Getting your holiday shopping done early? Well if you’re a savvy shopper (like me), you’ll take full advantage of the Sephora VIB sale, happening this weekend, starting today (November 13-16). (You unlock VIB status once you spend $350 in a calendar year. Unfortunately I haven’t heard anything about there being a sale for BI members though..). Sephora holds this sale every holiday season and it’s one of the biggest shopping events of the year for me (if not the biggest one). Although I may not need to purchase any makeup, there’s usually at least one item I absolutely need to pick up (it’s also a great time for get some gifts).

Anyways, if you haven’t been in Sephora yet, you are missing out. There are so many amazing collections and items out there that it’s hard to leave the store without wanting at least one item (or in my case, all the items). I have received some of them already, but if you are looking for something more affordable, the Sephora brand has some great stuff that would make fantastic gifts.

Sephora Collection Gift-A-Gloss Lip Gloss Sampler

This wheel of glosses (C$35) includes eight individually packed lip glosses that you can gift as-is or break them up to split amongst all your friends. The shades range from nudes to berries in a mixture of creams and shimmers.

I’ve always been a fan of Sephora glosses, in fact the very first item I ever bought from the store was a gloss (from the Mall of America location – it was probably the only thing I could afford at the time, being a pre-teen). These guys are full of colour and very comfortable to wear.

Sephora Winter Soiree Quick Pin Hair Barrette

Who doesn’t love hair accessories? Especially during the holiday season.. This uber-cute barrette would look so cute for any holiday-party look. The rose gold and leather detail make this the perfect accessory to jazz up your hair, day or night, plus if you picked up the Tarte Off The Cuff blush palette from last year’s holiday collection, this matches perfectly.

Unfortunately, this guy is no longer on Sephora’s website, but look for it in stores!

Formula X Alchemy II nail polish

Looking for the perfect holiday glitter? This rose gold sparkly polish is the perfect accessory to match your new hair pin and makeup brushes (see below). Plus it’s a fantastic dupe for Deborah Lippmann’s Superstar (but way more affordable).

Sephora Collection Be Spotted The Escaper Bag 

Also from the same collection, this small cosmetic bag (C$18) would make the perfect stocking stuffer, or cute bag to house more holiday goodies (like the nail polish)!

I have a few of these bags already from past collections and find them great for throwing in your purse or travelling with. The size is very versatile too.  Plus, who can resist that rose gold leopard-print pattern (literally everything I love in life wrapped up into one irresistible makeup bag).

Sephora Kiss the Moon lip gloss

Need a gift that will double as a stocking stuffer and a tree ornament? Look no further than this cute gloss shaped like a Christmas ornament.  This universal pink gloss (C$6) enhances lips, making them luscious and plump. It comes in a delightful Christmas ball ornament packaging that you can hang from your tree or give to a friend. Keep in mind this guy is pretty small, but that makes it perfect to throw in your Escaper bag as an extra bonus gift.

Formula X Bottle Service

For the girl who loves to party, Sephora’s Formula X line has the perfect gift for you.  Complete in a faux champagne bottle (so very holiday appropriate) this set has 10 minis of their popular nail polish formula. Complete with five new limited-edition crème and shimmers and five best-selling classics, even if you don’t love the colours (these probably wouldn’t be my first choice of shades – but that’s just me. With that being said, they are all classic colours), who could resist this set?!

Sephora usually releases a Formula X set for the holiday season and this one is so much better than last year’s offering, which had a million of those little one-use polishes that looked cool, but were a mess to apply.  This guy is unfortunately not on Sephora’s website anymore, but look for it in store!

Sephora Sleeping Mask Discovery Set

With winter comes dry skin, so this is the perfect way to keep skin in tip-top shape. Gift it as a set, keep it for yourself, or break them up and give them individually. Included are six single-use sleeping masks targeting skin’s major problems. The set includes Green Tea (mattifying and anti-blemish; a non-oily jelly), Ginseng (toning and firming; a refreshing jelly), Honey (nourishing and balancing; a comfort cream), Rose (ultra moisturizing and brightening; a melting gel cream), Lotus (moisturizing and soothing; refreshing jelly), and Pearl (perfecting and brightening; melting gel cream).

Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set

When I saw this in store a week or so back, I just about died. And then when they sent it to me, I went to heaven. This gorgeous set includes six brushes with a glittery brush stand.  Included is a blush brush, pointed foundation brush, blending brush, pointed concealer brush, all-over shadow brush, and a lip brush.

Overall, I think I own all these brush already since they seem to repeat brushes a lot in their sets, but for me, this set is not about the brushes.  Can we just talk about that stand?! The glitter, the rose gold… this set is perfection and would look gorgeous on anyone’s vanity. If you choose one thing to buy from the VIB sale, this is it people. Pick this one up. Best of all, that 20 per cent will really make a difference in the C$85 price tag (valued at $225!)

Formula X Clix! sets

Matte nails? Check. Strengthening? Check. Brightening? Yup, that too. These cute little sets from Sephora Formula X come in a variety of different prescriptions for your nails.

• All the Matters – Lock up the best-selling classics that matter. Featuring iconic White Matter, Dark Matter, and Grey Matter, plus Mind Over Matter, a mattifying top coat that takes your finish from glossy to matte.
• The Strengthening Prescription – A four-piece nail treatment collection designed to help strengthen, brighten, and hydrate nails in four simple steps—all encased in a revolutionary and convenient CLIX! quad.  This set restores weak or gel-damaged nails.
• The Brightening Prescription – Made to eliminate stains, neutralize discoloration, and fight yellowing while instantly brightening nails with a sheer wash of high-shine colour.
• The Look – Comprised of two polishes, a neutral shade and a glitter top coat to add some extra dazzle.. only if you want it.

There are also a number of other Clix! sets available from Formula X. Since they are so small and affordable, they make great stocking stuffers. And, who doesn’t love nail gifts?!

Crazy to think this is only the tip of the iceberg for holiday sets from Sephora, and we didn’t even get into the other brands the store has to offer (another blog post for another day). The Sephora brand usually has pretty affordable items, so there really is a gift for any price point, plus with the VIB 20 per cent off, who can say no to any of this stuff!?

What’s on your Sephora VIB wish list?

Please note, product sent by PR, all opinions are my own.

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

• The sweetest gifts! Holiday gift ideas from Benefit
• Fresh-faced beauty: skincare gift sets
• Made to go: Sephora mini holiday sets
• Paint the town: Sephora Formula X Paint Party