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6 cute and compact eyeshadow palettes you'll actually use

The Danny Devito of shadow selections

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Junior Beauty Writer / February 25 2021

There is something oh-so-satisfying about a mini version of something. Whether they’re cuter or a curated version of their larger counterparts, minis just hit different.

Here, we’ve selected a pocketful of pint-sized mini eyeshadow palettes that will give you steadfast, surefire looks - all while fitting neatly in your purse for on-the-go makeup application that doesn’t compromise on results.

Too Faced That's My Jam On-the-Fly Eye Shadow Palette

Though you might mistake this jam-inspired delight as a party palette, the matte shade selections allow for tentative eyeshadow play. With a subtle sunset orange and burgundy brown on offer you've got your daily go-to's sorted, plus you can take a dip into the pastel pink and lilac shades for a perky pop of colour that’s still wearable during the day. Come night time though, we’re delving straight into those standout metallic shades. Trust.

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PAT MCGRATH LABS Celestial Divinity Luxe Makeup Quad

If the price tag of Pat McGrath eyeshadow palettes has always left you feeling a little woozy, this curated quad will give you a taste of the makeup artist’s signature silky, smooth textures and impressive use of shimmer and glitter without breaking the bank. Use the stand-out shades together to create a knockout nighttime vibe or dip into the daring picks to give any eye look that extra bit of va-va-voom.

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Tom Ford Eye Color Quad

A Tom Ford quad is a covetable piece to add to any kit. From the luxe feel of the plum metallic compact to the velvet texture of the eyeshadow formulas, the entire experience is a dream to be sure. Personally, we love the shade collection ‘Pretty Baby’, it’s giving us all kinds of sparkly lilac-hued goodness.

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DIOR 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette

Dior’s famous 5-colour eyeshadow palettes just got a makeover. Look forward to rich, vibrant colour and velvet-soft shadows that almost melt into skin. They’re perfect for eye looks that look like they’ve walked themselves straight off the runway.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Soft Glam EyeShadow Palette

Probably our number one pick for best nude eyeshadow palettes *ever*, the ABH soft glam palette just got shrunk into a carefully curated selection of eight wearable shades. The perfect pick for a day-to-night moment, this mini palette makes any eye look a breeze, packing practical hues into the pocket-friendly offering like you would not believe.

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DEAR DAHLIA Paradise Dual Eyeshadow Palette Mini

We don’t know what we love more; the wearable soft-focus finish shades or the handy dual shadow packaging which packs two matte shades AND a shimmer moment, as well as a mirror to help with application. We’re not saying Dear Dahlia rewrote the book with this mini palette but we’re also not *not* saying that.

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Neep a lippie to pair with that eye look? Here are 7 liquid lipsticks you need in your makeup collection.

Main image credit: @bellahadid

Briar Clark

Briar was a Beauty Crew intern before she joined the crew full time in 2019 as a Beauty Assistant, and as a Junior Beauty Writer as of 2020. She is a self-professed skin care obsessive, always on the hunt for the perfect mascara, and can't go past a Fenty lipgloss.