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Holiday Haul

POST + GRAPHIC DESIGN BY NORAH CURLEE

With the weather changing and holiday music starting to croon everywhere you go, we beauty/style junkies know one thing: the limited editions are coming. Companies and beauty brands bust out the big guns releasing holiday value sets, new product releases, palettes, limited time quantities… and just the cutest packaging you’ve ever seen. These little bundles of joy are coveted and limited so if you like it…GET IT (while you can). If you find yourself in the spirit of self-less giving (we know, its hard with some of these goodies), they make amazing gifts for any fellow beauty babes in your life.

LUXE LIST: Often times these holiday sets give you more bang for you buck. This is especially handy when buying pricier brands that you maybe wouldn’t have tried. We love this YSL Love and Laquer Reds Set, which has your tips, lips and lashes covered for holiday party-going. While you’re in luxury mode, check out famed photographer Guy Bourdin’s holiday collection for NARS. Our favorite is the Limited Edition Promiscuous Lip Pencil Coffret:  5 shades (four matte, one gloss) + a killer makeup bag. You’ll have your pick of eye shadow palettes, but we are loving this Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood beauty. You get shimmer and matte shades for hundreds of holiday eye-look possibilities!

PAMPER SESH: Skincare brands definitely join in on the fun of holiday bundling and we suggest taking full advantage of their generosity! Like this Ole Henriksen Glow from Head to Toe Blockbuster Set which is packed full of their most popular must-haves. Let’s not forget about certain aromas that only appear once a year (you know all the sugary, spicy, bakery scents). Origins aim to please with their Best of Ginger Set which smells like an oven full of gingerbread men. Only this will make your skin soft, calorie free! We love sets that come with multiple scents to try! This Philosophy Limited Edition Hand Cream set has Homemade Honey Buns, Cranberry Medley, and Spiced Gingerbread Cookie…triple the luxe.

TRENDY TIPS: Nail fanatics will flip over some of the collections this year. You can always count on Essie to bring it on the shade front a la this holiday set. If “the more the merrier” is your motto for your varnish collection then check out newly launched Formula X for Sephora: The Twenty Two set. Twenty-two polish pretties to paint, paint and re-paint. The ELF Party Nail Cube is a budget beauty buy packed with 14 shades of jeweled toned lacquer love (other shades available). Deborah Lippmann has you covered on the glitter front this year with this Starlight Glitter Nail Lacquer Set. Shine on!

WINTER ESSENTIALS: Did someone say ’tis the season? We love us some seasonal goodies! Amp up your winter stash with Birchbox’s Limited Edition Snow Day set. When the weather outside is frightful, this box has fun goodies like comfy socks, hot chocolate and hand cream to warm up your day. Cozy up your pad with this Christmas Home Collection from Jo Malone. Three of their signature scents in candle, room spray and diffuser form. Yes please. Speaking of comfy, how amazing are these Dyptique holiday candles? With limited time only scents like indian incense, orange chai and pine bark…we think its time to stock up.

STOCKING STUFFERS: Our favorite category: the extras. Cute mini gifts perfect not just for stockings, but to have on hand for last minute swaps! So many budget friendly beauties to choose from and there is one for every scenario. Here are a few we just HAD to share. (clockwise) Body Shop’s Cranberry Joy Gift Cube,Jouer Poutin’ on the Glitz, Bumble and Bumble Polished Two-Step, Lush’s Christmas Kisses, Caudalie Stocking Stuffer Set