11 Conscious Eyeshadows for Office Looks

Cover photo by Manuel Taboada

Looking for reliable eyeshadows for office looks? I’ve got you covered! Here are my favorite conscious eyeshadows for everyday neutral looks.

Even though I am a big fan of pink hues, when it comes to eyeshadows, now and then, I feel the need to go with a more neutral look, especially if I have an important meeting at work.

So, during the past year, I've been purchasing neutral eyeshadow palettes and putting these to the test. I've been applying the powdery ones with a light coat of eyeshadow primer underneath to make these last longer on my greasy eyelid. Or with a soft coat of Glossier's Cloud Paint to prep my eyelids with a color base.

Without further ado, here’s a selection of reliable eyeshadows for neutral looks.

Eyeshadow Palettes

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette

The perfect neutral mini eyeshadow palette. Photo credit: The Sustainablist

Out of all the eyeshadow palettes on this list, this is the one I reach for the most. For several reasons!

First, Natasha Denona’s Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette comes with only 5 shades, which is perfect for when we are in a hurry and want to create a simple yet layered look without giving it much thought or having to reach for other eyeshadow palettes.

Second, if you have fair skin, it has the perfect shade selection to create a simple yet elegant look in cream-brown hues. The matte shades are incredibly pigmented, so go easy, especially on the darker one.

Third, it comes with two incredible metallic shades and a duo-chrome. This is essential for me because even on neutral-look days… I still can’t go by without a hint of sparkle.

Fourth, it’s very compact, which makes it the perfect eyeshadow palette to take with you on a trip or to carry in your purse if you want to do a re-touch later in the day.

Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Eyeshadow Palette

The color story on the Tartelette in Bloom eyeshadow palette. Photo credit: The Sustainablist

I know this eyeshadow palette isn’t new on the market and probably shouldn’t receive a recent review. However, this one is relatively new in my collection.

I got it a few months ago while looking for a neutral eyeshadow palette at my local Sephora, and I was recommended this one. I can’t tell if this was the best option available there or if the SA was a representative for Tarte.

Either way, Tarte’s Tartelette in Blow Eyeshadow Palette has a lovely color story if you want a neutral palette. Most eyeshadows are matte, and there are a few shimmery ones.

Both formulas are easy to apply and blend out. 

However, even though I haven’t noticed any fallout, I find the formula quite dusty. And that’s something I don’t fancy on an eyeshadow palette. Especially one that I’ll use to create work looks.

But that’s a personal choice of mine. I don’t want you to ditch this palette right away. However, I felt the need to warn you about this. Because I am pretty sure that if I knew it beforehand… I probably haven’t bought it.

Again, it has a great color story and is easy to work with.

Anastacia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette

Such a wonderful color story. Photo credit: The Sustainablist

For me, this is the perfect neutral and conscious eyeshadow palette. Anastacia Beverly Hills' Soft Glam Palette has everything from the package to the color selection to the smoothness of the formula.

The whole experience is high-end. The eyeshadows are highly pigmented but incredibly easy to layer and blend out. Plus, the color selection is quite broad - so there's much to choose from within the neutral tones, no matter what you're looking for that day.

There's also a travel-size version with a selection of 8 eyeshadows. It is more compact and more suitable for everyday use, especially if you're traveling.

Despite loving my eyeshadow palette, I seriously wish I knew there was a travel-size one when I purchased mine in the first place. I would give it much more use. You can even combine different layers without looking heavy or creased.

e.l.f. Makeup Bite-Size - Cream & Sugar

Great performance at a very small price. Photo credit: The Sustainablist

This is the cheapest eyeshadow palette on the list. Despite not being my favorite, as it doesn’t pigment as much as other options, I wanted to include a low-cost option.

Despite having only 4 pans, e.l.f.’s Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette in Cream & Sugar has a color story that is right up my alley.

I love that it covers exactly what I need to create a neutral, effortless look: a light shade, a dark shade for the outer corner, and two shimmery shades. However, at least for me and my complexion, the lighter shade is too light, and the darker shade is too dark.

I use the darker shimmer as a transition shade to “glue it all together”. I go really easy with the darkest shade on the palette, as it is a bit too much for me. And it’s also the hardest formula of this palette to blend out.

As most of the shades are pretty light and don’t have a lot of pigmentation, it requires some extra layering and work. However, it doesn’t look patchy or cakey.

The final result was quite natural and elegant. However, I spent much more time applying and blending out the product than I would normally do. 

Although, these eyeshadows had a better performance throughout the hours than many of the high-end eyeshadow palettes in my collection.

This is a great option if you’re looking for a neutral, low-cost eyeshadow palette that is an absolute no-brainer when creating an eye look (and you don’t mind the extra time spent).

NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

Another alternative at a mid-range price is NYX Professional Makeup’s Ultimate Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette, the one with the square size.   

It comes with a selection of 16 warm neutral eyeshadows (matte and shimmery) with different hues of light beige to brown.

What do I like the most about this eyeshadow palette? Despite the price (each eyeshadow costs roughly 1,26€), there is an excellent selection of mid-tones and transition shades. That allows us to go from a soft to a more intense look.

Besides, NYX’s formulas are well-pigmented and easy to work with.

Single Eyeshadows - Powder

Urban Decay Space Cowboy

My absolute favorite. Photo Credit: The Sustainablist

This one is a classic! Urban Decay’s Space Cowboy is a glittery topper with a light beige base that can be used all over the eyelid or on top of other eyeshadows.

Despite its price and being so viral that it is constantly sold out, this eyeshadow is worth the hype.

No matter how many eyeshadows I have in my collection, this one is what I reach for the most. Why? Because it’s a safe choice. At least, for me, it gives a hint of sparkle without being over the top.

Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows

Hourglass Scattered Light in the shade Reflect. Photo Credit: The Sustainablist

I discovered Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows earlier this year, and these immediately made it into my favorite one-and-done eyeshadow list.

Even though these are pressed glittery eyeshadows, the particles are pretty elegant and don’t look chunky when applied all over the eyelid. These are also pretty reflective, which helps to create a curated and sleek look.

I have two shades (Aura and Reflect), and I usually pair these with Glossier’s Cloud Paint in the shade Puff or Dusk.

Single Eyeshadows - Cream

Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks

The most easy to use. Photo Credit: Manuel Taboada

If you’re looking for a one-and-done eyeshadow that looks elegant and is super easy to apply, no matter your level of expertise in makeup, this is it! 

Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks are creamy, long-lasting, and easy to apply - using your fingertips or a standard eyeshadow brush.

Usually, I start by applying it directly with the stick all over the eyelid. Then, I blend it out with a brush. If I need more, I get a hint of product with the brush and then apply it on my lid.

My favorite shades? Well-being (soft pink) and Integrity (Champagne). 

KVD Beauty Dazzle Stick Eyeshadow

Creamy, soft and easy to apply. Photo Credit: The Sustainablist

KVD Beauty's Dazzle Stick was my first great experience with a cream eyeshadow, and it was my go-to when I wanted a super quick eye look before I got the ones from Rare Beauty.

I have the shade Hail Surge, and it looks incredibly stunning. It’s a champagne shade with glittery particles perfectly integrated into the formula, looking quite subtle. However, I find the ones from Rare Beauty to be even more subtle than these (yes, it’s possible).

These are also super easy to apply with the fingertip or a standard eyeshadow brush. 

Unfortunately, these don’t last the whole day (at least on my eyelids). So, given it’s so easy to apply, I would take the tube with me and quickly apply another coat while refreshing myself mid-day.

RMS Beauty Eyelights Cream Eyeshadows

Highly pigmented and really easy to apply. Photo Credit: The Sustainablist

Despite not being a viral product, RMS Beauty’s Eyelights Cream Eyeshadows are one of a kind for one-and-done eyeshadows.

Highly pigmented, you need a tiny bit of product to cover the eyelid. Remember: less is more!

Apply a tiny bit of product and blend it out with a standard eyeshadow blush.

I’ve been using the shade Strobe, and the shimmery effect is really elegant. I highly recommend this tone if you’re into grey/silver hues.

What about you? What are your favorite conscious eyeshadow palettes for office looks?