Sephora’s Holiday Giftsets: To Buy or Not To Buy

If you subscribe to the Sephora newsletter, then you probably know as well as I do, that the 2015 Holiday Gift Sets have arrived!!!!!!

These gift sets are pretty much every make up lover’s dream! Before we get too excited and start writing our holiday wishlists, let’s take a look at some of the most notable gift sets, or value sets as Sephora likes to call them,to see if they are really worth all the hype. The last thing you want to do is open your present, be underwhelmed, and have to fake excitement amirite? Let’s skip that awkward moment and save you and your secret santa the trouble!

Note: I think I’m going to cap the gift set prices for this blog at $200- I can’t even justify buying a $400 dollar gift set for myself, let alone someone else.

Eyes:

Let’s start with the Sephora Favorites Lashstash, $54.00 (a $152.00 value)

This eleven peice set comes with 8 mascaras including products by NARS, Benefit, and Too Faced. This set also comes with a Tarte eyelash curler, Tarte lash fibers, and one gel eyeliner from Hourglass Cosmetics. From the measurments on the Sephora website, these mascaras are pretty much on the travel sized spectrum, with some being larger than others (The Marc Jacobs mascara is a whopping 0.51 ounces while the Yves Saint Laurent Mascara is only 0.06). 

Considering that most of the regular sized version of these products are priced from $30.00 up, I’d say this would be a great buy if you’re in the market for a new go-to mascara! Another great thing about this giftset is that 1) you can always keep a backup mascara with you at all times, and 2) they’re all short term commitments. Long gone are the days where you might be regretting the purchase of an expensive mascara because you don’t like the formula – with this set you can just give it to a friend, and just move on to the next one!

See the full product info on Sephora’s website here.

Sephora Favorites Brow Raising Brow Wardrobe $48.00 (a $122.00 value)

This 7 piece gift set contains full-sized products! When I first stumbled on the info. for this product, I couldn’t believe that they were really full-sized – so I actually went and searched for these standalone products on the Sephora website. Turn’s out it’s legit- but I am wondering why the price is so cheap since each product retails to about $25.00 each, give or take. This set also comes in 2 shade groups, Light/Medium, and Medium/Dark, which is great because you won’t have to worry about that one product you can’t use because it isn’t in your shade. Along with the 5 full-sized products, you get a Sephora Collection Compact mirror and tweezers, perfect for your makeup bag when you’re on the go and want to do a quick touchup on those brows! 

So if you’re looking to up your brow game, definitely check out this giftset here!

Sephora Collection Color Wonderland Neutral & Vivid Eyeshadow Palette $74.00 (a $408.00 value apparently)

I think the $400 dollar value is a bit of a stretch. The thing with the Sephora eyeshadow sets is that the shadows they give you are really small! And yes, you do get 78 shadows and 2 eye pencils, but let me ask you this: Out of the 78 shadows, which ones will you actually use? With a set like this, I find that it’s easier to use up certain shadows and once they’re gone you’re left with shades that you aren’t exactly thrilled with. Paying $74 dollars for basically half a palette isn’t worth it! I mean, for $10 dollars less you could just get an Urban Decay Naked palette and call it a day. 

My advice for this palette would be to only buy it if you’re absolutely sure that you’ll be using at least 75% of it. Check out the full info page on Sephora’s website here

Lips:

Make Up Forever Artist Plexi-Gloss Colletion, $182.00 ($277.00 value)

A bit on the pricey side, this giftset includes 12 full-sized shades of the MUF Plexi-Glosses collection! A mix between a lip gloss and a lip stain, this lip line isn’t actually getting too many good reviews on the Sephora website right now. As for the value, I’d say the same thing that I said about the Sephora eyeshadow collection above – if you don’t think you’ll be using at least 75% of this set, maybe pass so you can get shades that you’ll actually use! Check this set out here.

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip $30.00 ($71.00 value)

One of the best things about the Sephora Favorites giftsets is that they include the most popular products and shades- so chances are you’ll want to use every product they give you! This set comes with 6 “deluxe sized” pieces, by which they mean travel sized lip products from brands like Kat Von D, Marc Jacobs, and Fresh. Nonetheless, at 30 bucks, I would definitely write this on my wish list: shades like these never go out of style!

This set is currently out of stock but you can have them email you when they get more here!

Marc Jacobs Beauty: The Sofia Five Piece Petites Le Marc Lip Creme Collection $54.00 

Although they aren’t full-sized products, this Marc Jacobs lip collection has some really great reviews – 4.5 stars y’all! It comes with five lipsticks and a Marc Jacobs patent leather pouch that can be used as a make up bag OR a clutch – I mean it’s still a Marc Jacobs right?? The shades included in this set are really pretty, but the picture doesn’t do them justice. You can check out the rave reviews and the true colors on the Sephora Website!

Too Faced Melted French Kisses $32.00 (a $51.00 value)

I have been wanting to try this liquid lipstick for FOREVER. For 30 bucks you get 4 – 0.16oz shades! Although a regular sized (0.4oz) tube costs about $25.00, I really like this set because it lets you try a variety of colors without the long term commitment or hefty credit card bill. Here’s my math: If you put together these 4 trial sized products, they amount to 0.64 ounces, which is more than the regular sized product and you get 3 other shades! So basically this set = irresistable. Check it out here!

Face

Sephora Favorites Beauty Closet $118.00 ($357.00 value)

I think you already know what I’m going to say about this set but let me give you the info on it so I can be thorough! Not only does it come with facial primers, bronzers, moisturizers, lipsticks, and a micro mini beauty blender, but there are 21 products inside this box. If you’re more of a try-it-all kind of gal, this is definitely the set for you. But don’t forget the products are all travel sized – so as long as you can live with it, everything will be a-okay! To find out what other goodies are part of this set click here!

Josie Maran: Whismical Wonder Argan Oil Color Essentials $41.00 (an $87.00 value)

Ever think about jumping on the argan oil bandwagon? Well now would be the perfect time to do it! This giftset would be the perfect introduction to the world of argan oil based beauty products that have been gaining a great reputation. Like I’ve said before, these travel-sized items really let you explore the line and the products they offer without the commitment of a full bottle of product if you don’t end up liking it. These products might be just what your skin needs during the winter season! Check out the giftset here. 

Stila: Sending My Love Set $64.00 (a $94.00 value)

You know that saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well in this case, you definitely should! The beautifully designed box was inspired by the “poetic romance of hand-written love letters of the past” according to the Sephora website, and based on its product reviews, people are definitely already falling in love. If you’re looking for a gift set that includes something for all your features, this palette seems to have it all! It encludes 5 shadows, a bronzer, blush, and highlight palette, a full-sized eyeliner and a lip glaze. Check out this set here!

Well that’s a wrap lovelies! I hope I’ve given you something to look forward to after midterms and finals. And if you don’t get everything you wish for this holiday season, grab a couple of your besties and hit the mall – Shopping makes everything better!

Photosources: