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Makeup gift sets are the unsung hero of gift giving when you have friends who love (or want to love) makeup. They work for all makeup styles, even the no-makeup fan, and all skill levels. These curated collections of makeup products usually share a theme. Some themes you’ll commonly see include collections of product types (like eyeshadow palettes), makeup brush sets, or full face collections.
Do you have a friend who likes ultra glam looks? There are makeup brush sets and airbrush makeup kits for that. Shopping for a minimalist who wears only mascara? It might be time to check out the best makeup products on the market right now. Do you know someone who is always on the go? Lighted makeup mirrors are an absolute must.
There are so many options, but the best way to pick one is to think about who you’re buying from. Before you shop, ask yourself how your friend normally wears makeup. Bold lipstick wearers, for example, would probably love a collection of lipsticks from their favorite brand. Meanwhile, your co-worker with sky-high lashes might be looking for a new mascara to try. And if your friend is just diving into the world of makeup, then full collections might be the answer, advises Gaby Trujillo, founder of Alamar Cosmetics.
“There are a lot of kits on the market,” says Trujillo. “Some websites even offer prepackaged kits with a curated selection of products, great for beginners who might be overwhelmed with having to shop and refill their kits slowly.”
You might also want to think about how the person you’re shopping for applies their makeup. Some are suitable for travel and some are best for home use. “I’m looking for something that’s packaged in black or packaging that can be wiped clean, since I’m constantly on the go,” says Stephanie Flor, a makeup artist based in New York City. “That wouldn’t be the priority for a regular consumer who might want something pretty and sparkly since they’re going to be putting it on their vanity table.”
Regardless of who you’re shopping for, makeup kits offer an effortless avenue to discover new products or snap up a collection of your favorites. And they’re especially useful if you’re looking to be more budget-conscious this holiday gift-giving season. “Buying kits or bundles means you’ll get more for your money,” says Nyssa Green, an Emmy-winning makeup artist based in Atlanta.
Below, find the best 14 makeup kits to buy right now. You’re sure to find a functional yet impactful beauty gift that works for any woman on your Christmas list—and something for you, too.
Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set
The best eye makeup kit
Mac Cosmetics is known for high-performance formulas with an impressive range of shades — stock up on some of the brand’s products and you’ll feel like a makeup artist. The Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set gives you everything you need to add oomph to your eyes. The eyeshadow palette features a beautiful array of shades (earthy green, rich burgundy, shimmery creme, to name a few) that you can dust onto lids or pack in with a dense brush for added intensity. The included lengthening mascara and kohl eyeliner accentuate those shades.
Courtesy of Mac Cosmetics
Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Planner Collection
The best travel makeup kit
Trish McEvoy’s iconic makeup planners are investment pieces for your prep routine. The kit contains everything you need for a glam-filled face or a subtle no-makeup look. You will receive a set of brand bestsellers. For the eyes, you can even out lids with a neutralizing primer, blend on a rich purple liner, enliven lashes with mascara, and choose from three eyeshadows. You’ll also get liquid face makeup to even out any dark spots or breakouts, bronzer to warm up your complexion, plus blush, highlighter, and finishing powder. You will also have your lips covered with gloss, lipstick and lip liner. And the entire set packs away into an organizer for easy travel.
Courtesy of Trish McEvoy
Ucanbe 60 Colors Nude Eyeshadow Palette and 15pcs Makeup Brush Set
Best set of eyeshadows and brushes
Refresh your eye makeup routine with Ucanbe eyeshadow palette and brush set. The included 60 powder eyeshadow shades in a range of matte and shimmer finishes to work with, and you also get 15 brushes to perfect your application. The shadows include warm and cool undertones to suit any skin tone and eye look, whether you’re going for an icy, bold lid or something bronzed and natural. The brushes are available in a range of sizes and bristle densities to allow you to further customize your look.
Courtesy of Amazon
Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush and Highlighter Trio
The best portable makeup kit
The Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter Trio is small enough to fit in your pocket, yet versatile enough to give you plenty of makeup looks. Each powder formula offers buildable color payoff, and the trio is available in three shade intensities to match fair to deep skin tones. Shades look gorgeous on lids instead of shadow, so you can work the colors in different ways.
Courtesy of Kaja
Westman Atelier The weekend set
The best clean makeup kit
Makeup artist Gucci Westman counts celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway as clients, so you can expect nothing less than the best with her makeup line, Westman Atelier. The brand’s Weekend Set includes the best-selling stick highlighter and stick blush, as well as a pressed cream highlighter. Together, the products will leave your complexion sun-kissed and super hydrated—the formulas are made with skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil for a natural-looking glow.
Courtesy of Atelier Westman
Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette
The best lip makeup kit
This Maybelline New York Lip Studio lip color palette gives you eight creamy colors to glide across your smile. The shades look gorgeous on their own, but you can also mix multiple shades to create a signature shade that’s perfect for your skin tone. From hot pink to deep dark plum, you can work the colors any time of day, any time of year. Dab colors with your fingertips for a soft, diffused pop of color or use a small brush for a bolder color payoff.
Courtesy of Maybelline
BS-Mall 14 Pieces Makeup Brush Set
The best makeup brush kit
There’s nothing like a new set of makeup brushes to inspire you to try new looks, and this BS-Mall set contains 14 options for face, eyes and lips. The synthetic bristles are extremely soft on the skin and smooth on cream and powder formulas without leaving streaks. If you’re on the fence, the proof is in the product reviews: This kit has over 80,000 five-star ratings attesting to the brushes’ durability and quality.
Courtesy of Amazon
Makeup Forever HD Face Essentials Palette
Makeup Forever is the benchmark for complexion products. Her items are aimed primarily at professionals, but are also a favorite for casual makeup enthusiasts. The Essential Palette expertly puts buildable blush and foundation in one place. If you want that airbrush makeup kit look, this palette is for you. “This is a must-have for makeup artists,” says Flor. “And it’s an easy way to create a natural beauty look for any runway or photo shoot.”
Courtesy of Makeup Forever
Senna Cosmetics Eyebrow Book Makeup Kit
Senna Cosmetics has a very deep history. Its founder, Eugenia Weston, has worked with beauty icons such as Bette Midler and was the first licensed makeup artist in Los Angeles. This Brow Book Palette has all the brow colors you could ever want and the incredible wax keeps brows perfectly in place no matter the weather or the weather. “It’s the go-to book for all brows,” says Flor. “I love that the founder is the original brow guru, having worked with Betty Middler and other iconic superstars.”
Courtesy of Senna Cosmetics
