There aren’t many all-in-one makeup palettes that tick every wish list box and some. The Sweet Escape palette by PLouise is a rare exception. Not only does it provide pigments for the face and eyes, it delivers oodles of cuteness and a touch of novelty.
A book-style palette, this colour story is first and foremost usable. Every shade has been carefully chosen to ensure it delivers - no matter your skin tone, no matter your age. Open the book and you will discover 18 candy cane themed eyeshadows. Turn the pages to reveal more - eight trending blush shades, eight toasty bronzers and, you guessed it, eight dazzling highlighters.
Part of this year’s Christmas collection, Sweet Escape is available to buy on its own or as part of the brand’s full Sleigh-Over collection. Want it? You better be quick - this is a limited edition product.
Of course, this isn’t just a makeup palette. It’s a book of positivity that encourages creativity from the 3D front cover. “Write a story worth reading,” it says - and then takes you on a journey of pure discovery. Throughout this palette, you will find uplifting messages that reinforce PLouise’s commitment to warm your heart with encouragement as well as make you look pretty. From references to the already iconic Sleigh-Over to a travel diary, this is a book you won’t be able to put down.
It includes formulas from some of the brand’s top-selling products, including the rich and creamy Spoilt for Choice bronzers and high-beam highlighters. Of course, the eyeshadows in this palette boast high-quality pressed pigments and shimmers to die for.
About the Sweet Escape palette
Sweet Escape retails at £40. It is currently available either from PLouise’s website or its shop on TikTok. I bought mine from TikTok and it was delivered by Amazon Shipping in four days.
Measurements:
Height: 22cm
Width: 14cm
Depth: 5cm
This is a weighty palette, which comes boxed, and probably not something you are going to pop in a handbag and carry around. You definitely get your money’s worth - and not just in makeup products. Pop a button battery* in a compartment that you will find cleverly concealed between the front cover and large mirror and, hey presto!, you have the cutest night light ever. Stunning!
Designed to deliver a winter wonderland of festive sweet-inspired shades, it starts with a ‘once upon a time’ fairy castle framed by candy cane stripes and concludes with an invitation to take your makeup journey further. So, if you are looking for a colour story that encapsulates the spirit of the season but takes you beyond, you are going to love this.
Eyeshadows
Think pink. Then let your mind wander to peach and then crimson. Adding to the useability of this palette is the inclusion of neutrals (six shades of brown). Looking for a touch of icy crispness? Discover six stand-out shimmers and a matte white - perfect if you want to try your hand at the trending Frosted Eyes look.
This colour story is versatile and definitely not just for Christmas. I can see shades in this palette that will be perfect for spring and summer as well as the cooler months.
You’ve got to love the adorable shade names. Check out Sugar Street, My Own World, Treat Trail and Lollipop Lust, to name just a few. My personal favourites? Sweet Escape and Snowflake Sunday. What I’m looking for in eyeshadow shades are super-blendable, rich pigments that are suitable for gradient styles as well as a simple pop of colour or sparkle. I can achieve all of those and more with the Sweet Escape palette.
Last year’s Christmas eyeshadow offering came in the form of a collaboration with US makeup influencer Mikayla Nogueira. Inspired by the MUA’s wedding, 'To Have and To Hold' delivered a perfect fusion of winter-crisp blues and nudes. The formula for the shades in that palette was incredibly long-wearing. Definitely one of the brand’s most under-rated pigment collections.
I first came to this brand looking for exceptional eyeshadows. I found them and hung around to discover a whole lot more - from the easiest-to-blend cheek products to stand-out skincare. (I’m a ‘Fluffy Pancakes all the way’ kind of girl!)
Blushers
Whether you like a hint of a flush or want to create an after-sun look, this page of the book won’t let you down. From light pink to deep red, this blush collection has it all.
What I love about PLouise cheek products, whether powder, liquid or cream, is that they diffuse so well on the skin. No harsh lines, no streaks, no cakiness. Just a pop of colour, where you want it.
My favourite shades in this collection are the first and second pans – true baby pink and peach. I can see myself reaching for them time and again. Prior to purchasing Sweet Escapes, I was obsessing over the blush in the brand’s Sienna Sun face palette, part of the Fluffy Fantasy collection originally launched for the Fulfilling Dreams mystery boxes. And reel back a bit more, I was all-out on the liquid Cheek Of It shades because, when you are in a hurry in the morning, this is the easiest and quickest way to get rosy cheeks faff-free.
Bronzers
Where to start? These aren’t just bronzers. With such a great shade selection, you can use the Spoilt For Choice cream formulas to contour the face. I can also see myself reaching for these pigments to blend out on the eyelids.
Whatever your skin tone, whatever look you want to achieve - from a hint of a tan to something more chiselled - these products will warm up your face and give you the perfect, toasty winter glow.
Super creamy, the bronzers are effortless to blend. My favourites? The second and third pans – light and medium tones.
Highlighters
One of the reasons I wanted this palette was for the highlighters. I rarely wear any kind of shimmer on my cheeks, but I love a touch of sparkle in the centre of my eyelids. PLouise highlighters are among the best you will find anywhere on the planet. Of course, this collection is beyond superb.
From light, bright icy diamond shades to warm bronzes and golds, it delivers across a wide spectrum of highlight hues. If you are looking to sparkle this holiday season, these are the products you need to take any look to the next level. From a swipe of sheen on your cheekbones to a dab of brilliance on the inner corners of your eyes, look no further!
The shades I just know I’m going to reach for most often are in the first and fourth pans. The first delivers sparkling frost. My latter choice reminds me of glittering pink sugar.
Sweet Escape palette summed up
If you have had your eye on PLouise’s Chapter collection, this palette goes further. It delivers versatility, value for money and exceptional makeup products in one, handy package that you will reach for over and over again. You get more than 40 makeup products for just £40 - that works out at under £1 a product. But, of course, you don’t just get cosmetics with a PLouise palette. You get encouraged inspiration and the delight of unwrapping something that will, quite literally, light up your life.
I like the fact that this palette incorporates Spoilt For Choice bronzers and some of the brand’s best highlighters. The eyeshadow shades are always going to be spectacular from PLouise so, coupled with everything else you get in this palette, it really is a Christmas no-brainer. A fan of PLouise? Trust me, she's left the best of 2024 to last.
If you buy one palette this season, make sure it is Sweet Escape. You won’t regret it. As the book says: “There are no limits to what you can create.”
*The battery required for the PLouise Sweet Escape palette is CR 2032.
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