Clean Eyeshadow Palettes

If there’s one makeup thing I wish I had much skill at, it’s eyeshadow. In my college days, I wore a barrage of eyeshadow in purple, pink, and silver hues. I’d apologize, but I think it’s all part of growing up. I’m recently re-intrigued by eye makeup beyond liner and mascara, and I love the idea of a palette for ease (and less packaging). And you can bet I’m only looking at the best clean eyeshadow palettes to add to my routine.

Clean Eyeshadow Palettes

There are a number of nontoxic makeup brands I recommend. These eyeshadow palettes are from some of the same brands! If you’re looking for good brushes, this ecotools set (made with bamboo and recycled metal) are great. They’re inexpensive and came recommended to me by a friend that’s a professional makeup artist!

Beginner Eyeshadow Palette

As a beginner myself, I love this matte neutrals shadow bar. The colors go on easily and I don’t feel like I’m overdoing it (even as I’m learning). When I feel up to it, I think I’ll try the enchanted neutrals shadow bar below as the pearly white and the muted dark maroon look lovely.

The refillable palettes are sold separately from the pressed powders from Elate, so you can find the perfect one for you. This essential palette most resembles the eyeshadow palettes we’re used to.

What makes an Eyeshadow “Clean”?

You know I’m here for your ease (and, frankly, mine too). The above palettes hit a few notes on the clean and sustainable front.

One of the big things about clean eye shadow palettes (in pressed powder form) is that they should be free of talc. Talc can be contaminated with asbestos (a known carcinogen). Since they often sit side-by-side in mines where talc is extracted, there is a high likelihood of contamination.

The common non toxic replacement for the powder is mica. While mica is considered a safe ingredient, it has long been associated with extraction by child labor and in circumstances that are unhealthy for laborers. When a brand uses mica, you want to be sure that it’s fair trade and/or, hopefully, from mines Responsible Mica Initiative! All these clean eyeshadow palettes are made with ethically-sourced mica.

While these clean eyeshadow palettes are all made with pressed powders, cream formulations are inherently talc-free, so that’s an option outside of the palettes. Cream-based makeup doesn’t settle as much and it great as our skin ages because it doesn’t settle into fine lines or remove moisture form skin.

And at the end of the day, companies that do heavy metal testing are great because oftentimes extracting one ingredient can lead to an increase in others. But this is above and beyond. It’s also one of the reasons that makes Crunchi the cleanest skincare brand AND the cleanest cosmetics brand!

Sustainable Makeup Packaging

You know me, I’m all about makeup recycling. And things get complicated when they have multiple types of plastic, and metal, and whatever else. All the above clean eyebrow palettes are plastic free and the elate palette is refillable!

Other Clean Beauty Recommendations

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razors and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!