It’s the best of times and the worst of times. Sure, everyone is being merry, singing “Jingle Bell Rock”, feeling the urge to be creepily nice, getting a break from work, and of course, spending true quality time with your loved ones. However, at the same time, it f*cking sucks. It’s brick AF outside, it’s dark by like, 4pm, and you’re draining your bank account faster than you can say, “payday.”
Buying everyone in your family a gift this season feels amazing and all, but you’ve got to admit that watching the numbers on your account get smaller makes you die inside. Same. It may be the season of giving, but it’s also the season of receiving…even if that means secretly buying yourself that well-deserved palette or face mask you’ve been eyeing at Sephora. No one is here to judge, otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. So here it is: the eight best beauty gift sets worth buying this year. Whether it’s for yourself or your best friend, no one has to know.
1. Lancôme Beauty Box
Lancôme is a really good brand that doesn’t get enough attention. I feel like people tend to forget about it because it’s on the pricier side, but this is one of the rare times when cost actually makes up for the quality you’re getting. This super dope gift set comes with 10 full-size bestsellers (FULL-SIZE, people!) and a cute makeup bag you can actually use.
2. Morphe Set 502 – 9 Piece Vegan Brush Set
If you already own one or have even sampled a shade or two, you’d know that Morphe palettes are life. Their shades are always really pigmented and right on point. The only things you need to go with it are their soft, clean brushes. These nine ~vegan~ eye and facial brushes cover all the bases when it comes to makeup application. They also come in a chic little brush case.
3. IT Cosmetics 100% Confidence Vault Skincare Trio
I am a huge fan of IT Cosmetics because it’s not only affordable for the quality, but also their products are all great for my annoyingly sensitive skin. Seriously, if you haven’t tried anything from this line yet, now is the time. This limited-edition anti-aging gift set comes with a full-size moisturizing super cream—a must-have during the winter—and travel sizes of their hydrating cleansing serum and eye cream.
4. MAC Shiny Pretty Things 10-Piece Lip Kit
‘Tis the season for vampy and festive-colored lips, so get ’em while they’re hot, in stock, and on sale. This colorful set comes with 10 fan-fav mini lipsticks ranging from deep burgundy to “very hot” pink to a classic deep-tone beige.
5. Tarte 5-Pc. Passport To Paradise Collectors Set
If you’re going away for the holidays, congratulations. I hate you, I’m a jealous b*tch. If you’re not going anywhere, that makes two of us. But, on the bright side, this cheery gift set is enough to make us pretend we’re getting our tans at the beach. It features 15 exclusive, new eyeshadow shades; a 12-hour lasting blush; eyeliner; and a bestselling glossy lip paint.
6. Glossier The Makeup Set
If you’re a consistent reader of my stuff (sidenote: you the real MVP) you’d know that I’ve tried plenty of products from the Insta-famous Glossier. It’s packaged in the millennial pink shade we love, stays in an affordable range, and actually delivers what it promises (most of the time). This gift set comes with the bestselling Boy Brow (my personal favorite), Lash Slick mascara, and Cloud Paint in the color of your choice.
7. Amika Smooth Criminal Polished Perfection Gift Set
Sounds too good to be true? It basically is. For a salon-style blowout in the comfort of your own home, this gift set isn’t one to skip over. It carries a top rated straightening brush, anti-humidity spray, dry shampoo, and a ton more. Get perfect-looking hair this holiday for under $100.
8. Philosophy’s Guide to Warm and Cozy
These colder temps make me want nothing more than fuzzy blankets, comfy slippers, unhealthy food, and dozens of hot baths. If that doesn’t sound like the most perfect and well-spent night ever, I’m officially a f*cking grandma. And you’re just missing out on a good-ass time. This deluxe holiday collection from Philosophy features shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath, all in holiday-friendly scents such as apple cider and peppermint stick.
Images: Charisse Kenion/Unsplash; Nordstrom; Ulta (2); Saks Fifth Avenue; Macy’s; Glossier; Sephora (2)
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I am that annoying af person who has been secretly playing Michael Bublé’s Christmas album since October. Is that really so bad of a crime? Fucking sue me. Now that Thanksgiving is literally in three days, I can freely belt out “Jingle Bell Rock” and dress as slutty Santa anytime I wish (only slightly kidding). On a real note, the whole reason we really love the holidays is because we know we’re getting everything we’re too cheap to buy for ourselves. While that is obviously true, I love giving amazing-ass gifts almost as much receiving them. Ugh, why do I like, want to be nice to someone for absolutely no reason? AM I GOING CRAZY? Just call me Oprah. Whatever the reason, I am always scoping out the best gifts to give every main betch in my life, and what betch isn’t obsessed with makeup and anything that provides #flawless skin? Well, I’ve recently discovered absolutely fab Sephora gift sets that include all this shit, and more. They’re all limited edition, so you basically have to buy them now or you’re SOL. I’m obsessed with all of them, but here are the top sets worth grabbing for yourself your mom, sister, or best friend to show them your true adoration.
1. SMASHBOX Drawn In. Decked out. Shadow + Highlighting Palette Set
Fuck a 2-in-1. A 3-in-1 sounds a million times better. This holiday set comes with three palettes: Spotlight, Cover Shot Ablaze, and Sultry. Together, you have three highlighter shades and 16 eyeshadow shades ranging from shimmery nudes, vampy darks, and vibrant warms. Wear alone, mix ‘em all together, or better yet, bring them all on your morning commute in case you need a touch-up at work.
2. Tarte Limited-Edition Artful Accessories Brush Set
First of all, when don’t you need new brushes? Everyone could always use new brushes since like, no one remembers to wash theirs anyway. The limited edition set features five different vegan brushes that come in a really effing cute gold brush holder. The set comes with cheek, complexion, highlighter, shading eyeshadow, and blending eyeshadow brushes. Each are full-sized, two-toned, and soft af.
3. Boscia Besties Kit
Anything from Boscia works miracles, so this is already amazing. The Insta-worthy collection comes with a charcoal exfoliating peel gel, hydrating moisturizer, brightening black mask, and cleansing gel. Each help cleanse your pores, remove fugly acne, and brighten your skin without over-drying. This is perfect for anyone who adores a good facial with several glasses of wine. So, like everyone you know, basically.
4. Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip
If Kim Kardashian taught us anything this year, it’s that Taylor Swift is a snake nude lips are the height of fashion. They’re also like, low-key hard to figure out. That’s why this gift set is perfect. It comes with a variety of different nudes, so you can find your perfect shade and start rocking that I-look-like-I’m-not-wearing-makeup-but-I’m-actually-wearing-so-much-makeup look, also referred to as “natural beauty.” As an added bonus, you can send a pic of this kit to any and all fuckboys who text you to “send nudes” and you’ll technically have done exactly what he asked.
5. Benefit Cosmetics City Lights, Party Nights Set
This cute holiday themed set comes with everything you need for putting your face on on-the-go, or just really fucking quick. It features Benefit favorites that leave you with defined brows, Kylie-looking lips, long af lashes, and glowing cheeks. Each come in a custom, exclusive makeup bag you can totes throw in your purse for an easy, fast touch-ups anywhere you go.
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