The leaves are changing. Boots and scarves are being pulled out of the recesses of many closets. Halloween stores are sprouting up all over, and every restaurant and coffee house is boasting pumpkin flavored delights.
But most of all?
The Holiday Gift Sets are starting to arrive.
For a shop-a-holic as myself the only thing more exciting than the holiday shopping season is the ridiculously discounted post-holiday shopping season. And even though October is just beginning, the stretch from now to December 25th will almost definitely go by way too quickly, so there's no hurt in starting early!
I've been perusing the Sephora and ULTA websites, and there are a few Holiday Gift Sets that I am really excited about and wanted to share with you all.
And by a few, I actually mean a lot, but I figured I'd try to keep this post a respectable length.
Whether you're as beauty-obsessed as I am, or a total newcomer looking to build up a collection of basics, these sets will let you score some amazing products at a great deal and also give you the opportunity to try out new things you wouldn't have normally given a shot.
Sephora Favorites Glitz & Glam ($45.00 at Sephora)
The Glitz & Glam theme has always been a Sephora Holiday staple, but most years the products in it aren't anything to write home about. For 2013, though, they have made the most excellent decision to include a full-sized Josie Maran Watercolor Cheek Gelee, which at the normal $22 is half of the cost of this entire set! Urban Decay eyeshadow, NARS lip gloss, and Lancome mascara are also some seriously fantastic contributors. I would totally not be upset if this found it's way under my Christmas tree.
Sephora Favorites Lash Stash ($45.00 at Sephora) I have way, way too much mascara, and the Last Stash set is the reason why. For the last two years I have been able to snag this annual offering at a discount that was too insane to pass up. The end result is a massive collection of adorable mascara minis that I've been slowly trying to work my way through. To be honest, it's actually more sanitary to use a new mascara every three months or so, and these travel-sized versions are much less guilt-inducing to pitch. This year you can treat yourself to some of the most coveted mascara offerings out there - from Benefit's They're Real, to YSL Babydoll, to Too Faced's new Better Than Sex mascara. If I wasn't already on mascara overload I would TOTALLY be on the lookout for this set come January.
Sephora Favorites Super Stars ($75.00 at Sephora)
The Cadillac of all gift sets, Sephora's annual Super Stars set always has a spectacular array of full-sized and deluxe sample-sized products to bear. In my humble opinion, this is the best set they've released in years, and I'd be super happy to have all of it...but if I had to pick I guess I'm most excited about the full-sized Stila Stay All Day liquid liner, Deborah Lippman nail polish, Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb rollerball.
Benefit Cosmetics Countdown to Love 2013 Advent Calendar ($68.00 at ULTA)
Who didn't love chocolate-filled advent calendars as a child? Getting that little treat every day was almost as exciting as Christmas morning itself. Seeing this Benefit Cosmetics beauty-goody-filled advent calendar makes me feel like a kid all over again. Honestly, what is a better way to treat yourself than with a daily dose of glam in adorable miniature packaging?
Ciate Mini Mani Month ($58.00 at Sephora)
I still have yet to add Ciate to my nailpolish collection, and this set of mini polishes is definitely a huge temptation to do so! With 24 different polishes and texture add-ins, you certainly have enough variety to give yourself a different manicure every day of the month. The color selection this year is particularly fun, with a nice selection of everything from neutrals to neons in a variety of different finishes. Definitely a must-have for any mani/pedi obsessed individuals in your life.
There are honestly so many other amazing sets this year that I may or may not have to write another post about them later. Is there anything in particular you are lusting after this holiday season? I'd love to hear about it!
On a totally unrelated sidenote, I've been doing a bit of site maintenance, so you might notice a few little updates and changes here and there. I'm always looking to make improvements, so suggestions are definitely appreciated. If there is something you love or would like to see more of, write it in the comments!
In the meantime, happy shopping!
Lauren
Lauren
