As our social calendars quickly fill with Christmas celebrations and festive events, the excitement to plan party-ready looks builds for every beauty lover. It’s a time to take our makeup game up a notch, put on a bold lip and bejewel our eyes with the most sparkling shadows, stepping out of our day-to-day style and going for glam.
And what way better to dial up the drama than with a makeup palette – a multi-seasonal staple packed with a spectrum of shades to create endless colour combinations and perfect your Christmas complexion.
We’ve hand-picked our festive favourites that deserve prime spot on your wishlist this year.
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership IX: Huetopian Dream Palette
Packed with duo- and trio-chrome tones that are guaranteed to glimmer under the Christmas lights, this ten-pan palette is a stellar selection for any party eye, elevating your look with crushed-rose quartz pinks and shifting gold glitters.
MAC Squall Goals Eye Shadow Palette x 6 - Sparkle Storm
An icy blue hue with a frosted finish takes the spotlight in MAC’s Squall Goals Eye Shadow Palette, twinkling amongst a selection of berry tones to add depth and dimension. Equipped with a mirrored compact, this glacial ensemble is ideal to take with you on the go.
NARS All That Glitters Light Reflecting Cheek Palette
Add a soft flush of shimmering colour to your complexion with this illuminating cheek palette. Six of the brand’s bestselling Light Reflecting™ Blush formulas sit in this glittered case, arriving in an array of pearlescent tones to flatter and warm all skin types.
ICONIC London Multi-Use Sculpting Contour Palette
To achieve the perfect party look, it’s important to ace your base before ornamenting the eyes and lips. ICONIC London’s cream contour palette helps to softly sculpt, brighten and accentuate your facial features for a more defined effect.
Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette
Find all your golden holiday hues in this 12-shadow collection of warm mattes, metallics and shimmers. Whether you wish to create a more subtle smoke or high-impact sparkle, the brand’s honey-inspired palette has you covered.
Revolution Pro Ultimate Eye Diamonds and Pearls Palette
Perfect to slip in your clutch, this petite palette is ideal for on-the-go eye transformations. From its case to the contents, the pearl-studded compact oozes Christmas glamour, featuring four shimmering shades with an easy-to-apply, creamy consistency.
benefit Cheery Cheeks Hoola Bronzer, Blusher and Highlighter Palette
Set to be a go-to for the holidays and beyond, this decorative compact houses three of benefit’s most iconic formulas. Kickstarting the complexion lineup is the ‘Hoola’ bronzer, paired with the warm pink ‘Shellie’ blusher and golden pearl ‘Cookie’ highlighter.
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette Vegan 16-Pan - I Know That's Bright
Taking ‘merry and bright’ quite literally, this 16-pan palette proves not all festive looks are gold and glistening. Unlock your expressive artistry and go bold this party season with hot pinks, luscious limes and statement blues.
BY TERRY Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder Palette
Stopping unwanted shine in its tracks, BY TERRY’s pressed powder palette instantly blots and blurs to help banish excess oils. Infused with hyaluronic acid, the formula resists caking or creasing, supporting a flawless-looking base that lasts for longer with a soft-focus matte effect.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Soft Glam Palette
Inspired by its full-sized counterpart, this eyeshadow palette includes all you need for sultry smokes with a hint of cheerful shimmer. From chocolate browns to champagne sparkles, the pigment-packed shadows diffuse smoothly across the lids for a seamless finish.
Growing up in the era of beauty influencers overhauling YouTube with how-to tutorials and rating trending products, I have tried and tested my fair share of makeup, skincare and haircare formulas from various brands. Since finding what works for me, my day-to-day staples include a tinted SPF (Avène’s unifying sun cream is a must), a cream blush and some form of glowy lip gloss, oil or balm. Although, now and then my inner 2016-full-glam-obsessed self emerges, and I do like to indulge in an hour-long makeup session as a form of self-care!
