If painters have a color palette and canvas prepared for their next work of art, the same goes for makeup lovers. Your face is the canvas, and you can decide how to further bring out your features. Getting a makeup palette is one way to expand your makeup collection and practice your skills. With its assorted color arrangements, it will help you unleash your creative side and imagination.
Whether you're going for a dramatic or natural look, we chose 10 of the best makeup palettes that will suit whichever look you're going for. Scroll down to check out our top picks and buying guide with comments and tips from beauty professional Elaine Ganuelas. We're sure that by the end of this article, you'll be all set for your next purchase!
Quick List - Top Makeup Palettes
Anastasia Beverly Hills
4-in-1 Highlighting Powder Palette That Offers a Metallic Lustre Finish
Fenty Beauty
Shine Bright With This Highlighter Duo
Tarte
Create a Multitude of Long-Lasting Looks With These Amazonian Clay-Infused Shades
Elaine Ganuelas has been living and breathing the life of all things beauty since childhood. What once started as her passion became her career in 2006. Now she does makeup, hairstyling, image consultation (yes, makeovers), personal shopping, consumer research, and reviews.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When choosing a makeup palette, you must determine your skill level, your desired finish, and its intended purpose. You should also consider buying all-in-one palettes and those with mirrors and applicators for convenience. For more tips, read through our buying guide below.
Whether you’re just starting out or planning to make it a career, try evaluating your makeup skills in order to get the best palette for you. For beginners, it’s practical to start with the basic or neutral shades to hone your skills. After which, you can challenge yourself to upgrade to the next level.
If you’re already feeling confident that you’ve got the basics down, try getting makeup palettes with bolder, brighter shades to utilize your creativity. Another pro tip is to check which colors suit your skin tone the best.
Cool-toned shades are great for those who have lighter skin tones, while warm-toned colors are the perfect match for morenas. Knowing where your skin tone lies on the spectrum can be helpful as you start your makeup journey.
A good face or eye palette "investment" should contain neutral, earth tones with browns, beiges, champagne, gold, and bronze that are not too warm or too cool to suit all skin tones and ages. Whether you have a cool-mestiza or warm-morena skin tone, neutral colors will definitely suit you. If you don't want to go through the tedious guesswork, opt for a palette that doesn't lean towards either pink or orange.
Oftentimes, the first thing that people associate with makeup palettes is eyeshadow. Since it comes in a wide range of colors, it gives you options and new combinations to try. However, you might want to purchase other palettes, too.
Eyeshadow palettes come in a wide range of colors, giving you the option to try out many looks. Whether you're into natural-looking makeup or dramatic smokey eyes, you need an eyeshadow palette in your collection. They can also double as contour or brow powders, so they're incredibly useful to have.
Something to keep in mind is that the more colors an eyeshadow palette has, the more looks you can try out. However, those that come in a lot of shades are usually more expensive, so if you're on a budget, it would be wise to get one with more neutral tones that you can mix and match easily.
Highlighter palettes brighten the high points of your face where light naturally hits, such as your nose, cheekbones, and cupid's bow. They give your face a lovely sheen, resulting in healthy-looking skin.
This type of makeup palette usually comes in two to four shades, so you can easily switch between different shades or even combine them to give your makeup some depth. You can put a deeper shade on your cheeks if you want a subtle glow, and apply a bright color on your cupid's bow for a pop on your lips.
A contour palette can help emphasize your face shape and sculpt your cheekbones and nose to make them appear slimmer. It will also give dimension to your makeup base and can even be used to add definition to your eyes.
Some contour palettes also include highlighters, making it easy for you to complete your face makeup. This type of makeup palette is also more convenient and cost-effective, especially if you travel a lot and don't want to bring loads of makeup.
Blush can make or break a makeup look, so it's important to find the right one. This is where blush palettes come in, giving you many options in one package, so you can always have perfectly executed makeup. For optimal results, get a blush palette with different tones.
From peaches and pinks to reds and purples, the perfect product should have at least two or three kinds of shades, so that you can experiment with different looks. Whether you're looking for a blush to achieve a no-makeup makeup look or add some warmth to a smokey eye, this type of palette is a must-have!
Your eyebrows frame your face, so it's important to give them some attention. To sculpt out the perfect brow, consider getting an eyebrow palette for the best results. This type of palette often contains numerous eyebrow powder shades or comes with a pomade or wax together with a powder.
It also usually includes a brush or a spoolie for easy application and blending. If you have thin eyebrows, we recommend getting eyebrow palettes with pomades or wax. But if you have thicker eyebrows, those that just come with different shades of brow powder will work out just as well.
Sometimes called face palettes, this product is a palette with complete products for face makeup. It can also be a combination of different kinds of makeup. For example, it can refer to an eyeshadow and blush palette in one, or perhaps a blush, contour, and highlight palette. This is best for those who are always on the go.
It has good value for money, too, especially for beginners, because everything you need is in one product. It's definitely an all-star makeup palette that anyone should have since you never know when you'll need extra shine or blush.
All-in-one makeup palettes give you the most value for your money, as they offer different products for different purposes. This all depends on you, but you can also use one product for different parts of the face. For example, using eyeshadow as a highlighter, and so on.
Also, while there are illustrations to guide you, don't be afraid to play around and discover what works for you and your facial and/or eye features.
Makeup palettes come in different finishes such as matte, shimmery, and satin. The best one to get depends on what look you want to achieve.
Products with matte finishes are very pigmented without the extra shine, making them the perfect base or accent shade while doing an eye look. They're also easy to blend with other colors, so they're very easy to use for dramatic makeup. If you like experimenting using different colors, you'd love palettes with matte finishes.
Matte shades are a great starting choice, especially if you're a beginner since they are straightforward and easier to play around with. Since mattes have a solid color, they make for great base layers and crease colors.
If you have crepey, mature, or hooded eyelids, you will also benefit from matte shadows more than shimmered ones because shimmered ones can draw more attention and emphasize folds and wrinkles.
You can never go wrong with a little sparkle, so everyone needs a palette with a shimmery finish. It gives you that extra glam look, with added contrast to make your makeup pop. It will look great at night or in places with a moodier ambience, so if you're fond of going out, this type of palette is a must have for you!
Shimmers often have a softer wash of color that catches light. They are the best choice if you want to add an accent or a pop to your look, so for glam or dramatic looks, shimmer eyeshadows can give you that extra "oomph." As I've previously mentioned, if you have mature or crepey eyes, you might want to avoid shimmer so as to not accentuate wrinkles.
Satin finishes are the middle ground between matte and shimmers, which makes them ideal for a daily, natural makeup look. They're not too intense, but they'll still give you that extra oomph, especially in the mornings. If you're looking for something that you can use every day for work or running errands, we recommend this type of product.
If you're a busy bee who often does their makeup outside the house, consider getting a makeup palette that comes with an applicator and a mirror. For eyeshadow palettes, having a brush and mirror lets you do your makeup or touch-ups on the go. This is useful if you often rush to and from different events.
On the other hand, contour, highlighter, and blush palettes often only include a mirror, but not an applicator, so make sure to prepare an extra brush to apply the product if you want to be able to use it on the go as well.
An applicator and a mirror are a huge plus, but this is up to the preference of the user. I personally would recommend using an applicator that you think will work better for you, as it feels quite limiting if you only stick with the applicator or brush that comes with the product. Also, clean fingers are preferred over bad-quality brushes!
Beauty is forever, but makeup isn’t! Once opened, makeup palettes can last for 2 years on average. So, it’s best to maximize the product before it reaches its expiration date. The consequences of using expired makeup include rashes, acne, and eye infections.
To find out when your makeup's expiration date is, there should be a logo spotted below informing you of the product’s shelf-life once opened. It looks like an open jar with a number + “M” beside it, indicating how many months you have before it counts as expired.
The expiry date is called PAO or Period After Opening, which refers to how long the product is safe to use after it has been opened. To extend your makeup's shelf life, you must also factor in where you store it and how often your fingers or other tools get in contact with it, as these can harbor bacteria.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type of Palette | Finish | Inclusions | |||||
1 | Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit | ![]() | 4-in-1 Highlighting Powder Palette That Offers a Metallic Lustre Finish | Highlighter Palette | Shimmery | None | |
2 | Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo |Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal | ![]() | Shine Bright With This Highlighter Duo | Highlighter Palette | Satin, Shimmery | None | |
3 | Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette | ![]() | Pressed Powder Highlighter Palette for a Subtle Shine | Highlighter Palette | Shimmery | None | |
4 | Tarte Tartelette|Bloom Clay Palette | ![]() | Create a Multitude of Long-Lasting Looks With These Amazonian Clay-Infused Shades | Eyeshadow Palette | Matte, Shimmery | None | |
5 | Colourpop Tea Cakes Cheek Palette | ![]() | Make Your Cheeks Pop With This Powder Blush Palette | Cheek Palette | Matte, Shimmery, Satin | None | |
6 | Smashbox The Cali Contour | ![]() | All-in-One Makeup Palette for a Warm and Natural Look | All-in-One Palette | Matte, Shimmery | None | |
7 | Pat McGrath Labs Mthrshp Mega Celestial Nirvana Eyeshadow Palette | ![]() | Play With This Eyeshadow Palette’s Bright and Bold Colors | Eyeshadow Palette | Matte, Shimmery | Mirror | |
8 | Careline Play to Slay Palette | ![]() | An Affordable and Beginner-Friendly Palette to Create Fresh and Youthful Looks | All-in-One Palette | Matte, Shimmery | None | |
9 | Jill Stuart Nuance Eyebrow Palette | ![]() | Long-Wearing Palette to Keep Your Eyebrows on Fleek | Eyebrow Palette | Matte | Brushes, Mirror | |
10 | blk Cosmetics powder blush, highlight, contour multipalette|Rosewood | ![]() | Do-It-All Palette for on the Go Filipinas | All-in-One Palette | Matte, Shimmery | None |
Type of Palette | Highlighter Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
As expected, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty doesn't disappoint, especially with the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo. It's a 2-in-1 highlighter palette with a cream-to-powder formulation that leaves a satin, glimmery finish. Although many combination shades exist, start with the lightning dust and fire crystal duo.
The two were paired together so that you have a product you can turn to night or day. Specifically, the one on the left is perfect for daytime with its subtle sheen that gives you a natural glow. Meanwhile, the shade on the right does not hold back, offering a killer shine that's perfect for parties and other special events. Users also remark that the effect lasts all day, so don't worry about losing that shimmer anytime soon.
Type of Palette | Highlighter Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Satin, Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
Type of Palette | Highlighter Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
There's a lot a makeup enthusiast can do with this holy grail eyeshadow palette. Its 12 shades come in matte and shimmery textures, allowing you to create various makeup looks. For instance, you can create a smokey eye with the palette's dark and shimmery shades. The warm browns and golds in the palette may also be used to create a warm, bronzed eye look. This will undoubtedly give you the smoldering eye makeup Tarte promises with this palette.
Users have also mentioned using this palette for their daily looks, relying on light and neutral colors to achieve a soft glow. But it's not just the variety of shades and textures that made customers love this. They praised its buttery consistency as well, which makes application easier. It's highly pigmented and formulated for extended wear, too, thanks to the addition of Amazonian clay.
Type of Palette | Eyeshadow Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
Type of Palette | Cheek Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery, Satin |
Inclusions | None |
Some even use the light shades as a foundation! This palette comes in neutral tones and two textures: matte and pearlescent. Having such a variety in one palette is impressive, as it allows versatility in the looks and effects you can achieve.
Type of Palette | All-in-One Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
They come in different textures, specifically matte, metallic, and shimmery, to glam up your look. Overall, many reviews gush about this palette's uniqueness and high pigmentation. However, some users remarked that they found the powders challenging to blend and apply.
Type of Palette | Eyeshadow Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery |
Inclusions | Mirror |
Beauty on a budget? Careline has got you covered with their all-in-one palette that includes 12 eyeshadows, 2 blush shades, and 1 highlighter. Get ready to take on the day or night, as you can easily pull off fresh daytime looks and then quickly switch up to a more dramatic look for the night!
The colors complement and flatter various skin tones, so whether you're fair-skinned or morena, this palette is perfect for you! It's highly pigmented, too, so you're getting great value for money. Costing less than Php 500, users recommend this palette to beginners as it's affordable yet highly pigmented.
Type of Palette | All-in-One Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
But it's not just the variety of shades that impress users. The formula is sweat and sebum-resistant, and contains oil, so it doesn't budge and ensures even application. Many buyers also love the packaging, which they find compact and convenient. And they like that it has a mirror and two eyebrow brushes so that you can retouch your brows anytime, anywhere.
Type of Palette | Eyebrow Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Inclusions | Brushes, Mirror |
Type of Palette | All-in-One Palette |
---|---|
Finish | Matte, Shimmery |
Inclusions | None |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by beauty professional, Elaine Ganuelas.
Store makeup in an area away from sunlight, dust, dirt, pets, smoke, etc. If you can keep them in their original boxes, all the better! It's also best to have makeup sanitizer or alcohol on hand.
To sanitize a makeup palette, you will need a sanitizer that contains 70% isopropyl alcohol, which is deemed effective against bacteria. For powder products, simply spray the alcohol on it, and let it evaporate to dry. Do not also forget to wipe the packaging clean!
This a definitely a yes! Who's to say you can't use lipstick as a cheek color or eyeshadow to contour and highlight the face? With most formulas nowadays, you can surely and freely use a product that's not only for its intended purpose.
Keep in mind that expensive doesn't mean great. There are lots of affordable options that perform just as great, if not better. For beginners, while it's nice to have a lot of makeup products, I recommend covering the basics first to hone your skills and find out which works for you before you splurge on different products.
Aside from having a bomb makeup palette, you're going to need more backup to bring out your best visual. Check out these other glamorous beauty products that you can try!
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Editors: Aprille Jarcia, Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Re-editor: Dionn Marie Pacot
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Anastasia Beverly Hills|Sugar Glow Kit
No. 2: Fenty Beauty|Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo |Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal
No. 3: Hourglass|Ambient Lighting Palette
No. 4: Tarte|Tartelette|Bloom Clay Palette
No. 5: Colourpop|Tea Cakes Cheek Palette
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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