Something about eyeshadow palettes garner a cult following. Perhaps the social media storms leading to the latest drops build the hype, or maybe it's the countless online tutorials and Instagram posts showing every which way to experiment with the latest collection of colours. Last week, days before the launch of Anastasia Beverly Hills' newest eyeshadow palette, Subculture, fans were predictably frenzied.
The Subculture Palette, according to ABH founder Claudia Soare, is the evening equivalent to the daytime-appropriate Modern Renaissance Palette, and threw fans into a buying frenzy. The palette boasts a lineup of fourteen shades in a variety of tones and finishes (warm, cool, matte, duo-chrome, metallic, you name it). Each shade is highly pigmented, meaning palette longevity, and the freedom to build and layer depending on your desired look.
While there's certainly room for the most recent hyped piece in your makeup arsenal, there are also an array of great alternatives that get less air time than their buzz-worthy friends.
Click through to shop the best of the rest of the eyeshadow palettes out there.
MUA's Spiced Charm palette is a near match to ABH's Subculture. The brand have just launched 15 new eye palettes, available in 6 colour ways -we're spoiled for choice.
MUA Pro Eyeshadow Palette Spiced Charm, £5, available at Superdrug.
Marc Jacobs' new eyeshadow drop, Eye-Conic, comes in 4 variations, from blue-tones to warm ambers and golds.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Edgitorial, £39, available at Harrods.
3INA's cream eyeshadow range is one of its most lauded products, but you'd be silly to overlook the brand's palettes. From neutral nudes to club kid-inspired colour, there's something for every taste.
3INA The Eyeshadow Palette 101, £14.95, available at 3INA.
Here, you've got your warm yellow and deep green hues, plus a few pops of colour (look at that blue!) thrown in for good measure.
Juvia's Place Nubian 2 Eye Shadow Palette, £28, available at Beauty Bay.
Sleek celebrate the 10th anniversary of its best-selling eyeshadow palette, i-Divine, this year, and have bought out a special birthday edition named Diamond Decade. The ultimate homage to the 80's, electric pinks and gun mental silvers make a statement eye pop.
Sleek i-Divine in Diamond Decade, £8.99, available at Sleek.
Shopping NYX is sort of like being a kid in a sweet shop...the colour choices are endless, and there's a palette for every skin tone and eye colour. We like this subdued number, with a pop or green and blue for difference.
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in Smokey, £16, available at Cult Beauty.
Pixi produces some of the most flattering shades for all eye colours - from rich gold for blue eyes to night-sky navy for green eyes. This palette is the perfect balance between daytime matte shades and shimmery evening colours.
Pixi Get The Look Palette in It's Eye Time, £28, available at Look Fantastic.
We're first in line for all of Urban Decay's drops, and its most recent, Heat, took our summer eye look ten notches higher. While the Naked palettes are (rightfully) the most coveted pieces, we're huge fans of this slightly more playful palette.
Urban Decay Moondust Palette, £36, available at Feel Unique.
This little compact is your handbag's new play mate - we're wearing the soft focus matte colours for work, and layering up the dense metallics for night.
Stila Matte 'n' Metal Eyeshadow Palette, £39, available at Selfridges.
Zoeva is known for its highly pigmented, durable and fantastic eyeshadow palettes, and this Rodeo number is no exception - this one is seeing us through summer days and balmy evenings.
Zoeva Rodeo Belle Eyeshadow Palette, £18, available at Selfridges.
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