The Friday Five – Best Beauty Gift Ideas under $50

How can Christmas be only 17 days away? You know I’m freaking out a bit. I mean, how can I possibly fit in all the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, school holiday shows, Christmas parties and drinking in just 17 days?

Ha! Who am I kidding? I’m drinking a glass of wine as I type, so totally do-able under duress.

But no worries, my friends. I am here to help you cross a few items off your Christmas list for that beauty addict friend and I PROMISE I will have a little something for everyone’s budget. Did I mention that all of these are under $50?

I got you, girl!

#5 – Soap and Glory Get a Smooth on Set ($7.99)

Now this one is a multi-tasker. I can envision this one as a stocking stuffer or possibly for that co-worker who likes to show some leg and wears skirts or dresses. Let’s not forget the teacher who is on her feet all day long and uses hand sanitizer like 500 times a day. She needs some moisturizer and, trust me, this Soap and Glory Set delivers. Flake Away will practically peel any layer of dead skin from your body (in a good way) and the Righteous Butter will add much needed moisture back. Did I also mention that you will smell like peach butter cream with this combo and how can that be wrong?

#4 – Maybelline Merry Minis Eyeshadow and Mascara Set (8.99)

Ok, I know we have all been there. You totally forgot about the Secret Santa gift exchange and your already on your way to work and don’t have time to go to the mall to pick up a present for your blue eyed co-worker. No worries. Just pull into the nearest Walmart or Walgreens and make a bee-line to the Maybelline display and grab a Merry Minis Eyeshadow and Mascara set. Not only do you get one of the cute little City Mini palettes with gorgeous warm shades of peach, pink and browns, but you also get a mini Colossal Volume Mascara. Perfect to keep in your purse to touch up your eye look before heading out to happy hour after work.

#3 – L’Oréal Infallible Metallic Eyeshadow Kit ($12.99)

Let’s say you have a lot of friends, but a small budget. That’s ok. I’m a firm believer that it’s quality, not quantity and not only will you be saving money by buying this set, but you will be giving the gift of a metallic eye look for the holidays. BONUS: Split the pack apart and pick up a bag of Peppermint Hershey Kisses and make goody bags to hand out to your besties while celebrating the holidays around some drinks and appetizers at your favorite local bar. Just tie a cute bow and you are done.

#2 – Estee Lauder 3 Piece After Hours The Nude Lip Gift Set ($32)

Yes, I know Kylie Cosmetics revolutionized the world with her lip kits and now everyone is jumping on the band wagon. GOOD FOR US because Estee Lauder has a gorgeous lip gift set that includes a full size lipstick and gloss and mini lip liner. This would be just perfect for that mom friend who is still using the same stubby little Nyx lip liner she bought before she had her first kid 5 years ago. Girlfriend, it’s time to move on and it’s your duty as her friend to help her take the first steps into investing in herself once again. I know first hand how quickly those little rugrats take over your life. The set comes in nude and red, but baby steps. Go for the nude and then transition to red.

#1 – Smashbox Drawn In Decked Out Shadow and Highlight 3 Piece Set ($39)

Much like Scenario #3, where you have loads of friends and a limited budget, yet you have a rep to protect because your friends are picky. Not that I’m poo-pooing L’Oréal in any way, but maybe these friends are all like “Eww…drugstore makeup” and even though you have told them how AWESOME Milani Matte lipsticks are, they are hardcore Sephora fans and only go to Walgreens to pick up cough medicine. That’s ok. We all have friends like that. I’m sure you like them for other reasons, right? Anyways, here comes Smashbox to save the day. They have come out with a holiday set that includes 1 buttery soft highlighter trio (the gold one in the middle is divine), 1 mini warm palette and 1 mini cool tone palette all with GORGEOUS packaging that will make your snobby selective friends shriek with delight. Just break the set apart, gently toss them in a cute gift bag and hand them out to your girlfriends over brunch.

BONUS: Macy’s is offering 15% of the above mentioned set from Estee Lauder and Smashbox. Just use code FRIEND at checkout.

Any other holiday sets that are worthy of a shout out? If so, leave them in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends.

Maritza