My Favorite Conscious Summer Eyeshadow Palettes 2023
Even though I wear my eyeshadow collection all year round, a few have summer written all over it. Here are my favorite conscious eyeshadow palettes for the summer season.
If this is your first time reading one of my articles, let me just put you into context: eyeshadows are THE MAKEUP PRODUCT I (gladly) spend more money on. I love discovering new formulas and playing with them.
While most of my collection is high-end brands like Pat McGrath or Natasha Denona, I now and then come across a low-cost formula that genuinely wows me (more on that later).
Despite reaching for many of these eyeshadow palettes throughout the year, something about their color stories screams summer. Without further ado, these are my favorite conscious eyeshadow palettes for the summer.
Natasha Denona Bronze Palette
Natasha Denona's Bronze Palette is my collection's most summery eyeshadow palette. Why? Because of its bronzy and orangey hues.
This palette isn't cheap as any other Natasha Denona product, but it comes with 15 shades (shimmery and mate) and retails for 74,99€.
This is the only large Natasha Denona palette I own, and I've decided to purchase it after watching so many reviews from some of my favorite Beauty YouTubers.
The formulas are incredibly pigmented and creamy simultaneously, making these easy to work with - even if you're not the most experienced user.
If you like Natasha Denona's Bronze Palette color story but are unwilling to spend much money… you can get its mini version for 27,99€. I would have done that if the mini version was around when I purchased the full-sized.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? The color story and the number of different bronze shades.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? The color selection and the creaminess of the formulas.
Pat McGrath Blitz Astral Quad Ritualistic
The Blitz Astral Quad Ritualistic was my first eyeshadow palette from Pat McGrath. Given its price, it took me months to finally take the leap and purchase it at my local Sephora.
Even though its colors and formulas aren’t meant for everyday use, they are so extraordinary that they could amplify any summer look.
All the eyeshadows in this palette are unique toppers that must be applied on top of a mate shadow.
My favorite? The light pink one. I call it my unicorn eyeshadow because of how special it is.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? Pat McGrath’s special formula.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? The unique (and exceptional) these eyeshadows are.
Urban Decay Smiley Eyeshadow Palettes
When Urban Decay launched their mini Smiley palettes in the US, I knew I needed to get both when they became available in Spain (where I am currently based).
The reason? I loved both color stories so much that I couldn’t just pick one.
So, I’ll start with Urban Decay’s Naked Happy - Mucho Happy. The first three shades of the pan are perfect to create a summery bronzy look, like the ones you’d get from Natasha Denona’s Bronze Palette. The last two tones go in a whole other summer-related direction with yellow and blue hues. Even though these last two shades are entirely out of my comfort zone, I find these incredibly special for the summer - especially if you want to add a pop of color or create a more fun look.
On the other hand, Urban Decay’s Naked Happy - Chill Happy eyeshadow palette is more within my comfort zone. I create rosey eye looks more often than I’d like to. Pink tones really suit my skin tone, and they aren’t too noticeable.
Both eyeshadow palettes have the same quality as other ones from Urban Decay, only in a smaller package - perfect for travel and festival season.
What makes these eyeshadow palettes so unique? Its color-scheme versatility with a hint of personality.
What do I love the most about these eyeshadow palettes? Having Urban Decay’s eyeshadow formula in a more convenient format.
Natasha Denona Mini Biba Palette
Speaking of pink eyeshadows, Natasha Denona’s Mini Biba Eyeshadow Palette is the one that I use the most to create a rosey look.
The formula is creamy, and the shades are super pigmented. So, be gentle when taking the pigment from the pan and applying it to your eyelids.
Given the creaminess of the formula, I always apply a light coat of eyeshadow primer to make these last all day. I usually use the one from Fenty Beauty.
Plus, the package is incredibly convenient. Perfect for taking on vacation with you or to a music festival.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? The color story and formula.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? The shade selection and the convenient format.
Natasha Denona Mini Nude Palette
If you liked the concept of the previous palette but are not a fan of rosy hues… this one might be more up everybody’s alley.
Why? Because it’s a neutral-tone eyeshadow palette. Natasha Denona’s Mini Nude Palette was one of my latest eyeshadow purchases, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
The shades have excellent quality and pigmentation; creating a look with them is a no-brainer.
Perfect for when I want to create an elegant and versatile look without spending much time on it.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? It’s an absolute eyeshadow staple.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? How these tones go so well with my complexion and the convenient format.
Urban Decay Naked Cyber Palette
Urban Decay's Naked Cyber is an oldie but goodie, but one of the eyeshadow palettes I mostly reach out for. Why? I love the shades, especially their duochrome formulas.
Despite the predominance of lighter colors, this eyeshadow palette comes with a few more intense, unique shades.
This palette is versatile as one can quickly go from day to night or from office to festival.
Besides not being one of the brand's most hyped eyeshadow palettes, this is one of my absolute favorites from this collection.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? The duo chrome eyeshadows.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? The package and its color story.
Corazona - Livin’ By Ratolina Eyeshadow Palette
OK, let me be honest with you: this was the eyeshadow that worked as a motto for this article in the first place.
Ratolina is the most renowned Spanish Beauty Influencer (according to Forbes Magazine). I’ve been following her work for a few years now, and a few months ago, she launched her first eyeshadow palette collaboration with Corazona - a Spanish low-cost beauty brand.
After watching the first reviews, I knew I needed to get one. But, little did I know that it would exceed my expectations.
Corazona - Livin’ by Ratolina eyeshadow palette is the most spectacular low-cost eyeshadow palette I have ever tried. The formulas are so creamy and soft that these could easily belong to Natasha Denona or Colourpop.
If you live in Portugal or in the UK, you can get this palette on Maquibeauty’s website.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? The color selection, the quality of the eyeshadows, and its price.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? The creamy formula.
Bonus track:
NYX Cosmetics Ultimate Utopia (squared size)
On a price range between low-cost and high-end, there's NYX Cosmetics. I couldn't write a summer eyeshadow palette article without mentioning their Ultimate Utopia palette.
When NYX Cosmetics launches a new eyeshadow palette, they usually release three versions - a mini, a medium, and a large size.
I bought the largest version of NYX Cosmetic's Ultimate Utopia when it was released in the summer of 2020. Simply because I immediately fell in love with its color story. Back then, I was still new when it came to makeup and taking my first steps in discovering cruelty-free brands.
One of the things I realized soon after purchasing it was how overwhelmed I felt every time I tried to use it. Where shall I start? How should I pair this shade? And so on. But I enjoyed the shadows and their quality. So, if I had to purchase it now… I would immediately go for its medium (squared) version.
Also, I am mentioning this eyeshadow palette as a bonus track or honorable mention because I no longer have mine, yet it's an excellent option for the summer season.
What makes this eyeshadow palette so unique? The color scheme, the formula, and the price.
What do I love the most about this eyeshadow palette? It's a color story.
What about you? Which eyeshadow palettes you'll be using non-stop this summer?
