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Sure, it’s still only October but the holiday season is here and all of these exciting launches are heading our way! This year, it seems like every brand and company is launching their collection(s) in multiple waves and – so far – it’s mostly the first wave that’s arrived. More will be launching in store at Mecca Maxima (and possibly Sephora as well) in the next few weeks!
I would have waited for everything to arrive before writing this guide but, considering how quickly things were gone last year, that doesn’t seem like it’d be helpful. Instead, here’s my 2019 Christmas Shopping Guide for Mecca and Sephora Australia with the information that I do have (I receive full press releases from Mecca so I have further information on their future releases but can only go by what I see in store for Sephora). I have split everything here into price points so that it’s easy to find ideas for what ever you budget is. Categories are:
You can either scroll down to view everything (and this is going to be a long post) or you can also click on the links below to go directly to that section. So, let’s kick into this!
Gifts Under $30
This is a great 8 piece set of under eye and lip masks for someone who loves to pamper themselves. The price point (breaking down to about AUD$3.75 each) isn’t too bad either!
This set is a bit more affordable and is suitable for people who want to brighten their skin! This contains two facial sheet masks and two eye gels – it’s a bit more expensive if you break it down by piece ($7 each) but it’s because of the type of masks included.
I love Frank Body products and they’re a great affordable gift that usually fits into Secret Santa budget too. You can get the Rose Gold Shimmer Scrub alone or this duo pack that also has an original coffee scrub.
For people that love lip glosses, these three mini glosses would be great for chucking into your bag. Getting a trio of colours gives good variety too.
If lip glosses aren’t your thing, Mecca Max also has these cute little liquid lipstick duos! They’re in a cute pack with wearable shades to suit plenty of skin tones.
Mecca Max – Giggle Gloss Mini Lip Ornament (Right)
(AUD$15 | NZD$17) – Available 30th October
For a smaller gift that is equally as pretty and exciting, they also launched both a mini illuminator or a mini gloss – in a Christmas ornament box. You can choose your gift depending what they (or you) prefer.
They released this eyeshadow quads last year too and these are so insanely well priced that they would be perfect as a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift. At just AUD$12 (that’s better than what I find in drugstores), it also comes in three wearable, neutral shades.
Too Faced – Better Than Sex Ornament (AUD$20 | NZD$22)
For another cute ornament/mini to include in secret santas or as stocking stuffers, definitely check out these from NARS and Too Faced. They’re well priced and, whilst I’m not personally a fan of Better Than Sex mascara, I am loving that NARS Lip Pencil!
These may be a dollar out of this category but they’re still a great gift or a chance to stock up on these blogger favourite facial mists in a great travel pack. I love these mists and keep them on my desk, so might be picking this up for myself.
The All Nighter spray is my ultimate favourite so these ornament sizes are a great way to try it out. This year you can pick up both the original and a brand new honey scent.
I have the original Stunna Lip Paint and it’s pretty stunning. Personally, I’ve never finished a liquid lipstick in my life though so this mini size (in a limited edition burgundy shade) would be perfect.
This limited edition set is great if you want to try out the brand or if you know someone to loves them (and is a lucky little jetsetter). The most affordable of the three, this one contains the pure Skin Facial Cleanser and the Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer.
Another alternative set, this contains the Ultra Repair Cream and the Ultra Repair Lip Therapy for super hydration care.
And finally, this set contains the Facial Radiance Pads (28 pads) and the Hello FAB Pores Be Gone Matte Primer.
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (and the Glowy Balm) are absolute favourites of mine and I literally cannot be without them. This set has a great price point and will definitely get someone converted.
Ole Henrikson – LOL Brightening Set (AUD$26)
I’m personally a fan of the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme so I’m pretty keen on trying out more from Ole Henrikson. Depending on your friend (or your) skin concerns, they have either a glow boosting or brightening set.
Gifts Under $55
I got the Mecca Max Highlighter Palette last year and bloody love it, so I always recommend people to check out their palettes. This face palette would be perfect for travel with six warm-neutral eyeshadows (matte and shimmer), a trio of blush/illuminator/bronzer and a nude lipgloss. It’s also perfect for any makeup beginners!
If you’re a little more advanced or want something a bit more than just neutrals, this palette gives you a good array of twenty shadows, a large bronzer, two blushes and an illuminator, as well as a gloss and liner. It’s got you set.
Colour fiends like me will be happy to know that they released a rainbow palette again this year and yes, I still want it. This palette contains wearable warm-neutrals and pops of colour in multiple finishes for endless options. The price point for this is great too – as is everything from Mecca Max.
The one that I would recommend above all would have to be their highlighting palette, because the one I got last year was amazing and super blinding. This contains three powders and three cream highlighters in varying strengths (a soft glow or a metallic strobing effect).
Frank Body – Scrub Heroes Kit (AUD$49.95 | NZD$55) – Available 28th October
There’s some great Frank Body sets out this year and, depending on your budget, they always have something suitable. Check out the Partners in Shine Kit, which contains the limited edition Rose Gold Shimmer Scrub and a Rose Gold Illuminator, or the Scrub Heroes Kit, which contains the original coffee scrub, the creamy face scrub and the caffeinated scalp scrub (which is my favourite product from them).
If you want glossy, full lips then differently check out the new lip plumpers from Urban Decay. I’ll be waiting for these to drop in stores because they look so pretty. It’s available in three shades: Honey, Cherry and Heat (to match each of their Naked palettes).
Urban Decay – Honey Gold Primer Potion Ornament (AUD$35 | NZD$39) – Available 1st October
Two very different products but both of these are some of my personal favourites – and with limited edition packaging, how can I say no? There is the set of four mini Vice lipsticks and the Honey Gold version of the cult-favourite Primer Potion (in an adorable ornament).
These two sleeping masks are definitely the hero products of the Glow Recipe brand and these two ‘mini’ sizes are the best way to try them out and see what works best for you. Collect them to suit different seasons or share with a friend. In my opinion, the Watermelon mask is best for oily skin and the Avocado mask is best for dry skin.
The Smashbox Photo Finish Primers are a solid best seller in their brand so this set is perfect for a beauty lover. Get it for yourself to test everything out or buy it for a Smashbox lover. This contains the Foundation Primer, Primerizer and the Primer Water.
These two shades were insanely popular in past years so it’s no surprise that they brought it back. These have a sweet gingerbread scent and a very comfortable formula that is also matte with opaque pigmentation. The Gingerbread Girl formula also contains a no-sting plumping ingredient.
This is an all-new, limited edition formula that is absolutely stunning real life. It has a full glitter bullet with a creamy metallic formula (which also contains a hint of glitter). To be honest, I’m hesitant because I don’t use metallic lipsticks but these are stunning and I kind of want to buy them just for the aesthetics.
If you haven’t got any of the Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows yet, then where have you been? These are positively the best liquid eyeshadows on the market and, since you’ll likely never finish a whole one, these travel size trios are great. I’m keen because all three of these shades are new and exclusive to this set – Forever, Infinite and Eternal.
These are considered some of the best lipsticks on the market and these duos are a great time to buy them (they’re usually AUD$55 for a single and then AUD$34 for a refill, so you’re essentially getting the refill for free). This duo contains ‘I Cherish’ (cool, pink nude) and ‘You Desire’ (a deep mulberry).
Becca – Your Glow-To Glow Primer, Highlighter & Lip Kit (AUD$52)
Becca also does some really cute make up sets around this time of the year. I’m especially interested in their lipstick kit this year because these shades are gorgeous and, when I swatched in store, also super smooth. If you want to try a range from them, check out the Glow-To Glow kit which contains a lipstick, a mini champagne pop highlighter and a photo filter primer.
I am so weak for Fenty and it’s taking a lot of self control not to buy this for myself (how long will I even last?) This is the second version of their Diamond Bomb highlighter in a holographic pink shade. I have the original Diamond Bomb and it’s so gorgeous and unique – I kind of want this just to keep collecting too!
Laneige – Water Wonderland Skincare Set (AUD$55)
Laneige is probably my favourite skincare brand and, for anyone who is new to them, I would highly recommend picking this up. if you’re gifting it, these sets for perfect for people who love k-beauty and want that Korean glass skin glow.
If you have a friend who is a lip fiend (or maybe you are the lipstick fiend), then this Sephora Favourite set would be perfect! it against a selection of lip products in varying formulas and you can choose from either a ‘bold’ red selection or a nude selection.
Gifts Under $100
If you’re a fan of Glow Recipe and want to try out some of their more ‘specialised’ products, then this would be a great set to check out. It contains their Pineapple-C Bright Serum, Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser and a cute little sample of the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask.
A lot of people love Drunk Elephant but they are an expensive investment if you’re not sure how they’ll work for you yet. These sets are a good chance to try something new and this one (which is their most affordable one) contains the Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream, A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream, B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum and the Slaai™ Make Up Melting Butter Cleanser. It’s perfect for gifting too because that packaging is gorgeous!
Summer Fridays launched at Mecca Maxima this year and, with three very different masks, it’s hard to choose what to try first. This set contains a trio of the three – the Jet Lag mask (full size) and then minis of the R+R Mask and the Overtime Mask. Perfect for those people who are just always on the go.
If you or someone you know is a make up beginner, this set from Mecca Max is a great way to kick start that collection (I wouldn’t recommend it for a seasoned beauty junkie though). It contains the Like Magic Illuminating Duo, Good Vibes Only Face Palette, Super Star Mini mascara, the Wild Side Eye Brush Quad and – of course – the ‘Ultimate Beauty Bag’.
Urban Decay – Heavy Dose All Nighter Duo (AUD$74 | NZD$81) – Available 30th October
For someone who is an Urban Decay addict, these two sets would be super exciting! The Hall of Fame Eye Set contains the Original Primer Potion, a 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, All Nighter Setting Spray and the Perversion Mascara (almost all my personal favourites). Alternatively, if you play favourites, there is also a duo set of the All Night Spray which is a great way to save money on a daily essential.
Admittedly, this is not a palette that I would ever buy for myself but it’s super cute, the packaging quality is great and it’s actually so impressive in real life. I’d definitely look into gifting this. It contains 20 gingerbread scent eyeshadows and five face shades, along with an exclusive lip gloss and deluxe sized Better Than Sex Mascara.
Too Faced followed up last year’s insanely popular Gingerbread palette with the new Gingerbread Extra Spicy palette. This contains a series of warm shades in both matte and metallic formulas are a wearable but bold look. Perfect for someone who likes neutrals and wants to play it up a little. (Ooh, and it’s scented!)
If you’re looking to gift someone who doesn’t already own a lot of make up, then one of these sets would be great to look into. Aside from the deluxe Better Than Sex Mascara, this set contains an eyeshadow palette, cheek palette and a highlight/contour duo.
This is a personal recommendation from me because I love the Covershot palettes for travel. This contains two eye palettes in Minimalist (which is my favourite basic neutral palette), Nova (new and exclusive) and also the three pan Star Bright Cheek Palette.
If I were only to get one item from the Hourglass holiday collection, then this quad would be it. This contains four of their super popular highlighting powders in a gorgeous limited edition ‘ghost’ packaging. It is pricey though, so you’ll be splurging on this.
NARS is most famous for their cheek palettes so, naturally, these trios caught my eye. The Star Scene palette contains two shimmery blushes (a candy pink and a raspberry shade) and a champagne highlight. The Hustle Palette, on the other hand, contains a pink and a peach blush paired with a gold highlighter.
Their Gloss Bomb has a cult following so this set is perfect in time for the holiday season Aside from Fu$$y (which is one of their best sellers aside from the original), this contains four all-new shades. The formula is super smooth and buttery on the lips – love it.
Ole Henrikson – O.M.G. (Oh My Glow) Brightening Set (AUD$79)
I personally had some great results from the Ole Henrikson C-Rush brightening Gel Creme and think these sets are a good opportunity to try out more from their range. There is the Brightening Set (which is what I would go for) or the Age-Fighting Set – both of which can be a great gift (to someone or yourself) depending on your skin concerns.
Brush sets are a great gift option for any make up lover (because, let’s be real, we can never get enough of these). A lot of the Tarte sets in the past have been overly gimmicky – and kind of very tacky too – but I actually really like the design of these! This contains a highlighting brush, a rounded powder brush, a large powder brush, a blending shadow brush and a flat shader brush.
I’ve been into the idea of stacks since seeing Melt and Kaja Beauty. I don’t own these (yet) but they seem so perfectly travel friendly. It would be great to share amongst friends by breaking up as individual stocking stuffers (or give someone a set – there’s no harm in that). Each stack contains a bronzer, blush and a highlighter.
Gifts Over $100
If you or someone you know is a Tatcha fan, then these sets would be amazing! The Little Luxuries Bento gives you a great range for the perfect canvas – make up lovers will adore this. It contains the Gold Spun Camellia Lip Balm, Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, The Silk Canvas, Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, Violet C Radiance Mask and The Silk Cream.
If you (or your gift recipient) are more about skincare and hydration, then look into this set instead. It has the same price point and contains a full size of the Water Cream and travel sizes of the Deep Cleanse and Satin Skin Mist.
Amongst all of these luxe Tatcha sets, this is actually their most ‘bougee’ but it has some of their most popular products. The Silk Treasures set which contains the Silk Cream, Silk Peony Eye Cream and the Silk Canvas for a ‘pure and poreless complexion’ (hypothetically – because being poreless is just not humanly feasible).
These Drunk Elephant sets this year are so cute and I’m loving this ‘shelfie’ concept. It looks incredible as a gift! There are two versions and this, which is a curated daytime routine, contains the C-Firma™ Day Serum, B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum, D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops, Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream and the C-Tango™ Multivitamin Eye Cream.
Following up the Day routine, this ‘Shelf-Control’ set is a curated night routine and contains the T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum, Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oilm C-Tango™ Multivitamin Eye Cream and the Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream.
Hourglass releases a new Lighting Edit six-pan palette every year and, of course, this year’s has the gorgeous ‘ghost edition’ packaging. It contains three new and exclusive shades, as well as three pre-existing best sellers. It is a splurge but if you love the Ambient Lighting Powders, then this is a great way to get them combined in one easy-to-use palette.
If you know someone who is dedicated to their brows or just loves Benefit brow products, then this is possibly the cutest set that they have ever releases. This is described as a total ‘blockbuster’ as contains six of their best selling products in full size; the Goof Proof Brow Pencil, Precisely My Brow Pencil, 24-HR Brow Setter, Gimme Brow+, Ka-BROW! cream-gel brow colour and the 3D BROWtones.
Wow! That was a majorly long post but hopefully it will help you out this holiday season when you’re gift shopping (or shopping for yourself). I’ll be doing more of these posts if I get more information about holiday releases so stay tuned and – of course – let me know what you end up getting!
With love,
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