Hot take: Matte eye shadow might be one of the most underrated makeup products in your beauty arsenal. Don’t get us wrong—we still love a good shimmer or glitter shadow for a good time, but any makeup artist will tell you that smooth, pigmented matte shades are a prerequisite for looks that rely on bold color and contrast. Plus, it’s nice to change it up every now and then, right?
All that said, if you’ve already collected your fair share of eye palettes, you may have noticed it can be surprisingly tough to find one that’s entirely composed of matte shadows. That’s why we rounded up 12 gorgeous palettes filled with velvety, wearable, and (almost) 100% matte eye shadows so you can create the shine-free eye makeup looks of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for smoky hues, fun brights, or everyday neutrals, your new favorite is in the mix—read on.
1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Smoky Eye Brick in Royal
Leave it to Victoria Beckham to create the poshest palette around. Not only are the colors predictably fashion-forward, but they’re also formulated with hyaluronic acid, so they go on smooth and silky, not at all chalky.
2. Maybelline New York The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette Makeup in Matte About Town
A number of these ultra-affordable palettes from Maybelline are matte, including this set of easy, everyday neutrals.
3. Athr Beauty Joshua Tree Desert Matte Palette
Inspired by the dreamy colors at Joshua Tree National Park, this vivid palette offers brights, neutrals, and everything in between—all matte, of course. Best of all, each shade is formulated with hemp-seed oil, organic coconut oil, and shea butter to nourish skin and help provide a smooth finish.
4. E.l.f. Mad for Matte Eyeshadow Palette
These richly pigmented shadows punch far above their weight class when it comes to value. At just $10, the 10-shade palette clocks in at, yes, just a dollar per shadow.
5. Lorac Pro Matte Eye Shadow Palette
If you want nothing but the hits—that is, neutrals you'll use again and again—look no further. Plus, all the shadows can be applied dry for lighter coverage or wet for a more opaque look.
6. Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette
These 12 neutrals all look fantastic together, but they’re also great as base shades with any other shadows in your collection.
7. Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
The colors in this palette are designed to complement a wide range of skin tones, and they’re buildable depending on whether you want a sheer wash of color or a more pigmented look.
8. Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in Brights
The perfect palette for when you just need some basic neutrals on hand. Kidding! For those times you want bright, artistic, can’t-miss eye makeup looks, opt for this electric color range.
9. Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette
The Wonka Bar–size Naked palettes have a time and a place, but this smaller, travel-friendly palette has six trusty matte, neutral shades you’ll be sure to use all the way up.
10. Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette in Mink Mirage
We guarantee you'll wear these four foolproof shades—including the tawny brown which, yes, admittedly does have a touch of shimmer.
11. MAC Cosmetics Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette in Semi-Sweet
Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in this convenient (and not-too-huge) palette. Base shades? Check. Warm tones? Check. Smoky shadows? Check, check, and check.
12. Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in The Sophisticate
All of Charlotte Tilbury’s eye shadow quads contain shades designed to prime, enhance, smoke, and pop, but they’re all equally versatile.
13. Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Cool Mattes 2
Jewel tones, pastels, base shades—the gang's all here in this pro-quality palette.
Up next: These Are the Only Eyeliners That Won't Budge When You Sweat This Summer
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