Best Affordable Eyeshadow Palettes for Beginners (2022)

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. But, we only recommend the products we love. We greatly appreciate your support!

Hey there! Have you recently come into the makeup realm? Or are you someone who is still learning about the art of makeup and doesn’t know where to start? Then, you are in the right place. I have created this guide for beginners to help you learn about all the basics. Scroll down to see some of the best, affordable eyeshadow palettes on my list that I have listed for beginners.

Although, in the beginning, phases, we didn’t know much about makeup. But don’t worry, we can still create an easy and natural look with the help of some techniques. We should choose colors that best suit our skin tone and style. We can create a look that is both flattering and professional. Plus, these palettes are perfect for beginners because they are affordable and easy to use, which wouldn’t break the bank. So, let’s start right now without further ado!

List of the 13 most affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners that are also my fav.

1. Eyeshadow palette by Wet n Wild 

(Best long-lasting beginner friendly)

One of the best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by Wet n Wild
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • A buttery matte and shimmer finish
  • Ultra-soft pigments easy to blend
  • Long-lasting 
  • Cruelty-free

Points to consider:

  • Apply an eyeshadow primer for a more vibrant finish.

I love that this palette comes in many shades and colors, which makes it easier to find the perfect match for your skin tone. They are specially designed for combination and normal skin types. Which gives you a high-impact look that you can wear for both work and going out. You can find this palette at the drugstore at a very cheap price. 

 2. Color Studio Eyeshadow Palette by MYUANGO

(Best Waterproof Blendable Eye Shadow)

Eyeshadow Palette by MYUANGO on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Versatile and pigmented color with 35 shades range
  • Long-lasting
  • Cruelty-free

Points to consider:

  • Apply a base or primer to your eyelids for a more pigmentation and long-lasting finish. 

This one is ideal for experiment work for both beginners and experts. You may get a pretty impression that lasts the entire day by using it. Also, the colors are highly blendable and pigmented. They have blendable matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes that can be used in various ways. Off course! These eyeshadow palettes hues are also super affordable to use for beginners.

3. Trunaked Scented Eye Shadow Palette by COVERGIRL

(Best blendable eye shadow palette)

eyeshadow palettes for beginners by Covergirl.
Eye Shadow Palette by COVERGIRL on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Stays for a long time and doesn’t crease
  • Easy to blend and build the color

Points to consider:

  • The trademark for “cruelty-free” is absent.

You can choose any one of these palettes; each comes with 8 highly pigmented shades with matte and shimmer finishes. It is a great palette for everyone who wants to try out new colors and looks. 

4. Bite-Size Eyeshadows by e.l.f

(Best inexpensive travel-friendly)

One of the best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by e.l.f cosmetics is here!
Eyeshadows by e.l.f on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Ultra-pigmented
  • Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan
  • Smoothly blended
  • Free from harsh chemicals

Points to consider:

  • If you didn’t use good priming as a base, they would easily fall out of the eyelids.

To create your ideal look, use this shadow palette’s mix of matte and shimmer colors with creamy and blendable powder textures. I love to create rosy shades with this mini, highly-pigmented palette. And Yeah! Super cheap to add to your vanity.

5. REVLON ColorStay 16-Hour Eyeshadow Quad

(Best pocket-friendly eyeshadow palette)

best affordable eyeshadow palette by Revlon
REVLON Colorstay Eyeshadow on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  •  Ophthalmologists approved
  • They have 8 versatile eyeshadow palette

You can use it for vibrant, gorgeous eye makeup looks. This blendable formula applies easily and offers rich color to show off. Also, you can create looks that stay even longer, up to 24 hours.

6. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Shadow Palette

(Best crease-free smooth hues)

best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by NYX on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • The 2022 Allure Best of Beauty winner.
  • Velvety smooth texture
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan

Points to consider:

  • The cost is slightly higher than that of the other affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners our list.

Create different looks with this beautiful palette with its 16 shades of shadows and pigments. That gives you a variety of finishes, including matte, satin, shimmering, and metallic. Plus, it comes in a number of shade ranges, so it’s simple to choose the one that suits your skin tone. 

7. The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline New York

(Best budget-friendly nude colors)

Maybelline New York Nude colors
The Nudes Maybelline New York Eye Shadow Palette on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Easy to apply
  • Long-lasting and great for all skin types

I love the vibrant hues in this 12-shade eye makeup palette. They are stunning due to their packaging and shade variety. This beauty palette is ideal for creating a variety of eye makeup looks since it includes strong beige, seductive sand, brazen bronze, and alluring taupe shades. We can create some of the best basic eye makeup looks with this eyeshadow palette.

8. Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Palette by Milani

(Best matte colors for natural finish)

One of the best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by Milani
Milani Eyeshadow Palette on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • The palette contains both shimmer and matte colors
  • Stays on all day without fading or creasing
  • Best shades to create a natural look

Points to consider:

  • Expensive than others on my list

For fans of Milani, this is a fantastic color alternative. With this kind of eye contour and highlight collection, we can contour, blush, and create countless styles. It has six intensely pigmented colors and eyeshadow. Each color can be well mixed to build a cute look that will be stunningly lovely. Also included is a skilled brush with two ends. 

9. CLIO Professional Eye Shadow Palette

(Best with Glitter and Shimmer shades)

CLIO eyeshadow palette
Palette by CLIO on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Has high-intensity crystal glitters and pearls in the base pigment
  • The smoothing dual-end brush is soft and easy to use
  • No creasing and fallout
  • Soft and buttery texture 

Points to consider:

  • Use a primer and a base for a more pigmented look. 

Get a new level of depth, dimension, and bold color with CLIO’s professional palette. For every makeup artist, this palette is a must. Also, its strong-hold formulation makes it ideal for any makeup look. Throughout the day, you’ll get a glimpse of that subtle, sparkling shine. All skin tones and eye colors look good with these hues.

One of the best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by L'Oreal Paris
Makeup Color Riche by L’Oreal Paris on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • Best to create light shimmery looks
  • Come with a brush and a compact mirror

This one is highly recommended by makeup artists as a must-have in your collection to create a nude look. The pigmentation is amazing and stays for a long time without fading. You can create three shadow looks: shimmery satin, buttery matte, and lustrous sheen. That is why it’s a favorite of many makeup artists. Plus, it comes with a dual-tip brush that includes a bristle side for blending and layering and a foam side for application.

11. Spotlight Eyeshadow Palette Professional by UCANBE

(Best medium coverage palette for all skin)

One of the best affordable eyeshadow palettes for beginners by UCANBE
Spotlight Palette by Ucanbe on Amazon

What do I love about this palette?

  • So many colors in a single palette
  • Highly pigmented

This one has 40 colors, 22 shimmery hues, and 18 matte hues. You can create any eye look with this single palette. Literally, this one is a favorite of most makeup lovers and makeup artists. The pigmentation is amazing and lasts for a long time. And it’s quite inexpensive, so anyone can add it to their cosmetic collection.

For Day Look

Use eyeshadow hues that go well with your skin tone and eyes to create an edgy yet subtle midday appearance. The important thing is to keep the color subtle and limited to the lid. Sweep a contrasting hue into the crease after applying the shadow all over the lids.

For Night Look

Enhance your daytime appearance by increasing the color intensity. Up to the brow, blend color into the crease. To intensify and define the lower lash line, use darker hues, On the lid and lower lash line, layer the lighter hues over the darker ones to create haze.

A Beginners Guide To Eye Makeup

Eye makeup can be a little daunting if you’re not used to wearing it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! This beginner’s guide to eye makeup will teach you everything you need to know to get started with some of the most affordable eyeshadow palettes.

  1. Start with a clean canvas. Make sure your skin is clean and moist before beginning to apply any makeup. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing well.
  2. Next, it’s time to prep your eyes. If you have any dryness or flakiness, now is the time to deal with it. Apply a small amount of eye cream or primer to your lids and under-eyes. This will help create a smooth base for your eye makeup. And, it will help your eyeshadow stay in place and prevent it from creasing. We recommend the MAC Paint Pot in the shade of Soft Ochre.
  3. Next, you’ll need to choose your eyeshadow. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend a neutral palette like the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. This palette has all the shades you need to create a basic eyeshadow look. Once you have your eyeshadow, it’s time to start applying it!
  • We recommend using a light eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eye and near the tear ducts. And use this same color to highlight the eyebrow arch.
  • Apply a mid-tone shade on your eyelid and blend it up to your crease and corner.
  • Now, take a darker shade and apply it on the edges of your eyelid and lashes. Then, complete your whole makeup look with other makeup products.

NOTE: Wet a little your brush before you start applying your shadow to get more pigmentation. And, Yeah! don’t forget to tap your brush to remove excessive products.