HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: TOP 8 FAVORITE PALETTES OF 2017




Hi there, my darlings! Another day closer to the Holiday week and time for another Holiday Gift Guide! It's already pretty late in the week and if you're still frantically holiday shopping...then you're just like me! So, today, I'm going to share a no-brainer gift for beauty lovers--PALETTES! If there's one thing the beauty obsessed constantly crave, it's a good palette. Whether it's a must-have eyeshadow palette or the latest highlighter palette. we're spoilt for choice! So, how does one choose?! For me, it's easy! I go for bright, bold eyeshadows colors so I look for easy application, minimal fall-out and fabulous pigmentation. As for highlighter palettes, I look for flattering shades and blendability (which apparently is NOT a word but you get what I mean!). With that in mind, I have picked 8 of my favorite palettes for 2017. Take a look!


EYESHADOW PALETTES


MODEL'S OWN Enchanted Eye palette ($17.99)

Whether you are heading to a music festival or just love a little glitter in your life, the Celestial collection from Models Own will leave you sparkling, happy and the envy of wannabe unicorns everywhere. Models Own new Celestial collection might just make your magical dreams come true!

Our new festival inspired collection will take you on a journey to a charmed universe where fairy dust is your new reality. Allow yourself to create your makeup look with everything from iridescent and holographic eyeshadow palettes to lips and a touch of fairy dust to unleash your inner sparkle. Our ModelsOwn Limited Edition makeup collection takes inspiration from the gorgeous, ethereal festival goers, paired with the holographic and iridescent makeup pigments.



Models Own has just launched in the US this year and I have pretty much loved almost everything I have tried from them. They make quality, whimsical cosmetics at very affordable prices. Now, I don't do nudes or neutral palettes so delicate pastels are the closest I'm going to get to everyday shades. Because, c'mon, if I'm going to take the trouble to put on eyeshadow, I want it to be noticeable! These pastels shades are not only super pretty but the you can layer them for the effect you want. Totally magical, especially at that price point!





URBAN DECAY Heavy Metals palette ($39.00, ON SALE)

What it is:
A limited-edition palette inspired by modern art— filled with 20 new, all-metallic shades of eyeshadow.

What it does:
This limited-edition palette is loaded with 20 of Urban Decay’s most amped-up metallic shadows yet—and every single one is new and exclusive. It’s all organized by color: brights on the left, neutrals on the right.

Urban Decay has developed a whole new formula—bumping up the foiled effect to create their most metallic shadows ever. The formula was carefully crafted to make sure every shade has a velvety feel for the perfect application, provides insane color payout and shiny metallic effects, and blends like a dream.

The palette is glam rock hot, and totally practical too. The killer lavender case has a crushed metal effect on one end. It slides open to reveal the shadow tray. It also includes a big mirror.

This set contains:
- 20 Metallic Eyeshadows in Ground (black w/iridescent shimmer), Spandex (deep blue with purple shift and blue micro-sparkle), Metalhead (deep purple), Mullet (deep green), Twisted (gold), Aluminum (warm gray-taupe with iridescent micro-sparkle), Dive (medium blue), Punk Rock (fuchsia), Amp (bright teal), Glamrock (silver), Bass (bronze), Demo (bronze-rose), Afterparty (red), Roadie (burgundy), Scream (mauve), Glory (golden bronze), Starfire (bright copper), Angelfire (pale pink), Maiden (beige), and Acoustic (nude)



I've been a huge fan of UD for just about forever and I have a very hard time picking and choosing from their selection of products--they kill it with every release. Now, I was really torn between this one and the Naked Heat, but with my penchant for metallics and shimmers, I went with this one during the big sale. Super pigmented and beautifully blendable, I have zero regrets!





PUR COSMETICS My Little Pony palette ($23.00)

What it is:

Embark on your own beautiful journey through Equestria with our favorite rainbow-colored friends. Inspired by the wild adventures of My Little Pony: The Movie, this 16-piece eyeshadow palette features a kaleidoscope of colors including mattes, shimmers and bold brights. From everyday neutrals to flirty shimmers – all the basics are covered. However it’s the pops of unexpected but wearable colors that work together to create looks beyond your imagination. That’s the Magic of Friendship!
This palette contains:

KINDNESS (yellow with small pearl), FLUTTERSHY (soft pink with shimmer), GENEROSITY (matte mauve), RARITY (matte white), APPLEJACK (orange with shimmer), HONESTY (brown), LAUGHTER (sparkly mauve pink), PINKIE PIE (hot pink matte), TWILIGHT SPARKLE (pinky purple shimmer), MAGIC (bright purple), RAINBOW DASH (royal blue with shimmer), LOYALTY (dark green with shimmer), TEMPEST SHADOW (matte bright red), SONGBIRD SERENADE (dark purple with shimmer), STORM KING (silver with shimmer), and PRINCESS SKYSTAR (mint duochrome).


I think this was my most highly anticipated PR package and I pretty much squealed when this baby arrived! I absolutely LOVED My Little Ponies while growing up in Chicago and the brand totally nailed the whole vibe of the beloved toys. This palette is full of bright, happy shades that you can use for just a pop of color...or to really rock out for an eye-catching look!





KEVYN AUCOIN Electropop palette ($57.00)

What it is:
A limited-edition, curated eyeshadow palette with 12 high-impact eyeshadow shades.

What it does:
Dramatize like a pro to create endless 3D chromatic eye looks and exquisite effects—from a light, sheer shimmer to a high, metallic opaque finish. These electro chrome eye shadows combine the perfect balance between pop pearls and pigments to create a striking, multidimensional look with a weightless feel. With one swipe payoff, the smooth texture glides on effortlessly.



This baby is the most recent addition to my collection and oh my, do I love it! Except for that black, every single shade has a touch of shimmer which I absolutely love! And while yes, there are several super bright shades, but there are enough shades in here that allow you to create a more natural look, if that's more you're thing! Natural, yes, but with a touch of shimmer!





HUDA BEAUTY Desert Dusk palette ($65.00)

What it is:
A dynamic eyeshadow palette with 18 shades in four unique textures: one dazzling glitter, eight creamy mattes, six shimmering pearl shades, and three duo-chrome toppers.

What it does:
Adventure on an exotic Arabian journey with the latest eyeshadow palette by Huda Beauty. This richly toned palette features 18 versatile shades that can be layered in infinite ways to create a vast array of looks with just one palette. Layer different textures to create unique combinations, or add intrigue to smooth matte shades with a duo-chrome topper. From subtle, natural looks to dramatic statements and bold glittering looks, this palette will become your new essential for all your makeup routines.

This palette contains:
- 8 x Matte Eyeshadows in Blazing, Saffron, Amethyst, Oud, Amber, Eden, Musk, and Desert Sand.
- 6 x Pressed Pearl Eyeshadows in Turkish Delight, Angelic, Cashmere, Royal, Nefertiti, and Blood Moon.
- 3 x Duo-Chrome Topper Eyeshadows in Retrograde, Twilight, and Celestial.
- Pure Glitter Eyeshadow in Cosmo



This palette is, hands-down, not only my most coveted but also my absolute favorite of the year, I love the shades of purple, which are so very flattering on my darker complexion and Huda's formulas just cannot be beat! When I visited Dubai recently, this was my sister's birthday gift to me--yes, she definitely knew what I wanted and this has to be one of my favorite gifts EVER!




HIGHLIGHTER PALETTES:


KEVYN AUCOIN Neo Trio palette ($25.00, ON SALE)

What it is:
A magnetically designed travel-size face palette featuring a bronzer, highlighter, and setting powder to create a perfect, custom glow.

What it does:
Mix and match shades in this palette to create endless layers of light and color. Each is infused with light-diffusing pigments to enhance and perfect the skin, creating radiant luminosity.

This palette contains:
- Neo-Setting Powder
- Neo-Limelight highlighter in Ibiza
- Neo-Bronzer in Capri



I've done quite a bit of travelling this year which is why this palette from Kevyn Aucoin became such a favorite. With three of the best-selling palettes in one, you can highlight, contour, bronze and set your face, all with this ingeniously designed magnetic palette. Plus, the ombre shading allows for so many combinations! Get it NOW for that insane price at Sephora! 



SAM MARCEL That Glow Glow Highlighter palette ($30.00, 20% off your first purchase)

What it is:

A highlight palette with six pigmented powder to create perfectly glowing, chiseled looks on every skin tone.

What it does:

Inspired by makeup artist techniques, this highlight palette helps you glow like a pro using healthy ingredients. Each carefully-selected shade has a rich, cool undertone to mimic real shadow and light reflection for the most natural look.

This product is:
Vegan
Cruelty Free
Gluten Free
Paraben Free


This brand is very new to me--in fact, this year was the first I heard of them. So, I was incredibly intrigued in trying them out. And let me tell you, this palette, if it's anything to go by, does not disappoint! I love the range of shades that can be mixed and matched depending on your mood or the occasion! Plus these highlighters go on like velvet--good blending is huge for me!




HUDA BEAUTY Summer Solstice 3D Highlighter palette ($45.00)

What it is:
A highlighter palette in four fresh summer shades that will create a buildable, endless sunset on your cheeks.

What it does:
Get ready to steal summer’s spotlight with the new limited edition Summer Solstice Highlighter Palette by Huda Beauty. Huda Kattan’s iconic Highlighter Palette is introduced with a fresh twist for summer in a vibrantly reimagined color combination. From the Melted Strobe to the shimmering creamy powders, sculpt and illuminate your face with a warm gradient of gold, pink, and purple tones, and create an endless sunset on your cheeks. Start with St Topez as a base. Then build your highlight with Malibu as a highlighter, Copacabana as a sculpting shade, and Mykonos as a blushing highlight.

This set contains:
- 3 x 0.28 oz/ 8 g Ultra-Shimmery Light Reflecting Pressed Pearls in Malibu (medium bronze), Copacabana (sweet pink powder), Mykonos (semi-sheer purple highlighter with subtle blue gleam)
- 0.26 oz/ 7.5 g Poured Melted Strobe in Saint Tropez (shimmering gold)




Last but definitely not the least, let me express my devotion for the Huda Beauty Summer Solstice palette. I love every single shade, they apply like a dream and you can use them as highlighter or blush or even as eyeshadow, like I did very recently. So flattering on tan skin, the compliments did not stop every time I wore them. Worth every single penny and more!




So there you have it, my darlings! Remember, if you're shopping through the affiliate links above or shopping online, don't forget to sign up for and use Ebates--you'll get cash back with every purchase! WIN-WIN! Referral Link HERE or just click the pic below!




Have you picked up any of these palettes this year? See a favorite? Want to share one of yours that's not on the list? Tell me in the comments section below!










****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. Affiliate links have been included. All opinions are my own.****

7 comments

  1. I was at Sephora earlier, I should've picked up that UD palette. I]

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  2. I almost put the Trolls palette in my roundup!

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  3. Love your suggestions. I just went to Sephora to get that Kevyn Aucoin trio and it's out of stock. I would love to own that.

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  4. Oh, I thought I bought a lot of palettes this year, but other than the Pur Trolls palette, I don't have any of these. I have been hearing great things about the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette, and it sure is pretty!

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  5. I want the UD palette - as well as Huda Desert Dusk, despite having exceeded this year's palette quota for me!

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  6. I NEED that PUR Cosmetics palette! I love bright colours!

    ReplyDelete

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