‘£39 palette perfect for holidays that doesn’t affect liquid limits’

As a bit of a makeup addict, my beauty collection fills an entire set of IKEA Alex drawers (yes, nine of them) – so working out what to take on holidays or weekends away can be a little tricky. However, I recently discovered an all-in-one palette that’s perfect for packing in a suitcase, won’t count towards liquids limits and can take beauty fans from day to night in one nifty little set.

I must admit, I’m usually firmly a cream and liquid formula girl, favouring buttery, easily blendable products such as cream bronzers, liquid blushes and stick highlighters. But Laura Geller’s The Best of the Best Baked Starter Palette has made me rethink my views on powder formulas.

Retailing for £39, the palette promises everything needed for a complete makeup look in one compact case. Inside users will find a bronzer, blush, two highlighters and three neutral eyeshadows that can create a range of different looks, making it perfect for anyone looking to streamline their routine or save space in a suitcase or on the dressing table.

The first thing that sets this palette apart is Laura Geller’s signature baked formulas. Rather than being pressed powders, which have typically not been the best for my dry skin, each product starts life as a cream before being baked on terracotta tiles in Italy. The result is a silky texture that feels far smoother than traditional powders, and doesn’t settle into fine lines, making it a standout choice for more mature women, too.

The Baked Body Frosting Bronzer in Tahitian Glow was my standout product. I used a fluffy brush to apply and while the pigment is strong, a light hand can create a lighter sunkissed glow, or build it up for a deeper, bronzier look. Laura Geller is also known for its distinctive marbled finishes, which combine multiple tones so that, rather than feeling flat, they create a more natural, dimensional finish which I really enjoyed.

As for blush, I wouldn’t usually go for a shade like Pink Buttercream, but I was pleasantly surprised. Once applied it gave my complexion a fresh, healthy flush – but I know that if I’d have added any more, the colour may not have been my best. My only criticism is that the palette is only available in one colour combination, so there’s no option to choose a blush shade better suited to personal preferences or skin tone.

By comparison, Sculpted By Aimee’s Bare Basics Palette comes in at £34 and there are two options available. There’s a light and a dark option, with the 7-in-1 palette having been expertly curated to give a full face in five minutes.

Meanwhile, at P.Louise, the Breakfast Bites All-In-One Makeup Palette is £25 and comes in three shade options. It features 12 eyeshadows, blush and highlighter – so no bronzer in this particular palette.

Back to Laura Geller’s palette, to the high points of my face, I added the Portofino highlighter for a little bit of a shimmer. But for those who prefer a more matte-leaning look, the French Vanilla shade is also beautiful. I actually used this on my eyes to create a light base before moving onto the palettes eyeshadows.

Speaking of eyeshadows, there are three shades – Oyster, Sunstone and Almond. Sunstone is a medium neutral in a matte finish, while oyster is a lighter shimmer and almond a darker shimmer shade. While fairly limited compared to having a big palette, it’s surprising how versatile they are, and how small adjustments can take users from a daytime look to full glam.

I used Sunstone all over before applying Almond to my outer edges for a smokey look, adding oyster to the inner corner to brighten and open up my eyes. Compared to the face powders, the pigmentation of Sunstone isn’t quite as punchy, so needed building up over a couple of layers.

Overall though, I was pretty astonished at the results. Not only did it look great, but would save time compared to rummaging through multiple compacts each morning. I’m already planning to pack it for my next holiday – and my mum has already started hinting that she’d quite like to borrow it permanently.

On Amazon, the palette has racked up an impressive 4.4 star rating based on more than 9,000 reviews. One said: “Perfect all in one palette. I use it every day, so handy, my face has a perfect glow in 5 mins. Also easy to pack if travelling. May seem expensive but I think it’s well worth it if you were to buy the items individually plus the ease of a palette.”

It’s particularly popular with more mature shoppers, with one writing: “This has got to be the best all in one makeup palette I’ve ever purchased for my over 60 mature skin, ideal shades, doesn’t sink into my fine facial lines and great for travelling, no more 100ml liquid stress – would definitely purchase further items from this brand.”

“I have mature skin with blemishes and the make up covers it beautifully,” a third wrote. “It doesn’t dry your skin and stays put all day. It doesn’t get stuck in the fine lines or wrinkles. You don’t need a lot to have a great finished look. People have commented on how well I look. Thank you Laura Gellar, this make up is a game changer.”

Some haven’t been a fan of the glow the palette provides, however, with one review reading: “I had to return this as it made my face look extremely shiny. Also, the eye shadow was quite faint.”

Another five-star review added: “Absolutely brilliant product. All I need in one place. I love the look I have with this product. Its classy, subtle, and very fresh. Came across by chance. At 64 never thought I’d find something as amazing as this. It’s gorgeous.”

But as I’ve demonstrated, it’s not just for women of a certain age, and is universally adored by younger makeup lovers, too. One wrote: “Absolutely love this palette! 30-year-old women, I applied it over some tinted moisturiser (bb cream) and wow. I’ve always used top branded makeup but this is the best pigmentation I’ve ever used and I absolutely love that I can use this everyday within 5 mins and look naturally glowing. Best makeup purchase ever.”

Whether for saving space in luggage, slimming down beauty kits or simply for quick and easy looks, this palette has seriously impressed this particular beauty writer and may have converted me to the occasional powder formula.