Finally getting around to doing my very own version of the Eyeshadow Palette Tag!
If you’re a child of the 90’s, you likely remember the days of AOL and email. Long before Instagram polls, there were the email chains you shared between you and thousands of your email address book friends. My favorites were those where you answered every. single. question. about yourself – – from your favorite movie to your favorite thing to eat on a Tuesday afternoon. You would copy and paste the sender’s responses and replace them with your own (after reading ALL of the sender’s responses, of course!).
Well, the trend has certainly returned and in 2020 in the beauty community, it’s in the form of makeup tag videos. And let me tell you, friends, I am HERE FOR IT!
The one that “started them all” is likely the recent Eyeshadow Palette Tag from YouTube by Alie Glines and Samantha March. Many, many others have followed suit – – with some even adding in their own categories and questions.
So, you guessed it friends, I am doing the same. I am hitting the proverbial “copy and paste” and sharing with you my best and worst eyeshadow palettes from my entire collection. Hope you enjoy this best and worst of beauty – – Eyeshadow Palette Tag edition!
Newest Luxury – Natasha Denona glam ($65)
The newest luxury palette to my collection is the Natasha Denona Glam palette. This is one of Natasha Denona’s most recent releases and is part of her smaller palette collection, retailing for $65. There are, admittedly, some polarizing opinions about this palette – – you seem to either love it or hate it. For me, the formula and color story are both outstanding.
newest affordable – colourpop Hocus Pocus (sold out)
The newest affordable palette to my collection is the ColourPop Hocus Pocus palette. While unfortunately this palette is currently sold out, I am hopeful it will be re-stocked given its immense popularity. I absolutely love this palette and it has quickly become one of my favorite ColourPop palettes I have in my collection.
oldest – bare minerals hidden treasure (not available)
The oldest eyeshadow palette in my collection is the limited edition palette from Bare Minerals, the Hidden Treasures palette. This is one of the first palettes I purchased when I fell back in love with makeup after my daughter was born. For that reason, I haven’t had the heart to get rid of it even though it’s seen better days. And what’s interesting is that through this process, I was amazed to find how similar this and the Natasha Denona Glam palette really are. It really is too bad that thanks to this palette’s age, that it doesn’t perform well anymore.
most expensive – Natasha Denona biba ($129)
Ok, most expensive palette goes to my Natasha Denona Biba palette. But first off, in my defense, I DID NOT pay full retail price for this palette!! Every once in a while, Natasha Denona palettes DO go on sale and here is proof – – I snagged this for 50% off during a very rare Sephora sale of ND’s products. Now, I realize that even at 50% off, this palette is still an investment. But I don’t regret this purchase at all. I really love the eyeshadow formula of the Natasha Denona palettes and find that they are really worth the price investment.
most affordable – elf bite size quad in pumpkin pie ($3)
It probably comes as no surprise that my most affordable palette is one of the elf bite size quads. They’ve been featured in most (if not all) of the eyeshadow palette tags for good reason – – they are fabulous quality for the price tag. Retailing for $3 (!), they really can’t be beat. And they come in a bunch of different colors. Pumpkin Pie is one of my favorites, but I also love the Cream & Sugar quad as well.
largest – bh cosmetics zodiac ($27)
Determing the largest palette in my collection was tougher than I thought it would be. This palette, the BH Cosmetics Zodiac palette, won out because it is the largest packaging but also had the most pans of those larger palettes – – having 25 pans of shades in it. And this really is a great palette – – the baked shimmer shadows are stunning on the eyelid and whenever I reach for this palette, I am not disappointed with the look I create.
smallest – revlon illuminance creme in skinlights ($7)
In an attempt not to repeat palettes in multiple categories, I had to go with what is technically the second smallest palette in my collection – – the Revlon Illuminance Creme palette in Skinlights. (For the record, if I were to break out a ruler, the elf bite size quad is technically smallest). This is one of the very few (if only?) cream eyeshadow palette I own and I really do enjoy it. Not only that – – it’s at a truly drugstore price. For only $7, I think this is a really great value for the money.
worth the hype – abh Sultry (not available)
The palette in my collection that was most certainly worth the hype is my Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry palette. There is not one shade in this palette that I do not like – – and the shimmer shades are especially exceptional. I am so, so glad that I “fell for the hype” when this palette when was released and I sincerely hope that ABH brings it back!!!
not worth the hype – nars afterglow (not available)
On the other hand, the palette in my collection that was not worth the hype (in my opinion, of course) is the Nars Afterglow palette. This entire collection was everywhere on social media and the color story of this palette looked “right up my alley.” But I found that the shadows didn’t really perform like other palettes that I really enjoy. And while it’s better than some things I tried, it just didn’t work for me.
most underrated – juvia’s place nomad ($15)
One of the palettes that I most excited to talk about is my Juvia’s Place Nomad palette. I included this as the most underrated palette in my collection. I recently discovered the Juvia’s Place brand thanks to fellow YouTuber Mandy Lea, who frequently showcases Juvia’s Place on her channel. And she raved and raved about this palette – – and for good reason. It. is. amazing. I adore this color story and the formula is one of the best I’ve ever tried, especially considering its price point! I would go so far as to say that this brand is significantly underrated and I’ve since added several of their palettes to my ever-growing collection. And I love them all but this one is definitely one of my favorites – – a “must have” for sure.
limited edition – too faced gingerbread spice (not available)
Hands down, my most beloved limited edition palette in my collection is the Too Faced Gingerbread Spice palette from a few Christmas seasons ago. Too Faced has since released a Gingerbread Extra Spicy and for this season, they have released a Gingerbread mini palette. If you either have loved the Too Faced palettes in the past (ala Chocolate Bar, Sweet Peach) or want to give them a try, then I would definitely recommend picking up the Gingerbread mini palette this season. And while I know this turns some people off, by far my favorite thing about this palette is the SCENT! It smells like gingerbread and it smells absolutely heavenly. And the colors in this palette are so “deliciously” good as well – – and Christmas or not, I just adore using this palette.
favorite memory – Natasha Denona sunrise ($65)
The eyeshadow palette attached to my favorite memory has to be the Natasha Denona Sunrise palette. Little did I know that when I took this with me on our trip to Disney World in Florida in October 2019, that it would be our last trip to Disney World for quite some time (gee thanks, Covid). So whenever I look at this palette, I am reminded of that incredible vacation and for that reason, it will always hold a special little place in my heart.
favorite from favorite luxury brand – abh soft glam ($45)
While you may have thought my choice for this category, favorite from a favorite luxury brand, would be a Natasha Denona palette, I instead decided to go with my beloved ABH Soft glam palette. This palette has definitely seen better days, I have used and abused it. But that’s because it is really incredible. This one of my go-to palettes, especially for the fall season. I recently chose this palette for our family photo session because it is that tried and true – – I knew it would hold up, wouldn’t crease and look flawless all day. One of my all time favorite eyeshadow palettes!
favorite from favorite affordable brand – bh cosmetics love in london ($16)
For this category, favorite from a favorite affordable brand, I chose the BH Cosmetics Love in London palette. BH Cosmetics is one of my favorite affordable brands and the Love in London palette is my favorite palette from what I refer to as their “travel collection”. This collection includes palettes like “Smitten in Switzerland”, “Hangin’ in Hawaii” and the most recent release from this collection, “Chillin’ in Chicago”. Don’t judge me, but I do (ahem) have the entire collection and love them all! This brand really is underrated, in my opinion. If you want to try out one of their palettes – – I would definitely recommend Love in London – – it is just an incredibly beautiful cool neutral palette.
best everyday – persona identity ($42)
This was one of the toughest categories to select – – the best “everyday” palette. Because my palette collection is just so large (I can feel you judging, haha!), I try to be really intentional about rotating my collection and using them all. So I did not have a traditional pick for this category, the palette I use everyday or reach for the most. Instead, I looked to choose a palette that I would recommend for someone looking for a palette that does everything. It can be used for simple, one shade looks and can easily transition to be used for a smoky, glam look. And with that big build up, that palette is the Persona Identity palette. I am happy to know that Persona recently re-released this palette with updated packaging. There is nothing wrong with my original palette so despite it being a total mess most of the time, I will keep on using it – – and loving it.
most colorful – colourpop so jaded ($39)
I perhaps had the most fun selecting the palette for most colorful. Colorful palettes are relatively new to me and I also know that I don’t have near that many colorful palettes in my collection. That said, I have started to branch out recently and add some color. Maybe you look at my choice for this category, the ColourPop So Jaded palette (a collab with Kathleen Lights) and think – – that’s not that colorful. But what I was going for here was a palette that has not only colorful shades but also has other staple shades. Of the palettes in my collection, the only one that had both staple shades and LOTS of different colors to accent it was this one. So that’s my pick and I’m sticking to it! =)
most used – colourpop bare necessities ($34)
Last but certainly not least is my most used palette in my collection. Not only is this ColourPop Bare Necessities palette my most used, it is also the one that I wouldn’t want to live without. Each and every time I open this palette, I fall in love with it all over again. This warm, neutral color story just sings. I know, I’m weird – – but likely if you’ve even made it this far – – there’s a little piece of you that loves makeup like that, too. 😉 You’re my people. But honestly, if I had to get rid of all of my eyeshadow palettes – – never going to happen, but if it did – – this would be the first palette I would re-purchase. Period.
Your Thoughts
What are your answers to these Eyeshadow Palette tag questions? Share with me the eyeshadow palette that is most used in your collection or one that you’d like to try.
XOXO,
I will note, here, that this post is NOT sponsored and at this time, does not contain any affiliate links. All of these pieces were 100% selected by me and paid for with my own money. All opinions are my own and are always truthful and genuine regardless of sponsorship, referral links and/or affiliation.