Reader Meghan sent a request for me to answer the “Perfect Palette Tag,” which is going around YouTube. I actually watched Leesha do this tag a few days ago and thought it would be fun to do at some point, so when Meghan made the request, it was a done deal.  I decided to answer in the spirit as just me, in terms of what I really, truly loved (or didn’t) and use.  To that extent, I didn’t keep my answers to only permanently (or currently) available palettes, though I think the majority are available to a degree.

I tag you. All of you! to share your list with me (and Temptalia readers)!  Here are the questions:

1. Best Packaging
2. Best Color Payoff
3. Most Versatile
4. Best for Traveling
5. Biggest Regret
6. Best Color Names
7. Least Used
8. Most Used
9. Most Loved
10. Desert Island

Check out my answers!

1. Best Packaging

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow Palettes

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow Palettes — the 8-pan versions are just the right size and mix; they’re slim, compact, sturdy, have a large mirror, hold a small dual-ended brush, and have enough colors and finishes to work well together and on-the-go.

2. Best Color Payoff

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Eyeshadow Palette

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Eyeshadow Palette is a palette where I distinctly remember being wowed by the intensity of the color payoff on nearly every shade.

3. Most Versatile

LORAC Pro Palette

LORAC Pro Palette is made versatile because it has two distinct finishes: frost and (mostly) matte, and the colors tend to be similar–like a matte and frost of a similar shade–so they can be mixed to create varying levels of shimmer. It also ranges nicely from light to dark.

4. Best for Traveling

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Naked is the palette I travel with most often. I almost always take it with me when I go anywhere, because it’s incredibly easy to use, works well with my coloring, nicely pigmented, and sturdy.

5. Biggest Regret

NARS x Andy Warhol Palettes

NARS x Andy Warhol Palettes — pretty much all of them were dismal in pigmentation and texture; it was a huge, huge miss as a collection for me, and some of the biggest misses I’ve ever seen come from NARS. I would I regretted buying some of the additional palettes from the collection, after already having tried several and finding them completely lacking.

6. Best Color Names

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow Palettes

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow Palettes (or Duos or Quads) always have the right mix of punny, funny, coordinated, and memorable.  I like how each palette, quad, or duo has a theme, and the palette has its own name, plus each eyeshadow has name!

7. Least Used

Honestly, I don’t get too many opportunities to re-use products after I’ve finished testing them and then written a review. The rare occasion is when I travel, but I don’t travel very often.

8. Most Used

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Naked or Guerlain Turandot. I take both of these with me most of the time I travel, though if limited on space, just Naked as it has more shades and a greater variety of looks. Turandot is a go-to for when I want an ultra-flattering look for myself on a special occasion.

9. Most Loved

Guerlain Turandot Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain Turandot is a palette that feels made for me. I love the colors, textures, finishes, and presentation. It works and wears well on me. And now, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for it, as I used it on my wedding day.

10. Desert Island

bareMinerals READY Artistry Palette

bareMinerals READY Artistry Palette because I’m a lousy cheat. I could have used this palette as my answer on most of these. It’s surprisingly compact and travel-friendly. There are 48 shades in it, so it’s incredibly versatile whether you want to use pops of color or toned-down neutrals. Light or dark. Cool or warm. Terribly sad that it was never released in the U.S. (it was a UK-exclusive). I know this is going to be a new go-to for a palette to take with me traveling.