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Makeup gift sets make amazing gifts to give come Christmas and Birthday's but I've found I actually pick up quite a few for myself when the save in there. Of course, this happens in the Boxing Day sales but I always have my eyes peeled the rest of the time.
In the past, I've picked up some amazing value beauty gift sets along with skincare sets that have allowed me to discover more from brands I love or simply offer such a good saving I can't refuse them. Also, there are times when I'm planning on picking up a product but it's actually more worth picking up the product in a gift set for a little extra.
So this week I wanted to share with you the best value makeup gift sets for 2019. Granted there will be lots of new gift sets launched towards the end of the year in time for Christmas but you will find most of the mentioned gift sets here are either on sale or simply amazing value.
When it comes to spending money on makeup & skincare I think we are all in the camp of wanting to save money. Whether that's saving by finding cheaper alternatives, hunting down the clearance shelf of your favourite beauty department store or even treating yourself to a gift set that instantly gives you a saving.
While I love hunting down a bargain my favourite way to save is by seeking out exclusive gift sets. Not only do feel like a total treat but they almost always give some kind of saving while allowing you to try more from your favourite brands. Below are four gift sets that I absolutely adore and are definitely worth the spend!
This was a gift set I received for Christmas which I thought I would review at it is currently on sale on the Debenhams website, which it is an exclusive to.
The Illamasqua Eyes & Nails Mystery Selection Box (found - here) retails for £35.00 exclusive to Debenhams but is currently £23.33 - a bit of a steal I would say for 6 full-size Illamasqua products which are worth £92 all together!
Firstly the idea of this set is that you only know two of the products that are in the gift set - Liquid Eyeliner Precision Ink in Glister (opalescent nude) and Liquid Metal in Electrum (rich metallic cream in antique gold) and the 4 other full size products are then kept a mystery until you actually purchase the section box and open it up! So if you don't want an idea of what you could receive (all boxes do vary though) then do not scroll down past the next image!
Here are the two products that you 100% receive in the gift set. As you can see with the retail prices of the two products you are instantly getting your monies worth.
Liquid Eyeliner Precision Ink in Glister
(retails for £17.00)
This is a lovely nude liquid eyeliner with a slightly pink tone to it and fine multi-coloured glitter running though it. I haven't got any nude liquid eyeliners in my makeup collection so this is a different sort of product for me but it is so beautiful that I know I will think of ways of using it. What instantly impresed me when first wearing it was the staying power... this stays so well and is actually hard to remove it is that good!
Liquid Metal in Electrum
(retails for £17.50)
Totally in love with this product, the colour of this is just soooo beautiful that the images above don't do it justice. It is a wonderful old gold shade that when the light hits it is just amazing. The cream formula also glides onto the lids and blends and sets perfectly. This would make a great eyeshadow base for bringing other metallic/shimmer powder eye shadows to life or used on its own.
The other 4 mystery products in the eyes & nails selection box will always consist of two mystery powder eye shadows (normally £15.50 each) and two mystery nail polishes (normally £13.50 each) but the shades will vary from box to box. You can see another review of the gift set and the contents from blogger Lets Drive Far Away - here.
The mystery products I received were...
Powder Eyeshadows in Fiasco(left) and Feline(right)
Nail Polishes in Radium(left) and Rampage(right)
With the selection of products my first reaction was 'Really two green nail polishes?... and a blue eyeshadows, hmmm'. So not a great first impression of the products and even now after looking at the products more I am not too impressed with the shades I received. However I do like the Feline eyeshadow as it will be great for soft smokey eyes (I can't pull off a dramatic smokey eye) and the texture of it is literally so soft.
As for the three other products I just know I won't use them. I can't pull off blue eyeshadow and I'm not a fan of green nail polish, so I will either be including them in my up-coming blog sale or selling them on eBay.
In total I really like 3 products out of the 6 in the set which isn't that great, as I have seen better boxes especially with nicer shades of nail polishes. So I do feel like I did get a bit of a bad box. Having said that it was a present and also I do think it is still worth the month as I do really like three of the full size products which total more than the price of the box. Plus I realise Illamasqua is a very unique brand with some creative and interesting shades so I was aware there could be shades I maybe would dislike.
All in all I really love the concept of this box and feel it is a great way to dip your toes into Illamasqua if you a new to them without spending too much money on a few full priced products.
Also this would make a great gift for a makeup lover!
Fee xo.
Having a bit of a gloomy day today (had some rubbish family news) so instead of sorting out my next giveaway I thought I would distract myself with a normal post. Though I'm sure I will sort out the giveaway tomorrow or at the weekend.
Today I thought I would share with you a lovely gift set from Laura Mercier that you can buy from Space NK. I am risking ruining a surprise here as this is actually a Christmas gift for someone but I really wanted to show it on my blog before I wrapped it up! Plus I'm hoping the person will be too busy with Christmas to be reading my blog.
The Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Pistache set is really great value for money at £25.00 from Space NK online - here and in some stores. The set consists of - Creme Body Wash (90ml), Souffle Body Creme (85g), Hand Creme (30g), Eau Gourmande Pistache EDT (15ml).
With it being only 5 days until Christmas this set would be hard to give as a gift unless you visit a Space NK store however personally I feel this would be an even better set to treat yourself to with either Christmas money or a voucher... I am actually quite tempted myself now and know I will probably end up buying it (holding out to see if it will be in the after Christmas sales though!).
I would personally love to try out Laura Mercier body & bath products but the prices really are just too steep so this set is ideal! Plus is contains the 15ml perfume which is just the icing on the cake for me as the full 50ml size actually retails for £41.50!
If you are curious to know what the pistache scent smells like I could only describe it as being a warm gourmet scent that is very similar to Thierry Mugler Angel. Space NK describe the Crème de Pistache scent as being inspired by the creamy and nutty aromas of pistachio desserts, is a decadent blend of gourmande ingredients with a combination of almond, praline and hazelnut nuances and freshly whipped cream.
A beautiful well priced gift set that really is worth treating yourself to if you enjoy Laura Mercier products or want to dip your toes into the brand.
Fee xo.
Today I wasn't going to post anything as I have been under the weather (I think it was a bit of food poisoning!) but last night I edited these pictures and after seeing how pretty the gift set looked I thought it deserved to be wrote a review about.
So here it is!
Now first things first, because I don't want anyone reading this review to like the set, then to get to the end of it and realize that the gift set can only be purchased from Fresh stores... and there is only one in the UK which is based in London! So if you live in London or are going Christmas shopping there then you can find the Fresh store on 92 Marylebone High Street.
I have heard of Fresh as a brand in the past and have seen some lovely gift sets on the QVC US site but even in dollar they seems pretty pricey so I was amazed to see that this gift set is £16.00... now I'm not saying that is majorly cheap for two/three products but for the quality and it being from Fresh I think it is a really well priced gift for someone you really like. Plus it looks really nice!
The Fresh Sugar Flirt Brown Sugar Essentials kit contains...
Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 (4.3g) - Now if I told you I loved this as much as my Neom multi-balm (which I have mentioned so many times now) I'm sure you wouldn't believe me. But please do, as this is pretty amazing stuff! Now I will firstly admit I am not amazed by the scent of it... but I think that is because the packaging being all warm and it saying 'sugar' on it made me instantly presume it would be a yummy sugary scent, but it's just not. It is slightly sugary and sweet but the scent is definitely fresh and citrusy but actually now one I'm getting use to, thankfully, seeing as I have been using it daily! But what I am so won over by is the formula... it's not sticky or overly thick but it just stay on the lips for so long even when eating and drinking which I find amazing. Plus this is actually a lip treatment as it does cure dry lips really well. Also in love with the packaging... it's weighty and pretty and something you actually want to get out of your handbag to use.
Brown Sugar Body Cream (100ml) - This also has a fresh scent but actually even fresher and I REALLY like it... it reminds me of sherbet lemon sweets! Just so lemon-y and sugary and just all round lovely. But again the packaging doesn't really give you the idea that it will be like that. Another lovely product that feels really good quality - it applies smoothly, soaks in really fast and leaves the skin feeling slightly plumped up and smelling VERY fresh! I didn't think this would impress me but it has. I now want to get the Brown Sugar Body Polish before summer so I can use them both together.
Metallic Gold Make-up Pouch - I am so fussy with makeup bags... I am the girl that searched for over 6 months for the perfect makeup bag and found it in a lovely Paul & Joe one! I just think there are some awful ones out there especially with gift sets... some actually make me cringe *remembers a Biotherm one*. But this is just so pretty... I really should of taken an up close image of it so you could see the slight metallic golden crackle to it, which remind me of the beautiful notebooks Barbara Wiggins makes! It is also a really good size for over night stays and it's actually padded in side which is just another sign of the type of quality you get with Fresh. I just wish it was big enough (or I had less makeup) to take this on holiday with me next week! Just to note it is slightly more gold looking than in the images.
For £16 I really do think this would make a lovely gift... it's not overly Christmas-y (I use this word a lot don't I?) but it feels something special, you can tell the quality of it instantly and I'm pretty sure most women would like the products and the bag.
Now has anyone tried the Fresh Lip Scrub or Body Polish? I need to know if they are good enough to start convincing a friend that lives in London to make a special trip to Fresh for me!
Fee xo.
Another day closer to Christmas and another gift set review!
Benefit always have lovely gift sets and I have tried quite a few now and have always been impressed. They really are perfect for giving as gifts or just asking others to buy for you!
The Primpcess Set is available on the Benefit UK website* (here) for £25.00 and contains...
- Bad Gal Lash Mascara - 4.0g
- Eyeshadow - 3 x 0.8g
- Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner R.S.V.P - 3.2g
- Boi-ing Concealer 02 - 1.2g
- Eye Bright Brightener -1.2g
- Dual Fluff Shadow and Talent brush
- Concealer brush
- Primpcess Lesson booklet
*I really wouldn't recommend anyone buying Benefit products from any discount websites or on eBay. There are a HUGE amount of fakes around and it's just not worth the risk (they may look just as good but they ARE NOT the same quality and you cannot trust the ingredients). So make sure to always stick to sites such as the Official Benefit site, ASOS, Debenhams, Boots etc.
In general I do find Benefit products individually slightly too expensive to buy, which is why I love the gift sets so much but in general for Benefit products I find the Voucher Codes website really helpful for savings and things like free delivery - see here!
In general I do find Benefit products individually slightly too expensive to buy, which is why I love the gift sets so much but in general for Benefit products I find the Voucher Codes website really helpful for savings and things like free delivery - see here!
As for the sets you just get to try a bit of everything out, find products you really like and they do actually last a long time! This set I find especially really good value for money as it includes 7 mini products and two brushes and is ideal for travelling with (if you NEED to travel light). Realistically all you would need is this set and maybe a lipstick/lip gloss and a foundation.
Anyway, on to the set!
Favourite products from the set have to be - Bad Gal Lash, Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in R.S.V.P, the middle contour eyeshadow and Eye Bright.
Now on first opening this I decided to give the little a booklet a try as it is a step-by-step guide and incorporates all the products. I definitely don't normally do this as I feel like I do now know how to apply make up! However I decided to do this as I know from past experience I delve in trying all the products that take my fancy the most and then a few products don't even get touched really.
Following the Primpcess lesson booklet...
Following all the instructions in the booklet took all of 5 minutes and I really did like the end result - well minus the concealer which is just too dark for me. The main thing I liked from the booklet was the use of the eye shadows. I really would never of thought about applying the shimmery contour shade over my lid and then placing the matte accent shade just in the center - it just looks really nice and makes the eyes stand out. Also it suggested using the liner shade on the eyebrows which again I wouldn't of thought of really.
Mini Reviews...
My favourite product from the set has to be the mini Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in R.S.V.P as it's such a lovely shimmery neutral shade that can be worn on it's own of with other shadows, or it can be used as an eyeshadow base/primer for eye shadow to adhere to.
Also really enjoying the Bad Gal Lash Mascara.. this took a bit of getting use to as the brush is so big but this really does create a lovely effect and can be built up on the outer corners for a more feline look which I really like!
The three powder eyeshadows I am slightly on the fence about. I definitely adore the middle contour shade which I know I will get a lot of use of use of, but the brown liner eyeshadow is just a bit too light for me for lining my eyes with. As for the pale matte accent eyeshadow I am sure I will use it like I did following the little booklet but it's nothing to get amazed about. Though all three eyeshadows are very soft and really good quality.
Eye Bright I already have in pencil form but I have to say I prefer this version as it is slightly creamer and I love that you have to apply it with the brush and then blend it out. This really does brighten the eyes and open then up a bit - I especially noticed this when I followed the booklet and used it on the outer corners of my eye to the end of my eyebrows.
As for Boi-ing Concealer this was my least favourite product as it's just not pale enough for under my eyes (and to be honest I think this may be too dark/warm for a lot of people). But even if this was in the correct shade for me I am tempted to say I still wouldn't like it. Just didn't like the consistency of it that much and didn't think it blended well.
All in all this is such a good all-rounder that could be suitable for some aged 14 or equally for someonethat is 44! It just contains great quality products and really lets you explore Benefit products more.
A definite thumbs up from me!
At £12 this beautiful Neom set shows incredible value for money for what technically is a luxury and organic gift.
The Neom Complete Bliss: Handbag Essentials Set consists of - Organic Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Lotion (60ml) and Organic Sweet Orange & Ginger Multi Balm (14g) and has really impressed me on the value and luxury front, which is why I wanted to write about it so much. Plus I think it would make for a perfect Mother Day present as the are a choice of three sets which come beautifully presented with there own posh gift bag (see pic below)!
The Multi balm is my new favourite luxury handbag item... but I will come to that later.
Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Lotion
I actually visited Morocco a few years ago now and all the rose skincare products smelt exactly like this - it's definitely a scent that is very different from the traditional soft rose scent. It's more heady and almost herbal/lavender based. The lotion itself is great as it's neither a milk or a thick lotion - just somewhere in the middle that makes for a non-sticky, easy to use hand cream which sinks into the skin nice and quickly.
Has it actually made my hands softer? I'd actually say yes and more noticeably on the backs of my hands. As for the packaging it's very slimline and chic as you can see...with it's only downside being that the pump doesn't feature a lock, so maybe not safe enough for the handbag... which is a shame as it is light enough to carry around with you and it does after all come in a handbag essentials set.
95% certified organic ingredients and 5% natural ingredients
I am truly in love with this product for some many reasons. Firstly it reminds me of the type of product you would see in the likes of Space NK most likely to be stupidly priced at £25 or so as it's so heavy and luxurious looking. But of course it's not, as it actually works out at only £6. Secondly you get an amazing 14g of product and thirdly the product is just really, really beautiful.
The product as it says is a multi use balm - which means it can be used as a lip balm, a cuticle oil or on any dry patches of skin you may have. The scent is light and citrus with a hint of ginger, just nothing over powering which I'm quite pleased about.
As I don't really tend to get dry skin, I have been using this on my lips and nails (in place of my Ciate Love Me Oil) as a night treatment. For my nails I just rub my finger on top of the balm and rub the light oil into my cuticles - as the balm is so light and not thick or greasy is isn't something that you really need to rub in to carry on what you are doing. It just soaks into the skin and your done. I'd have to say this is working alot better for me than the Ciate Oil I have been using for over 6 months now... but you will have to tell me what you think when you see my fingers in an upcoming nail post!
As for using it as a lip balm - I've found it abit odd, but it definitely works. You see I apply quite a lot of this onto my lips but it's still feels really light and just oily...but within 5-10 minutes or so it's totally soaked in and my lips feel like I haven't even applied the balm. But I wake up with soft lips! So it's definitely working as a lip balm but I'm just not use to the non-gloopy/thick formula.
All in all a totally beautiful product that you will want to get out of your handbag!
98% organic ingredients and 2% natural ingredients
Now as I love this set so much I'm actually going to give the Really Luxury:Handbag Essentials Set (which comes with a different scented hand lotion and in a different box) as a gift to my own mother for Mother's Day (April 3rd).
Gift wrapping is £1.50 at Neom but I actually like wrapping gifts plus it means I can show you all what it looks like. So I'm thinking of wrapping it in some nice gold/ivory paper and using the straw like packaging that comes with the product to protect it in the nice gift bag above!
Beautiful & savvy I'm thinking.
I think from a luxury brand that sells there Ultimate Candles at £150, this is such an affordable yet beautiful treat or present!
Next I'm going to review the Caudelie Travel Set that's a bargain at £8 I think, but feel free to suggest any gift sets under £15!
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