“Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la la…”

The holidays are just around the corner. You know what that means? Shopping time!

I can’t help myself during this time of year. It’s a jolly time of year, after all. The stores just look so much nicer all decked out with a giant Christmas tree, all of the of the wonderful garlands, the twinkling lights, inviting me to come in and swipe that mighty credit card without mercy (within budget, of course).

I personally think that it’s a great time to stock up on beauty items as many beauty companies come out with their gift sets and samplers this time of year. I’d like to share my favorite items with you. These are the items that have been on my list year after year and have brought me, as well as others I gave these to, so much joy. Please don’t forget to share your favorite gift sets in the comment section below.

1. Sephora Collection Color Daze Blockbuster

I act like a girl in a candy store in Sephora. I can easily spend hours and hours trying out new makeup, smelling all perfumes, catching up with a Sephora girl on the latest makeup collection. I’m always looking forward to their Blockbuster gift set every year because it’s a very wonderful thing to have and to give as a gift. Sephora’s Color Daze Blockbuster is a compact, expandable palette featuring 148 gorgeous colors of waterproof eye shadow, cream eyeliner, eye top coat, lip top coat, lip gloss, blush, multi-purpose cream for eye, cheek, and lip, multi-purpose luminizer and a makeup brush and mirror.

2. Sephora Collection Prestige Luxe Brush Set

 

I love Sephora brushes. They’re not crazy expensive and a good quality (fluffy, soft, and don’t shed). The Prestige Luxe Brush Set is a 12-piece set consisting a powder brush, blush brush, fan brush, foundation brush, concealer brush, shadow brush, crease brush, smudge brush, brow brush, angle liner brush, lip brush, and brow comb brush, all wrapped in a chic travel case.

3. Sephora by O.P.I Tinsel Town Collector’s Set

Long-wearing, chip-resistant, 16 mini nail colors plus a full-size top coat. When it comes to nail polish, O.P.I never disappoints and this set is no exception.

4. Laura Mercier Body & Bath Trio – Crème Brûlée

If you’re a bath lover like me, you must get this. The trio consists of Crème Body Wash, Body Scrub and Soufflé Body Crème. I kid you not, every time I use this trio, I feel like licking myself. Seriously, though, your body will smell like Crème Brûlée all day long. Yummm!

5. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Gift Set

If you’re having a hard time figuring out what to give to the opposite sex,  Acqua Di Parma is a great gift. It’s a unisex fragrance with ingredients like Bulgarian rose, Sicilian citrus fruits, lavender, and verbena. This set contains 3.4 oz Eau De Cologne Spray, 2.5 oz Bath and Shower Gel, 2.5 oz Body Cream.

-BONUS-

Jo Malone Candles

Jo Malone candles are more on the expensive side and worth every penny. A dear friend of mine gave me a Jo Malone Grapefruit candle a few years ago and I’ve been in love with the scent ever since. The smell lingers for days. I personally believe that this is a gift that keeps on giving, either for yourself or for someone near and dear.

 

Image Sources: Sephora, Laura Mercier, Acqua Di Parma, Jo Malone