A good makeup palette should contain colours you’ll actually want to use again and again - whether that’s a sultry selection of smokey eye shades or a painterly palette of technicolour wondrousness. 

Whether you’re looking for new ways to experiment with colour, dazzle with metallics - or even if you’re on the lookout for that perfect set of neutrals to go with every ‘fit, your perfect palette awaits. Here’s some tips on how you can discover yours.

1. Consider Skin type and Suitability 

The products in your palette should work with your skin type - particularly if you’re likely to use them every day. If you have especially dry lids, cream formulas might offer better hold without looking cakey, while sensitive skins may respond better to mineral formulas. Finally - while makeup shouldn’t have an age limit, it’s worth remembering what looks best on you right now, as shimmery colours or matte finishes can look unflattering depending on the maturity of your skin.

2. Day to Night

Depending on the type of looks you’d like to achieve, your palette should offer a range of buildable, blendable shades that allow you to switch up your look depending on the occasion. For example: a range of eye shadows should contain a lighter colour, a mid-shade such as brown or grey and a darker colour (this can also be used as liner) - these basic shades might look unassuming - but they’re also a great way to take your look from day to night time in a flash.

3. Rainbow Bright

Having a solid set of neutrals to hand never steered anyone wrong: they go with every outfit, they’re easily blendable - and they’re subtle, making them great for novice makeup artists. That said, they can be a bit “meh”. If you’re looking to break out of your comfort zone, get creative - and even a little playful, choosing a multicolour palette can be  a great way to brighten up your mood as well as your look - think of it like maximalism - for the eyes.

4. Mix Things Up

While it’s a given that you don’t have to wear every single shade at once (which could look a little bit odd) - try to rotate your palette by wearing two or three colours at a time, layering them depending on suitability so that you don’t end up running out of a particular shade before the rest of them.

5. Eyes, Lips, Face - and More

Most makeup palettes are all about eye makeup - but they make them for lips and cheeks, too.  Lip gloss, contouring, bronzer and blush palettes offer a great way to combine different colours, creating your very own custom shades. Don’t be afraid to think outside the (makeup) box, too: combining eyeshadow with a lipbalm can be a brilliant way to create new lip colours - and if you’re using a rainbow coloured palette, you can create blue, green or even gold lipstick - the world’s your (colourful) oyster!

6. Suits You

The best lip colours should compliment your skin tone, depending on whether it’s warm, neutral or cool. Consider the rest of your face and whether certain colours will warm up your complexion - or leave you looking washed out.  With eye shadows it’s about finding hues that highlight the natural beauty of your eyes: grey and brown eyes suit most colours including metallics and beautiful jewel tones , hazel and green eyes look fabulous in regal purple or pink - while simple shades of brown or coppery orange can really make blue eyes sparkle.

7. Makeup to Go

A key selling point for most makeup palettes is convenience: if you have a job involving frequent travel - or if you just prefer not having to carry a full makeup bag around with you, a multipurpose palette is the way to go. Palettes containing all the beauty essentials you need such as mascara, lipgloss and a range of eye colours can be just the ticket for on-the-go applications,  keeping everything in one place - even when you’re not.

Choosing a makeup palette can be a fun, creative way to bring out your inner makeup artist (and  even your inner artist, too). If you’re looking for ways to brighten up your makeup “wardrobe”, experiment with blending techniques and make things a little more fun again, pick up a peppy palette of multichromatic marvellousness - and rediscover your love of colour.