Because I’m not one to let a makeup trend pass me by, I’ve been itching to get my hands on one of those oh so pretty embossed palettes which seem to be all the rage right now. But I can’t decide whether to buy a cheap quick fix or indulge in something a bit more luxurious! So I thought I’d do a little round up of a few that I’ve been eyeing up...


SAVE: Collection 2000 Shimmer & Shade palette (£3.99)
These two-tone embossed powders are being launched in three shades - Just Peachy, Pink Me Up and Golden & Gorgeous. I haven’t tried them as they don’t come out ‘til May but they look like they’d be good for sculpting the face – you could use a slanted brush to apply the darker shade under the cheekbones to define, then use the lighter shade to add highlights to the cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose. I like the look of Just Peachy as I’m really into fresh, apricot colour cheeks right now but for £3.99, I might even buy all three!


SPEND: Clinique Fresh Bloom All-over Colour Powder (£23.00)
Part blush, part illuminator, this luminizing multipurpose powder can be swept all over the face for a subtle, pretty glow or brushed on cheekbones to highlight. There’s a handy mirror in the compact’s lid and the embossed flower is so pretty, I just don’t think I can resist. I’ve tried a few of the colours and I think Posy, a perfect nudey pink is bloomin’ lovely and probably my favourite!


SPLURGE: Chantecaille Protected Paradise Palette (£75.00)
When I first saw this, it just melted my heart with its sheer prettiness! The mini marine scene features three shades - rich coral, pale pink and soft gold. You sweep it across your face with the soft puff provided to blend the three colours together. It feels velvety and gives a fabulous warm glow. Apparently it also contains hydrating silk proteins and smoothing silicones to care for your skin. There’s no doubt this is truly gorgeous but I had to frog-march myself out of Space NK because I just couldn’t justify the price – even if Chantecaille are donating 5% from each sale to a marine conservation charity.

So what do you think girls – save, spend or splurge? And if anyone else has other suggestions for embossed palettes, please do share!