Mini vs. Full-Size Eyeshadow Palette: Which Should You Buy?

Quick answer: Buy a mini eyeshadow palette if you want one tight color story, a low price and something that fits in your pocket. Buy a full-size palette if you want range, more shades and a lower cost per shade. Our Spell Book 4 Color Mini Palette is $8.75 for four shades, while the 35-shade Return of the Jet Palette is $22.

Mini vs. full-size palette: what's the difference?

The obvious answer is size, but the real difference is how you'll use it. A mini is a single mood. A full-size palette is a whole wardrobe. Here's how our two picks compare, using the numbers on their product pages:

When is a mini palette the better buy?

Minis win when you already know what you want, or when you want to flirt with a color before committing. Choose a mini if:

• You want to try a bold shade. Curious about electric blue or chartreuse? At $8.75, it's an easy way to find out.
• You keep makeup in your bag. Pocket-sized means it goes where you go.
• You never finish big palettes. If you always reach for the same few pans, four coordinated shades may be all you need.
• You're shopping for gifts. At $8.75, a mini makes an easy stocking stuffer or add-on to a bigger present.

When is a full-size palette worth it?

A big palette earns its spot when you love variety. Choose full-size if:

• You wear eyeshadow often. More shades means more looks from one purchase.
• You want value per shade. Return of the Jet works out to under a third of the mini's price per shade.
• You're building a kit from scratch. With 17 mattes and 18 shimmers, you have plenty to work with for everyday looks or something out of this galaxy.

Meet The Spell Book Minis

The Spell Book Minis are a pocket-sized take on our iconic Spell Book Palettes. There are eight little books, and each one opens to a four-shade color story of rich mattes and dimensional shimmers. They're made to be worn alone, layered, blended or mixed with other minis.

Here's what's inside each one, including where the shades are meant to go:

Can you use every shade on your eyes?

No, and this part matters. Pressed pigments are not intended for use in the immediate eye area, and that applies to both palettes. Use them on the face and body, or for graphic looks outside the immediate eye area. If you specifically want an all-eyeshadow mini, go for Entice or Temptation. Seduce and Charm are all pressed pigments, so think of them as face and body color. Always check the product page before you start painting.

How do you get a full look from four shades?

Four shades are plenty. Here's the simple routine for a mini with three or four eyeshadow shades (Entice, Temptation, Captivate, Pine or Covet):

1. Cast your base. Sweep a matte eyeshadow across the lid or crease with a fluffy brush.
2. Deepen the spell. Blend a deeper eyeshadow shade into the outer corner and crease for dimension.
3. Add some magic. Press a shimmer onto the lid with your fingertip or a flat brush.
4. Make it yours. Use any pressed pigment shades on the face and body, or try mixing in a second mini.

Pro tip: for a more intense shimmer payoff, press shimmer shades on with your fingertip instead of sweeping them.

FAQ

Is a mini palette a better deal than a full-size palette?

It depends on what you're counting. The mini costs less up front at $8.75, but the 35-shade Return of the Jet Palette costs less per shade, at about $0.63 versus about $2.19. If you'd only use a handful of shades, the mini may be the smarter spend.

How many shades do you really need in an eyeshadow palette?

Four can do the job: a base, a deeper shade for dimension, a shimmer and one extra for definition or experimenting. More shades simply give you more looks to play with.

Can I mix Spell Book Minis together?

Yes. They're designed to mix and match, so you can pair two or more to build your own color story.

Are these palettes vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes. The Spell Book Minis and the Return of the Jet Palette are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

Which Spell Book Mini should a beginner start with?

Captivate is a friendly first pick, with warm gold and brown tones and three eyeshadow shades. If you'd rather go bold, Entice and Temptation are all eyeshadow, so the whole mini is ready for your lids.

Ready to pick your spell? Shop The Spell Book Minis and the Return of the Jet Palette at rudecosmetics.com.