Name an intellectual property or a fandom, and surely, it's inspired an eyeshadow palette or some other makeup product. That's true whether it's Cheetos or "Wheel of Fortune." Once you get into such pop culture staples as "Friends" and "Sesame Street," there's whole lines of cosmetics for your beauty needs.
TV, comic book and movie-inspired palettes are especially fun because they're based on visual mediums with their own eye-catching and otherworldly graphic aesthetics. Something as fantastical as the "Star Wars" universe or as visually stunning as Disney animation broadens the makeup rainbow to include tones that reflect some of our favorite characters and moments. Plus, makeup companies have gotten more and more creative with packaging, making for elaborate keepsakes that'll display your fandom as effectively as any poster, clothing item or smart phone case.
If you're looking for the perfect gift for your pop culture-obsessed bestie (or just want to treat yourself this holiday season, read on for 10 of the cutest eyeshadow palettes on the market that are themed around TV and film brands. Picks favor not just the quality of makeup and range of colors but also the creativity behind the packaging and color options' names— purchase a "Jurassic Park" palette, wear "Clever Girl."
Few lists of products made cuter by a licensed character would be complete without something bearing the likeness of Baby Yoda —AKA The Child or Grogu. There's six color options based off shades of olive, brown and gold, with such "The Mandalorian"-themed color names as Float Your Crib, Sipping Soup and Little Frog. Best of all, the tiny mirror on the packaging reads "cutest in the galaxy." This 35-well palette of simmering shades comes with eight Barbie-branded brushes, making it an ideal starter set for teens and tweens. Though it's marketed to a younger crowd, moms and older siblings might volunteer for a makeup demo after they see this rainbow of color options. This one's the most clever on the market by far. It's a notebook-style palette with a brush themed after Cher Horowitz's trademark pen and 12 shades (six matte and six shimmer) with such film-inspired names as "Fashion Victim" and "Ugh, as if." Though Halloween's in the rear-view mirror, horror fans will eat up this macabre makeup set that's themed around Jason and the "Friday the 13th" series. Each color palette's in the shape of that iconically terrifying hockey mask. The most colorful Christmas character of them all, Dr. Seuss' Grinch inspired this fuzzy, quirky palette with a nice range of attention-grabbing shades. It's a gift the makeup enthusiast in your life won't "loathe entirely." This gorgeous ColourPop palette is themed around "Hocus Pocus 2". The pressed-powered eyeshadows come in bright orange, forest green, cool-toned purple and more. Finishes include matte, metallic, matte sparkle and pearlescent glitter. The most elaborate selection on our list, this "Jurassic Park"-branded palette's part pop-up art piece, part music box that plays the classic John Williams-conducted theme song and part collection of colorful eye shadows. It's a must-have for '90s kids. For something both fun and stylish, collect all three palettes inspired by Disney's "The Lion King." There's Dream Big, Little One (pictured above), which offers shimmering nude shades and a fresh blue tone. Circle of Life is inspired by the Timon and Pumba characters and incorporates bright orange and soft earth tones. Strong from Sunrise to Sunset brings pink shades and natural beige tones themed after Nala and Zazu. Ten shimmering shades are named after "Stranger Things" characters— none of whom are Barb, unfortunately. Few brands are as synonymous with '80s teen fashion as the Netflix original series, making this an ideal gift for anyone with a certain retro aesthetic. This "Twilight: New Moon"-themed palette, which includes 11 colorful swatches in mattes and shimmers and a highlighter shade, will have everyone asking "Bella, where the hell have you been, loca?" And yes, each selection —that Wolf shade of purple in particular— would pair well with something more glittery.For the 'Cutest in the Galaxy'
For When Every Night is Girl's Night
For the 'Total Betty'
For the Scream Queen
For Your Favorite Who
For Lighting the Black Flame Candle
For the 'Clever Girl'
For the Disney Adult
For Fans of the Upside Down
For Sparkling in the Sunlight
