Five festive make-up palettes

One of the best things about Christmas? No, it’s not the grossly oversized dinner, or the tacky oversized decorations – it’s the festive makeup palettes. We’ve rounded up five of the best to covet before the holidays are over.

NARSissist matte/shimmer eyeshadow palette, £39, NARS Cosmetics

With eight of Nars’ most popular eyeshadows, this is the quintessential day-to-night palette. Ideal for the quick change between the desk and the office party, the kit includes a combination of matte and shimmering eyeshadows, ranging from softer neutrals to bolder, more dramatic shades of plum, midnight blue and smokey black. The palette also includes Nars’ Night Clubbing Mini Night Series Eyeliner, to finish off any look in style.Deluxe eye and cheek palette, £59, Bobbi Brown

Striking the balance between luxury and versatility, Bobbi Brown’s Deluxe Eye and Cheek Palette makes flawlessly glamorous make-up easily attainable, even on the go. The neat, two-tiered palette features eight silky powder eyeshadows in universally flattering matte-to-metallic finishes, plus two blushes – one natural, and one designed to pop. A dual-ended eye shadow/eye-liner brush and a mirror make quick touch-ups a cinch.

Life of the Party gift set, £29.50, Benefit Cosmetics

Known for their quirky, tongue-in-cheek designs, Benefit are back for the festive season with their Life of the Party palette. More a collection of miniatures than a traditional make-up palette, the set features everything you need to get ready to party, including such Benefit favourites as They’re Real! Mascara and the POREfessional Face Primer. Three neutral eyeshadows, Dandelion brightening face powder, Rockateur proactive face powder, and Benetint lip and cheek stain mean you’ll have flawless party skin in no time at all.

Dior multi use palette, £61.20, John Lewis

Inspired by the runway, this luxury multi-look palette has pretty much all you need to create looks for any holiday occasion, with six eyeshadows ranging from subtle neutrals for a daytime visit with family to more dramatic, smokey tones for the Christmas party. Encased in a sleek clutch bag, the palette also includes a Diorific Illuminating Powder, Diorblush Brush, fold-out blush brush, double-ended eye applicator, Rouge Dior Lipstick and a Dior Addict Lip Gloss.

Laura Mercier Masterclass colour essentials, £68, House of Fraser

An incredibly versatile palette with the potential to create essentially any look you could ever need to create, ever. The kit builds itself around 12 eyeshadows, from pinks and neutrals to bold, rich shades that are perfect for a sparkly festive occasion. As if that wasn’t enough, three universally flattering cheek colours (Sweet Mandarin, Winter Bloom and Rich Raspberry) make that festive glow easily attainable, whilst black and brown eyeliners, a black kohl eye pencil and two double-ended brushes complete the set to perfection. Really, what more could you need?

Grace Cain