Pick of the Palettes

BEAUTY: FLOWER POWERNars Hanamichi eye shadow palette (€55) Kabuki-inspired flower path design that's almost too beautiful to use. The shades evoke a traditional Japanese garden on a snow white background.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Bobbi Brown Party shimmer brick (€44.50)

Christmas edition of the bestselling complexion enhancer featuring gold and silver shimmer to dust on eyes, cheeks and beyond. The perfect party partner.

CATWALK CHIC

Dior Celebration Collection multi-use palette (€77)

Perfect for gals on the go, this chic tweed-finish compact houses no less than nine products from this season’s collection. A multi-shaded finishing powder, lavender-toned eye quartet and award winning mascara sit alongside lipstick, balm and gloss. Good value for the quality.

RETRO BARGAIN

Marcel Wenders for M&S Face Palette (€16)

Six powder eye shadows and three lip colours in a palette designed by acclaimed Dutch designer Marcel Wenders. It’s available in two colour ways. The brighter Verdigris is pictured here, the alternate Safari offers earthy tones for a more neutral look.

If you’re looking for a gift for a make-up maven, I suggest you turn your attention to one of the many colour palettes that grace the beauty counters at this time of year. Not only do you get a set of coordinating shades which work well together, but they also represent significant savings compared to buying the same products individually. The beauty companies really push the boat out at Christmas, with beautifully designed compacts competing for attention. These seasonal selections come in limited edition designs and colour combinations.

GOTHIC GLAM

YSL Palette Noir Terriblement (€53)

There’s a nod to St Laurent’s androgynous tuxedo jacket in this darkly glamorous play on monochrome. Four textures of black (velvet, silk, moiré and lamé) surround a band of shimmering white satin; for the ultimate smoky eye.

COMING UP ROSY

Benefit 'I'm glam . . . Therefore I am' (€39.50)

From the quirky name to the cute packaging, this palette is a winner. Benefit excel in face flattering shades with warm rosy tones and the step-by-step instructions make it easy to achieve different effects.

ALL OVER GLOW

Clarins Passion face palette (€55)

Beautifully presented, with the compact design embossed on the powder inside, this lightweight face powder illuminates face and décolleté for a refined glow.

PEARLY QUEEN

Armani Madre Perla Noel (€110)

Art Deco style meets modern technology in this luxury palette containing three pearlescent shades which subtly illuminate the eye area in tones of sand, champagne and aqua. It comes in a hand decorated pearl compact, and there are only 3,000 available worldwide.

AMERICAN BEAUTY

Michael Kors Christmas set (€55)

This designer collaboration with Estée Lauder has produced a terrific gift set available in four different colourways, with a co-ordinating Kors cosmetic bag. It features wearable shades for eyes and lips, along with a bronzer or blush and two application brushes.

I can’t live without . . .

ZOE CLARK make-up artist

Foundation: I have tried loads of different foundations, but my favourite is still MAC's Face and Body. It has a really light, liquid texture and it comes in a great of range of colours. I believe that when you wear foundation it shouldn't look like you have anything on. Foundation should be used as a skin enhancer, not as a thick gloopy cover.

Concealer: I like Laura Mercier's Perfect Camouflage to cover any spots or redness. For around my eyes, another favourite is YSL's Touche Éclat. My little trick is to first apply a tiny bit of concealer, under the eye and on the lid, and then I apply a fine layer of the Touche Éclat over the top. The concealer covers dark circles, the Touche Éclat reflects and adds a little brightness. I then apply a little loose powder over the top.

Mascara: No matter what, I will always throw on a bit of black mascara to emphasise my eyes. My favourite at the moment is Max Factor's Masterpiece.

Bronzer: I use a bronzer to give me a little colour, and I also use it to help give my face a bit of sculpting. I apply the bronzer with a blusher brush around my hairline on my forehead, blending inwards, on to my temples and across my cheekbones in a sweeping motion. I then brush a little of the bronzer on my neck under my chin to help sharpen my jaw line. My favourite bronzer at the moment is Bobbi Brown's No 1 Golden Light as it is matte in texture and isn't too dark or orangey.

Elizabeth Arden's Eight-Hour Cream: The best product if you have dry, flaky patches. I often use it on dry lips, or around the nose. In fact anywhere that needs a bit of moisture. I lash it on at night if my skin is dehydrated as it really helps with extreme dryness, which is especially prevalent at this time of the year.