Key takeaways
- The best gift sets pair complementary products that work both together and separately in your daily routine.
- Iconic shades like Black Honey and Pillow Talk inspire entire collections with multiple finishes and formulas.
- Travel-size sets from celebrity makeup artists like Gucci Westman bring professional techniques to everyday beauty.
The best holiday makeup gift sets move beyond throwing mismatched products into a box. They’re curated collections where each item has a purpose, whether the recipient is a minimalist who values a five-minute face or someone who wants to layer textures and experiment. Allure’s editors have tested these sets extensively, and many include limited-edition shades and award-winning formulas.
Five-minute routines for minimal beauty
When time is tight, a well-edited set delivers a complete look without excess.
Merit x Erdem: Color washes in minutes
The Merit x Erdem Eye and Cheek Gift Set brings together the brand’s minimalist philosophy with London fashion house Erdem’s romantic aesthetic. The collection includes two exclusive shades: Day Glow Highlighting Balm in Tulle (a rose-bronze shade) and a mini Flush Balm in Carnation (warm pink), alongside Solo Shadow Sheen in Mink (shimmery brown-gray) and a mini Clean Lash Mascara. Allure’s commerce editor Sarah Han notes that the silky formulas blend easily with fingertips, making application straightforward. Han tested the approach using a fluffy brush for more pigment payoff, describing the resulting satin, flushed finish as making cheeks look “scrumptious.” The shade range works across skin tones; Han also mentioned testing Le Bonbon (bright pink) and Rouge (sheer red).
Chanel: Eyes done in two steps
For days when only eyeliner and mascara make the cut, Chanel’s Expert Eyes Makeup Set covers both bases. It contains Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso (a deep brown pencil that resists smudging), La Base Mascara (a conditioning primer), and Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir. Allure’s commerce editor Sarah Han tested the mascara on naturally sparse lashes, reporting that it delivers volume from the first swipe without the spidery effect. The set also includes a knit-style white pouch designed for keeping through the holiday season.
Lip sets celebrating hero shades
When a single lipstick shade becomes iconic, a curated set offers multiple ways to wear it.
Violette_FR: Finish flexibility
The Violette_FR Bouche Duo Bêtise Edition celebrates the brand’s bestselling warm, rosy-berry shade in two finishes. Bisou Balm is a moisturizing lipstick-balm hybrid that delivers sheer color with a soft-focus, blurred matte look, ideal for the French-girl aesthetic. The Lip Nectar, which won Best of Beauty Award twice, combines hydration and shine of a lip oil with the richer pigment of a stain. Allure’s managing editor Alessandra Foresto tested the Lip Nectar and found it the most moisturizing lip stain she’d tried that doesn’t fade quickly. After breakfast, iced coffee, and sushi, it still maintained a shiny wash of color. She also flagged other shades in the range: Amarante Noire, Souci d’Automne, and the set’s included Bêtise. Allure’s commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann tested the Bisou Balm and credited it with finally delivering the French blurred lip look she’d been seeking. She noted that intentional messiness in application actually improves the result, as the pigment center and balm edges mix on lips.
YSL: Perfectly coordinated pink
YSL’s Iconic Pink Lip Gloss & Blush Gift Set pairs Make Me Blush in 44 Nude Lavallière with the matching Loveshine Lip Oil Stick. The blush comes in a sleek compact modeled after the fashion house’s signature clutches, with a silky, highly pigmented formula that blends effortlessly. The lipstick-oil hybrid is infused with botanical oils for smooth glide and creamy shine. Allure’s commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee tested the formula across shades and noted that the silky pigment goes a long way, blending out without worry of oversaturation.
Charlotte Tilbury: The Pillow Talk universe
The Pillow Talk Iconic Lip & Cheek Set brings together three hits built around the brand’s universally flattering pink-nude. Travel sizes include Matte Revolution Lipstick (creamy, long-lasting color), Lip Cheat Lip Liner (for definition and a fuller appearance), and Beauty Light Wand (a liquid highlighter-blush hybrid giving dewy, rosy flush). The set also comes in Pillow Talk Medium, a deeper, warmer berry-pink take. Allure’s senior director Lexi Herrick praised Matte Revolution as easily one of her favorite nude lipsticks, describing its versatility and warm, gentle way of highlighting features.
Complete looks in one set
Patrick Ta: Layered cheek textures
Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Double-Take Duo & Lip Balm arrives in two holiday-inspired options: Something Sweet (soft rosy pink blush with Vanilla Chai lip balm) or Something Spicy (warmer, spicier blush with Gingerbread Latte lip balm). The blush palettes pair a dewy cream with a matte powder that can be worn separately or layered for depth and dimension. Lip balms deliver sheer tint, glossy finish, and nourishing feel through plumping peptides and smoothing bakuchiol. Allure’s commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee tested the Something Sweet version and found the mauve-y pink unexpectedly flattering on her redness-prone skin. She appreciated layering the cream and powder for added dimension. The matching gloss made coordinating a complete look simple, and its thicker consistency proved helpful as weather grew cooler.
Westman Atelier: Red-carpet-ready in minis
Celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman’s Petite Party set brings four minis designed to get ready in minutes: Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Poppy (bright cherry for a healthy flush), Lit Up Highlight Stick in Toast (shimmery rosy-brown), Eye Love You Eye Pencil in Cendre (soft charcoal gray), and Eye Want You Mascara (for fuller, longer lashes). Allure’s senior director Lexi Herrick tested the Lit Up stick and credited it with lifting her cheekbones and smile, adding perfect dimension throughout the day. Westman is known for creating natural-looking makeup on stars including Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
The enduring power of Black Honey
Clinique’s Black Honey shade has been a beauty editor favorite for decades, and the 6-Piece Black Honey Deluxe Makeup Holiday Gift Set gives multiple ways to wear the sheer, berry-brown shade. The All About Shadow Octet Eye Shadow Palette features eight wearable shades from soft neutrals to rich, earthy tones inspired by Black Honey, Pink Honey, and Nude Honey. The set also includes High Impact Mascara and High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner (both in Black Honey, offering a softer brown alternative to black), the original Almost Lipstick (a balmy, no-mirror formula that enhances natural lip color), a matching Quickliner Lip Liner, and Pop Lip + Cheek Oil (a two-in-one formula giving lips and cheeks dewy tint). Allure’s managing editor Alessandra Foresto confirmed she’s part of the Black Honey cult; the formula is hydrating and glossy, which she reaches for when her lips are dry from extended wear of matte products. The color appears as a true berry on her, with sheer but buildable pigment. The formula won’t outlast a cup of coffee, requiring frequent reapplication.
Bold eyes and glossy lips
Not every occasion calls for subtlety. Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl Eye & Lip Gift Set assembles essentials for a statement look. The Fabulous Eyes Liquid Eyeliner draws sharp, precise lines without budging, while Fabulous Eyes Smudgeproof Mascara provides fullness and definition. Good Girl Gloss in 996 Luxe Plum completes the set, appearing violet in the tube but transforming to a berry tone on lips. The gloss is infused with hyaluronic acid and peppermint for fuller-looking lips and lasting hydration. Allure’s commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee tested both eye products on monolids with short lashes. She draws a thicker eyeliner line for visibility when her eyes open; this liquid formula glides smoothly without smudging across lids. The mascara’s big, fluffy brush catches nearly all her short hairs in one swipe, separating them for fuller appearance.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good makeup gift set?
According to Allure editors, the best sets pair complementary products that work both together and separately. Merit's collection blends with fingertips for quick application, while Violette_FR's duo offers sheer and bold options in the same shade. Each product should serve a clear purpose in your routine.
Which gift set is best for a five-minute routine?
Allure editors recommend Merit x Erdem for its silky formulas that blend easily with fingertips, or Chanel's Expert Eyes Set for those who only have time for eyes and lashes. Both deliver complete looks without excess products.
Are these sets good for trying new brands?
Yes. Travel-size collections from Gucci Westman and Patrick Ta let you experience professional makeup techniques at miniature scale. Clinique's Black Honey set and Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk range offer multiple ways to explore a single iconic shade before committing to full-size products.
