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12 of the Best Nude Eyeshadows
Feature: Long Read
Words by Tanya Small
Searching for a nude eyeshadow that flatters your skin tone? With so many options out there, narrowing down your choices can seem as overwhelming as finding a signature red lipstick. As with any lip or cheek make-up product, the secret to finding your perfect nude eyeshadow lies in understanding the shades that complement your complexion. While warm brown eyeshadows and shimmering gold eyeshadows will bring out the richness in warm undertones on dark skin, champagne pink eyeshadows and peachy glitter eyeshadows have a gorgeous brightening effect for those with fair skin and cool undertones. When it comes to nude eyeshadow palettes, the world is your oyster. So, out with the old and in with the nude — here’s our edit of 12 of the best nude eyeshadows.
Best Nude for Dark Skin Tones
Nars, Duo Eyeshadow 'Surabaya', £26
Nars’ make-up consistently flaunts a range of impressive hues. Take Surabaya for example. The shimmering, warm brown eyeshadow compact has two intense pigments that complement dark skin tones particularly well. It features a deep brown sugar shade and a sparkling chestnut hue that’ll elegantly stand out on the skin. After a bolder colour option? Try the Singapore palette, it includes a bright berry red that will make your eyes pop.
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Best Brown-Nude
Laura Mercier, Caviar Eye Stick Colour 'Burnished Bronze', £26
Laura Mercier’s caramelised brown shade enhances the natural warmth of the skin. But this eyeshadow stick is for those who enjoy a rosy tint to their eyeshadows. It’s finely milled for a smooth application and its long-lasting formula promises up to 12 hours of wear – so no need to to-up on the go. It’s no wonder that it makes our edit of 12 of the best nude eyeshadows.
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Best Metallic-Nude Eyeshadow
Guerlain, Ombres G Eyeshadow Quad 'Royal Jungle', £62
Guerlain’s Ombres G eyeshadow range is inspired by the metallic appearance of butterfly wings, and its tawny hues are ultra-flattering on those with warm undertones. The quad gives you four finishes to play with, including a smooth satin effect and a luminous metallic effect. Infused with rose oil to soothe the eye area, the shadows glimmer under all lights.
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Best Nude Quad for all Skin Tones
Dior, 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette 'Nude Dentelle', £48
Dior’s 5 Couleurs eyeshadow palette is a dream for anyone who loves warm-brown eyeshadows. From champagne gold to a deep, warm brown, it offers every shade you need to create a nude look for any occasion. Each shadow is infused with cornflower extract, which is known for its ability to brighten and tone complexions, while the highly pigmented formula adorns your lids in vivid colour that lasts all day long. It’s also super easy to apply, gliding across the eye, thanks to its velvety formula.
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Best Matte-Nude Eyeshadow
Charlotte Tilbury, Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette, £45
Thinking of trying the no make-up, make-up look? Opt for matte eyeshadows that subtly define your eyes. Glitter-free, this is packed with six neutral shades for a light and minimal look. Each shadow is infused with essential oils and waxes that blend easily on the eye and feel comfortable after hours of wear.
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Best High-Pigment Formula
Dolce & Gabbana, Felineyes Eyeshadow Quad 'Italian Baroque', £58
Dolce & Gabbana makes it easy to create intense nude looks with this palette. Each shade has a gorgeous glisten that can be intensified by applying the shadows wet and layering them. Simply dampen your brush with a spray bottle before using it to pick up any shadow. The smooth formula even lasts for eight hours. If you’re looking to add some feline finesse to these bold shadows, you can use a liquid eyeliner to craft a dramatic flick as a final touch.
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Best Nude for Olive Skin Tones
TOM FORD, Eye Colour Quad 'Smoky Quartz', £68
The best products come in fours, and the cool bronze and copper shades in TOM FORD’s eyeshadow quad can be effortlessly mixed and matched. Each shade offers high-intensity colour with an elegant twinkle that creates a soft-glam appeal and the silky-smooth shadows complement olive skin tones well. Try creating a smoky-nude eye by using a flat eyeshadow brush to apply the cocoa brown shade to your lash line.
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Best Glitter-Nude Eyeshadow
Hourglass, Scattered Light Eyeshadow 'Foil', £28
The sparkly finish of this eyeshadow is so refined that it glides straight onto your lids. Its smooth cream formula makes it effortless to blend and gives it a clump-free finish that feels completely weightless on the skin. Foil is a rich gold shade that brings warmth to any skin tone. Top tip: Prime lids with a concealer before application to create a tacky base for the eyeshadow to stick to.
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Best Cool-Toned Nude Palette
The Ninetease palette is the latest launch from social media sensation Jamie Genevieve’s chic make-up brand Vieve. With its cool-toned mink, mauve and mocha-brown shades, it instantly inspires you to recreate the glamorous make-up looks of the ’90s. The shadows are made for mixing, matching and layering. Try wearing them alongside a deep-toned lip liner and matte lipstick for the ultimate ’90s look.
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Best Champagne-Gold Nude Eyeshadow
Clé de Peau Beauté, Powder Eye Colour Solo '204', £32
Next in our edit of 12 of the best nude eyeshadows is Clé de Peau Beauté’s Powder Eye Colour Solo. This soft-gold eyeshadow makes a flattering nude for fair skin tones. While its Champagne hue brightens, the flecks of shimmer have a dazzling effect on the lids. The formula is enriched with Japanese pearl extract and argan oil — both of which have nourishing properties as to not dry out the lids.
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Best Pink Nude
Sisley, Ombre Eclat Liquide Eyeshadow 'Copper', £58
With its luminous pink-champagne hue, no-one can deny the beauty of this nude eyeshadow. The peachy undertones add a touch of warmth to fair skin tones, making it an ideal nude for those with lighter complexions. The liquid formula is best blended with your fingers and offers comfortable, all-day wear. Plus, it’s enriched with glycerin to hydrate and soften the delicate skin around your eye.
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Best Nude for Fair Skin Tones
Bobbi Brown, Luxe Eyeshadow 'Moonstone', £29
What would an edit of nude eyeshadows be without Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Eyeshadow in Moonstone? Its pale pink shade is heightened by reflective gold pigments that make it easy to achieve a sheer shimmer in a single swipe. With its velvety texture, you can also layer the pigment to enhance your look. Perfect for party season, it offers eight hours of wear, so you can shine as bright as the stars.
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