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Holiday Gift Guide (Beauty Basics)

Post + Graphic Design, Norah Curlee

While you’ve cannon-balled straight into the beauty pool, chances are you have a few friends who are still dipping a toe in to test the waters.Shopping for these wavering newbies can be…well, tough.  Good thing we here at TBD have made it super simple with our round up of the hottest beauty bits of the season all of which are guaranteed not to intimidate. These user-friendly gems will have your little glamour amateur diving in head first in no time!

Real Techniques Brushes: These babies are our budget pick for beauty brush beginners! Developed by makeup artist Samantha Chapman, they are budget friendly, super high quality, multi-purpose and easy to use. Brush set home-run!

Stila Tools of the Trade Holiday Brush set: Holiday time is the best time for brush sets! This one from Stila has all the basics covered for painting it all on!

BeautyBlender Holiday set: Even the biggest beauty amateur can work the beautyblender. They make blending foundation, concealer, and blush easy and seamless…and she’ll get three!

Dior Golden Winter Holiday Palette: For eye shadow newbies, we say keep it neutral and keep it simple (the cut crease and winged liner come later). This gorgeous holiday palette from Dior offers a perfectly portable quad with neutral shades. Eye shadow intro..done.

Eyeko Limited Edition Mascara Wardrobe: When diving into the beauty world it’s all about trial and error. It can take some major mishaps to find the perfect mascara wand…and Eyeko lets you try three!

Tarte Stop and Stare Eyeliner set: Put a twinkle in her eye with the amazing smudge proof budge proof eyeliners from Tarte! This offering has rich colors to create a subtle smokey lash line, perfect for a more natural holiday look! (No raccoon eyes here)

Josie Maran Lip and Cheek set: Multi-purpose products rock for newbies! It streamlines their stash so as not to get overwhelmed with product overload (until they become full blown beauty junkies like us). This offers four shades to color up your cheeks and pout.

Stila Portrait of a Perfect Blush: Five different shades to amp up her natural flush! These shades are so wearable and easily blended to suite different skin tones. A beginner winner!

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector: This limited edition beauty illuminator by Becca is perfect for anyone intimidated by full on blush. A tiny bit of this dusted onto the cheeks adds a tiny tint plus a stunning winter glow!

Clinique Chubby Balm Holiday set: These are fuss-free wonders. Lip balm stains are perfect for a subtle wash of color that’s mega wearable. Easy to apply, no liner, primer or lip brush necessary!

E.L.F Holiday Lip Gloss Cube: The lip gloss mecca! She’ll be set with 9 sheer, easy to wear shades perfect for on the go. Not to mention this bad boy is a budget wonder!

MAC Stroke of Midnight Nude Lip Kit: If your beauty newb isn’t quite ready to bust out the bold pout quite yet, a nude lip round-up is essential. This holiday nude lip kit has everything you need from liner, lipstick and a gloss to shine things up!

Boscia Pink Peppermint Blotting sheets: Help newbie keep shine at bay with this adorable holiday facial blotting sheets. P.S. They smell amazing.

Smashbox Try It – Halo kit: Full on foundation can be a little intimidating for a first timer – enter the BB cream and finishing powder. Both included in this starter kit!

CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir Limited Edition By L’Wren Scott: The only thing required of this product is a spritz! It will take care of the rest. Refreshes the complexion with grape, orange blossom, rose, mint and rosemary.

Formula X by Sephora The System: Kickstart her future nail addiction with this exclusive set. Nail cleanser, base coat, top coat and you get to choose any polish from the entire line. Done!

Holiday Nail Wraps by NCLA: Nail wraps were made for newbies. Fool proof without having to worry about painting precision. Not to mention…instant nail art! Cute and so cute!

Tocca Holiday Trio: A trio of different scent mini’s for the beauty beginner to road test. Tocca’s line-up is always fresh and easy to wear!

What were your essentials back in your beauty newbie days? Tell us in the comments!