The holidays are right around the corner, and if you're reading this, it probably means that you're looking for a gift for someone (who may or may not be a beauty lover) in your life. Maybe you already know a lot about makeup, maybe you have no clue. Either way this guide should help everyone who's shopping for makeup and beauty items! I'll have options from drugstore to high end, so no matter your budget there will be something for you!
Although I do not own all the products shown in this post, I have done my research and am confident that they are of great quality!
For those of you who have no clue about makeup, the first thing you want to find out from the person you are gifting to is what their favorite makeup items are and what their favorite brands are. This will help you narrow down what to get. For example you can ask them what their favorite part of their makeup routine is (e.g. mine is highlighting...and I love buying new highlighters!). You can also ask them hypothetical situations about a friend or family member who was asking about a certain product, and have them tell you what brands they think would be best. That can give you a sense of what they like. Of course this is all when you are trying to be somewhat sneaky, if they know what you're getting them and have specific requests, that's fine too! Lastly if this person is a makeup junkie, you'll also want to make sure they don't already have what you're going to buy them!
I'll have this gift guide sorted into categories, with affordable and high end products within each category, so let's get started. Here are the categories within this post, it's not a 100% comprehensive list on all the categories of makeup, but there is still quite a lot of ideas here. So feel free to browse them all or jump to the ones you're most interested in:
1. Stocking Stuffers
2. All About The Eyes
3. All About The Lips
4. Highlighters
5. Highlight and Contour
7. Brushes and Tools
*Please note some prices are in CAD (Canadian dollars) and some are in USD (American dollars). You'll have to figure out specific costs by visiting the links provided.
Stocking Stuffers
For those of you who have no clue about makeup, the first thing you want to find out from the person you are gifting to is what their favorite makeup items are and what their favorite brands are. This will help you narrow down what to get. For example you can ask them what their favorite part of their makeup routine is (e.g. mine is highlighting...and I love buying new highlighters!). You can also ask them hypothetical situations about a friend or family member who was asking about a certain product, and have them tell you what brands they think would be best. That can give you a sense of what they like. Of course this is all when you are trying to be somewhat sneaky, if they know what you're getting them and have specific requests, that's fine too! Lastly if this person is a makeup junkie, you'll also want to make sure they don't already have what you're going to buy them!
I'll have this gift guide sorted into categories, with affordable and high end products within each category, so let's get started. Here are the categories within this post, it's not a 100% comprehensive list on all the categories of makeup, but there is still quite a lot of ideas here. So feel free to browse them all or jump to the ones you're most interested in:
1. Stocking Stuffers
2. All About The Eyes
3. All About The Lips
4. Highlighters
5. Highlight and Contour
7. Brushes and Tools
*Please note some prices are in CAD (Canadian dollars) and some are in USD (American dollars). You'll have to figure out specific costs by visiting the links provided.
Stocking Stuffers
1. NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black: $2-3, buy from Walmart
2. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (shown in Prague): $9, buy from NYX Cosmetics or at your local stores (e.g. London Drugs, Target, Ulta, Rite Aid, CVS etc)
3. NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow (shown in Liquid Gold): $8, buy from NYX Cosmetics or at your local stores
4. Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow (shown in Raw Power): $25, buy from Sephora
5. Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara: $31, buy from Sephora
6. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: $8, buy from Ulta
7. MAC Pigment Sized To Go (shown in Melon): $12, buy from MAC Cosmetics
2. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (shown in Prague): $9, buy from NYX Cosmetics or at your local stores (e.g. London Drugs, Target, Ulta, Rite Aid, CVS etc)
3. NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow (shown in Liquid Gold): $8, buy from NYX Cosmetics or at your local stores
4. Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow (shown in Raw Power): $25, buy from Sephora
5. Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara: $31, buy from Sephora
6. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: $8, buy from Ulta
7. MAC Pigment Sized To Go (shown in Melon): $12, buy from MAC Cosmetics
All About The Eyes
The first two options have affordable palettes with a variety of colors from nudes and natural colors to very colorful. I encourage you to check them out. The rest are fairly high end and you will notice a lot of Urban Decay, but that's because the quality is great! Some of these are more classic palettes and some are recently released.
1. BH Cosmetics 28 Color Netural Eyeshadow Palette: $12, buy from BH Cosmetics (honestly, all of the palettes from BH Cosmetics would make great gifts, here are some others: Carli Bybel Palette, Pop Art Color Extreme, Missy Lynn Palette, First Edition 120 Color Palette)
2. Morphebrushes 35T Palette: $23, buy from Morphebrushes (again, all of their palettes are hits, some others are the 35O, 35K, 35C and 35U)
3. Tarte Cosmetics Tartlette 2 In Bloom Palette: $54 , buy from Tarte Cosmetics
4. Urban Decay Electric Palette: $58, buy from Sephora (for those who LOVE color, this is INTENSE)
5. Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette: $64, buy from Sephora
6. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette: $70, buy from Sephora
7. Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette: $70, buy from Sephora
8. Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Palette: $59, buy from Sephora (it looks and smells like chocolate!)
9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette: $46, buy from Sephora
10. Lorac Pro Palette: $42, buy from Lorac Cosmetics (great everyday shades that transition to special occasion)
1. BH Cosmetics 28 Color Netural Eyeshadow Palette: $12, buy from BH Cosmetics (honestly, all of the palettes from BH Cosmetics would make great gifts, here are some others: Carli Bybel Palette, Pop Art Color Extreme, Missy Lynn Palette, First Edition 120 Color Palette)
2. Morphebrushes 35T Palette: $23, buy from Morphebrushes (again, all of their palettes are hits, some others are the 35O, 35K, 35C and 35U)
3. Tarte Cosmetics Tartlette 2 In Bloom Palette: $54 , buy from Tarte Cosmetics
4. Urban Decay Electric Palette: $58, buy from Sephora (for those who LOVE color, this is INTENSE)
5. Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette: $64, buy from Sephora
6. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette: $70, buy from Sephora
7. Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette: $70, buy from Sephora
8. Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Palette: $59, buy from Sephora (it looks and smells like chocolate!)
9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette: $46, buy from Sephora
10. Lorac Pro Palette: $42, buy from Lorac Cosmetics (great everyday shades that transition to special occasion)
All About The Lips
I'm such a huge fan of liquid lipsticks because they stay all day, don't budge and are very pigmented. Most of this list consists of liquid lipsticks with a few lipsticks thrown in. Definitely browse around the links below to find the ideal shade for the person you are buying for.
1. Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip (shown in Trap): $6, buy from Colourpop Cosmetics (they are so affordable and have such a variety of colours!)
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (shown in Candy Apple): $20, buy from Anastasia Beverly Hills
3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (shown in Lolita): $24, buy from Sephora
4. LASplash Lip Couture (shown in Ghoulish): $10 (on sale!), buy from LASplash Cosmetics
5. Maybelline Lipstick (shown in Touch of Spice): $8, buy from Walmart (or other local stores)
6. Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick (shown in 1995): $19, buy from Gerard Cosmetics
7. Makeup Forever Lipstick (shown in N9): $23, buy from Sephora
8. ELF Moisturizing Lipstick (shown in Ravishing Rose): $3, buy from Elf Cosmetics or local stores
1. Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip (shown in Trap): $6, buy from Colourpop Cosmetics (they are so affordable and have such a variety of colours!)
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (shown in Candy Apple): $20, buy from Anastasia Beverly Hills
3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (shown in Lolita): $24, buy from Sephora
4. LASplash Lip Couture (shown in Ghoulish): $10 (on sale!), buy from LASplash Cosmetics
5. Maybelline Lipstick (shown in Touch of Spice): $8, buy from Walmart (or other local stores)
6. Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick (shown in 1995): $19, buy from Gerard Cosmetics
7. Makeup Forever Lipstick (shown in N9): $23, buy from Sephora
8. ELF Moisturizing Lipstick (shown in Ravishing Rose): $3, buy from Elf Cosmetics or local stores
Highlighters
This section will include a mix of power, cream and liquid highlighters. Remember to keep in mind the complexion of the person who you are buying for. Pale colors will look beautiful on fair-skin, while champagnes and golds look amazing on medium to dark skin.
1. Wet N' Wild Fergie Highlighter (shown in Hollywood Boulevard): $6, buy from CVS or other local stores
2. Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki: $9, buy from Walmart
3. Colourpop Cosmetics Highlighter (shown in Wisp): $8, buy from Colourpop Cosmetics
4. Benefit Highlighter (shown in High Beam and Sun Beam): $34, buy from Sephora
5. The Balm Cosmetics Highlighter in Mary-Lou Manizer: $24, buy from The Balm Cosmetics (this one is definitely in my top three favorites ever!)
6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator (shown in Starlight): $28, buy from Anastasia Beverly Hills (in my top three)
7. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop: $46, buy from Sephora (my all time favorite!)
1. Wet N' Wild Fergie Highlighter (shown in Hollywood Boulevard): $6, buy from CVS or other local stores
2. Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki: $9, buy from Walmart
3. Colourpop Cosmetics Highlighter (shown in Wisp): $8, buy from Colourpop Cosmetics
4. Benefit Highlighter (shown in High Beam and Sun Beam): $34, buy from Sephora
5. The Balm Cosmetics Highlighter in Mary-Lou Manizer: $24, buy from The Balm Cosmetics (this one is definitely in my top three favorites ever!)
6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator (shown in Starlight): $28, buy from Anastasia Beverly Hills (in my top three)
7. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop: $46, buy from Sephora (my all time favorite!)
Highlight & Contour
Unfortunately, highlight and contour kits (powder) are rare to find in the drugstore, or any that are affordable. Here are my picks below, I know that Morphebrushes has a few palettes as well but I haven't heard too much about them.
1. NYX Cosmetics Highlight & Contour Pro Palette: $25, buy from NYX Cosmetics
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (shown in Light to Medium): $52, buy from Sephora
3. Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette: $55, buy from Sephora
4. Lorac Pro Contour Palette: $45, buy from Lorac Cosmetics
5. Tarte Cosmetics Tarteist Contour Palette: $59, buy from Tarte Cosmetics
1. NYX Cosmetics Highlight & Contour Pro Palette: $25, buy from NYX Cosmetics
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (shown in Light to Medium): $52, buy from Sephora
3. Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette: $55, buy from Sephora
4. Lorac Pro Contour Palette: $45, buy from Lorac Cosmetics
5. Tarte Cosmetics Tarteist Contour Palette: $59, buy from Tarte Cosmetics
Brushes and Tools
Some of these tools are so common, you'll want to make sure the person you are buying for doesn't already have it! This list will be a mixture of specific brushes/tools and brush sets.
1. Beauty Blender: $28, buy from Sephora (everyone needs one of these or a dupe in their life, it's great for blending out creams, especially foundations!)
2. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: $6, buy from Real Techniques or any local stores that carry this brand such as Walmart. This is a great alternative to the pricey Beauty Blender.
3. Makeup Geek Small Crease Brush: $8, buy from Makeup Geek (this brush is so versatile, I love how it's so small but also is fluffy enough to blend)
4. Real Techniques Core Collection: $18, buy from Real Techniques (I really really love the buffing brush for foundation and I use the contour brush to apply my highlight!)
5. Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush: $24, buy from Sigma Beauty (Really great for foundation)
6. Morphebrushes M501 Pro Pointed Blender: $8, buy from Morphebrushes (great for setting highlight with powder)
7. MAC 217 Blending Brush: $29.50, buy from MAC Cosmetics (ride or die for blending eyeshadow)
8. BH Cosmetics 36 pc Ultimate Brush Set: $30, buy from BH Cosmetics (amazing price for so many brushes, you'll have every kind you'll ever need. Good quality, I've had mine for 3 years and still use them, minimal shedding).
9. BH Cosmetics 10 Piece Sculpt and Blend Brush Set: $12.50, buy from BH Cosmetics (beautiful, functional, and good quality)
10. Morphebrushes M459 1 1/4"Flat Contour Brush: $12, buy from Morphebrushes (great for those who like to chisel out their features and have a sharp contour)
1. Beauty Blender: $28, buy from Sephora (everyone needs one of these or a dupe in their life, it's great for blending out creams, especially foundations!)
2. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: $6, buy from Real Techniques or any local stores that carry this brand such as Walmart. This is a great alternative to the pricey Beauty Blender.
3. Makeup Geek Small Crease Brush: $8, buy from Makeup Geek (this brush is so versatile, I love how it's so small but also is fluffy enough to blend)
4. Real Techniques Core Collection: $18, buy from Real Techniques (I really really love the buffing brush for foundation and I use the contour brush to apply my highlight!)
5. Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush: $24, buy from Sigma Beauty (Really great for foundation)
6. Morphebrushes M501 Pro Pointed Blender: $8, buy from Morphebrushes (great for setting highlight with powder)
7. MAC 217 Blending Brush: $29.50, buy from MAC Cosmetics (ride or die for blending eyeshadow)
8. BH Cosmetics 36 pc Ultimate Brush Set: $30, buy from BH Cosmetics (amazing price for so many brushes, you'll have every kind you'll ever need. Good quality, I've had mine for 3 years and still use them, minimal shedding).
9. BH Cosmetics 10 Piece Sculpt and Blend Brush Set: $12.50, buy from BH Cosmetics (beautiful, functional, and good quality)
10. Morphebrushes M459 1 1/4"Flat Contour Brush: $12, buy from Morphebrushes (great for those who like to chisel out their features and have a sharp contour)
Thanks for making it to the end friends! I hope you find this super useful, and if you have any questions about anything in this post you can contact me and I'll be happy to answer your questions. My email is [email protected], instagram is @themakeupdiaryblog and of course you can just comment down below!
Thanks for reading!
Until next time beauties (and perhaps any clueless boyfriends..?),
XOXO
Thanks for reading!
Until next time beauties (and perhaps any clueless boyfriends..?),
XOXO