Holiday 2023 Shopping Advice Thread: What’s in Your Basket?

[TeamBIC]

Holiday 2023 Shopping Advice Thread

If shopping beauty is your passion, it’s your time to shine: the holiday season is here! And in our opinion, it’s never too early to start building that basket! Think of this thread as your ultimate resource for getting – and giving! – unbiased shopping advice for all your gifting needs this season. Or maybe you’re not quite ready to start making a dent in that gift list, and instead want to scoop up a few beauty steals for yourself! Either way, you’ve come to the right place to swap beauty recs, show off your shopping haul, and get help making those hard purchase decisions… and don’t forget to share all your glorious unboxings, swatches, and more! ❄

Reply below and let us know: What are you adding to your basket this holiday season? Be sure to tag any products you mention using the “#” sign!

[Vintagepink22]

Those Summer Friday lip balms constantly sell out.  How would you compare them to Laneige sleeping lip mask?   

[ILoveMyFinn]

summer fridays in my opinion, are more moisturizing, but the laniege last longer on your lips. i feel like they re pretty equal, and are both good in their own ways

[SportyGirly125]

@Vintagepink22 @They are different. The Laneige lip mask is thicker and tacky whereas the SF balm is more like the Laneige lip balm. Thinner consistency, great for everyday wear. 

[happyskincare]

I did my order today since it’s the last day a lot of debating what and what I do not want/need😅😅😅 I ended up getting the

LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask with Niacinamide & Squalane 2.3 oz/ 70 mL  LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm Gummy Bear LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C Gummy Bear, LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer 1.6 oz/ 50 mL , and some SEPHORA COLLECTION Cleansing + Exfoliating Wipes 

[CookieGirl1]

Looks like you have a fav brand @happyskincare 😉.

[happyskincare]

Yes definitely Laneige😅😅😅😅😅 

[itsfi]

Waited until the last day (today) to use the YAYGIFTING code. Here's what's "in progress" - 

@cianni, this is what I ended up picking up today. After our conversation about Dedcool, I added the sample of MILK to my cart. It'll be nice to have an extra to play with; I might see how it layers with non-Dedcool fragrances as well. 

Oribe Signature Style Hair Set and the Gucci Long Lasting Bold Lip Liner are purchases inspired by @heartsmyface. Since picking up and loving the Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift Effect & Glow Boosting Face Mask 2.5 oz / 75 g, I've been revisiting the brand's mask line and have gone back and forth abou the Clarins V-Facial Instant Depuffing Face Mask 2.5 oz/ 74 mL but wasn't super keen on picking up another full size mask. I also wanted to try the Clarins Double Serum Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Concentrate 

after seeing @AlexBT include it in her Monthly Favorites: November 2023 Edition❣️ This Clarins Anti-Aging Skincare Essentiels Set has mini sizes of both and the eye cream which I've heard good things about, so it felt like it needed to make its way here. And now it will. 😂  Even though I realized some other treats I wanted to pick up after I placed my order, I'm good with what I ended up getting. 

[makeitup305]

@itsfi I have Dedcool Xtra Milk and Taunt and love both. I haven't tried the original Milk, let me know what you think! Oribe is such a treat and I've had good experiences with Clarins as well. Enjoy everything!

[itsfi]

Thank you @makeitup305. I like the original Milk for layering, especially with Taunt. I picked up a travel size of Taunt and figued it would be nice to have this deluxe sample of Milk in case I am in the mood for layering scents. Both those fragrances seem to pair really well together. 

Oh, you've got me curious - which Clarins product(s) do you like?

[makeitup305]

@itsfi I haven't tried that much from Clarins and haven't repurchased anything, but I distinctly remember liking and noticing a difference with the Total Eye Lift Firming & Smoothing Eye Cream. I bought it during a 21 Days at Ulta for 50% off and used up the whole bottle. I remember seeing it on sale again and almost buying it but had like 3 other eye creams in my stash so I skipped it. It's definitely still on my radar, though. I've tried the Lip oil and one of the face serums (can't remember which, tbh) and those were fine but nothing I recall loving.

[cianni]

@makeitup305 @itsfi that eye cream sounds promising! I just about finished my Clarins Total Eye Contour Gel, and while I really did like it, I’m also interested in firming and smoothing for my eye area 

[makeitup305]

@cianni keep an eye out, it might go on sale at Ulta again during 21 days. I've seen it a couple of times. I'm currently using one I found on Costco lol It's the Replenix Enriched Eye Repair Cream. It's done a pretty good job I think. Unfortunately, I think it ended up at Costco because they repackaged and changed the formula, I think. I've been layering it over the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides 0.5 oz / 15 mL and alternating it with the TULA Skincare Eye Recharge + Replenish Pro-Ferm™ Overnight Eye Cream with Bakuchiol and Peptides 0.5... on days I want something richer.

[cianni]

@makeitup305 Thanks for the in depth response! Good to know how to layer - I’m always so wary of layering eye products for some reason. I feel like I’m going to overdo it in such a small space, but it really is one of my main areas of concern so I could be doing more 

[makeitup305]

@cianni the DE is more of serum so I need a little extra hydration, especially since it's a retinol. I haven't had any excessive dryness in that area, thankfully, or any issues with irritation.

[cianni]

@itsfi all great choices! I’m excited to hear your thoughts on the Ded Cool. I love that Clarins is really having a moment lately, I’ve had great luck with the products I’ve tried this past year (and looking forward to trying some of the BIC recommended ones I haven’t yet!)

[itsfi]

IKR @cianni? I feel like Clarins is one of those brands with well formulated and well performing products that flies under the radar (except perhaps with beauty editors, beauty sales associates, industry experts, or skincare ethusiasts). I'm happy to see it gaining some more (deserved) attention. Their skincare really has bee good and they've introduced some new products (or maybe just new to me) that check off a lot of boxes - great ingredients, excellent results. 

[shopping10]

1. scalp messenger 
2. midnight minis set 
3. bum bum cream 
4. bum bum cream
5. farmacy honey butter lip balm
6. watermelon glow ultra fine mist 
7. mascara 

[mileytoro]

Hey! Is anyone getting rid of unused makeup? Trying to get xmas presents for friends but having income trouble!! Lemme know😁

[MaddieB333]

A great option is to go on Mercari or eBay and look up the brand you want stuff from. There is usually some good deals. ❤

[cianni]

Not that I need to make any more purchases, but has anyone tried the Laura Mercier Glow and Go Forth Mini Tinted Moisturizer Blush Trio ?? I’ve had my eye on it, and it recently went on sale in Canada, so im thinking now may be the time….. I’m just on the fence about all the reviews about it being patchy