Best Vegan Eyeshadow Palettes in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

Finding amazing eyeshadow palettes can be challenging, especially when you prioritize cruelty-free and vegan options. Unfortunately, many brands still use non-vegan ingredients like carmine, obtained from harvested beetles.

That is where I come in! As a passionate makeup enthusiast and committed vegan, I have gone through my fair share of ‘trial and error’ to find the absolute best vegan eyeshadow palettes for every budget.

So, without further ado, let me present to you an updated and carefully curated list of the best vegan eyeshadow palettes in 2023 that not only meet vegan standards but also deliver stunning results.

Let’s embrace beauty with compassion for all living beings!

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8 Best Vegan Eyeshadow Palettes

1. Pacifica Beauty- PINK NUDES Mineral Eyeshadows

First, let’s talk about one of Pacifica’s cult-favorite palettes, known as PINK NUDES Mineral Eyeshadows. This specific palette, part of their punk eyeshadow collection, has been a game-changer for me. One of the things that drew me to Pacifica is its affordability combined with its unwavering commitment to being one hundred percent vegan. And not only does it come at a fantastic price point, but the quality and range of wearable shades are truly remarkable. Among the three palettes in the punk eyeshadow collection, this one stands out as the best seller. ‘Pink Nudes’ comprises everyday nude shades that I effortlessly apply my your eyelids for a simple yet stunning look.

What makes this vegan palette even more impressive is that it is not only vegan but also cruelty-free. Featuring 10 warm nude shades, this palette is perfect for creating everyday looks that effortlessly enhance your natural beauty. One of the things I absolutely adore about these shadows is their incredible lack of fallout. It’s a real lifesaver, especially when I’m in a rush and don’t have time to deal with fixing my under-eye area after applying eyeshadow. For me, this quality alone sets it apart and makes it one of the best vegan-neutral eyeshadow palettes in the market.

Pacifica is one of the first, groundbreaking, vegan makeup brands to ever have hit the market and be available to the masses. Some beauty and makeup gurus swear by it and even though a lot of new brands have started switching to veganism, they still continue to use Pacifica. Their products are crafted using natural ingredients like coconut water and mineral colors, ensuring that you’re putting the best on your skin.

2. Elf Cosmetic- Mad for Matte palette in the shade ‘Nude Mood’

For a drugstore brand, Elf truly offers impeccable quality at affordable prices, which is why it has gained such popularity. The Mad for Matte palette, in particular, caught my attention because it’s not only vegan and cruelty-free but also boasts an all-matte collection of shades.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me is how smoothly these eyeshadows apply, unlike some other matte shadows that tend to be dry and flaky. On my eyelids, they effortlessly create that perfect matte finish I adore. I’ve used this palette for various occasions, from casual day outings to special events, and it never disappoints.

Admittedly, the only downside is that the staying power isn’t the strongest. The shadows usually last me around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the day’s activities. Despite this, I can’t complain much, given the unbeatable price point and overall quality.

If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly vegan matte eyeshadow palette with beautiful nude shades, I highly recommend giving the Elf Mad for Matte palette a try.

3. Elf ‘Need it Nude’ eyeshadow palette

Here is another amazing vegan eyeshadow palette from Elf Cosmetics. It turns out this palette was part of their original launches, adding to its appeal. This eyeshadow palette consists of ten warm, matte, and shimmer shades.

What I love most about it is its versatility. I use it to create a smokey eye look for an evening of partying or I use the matte warm shades to create an everyday makeup look that I wear to work. The possibilities are truly endless, and I appreciate the convenience of having all these options in one palette.

Another aspect that also blew me away is the shimmer shadows. Unlike many other shimmer shadows that tend to be chalky and sit on top of the rest of the shades, these shadows blend seamlessly with the rest. They go on smoothly and add a touch of glamour without overpowering the overall look.

Elf started off as a vegan and cruelty-free brand, which makes it truly special. It is affordable and versatile, you really can’t ask for more. If you do not want to spend on two different palettes for day and night looks, this palette will, in my opinion, be the perfect all-in-one solution to your eyes. Pick this one up and you are good to go for whenever your eyes need a little bit of defining and a lot of fun.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics: Jeffree Star X Shane Dawson Conspiracy palette

If you prefer more subtle and muted shades, this palette might not be your cup of tea. Jeffree Star is known for curating daring and dazzling colors that are anything but ordinary. His palette’s unique and catchy shade names only add to the excitement.

I’ve donned this vegan eyeshadow palette on special night outs with friends when I wanted to embrace confidence and authenticity. The crazy shades allowed me to experiment with a bold and bright neon look, which I absolutely loved. On other occasions, I’ve created subtle and sophisticated looks using the neutrals.

Though it might be on the pricier side, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny. The versatility of this palette is incredible – it adapts to your mood and lets you express yourself however you desire.

The quality of Jeffree Star Cosmetics is genuinely unparalleled. You won’t find any cheap or poorly produced eyeshadows from this brand.

Jeffree Star ‘Mini Breaker’ Eyeshadow Palette

Introducing a captivating mini vegan eyeshadow palette from Jeffree Star Cosmetics! This version features nine shades, part of the Jawbreaker palette.

What sets Jeffree Star Cosmetics apart is their inclusion of both shimmer and matte shadows in their palettes, allowing for cohesive and multidimensional eye looks. This mini palette offers nine bright colors, primarily in pink, purple, and nude shades, with one grey shimmer shade for added variety.

I’ve personally fallen in love with the buttery consistency of the shimmer shadows, and the best part is they have zero fallout! It’s truly a pleasure to create fun and playful looks with this palette.

Being a mini version, it’s more budget-friendly, yet incredibly versatile. I’ve used it for various occasions, from casual outings with friends to special events where I wanted to stand out with my pink and bright shades.

If you’re looking to add some fun and vibrancy to your eyeshadow collection, I highly recommend considering the Mini Breaker or the Jawbreaker palette. They’ve become my go-to choices for playful and captivating eye looks!

Lime Crime Venus Eyeshadow Palette in the shade ‘Ivory’

Lime Crime, a fantastic vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand, has captured my heart and quickly become one of my favorites. Their prices struck the perfect balance between affordability and quality, making them even more appealing.

Lime Crime Venus Eyeshadow Palette in the shade ‘Ivory’ is part of the three-series Venus eyeshadows. Ivory is the best-selling shade among the three for various reasons. It features wearable ruby spectrum shades, ranging from velvety mattes to opals and fully mattes. With four crease shades and four stand-alone shades, it offers versatility for different makeup looks.

One shade that completely stole my heart in this vegan palette is the enchanting ‘Aura’ – a mesmerizing golden ivory that is truly one of a kind. It’s not your typical champagne shade nor blinding ivory; it’s something exceptionally rare and stunning. It’s become my go-to shade for special occasions or when I want that extra bit of enchantment in my makeup.

I particularly love wearing these Lime Crime Venus shades in the fall season. Its warm shades are perfect for creating those cozy autumn looks that complement my skin tone beautifully. I encourage you to give these shades a try!

Pacifica Beauty Eyeshadow palette in the shade ‘Glass Matrix’

Pacifica beauty does it again with another stunning palette! The ‘Glass Matrix’ offers 10 shimmer shades, which might make you think it’s not stand-alone. But don’t worry, once you try it, you’ll be amazed by how well the shades blend together, even in the crease.

One thing I truly loved about this palette is how versatile it is. The shimmer shades work wonderfully not just as toppers but also as stand-alone shades, allowing for endless creativity and experimentation.

However, I do have veiny under eyes, and I noticed that the cool tones in the palette tend to bring out the greys and blues surrounding them. This slightly increased the visibility of my darker under eyes and veins. Despite that, the beautiful shades and their blendability make it a go-to vegan palette for other eye looks. Just be aware of this factor if you have a similar concern.

Pacifica Beauty offers incredible value for the price, making them an excellent choice, particularly for beginners. If you’re new to makeup or simply looking to expand your collection, I highly recommend considering any of Pacifica’s palettes. 

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Exaggereyes Eyeshadow Palette in the shade ‘Rose Gold’

The Bigger Brighter Eyes eyeshadow palette was specifically designed to enhance the appearance of the eyes, making them appear larger, brighter, and more awake. Exaggereyes caught my attention with its rosy-brown shades.

The palette exceeded my expectations when I saw it in person. The soft, buttery texture of each of the four eye shadows made them incredibly easy to work with. Even the matte reddish-brown shade impressed me with its high pigmentation and seamless blending.

The captivating shimmer shades, formulated to sit on a translucent base, allowed the glitter to shine beautifully without interfering with other colors. The rich and beautiful shade range, featuring rose gold shimmers and ivory opals, makes this vegan palette an absolute must-have for any makeup enthusiast.

If you want a look that exudes luxury and elegance, Charlotte Tilbury’s vegan palette is the perfect choice. From my personal experience, this high-end vegan eyeshadow palette is worth every penny and truly stands out as one of the best available in the market today.

All of the above-mentioned products are available on Amazon and their respective websites. Each of these brands are PETA-certified and follow the veganism standards strictly. 

Conclusion

The beauty and makeup industry today is dynamic and ever-evolving. The industries and brands have started becoming more and more sensitive to a broader target audience. Which includes vegans, people with sensitive skin, etc. For this very purpose, a lot of brands are switching to veganism this very year. 

One brand that caught my attention a few years ago was Kat Von D. They made a significant and admirable commitment to becoming 100% vegan by the end of 2020, and they have successfully achieved it. Kat Von D Beauty is now proudly recognized as a fully vegan and cruelty-free brand. What sets them apart is not only their complete reformulation of the entire product line but also the addition of “vegan” to their brand name. 

Like Kat Von D, almost every other brand is turning to veganism and the beauty industry is bound to face a major change in the next few years. You would be able to get any products without having to check for vegan and cruelty-free stamps. A lot of cruelty-free brands have started switching their products to vegan products by launching exclusive vegan products from their already curated items. These brands include big names like NYX, Hourglass, etc. 

But till then, there are a lot of makeup brands that have already converted or even started out as vegan and cruelty-free brands, both affordable and high-end. I know it is quite difficult to filter your choices but with the market situation today, a lot of vegan options are easily available. So don’t worry and get your shopping carts ready, beauty and makeup await you.