'Tis the season...to drink mulled wine, eat gingerbread cookies, sport burgundy-polished nails, layer yourself in wool, break out the electric blanket, watch college basketball, light cinnamon-scented candles, and buy gifts for family and friends. Of course, the latter - gift giving - can be a source of frustration because deciding on the perfect gift for different types of people can be exhausting as each person has individual likes, wants, and preferences. Examples include Uncle Joe who breathes sports, cousin Jack who lives to play video games, best friend Hannah who is obsessed with baking, and so on. And then there will always be a beauty fanatic in every family. Safe to say that I fill that niche role in my family, and I know that others are out there, be they closet beauty addicts or full-blown, out-in-the-open-beautyholics.
Beauty fiends can be tricky to shop for because it is very likely that said fiends have zealously researched and tried out the things that they are lusting after, and thus know what products are currently in stores, which products will be arriving soon, and how well each product fares thanks to reviews posted on every e-commerce site from other beauty fans. A foolproof way to supply these people with the objects of their affection is to give them a holiday gift set because, more often than not, these contain bestselling, top of the line products that are packaged together, sold at veritable deals, and are limited time only.
Check out these beauty sets that take the guesswork out of gift giving, and that will make the recipient of such a set one happy little elf (too cheesy?)
The Sephora fragrance sampler is an amazing choice for those that like to gift fragrances for the holidays, and yet are unsure as to which scent would appeal to the gift recipient. After all, scents are highly personal and subjective, and it can be tricky trying to home in on what to buy. This kit contains 12 fragrance testers, plus a voucher for a full-sized perfume. That means that the recipient can smell some of the most popular scents and decide which one she likes best, and then take the voucher into a Sephora and exchange it for a full-size bottle of her preferred fragrance.
It's foolproof, it allows for choice, and at $50, everyone is happy.
Another Sephora "It Kit" that contains smaller versions of some of the bestselling luminosity-enhancing goods seen on the beauty retailer's shelves. For $45, two eyeshadows, a nail polish, one mascara, one lipgloss, two bronzers, one powder luminizer, and a full-size eyeliner is included. The kit is very diplomatic, as many brands (such as Nars, Stila, Laura Mercier, Lorac, etc.) are featured.
(I'm a fan of the Laura Mercier Black Karat eyeshadow and Lorac Liquid Lustre inside!).
Josie Maran, AKA the supermodel that founded her own all-natural skincare and makeup line, has presented Sephora shoppers with a mega deal and all-around fantastic skincare kit. Six products that contain the brand's claim to fame, argan oil, treat various areas of the skin. From a cleanser to an SPF-enriched moisturizer to a whipped body mousse, plus others, this kit will ensure that the harshness of winter weather won't touch your skin should you be wearing these Josie Maran products. And for $35, it's obviously a steal.
And if you'd rather, instead of gifting it as a set, you can break up the pieces and dispense them as stocking stuffers.
This beauty.com offering is an all-in-one bag of essentials that almost every man can use, plus the travel bag makes carrying the goods a cinch. I've tried Anthony products before, and they smell nice and aren't irritating to the skin, so no excuses. Coming in at $35 for a whole skin routine isn't too shabby.
Shiseido sets make me weak in the knees. Shiseido is a brand that is dedicated to providing both luxury and efficiency, and by offering its wares in a do-it-all kit, this is a homerun. The packaging is lovely, natch. Bloomingdales has encapsulated the products from Shiseido's White Lucent linent line, all of which help to lighten and brighten.
For a gift that is truly universal, try the adorably packaged The Body Shop Lemon Cube. No matter the recipient, everyone bathes, and thus - perfect gift.
For the people that like a) surprises and b) the newest products on the market, a beauty box subscription would be the ideal way to go. Companies such as Glossybox, Birchbox, Ipsy and New Beauty Magazine all send out monthly boxes filled with regular size and deluxe samples of some of the newest items that have or will hit beauty shelves. Most of these companies offer various subscription types, ranging from a one-time purchase for three months of beauty boxes sent up to a full year's worth.
Say you like the idea of the aforementioned grab bags, but want to personalize it by picking your own products, here is a fun accumulation of things that can be used pretty easily by almost everyone on your beauty-buying list.
From Space NK Apothecary, a small space full of boutique beauty and grooming brands, comes from master hair stylist Serge Normant's line, with the Mega Lush Volumizer.
From Ricky's NYC is the glitzy OPI shade 'Goldeneye' from the new Bond Skyfall collection.
Urban Outfitters offers an uber abundant assortment of hair chalk sticks in every color under the sun, as well as an adorable Anna Sui formal dress-shaped nail color.
Asos gives that beauty maven two Model's Own rounded blending sponges that will deliver an airbrushed finish to skin with every foundation application.
