What’s in a Name? Everything.

In beauty, names aren’t just names. They make the first impression. Before the pigment hits skin, before the swatch video loads, a buyer sees the name. And in the world of eyeshadow shade naming, that name can make or break the moment.

From one-word wonders like 'Snatched' to poetic turns like 'Lavender Haze,' shade names are the ultimate dealbreaker. They build fantasy, evoke emotion, and shape your brand tone in three words or less.

Why Shade Names Sell (Even Before the Product Does)

Imagine a palette with these names:

Which one stops your scroll? Not Grey #12

Names build mood and identity. They tell customers who they’ll become when they wear that shade. It’s not just a 'warm brown shimmer'. It’s 'Cinnamon Chaos. ' It’s not a 'neutral base colour'. Shades with these names evoke emotion and feelings. They're not just there to state the colour.

A 2023 Shopify Beauty study revealed that products with evocative or cultural names convert 13% higher on average than those with generic descriptors.

The Psychology of a Good Shade Name

Great shade names have a few things in common:

Naming Strategies That Work for Beauty Brands

1. Theme-Based Naming

This keeps shade names within a universe.

Cohesive themes = storytelling glue. Great for collection identity and series continuity.

2. Mood Words

You’re not selling pigment, you’re selling vibe.

Buyers project onto the word. They wear it to become it.

3. Minimalist Naming (Luxury)

Clean brands go short and sharp.

It aligns with understated visuals and elegant branding, especially for high-end or editorial lines.

Cultural + Contextual Naming: Do It Right

Beauty is global, and so are shade names. But with that comes responsibility.

Culturally inspired names can:

But misuse or surface-level references can backfire, think: names that exoticise or stereotype

Naming a warm brown shimmer ‘Chai Spice’ isn’t going to work unless your brand has cultural roots or context to back it up. 

Sound vs. Vision: Naming with Audio in Mind

In 2025’s beauty landscape, audio + visual matter equally.

That means your shade name needs to sound iconic when spoken aloud.

“I’m wearing ‘Solar Tease’ on the lid and ‘Blush Mirage’ in the crease.”-Smooth, memorable, and emotionally descriptive = repeat purchase magnet.

How Admigos Approaches Projects

Brands like Admigo help create brand tone visuals that match and tell your brand's story. We help animate and showcase your products in a way that stays true to your story and one that can resonate with your customer.

Naming Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

DON’T:

Swipe-Worthy Shade Naming Checklist

Shade naming is more than fun; it’s foundational. It’s your brand voice, and it resonates and makes people remember. So, irrespective of what your palette's tone might be, make sure every name carries meaning, sound, and story.

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