Why Single Eyeshadows are the Secret to Your Most Creative Makeup Looks

Remember that giant pre-made palette you bought for one perfect metallic shade, and now the other 11 colors just gather dust? Yeah, me too. For years, I was a palette collector, convinced that more colors meant more options. But it wasn’t until I discovered the incredible world of single eyeshadows that I truly felt unleashed as a makeup lover.

Forget the rules, forget the preset color stories. Single shadows are all about you—your creativity, your preferences, your unique style. Think of them as the building blocks of your perfect eye look. Today, I’m breaking down exactly why they deserve a prime spot in your collection and how to build a system that works for you.

The Undeniable Pros: Why You’ll Love Them

• Total Customization: This is the biggest win. You curate every single color. Love neutrals? Build a palette of ten perfect taupes and browns. Obsessed with duochromes? Create a rainbow of shifting, magical shades. You only buy what you know you’ll use and love.
• Superior Quality: Often, brands put their highest-quality formulas into their single shadows. Without the need to cut costs across a large palette, you frequently get better pigmentation, a smoother texture, and incredible blendability.
• The Refillable Mindset: Made a dent in your favorite transition shade? Just repurchase that one pan! It’s more sustainable and cost-effective than rebuying an entire palette. This is a game-changer for makeup artists and enthusiasts alike.
• Space Savers (& Money Savers): Instead of buying three large palettes for three specific shades, you can create a compact magnetic palette filled with exactly what you need. It’s a travel dream!

Also Read: Foundation Palettes: The Pro’s Secret to a Perfect Match (But Are They For Everyone?)

The (Small) Cons: Let’s Be Real

• The Initial Investment: Building a large collection from scratch can feel pricey upfront. But in the long run, you often save money by not purchasing shades you’ll never touch.
• Decision Fatigue: With thousands of shades available, it can be overwhelming to start. My tip? Start with one or two shades you’re missing in your collection and build slowly.
• You Need a Palette: Most singles come as refill pans, so you’ll need to invest in a good magnetic palette to house them. But honestly, that’s part of the fun!

How to Start Your Single Shadow Journey: My Top Tips

1. Identify the Gaps: Look at your current collection. What are you missing? A matte cream? A deep, cool-toned brown? A blinding inner-corner highlight? Start by filling those gaps with singles.
2. Invest in a Magnetic Palette: Brands like Makeup For Ever, Adept Cosmetics, and even ShopMissA offer fantastic, sturdy magnetic palettes in various sizes. Find one you love!
3. Mix & Match Brands! This is the best part. Your magnetic palette can hold a matte from MAC, a shimmer from ColourPop, and a special-occasion glitter from Stila. You are not limited to one brand’s color story.

My Current Can’t-Live-Without Singles

• Best Matte: MAC Eye Shadow in ‘Omega’. The perfect cool-toned taupe for contouring the crease. A cult classic for a reason.
• Best Metallic: Makeup For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadow in ‘I-544 Diamond Powder’. This is not a shadow; it’s liquid metal. Unreal payoff.
• Best Everyday Shimmer: ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in ‘Ritz’. A wet-looking, warm champagne with tiny sparkles. It looks gorgeous on everyone.
• Best Duochrome: Sydney Grace Eyeshadow in ‘The Wizard’. A mesmerizing reddish-brown that shifts to a vibrant green. Pure magic.

So, are you ready to break free from the pre-made and build something truly your own?

I’m curious: if you could only have three single eyeshadows for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? Let me know in the comments below!