A fresh start: Five skincare sets to gift this holiday season

Guys, we are down to the wire here.

So you may be a little lost on what to get some people on your list. That’s okay, because I’m here to give you a little tip: skincare is always a good idea.

I’ve chatted a little on here about skincare gift ideas already, but there’s so many different options out there and at various price points. Want something more affordable? I have you covered? Looking to splurge? Say no more!

So let’s dive in, shall we?

Holiday skincare sets from Burt's Bees, Ole Henriksen, and Drunk Elephant

Burt’s Bees Naturally Soft Hands Set

Clean beauty has quickly been gaining speed lately, so if you have a friend that is into natural skincare and beauty products, then take a look at what Burt’s Bees has to offer.

The brand has so many gift sets available this season, but since winter means dry skin and hands, then the Naturally Soft Hands Set (C$19.97) is a great idea.

This gift set includes a 3.2 oz. Hand Repair Cream, a .30 oz. tin of Hand Salve, a .30 oz. tin of Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, and a tube of the 100 per cent natural Beeswax moisturizing lip balm.

All the ingredients in these products are made with natural ingredients without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS. They also don’t do animal testing and are a cruelty-free brand.

At only $20 this is the perfect set to gift since I truly believe that anyone could benefit from this (hand cream and lip balm, yes please!). Best of all, you’ll have enough cash left over to pick up some other goodies as well.

Burt’s Bees Essentials Travel Kit

For the frequent flyer, take a look at the Burt’s Bees Essentials Travel Kit (C$14.97), which includes travel sizes of the White Tea Cleansing Facial Towelettes (set of 10), the Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream (.75 oz. tube), Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (.6 oz. tin), and a tube of the Ultra Conditioning Moisturizing Lip Balm (full size).

I love what the brand included in this set as these are all travel essentials. Throw the makeup wipes and cleanser in your skincare bag, and the lip balm and cuticle cream in your purse for moisture on the go.

There are a variety of other Burt’s Bees sets available for the holidays as well. Best of all, they all come in beautiful packaging, so you can just throw them in a gift bag with some tissue on top and call it a day.

Ole Henrikson sets for the holidays 2018

Ole Henriksen Glow Brightly Set

If your bestie’s skin is in need of a little pick me up, take a look at the Ole Henriksen Glow Brightly set, which includes four bestsellers (C$60, C$109 value; sold out online but still may be available in your local Sephora store).

Included in this bright set are a 30 ml of the Truth Serum, a 7 ml of the Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme, 7 ml Banana Bright Eye Cream, and 15 ml of the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme.

The Truth Serum (regular C$60 for the same size at Sephora) helps to brighten and firm skin, as well as deliver all-day hydration. Pair it with the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme, which gives your skin hydration and targets fine lines and wrinkles.  For the eyes, apply the Banana Bright Eye Creme, which is inspired by banana powders and illuminates the under eye area.  Finally, before bed, use the Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme, which has AHAs and bakuchiol, which is a natural retinol alternative, to target fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, all the while hydrating skin while you sleep.

I think the value on this set is amazing since the 30 ml of the Truth Serum is the price of this set alone. If you can still find it at your local store, scoop it up (and maybe an extra set for yourself as well).

Ole Henriksen Makeup Your Glow

The perfect stocking stuffer (and such an amazing deal!), the Ole Henriksen Makeup Your Glow set includes a Wonderfeel Double Cleanser and Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer.

This set retails for $15 USD (so probably around $20-something Canadian) and is a great price for Ole Henriksen products. The Wonderfeel Double Cleanser comes in a 60 ml size (the 100 ml size retails for C$39 at Sephora), is a lightweight facial cleanser that gently removes makeup and deep cleanses the face in one step thanks to olive and borage seed oils and black currant extract. Also included in this two-piece set, you get a 15 ml of the Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer (the same size retails for $15 at Sephora), which is an oil-free moisturizer that hydrates, evens tone, and smooths skin texture. Best of all, since these products are under 100 ml, they are TSA safe for that winter getaway!

Drunk Elephant Agent Ellie Kit

Drunk Elephant Agent Ellie kit

This last set is one of my favourites this season since it’s such a fun theme.

The Agent Ellie kit includes a full-size (30 ml) of the C-Firma Day Serum, as well as four travel-size deluxe samples of Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 (15 ml), Protini Polypeptide Cream (15 ml), B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum (8 ml), and the Shaba Complex Eye Serum (5 ml).

I chatted about the C-Firma previously on here, and since it’s so expensive to pick up by itself, if you can still find this kit, then I would grab it (it’s sold out on Sephora online and on Drunk Elephant’s website). This kit retails for C$110 (the C-Firma alone is C$100), so for an extra C$10 you can grab four other deluxe samples of Drunk Elephant products (I’ve used both the Protini and the Shaba Complex Eye Serum and love them!).

The C-Firma serum is a potent vitamin C serum contains a powerful antioxidant complex, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes to work together to firm and brighten the skin. I’ll be keeping this one for myself and I can’t wait to use the other products when I travel since I’m always on the lookout for minis of my favourite skincare products.

I save the best part of this kit for last. It also includes an acrylic magnifying glass and six playing cards, where you’re supposed to search for ingredients in your current beauty routine for the six suspects listed on the cards.  It’s totally hokey, but it’s a fun little way to make the kit more interactive.

Skincare is always in season, so no matter which kit you gift this year I’m sure your recipient will absolutely adore it.

Are you gifting any skincare sets this season?

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