Don't Buy Bad Gifts

How to not get scammed this holiday season when shopping for beauty? I spend a lot of time window shopping Sephora, Yesstyle, Ulta, and indvidual brands. I'm always looking for the best quality for the price and base most of my purchasing decisions on this. Knowing what I know about beauty trends, formulation, production, and seasonal releases I can say with confidence when I've found a product worth its price. Everyone had different ideas of value so do follow your heart but, as someone with 9 years experience in the industry here's what I look out for.

When it comes to holiday sets, there's part of me that gets emotional over these. It's meant to be a special gift to someone you love or maybe to yourself. The set should have value and give you the full experience (and then some) you might enjoy if you were purchasing the item off season. Holiday sets are degrading in quality every year and some of those special box sets are filled with 50% air. If you are purchasing this for yourself or someone you love, take a good hard look at the contents before you pull out your credit card.

Look for full sized items

Full sized gift sets are hard to come by in the days of "shrinkflation." The idea in the consumer mind is that

a) You get to try a little bit of a few things and see if you like it.

b) You don't actually need a full sized and feel better about not wasting product.

c) I can use these for travel/ "they're just so cute and small."

On the brand size they are offering you sample sized products that historically would have been free gifts. You are paying to sample something! You are paying to be marketed to! Sample size and full size products have a comparative price when it comes to manufacturing. The brands are saving money on logistics (weight and freight space) while you are getting literally, less.

Salt & Stone has the best full sized gift sets in my opinion. If you are unsure of what scent to choose my recommendation is the Bergamot & Hinoki. The scent is a classic citrus that's fairly palatable for a wide range of tastes. The Full Body Care Set for $85 is my top pick for the season. These did sell out last year so if you see them in stock don't hesitate.

Don't be fooled by the bag

No one wants the bag. How many bags do you have in your closet? Don't burden yourself or your loved one with yet another makeup bag. Unless it's really cute and also works out to be "free." Most bag sets are going to include a lot of minis that inevitably end up never being used. We have good intentions but, try to gift something that will be loved, not just kinda liked. Giving 10 minis doesn't really hit the same as a few full sized products. For example, this Dior Volume and Glow Makeup Holiday 2025 Gift Set - Limited Edition for $117 includes all full sized products and you would get the bag for free. There's no savings on the products but together this makes a good set and the bag is unique.

Compare MSRP to the set

When shopping sets you should be getting a discount on the market suggested retail price. If the set includes a bag, keychain or, some other branded accessory I feel like this should not be included in the set "value." The Tower 28 GoGo Coolings Shimmer Eyeshadow Set includes six shadow sticks for $100. GoGo shadow sticks are normally $20 each, saving you $20 on the boxed set. I love this formula and this set can also be broken up if you are doing gifts for several people or stocking stuffers.

Same with the Eadem Bisou Lip Treatment Set , these are extremely popular and the set well priced. Typically $24 each you save $36 on the set of five, total price is $84. This set is a nice gift and even separated one of these balms would be a pleasant surprise. However, the colors on these are all quite similar so you may want to break this set up and give them individually.

On a Budget?

I realize some of these gift set suggestions are out of touch with the current economic state of the world. These were meant to serve as examples so you are well informed when choosing between options when shopping. Let's think in more realistic gift giving terms. Don't look at the holiday sets. If you are trying to find value in a holiday set under $30 you are most likely getting minis and samples sizes of items. Instead choose one nice full sized item for $30. Here are some of my favorites.

Youth to the People Youthscreen™ Daily Hydration + Pollution Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 60 - $30

One of the highest SPF sunscreens on the market with a super serum like viscosity. No white cast and suitable for most skin types. Love the size of this because it's easy to throw in a bag for daily use.

Tatch The Kissu Lip Mask - Gold Leaf - $29

Prestige skincare brand, this is a special edition of thier popular Kiss lip mask. Skincare from this line can be a bit pricy with moisturizers starting around $80 but, this little lip pot still gives off the same quality and experience.

Phlur Cashmere Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist 3oz - $25

One of the hottest fragrance brands in the commercial market. I recommend the Cashmere Skin scent because it's subtle and natural. This is also a new release so you'll be the hot on-trend gift giver. The 3oz is $25 but there is a larger size available. When it comes to fragrance unless you know a person's taste a smaller bottle is appropriate.

Olive Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Large Paddle Brush - $27.95

Brushes are not something people replace often and receiving a new one is a pleasant surprise for anyone with hair. This style brush is usable for most hair types and can be used to heat style.

This concludes my holiday PSA. I hope you find something great for gifts this season or enjoy expert informed shopping for yourself. Don't overthink the process. Gifts are meant to reflect a little bit of who you are. Don't get caught up in stress over ideas if an item captures a person's essence or not.