Eye makeup splurge
June 28, 2017 12:44 PM Subscribe
Someone I know has not been able to wear eye makeup for time but now can for [reason] and in order to celebrate [reason] I'd like to gift her a splurgey eye makeup related gift. Could be anything (consumable, tool) related to eye makeup. This person enjoys makeup as an almost-hobby and is familiar with brands, etc, but I most certainly am not. Is this doable or would I need to know more to get anything useful? Thank you!
I think a gift card to Sephora would be welcome and very much appreciated! I love the Urban Decay Naked Palette that brainmouse mentioned, but there are a few different options that depend on one's colouring.
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:49 PM on June 28, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:49 PM on June 28, 2017 [13 favorites]
A set of nice brushes like these.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 1:17 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 1:17 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Urban Decay Electric Palette is really fun. It's often paired with other palettes for a more "wearable" look.
posted by typify at 1:22 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by typify at 1:22 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Unless she's been unable to wear eye makeup for several years, she probably already has a Naked palette. Great brushes or a gift card would be my suggestion
posted by peppermind at 1:33 PM on June 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by peppermind at 1:33 PM on June 28, 2017 [6 favorites]
As a hobby level makeup wearer, I'd far rather have a gift certificate to either Sephora or Beautylish than a palette I may or not have chosen for myself - basically everyone who has dabbled at all in makeup in the last 5 years has the Naked Palette. I really like these Wayne Goss eye brushes if you want a more tangible physical gift.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [10 favorites]
If you don't know what they have, I would suggest either a Sephora gift card, or because they have such a great return policy, one of the better Sephora palettes. What is your price range? There are some gorgeous Natasha Denona palettes (the Star palette is $169, the Sunset palette is $129) that are gorgeous and highly rated.
If you're looking for something a little more... reasonable, the new Naked Heat palette was just released ($54). If she really is a makeup afficionado/a, then there is a good chance that they have the earlier iterations of the Naked series.
My favorite right now is the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette ($42).
Lots of the TooFaced palettes have added fragrances, so if there is any possibility of eye sensitivity, I would stay away from those.
posted by honeybee413 at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
If you're looking for something a little more... reasonable, the new Naked Heat palette was just released ($54). If she really is a makeup afficionado/a, then there is a good chance that they have the earlier iterations of the Naked series.
My favorite right now is the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette ($42).
Lots of the TooFaced palettes have added fragrances, so if there is any possibility of eye sensitivity, I would stay away from those.
posted by honeybee413 at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
The kat von d tattoo liner is a relatively new cult classic. I personally love the NARS or Laura mercier shadow/Cavier sticks, which isn't as committing as a whole palette.
Maybe some high end micellalar water or another nice make up remover and some eye cream could be another option.
posted by cakebatter at 1:56 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Maybe some high end micellalar water or another nice make up remover and some eye cream could be another option.
posted by cakebatter at 1:56 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so much! I'll be happy to hear more ideas but choosing a palette sounds great. In any case I can raid the bathroom and make sure she doesn't already have the one I pick - that's within my abilities here. [This is my wife, to clarify the non-creepiness of that]. Thanks again y'all!
She has a crappy job with a bullying boss and she said she cries at work so often that she doesn't dare to wear eye makeup anymore; new job starts Monday so, hooray!
posted by ftm at 2:01 PM on June 28, 2017 [32 favorites]
She has a crappy job with a bullying boss and she said she cries at work so often that she doesn't dare to wear eye makeup anymore; new job starts Monday so, hooray!
posted by ftm at 2:01 PM on June 28, 2017 [32 favorites]
Do you know if she uses/wants to use mascara? The Sephora Lashstash to go kit is a GREAT deal (5 huge mascara samples and a card to redeem for a full-size version of one of 'em) and you don't need to know her specific taste to gift it. It might make a particularly nice gift paired with a gift card.
posted by R a c h e l at 2:06 PM on June 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by R a c h e l at 2:06 PM on June 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
To add, if you're really unfamiliar with makeup: mascara is a thick black paint applied directly to the eyelashes. The tubes are usually long cylinders like this, if you're looking to see if she has any. People usually have high brand loyalty to mascara brands but many people I know enjoy the opportunity to try new ones (not always easy since tester or shared mascara carry an infection risk). Tubes are typically thrown away every 3-6 months or whenever they dry out, whichever comes first.
posted by R a c h e l at 2:09 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by R a c h e l at 2:09 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh yeah!! I second Rachel's idea. Birch is also has similar eye discovery kits with other products too, or you can get her a subscription where send 5 samples every month (which is awesome!)!
posted by cakebatter at 2:14 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cakebatter at 2:14 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
The tartlette In Bloom palette is gorgeous and beloved by many. I also agree about Naked Heat and anastasia Renaissance; they're super well known (so there will be a recognition moment) and gorgeous.
posted by stoneandstar at 2:50 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by stoneandstar at 2:50 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seconding a gift card because part of the pleasure of makeup is often picking it out.
posted by purple_bird at 2:57 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by purple_bird at 2:57 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Thirding Anastasia Modern Renaissance, was drooling over it in person the other day. One of the strengths of that palette its versatility: the warm hues work on every coloring, and come in a pleasing array of mattes and shimmers. The formula is luxurious and buttery, and the shadows are super-pigmented. As a makeup hobbyist with several palettes in rotation, my eyes are drawn to the colors "Love Letter" and "Venetian Red" - none of my other palettes have anything comparable, and I'm lusting after them.
I also third Rachel's idea; depending on your budget, I'd say go with both, if you're dead set on a material gift. But I also add my voice to the Gift Card Chorus, because there might be something in particular she has her heart set on the way I do the Anastasia palette.
posted by Devika at 3:30 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I also third Rachel's idea; depending on your budget, I'd say go with both, if you're dead set on a material gift. But I also add my voice to the Gift Card Chorus, because there might be something in particular she has her heart set on the way I do the Anastasia palette.
posted by Devika at 3:30 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hakuhodo Brushes. 221 eyeshadow brush. G5539 eyeshadow brush. Incredible brushes. If she's into makeup she'll most likely own the Naked palettes. If I were getting a gift I'd prefer brushes since they are so useful.
posted by SarahElizaP at 3:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by SarahElizaP at 3:36 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Oh, also depending on her level of hobbyism, she may or may not know the difference good brushes and eyeshadow primers can make; read the reviews on Sephora, but any number of their brush sets would do the trick. Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potions are a good bet on the primer front.
I can also vouch for the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner - if she has any frustration applying eyeliner and aspires to a really sharp, even wing (you'd know if she spends a lot of time in front of the mirror cursing and going back and forth between eyes that look basically the same to you), it's a godsend.
posted by Devika at 3:38 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I can also vouch for the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner - if she has any frustration applying eyeliner and aspires to a really sharp, even wing (you'd know if she spends a lot of time in front of the mirror cursing and going back and forth between eyes that look basically the same to you), it's a godsend.
posted by Devika at 3:38 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
My pie-in-the-sky, for-funsies, want-but-can't-justify-buying splurged eyeshadow brands are Natasha Denona and Viseart. Both are carried at Sephora, so a gift card generous enough for one of the larger palettes would be rad.
Brushes are a good idea too. Hakuhodo are excellent quality. Sigma brushes are mid-range but still good, and you can get an entire set.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:25 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Brushes are a good idea too. Hakuhodo are excellent quality. Sigma brushes are mid-range but still good, and you can get an entire set.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:25 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I will also recommend the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette if she doesn't already have it. It's the must-buy of the last year.
Personally, I'm always much more excited by palettes than by things like mascara (or brushes) that seem functional and not fun.
The brand-new Naked Heat palette is the only one of the Naked palettes that I would think would make a good gift for someone who has been into eye makeup for years -- the others are things you either already have or purposely didn't get (and the original is probably a little dated at this point). But I would definitely recommend the MR palette over it; the colors are in some cases similar but the MR set is more versatile (and neutral).
posted by lysimache at 4:49 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Personally, I'm always much more excited by palettes than by things like mascara (or brushes) that seem functional and not fun.
The brand-new Naked Heat palette is the only one of the Naked palettes that I would think would make a good gift for someone who has been into eye makeup for years -- the others are things you either already have or purposely didn't get (and the original is probably a little dated at this point). But I would definitely recommend the MR palette over it; the colors are in some cases similar but the MR set is more versatile (and neutral).
posted by lysimache at 4:49 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'll nth the Anastasia Modern Renaissance and second the Viseart palettes. Sephora only carries Viseart online so it can be hard to take that leap of faith on the price without seeing it in person but it really is buttery smooth awesomeness.
posted by rewil at 4:53 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by rewil at 4:53 PM on June 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
If you're able to raid your bathroom and see what she already has, can you take a photo of it all and share it here? We can do an inventory and make suggestions based on her current collection and past choices. :D
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:03 PM on June 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:03 PM on June 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
Are you all near a Sephora? I'm thirding the gift card idea. If you're not near a Sephora if you know what brands she has we could also probably recommend department stores or other stores that carry those lines. I think it's hard to pick make up for someone else unless you know exactly what they want. If the gc seems too impersonal you could always do something like lunch out + surprise shopping.
posted by oneear at 11:56 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by oneear at 11:56 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd get her a $50 Sephora card and book her a custom makeover so that the Beauty Advisor can show her nifty products that may be new to her. I like going for a makeover every once in a while because I'll find out about a new product, technique, or just have the chance to try out a trend or style that I don't feel comfortable experimenting with on my own.
posted by angelchrys at 10:41 AM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by angelchrys at 10:41 AM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Everyone's advice was awesome but I settled on (ebayed, overpriced) Naked Heat as there must be a reason people want it so bad, and I'm assured she doesn't already have it!
posted by ftm at 3:28 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by ftm at 3:28 PM on June 29, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 12:47 PM on June 28, 2017 [13 favorites]