10 Best Makeup Gift Sets to Upgrade Every Beauty Routine

14.11.2025, 16:15 allure.com

If you’re hunting for the best makeup gift sets to give this season, you’ve come to the right place. We found the ones that everyone—from beauty lovers to makeup minimalists—will reach for again and again. Think: universally flattering shades, fan-favorite formulas, and packaging so pretty that it basically wraps itself.

Whether they’re into bold eyes, glowy skin, or a five-minute routine that still looks polished, each pick below is packed with editor-approved favorites and classics—and, of course, a few Best of Beauty Award winners. Read on for the makeup kits and sets that make it impossible to mess up your holiday shopping.

Amazon

Merit

Sephora

r.e.m. beauty

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the r.e.m. beauty Wicked: For Good Makeup Set

Why it's worth it: Everyone deserves the chance to fly—and glow while doing it. Ariana Grande’s r.e.m. beauty Wicked: For Good channels her character Glinda’s energy from the Wicked movie into a collection that will truly have your makeup routine changed for good (sorry, we had to). Inside they’ll find the Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow in Bubble of Brilliance (a shade-shifting lavender with pink and blue chrome), Lip Liner in Toss Toss (a warm pink that defines and shapes), Glow Stick in I Come and Go by Bubble (a hydrating highlighter with a pink-lavender sheen), and Glossy Balm in Tap to Bubble (an iridescent pink with lavender and blue shimmer). If they’re all about sparkle and shine, this kit has them in spades.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

“Let me tell you, my eyeshadow and cheekbones were the talk of the town (read: the pick-up line at school) when I wore this makeup set the other day. I don’t shy away from shimmer on a normal day, but the glitter and shine in this kit? Next level. The eyeshadow, cheek balm, and lip gloss all have this shape-shifting, light-catching effect that looks mesmerizing from every angle. I didn’t have time to line my lips before sprinting out the door, but the lip liner is a gorgeous reddish rose that basically looks like my lips, just better. It's everything you need to channel your inner Glinda every day.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

What it includes

Merit

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Merit Flush Balm

Why it's worth it: In the length of time it takes to read this story, anyone could create a complete makeup look with the help of this kit. It’s no secret we’re huge fans of Merit’s minimalist aesthetic, but the brand offers more than gorgeous packaging. The Five Minute Morning set includes The Minimalist, a complexion stick that replaces both your foundation and concealer; Flush Balm (an Allure Best of Beauty winner) for a natural, lit-from-within glow; Shade Slick tinted lip oil for a wash of color and hydration; Brush No. 1 for seamless blending; Day Glow highlighting balm for that dewy sheen; Clean Lash tubing mascara for lifted, smudge-proof lashes; and Brow 1980 for soft, feathered definition. The best part is that you get to build your kit and choose the perfect shades for your giftee.

Tester feedback on the Merit Flush Balm from commerce editor Sarah Han

“TOO. CUTE. Amirite? Merit's pocket-purse-whatever-friendly Flush Balms are so easy to use because you can use your fingers to blend and diffuse them (hi, foolproof!) in, but I like picking up the pigment using a fluffy, dense brush for more color payoff. Speaking of color, the shade range is just chef's kiss. The 13 shades are divided into three categories: The Pops, The Neutrals, and The Classic Pinks, but no matter what you choose, you get a satin, flushed-from-within finish that makes your cheeks look scrumptious. I honestly forgot how easy these are to use, so I'm looking to play with Le Bonbon (a bright pink) and Rouge (a sheer red) next.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

What it includes

Benefit Cosmetics

Sephora

Kohl's

Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain

Why it’s worth it: If you’re shopping for the teen in your life, you don’t need to say more than “Benetint” (and yes, this Benefit Cosmetics I Spy Beauty 5-Piece Makeup Gift Set includes it). This lineup of the brand’s best-sellers makes it easy to create a natural, glowy look while blurring pores. They’ll find BadGal Bang! Mascara for lifted lashes, Willa and Hoola minis for a soft flush and sun-kissed bronze, and The Porefessional makeup primer (plus a Porefessional Deep Retreat clay mask sample) for smoother-looking skin. And, last but not least, Benetint adds the perfect rosy tint to lips and cheeks, while 24-HR Brow Setter keeps brows in place all day.

Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva

"I waited way too long to try this viral product, and it's viral for a reason. I use one coat on my lips and let it sit for about 15 seconds before wiping off the excess with a tissue. It gives the ideal pop of pink on my lips without looking like I'm wearing lipstick, and it's completely weightless with no sticky residue. My jaw was on the ground after my first use, as it looked so natural. On my cheeks, I do one to two coats for a perfectly flushed look with three dots across my cheekbone, then blend it out with a Beautyblender." —Kassidy Silva, social director

What it includes

Charlotte Tilbury

Amazon

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick applying the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

Why it’s worth it: The viral fame of Charlotte Tilbury’s signature soft pink-nude shade, Pillow Talk, all started with a single lipstick—and the internet hasn’t stopped talking since. Universally flattering and effortlessly wearable, the shade became a staple in practically every Allure editor’s bag. Naturally, Pillow Talk is now pretty much an empire, and the Pillow Talk Icons On the Go Kit captures her most-loved essentials in one chic set. It features Lip Cheat and Matte Revolution Lipstick for the perfect pink pout, Collagen Lip Bath for glossy, plumped lips, Pillow Talk Push-Up Lashes Mascara for major lift and volume, and Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow for a dreamy wash of shimmer. They can consider all their romantic holiday looks handled.

Tester feedback on the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick

"Pillow Talk is easily one of my all-time favorite nude lipsticks. It's a very versatile shade that looks amazing on so many people. I especially like the creamy application and the warm, gentle way it highlights my features." —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development

What it includes

Chanel

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Han applying using the Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

Why it’s worth it: When there’s no time for a full face, sometimes a little eye definition is all they need. The Chanel Eyes to Impress Makeup Set brings together three effortless essentials: a waterproof eyeliner in Espresso (a universally flattering deep brown that glides on seamlessly), a lash-conditioning primer that strengthens and preps, and Le Volume de Chanel in Noir for instantly longer lashes. And while the eye makeup more than earns its praise, it’s the limited-edition, star-inspired makeup bag that steals the show—a chic, celestial clutch that looks straight off the Chanel runway and doubles as a gift-worthy accessory all on its own.

Tester feedback on the Le Volume de Chanel Mascara from Han

"My itty-bitty lashes always need ample help, and Chanel Le Volume delivers noticeable volume from the very first swipe—and, importantly, doesn't make my lashes look overly spidery.” —Han, commerce editor

What it includes

Ilia

Revolve

Former Allure associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez applying the Ilia Multi-Stick

Why it’s worth it: If your giftee’s main makeup mood is all about keeping things fresh and simple—hello, new moms—the Ilia Minis for Any Mood set is made for the minimalist. It comes with three fan-favorites in travel-size minis: the Multi-Stick in Whisper (a soft pink-peach that blends seamlessly on cheeks or lips), the Limitless Lash Mascara in After Midnight (an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner that lifts and lengthens without clumps), and the Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon in Genre, a creamy mauve-pink that defines lips with a swipe. Together, they create a fresh, polished look that they can even pull off in the car.

Tester feedback on the Ilia Multi-Stick from former associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez

"This tiny but mighty twist-up Ilia Multi-Stick is called that for a reason. Acting as a three-in-one, I start my application with one swipe of product on my cheekbones, then dab a tint of color onto my eyelids and lips for an illuminating, glow-from-within flush that can easily be thrown in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups when necessary. I've been using Dreamer, a warm nude that gives a post-vacation illusion.” —Talia Gutierrez, former associate manager of special projects

What it includes

Bobbi Brown

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Lee applying the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer

Why it’s worth it: Bobbi Brown made the “no-makeup makeup” look a thing long before it was cool—and the Essentials Set is proof the brand still does it best. It all starts with the Vitamin Enriched Face Base, a Best of Beauty Award-winning primer-moisturizer hybrid our tester calls “the kind of formula that adapts to dry skin, tired skin, and everything in between—and that’s what makes it so good.” From there, you get everything needed for smooth application, defined eyes, dramatic lashes, a natural flush, and a high-shine lip: the Mini Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Moonstone, 24-Hour Kajal Eyeliner, Smokey Eye Mascara, Pot Rouge in Pink Flame, Mini Highlighting Powder in Pink Glow, and Crushed Oil-Infused Lip Gloss in New Romantic. It’s all their effortless glam essential in one (pretty pink) box.

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