Sephora VIB Sale Haul | November 2015

Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! I can't resist a good sale and there are quite a few going on -- including Sephora's VIB sale that took place a few weeks ago. I had a few gift cards (thanks to my sister and hubbie) burning a hole in my pocket and I couldn't resist spending them any longer. After all, it's not real spending if you use a gift card, right? RIGHT!

Here are all the goodies I picked up for 20% off. Just a few ideas for you to consider as you write out your holiday wishlist or think of stuff to get the beauty lover on your "nice" list.

Kat Von D Lolita Lip Duo Gift Set ($20) | Kat Von D Ink Liner Trio Gift Set ($25 -- stated wrong price in video) | Skin Inc Get Glowin' Brightening Mask ($65) | Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist ($15) | Belif Hydra Sebum Control Essence ($42) | LaVanilla Vanilla Grapefruit Fragrance ($19) | Maison Martin Margiela Replica Roller Ball Duo Gift Set ($40)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tarte Cosmetics Haul

Ever since I fell in love with my Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes, I've been eager to try out more Tarte products. Well, Tarte decided to make that possible by providing me a gift card in my Ipsy swag bag. I sat around trying to decide what to get, and finally picked out a few items, which you'll see in my video below. Take notes, these would all make some pretty fantastic holiday gifts (for you or someone on your "Nice" list). 

Holidaze Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set ($35) | Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette ($45) | Amazonian Clay Butter Lipstick in Plummy Rose ($17) 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased the items featured in this post with a gift card provided to me by Tarte Cosmetics. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

More Beauty Stocking Stuffer Suggestions

The holiday hustle and bustle isn't quite done yet, but you only have a few days left to polish off that shopping list. Buying beauty gifts can be so daunting, but there are quite a few cute little gifts you can add to someone's stocking. Here are just a few ideas to take the load off whatever's left of your shopping duties. These are sure to elicit a few "Ooohs" and "Ahs" and earn you a place on the awesome gift giver list.

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick ($22 each) / MAKE UP FOR EVER Extravagant Glamour Set  ($38) / L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set ($20) / The Body Shop Shower Moisture Gift Set ($7) / Tarte Limited Edition Lash Set ($19) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Eye Palette ($16) / Holiday BeautyBlender ($20) / Philosophy Purity Made Simple™ Ornament ($10) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Cheek Palette ($16) / Atelier Cologne perfume miniature duo ($18) + Nordstrom Atomizer ($5)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick: Soft, buttery, long-wearing all packaged neatly in a gunmetal chrome tube. It's hard to go wrong with this lipstick line. The hardest part is choosing a color, mostly because they have so many great ones to choose from. Only you know the person you're shopping for, but some nice neutral work-for-everyone shades include Naked (nude with a little pink) and Fiend (rose). If your giftee is bold check out Anarchy, F-bomb, or Jilted. It will be hard to pick just one (read: not buy them all). You may even need one (or 5) for your stocking. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set: Soft hands and lips will make a great gift this holiday season, especially since so many people are experiencing ridiculously cold weather. I'm partial to the L'Occitane line because it feels so luxurious (and sounds fancy because it's French). My favorite is the rose scented line, but this set comes in a variety of scents, so choose whichever you think is best. 

Tarte lash set:  Everyone wants enviable lashes, right? How fun to reach into your stocking and pull out this little gilded set. All it needs is a little pouch so you can carry them with you anywhere. 

Beauty Blender: Does this gift need any explanation? The Beauty Blender has enjoyed quite a bit of fame for a reason. I doubt any beauty lover (even if they already have one) will turn this away. A flawless makeup finish is always appreciated. 

Purity ornament: Listen up. This will make my holiday gift list every year for as long as Philosophy will put it out on the market. I love this face wash. It cleanses and tones and is gentle on your skin. I didn't believe the hype until I used it myself. My skin was noticeably softer, even before I started pairing it with my Clarisonic. The travel-size version is a great way to introduce your friends to this gem and it lasts a long time. 

Stila cheek and eye palettes: I love that Stila released these little sets this holiday season. You'll get to choose different ones for eyes, and while I love all the colors they offer, I keep gravitating toward that cheek set. Both or either will make a great gift because the quality is outstanding. Bonus: Adorable packaging. 

Make Up For Ever Extravagant Glamour set:  This is a phenomenal deal. Three full sized products at a reasonable price (valued at $63). If you have a bold glamour puss on your list, this will have her jaw on the floor. A full-sized bright red lipstick, smokey lash mascara, and waterproof black liner? Yes. Please. If I had a mic, I'd drop it. 

Atelier Cologne perfume mini duo set: I got this for myself recently. The full-size equivalent of each of these mini's is more than $100. I had to see why. They smell amazing and linger on your skin for a whiiiile. This set comes with the vanilla and blood orange perfumes. Yes, the mini's are tiny, but they have the same amount of product as most roller ball perfumes. Pair this with an atomizer ($5 at Nordstrom) and they'll make perfect purse or travel companions. 

Holiday Gift Guide: Drugstore beauty gifts/stocking stuffers 2013

Just because you have a budget, doesn't mean you can't find some awesome beauty gifts at amazing drugstore prices. There are plenty of great gift sets out there that are sure to please even the most discerning beauty lover on your list.

Check out some of my top picks, none of which will cost you more than a whopping $20. Go ahead, pat yourself on the back, you are one bad ass shopper.

Pacifica Body Butter Collection ($15) / Pacifica Take Me There Set ($18) / Pacifica Day & Night Natural Skincare Collection ($19) / Real Techniques Core Collection Set ($18) / Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral eyeshadow palette ($20) / Essie Holiday Color 2013 set ($15) / The Body Shop Body Butter Lollipop ($20) /The Body Shop Almond Handy Manicure Set ($18)

What are some of your favorite affordable gift finds in the beauty isle? 

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Beauty Gifts $30 or less

1. Real Techniques Cosmetics Brush Set ($30) / 2. Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral LE Matte/Neutral Palette ($30) / 3. Stila Color Me Glossy Lip Glaze ($28) / 4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Liner set ($28) / 5. Stila Tools of the Trade brush set ($28) / 6. MAC Stroke of Midnight Viva Glam 1 set ($30) /  7. Benefit Cosmetics Luve It Up! Color Kit ($25) / 8. Julep Hand Model kit ($25) / 9.  ALTERNA Caviar Experience Kit  ($29)/ 10. Living Proof beauty product ($29)

Makeup and beauty tools:

It's quite possible to purchase quality makeup and brushes for affordable prices, especially during the holidays with all the great gift sets. Best of all, you don't always have to hit up a specialty store to find them. Case in point, the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Limited Edition matte and shimmer palette is available at Target and offers fantastic pigmentation and easy blending. Speaking of blending, you can also find a Real Techniques brush set while you're there. 

If your giftee prefers high-end brand (how particular of him/her) don't fret. Stila has a great lip glaze set that includes nine glosses and a brush set both just under $30. There's also Anatasia Beverly Hills waterproof liner set and Benefit's cute LuveiIt Up kit, which includes three neutral shadows, a mini creaseless cream shadow, and Dandelion lip gloss. For the bold diva on your list, check out MAC's Viva Glam 1 holiday set that includes the original lipstick and gloss inspired by RuPaul. Bonus, every cent you pay for the set goes to HIV/AIDS research, so it's a do-good, look-good gift. 

Hands and nails:

If you've got a nail obsessed giftee on your list, instead go for a little something different than  nail polish and try this Model Hands set by Julep. Help your nail fashionista take care of her hands and tips so all the fun colors and designs she wears will look even better on her soft smooth and nourished hands. 

Hair

If you're gifting a gal (or guy) with luscious locks, consider helping her (or him) discover some awesome new hair products. Alterna's Caviar kit is a great anti-aging hair travel set that will help keep locks nourished, shiny, and full -- all signs of a youthful mane. And if Jennifer Aniston is his/her hair icon (and honestly, isn't she everyone's?) give them one of the various Living Proof hair care travel kits to address a variety of hair needs. My personal favorite is the  No Frizz Smoothing and Frizz Fighting line. Fantastic humidity fighting products that are light weight, smell great, and leave your hair looking ah-ma-zing. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Beauty Gifts Under $50

Each year we face a conundrum. What do we get the beauty loving friends and family members on our list? You want to give them something cool and thoughtful (preferably something they don't already have) but you also might not want to break the bank.

Well, fear not. It's quite possible to give your beauty fanatics some awesome gifts at reasonable pricing. Let's take a moment to thank the beauty industry for putting together some awesome gift sets that will help you do just that.

If you're looking for gifts that will cost you less than $50 (sorry Urban Decay lovers that new Naked 3 palette missed the list by $3), you're in luck. There are a lot of options.

I've assembled a list of some of my top picks that range from makeup and skin care, to nails and fragrance. There's something for everyone's beauty-related preferences.

Makeup sets: LORAC Rockin' Red Hot PRO Set ($39) / LORAC Close Up PRO Face Tutorial ($42) / Stila Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek Palettes ($39) / Skincare sets: Fresh Sugar & Seaberry Sanctuary ($48) / Korres Radiance Revealed Wild Rose Brightening Duo ($48) /Boscia Mask Medley ($38)/ Fragrance set: Nest Luxury Hand Cream gift set ($38)/ Nail set: Sephora Collection Makeup Academy Nails ($36) 

Makeup sets

Listen, there are a lot of makeup sets out there ringing in at less than $50. I can't possibly list them all. This list is clearly not exhaustive. I chose the three makeup sets listed because they offer quality and value. It was difficult to narrow it down to these three. But I didn't want a gift guide that only had eyeshadow palettes in it. We gotta think of everyone else. It's the holidays after all. That being said, if you want a gift guide that's my favorite palettes, say the word. A post of this nature could easily be arranged. 

For now, I want to draw your attention to the three palettes I've picked out that are actually quite affordable and offer you amazing value:

LORAC Rockin' Red Hot Pro Set - I have a lot to say about this set. I'll try to keep it short and sweet. First, you get the LORAC Pro Palette - a huge fan favorite - for less than buying the palette on its own. Yes, that is right. You save $3 and  you get extra stuff. I had to do a double take when I got it. Second,  you also get a travel-sized eyeshadow primer and a full-sized pro liquid liner (which has out shined all my other liquid liners) for only $39. Third, many people have said they like this neutral palette more than the infamous Naked palettes (not referring to Naked 3) because you get equal parts shimmer and matte shades. Four, the quality is ah-ma-zing. The shades are pigmented, buttery smooth, and blend easily. The eyeshadow primer works just as well as its competitors. And that liquid liner is perfection. It's an easy to apply pen liner that glides on so smoothly it doesn't tug on your lids at all. It's cut the time it takes me to apply liquid liner in half and it always comes out looking perfect. I'm in love. Available exclusively at ULTA. Good for the beauty lover on your list who loves his/her Naked palettes and neutral shades. Expand their horizons. 

LORAC Close Up PRO Face Tutorial - This gift set is on my personal holiday wish list. You get an eyeshadow trio with three neutral, look-good-on-everyone shades that will take you from day to night easy peasy (a vanilla-esque shade, a light latte brown, and a dark chocolate brown), a travel-sized mattifying primer, PRO mascara, rosy cheek stain, and peach lip lustre. This set could easily become your every day go-to products. It also includes makeup tips to help you apply your face like a pro. Available exclusively at ULTA. Good for any makeup person on your list because the colors will flatter all skin tones and can be worn for any occasion. From novice to expert, this one is fool proof. 

Stila Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek palettes - This set combines three eyeshadow and cheek palettes into one collection. You get a cool toned palette, a warm toned palette, and a rosy palette each with five eye shadows and one coordinating blush. If you don't want to do the math, that's 15 shadows and three blushes. The limited edition set retails for $39. At the time of this posting it was available at ULTA for $29. This gift set is adorable and sure to go over like a hit. Available at Sephora and ULTA. Great for the indecisive beauty person on your list. Three palettes. One set. No need to settle.

Skincare Sets

If you have a skin care fanatic on your list, there are plenty of great gifting options available to you as well. Skin care can be a little trickier than makeup because you need to know a little more about the person you're buying for. Do they have oily/dry/combo/sensitive skin? What are the skin concerns they want to battle? Will giving them a product be a touchy matter? You’ll have to be the judge of that when buying. However, here are three items that I think are innocuous enough to please anyone. Plus, if you're gifting a skincare fanatic, they are likely to recognize and appreciate these.  

Fresh Sugar & Seaberry Sanctuary  - This set will let you give the gift of skincare without worrying about getting all the details right (skin type, concerns, sensitivities). It’s basically like giving a little at-home spa treatment. It includes Fresh's Brown Sugar Body Polish, Seaberry Restorative Body Cream, and Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15. It’s a great bath and body experience that’s a bit more grown up and sophisticated than that other store we know and love. Available at Sephora. Good for anyone on your list that enjoys at little at-home pampering and spends a lot of time grooming (and no, we’re not implying they’re vain). 

Boscia Mask Medley -  There are a few beauty gals I know who would flip to receive this Boscia mask medley.  The set contains three of the brands most popular masks, sure to help treat an array of skin situations that ail us all. Plus, you can give it without fearing you’ll cause offense. This set says you know a thing or two about cult favorites and you know they enjoy a little at-home facial time. Way different than giving someone, say, an anti wrinkle cream they didn’t ask for… Yikes! Available at Sephora. Good for the beauty lover who has it all. If there’s a beauty blogger or editor on your list, they’ll likely appreciate this set.

Korres Radiance Revealed Wild Rose Brightening - Korres’ Wild Rose line is immensely popular for a reason. And this set is on this list because it’s one of my personal favorites. This brightening duo offers two full-sized products for the price of one (it's ridiculously popular Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial). These days, people of all ages are chasing that illustrious glow. Brightening products have out shined the battle against wrinkles in the quest of youthful, envious skin. The Wild Rose sleeping facial delivers. It's luxurious, smells amazing (um, roses people), contains no yucky parabens or sulfates, and is great for all skin types. And that cleanser? Well it's an added bonus! Admittedly, you'll need to know the person you're gifting this to a little better to offer up this set. But, if they happen to love scouring the beauty isles for all things facial care, they're likely to recognize and appreciate this set. Available at Sephora. Good for anyone chasing after radiant skin

Nails

All of us have that one friend who always has amazing nails. They're groomed to perfection and rock some of the hottest nail trends. Heck, that person may also have a nail polish collection to rival the local nail salon. But trust me, they'll always appreciate more. I know. I'm one of them. I may have a million different shades of pink, purple, mint, or grey, but by golly they are all different!

The Sephora Collection Makeup Academy Nails set is perfect for the nail addict on your list. Not only do they get 10 full-sized nail polish colors, they also get a multi-glitter top coat, a jar of star jewels and a booklet that offers 12 different nail art tutorials. How does that not sound like fun? Available at Sephora. Good for the person on your list who seems to rock a new manicure every week (and maybe sometimes multiple manis per week). 

Fragrance

Alright, fragrance is an incredibly personal experience. I've chosen this set of Nest Luxury Hand Creams because it's a great little gift for the person on your list who has an impressive fragrance collection. You know that friend. The one who smells great, and when you ask what they're wearing, the spout out a name of a fragrance (or brand) you've never even heard of. That's right. They're likely wearing something you can't get at any ol' department store. This set (also available in a mini fragrance set) is perfect because they are well known, but not so common that everyone has them. I like the idea of giving the lotion because it's something you can easily keep in your purse or car without fear of a broken bottle. 

Well, there you have it. Those are my picks this year for holiday beauty gifts. Stay tuned for the next holiday gift guides, which will include my picks for gifts $30 and under and my guide to fun beauty stocking stuffers ($20 or less). 

Comment below and share your thoughts! Happy holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers (under $20)

1. Sephora by OPI Perfect Pair nail polish duos ($10) - These are so adorable and would make a fun surprise in someone's stocking. The duos come in three different complimentary color combinations that would look great if you decided to do nail art or accent nails. My personal favorite is Pink & Choose -- a hot pink and sheer cool light pink. 
2. Tarte Clean Slate Deluxe Primer Trio ($9) - Give the gift of flawless makeup. This trio is a great way to test out these primers or give someone who loves them a portable version. These deluxe travel sizes are great for on the go and provide enough product to give you a solid feel for the product's performance. Available at Sephora and ULTA. 
3. Burt's Bees Tips n' Toes Kit ($12.99) - Most gals love a mani-pedi. Keep your their hands and feet looking great between nail salon visits with this gift set by Burt's Bees. Best of all, it's a pampering kit that you can feel good about because Burt's Bees is a natural brand, which means no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or petrochemicals. The kit includes: replenishing lip balm with pomegranate oil, lemon butter cuticle cream, hand salve, coconut foot cream, almond milk beeswax hand cream, and thoroughly theraputic honey and grapeseed oil hand cream. Available at drugstores. 
4. AHAVA Hand & Foot Cream Ornament or Body Care Ornament ($10) - I love when they put travel-sized items in ornaments during the holidays. I think its so cute. I'm tempted to decorate my Christmas tree with beauty products, have a party, and then have my friends try to find their specific ornament. That's why I chose these cute ornaments by AHAVA: one has a hand and a foot cream, the other a body lotion and shower gel. They're great little gifts anyone could use. I like to keep a travel-sized lotion in my purse all the time for when my hands are dry. As you can imagine, I'm partial to the hand and foot cream ornament myself. Available at Nordstrom. 
5. Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser Ornament ($10) - Well, if I'm going to talk about  my love for beauty products wrapped like ornaments, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Philosophy's Purity Made Simple face wash. Every year they have the travel-sized version available in this little packaging. Every year, I love it. Why not give the gift of good skin? Don't let the size fool you. You can easily get quite a few washes from this bottle. I had one in my shower for a month before I went through it. This cleanser is great for all skin types. It cleanses and tones and makes your skin feel super soft. Available at Nordstrom and ULTA. 
6. Lush Lip Scrubs ($9.95) - These little sugar  lip scrubs are great and they taste pretty darn good too (don't worry it's ok to lick them they're natural). This is great for the lipstick lover on your list because she needs to make sure her lips are always in prime condition. Lipstick looks awful on flaky lips! All she's gotta do is lick her lips, rub a little lip scrub on and lick if off if she pleases. I'm partial to the Mint Julips flavor, it tastes a bit like mint chocolate chip ice cream, and it's refreshing. Plus, if I use it after lunch, it's a little like an after-dinner mint. Sweet lips is another good one too. 
7. Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Rollerball Ornament ($19) - Here I go again with the ornament gifts. But honestly, they are just too cute! I recently discovered this scent last week on a trip to Sephora and I love it. It's fresh and crisp with a hint of warmth (thanks to the musk note). If you happen to have someone on your list who loves LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit, they'll probably also love this scent by Fresh. Notes: mandarin (if we haven't figure this out I'm a sucker for orange/citrus scents), Italian lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, lotus flower, transparent jasmine, rhubarb, musk, and peach. By the way, if this particular pick doesn't suit your fancy, any roller ball perfume (of your giftee's preference) could substitute. They make great gifts. I love keeping a small perfume in my purse for when the occasion calls. You can find a wide selection at any beauty or department store. Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit is available at Sephora. 
8. eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere Holiday Gift Set ($9) - I love eos lip balms. I've written about them here. The shape makes them quite cute, attracts people's attention, and is usually easy to find in your purse (although not so great for a little clutch). They're also 95% organic, and glide on smoothly thanks to moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil. Plus, no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or petrochemicals. These three flavors aren't available outside of this gift set and include: blueberry, watermelon, and vanilla. It's a fun little stocking stuffer you can easily find at drugstores. I've personally spotted them at Target and Walgreens. 

Are any of these products on your wish list? Are there any products out there you think should make the list? 

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts Under $150

We've talked about some of my favorite picks for holiday beauty gifts under $50. Now it's time to talk about some of my favorite beauty gifts that will require a little more of your budget. But, I'm assuming, if you're looking at this list, you have the budget allotted for these items and you're probably shopping for someone on your list with whom you have a closer relationship. That's usually how the bigger budget gifts work, right?

But don't worry, I didn't go all crazy. Most of these gifts are still quite reasonably priced.

1. Best of Hourglass set ($59) - I think this is a great gift for the sophisticated beauty gal in your life. Hourglass cosmetics aren't as readily available as other brands. You can't just walk into any department store and get them. But don't fret, you can find them at Sephora (or Barney's if you choose). Giving these as a gift is sure to impress. They're a little more obscure, but rank up there with is competing high-end brands. This set features two of the brands best-selling primers -- mineral primer and No. 28 primer (which has 28 hydrating ingredients) -- along with the Film Noir mascara and a pretty lip gloss (all best sellers). 
2. Clarisonic Mia 2 ($149) - No list would be complete if it didn't include a Clarisonic. These cleansing brushes are magical. They deep clean while gently exfoliating leaving you with softer, healthier looking skin. And, let's be frank, good skin is what we're all looking for. The better our skin, the less makeup we need to pile on. I have the regular Clarisonic Mia and I love it. But they've since released the Mia 2, which offers two speed settings for extra cleanliness. I love this peacock colored one, but you can choose from a variety of colors and patterns these days. Available at Sephora, ULTA, and Nordstrom. 
3. Burberry "Lip Cover" Soft Satin Lipstick Set ($72) - You're giving a little bit of luxury when you gift this set. From the box they're packaged in (the cardboard feels like fancy stationary), to the velvety smooth quality of these lipsticks, to the sophisticated packaging (with it's iconic print also embossed on the lipsticks themselves), these just ooze luxe. Plus the three colors are absolutely gorgeous and totally wearable. Available at Nordstrom. 

1. Urban Decay Naked 2 ($50) - You can't compile a gift list without at least one of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. Well, I guess you could, but honestly, this is a fail safe beauty gift. Lots of neutral shades that are wearable for any occasion. Wear it soft and subtle to the office or dark and dramatic for a night out. The collection of neutral shades are good for just about anyone. Of the two palettes, the Naked 2 is my favorite. It comes with 12 shadows, a dual ended Good Karma shadow brush, and a mini lip gloss. I love that I have a matte black and I just gravitate to the colors in this palette more than I do to the original palette (which I also love, by the way). I just wish it had a better balance of matte and shimmer shades. However, Urban Decay heard everyone's pleas for more matte neutral shades and released the Naked Basics palette this holiday season (retails for $27). It's a smaller palette, containing only six shadows, but they are all matte. The Naked 2 palette is available at Sephora and ULTA. Naked Basics is currently available on Urban Decay's website. 
2. Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber ($75) - Beauty aficionados went crazy over Tom Ford's  eye color quads this fall. Twitter and the blogosphere was abuzz, and with good reason. These palettes are absolutely beautiful. The shadows feel soft and smooth, the color payoff is fantastic, and they blend nicely. I'm personally drawn to the Burnished Amber quad. The colors are warm, rich, and versatile. Plus, amber is an incredibly flattering eye shadow on pretty much all skin tones. Give this and you'll be a hero. Available at Neiman Marcus, selected Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and Bergdorf Goodman. 

I love that holiday season means you can get your hands on some great fragrance deals. I know selecting a perfume for someone is a very personal matter. What smells great to some, can be offensive to others. But, since we're talking a little bit of a higher price point, I'm going to assume the person you're shopping for is someone you know pretty well. So, you should be better equipped to discern their scent preferences and decide if they are in line with mine.

1. LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum ($58) - Of course the first fragrance I list isn't available in a gift set. But, I chose it for two reasons. First, I adore this scent. It's fresh and uplifting thanks to the citrus scent of grapefruit, and still warm and sweet thanks to the vanilla.  You almost smell like an amazing dessert. This is more of a fun perfume than a sultry, romantic scent. I love this for spring and summer, but I'll wear it year round. Second, it has quite a following and is the best selling of all the LaVanila scents. If this many people like it, can you really go wrong? Available at Sephora.
2. Elie Saab Eau de Parfum set  ($120) - Oh my goodness. I adore this perfume. Adore it. I first spritzed it on a ribbon at Nordstrom and tied that ribbon to my purse. I could smell the perfume for weeks and I was hooked. I wouldn't stop talking about it until my husband kindly gifted it to me. He was superman that day. This perfume is sophisticated, refined, and feminine. I personally feel you can wear it day or night. It's a bit strong, but not overpowering. The fragrance notes include: orange blossom, jasmine, patchouli, rose, and cedar wood. I get a lot of compliments when I wear this scent. The set includes a 3 oz bottle of eau de parfum, a mini spray bottle (0.33 oz), and a body cream (1 oz). The 3 oz bottle alone costs $120, so you're essentially getting the travel sized mini perfume and body cream for free. Available at Nordstrom.
3. Laura Mercier  Le Petit Patisserie Almond Coconut Milk Quartet ($50) - If you want to be transported to a tropical island escape without having to travel to far off places, give this gift set a whirl. The warm and succulent scent of almond, coconut, milk, and vanilla are rich and seductive. It simply smells divine. The set includes a body wash, soufle body creme, and deluxe travel-sized hand cream and fragrance mist. Available at Nordstrom.
4. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball Set ($58) - Flowerbomb is just that, a floral explosion with a bit of sweetness. But it's not candy or sugar sweet. It's more of a sultry sweet floral scent. I love this scent so much, I gifted it to myself last year. It's great because you get three rollerball vials (0.34 oz each) for a fair price. It's more affordable than the full bottle of the perfume, which retails for $105 (for the 1.7 oz; $160 for the 3.4 oz). And those little vials will last you. If you're like me, and you prefer your perfumes in a spray, spend an extra $5 for a small atomizer. I pour the perfume in the atomizer instead of using the rollerball, and carry it in my purse. Scent notes include: bergamot, tea, jasmine, orange blossom (I sense a recurring citrus theme in my fragrance choices), orchid, rose, and patchouli. The trio set is available exclusively at Nordstrom.

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts under $50

I love holiday time in the beauty industry because of all the great gift sets. It's a great time to get a lot of bang for your buck, try out new products without spending a fortune, and get some stand-by items in pretty sparkling packaging.

In my last post, I showed you some of my picks for gifts specifically at Sephora. This time, I extended my search to other stores for the beauty obsessed on your list.

Gifts under $25

1. Real Techniques brushes ($6-18) - If you've got a beauty lover on your list, chances are, she loves a great makeup brush. Makeup brush quality and prices can range wildly, but you can find some great brushes at great prices. Real Techniques brushes are fantastic and they're available at fair prices. Individual brushes range from $6-10 and brush sets are $18. The brushes are sturdy, have synthetic, soft, taklon bristles, and are cruelty free. Order them online or get them at your local ULTA, they are bound to please.
2. Sonia Kashuk All Out Glam brush set ($24.99) - Check out the sparkles on this gorgeous brush set. It's so festive and perfect for the holidays. Who wouldn't feel like a million bucks when getting glammed up with these makeup brushes? Sonia Kashuk makes great brushes and the best part is their easily accessible at your local Target. 
3. Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Formal Affair face palette ($19.99) - A compact palette that flatters most skin tones is great for on the go. It has a pretty shimmery bronzer, matte pink blush, shimmery coral blush, and four metallic, yet neutral, eyeshadows. Great for the holidays and to use year round. 

Gifts under $50

1. Stila Seeing Stars Smudge Stick waterproof eye liner set ($32) - I purchased this eye liner set for myself at the Makeup Show in Orlando and I love it. Five, long-wearing metallic shades in very wearable colors. Fun to wear and not too in-your-face, for those out there who are color shy. Available at Sephora and ULTA. 
2. Korres Butter Me Up body & lip butter collection ($38) - If you have any natural beauty fans on your list, consider giving the gift of moisture with this Korres gift set that includes three super smooth lip butters (guava, jasmine, quince) and four luxuriously creamy body butters (guava, jasmine, basil lemon, and apple blossom). What it doesn't include: parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Pick it up at your nearest Sephora.
3. Stila Luxe Eyeshadow Palette ($45) - Another palette I purchased at the Makeup Show and absolutely love. It includes nine eyeshadows in neutral, smokey, and bright colors and has a nice mix of matte and shimmer shadows, as well as a smudge stick eye liner in lady killer (a pewter/purple metallic). The shadows are soft, pigmented and easy to blend and has a lot of great go-to every day colors. Available at Nordstrom. 
4. BareMinerals The Star Treatment set ($40) - If you've got a mineral makeup lover on your list (like I do) check out some of the great gift sets BareMinerals has this season. There were too many to include them all, so I chose my personal favorite of their products, their pressed shadows. This particular palette is limited edition for the holidays and it has some gorgeous colors in it. Ten gorgeous shadows to be exact, an eyeshadow brush, and an eyeshadow primer.  You're getting quite the deal, since normally the two-shadow palettes run for $20 and here you're getting five times as many shadows. Available at Sephora. (If you'd like a separate post on all my BareMinerals gift set favorites, just leave me a comment below.)
5. Sephora Favorites Glitz and Glam Party Sampler ($45) - If you have an ultra-glam gal to gift, consider this gift set from Sephora that includes nine of their best-selling products that give you that holiday glow. Three of those products are full-sized items. Give your glam puss a full look and the chance to sample some new goodies. 
6. Lorac Eye Candy Eye Pencil set ($28) - This eye liner set is just functional, it's gorgeous to look at. I'm gushing over it! The golden packaging with rhinestone accents is positively luxe. But it's not just pretty on the outside, it's functional too. The set includes four wearable eye liners in coal (slate grey), licorice (black), cocoa (brown), and plum. Available at ULTA.
7. Lorac Pro palette ($42) - If you know someone who owns and loves the Urban Decay Naked palettes (either of them), surprise them with the new Lorac Pro palette. It's a great neutral palette to add to their arsenal, with 16 gorgeous shadows that are generously pigmented and easy to blend. Use shadows wet or dry to line, define, shadow - creating office friendly and all out glam looks with the same palette. Available at ULTA and Sephora. 
8. MAC Guilty Passion 4 pigment gift sets ($32.50) - Pigments are so much fun! Use them as shadows, apply them on your lips, or mix them into polish -- they're truly versatile. MAC released three new sets of mini pigments this holiday season, but don't let the term "mini" fool you. These are generous minis, with 3g each they'll last you quite a long time. Ask anyone who's ever owned a MAC pigment. They are seemingly endless. My two favorites are the Sweetly Smokey and Tenderly Warm sets. I think Tenderly Warm will give you a great glow the likes you might see in on the pages of Victoria's Secret. Secretly Smokey has some great shades in purple, berry, frosty pink and shimmery taupe. 
9. OCC Lip Tar gift set ($49) - The lip junkie on your list will go nuts over this collection. Five favorite Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics lip tars they can mix and match to create their own unique shade or wear straight out of the tube. The possibilities are endless and the price is right. The tubes of liquid lipstick might look small, but they'll only need a pea-sized (that may even be too much) amount to pretty their pout. Check out my post where I swatch my OCC lip tars here. You can purchase this set from Sephora. 

What are some of your favorite beauty gift sets this year? Are you buying for yourself or to give to others? 

Holiday Gift Guide: Sephora Gift Sets, $30 and under

The holiday season is around the corner and many of us are thinking about what kind of lovely gifts we can give our loved ones to show them a little appreciation. If you have a beauty fanatic on your list this is a great gifting time since so many companies put out great gift sets this time of year.

After perusing Sephora's site, here are my picks for gift set ideas that won't break the bank. All of these can be purchased for $30 or less.

1. Sephora Collection Flashy Eyeliner Set ($16) - I got this set a few years ago and I loved it. Sephora's Flashy eyeliners are fantastic. They're creamy, smudgeable, and waterproof. Once they set, they last all day. They're comparable to the Urban Decay 24/7 liners, at a fraction of the cost. The set includes five travle-sized liners, letting you explore some new fun colors while still providing the neutral stand-bys. Colors included: black, brown, blue, violet, and grey.
2. Stila All is Bright Lip Glaze set ($25) - People who try them, tend to love them. That's why Stila's lip glaze set makes my picks for great gifts under $30, they are bound to please the makeup lover on your list. Stila lip glazes are creamy, colorful, pack high-shine, aren't overly sticky, and smell delicious. This set includes eight lip glazes -- six limited edition shades, and two best-sellers. 
3. Bite Beauty Bite-Size Discovery Set ($25) - This lip set has been teasing me for a few months. I've been wanting it, but haven't gotten it. I may just have an excuse to indulge. The set is portable, a great way to test out a new brand, and includes five shades that great for everyone. I'm totally loving the red one. And the packaging looks sleek and sophisticated, like it belongs to a lady who means business.  Keep these in your purse and always have a shade on hand that compliments your looks - from subtle nudes to a bold red. Great for lipstick lovers of any variety. 
4. Sephora Collection IZAK Mini Lipstick Set ($14) - This lipstick set is fun. Just look at the cute packaging! It's sure to please the beauty gal on your list. And it includes colors that are sure to please. I'm a big fan of Sephora's line of makeup, and I think this is a great way to play with some of their lipsticks. 
5. Clinique Taste of Honey Set ($29.50) - Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick is a cult favorite for a reason. The shade flatters everyone. That super dark lipstick only looks scary, because when you put it on it's more of a pretty sheer raspberry than the gothic dark hue it appears to be. Check it out on me here. The rest of the honey line is just as nice. In fact, I chose a hue for each one of my bridesmaids as part of their bridal party gift. 
6. Sephora Collection Gloss Lab ($25) - Noticing a lip product trend? Yes, well, there seem to be some good lip gifts out there in this price range. Can you blame me for choosing them? This set includes 10 glosses: seven color shades and three top coats (clear shine, glitter, and shimmer). 
7. Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town four piece set ($19.50) - I love the mini nail polish bottles. They are so cute and their portability makes them great for carrying around to fix minor chips. And seriously, when was the last time to actually went through an entire full-sized bottle of nail polish (unless you're a nail tech, and not counting base and top coats)? These colors are fantastic. 
8. Sephora Collection Moonshadow Palette - In the Night ($30) - I love a good eyeshadow palette, and the colors in this one are captivating. A collection of shimmery baked shadows that's great for smokey, neutral, and even some bold looks. Use it wet for bolder color intensity or to use the shadows as liner. The navy blue shade looks absolutely stunning and the packaging looks sleek. Plus, you're getting a good quality product.