New Makeup Palettes For Spring and Summer 2016
Brace Yourself: These Are the Season's Most Stunning New Palettes
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Spring and Summer are the seasons during which I most heavily rely on my favorite makeup palettes. This is my favorite time of year to travel, and when packing products, I turn to some jam-packed compacts to cut down on makeup bag bulk.
This year's crop of kits is especially appealing: there are stunning face sets for contouring, highlighting, or adding a sexy flush. (I typically pack five to six different blushes and bronzers for a long weekend, so I'm excited for these new items!) Multifunctional petite lip palettes add a kiss of color to your pout and your cheeks. And, of course, there are plenty of gorgeous shadow compacts to choose from.
Read on to shop some of my top picks, but don't blame me if you end up bringing them all on vacation — they're so pretty, it's worth paying extra to check your luggage!
Tom Ford Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner
What it is: Tom Ford Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner ($108)
Why we want it: The trio of shades can be used separately to define your features or swirled together for a gorgeous all-over glow. The chic compact feels heavy and luxurious in your hands, too — brushing on these hues while looking in the mirror is bound to make you feel glamorous!
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Eye Shadow Palette
What it is: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Eye Shadow Palette ($50)
Why we want it: In addition to five pretty neutrals, this compact is stashed with a velvety turquoise shadow. Try using it as an undereye liner for a pop of color, or sweep it over the lid for a bolder look.
Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Palette in Sunrise Splendor
What it is: Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Palette in Sunrise Splendor ($39)
Why we want it: Each of these shades can be used on cheeks and lips to add a sweet kiss of color. Packing just one palette for both features makes getting glam on the go a snap!
Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette
What it is: Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette ($45)
Why we want it: You can't pack just one blush when traveling — after all, you don't want your cheek color to clash with your lipstick! From shimmery peach to cool pink and every shade in between, this palette allows you to significantly customize every beauty look, all with a flick of a brush.
Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Shadow Palette
What it is: Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Shadow Palette ($50)
Why we want it: Every budding beauty babe needs some high-quality neutral shadows in her collection. This quintet of taupes and greiges from Bobbi Brown includes one of her fantastic shadow brushes, so you can line, define, and highlight your eyes with ease.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in That Glow
What it is: Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in That Glow ($40)
Why we want it: If you're obsessed with strobing, this palette is for you. It features four different (yet majorly lustrous) shades so you can make your cheekbones glimmer like an Instagram celebrity's. Try the shades on your shoulders and décolleté for a bit of sexy shimmer.
Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes Travel Palette
What it is: Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes Travel Palette ($24)
Why we want it: Matte makeup is having a serious moment! You can create dazzling contoured eye looks with the eight flat-finish shadows in this travel-sized palette, but consider using some of the shades as brow powder and liner, too.
Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Jello Color Eye Shadow Palette in #1
What it is: Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Jello Color Eye Shadow Palette in #1 ($39)
Why we want it: The unusual texture of these shadows makes them a must try. Each one is fluffy yet jelly-like, allowing you to add a significant dose of sparkle without the risk of glitter fallout.
Make Up For Ever Artist Palette Volume 3 — Florals
What it is: Make Up For Ever Artist Palette Volume 3 — Florals ($44)
Why we want it: If you like punchy, vibrant eye shadows, try this nine-pan palette. The colors are arranged vertically in peacock, nude, and orchid trios, so you don't have to struggle to figure out which shades work best together.
Nars NARSissist L'amour Toujours L'amour Eye Shadow Palette
What it is: Nars NARSissist L'amour Toujours L'amour Eye Shadow Palette ($59)
Why we want it: Our biggest gripe with most eye palettes is that the all-over lid shades are in the same-size pan as accent colors. We're then left heartbroken when we run out of those coveted neutrals. Nars solved that issue by making the pans of these stunning everyday hues extralarge, so you'll finish all the shadows in the compact at the same time.
Yves Saint Laurent Savage Escape Couture Palette
What it is: Yves Saint Laurent Savage Escape Couture Palette ($60)
Why we want it: If you think this palette is too pretty to use, we don't blame you. It features rose-gold hardware and denim-blue suede on the outside of the package, but the contents are even prettier: five shimmery, velvety shadows that are perfect for creating a beach-worthy eye.
Estée Edit Eye Shadow Palette
What it is: Estée Edit Eye Shadow Palette ($48)
Why we want it: If it's got Kendall Jenner's seal of approval, it has ours, too. The model designed this palette herself and included two shades that glow under black lights, so you can really turn heads at the club.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eye Shadow Palette
What it is: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eye Shadow Palette ($34)
Why we want it: The powder shadows in this palette are intensely creamy. That means that not only will they smoothly glide onto your lid, but they'll also look extrashimmery, making your eyes appear brighter and bigger.
By Terry Sun Designer Palette in #1 Tan & Flash Cruise
What it is: By Terry Sun Designer Palette in #1 Tan & Flash Cruise ($82)
Why we want it: The Missoni-esque zigzags are reason enough for us to be obsessed with this palette, but its pigmented bronzer, blush, and highlighter hues secure it as a must have.
Cargo Cosmetics 20th Anniversary Lip Gloss Quad
What it is: Cargo Cosmetics 20th Anniversary Lip Gloss Quad ($20)
Why we want it: Remember this tin? Cargo resurrected its iconic lip gloss quad in honor of the brand's 20th anniversary. The formula is just as shiny as you remember but doesn't feel sticky. Mix the shades to create a custom color, or wear them separately.
