Single Eyeshadows (Under $10) | 2022 Editor's Favorites
One of the best reasons to review indie brands is to actually have options upon options of single eyeshadows to choose from. If you love building your own palettes or prefer to augment your existing collection by adding specific shades one by one, you just have to give indie brands a chance. It’ll surprise no one that Sydney Grace eyeshadows remain a staple in these year-end favorites list; every time I test new shades, I’m always like, “They’re so good, and I just want EVERY shade to be made in these formulas.”
Give Me Glow is an incredible source for matte shades, particularly cool-toned shades, and I think very few brands really have the extensive range that they do, since they cover neutral to neon. Clionadh released a few Multichromes that came in under $10 (when converted to USD at current exchange rates), which was nice to see. Moira is a new brand for me in 2022, but their Starshow Shadow Pots were a new release for 2022 in a type of formula I’ve always enjoyed: semi-loose eyeshadow.
Temptalia’s Favorite Single Eyeshadows (Under $10) | 2022
Clionadh Trinket Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a light-medium, golden orange base with multichromatic shimmer that...
Clionadh Trinket Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a light-medium, golden orange base with multichromatic shimmer that...
Clionadh Flare Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a medium orange base with multichromatic shimmer that shifted from warm...
Clionadh Flare Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a medium orange base with multichromatic shimmer that shifted from warm...
Clionadh Embellishment Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a dirty yellow base paired with multichrome shimmer/fine sparkle...
Clionadh Embellishment Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a dirty yellow base paired with multichrome shimmer/fine sparkle...
Clionadh Flagstone Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a grayish-green base with multichromatic shimmer that shifted from pale...
Clionadh Flagstone Glitter Multichrome Eyeshadow ($11.99 CAD for 0.05 oz.) has a grayish-green base with multichromatic shimmer that shifted from pale...
Give Me Glow Peri Foiled Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a darker, cool lavender with a metallic finish. It had rich color payoff paired with...
Give Me Glow Peri Foiled Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a darker, cool lavender with a metallic finish. It had rich color payoff paired with...
Terra Moons Axis Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, slightly red-toned orange base with a duochrome shimmer that shifted from teal to...
Terra Moons Axis Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, slightly red-toned orange base with a duochrome shimmer that shifted from teal to...
Terra Moons Phases Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, cooler emerald green base with contrasting, gold-green shifting shimmer that...
Terra Moons Phases Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, cooler emerald green base with contrasting, gold-green shifting shimmer that...
Terra Moons Galactic Mint Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark emerald green with a cooler base undertone and warmer golden...
Terra Moons Galactic Mint Duochrome Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark emerald green with a cooler base undertone and warmer golden...
Sydney Grace My Fair Lady Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deeper, brownish-plum with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Sydney Grace My Fair Lady Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deeper, brownish-plum with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Butte Valley Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, deeper bluish-teal with cool undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Butte Valley Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, deeper bluish-teal with cool undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Terra Moons Cerise Waves Shimmer Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with strong, cool undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen.
- Opaque...
Terra Moons Cerise Waves Shimmer Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with strong, cool undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen.
- Opaque...
Give Me Glow Robot Girl Foiled Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It...
Give Me Glow Robot Girl Foiled Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It...
Sydney Grace Opulence Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker gray-taupe with cool undertones and a metallic finish. This was...
Sydney Grace Opulence Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker gray-taupe with cool undertones and a metallic finish. This was...
Glaminatrix Simply Rose Foiled Eyeshadow ($8.04 for 0.07 oz.) is a deep pink with subtle, warm undertones and contrasting, warm gold shimmer that gave...
Glaminatrix Simply Rose Foiled Eyeshadow ($8.04 for 0.07 oz.) is a deep pink with subtle, warm undertones and contrasting, warm gold shimmer that gave...
Sydney Grace Puppy Love Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, muted mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth,...
Sydney Grace Puppy Love Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, muted mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth,...
Sydney Grace Pardoned Completely Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a blackened plum with subtle warm, brown undertones and a shiny,...
Sydney Grace Pardoned Completely Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a blackened plum with subtle warm, brown undertones and a shiny,...
Sydney Grace Cinnamon Toast Pressed Pigment Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic...
Sydney Grace Cinnamon Toast Pressed Pigment Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic...
Sydney Grace Galaxy of Dreams Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a brighter, medium purple with warm, pink undertones and an intense,...
Sydney Grace Galaxy of Dreams Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a brighter, medium purple with warm, pink undertones and an intense,...
Give Me Glow Wink Matte Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a light-medium, cornflower blue with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. The...
Give Me Glow Wink Matte Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a light-medium, cornflower blue with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. The...
Moira Extra Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark purple with warmer, pinkish undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Moira Extra Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark purple with warmer, pinkish undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Give Me Glow Trust Fund Matte Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark lavender with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It had...
Give Me Glow Trust Fund Matte Pressed Shadow ($7.00 for 0.105 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark lavender with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It had...
Sydney Grace Cassiopeia Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium golden beige with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic Sheen.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Cassiopeia Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium golden beige with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic Sheen.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Mind Blown Matte Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark blue-gray with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. It was more of a...
Sydney Grace Mind Blown Matte Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark blue-gray with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. It was more of a...
Sydney Grace Lavender Hill Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, brighter lavender with cooler undertones and warmer, fine golden...
Sydney Grace Lavender Hill Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, brighter lavender with cooler undertones and warmer, fine golden...
Sydney Grace Pink Water Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker, rosy mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Pink Water Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker, rosy mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones and a metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Crazy Abandon Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a soft, warmer black with subtle, warm undertones and lighter, bronzy...
Sydney Grace Crazy Abandon Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a soft, warmer black with subtle, warm undertones and lighter, bronzy...
Terra Moons Star Sailors Matte Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, cooler undertones and a semi-matte finish.
- Richly...
Terra Moons Star Sailors Matte Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, cooler undertones and a semi-matte finish.
- Richly...
Moira Showtime Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a light copper with strong, warm golden undertones and an intense, metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Moira Showtime Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a light copper with strong, warm golden undertones and an intense, metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Glaminatrix Rosewood Matte Eyeshadow ($7.30 for 0.064 oz.) is a deep red with strong, warm brown undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely...
Glaminatrix Rosewood Matte Eyeshadow ($7.30 for 0.064 oz.) is a deep red with strong, warm brown undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely...
Glaminatrix Camo Matte Eyeshadow ($7.30 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium, olive green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow...
Glaminatrix Camo Matte Eyeshadow ($7.30 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium, olive green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow...
Terra Moons Moon Reverie Matte Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, purplish-plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish.
- Richly...
Terra Moons Moon Reverie Matte Eyeshadow ($7.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, purplish-plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish.
- Richly...
Sydney Grace Petrichor Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth,...
Sydney Grace Petrichor Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Smooth,...
Sydney Grace Miraculous Matte Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker--but quite muted--purple with strong, cool blue undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque...
Sydney Grace Miraculous Matte Shadow ($5.25 for 0.06 oz.) is a darker--but quite muted--purple with strong, cool blue undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque...
Moira Checkmate Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium, rosy peach with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Moira Checkmate Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium, rosy peach with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish.
- Opaque...
Moira Just Right Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a light-medium, taupe-brown with warmer, olive undertones and an intense, metallic finish....
Moira Just Right Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a light-medium, taupe-brown with warmer, olive undertones and an intense, metallic finish....
Glossover Averages
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2022, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out the best of 2021 posts if you missed last year’s.)
Your Year in Review: Single Eyeshadow Edition
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- What were your go-to single eyeshadows for one-and-done looks in 2022?
- What makes you willing to spend more for a single shade vs. a palette?
- How often did you reach for single eyeshadows over palettes in 2022?
What were your go-to single eyeshadows for one-and-done looks in 2022? With my very hooded, puffy upper lidded almond shaped eyes, um… there is no such thing! My eyes always need me to create the dimension that they’ve always lacked. Being half Indigenous American and half white (Irish/Italian) has given me my father’s eye shape, but blue-green eyes from my mother’s side. Behind my glasses, they kinda disappear!
What makes you willing to spend more for a single shade vs. a palette? Uniqueness. Especially for duochrome or multichrome shadows! Or unusual mattes that I really don’t see in commercial pre-made palettes. Found some really lovely ones in the SG In Mel’s Memory bundle that hit those notes! Makes me feel like buying more from Sydney Grace’s line.
How often did you reach for single eyeshadows over palettes in 2022? Quite often, surprisingly! But, I believe that I probably use both fairly equally, in all honesty.
The glasses are such a struggle!! I have deep set/hooded eyes too and wear glasses full time so I’m either wearing way too much eye makeup or not enough lol
Heya sweetie fellow half Irish/Italian here but I’m from the UK and was born here so am half English first and foremost 🙂
What were your go-to single eyeshadows for one-and-done looks in 2022?
I didn’t so much use single eyeshadows for one and done looks, except for yours Christine – Magellan’s Light from your On the Horizons palette.
What makes you willing to spend more for a single shade vs. a palette?
I bought a stack of single eyeshadows from SG this year simply because the shades were just so pretty. Quite a few of them were yours:: Phosphenes and Exquisite Opulence from the Radiant Reflections palette
Sometimes it’s just single shades that appeal to me rather than the rest of a palette.
How often did you reach for single eyeshadows over palettes in 2022?
I use the SG singles I have quite routinely, as the ones I bought this year work well with those I have bought in the year before.
I only use singles and have a lot of the Sydney Grace ones!!!
– What were your go-to single eyeshadows for one-and-done looks in 2022?
Mostly Sydney Grace pressed pigments, typically Tiara or Peace. I got bunch of new SG shadows in the Black Friday sale so in 2023 I’m hoping they’ll be a little more variety! 🙂 I also reach for the metallics in the SG palettes pretty often – especially Latte from Coffee Talk and Camping from Summer Days.
– What makes you willing to spend more for a single shade vs. a palette?
I typically prefer buying singles to buying palettes, so I don’t take a lot of convincing to go there. I’d rather have a smaller collection with colors I use often.
– How often did you reach for single eyeshadows over palettes in 2022?
Prior to my big order of singles I reached most often for my SG Coffee Talk along with my single collection. Now I’ve been reaching almost exclusively for my “custom palette” of singles.
WHAT WERE YOUR GO-TO SINGLE EYESHADOWS FOR ONE-AND-DONE LOOKS IN 2022?
My Pretty Zombie Everything Looks Better on a Meathook, Notoriously Morbid Autumn Flower (DC), BareMinerals Loose Mineral Eye Color in Bare Skin. I don’t use singles for one-and-dones very often, though.
WHAT MAKES YOU WILLING TO SPEND MORE FOR A SINGLE SHADE VS. A PALETTE?
Great quality and a beautiful color and/or finish. Or a really great crease shade.
HOW OFTEN DID YOU REACH FOR SINGLE EYESHADOWS OVER PALETTES IN 2022?
More than in the past. Maybe 20% of the time.
Looking at this list I feel like I discovered so many new favorites this year because of you Christine!!! So thank you for that.
What were your go-to single eyeshadows for one-and-done looks in 2022? I didn’t buy any products for one-and-done eye looks this past year.
What makes you willing to spend more for a single shade vs. a palette? Unique, super sparkly, color shifting shadows or mattes if recommended to me and seem top quality for harder to make tones.
How often did you reach for single eyeshadows over palettes in 2022? I would say about 65% of the time I worked with my singles.
Are the Moira Starshow pots similar to the old L’oreal eyeshadows like Amber Rush? I’ve been looking for a good modern substitute for that one.
Yes!!