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To Me, From Me: 10 Beauty Gifts I’m Treating Myself to This Holiday Season

In between shopping for everyone else.

Written by Deanna Pai

November 22, 2022

While the holiday shopping rush usually prioritizes others — parents, siblings, significant others — it’s also a prime time to pick up a few things for yourself. Not only do holiday gift sets and kits offer amazing value, for one, but it’s also worth being a little generous with yourself once in a while. This year, the pickings are especially good, with seasonal sets and everyday standbys alike. They’ve even given me, a beauty writer with over a decade of experience, a reason to get excited, offering everything I need to get my makeup, skin, and hair-care game on point both for holiday parties now — and for the new year ahead. With that in mind, here’s what I’m most excited for.

The Littles Kit

The Littles Kit

While I usually spend the night before a flight sifting through the various minis I've collected over the years, it's not the best use of time — which is why I'll be opting for this smart set instead. It covers both by morning and evening skin-care routines, down to the SPF. That way, I can just toss in my lens solution and toothbrush and call it a day, keeping pre-travel stress to a minimum.

America's Most Wanted Kit

America's Most Wanted Kit

This adorable kit has all my skin-care needs covered — and it comes in a cool pink train case which I appreciate for storage purposes. The six-piece set includes some of Truly’s top sellers, including their Acai Your Boobies Firm & Tighten Boob Polish (can’t wait to try!) and their Unicorn Fruit Whipped Body Butter, both of which are loaded with skin-loving ingredients. Oh, and can we just note how cute their Super Heart Blemish Patches are?

Gilded Glamour Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Wardrobe

Gilded Glamour Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Wardrobe

Behold: two extra large eye shadow palettes with a beautiful mix of both matte and shimmer shades. There’s a whopping 36 long-wear shadows in total, all of which are buttery, pigment-packed, and seamless to blend. Need I say more?

Airwrap Multi-Styler - Complete Long

Airwrap Multi-Styler - Complete Long

It appears that the Airwrap does live up to the hype. And while I'm usually a die-hard air-dryer, heat-styling is a necessary evil in the winter, during which my wavy hair would otherwise ice over. And the Airwrap — with its gentle, airflow-powered heat application and unmatched smoothing abilities — makes the prospect of daily styling far more appealing.

Holiday '22 Nail Lacquer Mini 25 Piece Advent Calendar

Holiday '22 Nail Lacquer Mini 25 Piece Advent Calendar

I’m a serious sucker for classic Advent Calendar packaging — not to mention mini nail polish bottles — so this set from OPI is a no-brainer. It comes with 25 stunning shades, ranging from everyday neutrals to bold brights and festive shimmers. My manicure game will be set all season.

Limited Edition Frost Your Face Set

Real Techniques

Limited Edition Frost Your Face Set

It’s been a minute since I’ve invested in some quality brushes, so when I saw this gorgeous set — in all of its hot pink glory — I immediately had to have it. As you can see, the limited-edition kit comes with 12 highly versatile brushes, as well as two beauty sponges, so you’re completely set no matter what type of makeup look you’re hoping to achieve.

Limited Edition Holiday Butter Lip Gloss Vault

NYX Professional Makeup

Limited Edition Holiday Butter Lip Gloss Vault

Cue me completely swooning over this limited-edition holiday lip set featuring none other than the brand’s best-selling Butter Glosses, which — dare I say it? — is one of the best gloss formulas I’ve ever tried in all my time as a beauty editor. There’s 14 ultra-flattering shades to choose from, all of which have that famous super-shiny, yet non-sticky finish. Definitely don’t sleep on this one.

Cloud Gift Set

How dreamy is this fragrance set from Ariana Grande, though? The pop star’s beautifully-packaged, retro-inspired perfume gift set includes not only the fan-favorite Cloud fragrance in two sizes, but also a bath and shower gel, too. It’s the perfect trio, if you ask me.

Hair Repair Treatment Kit

Hair Repair Treatment Kit

It’s no secret that Olaplex is the epitome of luxury hair treatments, so if you’re someone with chronically fried hair like me, this premium set makes for an excellent gift-yourself moment.

So Sweet Exfoliating Facial Scrub Trio

So Sweet Exfoliating Facial Scrub Trio

Tula is already one of my favorite skin-care brands available at Ulta Beauty, so when I came across this awsome limited-edition holiday set featuring three seasonally-inspired sugar scrubs — again — I just simply had to have it. If you’re a fan of gentle physical exfoliation (and cute packaging), definitely consider treating yourself to this one.