Makeup

Makeup Monday: Gift Guide and Stocking Stuffers

  1.  Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar All-Star Mini x 12 set, $58 ($90 value). Twelve lip tars in varying shades and finishes, plus a brush for application. All I have to say is, I wouldn’t mind finding this set underneath my tree! 
  2. Too Faced Teddy Bear Hair Professional Brush Set, $65. I usually don’t buy brush sets, because the quality tends to be a little lower and I’m often left with brushes I won’t actually use. But I’ve had this set for over a year, and I use each and every one of them. They’re incredibly soft and versatile. 
  3.  Glossybox subscription, $18.33 – $21 a month. I’m a subscriber of both Glossybox and Birchbox, but even though the former is twice as much as the latter, it blows them out of the water and is therefore a better buy, in my opinion. Glossybox’s products aren’t tiny samples – they’re either full size or deluxe samples. You can buy each box individually or subscribe for a discounted rate. 
  4. CiatĆ© “Mini Mani Month” Set, $58 ($100 Value). This set is perfect for any nail fanatic. In the words of Stefan, “This set has everything: caviar beads, glitter, sequins, seventeen mini polishes singing kumbaya over a pile of glowsticks, one full size polish wearing a bow tie, and nail treatments to get the party started.” (Note: glowsticks not included – but everything else is real.) 
  5.  Urban Decay Naked3 eyeshadow palette, $52. I couldn’t have a gift guide without including Urban Decay’s newest Naked installment. This one is my favorite, yet (see my tutorial here), but if the recipient has warm undertones, you might want to go with the original. The reaction my sneak peek instagram received shows how excited people get over these products. I buy into the hype – they are amazing neutral palettes! 


  1. ban.do Flash Bobbi Set, $10 (assorted colors available). I’m a longtime fan of ban.do and their super cute hair accessories, and these little bobbies add just the right amount of sparkle for even the simplest hairstyles. 
  2.  Deborah Lippmann “Best of Both Worlds” pop rock mini duet with glitter bag, $19. Two mini polishes (pink and multi color glitter) in a matching glitter bag. “Happy Birthday” is one of my favorites; it’s such a cheerful polish – and name!
  3.  Tocca “Stella” travel fragrance spray, $20. I might be a little biased, since this is one of my favorite scents.
  4. NYX Cosmetics matte lipstick, $5.99 (assorted colors available). These lipsticks are one of the best bargains out there. I’m partial to their mattes, but their other products are also worth checking out!
  5.  Sugarpill Cosmetics loose eyeshadows, $12. If you’re into bold makeup, look no further. I haven’t used a single product from Sugarpill that was less than stellar – they’re the brightest, boldest out there. I’m crazy about Goldilux, which is currently out of stock. But be patient, because they update their inventory pretty regularly. Their pressed shadows are great, too, but I think the loose shadows make a prettier stocking stuffer.