With every year that passes, my beauty cabinet groans at the prospect of the influx of limited-edition make-up palettes that will be added to its substantially stacked shelving. For as long as I can remember, and well before I started a career in the beauty industry, I have collected them. For a time they were mostly Chanel, but more recently I have broadened my palette – if you will excuse the pun – to include gems from the likes of Pat McGrath Labs, Hourglass, Dior and Bobbi Brown.
In fact, almost anything that is housed in chic packaging or with embossing on the powder has found its way into the collection. There is a psychology of the holiday palette, I discover, as I talk to Carisa Janes, founder and CEO of Hourglass, which has been releasing seasonal updates of its cult Ambient Lighting Powder Palettes since 2017. “Every year we are surprised and delighted with how well our holiday collections sell, and every year we have to substantially increase production to meet demand. The feedback from our customers is they love the idea of a keepsake and once they have one, they want more.”
Its offering this year comprises three different designs: a lotus flower, a dragon and an evil eye symbol – all talismans of good luck, making it necessary (to my mind) to keep them forever. But there has to be a cut off. And the significant investment of some of these delights is not to be overlooked. So, for this year, I have employed some simple rules of engagement to keep make-up magpie tendencies in check and to know that the investment is worthwhile.
Firstly, don't opt for a palette that you would never use. Granted, it might seem too pretty to disturb with the swirl of a brush or a dab of a finger, but give yourself the option to use it should the time come. These palettes should never be saved for best. To that end, be sure you opt for one where you’re sure to use every single shade. Settling for rogue shades that will remain untouched is no longer necessary, so choose one where all the colours speak to you in equal measure.
Also: gift! Sometimes the simple act of buying one for someone else is enough to scratch the itch and a beautiful palette is almost always guaranteed to please. And if all else fails? Investigate new storage solutions.
