Tired of Ashy, Washed-Out Eye Makeup? Here Are the 7 Best Eyeshadows for Dark Skin
Our take
The cyclical nature of trends is a well-documented phenomenon, but the recent whispers of a 2016 revival feel particularly resonant. Between the resurgence of thin eyebrows and the quiet return of millennial pink, it’s clear that a certain aesthetic is circling back. However, the anticipated return of eyeshadow, as highlighted in I Took 6 Flights in 3 Weeks—Every Multitasking Skin and Makeup Item That Made Me Feel Put Together, feels less like a fleeting trend and more like a necessary recalibration after years dominated by the “clean girl” aesthetic. This shift away from minimal, barely-there looks is significant; it signals a desire for greater self-expression, a willingness to embrace color and artistry, and a move away from the almost aggressively understated beauty ideals that have held sway. It’s a welcome evolution, particularly as we’ve seen a broader embrace of individuality within the beauty landscape, as demonstrated by the transformative power of tools like the Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Shape & Shade Anywhere Artistry Sticks The Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Shape & Shade Anywhere Artistry Sticks Give Me the Sharpest Jawline of My Life.
The article's focus on eyeshadow specifically for dark skin tones is crucial and long overdue. For too long, beauty advice and product recommendations have centered almost exclusively on lighter complexions, leaving many to navigate the often-confusing world of cosmetics with limited guidance. Highlighting the best eyeshadows for dark skin isn't simply about finding shades that *work*; it’s about celebrating the richness and versatility of melanin-rich skin and empowering individuals to confidently experiment with color. The subtle shifts we're seeing in hair color trends – like Bella Hadid’s recent embrace of a honey blond shade Bella Hadid’s Honey Blond Hair Is the Perfect Summer-to-Fall Shade – are part of this larger narrative: a movement toward personalized expression that moves beyond prescriptive beauty standards. It's a move towards understanding that beauty isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept, and that true radiance comes from embracing your unique features and experimenting with looks that make you feel empowered.
This resurgence of eyeshadow, particularly when coupled with a focus on inclusivity and catering to diverse skin tones, speaks to a broader cultural shift. The years of prioritizing a uniform “natural” look have created a void, a yearning for something more expressive, more playful, and more authentic. It’s a rejection of the pressure to conform to a narrow definition of beauty and an embrace of the power of makeup as a tool for self-discovery and creative exploration. This isn't about replicating the exact looks of 2016—that would be a disservice—but rather drawing inspiration from the era's boldness and confidence while adapting it to a modern sensibility. The focus is shifting from achieving a perceived “flawless” complexion to celebrating the beauty of individuality, texture, and the artistry of makeup application.
Looking ahead, it’s intriguing to consider how this renewed interest in eyeshadow will evolve. Will we see a return to the intense, blended smoky eyes of the past, or will the trend manifest in more subtle, nuanced ways? Perhaps a blend of both—a sophisticated understanding of color theory and placement that allows for experimentation without sacrificing elegance. The key, it seems, will be a continued emphasis on inclusivity and representation, ensuring that everyone feels seen and empowered to participate in this beauty renaissance. One question remains: How will the rise of AI-powered beauty tools further shape the way we approach eyeshadow application and experimentation, and will it ultimately democratize access to artistry or reinforce existing beauty standards?
Between thin eyebrows, millennial pink and skinny jeans, it’s clear that 2026 is the year of the 2016 comeback. However, none of these things has got me quite as excited as the return of eyeshadow. Of course, eyeshadow never really left, but between the natural-looking "clean girl" aesthetic that dominated the past few years and the rise of quiet luxury, it just felt like eyeshadow took a back seat to natural, "no makeup" makeup looks that prioritised blush, lip oils and lightweight brow products instead.
Well, if you’re over makeup minimalism, as I am, I come bearing good news: eyeshadow is officially back for 2026.
And with this comes a much better selection of products suited to dark skin tones than we saw 10 years ago. Gone are the days of ashy palettes that make dark skin look washed-out and dull, and in their place lies a myriad of beautifully deep eyeshadows suited to every undertone and colour preference.
And luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the best of the best below. Keep scrolling to discover the best eyeshadows for dark skin in 2026.
The Best Eyeshadows for Dark Skin
- Best Overall: Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette in Defining Neutrals, £74
- Best Warm-Toned Option: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Palette, £55
- Best Cool-Toned Option: Natasha Denona Glam Palette, £67
- Best Neutral Option: MAC Cosmetics Connect In Colour Palette in Unfiltered Nudes, £46
- Best Shimmery Option: Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XII Palette in Petalmorphosis, £119
1. Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette in Defining Neutrals
Best Overall
No. of Shades: 10 (all matte)
Formula: Pomades and powders
Finish: Soft satin
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, I cannot recommend Danessa Myricks’ Groundwork Defining Neutrals Palette enough. Filled with 10 easy-to-use neutral shades, with each available in both a pomade and powder formula, this palette is perfect for creating a natural, everyday look with the soft browns as well as a dramatic smoky eye for evenings out. The shadows leave your eyes with the dreamiest satin finish, and trust me when I say that they don’t budge throughout the day. Not to mention that I can use this palette on my lips, as a contour, and on my eyebrows for a cohesive look.
Pros
- Versatile product that can be used on the eyes, lips, cheeks and brows for a cohesive look
Cons
- Powder formula can fallout into the pomade side of the palette easily which can get messy
2. MAC Cosmetics Connect In Colour Palette in Unfiltered Nudes
Best Neutral
No. of Shades: 12 (5 matte, 7 shimmer)
Formula: Powder
Finish: Matte, satin, frost and lustre
You can’t talk about inclusive shade ranges without mentioning MAC Cosmetics in some way or another, and the brand’s Connect In Colour Palette in Unfiltered Nudes is the perfect neutral eyeshadow set for those who love a more pared-back look. Formulated to have a 25% higher pigment load than previous MAC eyeshadow palettes, this true-nude colour story is one of my go-tos for a more natural but no less chic makeup look. I also have to mention just how easy the shades are to blend out, which makes them ideal for those who are just starting their eyeshadow journey.
Pros
- High pigment and strong colour payoff
- Can be used wet or dry
Cons
- Powder formula can lead to fallout and get messy
3. Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Palette
Best Warm-Toned
No. of Shades: 12 (all matte)
Formula: Powder
Finish: Matte
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m a very big fan of Makeup by Mario’s eyeshadows. In fact, I already own two of the other palettes, both of which are well-suited to neutral and cooler undertones. However, if you’re looking for a warm-toned palette, the Master Mattes Palette is the perfect option for you. With a mix of warm brown, beige and black tones, this eyeshadow story is definitely one to pick up if you find that neutral palettes look too grey or washed out on you.
Pros
- Medium coverage allows for pigment to be built up or down depending on your taste
Cons
- No shimmers or glitters for those who want a more dramatic look
4. Natasha Denona Glam Palette
Best Cool-Toned
No. of Shades: 15 (5 matte, 10 shimmer)
Formula: Powder
Finish: Creamy matte
If you’re a cool-toned makeup lover like me, look no further than Natasha Denona’s Glam Palette. A blend of deep chocolates, taupey neutrals and mauve shimmers, these shades are perfect for both casual days out and more formal events. I usually find that most glam palettes are too warm for me, with the nude shades pulling a little too orange for my liking; however, this cool-toned colour story creates the most beautiful eye looks whether I want a subtle or more dramatic look. Not to mention that the shades apply slightly deeper than they look in the pan, which is always a plus for dark skin.
Pros
- Palette contains 15 cool-toned but deep shades which is hard to find on the market for dark skin
Cons
- Shimmers in the palette can go hard and might need setting spray to reactivate them
5. Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XII Palette in Petalmorphosis
Best Shimmer
No. of Shades: 10 (2 matte, 8 shimmer)
Formula: Powder
Finish: Creamy matte
Bored of neutrals? Pat McGrath Labs is known for its innovative and eye-catching Mothership eyeshadows that work perfectly for dark skin—something that we don’t often see on the market. My personal favourite? The XII Palette in Petalmorphosis, which is packed with rich teals, elegant purples and pretty pink hues. At an eye-watering £119, I’m well aware that this palette is on the more expensive side, but if you love creating dramatic, bold looks that are sure to earn you compliments, the colour payoff, blendability and ability to last all day make this well worth the investment.
Pros
- Palette provides a unique colour story that is different from your everyday neutrals
Cons
- Shades may not be suitable for everyday use
6. Marc Jacobs Beauty Born Star Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow
No. of Shades: 14 individual shades (4 matte, 7 shimmer, 3 multichrome)
Formula: Cream to powder
Finish: Soft satin
The newest addition to my makeup bag, the Marc Jacobs Beauty Born Star Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow, is already a firm favourite. Not only is the colour payoff amazing on dark skin tones, but these single eyeshadows can be swiped over the entire eyelid, making them ideal for those who prefer a pared-back routine. The shade Hater is a matte chocolate brown that’s my perfect everyday shade, but I also have my eye on Mood Swing, a blue and purple duochrome that is sure to earn loads of compliments on nights out.
Pros
- Each shade can be used as a one-stroke colour which will make your everyday routine easier
- Formula is creamy and easy to blend
Cons
- Some shades in the range may not be suitable for everyday use
7. Fenty Beauty Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Stick
Best eyeshadow stick
No. of Shades: 16 individual shades (8 matte, 8 shimmer)
Formula: Cream
Finish: Creamy
When my eyelids feel too dry for traditional powders due to my eczema, I turn to a creamier eyeshadow pen that will glide on easily and not cling to dry patches. Believe me when I say that I’ve tried a lot of them in my time, but Fenty Beauty’s Shadowstix is by far my favourite. It’s creamy and easy to blend, delivering a high colour payoff in just one swipe. And in true Fenty Beauty nature, there's something to suit everyone from the deepest to the palest of complexions.
Pros
- Long-lasting and crease-free formula that’s easy to apply
Cons
- The thicker stylo can make application less precise
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How I Tested
Many of the palettes in the roundup above are products I’ve been using in my own routines for months, and in some cases years. This means I can vouch for their ability to work on dark skin, high pigmentation, longevity and overall effectiveness, which proves why they deserve a spot in your cosmetics bag.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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