Gift-Giving Guide, Part 1: Makeup Gift Sets

The holidays seem to come earlier and earlier.  Of course, it's now the end of October, and before you know it, it'll be time to give gifts.  Personally, I love gift-giving.  Whether it's a gift card, set, or something handmade, there is something for everyone.  Here are a few ideas for the makeup-lover on your list.  I have complied a list a high- and low-end (regarding price) sets that will hopefully fit any budget.  You can also create your own gift set by adding full- or travel-sized items to a basket, jar, or other container.

1.  ULTA:  Time to Shine 71-Piece Collection, $24.99

Image courtesy of ulta.com

For the makeup lover who is just starting their collection, or someone who wants a kit on-the-go, this ULTA brand collection has everything in one convenient train case.  The train case has two pull-out drawers that house makeup, and comes in either a pink or silver finish.  Time to Shine contains the following (list from ULTA.com):

• 36 eye shadows (0.95 oz)
• 6 glitter eye top coats (0.31 oz)
• 3 brow powders (0.15 oz)
• 1 brow wax (0.04 oz)
• 6 gel eye liners (0.23 oz)
• 1 matte lip cream (0.06 oz)
• 1 brilliant lip gloss (0.06 oz)
• 2 dual ended eye liners (0.07 oz)
• 2 eye shadow primers (0.078 oz)
• 3 blush shades (0.33 oz)
• 1 powder (0.11 oz)
• 1 highlighter (0.11 oz)
• 2 bronzers (0.22 oz)
• 6 concealers (0.21 oz)

2.  ULTA:  Lip Glossary, $16.00

Image courtesy of ulta.com

Lip Glossary contains 15 mini glosses in a wide array of shades from neutrals to reds, and everything in-between.  Gift the collection or break them up, and create a custom gift for multiple people.

3.  Sephora:  Lancome Noel Eye Set, $38.00

Image courtesy of sephora.com

This eye set is a great value.  It comes with the following:

- 0.35 oz Grandoise Mascara (full size)
- 0.135 oz Hypnôse Drama Mascara (mini size)
- 0.028 oz Drama Liqui-pencil Eye Pencil in Noir Intense (mini size)
- 0.07 oz Cils Booster Base Mascara Primer (mini size)
- 0.047 oz Artliner Eyeliner in Noir (full size)
- 1.7 oz Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

The Grandiose mascara alone is $32.00, so for $6.00 more, you get a mini mascara, primer, remover, and two eyeliners.  It is a wonderful set for you or any makeup-lover on your list.  This set will ensure amazing eyes whether one is going for a dramatic night look or soft day look.

4.  Sephora Favorites Lashstash, $45.00

Image courtesy of sephora.com

For the one who loves to try out different types of mascara, this set contains 8 mini mascaras, eyelash curler, lash fibers, and a liner.  This list is courtesy of sephora.com:

- 0.1 oz Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
- 0.08 oz Blinc Mascara
- 0.20 oz Buxom® Lash Mascara
- 0.002 oz Hourglass Cosmetics 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
- 0.51 oz Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara in Blacquer
- 0.13 oz MAKE UP FOR EVER Mascara in Smoky Extravagant
- 0.12 oz NARS Cosmetics Audacious Mascara in Black Moon
- 0.01 oz Tarte best in faux extending fibers
- Tarte picture perfect™ eyelash curler
- 0.17 oz Too Faced Cosmetics Better Than Sex Mascara
- 0.06 oz Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils 

The mascara sizes make them perfect for travel.  The rating is not that high, and I don't quite know why seeing as you are getting quite a bit for the money.  For instance, the mini Roller Lash is $12.00 and the mini Buxom retails for $13.00.  The recipient won't have to worry about their mascara going bad or dry, and a wide array of looks can be achieved by what is in this little box.

5.  Sephora Collection:  Jem and the Holograms Liquid Lip Set, $25.00

Image courtesy of sephora.com

Jem and the Holograms ran in the 80s.  For those of us who grew up watching and loving the show, we can be transported back through this makeup collection created for the movie.  Let's be honest; there is nothing like an original, but the colors are fun.  You can complete the Jem collection with the eye palette, lipstick, and mirror. 

have an idea or set you want to see in an upcoming post?  Let me know!

Stay beautiful!