How do you approach the holiday beauty collections?
I think of a lot of the sets and kits as for the more casual beauty lover – they’re often for someone who is either new to makeup or who hasn’t indulged in a lot of product releases during the year. I don’t expect a lot of originality, I guess, as a result. I look for higher value sets and kits or else something that’s lower investment but offers a good variety of shades (so a good way to try a lot without spending a lot).
— Christine
Time was that I would get really excited by the holiday sets but these days, I really am looking for additional value – really good value – coupled with products I will actually get good use from. Over the last few years, I’ve been less and less excited and I think it’s what you say, Christine – I’m no longer sort of “new” to makeup and looking to really fill out gaps in what I already own. In fact, there are very few gaps anymore, and that’s why I’m much calmer. It’s really only with skincare (brands/products I use regularly) that I’ll look to replenish or to put together some travel sizes that I’ll search for “value added” holiday skincare gift sets, and they’re not all that common at this time of year.
Time was that I would get really excited by the holiday sets but these days, I really am looking for additional value – really good value – coupled with products I will actually get good use from. Over the last few years, I’ve been less and less excited and I think it’s what you say, Christine – I’m no longer sort of “new” to makeup and looking to really fill out gaps in what I already own. In fact, there are very few gaps anymore, and that’s why I’m much calmer. It’s really only with skincare (brands/products I use regularly) that I’ll look to replenish or to put together some travel sizes that I’ll search for “value added” holiday skincare gift sets, and they’re not all that common at this time of year.
Honestly, I tend to stay away from holiday collections, mostly because they seem to be a regurgitation of what’s already out there in packaging that isn’t practical or massive, or just plain bulky, or so exorbitantly priced that it’s not worth it for me to purchase. My collection is well rounded enough that I don’t need any extra palettes, lippies, etc. around that I won’t use.
Agree, great time of year for casual beauty lovers who perhaps want a wider range of colour products to experiment. Whereas, me, I’m getting to that time of year where I start tuning out. It’s sensory overload.
I agree with your views/approach. I rarely pay attention to the holidays sets because they seem to be provide duplicate colors (or unnecessary/incompatible ones) that I already own or that are of no interest to me.
New personal motto: For Your Eyes Only…. Trying to engage the low buy perspective. That’s kind of easy, as much of holiday 2019 is totally predictable. tf, Tarte are true to form. All the Nars cheek palettes look exactly the same, from my non-pink, non-coral perspective. It is all so SAFE. And repetitive. And unoriginal. And narrow. Maybe not quite to boring, but close. Still plan some beauty holiday gifts, though. Those recipients do not have Temptalia level stashes, to be sure.
Cautiously. Very cautiously. I do not want any useless junk! For me to want it, it has to be something I know I will use often enough to justify buying it. Meaning that the shades, even in a multi-pack or palette are all ones that are flattering to my complexion and that I also truly love, or at least like. More than that, the quality needs to be present as the final deciding factor. I’m far more picky than one may guess, so there’s that, too.
I check them out to see if there’s a good gift pack with some stuff I need/want anyway (ie, if it’s about time to re-up on moisturizer or cleanser, maybe I can get a good value in a holiday set). When it comes to color cosmetics I really only get excited about the cute tins or double-sided lipsticks from Bite, and even then, I have to be careful that it’s not duplicating what I already have.
I will sometimes buy a set for a friend or family member who I know has a more modest makeup collection, if there’s a set that has products I really love and can vouch for, and think they would enjoy using.
These days, I have a ‘meh’ approach to holiday collections; there’s too many repetitive colours, too many brands competing with each other (which scrambles the brain even more), and therefore they’ve become as exciting as watching paint dry.
I look at them. Most are pretty “play it safe,” but occasionally something really special comes along, or there’s a nice deal on lipstick minis in shades or brands I don’t have, that kind of thing.
I pay more attention to indie brands’ special collections for winter/holidays. They tend to be more unique.
I approach the Holiday Beauty Collections with interest, seeing what would work for me or not. What I would like vs what I need. Usually these collections are not available here, or if they come, it will be in bits and pieces. Needless to say that the products I like the best are not included for purchase here. And the price is doubled if they are included. Quite often the shades included are not those that work for me.
The skincare sets are more attractive to me now and I like to see which is of the best value for my more mature skin.
75% of the offerings are not available for Europe. so it’s more about learning about new products or holy grails, than buying them for myself
I’ve been rather disappointed in recent years holiday palettes and such. I agree with your reasons. Also, and this wouldn’t just apply to holiday sets–sometimes the shades/pigments are not exactly the same as the same shade in the single version. Of course, this only happens sometimes.