Happy Thanksgiving week! Kicking off this week with some holiday gift guides and ideas per your requests. My first roundup features budget friendly gift ideas and stocking stuffers all $25 and under.
Prices have definitely increased on everything so finding deals under $25 are more limited than previous holidays. You can still find a lot of cute options but keep in mind these minis will be “extra mini.”
For fun gift ideas I love the practical things like a desk calendar or notepads. There are so many cute options available at Etsy! Personalized gifts like the Letter Mugs are super cute. I ordered a bunch in different letters and plan on stuffing them with sweets and putting them in a cello bag + bow.
Candy is always a fun idea. I love any kind of sweet. Sugarfina definitely always has the WOW factor. They have tons of options at different price points.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for budget friendly gift ideas or stocking stuffers I hope you found this roundup helpful! If you have any fun gift ideas or traditions please share in the comments! I’d love to hear what you gift!
Merit launched a limited-edition set for holiday called the Le Gloss Holiday Essentials Set ($80). It looked like a beautiful set with effortless kind of essentials for an easy glowing look so I ordered it immediately and I think it’s beautiful.
A number of you have messaged me over the years singing praises of the line. I don’t think I’ve ever done a full roundup review of the brand so today I’m giving you a closer look at the holiday set along with thoughts on everything I’ve tried.
Le Gloss Set
The Le Gloss Set has five products with a mix of full-size items and minis (it’s exclusive to Meritbeauty.com). Everything in the set is new to me and I thought it would be a nice way to sample some of their classics. In the set you’ll find:
Great Skin Instant Glow Serum (mini) is something I have not yet had a chance to try yet as I’m in the process of testing other skincare right now but I’ve heard great things about it.
Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara (mini) offers a nice lengthened and defined look and I plan on ordering the full size.
Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade in Neutral is exclusive to the set, it goes on clear and I really like how it grooms the brows. I’m now intrigued and want to try one of the tinted options.
Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Bespoke is a new product exclusive to this set. It has a really interesting formula to me. It’s sheer and glossy but still offers a minimalist hint of definition and color. On me it’s almost a taupe brownish shade with a tiny hint of pink.
Solo Shadow Sheen Eye Color in Glace is exclusive to the set. This is the star product of the set in my opinion and I really hope they make this shade and formula permanent. It has a little bit more slip than the Solo Eyeshadow Mattes so the Sheen formula is easier to blend. It still sets very quickly so blending or patting on fast is still essential. The color is hard to detect on camera but in real life it gives you a really pretty wash of color. That being said if you have dry lids I think this could possibly emphasize fine lines.
By now I’ve played around with quite a few things from Merit. I know many of you are die-hard fans. Not everything has worked for me although I think there are solid staples for the minimalist who wants a no-fuss beauty routine.. Here are some quick thoughts on what I have tried. I’ve ordered most everything from Sephora although you can also order from the Merit website.
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick ($38) is a twist-up style concealer + foundation in one. I like the concept and the portability. It offers medium coverage. For foundation I think it’s a little too pigmented and thick to wear all over, but it seems to be designed as more of a touch up product. I wear either Sand or Camel – the color matches are very good for me. I think this is a solid product but I don’t find myself reaching for it often.
Flush Balm Cream Blushes ($30 each for the full size, also available in limited-edition minis) are the blushes that seem to be most loved by readers. Unfortunately I found them too dewy for my skin type and most of the colors I tried do not show up very well on my skin tone. The darker ones do give a nice soft flush of color with a stain so those show up, but the neutrals and baby pink tones disappear on my skin once blended out. Lasting power is absolutely non-existent on my skin type.
Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($24) are pure love for me, although I will say that I’ve only tried the lighter shades. I love the tones, lasting power and the way they look as a subtle contour. It makes you look a little more polished without a lot of work. Feedback from many of you is split – those who did not like these found them too matte and dry and difficult to blend/work with. I do agree they are very matte and they set fast so blending quickly is KEY! The Brush No. 2 that was created for this formula is pretty good.
Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick ($26) is another super popular product that did not work for me. I will say I think the colors are beautiful, but I did not like the pigment (too sheer) and the texture was off. These had good smooth coverage and natural looking color payoff, but the texture felt thick and waxy. It did not feel comfortable on my lips, almost had a drying feel and I had to wipe them off immediately.
Shade Slick Gelée Sheer Tinted Lip Oil ($24) is pure love for me. They’re sheer thin tinted oils which I find unique for an oil formula because they really don’t have an oil-like feel at all. They’re almost like a water tint – sheer put enough color to tint the lips in a really pretty flattering way. Unfortunately lasting power isn’t really there but I like how the look and feel enough to not really mind re-applying.
Overall some beautiful things for a natural fuss-free look. I am all about a natural makeup look but I didn’t really find any product from the line that stands out as an absolute must-have. I gravitate more towards Westman Atelier for natural looking makeup with sheer color payoff. That being said I’ve had fun testing and playing with the products I have picked up at Sephora. I think it’s nice when a makeup line is very edited and streamlined. Makes it a little easier to explore!
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That wraps up my Merit roundup! Have you tried anything from the line? What did you think?
I did a mini haul and picked up two items from the Westman Atelier Holiday launch. This year Westman Atelier has four limited-edition sets cased in a festive warm holiday red.
They brought back the Clean Glow Trio in two variations ($75 each) which I think is a great way to try three cream formulas. The minis are 2.5 g per stick while the full size options are 5 or 6 g each. I picked up the Clean Glow Trio II for the fun packaging even though I already own all the colors. Sets are SUPER mini in size but I think they give you enough product to really get a sense of how the product performs. They’re also great for travel.
I swatched the holiday set next to my existing stash to see if there were any variations in colors and there are. Colors are extremely close and variations are so slight you can’t really see them in photographs. Also since Westman Atelier products tend to run on the sheer natural side of pigment, once blended on the face I don’t think you can see any difference in the colors.
For those curious, my mini Dou Dou in this year’s holiday set pulls a little cooler toned than my other mini Dou Dou. I have 3 different Petal Blush Sticks and they all look just the slightest bit different in undertone. Also some of the Lit Up sticks in the minis look a bit lighter/sheerer in color compared to my full-sized options, but once blended color is so sheer you can’t really tell the difference.
Clean Glow Trio Set I has Nectar Lit Up Highlight Stick, Biscuit Face Trace Contour Stick and Petal Baby Cheeks Blush Stick.
I really love these although I don’t think they will be for everyone. If you like minimal makeup pigment for a super natural look or love dewy emollient products these are for you! I know a lot of you are HUGE fans of the minimalist super dewy look.
However if have oily skin, these creams will most likely not last long on you unless you set with a powder on top. Also if you want bold color payoff and pigment, these will be too sheer.
Les Étoiles Lip, Blush & Highlighter Edition Set
I really loved last year’s Petal Edition Set and anytime there are new colors I’m instantly like YES PLEASE – SIGN ME UP. This year Westman Launched the Les Étoiles Lip, Blush & Highlighter Edition Set with all new limited-edition colors and a new blush formula. Swatches of the set next to other products/formulas with the same names.
The set has a new powder blush called the Baby Cheeks Powder Blush and she launched it in Petal. This pulls very similar to the cream version, but the powder pulls a little more muted and dusty in color. Pigment is beautiful! Right along the lines of Westman Atelier’s sheer style but it is buildable which I LOVE. I hope she launches every single product in a powder form eventually.
above Baby Cheeks Powder Blush in Petal
The set has a new Lit Up Highlight Stick in the shade Biscuit. I swatched it below next to her contour stick in Biscuit. Undertone is the same. The Lit Up Stick in Biscuit is a very sheer cool-toned flesh brown with a pretty sheen. It’s very sheer and gives the skin a natural glossy sheen.
above Biscuit Lit Up Stick on top of the Petal Powder Blush
We also have a new gloss shade in the Squeaky Clean Lip Balm formula called Nectar. This is almost identical to the Lit Up Stick in Nectar – sheer, luminous, soft and peachy. On my lips it’s very sheer but layered on top of a coordinating pencil and it’s perfection! I love it on top of Pat McGrath’s Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Nude Venus.
above just the Squeaky Clean Lip Balm in Nectar
above Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm in Nectar + Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil Nude Venus
Overall vibe is natural looking, fresh, dewy and glowy. I love everything even though the items pull on the sheer side. I would really love if she increased the pigment by maybe 10-15% but I love what she’s created.
I’m really hoping she extends the colors in powder formula. I think it layers beautifully on top of the cream. I’m still waiting and wishing for her to launch lip pencils or lipsticks (or even a chubby stick).
I passed on her Mini Brush Set as I have a couple of her brushes and while they’re very well made, they’re just not my favorite. If you’re looking to splurge big on a brush set I think the Hourglass Travel Brush Set is a better buy. The brushes are full-size and I use them all the time (I bought it last year during the Sephora sale).
You can find these sets out now at all Westman Atelier retailers. Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Violet Grey and more. If you’re shopping the Sephora sale use code TIMETOSAVE to take advantage of the discount now through 11/6.
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Did you check out the new holiday sets? What did you think?
Happy Friday! Christmas is just around the corner and we’ve nearly made it through the entire year! If you’re in search of some makeup looks for the holiday season I have three to share with you today with favorites from Nordstrom. These are all super easy to recreate in under 15 minutes!
First a quick look at my base staples. Long-time reader will already be able to guess what’s on my go-to list! While the weather is mild here in Florida things still feel dry and my skin is feeling it! I like mixing the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick and Vital Skin Care Complexion Foundation for a well hydrated base. I use Shade VI in both formulas.
I’ll start with the look I feel the most comfortable in, neutrals! Bobbi Brown revamped the Luxe Lipstick and added new shades. These are super creamy and opaque with a natural sheen. The formula is a satin finish and I love the shade Almost Bare which is a beige peach. I topped it with a little bit of the Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Bare Sparkle.
For this look I tried to recreate the cold girl makeup trend with the flushed pink cheeks and lips and frosted eyes. Getting that perfect flushed pink look depends on your skin tone so I pulled a few different shades of pink to try it out.
For pink cheeks I layered the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Petal and Poppet, applying the lighter pink first and then adding a pop of the bright shade on top. To add a bit of glow the Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Quartz Glow adds a soft candlelit glow.
That wraps up my holiday look roundup! Would love to hear what you’ve been wearing this holiday season! You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom. Don’t forget to check their Gift With Purchase page too!
If you are shopping online Nordstrom has a little note next to each item to show if it will arrive before Christmas. Many items will still arrive with expedited shipping.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post.
Sharing one last holiday gift guide with a look at the ultimate luxury beauty gifts from Dior Beauty! I shared a video reel on Instagram featuring four of their gifts and they are so good I wanted to share them here on the blog too.
If you’re looking for last minute gifts Dior is offering complimentary express shipping on all orders $125+. Order before December 20th to receive by the 25th. They have beautiful packaging, deluxe samples with every order and they’ve given me a code BEAUTYLOOKBOOK for extra deluxe samples on orders $150+.
Dior has so many exquisite gift options. If you’re looking to splurge for yourself or a loved one here is a look at four of their holiday sets this year. More on Dior.com for fragrance, makeup and skincare.
Dior Addict Pouch
There are a few makeup gift sets this year. The Dior Addict Pouch ($80) has two full-sized lip products in a midnight blue pouch including the Addict Lipstick in 100 Nude Look (one of my favorites) and their Lip Oil in 012 Rosewood.
The Dior Natural Glow Essentials Set ($82) has a Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer in Pink along with a few minis. This one unfortunately already sold out but they still have a slightly different variation of the Dior Gift Set ($110) available that has the Pink Lip Glow and two Miss Dior scented products.
Scented Candle Discovery Set
For the candle lover the Dior La Collection Privee Scented Candle Discovery Set ($175) is stunning! It has three miniature candles with Ambre Nuit, 30 Montaigne and Jardin d’Orangers (all 85 g) in holiday packaging inspired by the constellations.
La Collection Privee Fragrance Discovery Set
Last but not least the La Collection Privee Fragrance Discovery Set ($250) with 20 minis (0.25 oz) including Gris Dior, Oud Ispahan, Ambre Nuit, Sakura, Jasmin des Anges, Lucky, La Colle Noire, Eden-Roc, Vanilla Diorama and Rouge Trafalgar. This is cased in their holiday packaging and has a tiered stand inside making it the perfect display case!
They have a couple other variations of the La Collection Privee minis including the Discovery Set ($235) in the standard white packaging or the Art of Living Discovery Set ($275) with 7 miniatures, 1 body cream, 1 hand body soap and a mini candle (also in their classic white packaging).
They offer samples on all orders and options for deluxe samples on orders over $100. Sample options vary and change frequently but you will alway be able to see what they’re offering at checkout.
Lots to explore if you’re looking for last minute gifts! I love that everything comes wrapped and packaged beautifully. Every time I’ve ordered from Dior everything arrives in perfect condition beautifully boxed and carefully wrapped.
Happy Thursday! With Christmas right around the corner I wanted to share a few more gift guides for those still looking for last minute gifts! I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some of my favorites. Here are 15 gift ideas for the beauty lover all under $100! Many are under the $50 price point.
For the hair care lover Oribe is the ultimate gift for luxury hair care. For those new to the line the Oribe Obsessed Discovery Set ($49) is a great introduction to the line. I bought this for myself for an upcoming trip.
I love silk scrunchies and think the Slip Ornament Silk Skinny Scrunchie Set ($25) is another cute find. Each year they have an ornament style with cute colors. I think this is great for any age!
For the perfume lover there are tons of great discovery sets and candle gift options. If you like fresh and uplifting bright scents the Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Discovery Set ($65) has all five fragrances in a cute boxed bundle.
Jo Malone has beautiful luxurious gifts! The Wood Sage & Sea Salt Discovery Set ($48) has all of my favorites in one small but chic boxed set. They have a few variations with different scent options in case you’re looking for something different.
Nest makes the best affordable luxury candles (in my opinion). I always buy their Festive Votive Set ($48) every year for someone on my list. Love that it’s packaged beautifully so no extra work required for wrapping!
For the beauty lover/girl on the go I love Westman Atelier. She makes effortless beauty products for the person who likes a natural look and can touch up on the go. Love the Squeaky Clean and Cheeky Duos ($48). There are two variations with Ma Puce + Chouchette (one I’m wearing) or Nana + Bichette.
If you’re new to Charlotte Tilbury skincare the Magic Mini Skincare Duo ($44) is a great starter duo. I really like the Magic Cream and everyone I’ve gifted it to really loves it as well.
Diptyque is always a win with holiday. So much to love from the line and I think they hands down have the best versatile sets and options for any age, style or gender! I love the Diptyque Sapin Room Spray ($48) and Candle ($84, also available in the small size for $48). Their holiday designs are stunning.
The Diptyque Mini Candle Set ($95) is quite a splurge but makes for a great starter set whether you’re gifting yourself or another.
Last but not least Venus Et Fleur is another favorite of mine. Nordstrom carries a selection of their roses that smell incredibly beautiful and they do really last a year! Mine have lasted over a year and I absolutely love them. The Classic Le Mini Round comes in a wide range of base and rose colors to pick from. I have several but love the Pink Suede with Pink Rose and Merlot Suede with the Blush Rose the most.
That wraps up my holiday gift guide with ideas under $100! If you’re looking for last minute gifts I hope you found this helpful! Don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase page before you shop – some are online only and some are in-store too.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
I love candles year-round but especially love holiday scents! A great cozy scent can set the mood and make things feel more festive. There are so many great options this year my wishlist is so incredibly long. My usual go-to’s are Diptyque Sapin, Vanille, Santal, Amber, Nest Holiday and Byredo Woods. I’ve tried a few new ones this year I think are worth checking out. Here are my favorites so far.
Diptyque Holiday
You girls know how much I love Diptyque. I order their holiday candles almost every year and I think they make the best pine scents. This year their holiday candles ($48 – $84) also glow in the dark (the box does too!). Sapin (Pine Tree) is a classic and I love the packaging design this year.
Etincelles (Spark) is described as a mix of wood fire, coffee and chocolate but to me it smells more like a woody spice.
Neige (Snow) is a white powdery musk that does indeed remind me of snow. I love these so much and think the Holiday Trio (with small size) would make an absolutely stunning gift.
I’ve splurged on so many of their home décor pieces and love every single one. This year the Diptyque team gifted me their Constellation Candle Holder which is gorgeous! If it’s in your budget I think it’s definitely worth a splurge.
From their regular lineup there are so many great scents. I love Santal, Ambre, Feu de Bois and Vanille this time of year. Their larger 3-wick candles are stunning too and have stronger throw than their regular standard candles.
Byredo
I tried the new Byredo Symphonique candle this year and thing it is beautiful. It has a mix of bitter orange and anise with ginger and cedarwood mixed in. It smells like a smokey spiced orange. Diptyque’s Oranger by comparison has a softer more powdery vibe.
Creed
Creed candles are the best of the best in luxury. Vanisia is a soft powdery vanilla and amber mix. I splurged on the 7.7 oz variation ($115) which I’ve been burning at home because I love their Vanisia Room Spray. This holiday the Creed team generously gifted me the 3-wick Leather Candle. It’s available in 2 sizes and comes with their limited-edition bright blue leather holder. It’s stunning!
Overose
Overose launched delicious candles this year in a number of pastry inspired scents. They smell just like the real thing. I am still working my way through trying the ones I ordered. I really love Croissant Aux Amandes ($58) which buttery sweet but not too sweet. Definitely check out their new options this year – they have Pain Au Chocolat, Croissant, Cinnamon Roll and Macaron Pistache.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Maison Francis Kurkdjian has three holiday scents this year. I must admit this is a brand I try not to look at because of the high price points, I don’t want to be tempted! My bestie gifted me the Pain d’Spices Candle ($75) and it’s decadent! It has a mix of orange, honey and cinnamon. So good I want to eat it. It has very good throw too.
Phlur
Phlur launched two holiday candles this year and they do not disappoint. Sweet Smoke ($45) is one of the most amazing smoky candles I’ve ever burned. It’s hard to envision what sweet smoke smells like but they nailed it. It’s a creamy sweet firewood kind of scent. Wild Balsam was a sweet surprise too and I think it just might be the best pine and juniper candle I have ever burned. I’ve already finished one up entirely. I am debating whether to order a couple more because Andrew was really impressed by it too. Love the colored wax with these!
Mizensir
Last but not least I love Mizensir candles. I loved their Bois Ardent from last year as a really nice smoky woody scent.
I have so many others on my list but there is not enough time to try them all. I am really curious about the Nest Crystallized Ginger and Vanilla Bean (which I am picking up soon). Jo Malone always has fun options this time of year. Boy Smells has some really nice options too.
If you had your eye on any of these I hope this roundup is helpful! What are your favorites this time of year?
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Gifted items include the Diptyque Constellation Candle Holder, Creed Vanisa Leather Candle, Phlur Candles and Mizensir Sapin de Noel.
