Leanne Bayley
The new eyeshadow palettes to buy and love in 2021. From Charlotte Tilbury to Urban Decay Ultra Violet to Illamasqua, Morphe, NARS Orgasm, and Barry M Neon.
If you spent the majority of the past year really enjoying eye makeup, you were not alone. When we sat down for a zoom call with Illamasqua’s Global Director of Artistry, Pablo Rodriguez, to chat all thing beauty, the iconic makeup artist confirmed that the pandemic really changed the way we shop for beauty products and how the trends have shifted. Prior to the pandemic (matte) lips were a huge trend but now it's all about eye makeup, no doubt because we're all wearing face masks for the foreseeable and we'll be shopping for the products to make our eyes pop.
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Just look at Kourtney Kardashian as inspiration - a lot of work has gone into making her eyes stand out when a glossy red pout can't. With her super long eyelashes, groomed brows and a gorgeous smoky eye, it's time to put your lippy aside for a moment and smize...
Kourtney Kardashian's dramatic eye makeup while wearing a face mask
Pablo told us: "Due to the necessity of wearing face masks day-to-day in the current climate, I believe there will start to be a much stronger focus on eye makeup rather than focusing on the lips. As you don’t want your lipstick or gloss to transfer onto your mask or smear around the lips! I believe people will pay a lot more attention to detail with the eyes so products such as lash curlers, liner, mascara, eyeshadow and eyebrow gels will be even more popular."
READ: I wore this £9.99 lipstick under my face mask and it didn't budge at all
He continued: "I truly believe that people will be more precise with their application and take time to focus on the details around the eyes and brows. In terms of colour, more drama is most definitely welcome. Eyeshadow shades such as earthy greens, berry purples and satin coppers are big colour trends of the season, so I would recommend to go bold with these shades – whatever you feel comfortable wearing and whatever expresses your individuality best."
Now it's time to shop the best new eyeshadow palettes...
Urban Decay x Prince eyeshadow palette
Urban Decay Prince Let's Go Crazy eyeshadow palette, £49, Urban Decay
If this isn't a collector's item, we don't know what is! Makeup brand Urban Decay has paid tribute to the creative genius of Prince with a collection meticulously curated with The Prince Estate. The range features exclusive never-before-seen essentials inspired by his iconic style and unparalleled self-expression. Prince’s signature colours take center stage with two 10-pan eyeshadow palettes.
The LET’S GO CRAZY Eyeshadow Palette extends from creamy iridescent violet to rich purple metallic and deep blue glitter.
Chanel Les Beiges Eyeshadow Palette
Chanel Les Beiges Eyeshadow Palette, £48, Chanel
A palette of five natural, easy-to-wear colours to match every mood and create endless looks, from the most discreet to the most intense.This palette can be used as a base, highlighter or eyeshadow.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eyeshadow Palette
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Azure Eyeshadow Palette. £45, Selfridges
The limited-edition Bronze Goddess Azure eyeshadow palette is so pretty it deserves pride of place on a dressing table. With nine silky shades of highly pigmented mattes and gleaming shimmers, it'll be a palette you reach for all summer. What’s more, its housed in a decadent sun-embossed compact for on-the-go glow-ups.
Clarins
Ombre 4-colour eyeshadow palette, £34, Clarins
If ever there was a palette for summer, its Clarins' newest drop - the ombre 4-colour eyeshadow palette in the most gorgeously golden tones.
By Terry
By Terry VIP Expert Palette N3 Paris Mon Amour, £48, LookFantastic
This is giving us major Emily in Paris vibes! The new limited edition VIP Expert Palette N3 Paris Mon Amour is from ByTerry, and it's almost too pretty to use!
Charlotte Tilbury
Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter - Star Aura, £42, Charlotte Tilbury
To kick off 2021, Charlotte Tilbury has launched a social media filter-inspired eyeshadow palette with shades of blush pink and metallic brown for wider, brighter-looking eyes. Gorgeous!
Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown Luxe Eye Quad, £48, Bobbi Brown
This eyeshadow palette is called the luxe eye quad and we can certainly see why - it's inspired by the glamour of NYC. The luminous metallics ignite inspiration for a range of daytime or evening looks.
Suqqu
NEW SUQQU Signature Color Eyes, £48, Harrods
SUQQU has had a makeover for 2021 - and we love it! This brand-new eyeshadow palette is designed to create layered looks with ease. Infused with Rosehip Oil, Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter, the formula is luxuriously rich and moisturising.
Illamasqua
Illamasqua Movement Artistry Palette, £38. Illamasqua
The Illamasqua Movement Artistry Palette is brimming with the must-have colours. Pablo said: "I would recommend the more subtle copper shimmers for day-to-day and the shimmery purples and greens for a super bold evening glam eye look."
Pat McGrath Labs
Pat McGrath MTHRSHP MEGA Celestial Divinity Eyeshadow Palette, £74, Selfridges
Let us introduce you to Pat McGrath’s first-ever MTHRSHP MEGA palette starring a treasure trove of 18 seductive shades. With an array of glitter, shimmer, matte and iridescent shadows, you’re ready to embark on infinite eye fantasies. This palette has been described as the ultimate "couture-colour collection".
Stila
Stila Kaleidoscope Eyeshadow Quad, £28, The Fragrance Shop
With its ethereal blend of multi-chromatic jewel tones, the Kaleidoscope palette takes your look to another dimension. The ultra-soft shadow shades are formulated to build, blend and stay put without glitter fall-out.
Anastasia Beverley Hills
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette, £30, LookFantastic
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette brings together an essential collection of warm and cool tone neutral shades in an on-the-go travel size. This is the perfect combination of matte, satin, and metallic finishes that are fully pigmented and easy to blend to create endless looks.
Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier Parisian Nude Eyeshadow Palette, £45, Feel Unique
This Laura Mercier Parisian Nude Eyeshadow Palette has been inspired by the classic allure of Parisian style, this eyeshadow palette of necessary neutrals ranges from pigmented mattes to foiled shimmers.
Urban Decay
Stoned eyeshadow palette, £46, Urban Decay
Swipe away any negative vibes with Urban Decay's new Stoned eyeshadow palette which is infused with genuine tourmaline to block bad vibes and elevate your look. This is a limited-edition eyeshadow palette so get in there quick!
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NARS X Orgasm
NARS Mini Orgasm Eyeshadow Palette, £25, Cult Beauty
The signature universally flattering Orgasm glow, but now reimagined in a travel-size eyeshadow palette. How cute is this? Featuring six shades to give endless pleasure. We love 'Danger Girl' - the matte coral situated top right.
Morphe
35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette, £25, Morphe
If you're looking for something a little less brand heavy, Morphe also has a chic 'everyday' palette. With 35 cool-toned neutrals, including velvety matte shadows and eye-catching shimmers, this is ideal for eyeshadow super fans. With rich and creamy pigments for a high impact finish, the 35C Everyday Chic palette adds a quick hit of sophisticated glam into your everyday routine.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce&Gabbana Felineeyes Eyeshadow Quad in Romantic Rose, £55, Harrods
Dolce & Gabbana’s Felineyes Eye Quad eyeshadow palette creates a feline finish with finesse. Powerfully pigmented, apply wet or dry to switch up your style from natural to dramatic. We love this Romantic Rose hue...
E.L.F.
E.L.F. 18 Ocean and Earth Eyeshadow Palette, £14, Boots
E.L.F has a new 18-pan palette which contains only the best, most swatch-worthy shades, designed to inspire bold, vibrant eyeshadow looks. The luxe formula of this vibrant eyeshadow palette is smooth, creamy, blendable and ultra-pigmented for effortless application.
GA-DE at QVC
GA-DE Velveteen Eyeshadow Palette, £19, qvcuk.com
Israel's number one beauty superbrand: GA-DE is now available on QVC UK. The Velveteen eyeshadow palette will be a smash hit - featuring nine curated shades in a range of matte, shimmer and foil formulas, you'll have plenty of stunning make-up looks after using this.
Tom Ford Beauty
Tom Ford Soleil Neige eyeshadow palette, £68, Harrods
Looking for the ultimate luxurious buy? This Tom Ford Soleil Neige should do the trick. The high pigmented shades have a shimmering finish - perfect for Valentine's Day.
Pillow Beauty
Stars in Her Eyes, £24.90, Pillow Beauty
If you're looking for a streamlined eyeshadow palette, Pillow Beauty is a new British brand born out of a desire to step away from the eyeshadow palettes with hundreds of shades and get back to simple, beautiful selections of wearable shades for everyone. This blue-based one below is called Stars In Her Eyes, and is a deep navy with copper and golden shimmer to enhance any eye colour.
Rimmel
Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Nude Edition eyeshadow palette, £6.99, Superdrug
Embrace your inner 90s Hollywood star with this nude edition eyeshadow palette by Rimmel. Every shade in this palette is rich, velvety and easy to blend giving eyelids a long-lasting and crease-free finish.
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