We've all done it: You buy a gorgeous palette packed with eye shadows you swear you'll wear. A few months later, a few pans are running low while the rest remain largely untouched.


Aside from swearing off palettes (like that's going to happen), how can you stop wasting makeup - and money? Makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor told us how to look past the eye candy and choose a palette you'll use in its entirety. Here are his rules:

Pick a palette that ...

... has mostly medium tones. The ideal kit has at least one fun jewel-tone and a sexy, dark shade, but the majority of the colors should be medium-toned hues you would apply all over your lid. A good example: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette.

... can be multipurpose. A great taupe eye shadow (like the one in Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow Quad in Effeto Nudo) can double as brow filler or a cheek contouring powder. A pale, shimmery shade makes a great highlighter.

... can work for both day or night. "Look for palettes within the palette," says Sotomayor. It should have a mix of soft colors you can layer together for an office-friendly look and smoky, sultry shades for after-hours. Try Maybelline The Nudes Palette.

Do you have a favorite palette? Tell us in the comments!

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