Beauty: Palette Possibilities

There’s an art to buying palettes, particularly once you’ve collected a few of them. If, for example, you have access to your full collection at home, you may not need a nude neutral in each, but for an all-in-one quad that lives in your purse, you’re going to want the full spectrum of base tone to glitter pop at your fingertips. Here, meet the palette superstars to match your individual needs.

For many, Urban Decay’s OG Naked palettes deliver nostalgia in all different hues. Whether you’re a teenager making your first purchase or you’re simply editing your stash, this cult favourite hits all the high notes. Naked Reloaded, in particular, is the most well-rounded of the bunch, running the gamut from warm to cool neutrals, including vanilla, salmon and taupe variations along with gold and gunmetal glitters.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury palettes all follow the same blueprint which includes one shade each with the functions: prime, enhance, smoke and pop. Despite their compact size, their range makes them perfect for on-the-go. For your day bag, we love The Rebel, a twist on classic neutrals that’s infused with khaki green and gold. For your evening clutch, the new Walk of No Shame – launched exclusively at Lane Crawford this month – features hues redolent of expensive Bordeaux and sparkling rose.

With eight shadows and a primer, the Dior Backstage Eye Palette is an itty-bitty companion that will transport you from zero to hero sans brush. In fact, CD’s own in-house makeup artist Peter Phillips often applies it with his fingers for the brand’s fashion shows. The shades may seem understated at first glance, but the buildability of the formula makes it easy to create runway-ready looks with intense pigmentation. Try the Amber Neutrals combination featuring warm and woody tones from matte to iridescent.

Collecting “wearable” eyeshadows can be a slippery slope, which is exactly why Le 9 de Givenchy is so much fun. All of the palettes in the range feature a few base colours that would work for any daytime occasion, along with carefully chosen brights – we love N2’s emerald and chartreuse glitters, as well as N3’s dynamic duo of petal-pink matte and magenta shimmer.

On-the-move skin touch-ups often involve plenty of powder, but you can also consider a three-in-one concealer option instead, such as Surratt Beauty's Perfectionniste Concealer Palette. Incorporating two tones of skin-perfecting coverage (counteracting under-eye bags and blemishes respectively) and a finishing powder, it’s an all-inclusive solution that has become known in beauty circles for its longevity and reliability.

Impossibly savvy packaging and butter-like formulas make Tom Ford’s Shade And Illuminate Face and Eye Palette one of the most luxurious on offer. Not only will the compact itself elevate your accessories game, but inside, you’ll find the brand’s famed highlight and contour creams alongside four shadows that provide drama and glow while being universally flattering.