Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Eyeshadow Palettes

Whether you want to shop right before Christmas, or on the Boxing Day Sales across the British Commonwealth, shopping during the Holiday Season is guaranteed to get you black eyes, bruised skin, half-pulled hair and a titchy temper. Last year, I was in travelling in the Persian Gulf during Boxing Day, and Zara, H&M, Topshop and Debenhams were nightmares. There was some dress Kate Middleton had worn once and the fight over the last piece was epic. I ended up buying nothing. Which is why online shopping is an easier choice.
Over the coming week, I will pick out my suggestions for eyeshadow palettes, makeup and skincare treats, tools and stocking stuffers, and gift ideas for the man in your life - December 19th is the cut-off date on most websites for domestic delivery before Christmas, and December 9th is the date for international delivery.
Pick one or more of these for a cherished family member or friend, or for yourself - each of these choices is guaranteed to be much-loved by the recipient!

Here are some eyeshadow palettes that will make great Holiday gifts!

Urban Decay Naked On The Run

This all-in-one palette is perfect for travel - it contains six beautifully smooth neutral eyeshadows, a bronzer and a blush, a mini Perversion mascara, reviewed here, a mini 24/7 Glide On eyeliner pencil, and the Naked Lipgloss in Sesso. Available here.

Urban Decay Vice 3

I was not enamoured with the original Vice and Vice 2 palettes, but the shades in Vice 3 are just... wow. Especially Vanity ("smoky metallic eggplant") and Alchemy ("deep fuchsia satin"). Both are shades I need in my life! Neutral eyeshadows may come and neutrals may go, but there is nothing like a bright coloured  eyeshadow to cheer you up no end. Available here.

Too Faced Everything Nice

Every year, Too Faced does a Christmas special palette. I bought A Few Of My Favourite Things last year - reviewed here - and love it forever. This year's edition comes in far more delightful packaging. Skip if you already have last year's edition, because some of the shades can end up being similar. If not, this is a great Christmassy choice. Available here.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tamanna 

Big-time lust alert! Inspired by Asian beauty trends, this palette has teal, chocolate and peachy hues. I love that there is just the one highlighting shade; most palettes seem to have half a dozen pales I cannot use. It is sold out on Beauty Bay, but the moment it is back on stock, rest assured that I will buy it! As for the sari-like packaging - gorg! Available here.

Lorac Pro 2

I have reviewed Lorac Pro 2 here. If you had to choose between the original Lorac Pro, reviewed here, Lorac Pro 2, I advise 2 any time! The second edition contains navy, olive green, peachy, plum and gunmetal shades, taking meh-neutrals to a whole new level. A must-have! Available here.

Tarte Bon Voyage

The exclusive bag, the 20 beautiful eyeshadows, the maracuja oil mini, the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara, the LipSurgence tint, cheek stain and Amazonian Clay finishing powder - all in one gorgeous set. A brilliant Christmas prezzie for a special lady, or the best year-end treat for yourself! Available here.

TheBalm Nude'Dude

Watch this blog for a review of this palette, because it IS on my Christmas wishlist. With twelve beautiful long-wearing and triple-milled neutral eyeshadows in cute packaging, this palette forms the sequel to the beautiful Nude'Tude palette from theBalm, which is my all-time favourite neutral palette. Why do you need this? Well, apart from the packaging, these eyeshadows include rose-matte and purple-based neutrals. Did I mention it also comes with theBalm's Body Builder mascara? What's not to love? Available here.

Too Faced La Belle Carousel

How cute is this set? It will look adorable on your vanity. Plus, you get twelve eyeshadows, two bronzers, two blushes, a mascara and infinite looks out of this. Once more - that packaging! Were I Victorian (era, not the Australian state), I would reach for my smelling salts because that packaging overwhelms me. Available here.

TheBalm Balmsai Palette

I have reviewed this palette here. It is the ideal gift for a woman who loves travelling as much as she loves makeup. With this palette, there is no need to cartload half a dozen bulky palettes around in your suitcase; you can get a huge variety of looks with this compact set. Best of all, it also includes stencils to prevent fallout and to get the perfect cat eye. Available here.

These palettes almost made it to my list:
IT Cosmetics Celebration Palette
Why: Although a part of me wants to buy this palette, I prefer the IT Cosmetics Vol. 1 Naturally Pretty Matte Transforming Luxe Palette, reviewed here.
Urban Decay Naked Vault
Why: What if the recipient already has one or more Naked palettes? And, these are sold out in most places.

Affiliate Links