Ooh, MAC have a new one out that is really bright! My teacher just got a similar one from Superdrug.

I've worn makeup since high school - and no, I won't tell how long ago that was ;-) I also use easily found cosmetics in drugstores, grocery stores, etc. I have nothing against the higher priced items, but a> with daily wear, the *cost-per-use* is a bit too high for me and b> I don't like making special trips to the higher-end department stores. <<I'm not much of a "mall rat".>>

You could spend a small fortune getting the latest / greatest items only to find they sit in the drawer. Go slow and spend wisely. Experiment with colors & techniques using
"common" makeup - then splurge on the higher priced items.

Because I've worn makeup for years, I've found the best colors for my eyes. From that point, I scout around and try to find those colors in more dramatic / brighter form for performances.

Check out youtube for tutorials. I like **panacea81** - she does a good job of walking through eye makeup application.

my favorite eyeshadow palettes are from Urban Decay.
i used to buy MAC, but i found i wouldn't always use some of the colors.
my absolute favorite is Urban Decay's Ammo palette:
www.urbandecay.com/categori...owBox.cfm
i find i can use these colors easily...by themselves or paired together in different ways for everyday wear.
you can also use 3 or 4 of the neutrals to create a smoky eye (what i use for performances)
there is also a really great set of the Ammo palette plus Urban Decay's primer potion.
www.urbandecay.com/categori...erSet.cfm
the primer is really great stuff...it prolongs the wear and staying power of the eyeshadow and helps the colors stay bright!!

if you are looking for a smoky eye palette, Stila and Too Faced make really great kits.
the Stila kit actually talks and tells you which color goes where~ really neat
www.stilacosmetics.com/produc...ail.asp

the Too Faced kit has 3 different smoky "looks" and has illustrated cards to show you what goes where.
www.toofaced.com/product_template.asp

most of these run in the $30-40 USD range...but for the quality of the makeup and what you get, they really are a great deal~

88 shimmer pallete from coastalscents dot com. over a primer or something of course for brightest output.

you know....i had *completely* forgotten about this palette!
www.popbeauty.co.uk/Popbeaut...ndex.html
POP beauty is a UK complany so i bet you could find it somewhere, and it's only £15!!
plus, it gives you some wearing suggestions onthe inside of the cover~
these colors are GREAT!! super bright and fun, and even better if you use an eye primer- POP's sparkle sauce is one:www.popbeauty.co.uk/Popbeaut...ndex.html

I never use all the colors in a pallette as someone else has stated. Though I will say the Ben Nye pallette is amazing. If you get it get the 12 color pallette not the six, and you can buy it on ebay. Though I still personally prefer to buy individual colors. You can try the 120 pro pallette from beautiesfactories on ebay. They have smaller pallettes too. Keep in mind if you order it it takes quite a while to arrive since it comes from Hong Kong. The colors are high in pigment so you don't need alot. And it's not expensive at all. If you look at Debstan1's tutorials on youtube, she uses these pallettes alot.
Good luck.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Eye Kandy yet. It's carried by various suppliers – Tribal Kitty and Belli Phat are 2 that I know of on Tribe.

Super-sparkle giltter in a variety of colors. I know it's not a "pallette," but when you figure out the colors you need or want, see if Eye Kandy can glitter them up for you.

and then, as others mentioned, it all depends on what you're personally going for. Colors that look great on your face/eyes, no matter what you're wearing? Colors that match your costume no matter what? I find that I tend toward the first. Why mess with a good thing? Especially since it took me nearly 20 years to discover how great bronze and copper tones make my eyes look… If you go with this option, find the right colors, and then spend the money on the great stuff, not the good stuff. It's worth it. I also really like eyecolors that have a wet & dry application option. Darker and bolder wet for performance, lighter and dry for everyday wear.

Honestly, if you want really bright, vibrant eye shadows, your best bet is to go with loose powders instead of pressed powders (like what would be in a palette). Loose powders can be applied "wet" by using a dampened brush, which makes the color considerably more vibrant than when it's dry. I know it sucks having all those separate little pots, but it really is a better outcome.

My 2 cents.

So the 40 shade palette arrived today from Hong Kong. So well wrapped that not a single colour had even a smidgeon of damage. Also got a set of 3d false nails and falsh eye lashes thrown in