Eliza Approved spotlights those hero products worth the spend. Whether it’s classic favourites or what’s landed on our beauty editor’s desk this week, you can put your trust in our recommendations.
When it comes to applying my makeup, I like to keep my routine as simple as possible. This usually means having all the different formulas I use for my skin and eyes in just one compact product. I find it so much easier to have my bronzer, highlighter and blusher all in one so that I can apply them quickly while just swapping brushes.
With that in mind, I’d been on the lookout for a single product that I would use on a day-to-day basis, especially for early starts when I need to be out of the house by 7am.
So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Look In a Palette. It was a total life-changer.
The palette has been my ride-or-die for the best part of three years now and I can honestly say I would be a mess without it. I first discovered it in the brand’s 2019 Christmas sale and have never looked back.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Look In a Palette: my verdict
- Price: PRP £55
- Areas to apply: Eyes and cheeks
- Benefits: Easy to use, lasts all day, all-year-round shades
- Colour: Two palettes: Sunset Dreamscape and Beauty Glow
Which products does the palette feature?
The easy-to-use palette combines eyeshadow, bronzer, blusher and highlighter in seven different shades. I use it every morning without fail.
My favourite is the Sunset Dreamscape colourway, which has berry-like shades. It has three different eyeshadows and each shade is numbered, with the first designed to brighten, the second a glittery pink shade to enhance the eyes and the third a deep-matte colour verging on purple.
Underneath are four additional products for the cheeks and face. When applying my makeup for the day, I use the bronzer along my jawline, nose and cheekbones. The shade is a muted brown, which is perfect for a daytime look.
The highlighter really lights up those parts of your face you want to make stand out. I recommend building it up slowly, as it can be very bright.
Although the two cheek colours are designed to be used on separate areas of the face, once blended together, they mix into a gorgeous hue for the apples of the cheeks.
Which looks is the palette best for?
Even though I have stressed how perfect the palette is for daytime makeup, this doesn’t mean you can’t create a powerful evening look too. It’s so versatile that it’s possible to use it for a statement smoky eye at night, but also a light shimmery look during the day. Each face product is perfectly buildable too, which makes for an easy transition from day to night.
The palette aims to mimic sunset colours, so if you’re a fan of shades that have warmer undertones, this is the one for you. I’ve never enjoyed packing away makeup from season to season due to a change in colours, so I always opt for these hues, which can be used all year round.
With this specific palette, over the summer months, I have focused more on the shimmery highlighter and glittery eyeshadow when doing my makeup, either on holiday or when going out.
Since moving into autumn, I have built up the darker shades such as the smoky berry-like shade and bronzer.
It goes without saying that the palette is especially great to carry around with you for on-the-go top-ups.
Instead of having to bring a makeup bag full of products with you to the office or out to dinner, you can carry all your essentials in one. Just add your lipstick, eyeliner and mascara, and you are good to go!
Although it comes with an expensive price tag, the palette is definitely worth the money as you save on buying each product separately. I still use the same one I bought years ago so it truly does last ages, too.
This is one makeup item I truly could not live without.
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