I’d love to see more innovation over the holidays! I feel like there are quite a few brands that release the same type of things each season.
— Christine
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I love holiday sets that have a good value! But a lot of holiday sets have the same type of items across brands and year after year (red lips, gold and shimmer shadow). It’s a time of year that could use some creativity.
I’d like to see less collections rolled out during the year and more investment in quality, innovative products when collections are rolled out. For this Christmas, I’m tucking away more from Fall Collections, with a small budget for standout items in Holiday Collections.
Totally agree about quality. So much of what gets pushed onto the market during the holidays seems like it’s best suited for 12 year olds playing with makeup. I want quality, and I am willing to pay for it.
I love that holiday sets usually have a fantastic value (whether lower price-per-ounce or the opportunity to try out several deluxe-sized products in an inexpensive set, and often both at once!).
On the other hand, it seems like product quality often suffers. I never buy holiday eyeshadow palettes, for example, because at this point I just assume that they’ll be chalky, gritty or powdery, no matter how good the brand’s permanent offerings may be.
Also, I have no issue with glitter–it’s a fun thing–but SO many holiday sets include shimmer or sparkle (whether in eyeshadow or lip gloss or even face powder and scented body spray). I feel like the opportunity to wear obvious glitter usually ends with the holiday season (at least for a lot of employed people), so they have limited wearability, especially if given as Christmas gifts. :/
It would be nice to see some unexpected colors, too (ie, not red/gold/smoky/berry). I know that seasonal colors are a thing, but couldn’t they develop a cold-weather variation on coral? or a post-fall plum? or a pre-spring gentle pink? There are more lip colors than red, nude and berry! (I think I’m just annoyed that Bite decided to include Pomegranate in their holiday set AGAIN. Like, really, Bite? Really?)
This is exactly what I wanted to say! I don’t get why good brands want to put out low quality products just to get holiday sales. Plus from a marketing standpoint, it could really turn off new customers who aren’t familiar with the brand’s usual standards, you know?
I love when there are actual monetary values and I love when a company does a special packaging for the Holidays. I don’t like when it feels like they just throw a mish mash of shades into a palette; the ridiculous early releases; the companies who try to trick the consumer into thinking their is a deal because it’s a palette; that many times at least some of the palette or set will be lacking; or that I’m going bananas thinking of it all because there is so much and then I think, we still have Chanel, Tom Ford,etc.,etc.. Its overwhelming. There was a moment when I said to myself “I’m just not going to pay attention to it, maybe buy the meteorites and Vice. That’s it.”.. That lasted 2 hours. I’m going to have to do a no-low buy for after- holiday for the first time in my life. I’m swimming in makeup!:)
Yeah, I feel you there with the swimming in makeup comment! I actually talked myself out of getting the MAC Guo Pei blush and Fluidline…for now! LoL! But I definitely want the Spectrum Palette, MUFE 15 Artist Shadows Palette, and possibly still the Morning Light quad. I am really going to have to put the brakes on my spending afterwards!
Oh Nancy, I talked myself out of the blush too! That one is easily duped though.You can do without if you want. I have the longest wishlist and we have yet to see so many big collections like Chanel and Nars. Its really tough for a makeup lover – this holiday collection business,lol
I I wound up rescheduling my trip to Columbus. I fell down the stairs last night. Kinda slipped down them and tweaked up my back. So, four hours in the car wasn’t happening today. Ugh.Now, I’m waiting another month!
Yikes, that hurts, I know! Both physically and I’m guessing mentally too, as it kept you from getting to your consult. When it rains, it POURS. Hopefully, you didn’t hurt anything really badly?
As for the blush, I realized the dupable-ness of it, and that I had gotten all swept away by the gorgeous packaging and hype. But I already have Clinique Cola Pop, CP Cruel Intentions and even Mac Burnt Pepper all give me that rosy, healthy cheek.
No-not hurt bad, I think it’s just some sore muscle stuff. Making me feel like an old lady for sure! lol. I guess I wasn’t meant to be on the road today.
That’s funny , I have those same dupes! 🙂
Oh, thank goodness for that! My daughter and I are known for falling down stairs ( and UP them, too! ), or out of our truck onto our head ( my daughter a few years ago! )
True, who knows whether being on the road that day might have worse or not. Life sometimes intentionally hands us a bunch of lemons instead of…Idk, a huge cactus!
Lol! I got a good chuckle out of that Nancy! I hope your daughter wasn’t hurt too bad?!
Oh no Nicole! Hope your back is ok —be careful, ok? And I just read your comment about maybe needing another surgery. I’m really hoping you get a lucky break soon. As for a no-buy or low- buy, I know what you mean. I try , then see the next new thing, and my resolve crumbles, but I need to put the breaks on some stuff for sure. It’s either that, or I need to grow 2 more heads to wear all this makeup !
Haha! I hear ya Katherine! I do the same with the “crumbling resolve” and new things. I totally need to slow it down too. Not sure if I could completely say I was going to buy NOTHING. Habits certainly can be worse though. At least we’re keeping the economy running, looking pretty, having fun, and hurting no one else in the process. So, we may as well what we like in life. But, yes-it is going on overflow here. I’m going to need to organize my stuff, cleanout, and figure some sort of decision making process in the near future.
My stairs incident- thanks for asking and being so considerate. I just was being klutzy and in the dark slipped and slid down them and landed on my back pretty hard. It will heal up soon. 🙂
BTW, I’m not sure if last weekend was your Birthday or not? I noticed your comment in Free For Haul about a Bday dinner. I asked if it was yours. I’m not sure if I missed your reply or you had not seen it. But, if it was your Birthday, Happy Birthday my friend! 😀
Oh, I didn’t see your comment last week, don’t think it got posted. But we are always having birthday dinners because our extended families live nearby. But yes, it was my birthday this month, so your wishes are timely, thank you!! It’s been giving me all kinds of excuses to treat myself to more makeup LOL But yes, after the holidays are over, I’m going to try to put myself on a low buy and shop my stash more often. But hope your back gets better soon, and whatever decision you make about surgery vs. no surgery will have a good outcome.
Oh good! Glad I got my Bday wish for you in! I hope you had a great one! I need to “shop my stash” after the Holidays also. Thank you for your very sweet well wishes as always Katherine.
I feel like holiday sets are more for ‘gifting’ and new MUAs.
Colors and finish stay relatively in the safe zone (neutrals plus some predictable brights, lots of metallic, shimmery finish so most of them apply semi-nicely), so when you buy it for someone else, he/she won’t be so startled by the black lipstick or weirdest eyeshadow quads, you know?
Holiday sets would also be great for newcomers to the makeup world when they want to broaden their collection. I have a huge eyeshadow collection and lip collection, so I almost never buy lippies/eyeshadows, unless they are from my most beloved brands and I want them for the collection value. But I have very very few blushes so I look into getting one of the blush holiday sets even if they may not be the best quality or the most innovative compared to last year’s.
Just my 2 cents — I have very little few things to complain about the holiday sets. I regard them as ‘different’ from the normal releases, and I definitely don’t blame them for being repetitive. They are value sets for holidays after all.
I kind of agree with you. It would be cool to see brands do the complete opposite of what’s expected for the holidays for a change!
I find that holiday collections have gotten very repetitive- shimmery neutral eyes, highlighters and shades of red for the lips. I’d love to see something that did an edgier version with silver and purple, or shades of green for the eyes.
I also find that the “value” palettes are often lesser quality than the regular products and many aren’t even great value.
Marc Jacobs did it this year , but you are right when you look at Too Faced, UD and Tarte its all so similar. I appreciated it for / or 3 years, but am now underwhelmed.
I thought I was the only one over these collections..how many vice palettes can urban decay have? All the colors are almost the same… I’m not impressed by any holiday collection so far. The same ideas are being recycled.
I agree with you. I’d like to see more mixed skincare and color sets from brands that do both.
Like most people, I like that their are some good deals to be had, and they can be a good way to try out multiple products. I also dislike the quality is often worse than the permanent counterparts.
As far as just the colors, I agree with Christine that I’d like to see a little more innovation. I love reds, berries, golds, and greens, and I understand they are huge sellers for the holidays. They’re in demand to wear and give as gifts, and not everyone is a huge makeup hoarder like I am. So these collections are always needed, wanted, and will always sell. Personally, I love glitter, shimmer and sparkle, so that’s a highlight of the season.
However, for those of us who have a lot of makeup, or just don’t have super-conventional tastes, it would be nice to see more companies think outside the box. Make a silver, white and blue collection, or a sugarplum collection with purples, plums and sweet pinks. Put out an all cool-toned collection for cool toned folks. If winter isn’t the time for an cool and icy palette, when is?
Love love love all those ideas! Love the frosty Blues and whites plus purples look good on anyone! Definite cool toned gal here!
Rachel you are so right!!! I agree completely. Winter should DEFINITELY be more cool palettes, but the focus is on Christmas and golds and warm tones. Why doesn’t a company do a Hannuka themed collection? It would be blues, whites, silvers just like the icy winter palette you suggested! You know what would be cool? If a company did a multi-holiday set of palettes (kind of like how Too Faced made three separate palettes in a set, and so did Sephora) where there’s a Hannuka set of those cool icy colors, a Christmas set of reds, greens and golds, and a Kwanza set of rich jewel tones. I think that would be so cool. The sugar plum idea is fantastic. Seriously. I would buy that in an instant as long as they did the purples right! Maybe that’s why it doesn’t happen…blues and purples are so many companies’ Achilles heel, so they pass on those ideas. Maybe?
There does definitely need to be more innovation and creativity! I worked at Dior through three Christmases and each holiday season I was like “didn’t we do this gold collection LAST holiday??” So I hear ya!!!
Oops, I typed out that whole comment before realizing I wasn’t logged in! Didn’t want to start over so I posted kinda annonymously sorry!
Ha! I forget to login A LOT.
I love the idea of a set with colors for the three major holidays. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Yes, a purple set would have to be by the right company. Urban Decay or MUFE, perhaps. They do great purples. Or Ardency Inn.
Other Bonnie agrees with you all 🙂 I think your concept for an. Icy Winter cool toned holiday collection would be a major hit Rachel. A 3 part major holiday set…. #dying. Bonnie that’s such a fun idea. I can see it appealing to so many people. I have to add I agree a purple set would make my purple lovin heart sing but it’s the eyeshadow Achilles heel. You’re right though Rachel I’d trust UD, MUFE or Ardency Inn to get it right. What about inglot anyone? I’ve been playing around on Beautylish making palettes but haven’t bought one yet. How do they handle purples? I don’t have a lot of hope since so many brands are great “except the purples”
I don’t own any Inglot (yet). From what I’ve seen on blogs and YouTube, Inglot’s purples look really good. I don’t have any first hand experience.
Ok Rachel whichever one of us tries the ingot purples first gives the other a review 🙂 Deal? And btw, I LOVE your hair!!! Was it just pulled back in your other picture or have you grown it out? Either way, it looks good. 🙂
BonnieBBon, it’s a deal!
Thanks for the compliments on my hair. I had it pulled into a little bun in my last picture. I keep it pulled back when it’s hot out. It’s about 3/4 of the way down my back, so it gets uncomfortable quick.
Count me in on the red/gold weary crowd….but it does seem like cooler shades are making a comeback!! I’m glad to see that many of the fall/holiday releases have lots of blues & greys, but would love to see a more…mature maybe? Rendition of these colors. 5-10 years ago, I would have been ALL OVER the UD Spectrum palette, but now, at 40, I just don’t see myself using those colors frequently. I would love to see more icy-themed palettes for the holidays–silvers, blues, whites–paired with cooler neutrals like greys, black, and cool brown. Lip colors could be similarly inspired–cooler pinks & plums, with a more silver or white base. Sigh. A cool-toned girl can dream…
I love the richer colors that are available.
My rant is that sometimes those shades are limited edition.
Rave: collections with beautiful packaging and a strong wintry/festive theme, luscious shades of berries and reds with accents of gold. Holiday sets with great values.
Rant: brands that release countless sets or palettes with poor value or boring shades, even worse, brands that offer sets with lower quality formulas than their permanent collections. Everything gold and glitter. Brands that do the same old stuff every year (Dior I’m looking at you!).
Most years previous to this one, I’ve been able to deal with it. But this particular year everything got released way TOO early! September? Really? And most if it has been pretty terrible in the quality and/ or creativity department. It’s as if many companies are just slapping the same old shades together and giving them different names. And just as they pulled that Vice LTD debacle last year, Urban Decay seems to be trying to pull that AGAIN with the Spectrum Palette! This year has let much wind out of my sales ( NOT a misprint! LoL)
I agree I really wanted the spectrum palette and they’ve made it a huge pain in the @$$ to get my hands on it. I just said f it and bought vice 4 and MJBs free spirit instead. For now. Ironically I wasn’t a VIB when it was a available to VIBs – but I am now and it’s unavailable!! Arg. I’ll still get it if I can probably but it’s really annoying how they try to be so exclusive to the point of frustrating their customer base.
This same shell game happened last year as well with their Vice LTD palette. I so verrry nearly bought my Vice LTD on Evil-Bay, when *poof*! It suddenly appeared at Ulta!
I love collections that allow me to really try out a product range (be it a good selection of eyeshadows in a specific formula or a “full face” type grouping that allows someone to try multiple products) BUT the collection has to be in the same quality range as the regular range.
Charllotte Tilbury caught me because her early collections where obviously their main line products put together in a lovely box. That’s how I knew I’d be getting a good representative of the regular product line instead of taking my chances on a limited edition, poorly formulated version of their products. I remember looking at the full face box (eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lip liner, lip stick, lip gloss) easily deciding on it plus a single foundation purchase and feeling secure that I’d gotten an excellent sampling of the full range.
I feel like product quality is really iffy a lot of the time, and value per oz or whatever measurement they’re going by can sometimes be better than the permanent line, and sometimes worse (I’m looking at you, Hourglass). I also feel like a lot of companies come out with the same thing- gold glitter, bright red lip, some form of highlight, etc. I feel like a lot of collections would benefit from having a smaller, more curated collection, that way there is less chance of a repeat each year. One way repeats could also be less common is if a more specific theme were chosen, and the items actually represented it (like ColourPop’s fall 90’s collection).
I have to say that I’m really opposed to how early collections are being released now. Sephora has a great sale in November, but by then all the good holiday stuff is sold out. I learned my lesson and purchase what I want as soon as it’s released. Unless it’s Philosophy body wash. You can get every single one of their holiday products dirt cheap after the holidays. Either it doesn’t sell or they produce millions of gallons of gingerbread body wash.
Companies pulling last minute tricks like the LORAC Mega Pro debacle of last year turns me off to a brand completely. I want to purchase your products, why won’t you let me?
Right??? Last year’s Lorac Mega Palette and UD Vice LTD debacles really left me feeling rather jaded and sour!
I’d like to put some things on my Christmas wish list, but by the time anybody goes gift shopping, the things I want will be sold out.
As for Philosophy body wash, some sets sell out very quickly, others don’t sell well at all. There are a couple of body wash sets that I wanted but didn’t get because Santa (aka my husband) waits until Dec. 23 to do his shopping.
I love sets that have great value too but to me it is sooo redundant year after year, unfortunately, and sometimes quality isn’t the same as the regular products. I would rather have smaller size of products but with the same quality!
I love quality, and mean time, quantity. As a makeup veteran, I have enough products and varieties to pull out a set for any occasion, even for travel set. So I don’t really want another “deluxe sample-sized” mascara that goes with some holiday set, but in reality, they dry out faster than normal ones. I don’t appreciate that when brands put bunch of samples together for “gift set”. I only buy it if it’s a rare limited edition so I don’t mind trying in small quantities. After all, sometimes deluxe samples can be given out for free. I won’t be paying for them in the names of holiday sets.
Holiday sets with deluxe samples are the best! Great way to try things out without paying full price. Just put them in a supercute or gorgeous packaging and I’m sold.
The endless red lipsticks dont do it for me. One Christmas I wore a juicy dark red lip and my parents asked me to tone it down a little.. We don’t celebrate the holidays a lot. Just some nice diner and one or two little gifts.
Rave: great value, lots of little extras, lots of choices in the market place
Rant: we don’t get them here in Australia, sometimes sub par products, boring colours (Tarte)
New and unique ideas. I agree that companies are getting very repetitive. Also, maybe a collection based off of a winter holiday besides just Christmas! I think it’d be lovely to see a collection inspired by the lights and joy of Hanukkah. Just an idea, but I think in the multi-cultural society that we live in, it’d be great to celebrate all of the winter holidays! Also, more attention needs to be payed to quality, definitely.
I’m coming around to the realization that I don’t really like sets or palettes – unless it’s perfume. Those are the only “mixed bag” sets that I always finish.
I wish brands would let us pick the deluxe samples, like a “choose 6 out of these 20 shades” deal. They could still do pre-set palettes with nice packaging for newbies, but most of us here already know how to pick and choose.
I understand why companies do traditional collections (neutral shadows, red lips, and gold shimmer) because they sell well. But why not have one “safe” kit that’s a guaranteed seller and have another kit that’s more creative, risky, edgier to showcase your skills and lure in people who want to try something different? It’s the best of both worlds. Instead companies keep issuing the same shades every year –if you’re new to that brand and haven’t tried it yet, that’s one thing, but it gets boring for prior customers
Some holiday sets are so awful in quality, even if the colors are beautiful. Every holiday set that I’m immediately drawn to is, inevitably, middling to terrible quality.
Honestly, enough palettes, already! I wish they would create e/s singles in unique shades just for holiday collections. Limited edition, yes, but I refuse to buy any more palettes. My last one was UD Naked Smokey and I’ve decided I’d rather buy single eyeshadows that I actually use. I understand they do palettes for gift-giving but a beautiful shade of irredescent deep green or burgundy eyeshadow also makes a lovely gift if it’s in special holiday packaging. JMO.
I am so over each brand coming out with multiple palettes.
Tarte and Too Faced both have 3 primarily eye palettes- and they are all so similar. Plus, most of the eye shadow shades are just renamed for the special palettes. Don’t get me wrong- I am a sucker for the cute holiday names, but why make/sell multiple palettes at the same time with the same colors in them?
I want to get my hands on everything that comes out during the holidays because of the great value, but I don’t want to purchase multiple of the same things. I love love loved the Too Faced La Belle Carousel last year, it was so unique and had a great mix of products.