Beauty brands have been amplifying their approach to the holidays this year and I could not be more excited. I love Holiday sets because most brands really think about what us, the customers, want; they group together fan favourites, their most loved products, tie them up in a pretty bow and offer them at a great value which usually means you are saving loads. Since we are fastly approaching the gift giving season I wanted to break down the hottest sets and the ones that are going to give you the best value. Whether your style is elegant, natural, glam, or glowing there is seriously a set for every girl.
THE CITY GIRL
I love Benefit Cosmetics because they know what everyone wants and they give it to you. With The Beauty and the Bay gift set you are getting the cult favourites-- the High Brow, the They're Real mascara, Hoola bronzer (best bronzer in the world), and a High Beam liquid highlighter. The bonus? They are full size (except the highlighter), and this is shocking as usually when it comes to gift sets, you are getting all minis. This set has an amazing value-- it's going for $49.99 (the bronzer on it's on is $38.00) so it's really a no-brainer when you think about this one! Perfect for your city girl on the go, get it online or at Shopper's Beauty Boutique.
THE GLAM GIRL
The NARS x Man Ray limited edition sets are pretty sweet, too. My favourite stocking stuffers are the Love Triangle Blush/Lipstick duos. The best part about it-- they chose the iconic shades! Yes, we are talking the most beautiful peachy pink shimmer with Orgasm, and soft pinks with the Barbara set. They both are mini versions, however, they are great for your $35.00 kris kringle exchanges with the girls. Get them at Sephora.ca.
Looking for something seriously glam in full size from this collection? My favourite would have to be The Veil Cheek Pallete for a great contour, highlight and pop of colour. This one also comes with fan favourite, the Laguna Bronzer, and the Surreal Highlighter which is the perfect dusty rose!
THE BOTANICAL BABE
Yes to all things Pixi Beauty! Especially for the natural girl who loves skincare just as much as she loves makeup. Pixi has released some amazing sets for the Holidays. The Best of Bright set is probably my most dearest. There is a reason the Glow Tonic is one of Glam's top 100 products. I love this set because it is travel sizes of the things I need most while travelling-- a powerful cleanser to clean deep, the miracle in a bottle toner to brighten, and the Glow Mud Mask which is the best detoxifier. This set comes in at about $22 which is great to give you a sample of Pixi's best skincare products. If you know your girl loves these products already, go for the SkinTreat Duos (full-size set of the toner and cleanser), it's $38 and a great value since the Glow Tonic on its own is $29 for a full size.
I am also absolutely loving the Ultimate Beauty Kit. It's HUGE and will give you everything you need this holiday season. It includes eyeshadow, bronzer, blush and highlighter in just about every shade. Perfect when you don't know what your girlfriend's go-to colours are. This one-stop value kit comes in at around $32.
Need another option for the botanical babe? Is she obsessed with skincare? If so, she NEEDS to try the new Skin Oxygen line from Biotherm. The whole line is enriched with natural chlorella extract (also known as the breathing algae), and it strengthens skin while depolluting and oxygenating. It filters away toxins and even increases cell restoration. It's a seriously pure skin care line and since it offers mini sizes of the line your girlfriend doesn't have to commit to it forever but can get a good feeling of how great it is. Get this value set online or at Hudson's Bay.
If your botanical babe is also a scent loving sister, go for the CLEAN Reserve Rollerball Layering Trio. Sueded Oud is definitely my favourite, but I love how you have a fragrance for any kind of feeling since you can mix and match and layer as you feel like it.
Need another option for the botanical babe? Is she obsessed with skincare? If so, she NEEDS to try the new Skin Oxygen line from Biotherm. The whole line is enriched with natural chlorella extract (also known as the breathing algae), and it strengthens skin while depolluting and oxygenating. It filters away toxins and even increases cell restoration. It's a seriously pure skin care line and since it offers mini sizes of the line your girlfriend doesn't have to commit to it forever but can get a good feeling of how great it is. Get this value set online or at Hudson's Bay.
THE BOMBSHELL
Smashbox has seriously nailed the Holiday sets this year giving you more of what you need for all the holiday events! Called the Drawn In. Decked Out for a reason, this set provides you with max value and the most on-trend shades for the glamorous season. A travel-size Spotlight Palette, and 2 full-size Cover Shot Palettes (in Ablaze and Sultry)! It comes in at around $48, which is wicked since one Cover Shot Palette is $35. I love that Smashbox is cruelty-free, too!
Is it just me or does everyone love make up brushes but no one ever wants to buy them!? Smashbox released the ultimate makeup brush value set that includes five essentials-- the foundation brush, shadow brush, contour brush, detail brush and a fan brush, all for around $48. The Drawn In. Decked Out Multi-Use Brush Set also comes in the more adorable little case. Get it online or at Shoppers Beauty Boutique.
THE LIP LOVER
Ready for the most ultimate lip collection of life? The NYX Lip Lingerie Vault provides you with 24 matte nudes. You will never need another nude again-- I promise! There are also 6 new shades found in this collection. I love how light and feathery these lippies are and that I can literally stash one any in any pocket, purse or even inside my bra!
Other gift sets I'm itching to try? The Tarte Treasure Box Collector's Set (how can this be real?!), Tata Harper Daily Essentials Set, Tatcha Bestsellers Set, Origins Super Star Minis Seven-Piece Set, Peter Thomas Roth Mask-A-Holic Kit.
Some of these products were given to me to test and try, however none with the obligation to write about. All opinions are my own.
S H O P T H E P O S T :Some of these products were given to me to test and try, however none with the obligation to write about. All opinions are my own.
That Benefit set is top of all my lists -- gifts I want to get and gifts I need to buy for others!
ReplyDeleteA great opportunity to try Benefit for the first time!
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely have to be Benefits city girl set or the pick ultimate beauty kit! Love your blog post, very informative and pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThe city girl is my fave!! Love them all though!
ReplyDeleteThe Beauty and the Bay one looks amazing, they have definitely nailed the packaging. Big fan of the NYX Lingerie set as well!
ReplyDeleteAbigail Alice x
love benefit and nars
ReplyDeleterhonda
weazie23@hotmail.com
Congratulations Rhonda! You won the Benefit Beauty & The Bay set! I will be emailing you shortly! xx
DeleteLove love love the city girl!!! ������ 😘 Marianna
ReplyDeleteI love the Beauty and the Bay set!
ReplyDeletei would love the Best of Bright set (Pixi) !
ReplyDeleteI was honestly back and forth between botanical babe and lip lover!
ReplyDeleteMainly because I'm a darker complexion & I rarely wear makeup but I want to learn a bit more about taking care of my skin, but for me at least a gorgeous nude lip color or a dark lip is my go-to when I really wanna make a statement with my outfit because I am a total newbie with any makeup!
All for the lip lover !
I dream of the City Girl set ����
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ReplyDeleteHow do you pick just one? Good thing I have all of my sisters to spoil with gifts this Christmas (and maybe a gift or two for me - loving The Beauty and the Bay and the Smashbox kit!)
ReplyDeleteLove benefit, hoola is my favourite Bronzer and high brow too. So beauty and the bay for sure. Love the packaging. So creative
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ReplyDeleteDefinitely Beauty and the Bay! Would love to have it for Christmas and holiday parties! Totally need a refresh after 18 months home with baby
ReplyDeleteAll of these gift sets are beautiful but I've always been a sucker for the Benefit packaging :)
ReplyDeleteThe Benefit The Beauty and the Bay would be great!
ReplyDeleteLove Beauty and the Bay and Benefit!
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Bay looks amazing! I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Beauty and the Bay!
ReplyDeleteLove the city girl set so much! Have always wanted to try Hoola!
ReplyDelete