Everyone needs a great eyeshadow palette — a universal edit of shades that can take a look from day to night with just a few strokes. And during the party season (hello, full glam) having one does-it-all palette you can reach for no matter the occasion is a non-negotiable.
That’s where the Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Mini Eyeshadow Palette comes in. As a beauty writer, my makeup collection spans hundreds of products, but when it comes to eyeshadow palettes, I only have this. Because when a palette contains the perfect balance of shades, you’ll never really need more than one. Okay, maybe two.
Inside, you’ll find nine carefully curated colours, including mattes and high-impact metallics. Think sunset nudes, rich browns and jewel tones, all housed in a compact case small enough to fit into your clutch. It’s the ideal palette to introduce as we enter the season of Christmas parties, festive events and New Years Eve glam, with sparkling shades that seem as though they’re designed for this time of year.
What I love about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Palette
- It features the ideal assortment of shades for both day and evening looks
- The buttery pigment glides on with zero fall out
- There’s both matte and metallic shades
- This is sleek and compact making it ideal for travel
Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Palette swatches:
The palette’s colour story is wearable but never boring. There’s a range of nudes, browns and taupes, making it easy to create an understated day time look. Alongside these staples, there’s a range of light-reflecting metallics in green, navy, copper, bronze and gold. These shades instantly level up the drama, making the palette just as suitable for after-dinner plans as it is for running errands.
The formula performs exceptionally well too. The shadows are buttery soft, blendable and glide on a rich pigment with very minimal fall out. Even when I use the darkest shade to create a wing, it applies seamlessly and stays put without dusting down my cheeks.
How to use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Palette
I keep things soft and streamlined for a daytime look – partly choice, but mostly because my mornings are rushed and fuelled by caffeine. I sweep B2 over my lid and buff A3 into my crease to add depth. Lastly I apply C3 – the darkest shade in the palette – onto an angled brush and create a delicate flick. Et voilá.
Creating an evening look is a whole new story. With plenty of time to get ready, this is where I experiment with the more sultry shades in the palette to create drama. My goal is always a lifted, smoky finish reminiscent of a ‘fox eye’, designed to elongate my eye.
I start similarly to my daytime look by applying B2 on my lid and A3 in the outer crease. From there, I fluff C3 into my crease to create a deeper and smokier look. With my finger, I then press A1 into the corner of my eye and B1 on the centre of my eyelid – both these shades are light-reflecting metallics so they instantly elevate and make my eyes pop. With the party season in full swing, I find myself reaching for the sparkles more and more.
To finish, I’ll either take C1 to add a pop of colour to my lid or use C3 to draw on a sharp wing. In the photo, I also traced over the wing with a brown liquid eyeliner to elevate the ‘fox eye’ effect further.
So my final thoughts? If you’re looking for a sleek palette that does it all, the ABH Embers palette is right at the top of my list. It’s curated and wearable but has enough shades to make it useable for any occasion – day or night. It proves you only need one great palette in your kit.
Shop the Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Mini Eyeshadow Palette, £29
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
