Hi, guys! So today I thought we might do something fun and useful at the same time. I don’t know about you, but I’m still doing some of my Christmas shopping. So, since this a beauty blog, let’s talk about gift sets. Some gift sets are good, they’re really a good deal when it comes to gifting something to your loved ones or picking up something for yourself. Some of them on the other hand are not worth it at all and you are better off saving your money. Let’s take a look at 10 crappy gift sets that I found online. I’m referring to the ones we have available in Romania because I know the brands. Also, disclaimer: this is just my opinion, it doesn’t mean that you should feel offended if you like or you bought any of the gift sets because we all have different tastes and we have different standards when it comes to finding value in the things we buy.

Urband Decay Major Gems Set

This set is available at Sephora and it contains the Mini Stoned eyeshadow palette, a 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil and the eyeshadow Primer Potion. Now, my beef is not with this set in particular, but with all gift sets that have a palette and some products thrown into a set. Ask yourself, do you really need the extra stuff or do you only want the eyeshadow palette? For example, I don’t particularly use eye pencils and I have eyeshadow primers. I wouldn’t really need one. The entire set retails for 238 lei, while the Mini Stoned eyeshadow palette retails for only 121 lei. So why pay 117 lei more (more than 20 euros) for two products that I don’t really need and for the cute packaging of the gift set? Just get the palette if you want the palette and ask yourself if it’s really worth it to get the whole thing. You’re probably just saving the money for one of the other products thrown in there.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara Set

This set contains one full size mascara and 3 mini sized one. Who needs 4 mascaras at once? I think it’s a boring gift and it’s something useful only if you really love the mascara from the respective brand and you stock up for the entire year to come. I don’t know about you, but I don’t go fast through mascara even though I use it daily. I’m barely almost there in finishing the mini Eyeko mascara I have since months ago. So why would I need 3 minis AND a full size one in just one set?

Yves Saint Laurent Mini Black Opium Gift Set

This set looks like a Christmas cracker and it contains mini products only. A mini perfume, mini mascara, mini lipstick and a mini liquid highlighter. The products are not bad, the lipstick and the mascara will last you for some time, even though they are minis. But the perfume is only 7.5 ml and the liquid highlighter or highlighting primer or whatever it is will also be used up soon. The gift set is 185 lei, while the perfume is only 161.40 lei for 30 ml currently on the Douglas website (where I saw this gift set as well). Or if you still want a gift set get one that has the perfume in the 30 ml size and a mini mascara or a mini lipstick for 228.65 lei. You pay more than for the cracker, but at least you get a decent size of the perfume which is the main product in the whole bundle.

Scottish Fine Soaps Pamper Me Gift Set

This is nothing against the brand. I don’t like any gift set that contains body products in mini sizes. What am I supposed to do with a mini shower gel or a mini body cream. I know now because I get all kinds of minis in my beauty box and believe, I get to use body products only once or twice. It’s just not worth it. You’re better off buying the full size from just one of the products of a fancy brand (if you want to treat yourself or a loved one with something nice) and make a nice arrangement with a cute box or a bag and some nice decorations. The gift is much more useful and it’s still something nice to offer.

Marionnaud Dresed Up Beauty Gift Set

This is something that Marionnaud, Sephora and probably other stores do as well. They put out some mediocre makeup products from their own brand, they slap some holiday designs on the packaging and mark up the price for those gift sets. Don’t be fooled by the cutesy packaging, we all know the products are not that great and you’re better off getting one or two makeup products from a brand you love. Even for teenagers I think there are better options at the drugstore and like I said before, get some “regular” makeup items and assemble your own gift box.

Treets Traditions Asia Relaxing Chakra Set travel

The same as for body sets goes for these hair travel sets as well. They’re travel sizes, but I don’t think they’re good to get as a gift. Sure, you can buy them for yourself when you go on a trip and you already know you love the brand. But as a gift, the full size set. The difference in price between the travel size one and the full size set on the Marionnaud website is just 30 lei.

NYX Diamonds & Ice, Please! Butter Gloss Lip Vault

I really hate these types of lip vaults. This one has 14 lip glosses. Who needs so much lip gloss at once? Especially now that we wear masks all the time and we don’t use that much lip makeup. I for one just slap one some lip balm and call it a day. Lip product kits with more than 3 products are just unnecessary, especially since it would be a miracle that all lip glosses look good on one person. And no, don’t tell me you can break it up and share it with friends because there’s always going to be 3-4 shades that no one wants.

I Heart Revolution & Chill Makeup Collection

Considering the price, there are some savings made when you buy all this makeup because it contains 11 products, of which two are full size eyeshadow palettes. However, when there are some products already available on the market and some limited edition ones mixed in, someone who really love the brand might already have the “older” products in their collection. If it’s something for a person who doesn’t own anything from I Heart Revolution, it can be a good thing to get this, but otherwise it’s just too tricky. Plus, they might not want some of the products from the set because it’s just not their style.

Smashbox Try Me Face Primer Set

This is another set similar to the lip vaults and the mascara set. How much primer do you need at once? Why have a set with 3 minis and a full size product? It just doesn’t make any sense for me, it seems uninspiring and boring.

Urban Decay Seeing Double Set

Also because it’s uninspiring and not because I have something against the brand is the “double the product” gift set. I get it, you like the primer or the mascara or whatever it is, but it’s not really a cool gift if you have two products of the same kind in some holiday packaging. Yes, you save like 50% on the second product, but isn’t it better to get just one whenever you find it on sale? Because we all know it is on sale relatively often.

That was my little rant about holiday gift sets. I hope this helps you make some good choices when you’re doing your shopping as I tried to offer some alternatives as well. Now, let’s open the advent calendar!

Luxie 522 Tapered Highlighter Brush

We got something that goes hand in hand with the Natasha Denona product from the day before! I have a Luxie eyeshadow brush and I really love it, so I’m glad I have this highlighter brush especially since I needed one and I don’t like to use fan brushes. I can’t find this brush on the Lookfantastic website, but I found a similar one from Luxie on sale for 55.37 lei.

Tonight’s cup of tea was from the second day of the Cupper tea advent calendar.

Cupper Tea Cranberry & Raspberry Infusion

This one was a delicious fruity tea with hibiscus, rose hip, nettles, liquorice, apples, cranberries and raspberries. I liked it, but the Be Happy spicy tea is my favorite so far.

That was all for today. I’m sorry for being late with my post and see you tomorrow!