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Any beauty fanatic will tell you that receiving a gift set for the holidays is at the top of their wishlist. Honestly, who wouldn’t love a collection of best sellers from their favorite brands? Or have the chance to try out buzzy, new launches? (Yes, Kinship, we’re looking at you.) Ulta Beauty gave us a sneak peek at the latest sets to surprise your beauty friend (or gift yourself) for the festivities ahead. And don’t worry if you’re not sure where to get started, we tapped two PureWow editors to give their best recommendations on where to spend your money this year. From Fresh to Tarte, here are the 15 best Ulta Beauty gift sets to buy this holiday season.
RELATED: The 20 Best Beauty Advent Calendars for a Little Surprise and Delight This Holiday
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it? Let’s face it, TikTok constantly has us adding new and buzzy items to our carts. (We’re officially members of the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt club.) This internet favorite body care brand is offering their best-selling products in travel sizes and including a mini gold spoon (to keep your fingers mess-free). Everything comes in a vintage blue lunchbox (so you don’t have to worry about gift wrapping anything).
The products all focus on leaving your body (specifically your breasts and bottom) smooth, tight and firm, thanks to its vegan formula, which features shea butter, jojoba oil and aloe. We’re also fans of the vibrant packaging and the long lasting tropical scent. A post-shower massage? Don’t mind if we do.
Best for: The New Parent
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Gift the new parent in your life some ways to pamper themselves. Keys Soulcare (aka the skincare brand founded by Alicia Keys) put together what they’re calling “the perfect spa day wherever, whenever.” The holiday set includes a face mask, a body wash and hydrating cream to apply from head to toe.
Formulated with ingredients like manuka honey, shea butter and cocoa butter, each product has a silky-smooth texture and leaves your skin feeling baby soft. Add relaxing notes of sage and sandalwood and they’ll feel any tension melt away.
Best for: The Lip Gloss Collector
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Your BFF who is always rocking a glossy lip will appreciate this 14-shade collection from NYX. (Fine, I’m the “BFF.”) The Butter Lip Gloss is a cult favorite, so it makes sense to dedicate a whole limited edition set to them. In it, you’ll find full-size lippies in pink, red and nude tones.
Each gloss feels like a creamy treat on your lips and have sweet names like “Tiramisu” and “Ginger Snap”. 14 shades ensure limitless looks for any festivities ahead—whether it’s a casual hang with the fam or a full-on holiday soiree with friends.
Best for: The Lashes Queen
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Mascara is an essential part of a beauty maven’s makeup routine. Why not add to their beauty bag with not one, but three mascara options. This Tarte set includes three full-size (yes, full-size) bestsellers to cater to their lash needs. The “Lash Smoothie” acts as a mascara and a lash treatment, “Maneater” is all about volume, curl and length, and the “Lights, Camera, Lashes” is a 4-in1 that focuses on volume, length, curl and conditioning lashes for up to 24 hours.
I’ve tried the waterproof version of the “Lights, Camera, Lashes” mascara and loved it. I’m excited to try the other two formulas in the collection. Bonus: All three products are individually boxed, so you can pop them into any stocking for all your lash-loving friends.
Best for: The Makeup Beginner
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Any makeup beginner will be speechless when you give them this huge beauty box. The kit has everything they’ll need to practice and perfect all the YouTube tutorials in their queue. It has 36 (!) items that are conveniently stored in a two-tier golden box (mirror included).
Seriously, this holiday box has everything from the Ulta Beauty Collection for the eyes, lips and face. Whether they’re into neutrals or bold colors, liquid or powder blushes, the box offers a variety of makeup in plenty of different shades and textures—all for just $30. Plus, the reusable case is a dream. There’s plenty of room to store everything without cluttering up your dresser.
Best for: The Skincare Lover
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
The skincare lover in your life takes their routine very seriously, so it only makes sense to supply them with some new products to add to their rotation. The Best of Provence Discovery collection has all the essentials (i.e., oils, creams and serums) to soft, soothe and hydrate skin.
Honestly, any collection formulated with shea butter is a winner in my book. The hydrating ingredient has been shown to improve dryness and soothe irritation. Add sweet almond oil and immortelle essential oil to the mix and you’ve got yourself a soft, glowing complexion. (I also appreciate having travel-friendly options of L’Occitane’s best-selling products for half the price.)
Best for: a Stocking Stuffer
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
This cult favorite brand is gifting their most popular duo for the holidays. The Rose Face Mask and Sugar Face Polish would be a lovely surprise in any stocking and the snazzy packaging makes sure you don’t have to waste any wrapping paper. Both products are travel-size, so your cuzzo can take their skincare wherever they go.
As a gal with sensitive skin, this duo has been a staple in my winter routine. The Rose Face Mask’s key ingredient (rosewater) does a great job at soothing and toning my skin without leaving any redness or irritation behind. After ten minutes, I rinse it off and I swear I feel like a new person. As for the Sugar Face Polish, the brown sugar gently exfoliates any dead skin and makes my dry skin look plumped and feel hydrated for the rest of the day.
Best for: The K-Beauty Fan
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
K-beauty and skincare fans will love I Dew Care. The brand is all about making skincare fun, and their Vitamin To-Glow Pack certainly delivers. While we’re drawn to the fun packaging and punny names, the products pack a punch in the skincare department, too. The main ingredient—vitamin C—is found in the serum, cream and mask. Used together, they moisturize and brighten your skin considerably.
Best for: The Clean Beauty Devotee
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
In search of a clean beauty brand to try? Look no further than Bad Habit. This set includes a cleanser, a cleansing balm, a facial oil and a peel for comprehensive skincare routine. With no added chemicals or harsh toxins, the core fore products favor ingredients like aloe vera, matcha green tea and acai berry—to name a few—to moisturize, soften and calm the skin day and night.
“These Bad Habit skincare products make my routine feel more like a good habit (get it?). When I use the cleanser, my face feels cleaner and I feel more refreshed for the day ahead. The balm soothes my skin while wiping away any makeup. I also like to apply four to five drops of the Dewd Hemp Nourishing Facial Oil nightly to nourish and moisturize my skin. It soaks into my skin without clogging my pores or feeling heavy,” says Meraz.
Best for: The Skincare OG
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Mario Badescu is a brand that has stood the test of time. The OG skincare brand is loved by many—especially their iconic facial spray. Well, our holiday wish came true because this Meet the Mist collection is giving us four signature sprays and a newcomer that we’re just as excited about. The mini sprays boost your complexion and come with a cute green travel bag to match.
Meraz mists her face liberally every morning (and night) after applying any serums and before her moisturizer to lock in extra hydration. “It’s like I brought the spa experience into my home because it feels so luxurious and it smells so calming. And the smaller sizes make it easy to throw one in your bag for a quick refresher spritz during the day,” she adds.
Best for: The Skincare Beginner
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Your sibling doesn’t know where to start with their skincare routine? Kinship can help. Their holiday set comes with a cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and exfoliating pads. While it works on all skin types, it’s especially effective for people with acne-prone skin. All the products are formulated with jojoba oil, glycolic acid, manuka honey and coconut water to clarify and brighten skin without clogging pores.
“I was excited to test this set out because of their commitment to clean and cruelty-free products. After the first application, I noticed that my skin felt soft and incredibly hydrated. While I don’t struggle with chronic acne, I do get occasional flare-ups and I loved the cooling effect of the Insta Swipe AHA pads. And there’s no better feeling than seeing the dirt and grime build-up leave your face and come off on the cotton pad instead. But the standout product for me is the Supermello gel cream moisturizer. After using this product, I noticed my skin felt softer than ever. Luckily, you don’t have to choose which product to get since the set includes both—and their bestselling cleanser and sunscreen,” says Meraz.
Best for: Sensitive Skin Beauties
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
This First Aid Beauty kit is great for anyone with sensitive, troubled skin. The holiday gift set features the brand’s best selling products like the Facial Radiance Pads and the KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub so you get gentle relief without irritation. Plus, you can’t beat getting five products at half the price.
“Let me start by saying I swear by First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub. I’ve struggled with keratosis pilaris for several years now, and nothing ever seemed to stop the bumps from getting worse. Once I found this scrub, it changed everything and I will continue to use it forever. It has a 10 percent blend of AHAs (like glycolic and lactic acid), which are known to prevent breakouts and bumps. I also find that my skin feels even smoother when I follow up with the Ultra Repair Cream. The main ingredient—colloidal oatmeal—feels instantly calming and locks in moisture after one application,” says Meraz.
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Listen, you're never too old for sleepovers. Gift the squad a 5-piece mask kit for the next spa party. With five different picks that target different skincare concerns (i.e., dryness, dullness and breakouts), there’s a mask for everyone.
According to Meraz, “There’s no harsh chemicals in the masks, so I’ve been able to have fun with all of them, knowing that my face won’t be stripped of its natural oils or cause any damage my skin. I love the variety and being able to choose which mask to use based on how I want to treat my face that day. Plus, the fragrances are just the right amount of fruity without having that over-the-top nauseating effect.”
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it?
Your roommate (ya know, the one who’s always binge-watching Netflix at 2 in the morning) will appreciate a nice skincare set to counteract her sleepless nights. The hydrating bundle comes in a festive box and includes a mini cleanser, eye cream and sleeping mask, as well as one full-size moisturizer to plump their skin, so it looks more dewy and fresh (and not so…sleep-deprived).
As Meraz explains, “I’ve never found more reliable products for my skincare routine than Belif’s. Yup, they’ve become the most trustworthy products in my cabinet. The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb keeps me glowing all day and creates the smoothest canvas for my makeup. I also love to apply the Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask at night, especially during the fall and winter months. Top it all off with the Moisturizing Eye Bomb, and no joke, it’ll feel like you’ve just walked out of getting the best facial.”
Best for: Hello Kitty Fans
What’s in it:
Why are we recommending it? Calling all Hello Kitty Fans: Wet n Wild teamed up with Little Twin Stars to create a collection of makeup goodies that will bring a smile to your face. From glosses to brushes, this 20-piece collection includes enough variety for any makeup-obsessed person in your life.
Meraz’s favorite pick from the entire set? The Cotton Candy Clouds palette. “While I normally stick to matte neutrals for an everyday look, I’ve found this limited-edition palette to be fun and daring. I always find it difficult to find eyeshadows that are super pigmented (especially on first application), but this one takes the cake! Each color packs on so smoothly and the shimmers stay sparkly all day. It’s the perfect addition to any makeup collection,” she says.
RELATED: The 12 Best Holiday Beauty Sets to Gift...or Keep for Yourself
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