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If you’re heading on your vacation, you want to downsize your makeup bag as much as possible, while still being able to have different eye looks for your outfits and occasions. Check out these TFG picks for the best eyeshadow palette for travel!
Best Small Eyeshadow Palette
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When it comes to makeup for travel, it’s usually best to keep it simple and neutral, but you may still want to do a full face, including your eyeshadow. I know I do every so often!
Often an eyeshadow palette can be bulky, with some having a ton of shades that you simply won’t need for a week-long trip. Minimize your travel makeup pack by opting for a smaller, or mini compact of shimmering shades that will still allow you to feel glam and make your eyes “pop”.
Rocking my eyeshadow in my fave, the Leith Dress
You can check out how I downsize my makeup for travel in this post. And downsizing in stature doesn’t mean you diminish the quality, your favorite brands are woken to the fact that people want small matte eyeshadow palettes, so have made mini-sizes and styles that are perfect for packing!
Check out our TFG picks for a downsized eyeshadow travel palette that won’t sacrifice your pretty eyes!
Best Travel Size Eyeshadow Palette
Editor’s Pick: MAC Times Eyeshadow Palette
For eyeshadow, I love the custom palettes from MAC. They come in small pods, and because you customize them, you only have to travel with the colors you actually use. I have a custom palette with four shades—two for daytime and two for nighttime looks.
Other wearers agree that this is the best compact eyeshadow palette, with one saying, “This palette is my current favorite! When I first saw it I knew I had to have it,” while another makeup lover had this to say, “The colors in this palette are ideal. The palette fits comfortably in a small purse and is great for travel!”
Urban Decay Naked Travel Palette
Urban Decay’s Naked Palette is probably the best known, and everyone I know who owns one rave about the colors and quality! The Naked traveling matte and shimmer palettes are shorter and have an application mirror too, so they’re perfect for your travels.
One reviewer explains, “It’s my favorite basic set for eyeshadow! I love it! It’s very small and you can take it to travel! And with this palette, you will look beautiful! I can use the darkest color for my eyebrows too.”
Another shares, “This mini palette is phenomenal; you could create so many different looks either every day or an elegant night out. Super-sleek and compact. Perfect for traveling. Hardly any fall out super creamy blendable colors and long-lasting wear.”
Sephora Collection Eye Love Eyeshadow Palette
This budget buy Sephora compact eyeshadow palette, with a mirror included in the lid, is loved by users. With both matte or shimmer options, you can find a color story to match your look and make your eyes the focal point of your style.
Users love this Sephora small palette. One shares, “The size is perfect for taking with you on the go during the day or in your makeup bag when traveling. This offers a nice collection of colors that can be used in many different combinations for a multitude of looks. The mattes are smooth and apply beautifully.”
Check out our tips for packing travel makeup!
Shop: Amazon | Nordstrom | ULTA
Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Shadow Palette
Smashbox palettes come in a range of dreamy color combinations and are purse size, so packs small enough. Each portable palette includes six eyeshadow colors and two base shades to allow you to combine for a variety of looks, plus it has an application mirror in the lid for on-the-go looks.
One user explains, “I bought this specifically to take on vacation because I wanted something compact that would give me a few options. I was glad I did. The colors are easily blendable and offer a variety of looks. There was a bit of fall out, but not too bad.”
NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette Mini
The NARS palette is inspired by destinations around the world (so perfect for us TFGs!). The size and portability of this set is convenient for travel (plus it has a mirrored lid!) and the formula can be used as an eyeshadow or liner, applied wet or dry, making it one of the most versatile eyeshadow palettes around!
One user gushes, “Most of the time, tiny palettes are awful, but this one is a true gem. Very travel-friendly, foolproof, and perfect shades. Suede is the best one of the line. This little thing works for day and night looks.”
Shop: Nordstrom | Sephora | ULTA
Too Faced Shake Your Palm Palms Mini Eye Shadow Palette
For a palette that not only looks good, but also smells great, try this ‘peaches and cream’ dream by Too Faced. We know that smell is not necessarily a selling point for an eyeshadow, but these shades are also rich in color and long-lasting too. Plus, it has a mirror for on-the-go application.
One user shares, “Perfect little travel sized palette. Smells yummy and has all the key shades you’d need on the go.” Another says, “Is my favorite for travel; it smells so good! The pigments are awesome.”
NYC Professional Makeup Ultimate Mini Shadow Palette
This NYC palette contains six travel-sized colors that are easy to blend and last all day. This loved best mini eyeshadow palette has matte and sheen options for a ton of looks.
One user shares, “This is one of my go-to palettes, and it’s a perfect and affordable duplicate for the Urban Decay Naked colors! Just a nice everyday look palette that has light shades, transition colors, and a matte black! Easy to travel with but sadly, it does not have a mirror.”
We’re rounding up the 10 most long lasting eye liners!
Shop: Amazon | Target | Walmart
Maybelline New York Makeup The City Mini Eye Shadow Palette
As well as being a great price, these Maybelline palettes are designed to give you a makeup artist look, even if you don’t have the skills. The colors are laid out with the base, lid, crease, and liner shades so you can perfect that glam smoky eye, with intense creamy color in one swipe, making it one of the best eyeshadow palettes for travel on a budget.
One user shares, “I love this travel pallete. I do a lot of traveling, and I love having all my shades in one easy compact—also the colors apply and look like expensive designer brands.”
Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Palette
For small makeup palettes at drugstore prices, check out this Milani eyeshadow option. This cruelty-free brand makes this palette in 10 color combinations and includes a dual-ended brush to create a smoky matte or bright shimmery look.
One fan raves, “I own every version of these! Very pigmented, not patchy, easy to blend. You can build up shades for a more dramatic look or apply lightly for a more natural day to day look. Wonderful matte transition shades, but even better super impressive metallic shades with pigmentation that you really can’t find in other drugstore metallic shadows. Perfect size that’s easy to travel with too. Just all around great and affordable!”
COVERGIRL truNAKED Eyeshadow Palette
For a drugstore value product that has a ton of shades; this COVERGIRL palette could work for you. Users compare it to the more luxe Urban Decay palette, but on a budget, and say that the colors and durability are suitable for the price (but not quite that of the more expensive brands).
One user explains, “I bought this palette to go on a two-week vacation. I wanted to limit the makeup items that would be traveling with me. This palette fits the bill. Soft natural look for daytime. Smoky glam for the evening!”
These are the best waterproof mascara!
Violet Voss Fun Sized Mini Eyeshadow Palette
If you prefer to stand out from the crowd, Violet Voss makes eye colors that are vibrant and richly-pigmented. Available in mattes, creamy metallics, or satin sheens, you can get a palette that suits you. It also has a mirror in the lid to slim down your makeup bag more.
One user explains, “This is my daily use go-to. If I can only pack one palette, this is the one. It’s got enough for a natural look and enough for some drama. I love this thing!” And another adds, “The size is so convenient, I bring it with me anytime I’m traveling and need a good ‘all-rounder’. The colors are super pigmented and go well together, on their own, or with other palettes.”
Shop: Amazon
KVD Vegan Beauty Kitten Mini NEÜPOP Shade + Light Eyeshadow Palette
This travel-sized KVD Vegan palette comes with four colors for a bold eye look. The cruelty-free and vegan brand comes in a funky case and can create a variety of looks.
One user shares, “They blend perfectly, are amazing quality and travel -friendly.” Another shares, “The color story of the palette spoke to me even though I typically don’t wear coral or oranges. Every shade is richly pigmented. There was no dustiness.”
Shop: Amazon
Wander Beauty Wanderess Fling Eyeshadow Palette
What better name for a TFG eyeshadow palette than ‘Wanderess’! But seriously, aside from the name, this Wander Beauty mirrored palette has six gorgeous, highly pigmented shades that can be worn alone or layered for multiple looks.
One user explains, “This palette is skin tone neutral and can be used on almost any skin shade. The palette has super cute packaging and is a great size for travel. I would advise you to use an eyelid primer to see the beautiful shade come alive on your lids. This will be in my weekend getaway bag.”
Find out what our readers ranked as the best long-lasting lipstick for travel!
Small Eyeshadow Palettes Comparison Chart
What do you think is the best travel palette for eyeshadow that’s currently in your makeup bag? Share in the comments below!
For more travel makeup, please read:
- The Best Non Smudge Eye Liner for Long Flights
- What’s the Best Long Lasting Lipstick for Travel?
- Best Stick Foundation Options According to Our Readers
- The 10 Best Long-Lasting Concealers for Travel
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I love the Ilia eyeshadow palette. Rich colors that build beautifully.
I’ve used – and loved – Stowaway brand eyeshadow palettes. They’re tiny, clean, recyclable, and high quality pigmented eyeshadows.
Thank you for sharing your love of your Stowaway eyeshadow palette with us Anne!