I’ve never written a holiday gift guide because I find that good gifts are super personal. That said, I’m an expert at buying myself stuff, so I thought I’d share what’s on my list for me. ME. MeeeeEEEEeee.
I also have some ideas for stuff other people might like, but you’ll notice that I don’t really include much skincare. I dunno…skincare feels pretty utilitarian to me (and therefore tricky to give as a gift) unless someone is asking for something in particular.
I had grand plans this year to grab Cult Beauty’s Best of 2017 Goody Bag, but it didn’t thrill me. Same thing with Net-A-Porter’s end-of-year sample bag (this year one turned out to be $3500 and the other is filled with stuff I don’t want/need). So, $500 saved (that has been thrust at anyone selling holiday candles, it seems, expect a post reviewing those soon).
Want a pile of beauty shit of your own? Don’t forget to enter the Lipstick League’s giant beauty giveaway.^^
Vamp Stamp VaVaVoom Stamp and VINK Eyeliner Ink
I saw this super cool eyeliner wing-making tool in a review and said WANT. You apparently just dip the stamp in ink and then stamp on a wing. This was developed for makeup fans with motor disabilities, so I’m extra excited about this product.
That said, it arrived from Bloomingdale’s, I tried it, and failed miserably, so set aside time for watching some tutorials to nail the technique.
Kevyn Aucoin The Making Faces Beauty Book
Do I need another palette? NO. Did I receive the original Making Faces exactly 20 years ago from my parents and therefore want a sentimental gift connected to something that was precious to me in high school? YES.
Pat McGrath Labs LuxeTrance Lipstick in Sextrology
First off, it’s Pat McGrath. She followed me on IG for some reason, so farewell sanity, I’m Pat-biased af already and then that, PHEW. Second, this lipstick formula is getting the most amazing reviews. The pink is totally my style. THAT PACKAGING. I need this!
Susanne Kaufmann advent calendar
This is a 24-day organic bath and body product advent calendar from a fancy Austrian spa brand. I first saw this last year and went PSHAW at the fanciness and price, and then I thought about this damn thing for the rest of the year. I actually set aside mental $$$ for this, and snatched it up fast from Cult Beauty once I saw it had arrived. What’s crazily cool is that CB had a promotion that offered a 3-bottle gift set (worth $25) with any Susanne Kaufmann purchase of 30 GBP or more, so I def scored a deal. This calendar can be found on Net-A-Porter in the US in gold packaging for just about double the price and on some US sites for about $50 more, so I’m 100000% shopping for stuff like this at Cult.
Stila Written in the Stars Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Set
A glitter bomb eyeshadow that’s packaged like lipgloss, hello, SOLD. I’m nervous about the glitter or gel formula hurting my eyelids, so I bought this small set to test. It sells out multiple times each week, so stick with it and set an email alert when it comes back in stock.
Colleen Rothschild Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum
I’ve been hearing the most amazing things about this mandelic serum for ages, so I need to get my act together and jump on it during a sale.
Beauty Pie Candles
These candles are being released in early December, and I’m SO EXCITED. My candle lust is strong these days, and factory-price candles sound like exactly the thing I need Beauty Pie to deliver for me to continue my membership.
Things I’d Buy for Other People
Sephora Favorites Glow For It set
- This is like one of every must-buy highlighter for the past few years (Becca, Bobbi Brown, and Cover FX are the ones I’m thinking of). I can see how someone could buy this and be done buying highlighters forever. As someone with a highlighter addiction, I recommend giving someone you love the gift of never having to think about buying highlighters again (it’s a slippery slope).
Sunday Riley Flash Fix Kit
- If you want to try Good Genes, this is a way to do it very affordably (with a side of Ceramic Slip, which is quite good and very good when mixed into a mask with Good Genes).
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership Palettes
- Temptalia gave these $125 palettes A- to B+ ratings and I think that’s fair, so don’t go into this expecting the formula to blow you away (although some pans are amazing). Buy this for the sick packaging and fantasy makeup vibe of it. It sets my heart racing when I open the lid.
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops Set
- If you like Cover FX’s cult fav drops or like the idea of them and want to try a bunch of colors, this set is a steal.
Becca Glow on the Go Highlighter Set or Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter Mini
- Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed highlighters are life, and you can get a small one for $20. They’re little, but they have crazy payoff and one can last for ages. Both of these include a 2.4g pan, so I’d go for the one that has a bonus liquid wand unless you want a color other than Champagne Pop or Opal.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking those links before you shop means that fan-b receives a small commission, which helps to support the blog. Please see my full disclosure for more information.
The Vamp Stamp was a fail for me as well … and I’m exactly the person this product is aimed at. In a nutshell, I have ET (Essential Tremor), which makes applying makeup a bit like watching that lady in “Airplane” who gets lipstick everywhere during turbulence. I requested my “kitten” stamp from the company, and they kindly sent me one to test, so I could write about it for other sufferers of movement disorders, but even videos and hours and hours of working with it didn’t result in anything I could wear in public unless intentionally trying to freak people out. Sorry, Chief, it won’t get better with practice…but if anyone can make it work, it’s you. <3