10 Best Gold Eyeshadows for Gorgeous, Glowing Eye Looks

Gold Eyeshadow Tips from a Makeup Artist

When looking for the best shade of gold to suit your unique skin tone, makeup artist Lennie Billy says, "In my opinion, gold looks good on everyone, but it depends on your skin's undertone if you want to only wear a specific shade of gold. If you have a cooler complexion I would say go for the warm toned golden shades, those shades that have a little reddish undertone to them. For warmer complexions, look for cooler goldens, those with a more greenish/bluish undertone. Neutral complexions can wear anything actually, it will only depend on their preferences."

Billy says when she's trying to play up a gold shadow in a makeup look, she loves placing it in the inner corners of the eyes for a highlight moment or using it to create "halo eyes,” a technique where a lighter shade (gold in this case) is sandwiched between two darker colors on the eyelid. Halo eyes help to create the illusion of light around the center of the eyes, making the eyes appear bigger. "I also love how it looks by itself applied on the entire lid up to the brows, it looks very nice and gives a wet type of finish," Billy adds.

As most gold shades also feature shimmer, sometimes fall out can be an issue (when the shadow falls down onto the undereye area later in the day). To keep shimmery shadows locked in place, Billy says, "Eye primer is your best friend, if the glitter or shimmer is too chunky then a good glitter glue will do. You can also use a dot of concealer or just wet your brush with water or setting spray."

Ready to try gold eyeshadows yourself? Here are our top ten picks to get you started.

The 10 Best Gold Eyeshadows

1. IBY BEAUTY Eyeshadow

Best Gold Eyeshadow for Fair Skin Tones

If you have a paler skin tone, try looking for a golden eyeshadow that will add warmth to the eye area without overpowering your complexion like this option from IBY. Falling somewhere between champagne and gold, it's just bright enough to illuminate your eyes while still playing nice with your fair skin. Plus, the velvety formula comes with a touch of skincare: The rosehip seed oil-infused powder keeps your lids nourished and protected all day long.

One Ipster found a way to make this shimmery shade a versatile beauty product. She writes, "This doubles as a highlighter if one were to want to add a little shimmer or a slight pop of color. I like double-duty shades!"

2. SPACE CASE COSMETICS Eyeshadow

Best Gold Eyeshadow for Medium Skin Tones

Not too light or overly pigmented, this extremely versatile eyeshadow is a perfect everyday option for medium skin tones. This soft, pressed powder goes on like butter, so a few quick stamps of product with your eyeshadow brush will provide more than enough color. Keep it simple for a subtle wash of color, or layer it over a brightening concealer to make the shadow look even more pigmented.

"This is beautifully pigmented and the color is absolutely gorgeous," writes Ipster Msbreelee.

3. TARTE™ Chrome Paint Shadow Pot

Best Gold Eyeshadow for Deep Skin Tones

If you have a darker skin tone, don't be afraid to go bold with your eyeshadow shades. Vibrant colors will make a stunning contrast against your complexion. While some subtle gold shadows may look a bit too subtle on your skin tone, an ultra-pigmented shadow like this will instantly create a bold wash of gold across your lids. This semi-loose powder is luxuriously shimmery thanks to a formula that's made up of 80% pure pearl pigments. It also can be easily applied quickly or on the fly with your fingers. The heat from your fingertips will melt the formula just enough to make it blend out onto your lids like a dream.

"Long-lasting bold color that doesn't crease too much," writes Ipster uncanny.

4. PACIFICA BEAUTY Wild Hemp Eye Shadows

Best Matte Gold Eyeshadow

While gold shadows are typically synonymous with glitter eyeshadow, there are certainly more matte options for those who prefer a little less glitter. Take this PACIFICA palette, for example, the set of five gold shadows offers a versatile mix of neutrals and shades that have a slight sheen, but not quite a full shimmer.

One Ipster writes, "Lovely shades for a wear-everywhere classic or natural look." Another Ipster adds, "Omg the pigments are amazing and subtle."

5. ORYZA Nude Shimmer & Contour Eyeshadow

Best All Gold Eyeshadow Palette

Want to experiment with your gold eyeshadow looks? This compact palette includes shimmery gold shadows that will flatter any skin tone. It even includes a warm nude you can blend with the three other shades to create a complete eyeshadow look. Use these solo or mix them together to create a custom size that flatters your unique skin tone just right.

"ORYZA has been my favorite company thus far," writes Ipster d_joserrato. "I have two palettes now and used both together. Beautiful colors, I love how long they last. Well done. The matte shade is perfection. I use it for eye contour."

6. HUDA BEAUTY Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette

Best Gold Eyeshadow Palette with Color

If you're not totally aboard the gold eyeshadow train just yet, try testing out the shade with a palette that features the color alongside other colors you may be more partial to. This will allow you to play with it as an accent shade while you figure out whether or not the color is right for your style. We're particularly fond of this palette from HUDA BEAUTY. With warm, romantic pink and orange tones, it allows for endless ways to seamlessly add a touch of gold to any eyeshadow look.

"I just love HUDA products and I think this palette is just perfect," says one Ipster. "I used the shimmery color alone and sometimes mix both matte and shimmer, and it looks just great."

7. HIKARI COSMETICS Cream Pigment Eyeshadow

Best Cream Gold Eyeshadow

There's a lot to love about cream eyeshadow. They're super blendable, they feel great on your lids, and, perhaps most importantly, they're super long-wearing. This can be a particularly great benefit if you're looking to rock a glittery shade like this metallic gold shadow from HIKARI COSMETICS (see you never, fall out). This cream shadow will stay put for hours when applied solo, but if you're serious about creating an eye makeup look that absolutely won't budge, try layering an eyeshadow primer underneath.

"Smooth stuff and long-lasting," one Ipster writes. Another adds, "Love the color and creamy texture."

8. ORYZA Foiler Alert Metallic Eye Shadow

Best Gold Liquid Eyeshadow

This eyeshadow option marries two amazing eye makeup elements: a universally flattery rose gold shade and the long-wear abilities of a liquid eyeshadow formula. Together, the combination creates a golden metallic shade that will forever be at the top of your makeup kit. Another thing setting this shadow apart from the pack: its unique foil finish. Instead of a classic shimmer effect, this shadow gives your lids an intense, almost mirror-like shine.

One Ipster says this shadow "Gave her eyes a beautiful glow." Another adds, "I absolutely love this metallic liquid eye shadow!!! The color is beautiful and it goes on so smoothly. It lasts pretty much all day and it looks amazing with my hazel eyes."

9. PHASE ZERO MAKEUP Shimmer Eyeshadow

Best Multitasking Gold Eyeshadow

If you love stocking your beauty bag with makeup products that can serve more than one purpose, you'll love the versatility of this gold shadow. The neutral tone can be subtle or built up, making it ideal for any type of occasion. Plus, it can work flawlessly as a highlighter. Use it for both purposes when you're short on time, traveling, or if you're sporting a monochromatic makeup look.

"This is stunning," writes Ipster dpcoffman. "I love the formula and the shade is gorgeous! It also works amazing as a highlighter!"

10. OFRA COSMETICS 'Gold Rush' or 'Victory' Eyeshadow

Best Gold Eyeshadow for Smokey Eyes

This smokey gold shade with a metallic finish is perfect for creating a glowing, golden smokey eye. The intensely pigmented pressed powder can easily be applied wet or dry depending on how much pigmentation you're looking for. For an even more intense eye that still gives off a golden glow, try layering this shade over a dark matte brown. Or instead use this shade as a statement-making eyeliner. The options are endless.

"This eyeshadow has lasted forever, and it's a good thing because this is one of my favorites and I have been using it for over a year," writes one Ipster. "Such a nice burnt gold shimmer color, very pigmented and long-lasting. Buildable color!"

Want to discover all the best eyeshadow shades? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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