Grab your brushes, as we head into party season our beauty editor rounds up the best new palettes to play with
Digital Beauty Editor Tania Grier
It’s almost impossible to find the ‘perfect’ eyeshadow palette as there’s always a few shades you never use. However with more professional makeup artists releasing their own, or collaborating with big brands, palettes have stepped up a notch this season. Even the high street brands are selling good quality shadows with on-trend shades. The choice can be overwhelming, so here’s my pick of what’s new in the world of colour.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY
The new ‘Hypnotise’ palette is a clever selection of four looks, with twelve light reflecting shades in total. The shimmers are sheer (which is good for older skin) but can be built up for extra intensity. With caramels, pinks, khaki, golds and black this is a good palette for natural smoky eye looks with some colour, works well for all ages, and the glamorous packaging makes it ideal as a gift.
REVOLUTION PRO, BY LAN NYGUEN-GREALIS
This is another well-curated palette designed by a makeup artist, my fellow PHOENIX colleague Lan Nguyen-Grealis. In collaboration with Revolution Beauty, Lan created a palette she would want to use herself – a mix of bronzers, contour, highlighter, blushers, lip stains, bright/neon shadows and 8 essential shadows. Everything you need for a full face. Ideal for makeup artists, frequent travellers and for shaking up your makeup wardrobe.
ANASTASIA BEVERLEY HILLS
The ‘Norvina Volume 2 Palette’ is a bumper size autumnal delight. Leaning towards warmer skin tones and the more adventurous with some very bright tones and lots of rich plums, reds and greens, the textures are mostly matte with a few shimmers. A good palette for professionals and anyone who loves playing with colour.
BARRY M
The quality of the new ‘WILDLIFE®’ palette is fantastic for the price, the pigments are intense, with a velvet texture that blends well. There are two palettes, ‘Tiger’ and ‘Snow Leopard’ a mix of mattes and shimmers – on trend seasonal hues and a mirror which is much better than most high street palettes offer. Plus, 20% from the sale of each palette goes to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation such a brilliant charity. Tip: buy in bulk for Christmas stockings!
PRIMARK
The Soft Luxe ‘Black Cherry Eyeshadow Palette’ is a new addition to Primark’s growing beauty brand. An earthy-toned palette for more natural looks, it has a good choice of shades to suit most skin tones and a smooth finish. Great value for all ages, pair it with some of their brilliant new autumn lip shades.
DR HAUSCHKA
It’s not always the most complex palettes that are the best, often it’s the ultimate eyeshadow duo that we wear daily that never lets us down. It can also be the hardest to find with shades that are too dark, too dull, or too shimmery. The ‘Eyeshadow Palette Duo 01’ is the perfect warm brown and slightly shimmering beige to create an uber natural or ultra smoky eye. The powder is easy to apply with the cleverly shaped brush which allows a neat line or a sexy smudge. I might have found my new best friend.