In case you haven’t heard, colorful eye shadow looks are very much back for 2026. As a beauty editor, I’m a firm believer that the resurgence of this trend stems heavily from all of the 2016 nostalgia that’s going on, and honestly, I’m not mad at it. The clean girl makeup aesthetic has officially been put to rest (for the time being, anyway).
If you’re ready to partake in all the glam that’s to come this year, odds are you’re thinking about the eye shadow palettes you’ll need to invest in. Of course, it isn’t always that simple, especially for those with darker skin tones. Why? To put it simply, melanin can sometimes soften certain colors, requiring more effort and application time to show up. Additionally, if eye shadows aren’t pigmented enough, they can create dull or ashy looks that don’t exactly pop the way they’re supposed to. Fortunately, there are many eye shadow palettes on the market that are highly pigmented and are guaranteed to show up on all skin tones.
To make the search easier, I chatted with editors and experts to determine which palettes deserve to be in the top 10. If you’re curious to know which ones made the list, read on for the details in addition to some insight from celebrity makeup artist J. St. Jaimes on how to make your eye shadow last.
The Best Eye Shadow Palettes for Dark Skin, at a Glance
The Best Eye Shadow Palettes for Dark Skin in 2026
Best Overall: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Blooming Romance
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Groundwork: Blooming Romance
This palette from Danessa Myricks takes our top spot for several reasons. For starters, our editors love how pigmented these shades are, and St. Jaimes agrees. “If you want a multi-use warm matte palette that does it all, this is it,” she says. “Groundwork shadows seamlessly take you from day to night effortlessly, and the oil-absorbing formula keeps lids smooth and crease-free.” Neutral tones can be especially difficult to get right, but this pick doesn’t disappoint.
Pros: Buildable, easy to blend
Cons: May crack easily
Number of Shades: 10
Finishes: Matte
Customer Reviews: “So glad I tried this! The powders have zero fallout. The colors give amazing payoff and stay put for hours. I’m not an expert but these colors are easy to use & buildable. The formula does not dry my lids!”
Best Variety Palette: Juvia’s Place Culture 2 Palette
Juvia’s Place
Culture 2 Palette
This stunning palette from Juvia’s Place is a no-brainer if you love experimenting with colorful looks. I’ve been a fan of this brand for years, and St. Jaimes co-signs on it too. “Culture 2 is a thoughtfully curated palette featuring matte, duo chrome, shimmer, and metallic shades, making it a beautiful one-stop option for deeper complexions,” she says. “The affordable shadows complement brown tones naturally and deliver impressive, all-day wear.”
Pros: Can be used for day or night looks, wide variety of shades
Cons: Can be drying for some
Number of Shades: 30
Finishes: Shimmer, matte
Customer Reviews: “The colors are soooo pigmented and they last so long. highly recommend.”
Best Day-to-Night Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall Romance Eye Shadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Fall Romance Eye Shadow Palette
Users that have tested this palette say they were quick to get compliments because of how well these colors pop. The 12 warm shades consist of earth and plum-toned mattes and shimmers that last all day and don’t crease. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a day-to-night palette as well.
Pros: Very pigmented
Cons: Shades are cooler than they appear
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, shimmer
Customer Reviews: “I wanted to treat myself to a new palette, and I’m so glad I did. The colors are incredible and stay on for a long time. I am IN LOVE with every shade.”
Best Shimmer Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eye Shadow Palette
Pat McGrath Labs
Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eye Shadow Palette
The Gilded Nirvana Palette from Pat McGrath is a standout for anyone who loves eye shadows that shine and shimmer. “The jewel tones in this palette inspire everything from sultry to truly show-stopping looks,” says St. Jaimes. “While I consider it a special-occasion palette, the creamy, blendable textures create a striking contrast on deeper skin tones, making it one you will reach for again and again.” It’s also small enough to travel with, so no need to leave it behind on your next vacay.
Pros: Highly pigmented, travel-friendly
Cons: May be too glittery for some, some say it’s too small for the price
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Metallic, sparkles, velvets
Customer Reviews: “This palette is beautiful. There is a shade for practically any color I could wear, so there’s no need to pack up a bunch of [different] palettes. The size is so easy to travel with. The glitter is beautiful. I just can’t say enough good things about this palette”
Best Gold Palette: Natasha Denona Yucca Eye Shadow Palette
Natasha Denona
Yucca Eye Shadow Palette
If gold tones or smokey eyes are your thing, you’ll appreciate this stunning option from Natasha Denona. These pressed powder formulas last all day, and the colors truly stand out. While it’s on the pricier side, testers say eye shadows this good are worth every dime
Pros: Vibrant, good for smokey eyes
Cons: Not as much versatility
Number of Shades: 15
Finishes: Sparkling foiled, matte, and metallic
Customer Reviews: “These shadows are BEAUTIFUL. I am in love with this palette. The packaging, the quality, the colors- 10/10”
Best Budget: Morphe Chromaplus 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette
Morphe
Chromaplus 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette – Moon Stone
Some people like gold, while others prefer silver. If you can relate to the latter, you’ll fall in love with this stunning Morphe palette. The ChromaPlus formula delivers highly pigmented eye shadow that goes on effortlessly without looking patchy. The mix of mattes, shimmers, and metallics make for a versatile palette that can be used for a wide variety of occasions.
Pros: Good for beginners, good for any occasion
Cons: Matte shades may require more layering
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Mattes, shimmers, and metallics
Customer Reviews: “I love its pigmentation, the colors are wearable for everyday use, they last a long time, and you can create soft and bold looks with it. I think it’s perfect for a makeup beginner.”
Best Splurge: Huda Beauty Empowered Eye Shadow Palette
Huda Beauty
Empowered Eye Shadow Palette
If you’re willing to splurge a little, look no further than this versatile palette from Huda Beauty. “The gold and copper shades in the Empowered palette enhance deeper skin tones in a truly stunning way,” says St. Jaimes. “The mix of wet metallics and hybrid eye shadow gel creams delivers rich pigmentation with impressive staying power.”
Pros: Can be worn day and night, good for smokey eyes
Cons: May crease for some
Number of Shades: 18
Finishes: Matte, metallic, satin or shimmer
Customer Reviews: “I really love this eye shadow palette. The colors are amazing especially for the fall and evening. As well the formula in this product is silky and creamy.”
Best Buildable: NARS Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette
NARS
Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette
If you tend to gravitate toward pinks and purples, consider this Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette from Nars. It comes with nine shades that range from matte and shimmer to more subtle glitter-based tones. The formula goes on smooth and is easy to build and blend, making it a great option for beginners.
Pros: Blend well, good for everyday wear
Cons: Glittery shades have more fallout
Number of Shades: 9
Finishes: Matte, shimmer and glitter
Customer Reviews: “The shades in this palette are easy to blend and work beautifully together. The mattes are smooth and the shimmers add the perfect touch of glow. Ideal for both everyday wear and elevated looks.”
Best for Glam: Aora Makeup Mírame
I got to test the palette a few months back and can confidently say these eye shadows last all day, and they’re super pigmented. The gold packaging is incredibly chic, and I love that it’s sustainably made. The dermatologist-tested formula contains mica, shea butter, silica, vitamin E, and titanium dioxide.
Pros: Sustainable, highly pigmented
Cons: Some wish the palette was bigger for the price
Number of Shades: 9
Finishes: Mattes and metallics
Customer Reviews: “Loving this palette—unique design, great pigment and beautiful colors! Also love that this brand is sustainable and environmentally conscious.”
Best for Smoky Eyes: Juvia’s Place The Saharan Palette
Juvia’s Place
The Saharan Palette
The Saharan Palette is such a staple in the world of eye makeup, so including it on the list is a given. These intense shades can help you create everything from special occasion to day-to-day looks. The palette is affordable yet luxurious, and the eye shadows last all day.
Pros: Last all day, affordable
Cons: May have some fallout
Number of Shades: 12
Finishes: Matte, shimmer
Customer Reviews: “I’m a huge fan of all of the eye shadow palettes! They are very pigmented and luxurious!”
How to Make Eye Shadow Last on Dark Skin
So you want to make your eye shadow pop while also ensuring that it lasts all day? If so, here are some pro tips that take you from start to finish from St. Jaimes:
- Use a lighter concealer shade or eye shadow base, then set with translucent powder.
- Pack the color onto the lid with a dense, flat brush for maximum pigment payoff. (Avoid using a swiping motion, as this can unevenly distribute the color.)
- To intensify pigment, lightly dampen your brush with water or setting spray before applying eye shadow.
What eye shadow colors pop the best dark skin tones and why?
While a highly pigmented palette should give you freedom to use whatever colors you gravitate to, St. Jaimes notes that there are some colors that will really stand out on darker skin tones. “If you’re going for a dramatic eye, jewel tones like sapphire blue, amethyst purple, emerald green, and bronze shades work great,” she says. “These rich, saturated tones are a lovely contrast on deeper complexions, creating a striking eye shadow look.” For daytime options, she suggests using soft neutrals, so long as they don’t have ashy or dull undertones to them.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best eye shadow palettes for dark skin, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including number of shades and finishes. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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