Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

If you have long harboured - last Summer does feel like a lifetime ago now - dreams of calling the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette yours, then your (make-up) ship has came in. Now this really is a case of run don't walk, as due to popular demand the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Natural Beauty is back once again, for another limited edition run - this time around it is also joined by the new, sultry yet equally as flattering, Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Seductive Beauty.

Last time around the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Natural Beauty all but sold out instantly, I never quite got the chance to share my thoughts on what I deem to be one of my wisest beauty purchases to date. As they say no time quite like the present, so without further ado let me explain how and why, this seemingly unassuming palette has a firm place in my heart and make-up bag.

Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

As the name suggests, the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette is just that...well at least in powder form; most will couple the contents with a foundation, mascara and maybe a lip colour too but otherwise, it has all you need and more to create a flawless, natural and ultimately pretty, look at home, or of course on-the-go. Despite containing no less than seven well proportioned pans of powder, the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palettes manages the impossible - they are neither oversized, bulky nor miniscule in size. Rather the book-like style of the two palettes, has been designed to neatly fit into the palm of your hand, allowing for complete ease of use (completed with the huge mirror inside) and of course to be conveniently stashed away in your handbag and/or suitcase. When travelling, all I now pack is my Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Natural Beauty, two lipsticks (a nude and something for evening wear), a foundation, a powder and a mascara - it has revolutionised and de-bulked my travel beauty habits all in one.

Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

Now for a quick run down of the contents (the eyeshadows and blush shades are exclusive to the kit) - at the very top of my now battered and well-used palette, you will see three eyeshadows: a bright and in my instance very lightly used, pale matte pink eyeshadow - this is a little stark for my basic needs but it does help to open the eyes and doubles up as a brow highlight. This is proceeded by a warm, soft gold-come-copper which I more often than not wear alone as a quick wash of colour, the slightly orange-y tones really help to enhance blue and green eyes. Lastly we have a matte, warm, medium brown eyeshadow which can be used to define both the eyes and brows - dependant on your hair colour of course - and generally adds a little drama to any eye look.

Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches
Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

One of the many great things about the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palettes is that they each essentially contain a mini Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Kit. For sculpting and bronzing the skin there is a slightly cool toned, satin mid-toned bronzer that can both warm the complexion or be used as a typical contour - you can of course apply it as an eyeshadow too. This is coupled by one of the most flattering powder highlighters I have come across; unlike most beauty brands the Charlotte Tilbury concept is to create beautiful, ageless products that can be used and appreciated by all. No individual item is a truer testament to such statement than the highlighter. Yes it adds a gilded, cool toned champagne shimmer to the skin but it does so without the need for large, clunky glitter or shimmer particles - it is so finely milled that it all but melts into the skin, creating a refined, gleam of pearlescent light.

Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

Lastly the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Natural Beauty contains two blushes which happen to both be pink: the top shade is best described as a muted, warm, almost coral, satin pink and the bottom blush - a bright, candy yet cool toned rose. I will admit that I do find the brighter of the two options a little more cumbersome to apply as it can look quite stark on my complexion, if not fully blended out but otherwise no complaints. Much like all the powder products within the entire edit, the emphasis has been placed on quantity not quality - although it could be argued that with three eyeshadows and two blushes, for a fairly compact palette there are more options that one could imagine.

Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches
Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches
Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches
Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Review and Swatches

In the past - and in my opinion - multi-purpose kits have failed because the shades and mediums of the products inside have not been cohesive; on that aspect alone the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palettes comes out victorious. Couple this with high quality, long wearing formulations and you can understand why this palette was an instant hit and sell out.

Truly, get it while you can. This palette has the potential to be not only one of the best launches of 2016 but also 2017.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palettes £49 each (online exclusive to Charlotte Tilbury) - link