Why Makeup Palettes Still Reign in Beauty
Let’s take a look at what our Beauty Buddies have to say on the subject.
Makeup palettes have long been a staple in the beauty industry—and for good reason. They offer versatility, convenience, and creativity all in one sleek package. From eyeshadows and blushes to contour kits, palettes let users experiment with different looks without needing multiple products.
Their appeal goes beyond practicality. Palettes often come in eye-catching packaging, tell a visual story, and connect emotionally with beauty lovers. Whether it’s a limited-edition collaboration or a seasonally themed launch, palettes invite users into a brand’s world.
Social media also fuels the hype. Influencer tutorials, swatches, and reviews can quickly turn a new palette into a must-have. And as beauty lovers become more vocal, brands are responding with better shade ranges and smarter, more sustainable designs.
To explore this topic further, we recently ran a survey with the Beauty Buddy community focused on makeup palettes and how people use them in their routines.
How Often Are Palettes Actually Being Used?
Palettes are clearly a beloved part of many routines:
51% of respondents reach for their palettes daily.
Another 33% use them a few times a week, while 7% opt for them once a week.
Only a small fraction—5%—use them a few times a month, and just 2% say they never use palettes at all.
This data highlights just how integral palettes have become in day-to-day makeup routines, with the majority of users relying on them regularly.
How Convenient Are Beauty Palettes in Everyday Routines?
According to Beauty Buddy’s survey, 60% of users find beauty palettes extremely convenient, highlighting their ability to save time during their routine.
An additional 24% find them somewhat convenient, while only a small minority—just 3%—described palettes as either slightly or very inconvenient.
These results emphasize that for most beauty enthusiasts, palettes are not just a luxury but a practical essential for streamlining their daily makeup routine.
The Most Popular Palette Types
When it comes to the types of palettes dominating vanities:
Eyeshadow palettes lead the way, with 50% of respondents favoring them most.
Mixed palettes (featuring multiple product types like eyeshadow, blush, and contour) aren’t far behind, used by 29% of our community.
Blush palettes (11%) and contouring palettes (6%) also have their loyal users, while foundation palettes (4%) remain less common.
The popularity of mixed palettes suggests a growing desire for convenience and versatility in one product.
What Matters Most When Choosing a Palette?
Quality reigns supreme:
Pigmentation quality is the top priority for 41% of users.
Colour variety follows closely at 37%, showing that users crave both rich colour payoff and diverse shade options.
Convenience (14%) and brand reputation (5%) are important to some, while packaging design and price matter less, with only 1% and 3% of respondents prioritising these factors, respectively.
It’s clear that users want palettes that deliver on performance while offering a broad spectrum of shades.
Eyeshadow Palette Preferences: Features That Stand Out
When it comes to specific features:
Neutral tones are the most sought-after eyeshadow feature (33%), with blendability (22%) and shimmer/glitter shades (17%) also ranking high.
For contouring palettes, an easy-to-blend formula takes the lead (68%), followed by buildable coverage (47%) and a creamy texture (30%).
This emphasis on blendability across both eyeshadow and contour products highlights the need for formulas that are user-friendly and adaptable to various skill levels.
Blush Palette Preferences
When it comes to blush:
Soft, natural shades dominate preferences at 54%.
Shimmery finishes (17%) and cream formulas (12%) are also popular, showing that users favor versatility while maintaining a natural, radiant finish.
The Appeal of Mixed Palettes?
Mixed palettes are having a moment:
A whopping 65% of respondents love them for their convenience.
Another 17% are neutral, depending on the brand, while 10% prefer sticking to single-purpose palettes
With users increasingly looking to streamline their routines, it’s no surprise that multifunctional palettes are gaining traction.
What Users Dislike About Palettes
Despite their popularity, palettes aren’t without their drawbacks:
Shades that go unused are the biggest frustration, cited by 30% of respondents.
Poor pigmentation (18%) and limited shade ranges (16%) also rank high among dislikes.
Bulky packaging (10%) and high costs (8%) are additional concerns.
These insights reflect a desire for palettes that offer practical shade selections without sacrificing quality or convenience.
Makeup palettes continue to be a game-changer in the beauty world, with users valuing quality, variety, and convenience above all else. As brands look to innovate, focusing on versatile shade offerings, easy-to-blend formulas, and streamlined packaging could address some of the biggest consumer pain points while keeping palettes a beloved staple in beauty routines.
Stay tuned for more insights from our Beauty Buddy community! 💄✨
Are you keen to gather valuable feedback and insights directly from your target audience? Don't hesitate to reach out to us today to discuss the exciting possibilities of running targeted surveys. Let us help you achieve your goals!
We understand the importance of knowing your target audience. Do you make assumptions about your consumers, their preferences, opinions and needs? Understanding your consumers is key to ensuring your business decisions are well-informed and effective.
AT PXBB we run targeted survey campaigns, through Beauty Buddy the app, for our clients. Surveys provide answers, generate fresh data and insights, they substantiate assumptions and also help identify new trends.
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