22 Best Travel Eyeshadow Palettes

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Bringing your entire makeup bag with you on a trip is like packing clothes you haven’t worn since you bought them…just in case. We’ve all done it, but it really doesn’t make any sense! As seasoned travelers, we’ve learned that it’s better to simply bring what you know you’ll wear—your tried-and-true favorites. Whether your makeup skills rank as beginner or pro, you’ll love these best travel eyeshadow palette picks because they’re all ready made for travel! 

When packing your makeup for a trip, look for choices that are compact and ready for travel, like the ones on this list of best travel eyeshadow palettes. Many of them feature just a couple of “capsule wardrobe” colors, like a neutrals palette for a natural look or darker colors to make the perfect smoky eye.

Plus, they almost all have a built-in mirror that makes them perfect for getting ready on the go!

When shopping for the best travel eyeshadow palettes, you’ll also want to be sure that the eyeshadow palette can be closed securely so no nearby clothes are ruined by rogue pigmentation during travel. Other things you’ll probably want to consider are ease of use, length of wear and what ingredients are included in your beauty products. Yes, travel-friendly eye makeup does come in vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free options too!

For all of these reasons, we’ve curated a list of our favorite eyeshadow palettes for travel.

Urban Decay Naked Wild West Eyeshadow Palette

First, let’s discover some rich colors in the Wild West with this swoon-worthy Naked Palette by Urban Decay. This top pick eyeshadow palette contains a mixture of ultra-blendable metallics, shimmer and matte shades.

With six different pigments to choose from in this one travel case, you can easily go from a neutral “day” look to a vibrant “night-on-the-town” look without packing your entire makeup case in your bag. So…no need to keep searching for that Wild West gold because with pigments that can stay looking fresh on your face for up to 12 hours of wear, we think you’ve already found it!

Why Urban Decay Works for Travelers

  • Long-lasting wear – up to 12 hours
  • Features 6 highly pigmented shades
  • Ultra blendable
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan

KAJA Beauty Bento Collection

Winner of the 2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award, the KAJA Eyeshadow Trio is super easy to travel with and apply on the go! Created like a mini bento box, you simply pop open the color you want to use and apply the creamy shadow to your eyelids with your fingers. The entire case is about the same size as a lipgloss container, so it’s easy to store in your purse for touchups throughout the day.

Why KAJA Eyeshadow Trio Works for Travelers

  • Includes 3 multi-shade colors
  • Creamy eyeshadow
  • Made for all skin types and skin tones
  • Paraben-, sulfate- and cruelty-free

Clinique All About Shadow Duo

Clinique All About Shadow Duo
$48.27
Buy Now
03/09/2024 09:26 am GMT

The Clinique All About Shadow Duo is a sensitive formula eyeshadow option that’s perfect for travelers looking for a super quick application. With just two color options, a base and a contour, you’ll be able to practically get ready in your sleep—which is how we do it sometimes after a long day of travel.

Why Clinique All About Shadow Duo Works for Travelers

  • Includes base color and contour
  • Crease and fade-resistant
  • Ophthalmologist tested for sensitive eyes
  • Mirrored compact

Julep Creme-to-Powder Eyeshadow Set

Leave your applicator brushes at home—with the Julep Eyeshadow Creme-to-Power Eyeshadow Stick, you won’t need to pack them! This eyeshadow goes on smooth and then dries into a crease-proof powder.

Want to create a smokey makeup look for your next trip to Vegas? The Julep Creme-to-Powder Eyeshadow was designed to smudge. It even comes with a built-in smudger at the end of the stick. This is one travel secret you’ll want to be sure to bring back home with you!

Why Julep Eyeshadow 101 Works for Travelers

  • Waterproof
  • Features 6 highly pigmented shades
  • Easy to blend
  • No brush required
  • Cruelty Free, Paraben Free, SLS Free
  • Vegan

e.l.f Bite-Size Eyeshadows

For those of us who struggle with pairing eyeshadow colors, e.l.f Bite-Size solves that dilema by combining four coordinating color pigments together into one easy-to-pack case. Each mini palette includes the perfect blend of matte and shimmer shades needed to accomplish the multi-layered eye look like a pro.

Why e.l.f Bite-Size Eyeshadows Work for Travelers

  • Features 4 ultra-pigmented shades
  • Contains a mix of matte and shimmer shades
  • Free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol, Ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban and hydroquinone
  • Budget-friendly
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Kit

Maintain a fresh look throughout your day by using a neutrals palette like this one from COVERGIRL. The sheer warm neutrals won’t overpower your eye and will simply leave you looking refreshed and ready for your next adventure. If you’re just starting to build your travel makeup collection, a nude-toned makeup palette is essential and a great place to start!

Why COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers Work for Travelers

  • Features 4 curated color shades
  • Easy to blend
  • Budget-friendly
  • Cruelty-free

Maybelline Mini Eyeshadow Palette

The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline is a collection of color palettes inspired by NYC moments. Each curated six-color palette is named after an iconic place in the city or a memory you may have created there. Our favorites are The Diamond District for creating an edgy, glam look or Matte About Town for subtle everyday wear.

Why Maybelline Mini Eyeshadow Palette Works for Travelers

  • Features 6 curated color shades
  • Creamy consistency
  • Highly pigmented

LORAC Mini PRO Eyeshadow Palette

LORAC Mini PRO Eyeshadow Palette
$15.00 ($93.75 / Ounce)
Buy Now
03/08/2024 03:46 pm GMT

Small enough to carry in your purse or back pants pocket, the Mini PRO Eyeshadow Palette by LORAC holds a curated mix of colors that are assembled to highlight, contour, shade and line your eyes. Each six-color palette include a mixture of matte and shimmer metallic colors that are both creamy and easy to blend without creasing. For more intense color, this formula can be used wet as well as dry!

For sensitive skin travelers, the LORAC Mini PRO Eyeshadow Palettes are made with a fragrance-free and gluten-free formula. They’re also enriched with only vegan-friendly additives like vitamin E, cucumber extract and shea butter.

Why LORAC Mini PRO Works for Travelers

  • Can be used wet or dry
  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Cruelty-free, Fragrance-Free and Gluten-Free
  • Vegan

tarte Tarteist Pro To Go Amazonian Clay Palette

Create your eye look anywhere with the tarte Tarteist Pro To Go Palette. This compact palette comes with six blendable color shades that are infused with Amazonian clay for a better, flake-resistant wear.

Once opened up, this mini palette also includes a built-in compact mirror. Super helpful for getting ready on the go…just be sure not to try and pull off your new pro looks when there’s air or ground turbulence!

Why tarte Tarteist Pro To Go Works for Travelers

  • Includes 6 multi-finish shades
  • Intense color payoff
  • Long-lasting wear
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Mirrored compact

Too Faced ON-THE-FLY Eye shadow Palette

Have you ever considered pairing your destination with your eye look? With the On-The-Fly Eye Shadow Palettes from Too Faced, you can head to Florida with the tropical Shake Your Palms palette. While we’re at it, why not also plan a trip to Georgia and pack the curated Tickled Peach palette? These mini palettes tins are MADE for travel by being easy to close shut and small enough to toss into your purse or backpack.

While each On-The-Fly palette from Too Faced comes with eight multi-finish and highly-pigmented shades, they each bring something totally unexpected and different to the table. The smell. This palette actually smells like a peaches and cream vacation dream. Don’t believe us? Order yours on Amazon now.

Why Too Faced ON-THE-FLY Works for Travelers

  • Includes 8 multi-finish shades
  • Highly-pigmented
  • Blendable
  • Cruelty-free

Natasha Denona Mini Eyeshadow Palette

The Natasha Denona Mini Eyeshadow Palettes combine five complementary color shades in a sleek and travel-friendly compact case. All of the shades in your chosen palette will play well together, so you essentially can create multiple looks with just one palette.

Too busy enjoying your vacation to care about refreshing your makeup? No problem. The long-lasting wear of the Natasha Denona eyeshadows can easily take you from morning to night.

Why Natasha Denona Mini Works for Travelers

  • Include 5 multi-finish shades
  • Intense color payoff
  • Long-lasting color
  • Cruelty-free, Paraben-free and allergen-free

Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Palette

There are 10 different color palettes in the Milani Everyday Eye series and each palette includes six curated colors. Since all the colors in each palette work together so well, the number of different eye designs you can create with this series is tremendous. Not sure what “look” you want to try, each palette comes with a step-by-step guide to help you get professional-looking results every time.

Why Milani Everyday Eyes Works for Travelers

  • Includes 6 multi-finish shades
  • Includes an applicator brush
  • Step-by-step guide is great for beginners
  • Cruelty-free

W7 Mighty Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

As the largest palette on our list, W7 Might Mattes includes 12 highly-blendable and buildable colors. While you can count on your finished look to last throughout an entire day of sightseeing and adventure, it’ll easily wash off when it’s time to sink into your hotel bed for the night.

While this palette takes up a little more packing space, the tin case makes it sealable and ideal for travel. It even includes a small color brush for a no-touch application.

Why W7 Mighty Mattes Works for Travelers

  • Includes 12 matte colors
  • Long-lasting all day wear
  • Buildable colors
  • Blendable
  • Washes off easily
  • Cruelty-free and Vegan-friendly

BYS On-The-Go Eyeshadow Palette

If you’re the kind of girl who wants it all, the BYS On-The-Go 2-pack duo gives it to you! Both natural mattes and dark smokey shades are included in these two travel-ready palettes. With this selection of colors, you can easily go from from “lunch with the family” to a “shimmery night on the town” without lugging your entire makeup bag through airport security to get there.

Equipped with a built-in mirror and double sided applicator brush, these latch-closed tins will keep your eyeshadow (and clothes) safe from any spills happening in your bag during transport.

Why BYS On-The-Go Works for Travelers

  • Includes 12 multi-shade colors in a 2-pack duo
  • Features a mirror and double sided applicator brush
  • Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly

Ulta Beauty Eyeshadow Singles

Are you the type of traveler who likes to create spreadsheets and detailed itineraries for your trips? Does everyone look to you to find the best hidden gems in every city you visit? If your personality is to be creative, plan and stay organized, you may find unexpected joy in the Ulta Beauty Eyeshadow Singles.

Because these individual colors are not sold as a curated set, you have the ability to mix, match and create your own unique palette of colors. Find different shades including matte, shimmery, metallic and micro glitter. All of the ultra-mini storage cases snap shut and are easy to toss in your purse or pocket. Bring as many or as few as you’d like. You’re the one who holds the plans.

Why Ulta Beauty Eyeshadow Singles Work for Travelers

  • Includes 1 color shade
  • Super small and portable
  • Clean ingredients
  • Cruelty-free

Burt’s Bees Color Nurture Cream Eye Shadow

Because you can easily blend and apply Burt’s Bees Color Nurture Cream Eye Shadow with your fingers, it’s great for when you want to save space by leaving your application brushes at home. It’s available in two shimmery nude shades that you can also use as a highlighter! The buildable formula allows you to adjust the intensity of your color by using just a little or layering it create a darker shade. You’ll find a ton of possibilities in this one travel-friendly jar!

Why Burt’s Bees Cream Eye Shadow Works for Travelers

  • Includes 1 color
  • Cream eye shadow
  • Buildable
  • Can multitask as a highlighter
  • Paraben, phthalate and cruelty-free

Morphe 2 Ready-in-5 Eyeshadow Palette

Inspired by all of your favorite vacation destinations—like Palm Springs, Malibu and Hawaii—the Morphe 2 Ready-in-5 palettes each include five matte and shimmery shades. The included colors are blendable and curated to all work with one another, so you can mix and match shades to create a new eye look every time you apply your makeup.

Why Morphe 2 Ready-in-5 Works for Travelers

  • Includes 5 multi-shade colors
  • Blendable
  • Budget-friendly

Chella Travel Size Mini Eyeshadow

The creamy shades of the Chella Travel Size Mini Eyeshadow are long-lasting, day to night looks that come in a small, travel-ready container. Blend and build your color with the four included shades for a look that’s all your own!

Why Chella Mini Works for Travelers

  • Includes 4 multi-shade colors
  • Long-wearing
  • Blendable
  • Buildable
  • Paraben-, gluten- and cruelty-free
  • Vegan

Estee Lauder Pure Color Instant Intense Travel-Sized Eyeshadow Palette

If one of your top-pick travel adventures is to scope out the local art museums and galleries, you may enjoy this travel-friendly eyeshadow set from Estee Lauder. Not only does it include five wearable multi-shade colors for you to use, but the shadows are arranged into an image within the case. It’s beautiful to look at and can hold its color for about ten hours of wear. Just think about how much you could see with that much time in a museum!

Why Estee Lauder Pure Color Works for Travelers

  • Includes 5 multi-shade colors
  • Crease- and fade-resistant formula
  • Long-lasting color
  • Mirrored compact

REVLON ColorStay Eyeshadow Palette

The longest-lasting eyewear on our list, the REVLON ColorStay Day to Night can stick with you through long travel days. Each palette, in the nine-shade series, provides four curated colors that you can blend, mix and create your own unique look.

While applying your makeup on the go, the dual-ended brush will give you a clean, touch-free application.

Why REVLON ColorStay Works for Travelers

  • Includes 4 multi-shade colors
  • Up to 24 hours of long-lasting wear
  • True color payoff
  • Ophthalmologist tested
  • Includes a dual-ended applicator brush

YMH BEAUTE Rainbow Eyeshadow Palette

The colors in the YMH BEAUTE Rainbow Eyeshadow Palette are both bright and vivid! Great for packing for getaways including cosplay conventions or festivals. Each palette includes nine highly pigmented colors that are applied wet for intense color and long-lasting wear.

The mirrored compact makes getting ready or touching up your colors while away from your hotel easy. Just be sure to pack your eyeshadow palette in a plastic bag before sticking it in your bag because this palette case does not secure shut.

Why YMH BEAUTE Works for Travelers

  • Includes 9 highly pigmented colors
  • Long-lasting
  • Waterproof
  • Applies wet
  • Cruelty-free and Vegan
  • Mirrored compact

CATKIN Eyeshadow Palette – Morandi

CATKIN Eyeshadow Palettes
$20.99
Buy Now
03/08/2024 06:37 pm GMT

The beautiful case and earthy shades of color in the CATKIN Eyeshadow Palette are a visual experience all on their own. Rich in color and super blendable, this palette is a great option for someone who wants to take their eye look to a new level and try something new.

The mirrored compact and 12-hour wear make this eyeshadow palette suitable for adventurous travelers. And because the compact closes shut, you can spend more time having fun and less time cleaning up spilled eyeshadow crumbs from your bag.

Why CATKIN Eyeshadow Palette Works for Travelers

  • Includes 9 multi-shade colors
  • Long-lasting color up to 12 hours
  • Super blendable
  • Waterproof
  • Mirrored compact