What should you get from the Sephora 2024 holiday section?
All my top picks for beauty that are great for gifting others and yourself!
I have a yearly hobby: spending hours trawling Sephora’s holiday page to find out what products are worth getting my hands on. Holiday limited edition sets are my Archilles’ heel, and I just can’t help it!
There is something about holiday sparkle and the fleeting nature of this end-of-year season that makes me really treasure it. Makeup & beauty products that are created just for this short time each year are my way of holding on to these special memories long after they are gone.
While I’m crestfallen that Tarte (or any other brand, for that matter) has not made anything similar to their Winter Wonderglam palette since, there are new things on my radar. Here are my top 10 (in alphabetical order)!
Bobbi Brown Smokey Gleam Eye Shadow Palette (Holiday Edition)
I own a few Bobbi Brown palettes (pigmented, blend well, great colours that stay on and look good for Asian skin tones), so any eyeshadow from the brand will always be considered. I’ve picked this palette because all the shades in here complement one another, there won’t be a shade that will go to waste, i.e. you get your money’s worth. Honestly, I am seriously considering getting this myself to add to my Bobbi Brown collection as an everyday palette!
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk™ Iconic Mini Lip Kit (Holiday Limited Edition)
I love Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks, and Pillow Talk being a universally flattering shade is definitely a yes from me. This is a great option for a gift, and I think I’m getting this for my bestie and mum!
Cle de Peau The Luminizing Face Enhancer Powder (Holiday Limited Edition)
Is this not the most whimsical, fantasy-themed, winter wonderland, magical packaging you have ever seen? And with the dreamy purple-blue-gold Parisian skyline illustration, it honestly gives Givenchy and Guerlain a run for their money. I’d use this as a finishing powder all over the face for an added understated glow which shows up in pictures—especially those taken with flash.
This is pretty pricey but coming from Cle de Peau it’s expected. So purchase it only for someone very close to your heart (or yourself).
I need to sit back and take a breather. This powder is just so beautiful to look at.
Givenchy LE9 Eye Palette (Holiday Limited Edition)
Very usable eyeshadow palette. I’m loving the blue partly because it seems quite tricky to find an eyeshadow palette with the right kind of blue in it, and this one seems to fit the bill. Matching bronze with this blue shade, plus darker shades for a smokey eye effect will be how I’d wear it.
I’d say this palette would be great for a night out in the town, or even a dinner out. I foresee this being a staple in your capsule makeup collection for the occasions that call for more glam.
Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Set (Holiday Limited Edition)
Need I say more about the Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia set? This comes with a scented candle, body wash and cologne—I think you already know it smells heavenly.
What better way to make your Christmas that little bit more special?
NARS Pure Luxury Light Reflecting™ Cheek & Eye Palette I (Holiday Limited Edition)
NARS is definitely a brand I trust for their powder products, eyeshadow and blushes included. I own a couple of their blushes, and have found them to be pigmented and blend well.
That said, according to reviews, this palette will need a harder hand and denser brush as it’s meant more for illuminating the face. So, the colour payoff will not be the same as their usual blushes, but more natural looking.
This all-in-one palette contains 5 shades for the face that work well together to highlight, sculpt and add that pop of summer glow to your skin. Since I have learnt to add more than 1 blush when I do my makeup (however did it take me so long to learn this hack?), this palette comes in handy for travels and touching up on the go as well.
Natasha Denona Baby I Need A Nude Eye Kit (Holiday Limited Edition)
This is like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk—but for the eyes. I am absolutely smitten with the warm neutral-nude shades and that shimmer pop! The fact that it comes with an eyeliner means Natasha Denona has got you covered for the upcoming spring-beach days when you just need a little bit of colour on an otherwise completely bare face.
Sephora Collection Moving Lights Outrageous Intense Lip Plumpers Set (Holiday Limited Edition)
I love Sephora’s Outrageous Plump lip glosses so this is for sure one product I can stand behind! These glosses do plump up the lips (tried and tested endless times by yours truly) and provide intense moisture. In fact they are the most moisturising lip products I have ever used, and that says a lot.
The colours in this set are super wearable, juicy-looking and are a joy to reapply. I always have one on hand, and carry it on flights when I travel (dry airplane air, am I right?). These are shades coming from the Outrageous Plump Extreme/Intense series, so more volume than the Outrageous Plump ones, if that’s your thing.
The brightest/reddest shade (Flame) in this trio isn’t exactly opaque red, but more of a deeper pink when applied. Fever, the lightest shade, is perfect as the topmost layer for that gradient/ombre Korean lip look.
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright™ Duo (Holiday Limited Edition)
I first got hooked on Sol de Janeiro slightly more than 5 years back, and that was the Cheirosa 62 fragrance of the Bum Bum Cream (the yellow one). While scouring the aisles during the latest Sephora member sale last month, I realised I actually also really liked the Cheirosa 40 and 68 scents, maybe even more than the former because these are lighter and feel fresher, with much less focus on the summer-coconut-vanilla aspect of things.
The Bom Dia Bright Cream is meant for skin brightening while the fragrance really helps to set your mood and tone for the day. Also, the packaging is so tropical with bright splashes of colour, I love it!
Yves Saint Laurent Libre And Rouge Eau De Parfum Gift Set Mini (Holiday Limited Edition)
A spritz and a swipe to fill your night with a Parisian dream. Oh I love this so!
The lipstick here is the Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick in shade RM Rouge Muse, which is a blue-toned red that suits most Asian skin tones. It’s not a matte colour, so will suit a nighttime look just fine. Imagine strolling along le Pont Alexandre III while the sun sets in the background, casting its coral-lavender glow upon the skies.
Is that not a sight to behold?