Christmas is on its way. Hoo-yah! ‘Tis the season to indulge in my girly side and go all out for my annual Sephora shopping spree and get a little Christmas shopping in to boot! The gift sets this year are out-of-this-world so I’m placing some early Christmas orders to take advantage of the free shipping. I’m having a bit of dilemma though. The sets are so nice, I’m having a hard time not including one of each for me. I want all of them!
The first two items on my Christmas Wish List are both blockbuster make-up palettes. I wrote to my bestest bud, Andrew Morgan, earlier this morning to ask his opinion. He is THE make-up magic magician, my own personal Kevin Aucoin. I know he’ll be able to send me in the right direction.
My main question is: Which one? The Tarte Pallette or the Sephora Blockbuster Palette?
Tarte We Wish You Wealth Palette $52
This is a holiday limited edition. It’s stackable with a little bit of something for your entire face: face, eyes, cheeks and lips. Plus it has a cute assortment of tools. I especially like the black leather case. It’s sexy.
The Tarte We Wish You Wealth Palette includes:
- 16 new eyeshadows
- 16 new lipglosses
- 4 gel eyeliners
- 4 of their best-selling cheek stains
- 3 24/7 lip sheers
- eyelid primer
- luminizer
- Tools: Two. An eyeshadow brush and an eye-liner brush.
PROS: Those famous best-selling cheek stains are awfully tempting. They’re supposed to be out of this world. Gel eyeliners rock and I love the applicator brush for it. Eye-lid primer means extra-long wearing. Those glosses and lip sheers are luscious. The packaging kicks ass.
CONS: No mascara and the eyeshadows are quite similar. Most of them are dark. I wouldn’t call this an all-season palette. This isn’t something I could use everyday.
Sephora Blockbuster Palette $48
This one’s a triple-stacker for face, lips and eyes in an elegant case with a front see-through panel. Sephora’s Blockbuster Palette is a huge seller.
The Sephora Blockbuster Palette includes:
- 64 eyeshadows
- 32 lip colors
- 7 cheek colors
- 1 translucent shimmer powder
- Tools: 4 double-ended shadow applicators. 2 blush brushes. 2 lip brushes
PROS: 64 gorgeous colors for your eyes means a huge variety of different looks for all seasons. I bet I could match every single outfit and every single mood. I have to admit. I love the color range. The tools are nice too.
CONS: No mascara. No eyeliner.
Hard Candy Take Out Makeup Kit $25
Another triple stacker all packed into an ultra-girly pretty pink case. You can’t beat the price on this mini-set. For $25 bucks, it’s truly make-up on the go. Pack it in your purse and go from office girl to glam girl in 5 minutes flat.
The Hard Candy Take Out Makeup kit includes:
- 6 lip glosses
- 8 eyeshadows
- 1 black eye pencil
- 1 mini black mascara
- 2 concealers
- 1 neutral blush
- 1 bronzer
- Tools: 2 Lip brushes. 2 Shadow applicators
PROS: This is a steal. It’s portable and ultra-hip with lots of choices. No extras required. This is the perfect holiday gift!
CONS: None.
Sephora Piiink So Belle Make-Up Palette $25
Another steal. This two-stacker make-up palette in perfect pink is a plush gift set for any girl. It’s affordable and adorable.
The Sephora So Belle Make-Up Palette includes:
- 12 eyeshadows
- 7 lip glosses
- 4 cheek colors
- 1 mini black mascara
- Tools: 1 foam applicator. 1 blush brush. 1 lip brush
Too Faced Glamour To Go $18.50
First off. I love Too Faced products, especially their lipsticks and glosses. This warm, sultry eyes/lips combo palette is slim and sleek and it’s small enough to fit in your pocket.
Too Faced Glamour To Go includes:
- 6 luxurious glosses
- 4 gorgeous shades of eyeshadow ranging in soft pinks and caramels.
- Tools: Lip brush and eye applicator.
Bourgois Kisses From Paris $18
This limited edition keychain from Bourgois Paris comes with four high-impact glosses. The ultimate stocking stuffer for the global gal.
Sephora Portfolio Brush Set $44
What’s the point of owning fabulous make-up if you don’t have a beautiful little brush set to match? I like Sephora’s signature brush portfolio because it’s affordable, perfect for traveling and includes six essential brushes.
Size: 7 x 3.75″
Too Faced Candy Lips in Pink Taffy $22
This one’s so sweet I can hardly pass it by. Too Faced lip glosses are the best. I’m completely addicted. This taffy pink palette features five gorgeous shades. It’s also available in Candy Apple and Cocoa Kiss.
Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Defense Fluid SPF 15 $46
I’ve been using this for years. It’s the bomb!
Philosophy: The Miracle Worker’s Skincare Set $85
If you’re going to splurge on skincare, Philosophy’s award-winning skincare line comes jam-packed in a beautiful set.
The Miracle Worker’s Skincare Set includes:
- 8 oz Purity Made Simple
- 2 oz Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
- 2 oz Hope in a Jar
- .5 oz High Density Eye and Lip Firming Cream
- 1 oz Microdelivery Peel Lactic/Salicylic Acid Activating Gel
- 1 oz Microdelivery Peel Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals
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Wow-way too much info for me. We guys not into the process(well most guys anyway) just the result. I know you’re having major make-upgasm and happy for you vicariously. Hope John appreciates the results of your purchase.
Hi Mark,
Ha! I should’ve included, “FOR GIRLS ONLY” in my title somewhere. Last year I showed John my list and he bought me EVERYTHING on it. As happy as I was, I had to get him to return half of it. I couldn’t possibly use it all in one year.
Sephora is huge though, especially in Canada where most of my girlfriends make regular purchases on-line. That’s why I write these best of the best lists. Most guys get a little overwhelmed with girly-stuff like this. This list is mainly for husbands who just don’t know what to buy for their special ladies. Of course, if said lady doesn’t know how to put on make-up, then I don’t recommend buying.
Alas my lovely wife Anne falls in the latter category. She is pretty without make-up but exceptional with a little on.
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