You cannot go wrong with a brown smoky eyeshadow palette.

It will match everything you wear and it contains all the shades you would need for the perfect eye make-up: a neutral shade for the entire lid, a gradient of browns for the lashline and contouring on the socket, as well as a shimmery gold to highlight the browbone.

Just slip a palette into your bag and you are good to go.

If you prefer simple eye make-up, one of these palettes should last you for the year.

SPLURGE

Bobbi Brown Smokey Warm Eye Palette ($108)

Made for the holiday season, this palette comes with six colours: matte ivory, metallic antique gold, matte milk chocolate, glittery wheat, sparkly medium brown and matte dark espresso. It also comes with a double-ended brush - one side for eyeshadow and the other for a gel liner.

The palette is also available in the Smokey Cool Eye Palette, which comprises grey and silver shades.

Review: Bobbi Brown is known for its silky eyeshadows that blend easily. They can also be layered without caking up. This palette does not disappoint.

The different textures and complementary shades are also versatile. You can create a sparkly day look with the matte ivory, metallic antique gold and glittery wheat shades; or an intense evening look with the matte dark espresso, sparkly medium brown and matte milk chocolate.

SAVE

The Body Shop 4-Step Smoky Eyes ($39.90)

The eyeshadow palette is filled with four complementary shades: metallic golden beige, bronze, brown and a matte dark brown. The set comes with two eyeshadow brushes - one for blending and another for precision application. There is also a set of easy-to-follow instructions for a smoky-eye look.

Also available in a plum-based palette.

Review: The eyeshadow goes on smoothly with a satin finish, but the powder is picked up more effectively with the fingertips than the brush provided. The solution? Apply the eyeshadow on the lids with your fingers and blend with the brushes provided.

The colours are beautiful and pigmented. I wish they came in more textures instead of just matte and metallic ones, so that more interesting eye make-up looks can be created.

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