We LOVE makeup palettes.
For professional artists and beauty enthusiasts alike - palettes are convenient, easy to tote around, and provide flexibility when creating different makeup looks. But with hundreds, if not thousands, of options on the market, which makeup palettes are worth the splurge?
We read through hundreds of customer reviews and crunched the numbers to determine which makeup artist palettes our customers deemed holy grail status for their kits and makeup bags.
What did we find? Keep reading for the 10 best professional makeup artist palettes, all of which you can purchase by clicking the links below.
Happy palette shopping!
RCMA: 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette
Available in two color variations - a pink-coral collection and a mauve-brown collection - the RCMA 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette is a professional makeup artist go-to. The palette not only saves room in your kit but also includes five gorgeous, high-definition shades that work well with any skin tone. Use the colors individually or blend for a custom look. The versatile palette can even double as lip color.
Camera Ready customer Lindsey says, “These are the longest-lasting blushes I’ve ever used, plus a little goes a long way. Love, love love! Blending is super easy and flawless.”
NYX: Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
For budget-conscious shoppers, the NYX Highlight and Contour Pro Palette comes at a great price point (less than $25!) without sacrificing high-performance. It’s also refillable! You’ll get eight highlighting and contouring shades to work within one, compact case. Flawlessly emphasizing your favorite features for any skin tone has never been easier, or more affordable.
Camera Ready customer Felipe says, “Extremely easy to use. Great variety and impressive blending.”
Make Up For Ever: 12 Flash Color Neutral Palette
The Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Neutral Palette offers limitless possibilities for the eyes, lips, face and body. It’s quickly become a staple in professional makeup artist kits worldwide, and it’s no wonder why. Convenient and travel-friendly, this 12-in-one palette includes multi-use cream colors that work just as easily for everyday wear as they do for more dramatic makeup looks.
The Neutral Palette includes shades: Grey, Neutral Brown, Purple Grey, Rosewood, Dark Antique Pink, Ivory, Livid, Kaki, Pink Brown, Fresh Pink, Sienna and Rusty Brown
Camera Ready customer Maria says, “Super versatile, really easy to work with. Creates very beautiful natural makeup looks on any skin tone.”
Violet Voss: Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette
Just as the name suggests, the Violet Voss Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette is truly a ride-or-die product for makeup artists at every career level. Just like a trusted best friend, you’ll never want this palette to leave your side (or makeup kit, that is). Formulated with the highest quality ingredients, each of the 42 shades blend together smoothly to create a flawless, sexy look for any occasion. The palette is complete with full-sized mattes, metals and satins.
Camera Ready customer Amy says, “This palette has it all! I do stage makeup, and this palette is my go-to. It also has soft colors for bridal makeup! Colors are true and rich and build very well.”
Kryolan: 6-Color Creme Palette
The Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage 6-Color Creme Palette comes in five color combinations for a highly pigmented, full-coverage look. The creme-based, long-lasting formulas are designed to correct and conceal skin disfigurements, discolorations and tattoos on the face or neck. Finish your look with a translucent setting spray and Kryolan’s Fixing Spray for a waterproof finish. If set properly, this makeup will stand up to extreme conditions like swimming, heat and physical strain.
Camera Ready customer Jessica says, “I am fully enjoying this product for my makeup kit. It is taking my makeup applications to the next level.”
Viseart: Eye Shadow Palette in Neutral Matte
This top-selling palette includes all of Viseart’s most popular neutral shades in one. The 12-Color Eyeshadow Palette in 01 Matte does everything from brows and eyes to contouring and hair color touchups. Makeup artists love the quality and color density, as well as the easily blendable color shades to create subtle natural looks or even sexy smokey eyes. The palette is not tested on animals and contains no parabens, silicone or mineral oils.
Camera Ready customer Bridget says, “I can’t get over how easy these blend and how almost silky they feel. 100% the best eyeshadows I’ve ever owned/bought. Completely in love.”
La Femme: Blush Palette
Exclusive to Camera Ready Cosmetics, the La Femme Blush Palette is a rose-colored dream. The 12 stunning, richly-pigmented shades is the perfect combination of cool and warm tones, suitable for any skin tone. The palette even doubles as eyeshadows. A makeup artist staple, this palette creates flawless, matte looks that will make heads turn.
Camera Ready customer Keshona says, “Absolutely love this palette, the pigment is insane!! It works for all skin tones!! A must-have for a professional artist or a girl who loves blush!!!”
Senna: Brow Book Palette
No makeup artist kit is complete without the Senna Brow Book Palette. This super skinny, refillable, magnetic palette is the ultimate tool for mastering the perfect brows. The palette includes nine highly-pigmented, natural-looking brow powders for a natural, long-wearing finish. The shades match every brow color and skin tone, as well as two Browlite colors for a softened, yet-defined brow line and a Brow Pomade for texture and fullness.
Camera Ready customer Patricia says, “Game changer! This palette is able to pull together any eye look. There’s a shade there for everyone.”
Ben Nye: Natural Lip Colour Palette
The Natural Lip Colour Palette makes it easier than ever to find the right lipstick shade for not only yourself but clients, too. Plus, it’s refillable! Buy the palette at full-price just once, and stock up on affordable refills as needed. The palette includes six ultra-creamy shades perfect for everyday wear, or you can blend colors to create a custom look.
For those on-the-go moments, a compact lip brush is included with purchase to make application easier during crunch time.
Camera Ready customer Sarah says, “This lip palette does not disappoint. Beautiful colors and a smooth, long-wearing finish. Highly recommend!”
OFRA: On The Glow Palette
The On The Glow Palette includes all of OFRA’s best-selling highlighter and bronzing shades in one, making it the ultimate tool for a natural, sun-kissed look. Each of the palette’s shades can also be used as eyeshadows to create a radiant smokey eye. OFRA’s use of high-grade pearls and liquid-to-baked technology provides unparalleled pigment payoff and illuminating sheen you just won’t find anywhere else.
Highlighting colors include: Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Blissful
Bronzing colors include: California Dream, 3D Egyptian Clay and Americano
Camera Ready customer Abeer says, “[This] OFRA palette is amazing and fantastic!”
Shop The Palettes
It’s time to stock your kit with one (or all) of the professional makeup artist palettes listed above. To make it even easier, we’ve linked them down below:
1) RCMA: 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette
2) NYX: Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
3) Make Up For Ever: 12 Flash Color Palette
4) Violet Voss: Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette
5) Kryolan: Dermacolor Camouflage 6-Color Creme Palette
6) Viseart: Eye Shadow Palette in Neutral Matte
9) Ben Nye: Natural Lip Colour Palette
Tag us on Instagram and Facebook in your creative looks using the palettes above, and use the hashtag #crcmakeup for a chance to get reposted!
Comment below with questions or feedback regarding one of the makeup palettes mentioned in this article.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. Having been in the makeup artist industry for 30+ years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for at Camera Ready Cosmetics, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
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