Wearing makeup is something that many of us haven’t been doing over the past 10 months. Staying at home all of the time and battling poor mental health often leads to an abundance of pyjama days, I know this all too well.
In 2020, I spent more days in my pyjamas than clothes, and I could count on my hands the times I applied makeup (or on my Instagram feed).
But putting on a touch of makeup can really boost your mood and give you a feeling of ‘having it together’ even if you don’t.
Finances are tight for everybody, so splurging on the latest designer eyeshadow palette probably isn’t at the top of your list for things to do in January, so why not treat yourself to a good quality budget palette?
The drugstore beauty scene is full to the brim of high-quality, affordable makeup that is too often overlooked. I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best budget eyeshadow palettes to give you a boost this winter, all £10 and under.
From mattes to metalics, there’s a palette for everybody. And while we all stay indoors, there’s no better time to experiment with some makeup looks for when we’re all free to mingle once more.
Beauty Bay The Book Of Magic Palette – £9
Feeling experimental? Looking for a palette that’s a little outside of your comfort zone? The Book of Magic Palette from Beauty Bay is a palette that is sure to tick all of your boxes, all while lifting your spirits with its bright array of colours. With a heavy focus on calming blues and purples, The Book of Magic has 20 shades and is currently on sale for just £9 (down from £15).
Makeup Obsession Basic Eyeshadow Palette – £4.50
A great starter palette to ease you gently into the world of eyeshadow application. With nine shades, this palette is far from basic. Containing everything you need to create cut-creases, muted smokey eyes or just a simple sprinkle of sparkle – there’s mattes, silks and metallics to suit whatever vibe you’re trying to create.
XX Revolution XXpress Eyeshadow Palette XXtortion – £10
XX Revolution is the older, more glamorous sister of the original brand. Their XXpress Eyeshadow palette in XXtortion is a dreamy quad that features highly pigmented creamy shades of green, teal and champagne. XXtortion is for somebody who wants to be bold and XXperimental, while still creating a classic look.
E.l.f. Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette – £10
If you’re fairly new to the world of eyeshadow, then perhaps something muted and natural would be a good fit. Working out at just £1 per shade, this 10-shade palette is incredibly good value for money. With a selection of shimmery nudes, this palette also features pink, champagne, mauve and berry hued metallics alongside 3 matte nudes (perfect for priming the eyelid).
Lottie London Eyeshadow Palette The Mauves – £3.95
With 9 shades and glowing 5-star reviews, The Mauves palette from Lottie London is a complete steal at just £3.95. Sparkling pinks and rose golds accompany mauve hued shadows, which makes this the perfect palette for creating an eye look to ‘wow’. This palette even includes a foil shadow, which is perfect for packing onto the centre of the lid for a prismatic look.
BH Cosmetics Digital Future 16 Color Shadow Palette – £8.40
If you’re looking for bright colours but with a light and airy effect, then this palette is for you. With light blues, pinks, purples and golds – this highly pigmented, creamy, dreamy palette is full of everything you need to create endless ‘out of this world’ looks!
Barry M X Anna Lingis Eyeshadow Palette – £9.99
Barry M collaborated with Makeup Artist, Anna Lingis to create this unique palette full of every shade you could ever want. With 16 shades, this palette is cleverly designed as each row contains 4 complimentary shades, perfect to be used in conjunction with each other.
MUA Makeup Academy Elysium Eyeshadow Palette – £6
I bought this palette back in 2015 and it’s still a firm favourite of mine, despite being the owner of some pretty pricey palettes. When starting out with eyeshadow application, I used this palette almost everyday. It has some beautiful nude-hued shades, complete with a couple of foil shades, a few mattes and a nice mix of contrasting lights and darks. At £6, you really can’t go wrong!
L.A. Girl Keep It Playful Eyeshadow Palette Downplay – £10
This American-born brand has taken the UK by storm, and I can see why. The Downplay palette from their Keep It Playful collection contains a mix of mattes and metallics. The perfect kit to create a sensual smokey eye or something more muted.
Sleek I-Divine High Flyer Palette – £8.99
Lastly, if you’re looking for an opulent hued palette, the I-Divine Palette from Sleek in High Flyer contains some beautiful shades that exude luxury. At just £8.99, you’ll be getting a designer look for under £10! With emerald greens, navy blues and deep magentas, you can really go to town while staying at home.
