With Christmas only a week away, and all of our Christmas shopping done with (hopefully) it's time to turn our focus to number one. We're in peak dinner party season and now is the time to indulge. Start with a spa treatment or two then it's down to the final polish. We're talking sequin trousers, sparkly dresses and flawless makeup. We've rounded up the best palettes for party season to help you on your way to creating a pristine party look.
Charlotte Tilbury
Starry Eyes to Hypnotise
This palette offers you four gorgeous looks in three simple steps. A hint of sparkle for the party season, dark blues for seductive eyes and light, shimmery pinks for subtle colour and shade. It’s a palette suitable for any special occasion.
We loved the look and feel of the palette, from the sleek, weighty packaging to the light, well-pigmented powder of each shade. We found it wasn’t crumbly and each palette has been pressed to perfection.
SHOP NOWHuda Beauty
Desert Dusk
You’re spoilt for choice if you choose this beautiful palette from Huda Beauty. Featuring a selection of the warmest autumnal shades, glitter and dark, sultry colours, this is a palette to play experiment with to achieve a host of party-perfect looks.
The packaging isn’t quite as luxe or robust but it still feels sleek and the eyeshadows inside are faultless with excellent pay-off.
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Studio 54
Never underestimate the power of blusher, particularly in the winter months. This Studio 54 breathes life back into sun-void skin. The two shades accommodate pale and tanned skin with a fine shimmer for added glow. A great palette to take you from party season through to summer.
We found the shades blend with ease though the colours are buildable so the colour transfer is gentle. The blush shades are slightly hard-pressed which can affect the pickup.
SHOP NOWLaura Mercier
Paint With Light Radiant Face Illuminator
If you contour, you know highlight is equally as important as shade. This Laura Mercier palette comes in three popular shades including the well-loved Desire. Not just there to make cheek bones pop, the variation in shades can help define features and give skin a healthy glow. Alternatively, build and layer the colours for full-impact strobing.
SHOP NOWToo Faced
Chocolate Gold
With this much bling you won’t need the Kira app. Too Faced has covered all bases for the party season with glittery shades in all colours. There are a couple base and transition shades too, without sparkle.
Whilst it looks blingy, the glitter isn’t too chunky so it applies easily with minimal dusting. It’s a palette to experiment with fun, bold colours with wide-set pans offering plenty of life, though the packaging is a little bulky.
SHOP NOWAnastasia Beverly Hills
Sultry
The Sultry palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills has nailed the evening hues in one. In one palette you can create an edit of loots from soft nudes to dark shadows and even a little shine. There's plenty of festive sparkle to highlight or add a little twinkle to your eye, with dark, smokier shades so contrast.
The shades within this palette have been carefully considered and there's not many that would go to waste. Each is fantastically pigmented and easy to blend though the packaging does leave more room for a luxe improvement.
SHOP NOWCharlotte Tilbury
Filmstar Bronze and Glow
When we think of bronzing palettes, it's hard not to immediately think of the Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette, a cult classic for good reason. Available in a number of shades to accommodate all skin types, the palettes has been designed to sculpt rather than provide an all-over glow.
The soft, buildable bronze helps create natural, subtle shadows in the right places, whilst the highlighter (with its easy pick-up and natural glow) can accentuate cheek bones. The two colours work wonders to complement each other and to enhance your winter tan!
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