practical hues into the pocket-friendly offering like you would not believe. 

$49 at Sephora

We don’t know what we love more; the wearable soft-focus finish shades or the handy dual shadow packaging which packs two matte shades AND a shimmer moment, as well as a mirror to help with application. We’re not saying Dear Dahlia rewrote the book with this mini palette but we’re also not *not* saying that.

$49 at Sephora