Watch my Sephora Gift Sets 2024 mini reviews! th-cam.com/play/PLUxvXK32lsx3DSds5ZHS-LXzNMuPkOC1v.html ➡ PRODUCTS FEATURED Beauty Advent Calendars (that you don't need) shopmy.us/collections/920969 Sephora Favorites Gift Sets 2024 shopmy.us/collections/921001 Chanel Holiday 2024 Gift Sets shopmy.us/collections/914521 Pat Mcgrath Labs Luminous Legends: Mega Eye Shadow Palette: go.shopmy.us/p-8951277 Shop more of my favorite products here: shopmy.us/sofiaseesbeauty Some of my links may be affiliate which means that I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you. Please consider supporting my channel by shopping through my links. Thank you for your support! ➡ ON MY LIPS RMS BEAUTY | Legendary Lip Oil - Lily: go.shopmy.us/p-8948007 (use code: sofiaseesbeauty20 for 20% off) ➡ ON MY FACE IT COSMETICS | Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ - Fair Light: go.shopmy.us/p-8947944 HOURGLASS | Vanish Airbrush Concealer - Silk: go.shopmy.us/p-8947956 GUCCI | Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder - 01: go.shopmy.us/p-8947961 RARE BEAUTY | Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - Grateful: go.shopmy.us/p-8947979 RMS BEAUTY | Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow - Strobe: go.shopmy.us/p-8947992 (use code: sofiaseesbeauty20 for 20% off) HOURGLASS | Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara: go.shopmy.us/p-8948002 ➡ MY NECKLACES My Herringbone Chain Necklace: go.shopmy.us/p-8948428 (use code: SOFIA-30 for 30% off) Large Chain Necklace: go.shopmy.us/p-8948429 (use code: SOFIA-30 for 30% off) Shop more of my favorite products here: shopmy.us/sofiaseesbeauty
Sofia, so appreciate your honesty in this video. The feeling that comes over us with the holiday collections, the advent calendars, holiday kits with minis starting as early as August is so true. It’s so easy to get caught up in it and I’m glad you’re here to point it out with these videos and the short videos on the Sephora kits. Thank you & keep these videos coming!! 😊❤️
As a beauty creator I want to say that I have never purchased any advent calendar. They are not only full of minis but with some brands/sites with things nobody buys and they try selling them like that.
I really appreciate your candor. It helps sometimes to put things in perspective. There's ALWAYS another sale and when I make it to August, very few things get my money until the sephora sale and black friday. Your content holds me over😂
You are right on about the holiday products selling right now. I appreciate the fact that you alerted us to the downside of buying some of these now. Thank you!
Thank you for addressing the Chanel drama! People putting chains on it ect and trying to sell them at 3x the price. People look pathetic wearing these. Relellers really ruin things for other people!
I’m so glad Chanel added “Beaute” to the bag logo this year. Most of the sets are still available for purchase at many different retailers weeks after release. Either Chanel made more stock or resellers can’t market these the way they used to. I hate resellers!
Very well said Sofia. Consumption is not Christmas. Period. I can remember me gifting my Mom the Estee Lauder gift or Lancome gift years ago. They were nice and it felt special. Now I feel holiday sets aren't good quality! I treated myself to an Hourglass pallette this year and I feel done.😂 I do look at sets and think well that would be nice to have...and I say Carrie. Go Home. Save for something you really want❤❤
I got a Chanel gift set as I’ve been wanting to try the skin care products offered. The cute makeup bag was just a plus. I know I would get use out of the products unlike the mini kits from Sephora. Thanks for the video.
Love your point about gift giving. This will sound grinch-y but years ago my family decided to stop giving Christmas gifts except for the children. Still get together, visit, have a great meal. Well, the kids are all grown and I haven't bought a Christmas gift in like 15 years. Absolutely no holiday stress, well except maybe dealing with the crazy relative for the evening.
Never understood the Advent Calendar hype. My pet peeve with holiday beauty is that almost every lipstick is some form of Red - hey, how about a vibrant fuchsia (still very holiday, for those of us who do not wear red). Rant over and thank you 😁
I’m seeing fuchsia lippies this season. I have one from Chanel and love it. I would also look at Guerlain (I know, I know, we all know about their switcharoo with the cases). Both of these brands are good quality and have the color you want (at least a couple of the Guerlain colors meet the fuchsia criteria).
I never understood the appeal of advent calendars because majority of the products are not only minis but also products I’ve never thought to purchase before. Also, I your funky nails always bring me so much joy and I love to see what you do. They’re always so cute! I love that they’re spooky Halloween nails while we’re talking about holidays 😅
I'll get me a chocolate Advent Calendar! I will say that everyone I've seen review the Pat McGrath holiday palette has really liked it and were happy it was Italian formula (at least the big one, not sure about the smaller ones, people have been disappointed in the duos). I hate the packaging, not that it's carboard just the design of it is a little busy for me, and I don't need it so I wasn't tempted (I got Roxa instead)
Ok I loved this video. And totally agree! I am on my summer break most of the time in Greece when I see Christmas releases and it just feels out of place. Then even when I go back to London it all feels weird as some stuff already sold out. By the time Christmas comes this is “old makeup” 😂. Anyway, I don’t like the hype and not getting more than 1-2 releases this year (not Holiday ones really!). I do feel that there is a bit of caution when creators are offering such great perspectives though, specifically about insulting a part of population who want to follow the hype. Please never worry about expressing your views, it’s calling out reality. If people think that there are no sales tactics followed by commercial companies then it’s not right. Thanks for the pov!
My inner Grinch loves a good roast!!! Last year I watched the Sisley Advent calendar & bought it Dec. 22 at 40% off. I'm going to do the same this year....people aren't buying and I bet there will be deals on the good ones.
Everything you mentioned is 100% on point. Agree with it all. And a product that keeps showing up in all of these Sephora sets is Milk blush in Werk. Great color…but I don’t need 3 of them that pop up in a few different sets (for example, a winter holiday set and then it shows up again in a set for Mother’s day or another holiday). One Werk blush will last me a lifetime!😮
Omg- this made me think of the SNL Christmas Candle sketch with Emma Stone that lives rent free in my brain...especially the line "And when you give the candle, that is all that she needs. Don't pair it with a lotion or some lame little cream. A lot of people think two gifts are better than one, but that just makes each gift seem smaller and dumb!" th-cam.com/video/_L5Xkb78KxY/w-d-xo.html
I agree on the Chanel gfting. They are over-hyped. However, the skincare ones are amazing. The large travel size pouches with the skin care is worth the money!
Totally agree with you about beauty advent calendars. I might the Bark Box one for my dogs, but I’ve never bought a beauty one. They are a complete waste of money, since they are mostly samples and colors I wouldn’t use.
Agree 💯: most of these holiday sets are complete gimmicks. An exception I think is that Chanel lip gloss set. The shades are gorgeous! It's a great gift for someone less experienced with makeup, since lip gloss is so easy to use. I'm sure your cousin loves it! I'm gifting my teen niece the Tarte 25th Anniversary eyeshadow palette. It has so many fun shades - I think she's going to love it! 🎁
Fun video! I think the early holiday releases have had the opposite of the intended effect on me. I feel burnt out and nothing much is impressing or exciting me. I’m not in holiday mode yet. I bought the Hourglass Dragon and Evil Eye palettes when I found a great deal and haven’t picked up anything else and don’t plan to. I’m really enjoying both palettes and just don’t feel like I want anything else.
You're so spot on - the hard truths! 😂I don't understand advent calendars - I don't celebrate Christmas so I'm not counting down to anything. I don't want to pay for samples so for me, they just aren't worth it. The Chanel holiday sets are great gifts because they look like "enough" - whereas for someone who doesn't buy expensive makeup, a fancy lipstick on its own just never will because the recipient won't know the pricing so it just seems like you have to keep adding to the gift to make it seem more valuable.
@@SofiaSeesBeautyExactly - Chanel is recognizable as "luxury" so the gift is always impressive even if you know nothing about makeup or even luxury brands. It works! 😉
I appreciate your thoughts on this viral holiday beauty, Sofia! You made some excellent points and I, for one, agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for your insightful video. Everyone should watch this.
I love it when you rant! I was so livid when I purchased an Elemis advent calendar last year and only one item was full size! 🤬 Every other product was sample size! That meant I paid three times the amount for that one full sized item! Never again! Send me samples but don’t pretty them up and charge me for them!
Every year I yearn for the Guerlain advent calendar but I always pass on them. This years is so gorgeous but at $720...be passing on it once again...sadly 😢 ✨️💙🐝💙🌙💙❄️💙✨️
In the Chanel Europe website you not only pay the full price for the products in a gift set, you actually pay a little extra for the makeup bag. Buying the products individually would be cheaper than buying the set. It is not great value for money and therefore these are an easy pass for me personally.
I never understand the appeal of the advent calendars. Some of the Sephora sets are great! I always get the Lash Stash sets for my daughter and nieces. Good way to try mascaras and then you get the coupon for a full size one. Definitely worth it!
Great video and agree with many of the points you brought up. I am hardly tempted by the gift sets or advent calendars precisely because they are mostly minis (although there are some with full sizes for a few of the items) and also contain products or colours I am not interested. It more sense to just pay for the item I really want instead, even if it has to be at full price.
I totally agree on the advent calendars. They are generally a ripoff. A few years ago I bought the one from By Terry. In January. With a big discount. That was definitely worth it, it had actually a lot of good and good-sized products in it. But I would never buy a regular one for these crazy prices!
I also do the same, I wait for January for them to be heavily discounted and even then I only buy if I am interested to try 90% of the products. But this year all the calendars are so expensive and most of them just offer samples that I get for free with my makeup orders that I won't buy any no matter how low the price will be.
I never pay full price for my makeup. I can still, with some research, find limited releases from Chanel and Dior with a substancial discount. It all comes down to being able not suffer fromthe fear that just because sth is limited/exclusive it will sell out everywhere. It may do so at major stores but not at the smaller ones.
If you are going to do an advent calendar, don’t do a brand specific one. I like Cult Beauty, Harrods, and SpaceNK. They don’t have just samples/minis.
Im the grinch year around because I’m critical, honest and realistic! 😂 If I want to buy something everyday that I desire that adds value to my life, I will. But it won’t be freebie samples I never think of on the daily lol Even if my man wanted to buy me a 600$ advent, I’d ask for the cash instead 👸🏼 I love these vids of yours. Keep EM COMING👹👹👹👹
I have a theory, the early releases of holiday items are for one a money grab but two/on the other hand I appreciate it because then if I’m sending out gifts then I can buy them, wrap them and send them in time. Just a thought as someone who lives in the country no where near stores like Nordstrom, Neiman’s, Saks, Chanel, etc. I rely heavily on shipping and it’s been taking longer and longer to receive my items and also to ship them. Just a devils advocate thought. Otherwise, I agree with you.
I think social media kinda ruined advent calendars, because I think the point of them is to be gifted rather than to be bought for oneself. Also I love that, as you say, every year holiday makeup seems to come earlier lol I LOVE christmas and don't care for halloween so the sooner I get to feel festive the better. But I completely get how it can be annoying to some
I think the advent calendars are great for content creation because then we can almost do like a mini haul every day. But a lot of them get gifted to the influencers ;)
Great video as always Sofia🙌❤️I never buy advent calendar for myself cause I have enough makeup and beauty products that I buy during the year. But I buy gift sets or advent calendars as a gifts for friends and relatives who don’t have any makeup but they want to try something from the brand. I have a question for you Sofia how to get perfume samples from Dior?? I don’t have any Dior stores near me. My local mall(Lloyd center in Portland OR)has closed almost all boutique stores in the last 10 years and the mall itself ran out of business last year. It’s really difficult for me to get any samples now. And usually I’m not big fan of Dior. The only thing I love is fragrances. If you please can make a video about how to get free samples from Dior for example it would be helpful. 🙏🏻🙌❤️
Good question! You need to order from their website and then they let you select the samples as free gifts during checkout. If you don't have anything from them that you want to buy, I would suggest calling them to see if they can send some to you. I would try those first!
I can't confirm as someone that actually tries them that Tarte downgrades the quality for holidays. Much of their holiday offerings are plain sets of their bestsellers for good pricing. In some cases you get limited shades but it's guaranteed the same product in the same formula. The specially designed products like face palettes or eye palettes are 70% of the time in existing formulas, the rest is new formulas introduced like the first large Maneater palette that had high shine foiled shimmers (although they had actually been used in a limited smaller palette most people missed before) that have since been used in a number of other palettes. Then they had cream blush formulas or liquids introduced another time. But they usually become permanent. The packaging might be not everyone's taste as it could be cardboard or lighter plastic. But Tarte has always done that since the beginning and not just for the holidays.
Love your business brain, Sofia! I made a pre-sale trip to Sephora today to check out the colors on some of the specials. The Westman Atelier blushes that were in the Christmas trio seemed nice, but I felt one of the colors I would never wear. That made the deal questionable for me. After hearing you talk about Merit lipsticks, however, I checked out the trio gift set. All three seemed to be great colors, so I might pick that up in the Sephora sale. Speaking of the Sephora sale, I’ve gotten several emails indicating I could share my 20% discount with one other person. I asked about it when in the store, and the long time SAs didn’t seem to know anything about it, so this must be a new thing. You can apparently refer one person for a single use code to get the 20% off. The dates are different as well. I think it is operational now and ends 11/4.
I totally agree on the Advent calendars! The whole holiday releases coming out so early is another. I’ve found myself picking up more than I really need or can afford which is exactly why they are doing this. No more this year!
amen on the advent calendars! at those prices i’d rather buy a polene or demellier bag that i can use for years instead of a bunch of mini makeup products that won’t even last a year. if i want the full-sized products in a calendar, i’d just buy them on their own. and because i’m not a complete scrooge, i’d get a tea or chocolate or coffee advent calendar for that daily dopamine hit.
I love this side of you 😂. I refuse to waste money on those advent calendars. As it is most of the free samples I get end up in the trash so why in the world would I pay for them to throw them out. I’d much rather buy the exact item I want/need. It’s very annoying that they are releasing earlier and earlier every year. The good stuff is already sold out by the time I start shopping for other people and it’s a hard NO for those Chanel sets.
I don’t like them either: too expensive, not ecological packaging and more than a half of products is not my taste anyway, I won’t use it; so basically it is garbage
Ummm…. I buy overpriced Chanel skincare, and they give those pouches for free for vip customers of Chanel Beauty. So, basically those are free pouches given to customers. It’s not even that hard to get for free😅 Also, the beauty launches for Holiday are late for countries that don’t do Christmas gifts for everyone, like East Asia. For instance, we don’t get the Dior holiday until next week in South Korea.
These phony-ass influencers don't even care whether the product they're advertising is crap or quality - they only want you to buy it for their kickbacks. That's why I love your content - you're authentic and probably exactly like this in real life! Personally, I'll stick to the chocolate advent calendars 😏
No shade but saying Pat McGrath's line isn't luxury enough because it's using cardboard packaging is a bit weird. They've used cardboard/paper packaging since they launched. Hell, some of their all-time hits-the highlighter trios, six-pan palettes, the whole Bridgerton collection-were also in cardboard. I can understand some of the complaints against her brand but it feels like the goalposts keep moving and everyone's a little too eager to pile on when it comes to dissing her. And for the record, there is nothing bad or downgraded about the formula used in the holiday palettes. Not everyone can afford to get a Mothership palette or even wants the special shades so this provides an option.
You are correct, she did launch her brand with cheap packaging. However, she quickly realized that consumers didn't want to pay that price for cheap packaging so she upgraded. Then we judged her again when the packaging went to cardboard and the pan sizes got smaller, etc. You are also correct in saying that some of her more popular releases are the downgraded versions. That's what I am getting at here. She's not focusing on me and my demographic, she's choosing to go more mainstream (and younger) with her brand and if that works for her that's fine. If you take a look at the Trendmood post, it's full of people complaining about this holiday release and wishing for a mothership. But on Tiktok the teenagers are raving about the shadows. It's not bad makeup, it's just not luxury to me and the demographic that I represent. I'd prefer a smaller and better packaged seasonal collection
Wish they would give us the best price for these products so we don't need to wait for a sale. Also, agree, don't buy these sets or advent calendars use your $ on the items you actually want/need.
I totally agree! We can't enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving because of all the holiday hype in cosmetics and skin care. Really it is in just about all consumer products. They get earlier and earlier with holiday promotion.
I agree with everything you said. And, if I wasn't so tired I could add to it. But tell me, Sofia dear, how do I get a deal on Hermes? I'd like to try their eye shadow palettes. I have a couple in mind. Your favorite for starters. Thanks for the video!💚
40 yrs ago we would look forward to holiday makeup they would have 1 beautiful makeup box it would be plastic with everything in it. It would cost 75.00 to 150.00 dollars. But now we keep getting release after release one right after another you get overwhelmed like deer in headlights and say poo nor purchasing anything
This WAS entertaining 😂😂😂😂😂😂and also very very true, Sofia!!!!👏👏🤩🤩🤩🤩Advent calendars: purchased a gorgeous one from Chantecaille 2 years ago, and really used everything. I purchased last year an advent calender with only skincare from Barbara Sturm, but it was a nice deal, and i used everything. Gonna do that again, no. Enough Barbara Sturm stuff still. And i refuse to pay full price for EU stuff anyway. Well, some products, like the very good Chanel concealer in that stupid jar, that one is attached with glue to that Chanel EU website 🙃 but no, i wait until products come here in NL at Douglas or ICI Paris, they always have reduction, almost every week they have a 20 pct action. It's annoying they don't have reduction than on Cle de Peau, for instance, but, there is Niche Beauty in Hamburg, Germany, Sofia, they have almost every week a 20 pct off action. Or Space, or Cult. More brands that messed up the holiday collection, yes, of course Hourglass with their covers and Chanel with their overdone hysteric glittery and too big palettes, a big no. The little Chanel bags with stuff, maybe a present idea, but not for myself. Sephora: no Sephora here in The Netherlands, sometimes Sephora France but i do not purchase there a lot. And i learned new English words Sofia, FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out and the shop TJMaxx did not know the existance, sorry if it sounds stupid. But Chantecaille is still my favorite brand, not that i support any animal from here, but they are my most purchased brand, skincare most, but also makeup. I love to see salty video's from you, Sofia, thanks, enjoy your day!!!😘😘😘😘
Some of the Chanel and Dior gift sets in the past were actually MORE expensive than the individual products so you did also pay for the pouch 😂which is pretty cheap to make
I agree, Sofia, too much is too much 😡 I've never bought advent calendars because they contain many many products I absolutely don't need and I think those gimmicky packagings themselves are terribly expensive 😱 And yes, the release dates are crazy and even annoying! Thank you for your video ❤
Yes, my thoughts exactly but I do like an early holiday releases because then when the day comes I can just relax and enjoy the holidays with my family. Because I’ve done my early shopping 😊. I have to say though, the competition to snag our 💵 away from us is fierce. It’s good to be mindful. Love the honesty. Sets a good example to the young generation.
I will say the Pat McGrath holiday release this year - the shadows are the Italian formula this year from what I’ve seen but not the special shades I don’t believe - and the packaging yes I agree is a downgrade to simply creat more products in the collection
@@megdvs21 also in a year where cheek products were a hot item, PM didn’t release any face palettes with blush or bronzer? Weird. I don’t like her lipstick formula so that only leaves 3 different eyeshadow formats (which has not been trending this year)
EVERYTHING is done way too soon. From makeup to holiday decorations. Can we celebrate ONE holiday at a time. The excitement of Christmas is done before December even gets here. I mean let’s just put up all holiday decorations at once.. 🤦🏼♀️.
Watch my Sephora Gift Sets 2024 mini reviews! th-cam.com/play/PLUxvXK32lsx3DSds5ZHS-LXzNMuPkOC1v.html
➡ PRODUCTS FEATURED
Beauty Advent Calendars (that you don't need) shopmy.us/collections/920969
Sephora Favorites Gift Sets 2024 shopmy.us/collections/921001
Chanel Holiday 2024 Gift Sets shopmy.us/collections/914521
Pat Mcgrath Labs Luminous Legends: Mega Eye Shadow Palette: go.shopmy.us/p-8951277
Shop more of my favorite products here: shopmy.us/sofiaseesbeauty
Some of my links may be affiliate which means that I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you. Please consider supporting my channel by shopping through my links. Thank you for your support!
➡ ON MY LIPS
RMS BEAUTY | Legendary Lip Oil - Lily: go.shopmy.us/p-8948007 (use code: sofiaseesbeauty20 for 20% off)
➡ ON MY FACE
IT COSMETICS | Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ - Fair Light: go.shopmy.us/p-8947944
HOURGLASS | Vanish Airbrush Concealer - Silk: go.shopmy.us/p-8947956
GUCCI | Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder - 01: go.shopmy.us/p-8947961
RARE BEAUTY | Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - Grateful: go.shopmy.us/p-8947979
RMS BEAUTY | Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow - Strobe: go.shopmy.us/p-8947992 (use code: sofiaseesbeauty20 for 20% off)
HOURGLASS | Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara: go.shopmy.us/p-8948002
➡ MY NECKLACES
My Herringbone Chain Necklace: go.shopmy.us/p-8948428 (use code: SOFIA-30 for 30% off)
Large Chain Necklace: go.shopmy.us/p-8948429 (use code: SOFIA-30 for 30% off)
Shop more of my favorite products here: shopmy.us/sofiaseesbeauty
Sofia, so appreciate your honesty in this video. The feeling that comes over us with the holiday collections, the advent calendars, holiday kits with minis starting as early as August is so true. It’s so easy to get caught up in it and I’m glad you’re here to point it out with these videos and the short videos on the Sephora kits. Thank you & keep these videos coming!! 😊❤️
My pleasure! Thanks Lora
girl, that side by side with colorpop got Pat crying.... 😂 😂
As a beauty creator I want to say that I have never purchased any advent calendar. They are not only full of minis but with some brands/sites with things nobody buys and they try selling them like that.
I can see why you are a successful product manager. Your arguments are point on. I enjoy these kind of your videos a lot ❤.
hahaha why thank you ;)
We need a series called “Salty Sofia.” As a salty Gen-Xer, I’m here for it 🔥
haha love it
I really appreciate your candor. It helps sometimes to put things in perspective. There's ALWAYS another sale and when I make it to August, very few things get my money until the sephora sale and black friday. Your content holds me over😂
You are right on about the holiday products selling right now. I appreciate the fact that you alerted us to the downside of buying some of these now. Thank you!
Anytime :)
Yesss! I love Grinch Sofia!! 💚
😇
I hope Grinch Sophia is coming back this year 😍
Thank you for addressing the Chanel drama! People putting chains on it ect and trying to sell them at 3x the price. People look pathetic wearing these. Relellers really ruin things for other people!
I think some people think that they are real bags and it worries me that they are getting duped :(
I’m so glad Chanel added “Beaute” to the bag logo this year. Most of the sets are still available for purchase at many different retailers weeks after release. Either Chanel made more stock or resellers can’t market these the way they used to. I hate resellers!
@missmoz99 I was thinking the exact same thing!
Very well said Sofia. Consumption is not Christmas. Period. I can remember me gifting my Mom the Estee Lauder gift or Lancome gift years ago. They were nice and it felt special. Now I feel holiday sets aren't good quality! I treated myself to an Hourglass pallette this year and I feel done.😂 I do look at sets and think well that would be nice to have...and I say Carrie. Go Home. Save for something you really want❤❤
Holiday releases are overwhelming in quantity and underwhelming in quality. I totally support this rant. Looking forward to your Black Friday picks ❤
I got a Chanel gift set as I’ve been wanting to try the skin care products offered. The cute makeup bag was just a plus. I know I would get use out of the products unlike the mini kits from Sephora. Thanks for the video.
Love your point about gift giving. This will sound grinch-y but years ago my family decided to stop giving Christmas gifts except for the children. Still get together, visit, have a great meal. Well, the kids are all grown and I haven't bought a Christmas gift in like 15 years. Absolutely no holiday stress, well except maybe dealing with the crazy relative for the evening.
We mostly do the same! I honestly think it's the best. I rather receive no gifts because all I want is to have a good time with my fam
Same! It takes so much stress out of the holidays (and saves so much $) and then we can enjoy time together as a family. And…. I love Salty Sofia! 😂
Same here. I need nothing!! My boyfriend and I usually go somewhere for 1 night, have a Wonderful meal and look at lights and be Thankful❤
Never understood the Advent Calendar hype. My pet peeve with holiday beauty is that almost every lipstick is some form of Red - hey, how about a vibrant fuchsia (still very holiday, for those of us who do not wear red). Rant over and thank you 😁
I’m seeing fuchsia lippies this season. I have one from Chanel and love it. I would also look at Guerlain (I know, I know, we all know about their switcharoo with the cases). Both of these brands are good quality and have the color you want (at least a couple of the Guerlain colors meet the fuchsia criteria).
@@Humama23BoyzI was going to say that I got the Chanel one too, I love it! It’s so fun and looks beautiful on!
True! Good point
I never understood the appeal of advent calendars because majority of the products are not only minis but also products I’ve never thought to purchase before.
Also, I your funky nails always bring me so much joy and I love to see what you do. They’re always so cute! I love that they’re spooky Halloween nails while we’re talking about holidays 😅
Haha I know 😂 it oddly fits the theme of this video
It's like a sales manager idea to get rid of access merchandise in a nice packaging... can't see it any other way😂
I'll get me a chocolate Advent Calendar! I will say that everyone I've seen review the Pat McGrath holiday palette has really liked it and were happy it was Italian formula (at least the big one, not sure about the smaller ones, people have been disappointed in the duos). I hate the packaging, not that it's carboard just the design of it is a little busy for me, and I don't need it so I wasn't tempted (I got Roxa instead)
Ok I loved this video. And totally agree! I am on my summer break most of the time in Greece when I see Christmas releases and it just feels out of place. Then even when I go back to London it all feels weird as some stuff already sold out. By the time Christmas comes this is “old makeup” 😂. Anyway, I don’t like the hype and not getting more than 1-2 releases this year (not Holiday ones really!). I do feel that there is a bit of caution when creators are offering such great perspectives though, specifically about insulting a part of population who want to follow the hype. Please never worry about expressing your views, it’s calling out reality. If people think that there are no sales tactics followed by commercial companies then it’s not right. Thanks for the pov!
I know I feel so weird being like "oh this is old" and it's not even November lol
The "abundance" shopping mentality is REAL
Spicy Sofia, love these hot takes! 🔥
😘
My inner Grinch loves a good roast!!! Last year I watched the Sisley Advent calendar & bought it Dec. 22 at 40% off. I'm going to do the same this year....people aren't buying and I bet there will be deals on the good ones.
Good idea!
Oh shoot Cathy you are coming in with a good hack! :)
Everything you mentioned is 100% on point. Agree with it all.
And a product that keeps showing up in all of these Sephora sets is Milk blush in Werk. Great color…but I don’t need 3 of them that pop up in a few different sets (for example, a winter holiday set and then it shows up again in a set for Mother’s day or another holiday). One Werk blush will last me a lifetime!😮
Ah yes I think I know the one you are talking about!
Omg- this made me think of the SNL Christmas Candle sketch with Emma Stone that lives rent free in my brain...especially the line "And when you give the candle, that is all that she needs. Don't pair it with a lotion or some lame little cream. A lot of people think two gifts are better than one, but that just makes each gift seem smaller and dumb!" th-cam.com/video/_L5Xkb78KxY/w-d-xo.html
lmaoooo I just watched it. So true
I agree on the Chanel gfting. They are over-hyped. However, the skincare ones are amazing. The large travel size pouches with the skin care is worth the money!
Totally agree with you about beauty advent calendars. I might the Bark Box one for my dogs, but I’ve never bought a beauty one. They are a complete waste of money, since they are mostly samples and colors I wouldn’t use.
I like the ones with chocolates and treats! :)
Agree 💯: most of these holiday sets are complete gimmicks. An exception I think is that Chanel lip gloss set. The shades are gorgeous! It's a great gift for someone less experienced with makeup, since lip gloss is so easy to use. I'm sure your cousin loves it! I'm gifting my teen niece the Tarte 25th Anniversary eyeshadow palette. It has so many fun shades - I think she's going to love it! 🎁
The only mini that we love ❤❤around here is Minnie the Kitty Cat!!! Ha ha!
LOLLLL so true!
😂well said❤
The Chanel lip gloss gift set is a good one especially if you don't have the shades and you get the little pouch. It makes a nice gift ❤
It makes a nice gift! I already have the glosses so for me it's not as relevant
Fun video! I think the early holiday releases have had the opposite of the intended effect on me. I feel burnt out and nothing much is impressing or exciting me. I’m not in holiday mode yet. I bought the Hourglass Dragon and Evil Eye palettes when I found a great deal and haven’t picked up anything else and don’t plan to. I’m really enjoying both palettes and just don’t feel like I want anything else.
You're so spot on - the hard truths! 😂I don't understand advent calendars - I don't celebrate Christmas so I'm not counting down to anything. I don't want to pay for samples so for me, they just aren't worth it. The Chanel holiday sets are great gifts because they look like "enough" - whereas for someone who doesn't buy expensive makeup, a fancy lipstick on its own just never will because the recipient won't know the pricing so it just seems like you have to keep adding to the gift to make it seem more valuable.
Ah yes you know what I am saying. The Chanel sets might only have 2 little products but they feel very substantial and I can appreciate that
@@SofiaSeesBeautyExactly - Chanel is recognizable as "luxury" so the gift is always impressive even if you know nothing about makeup or even luxury brands. It works! 😉
I appreciate your thoughts on this viral holiday beauty, Sofia! You made some excellent points and I, for one, agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for your insightful video. Everyone should watch this.
The LH cosmetics beauty box advent calendar is amazing. Totally not a scam.
Thanks for the rec!
That’s why the only advent calendars I ever get or give as a gift are chocolate advent calendars 😂 Such a wonderful video Sofia, thank you!
LOVE the food ones! Guaranteed to be eaten
I love it when you rant! I was so livid when I purchased an Elemis advent calendar last year and only one item was full size! 🤬 Every other product was sample size! That meant I paid three times the amount for that one full sized item! Never again! Send me samples but don’t pretty them up and charge me for them!
Oh nooo :(
Every year I yearn for the Guerlain advent calendar but I always pass on them. This years is so gorgeous but at $720...be passing on it once again...sadly 😢
✨️💙🐝💙🌙💙❄️💙✨️
Oh danggg Guerlain does have some REALLY nice holiday stuff. But it's too expensive for me atm :)
Agreed. I don't have anything by Guerlain but am dying for their advent calendar. It is amazing!
In the Chanel Europe website you not only pay the full price for the products in a gift set, you actually pay a little extra for the makeup bag. Buying the products individually would be cheaper than buying the set. It is not great value for money and therefore these are an easy pass for me personally.
I never understand the appeal of the advent calendars. Some of the Sephora sets are great! I always get the Lash Stash sets for my daughter and nieces. Good way to try mascaras and then you get the coupon for a full size one. Definitely worth it!
Great video and agree with many of the points you brought up. I am hardly tempted by the gift sets or advent calendars precisely because they are mostly minis (although there are some with full sizes for a few of the items) and also contain products or colours I am not interested. It more sense to just pay for the item I really want instead, even if it has to be at full price.
I totally agree on the advent calendars. They are generally a ripoff. A few years ago I bought the one from By Terry. In January. With a big discount. That was definitely worth it, it had actually a lot of good and good-sized products in it. But I would never buy a regular one for these crazy prices!
I also do the same, I wait for January for them to be heavily discounted and even then I only buy if I am interested to try 90% of the products. But this year all the calendars are so expensive and most of them just offer samples that I get for free with my makeup orders that I won't buy any no matter how low the price will be.
Good tip!
the calendars are such a scam, just buy something you need instead
Sofia chose violence today 😂
LOL
I never pay full price for my makeup. I can still, with some research, find limited releases from Chanel and Dior with a substancial discount. It all comes down to being able not suffer fromthe fear that just because sth is limited/exclusive it will sell out everywhere. It may do so at major stores but not at the smaller ones.
If you are going to do an advent calendar, don’t do a brand specific one. I like Cult Beauty, Harrods, and SpaceNK. They don’t have just samples/minis.
Im the grinch year around because I’m critical, honest and realistic! 😂 If I want to buy something everyday that I desire that adds value to my life, I will. But it won’t be freebie samples I never think of on the daily lol
Even if my man wanted to buy me a 600$ advent, I’d ask for the cash instead 👸🏼
I love these vids of yours. Keep EM COMING👹👹👹👹
Love that!
I have a theory, the early releases of holiday items are for one a money grab but two/on the other hand I appreciate it because then if I’m sending out gifts then I can buy them, wrap them and send them in time. Just a thought as someone who lives in the country no where near stores like Nordstrom, Neiman’s, Saks, Chanel, etc. I rely heavily on shipping and it’s been taking longer and longer to receive my items and also to ship them. Just a devils advocate thought. Otherwise, I agree with you.
Good perspective Charli!
I think social media kinda ruined advent calendars, because I think the point of them is to be gifted rather than to be bought for oneself. Also I love that, as you say, every year holiday makeup seems to come earlier lol I LOVE christmas and don't care for halloween so the sooner I get to feel festive the better. But I completely get how it can be annoying to some
I think the advent calendars are great for content creation because then we can almost do like a mini haul every day. But a lot of them get gifted to the influencers ;)
My advent calendar has 12 Grinch socks in it😂
😂
Great video as always Sofia🙌❤️I never buy advent calendar for myself cause I have enough makeup and beauty products that I buy during the year. But I buy gift sets or advent calendars as a gifts for friends and relatives who don’t have any makeup but they want to try something from the brand. I have a question for you Sofia how to get perfume samples from Dior?? I don’t have any Dior stores near me. My local mall(Lloyd center in Portland OR)has closed almost all boutique stores in the last 10 years and the mall itself ran out of business last year. It’s really difficult for me to get any samples now. And usually I’m not big fan of Dior. The only thing I love is fragrances. If you please can make a video about how to get free samples from Dior for example it would be helpful. 🙏🏻🙌❤️
Good question! You need to order from their website and then they let you select the samples as free gifts during checkout. If you don't have anything from them that you want to buy, I would suggest calling them to see if they can send some to you. I would try those first!
Very nice video. The only advent calendar I will buy is the one with chocolate.
I can't confirm as someone that actually tries them that Tarte downgrades the quality for holidays. Much of their holiday offerings are plain sets of their bestsellers for good pricing. In some cases you get limited shades but it's guaranteed the same product in the same formula. The specially designed products like face palettes or eye palettes are 70% of the time in existing formulas, the rest is new formulas introduced like the first large Maneater palette that had high shine foiled shimmers (although they had actually been used in a limited smaller palette most people missed before) that have since been used in a number of other palettes. Then they had cream blush formulas or liquids introduced another time. But they usually become permanent. The packaging might be not everyone's taste as it could be cardboard or lighter plastic. But Tarte has always done that since the beginning and not just for the holidays.
Thanks for the scoop!
Love your business brain, Sofia! I made a pre-sale trip to Sephora today to check out the colors on some of the specials. The Westman Atelier blushes that were in the Christmas trio seemed nice, but I felt one of the colors I would never wear. That made the deal questionable for me. After hearing you talk about Merit lipsticks, however, I checked out the trio gift set. All three seemed to be great colors, so I might pick that up in the Sephora sale. Speaking of the Sephora sale, I’ve gotten several emails indicating I could share my 20% discount with one other person. I asked about it when in the store, and the long time SAs didn’t seem to know anything about it, so this must be a new thing. You can apparently refer one person for a single use code to get the 20% off. The dates are different as well. I think it is operational now and ends 11/4.
Yes I got that email also!
I totally agree on the Advent calendars! The whole holiday releases coming out so early is another. I’ve found myself picking up more than I really need or can afford which is exactly why they are doing this. No more this year!
We know better Carol! :)
amen on the advent calendars! at those prices i’d rather buy a polene or demellier bag that i can use for years instead of a bunch of mini makeup products that won’t even last a year. if i want the full-sized products in a calendar, i’d just buy them on their own. and because i’m not a complete scrooge, i’d get a tea or chocolate or coffee advent calendar for that daily dopamine hit.
I love the chocolate and food ones. Guaranteed to be finished 😂
I love this side of you 😂. I refuse to waste money on those advent calendars. As it is most of the free samples I get end up in the trash so why in the world would I pay for them to throw them out. I’d much rather buy the exact item I want/need. It’s very annoying that they are releasing earlier and earlier every year. The good stuff is already sold out by the time I start shopping for other people and it’s a hard NO for those Chanel sets.
I get overwhelmed by all the samples!
I don’t like them either: too expensive, not ecological packaging and more than a half of products is not my taste anyway, I won’t use it; so basically it is garbage
Ummm…. I buy overpriced Chanel skincare, and they give those pouches for free for vip customers of Chanel Beauty. So, basically those are free pouches given to customers. It’s not even that hard to get for free😅
Also, the beauty launches for Holiday are late for countries that don’t do Christmas gifts for everyone, like East Asia. For instance, we don’t get the Dior holiday until next week in South Korea.
I have never purchased a holiday beauty advent calendar nor do I plan to. if that's your jam (and you have money for it), happy trails ✌🏼
These phony-ass influencers don't even care whether the product they're advertising is crap or quality - they only want you to buy it for their kickbacks. That's why I love your content - you're authentic and probably exactly like this in real life! Personally, I'll stick to the chocolate advent calendars 😏
Unfortunately I think a lot of the promoted stuff doesn't get tested at all :(
@@SofiaSeesBeauty likely not :(
I ❤ Salty Sofia! 😂
Thanks for the reality check right before the holidays!
😘😘
No shade but saying Pat McGrath's line isn't luxury enough because it's using cardboard packaging is a bit weird. They've used cardboard/paper packaging since they launched. Hell, some of their all-time hits-the highlighter trios, six-pan palettes, the whole Bridgerton collection-were also in cardboard. I can understand some of the complaints against her brand but it feels like the goalposts keep moving and everyone's a little too eager to pile on when it comes to dissing her.
And for the record, there is nothing bad or downgraded about the formula used in the holiday palettes. Not everyone can afford to get a Mothership palette or even wants the special shades so this provides an option.
You are correct, she did launch her brand with cheap packaging. However, she quickly realized that consumers didn't want to pay that price for cheap packaging so she upgraded. Then we judged her again when the packaging went to cardboard and the pan sizes got smaller, etc.
You are also correct in saying that some of her more popular releases are the downgraded versions. That's what I am getting at here. She's not focusing on me and my demographic, she's choosing to go more mainstream (and younger) with her brand and if that works for her that's fine. If you take a look at the Trendmood post, it's full of people complaining about this holiday release and wishing for a mothership. But on Tiktok the teenagers are raving about the shadows. It's not bad makeup, it's just not luxury to me and the demographic that I represent. I'd prefer a smaller and better packaged seasonal collection
Love the roast and toast!!! More please😄
Wish they would give us the best price for these products so we don't need to wait for a sale. Also, agree, don't buy these sets or advent calendars use your $ on the items you actually want/need.
This was a great video! You’re critique is right on
I totally agree! We can't enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving because of all the holiday hype in cosmetics and skin care. Really it is in just about all consumer products. They get earlier and earlier with holiday promotion.
Halloween and Thanksgiving are my fave holidays 😭
Salty Sofia made me chuckle! lol
😜
It’s so true …but, DIY advent calendar are the best ❤
TRUE! Those are very cute and fun to do as a fam
I agree with everything you said. And, if I wasn't so tired I could add to it. But tell me, Sofia dear, how do I get a deal on Hermes? I'd like to try their eye shadow palettes. I have a couple in mind. Your favorite for starters. Thanks for the video!💚
Ahhh you'll have to tune into my Black Friday live!! Coming soon...
40 yrs ago we would look forward to holiday makeup they would have 1 beautiful makeup box it would be plastic with everything in it. It would cost 75.00 to 150.00 dollars.
But now we keep getting release after release one right after another you get overwhelmed like deer in headlights and say poo nor purchasing anything
It does get very overwhelming
I’m loving this mindful holiday shopping content! It’s so easy to get caught up.
So glad!
In my opinion, they just put unpopular products into holiday bundles to get rid of them from their inventory at the end of the year
Oooooo probably ;)
1000% Sofia, these beauty advent calendars are money makers for the brands and a total rip off for the consumer! Glad you’re speaking the hard truth.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
This WAS entertaining 😂😂😂😂😂😂and also very very true, Sofia!!!!👏👏🤩🤩🤩🤩Advent calendars: purchased a gorgeous one from Chantecaille 2 years ago, and really used everything. I purchased last year an advent calender with only skincare from Barbara Sturm, but it was a nice deal, and i used everything. Gonna do that again, no. Enough Barbara Sturm stuff still. And i refuse to pay full price for EU stuff anyway. Well, some products, like the very good Chanel concealer in that stupid jar, that one is attached with glue to that Chanel EU website 🙃 but no, i wait until products come here in NL at Douglas or ICI Paris, they always have reduction, almost every week they have a 20 pct action. It's annoying they don't have reduction than on Cle de Peau, for instance, but, there is Niche Beauty in Hamburg, Germany, Sofia, they have almost every week a 20 pct off action. Or Space, or Cult. More brands that messed up the holiday collection, yes, of course Hourglass with their covers and Chanel with their overdone hysteric glittery and too big palettes, a big no. The little Chanel bags with stuff, maybe a present idea, but not for myself. Sephora: no Sephora here in The Netherlands, sometimes Sephora France but i do not purchase there a lot. And i learned new English words Sofia, FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out and the shop TJMaxx did not know the existance, sorry if it sounds stupid. But Chantecaille is still my favorite brand, not that i support any animal from here, but they are my most purchased brand, skincare most, but also makeup. I love to see salty video's from you, Sofia, thanks, enjoy your day!!!😘😘😘😘
Thanks for sharing Annemarie!
You are so on fire in this video 🔥 absolutely savage, so refreshing. 😂
Hahaha thanks Heather!
Great video!!! You keep things real!!
Thanks!
I can’t even buy $100 all year 😂😂😂😂😂😂this is perfection. I say this about half the makeup people buy 😂😂😂#sorrynotsorry. ❤❤❤
I’m new to the luxury makeup obsession but thank God I missed out on the Chanel advent calendar. 😂
Ohh that one was cray! 😂
@@SofiaSeesBeauty Thank God because I would have been suckered into buying it 😭😭😭
Love this! Go off Grinch Sofia!
Some of the Chanel and Dior gift sets in the past were actually MORE expensive than the individual products so you did also pay for the pouch 😂which is pretty cheap to make
oh mannnn
There’s really nothing exciting about those sets ngl, and the price is ridiculous 😭😂😂😂
Better question "does your wallet deserve this debt?"😮
Trueee
Love Grinch sofia even more ❤😂 thanks for bringing me down to my logic rather than the rush feeling from all the marketing around. U r the best!
My pleasureeee
Yass Salty Sofia! High five!!
🙌
I agree, Sofia, too much is too much 😡 I've never bought advent calendars because they contain many many products I absolutely don't need and I think those gimmicky packagings themselves are terribly expensive 😱 And yes, the release dates are crazy and even annoying!
Thank you for your video ❤
Thanks for sharing!!
Yes, please tell us how to get the sales on Hermes.
I gotchuuuu ;)
Appreciate the reality testing around these promotional activities.
Ah haha I didn’t realize people bought advent calendars for themselves. We’ve only gotten them as gifts from
Other people
Very refreshing commentary Sofia!
Thanks for watching Audrey!
Chanel… yes and the pouches are white this year!!! Makeup and white canvas uhhh NO!
@@sunshineliz5297 my thoughts exactly
I know I thought the same thing. They are super cute and fluffy looking but my clumsy self will probably get foundation on it :(
Yes, my thoughts exactly but I do like an early holiday releases because then when the day comes I can just relax and enjoy the holidays with my family. Because I’ve done my early shopping 😊.
I have to say though, the competition to snag our 💵 away from us is fierce. It’s good to be mindful.
Love the honesty. Sets a good example to the young generation.
I wish I saw more of these tips and convos on Tiktok :(
Here in Brazil a single makeup from these advent stuff already costs over R$400 🤡
omggg
I will say the Pat McGrath holiday release this year - the shadows are the Italian formula this year from what I’ve seen but not the special shades I don’t believe - and the packaging yes I agree is a downgrade to simply creat more products in the collection
@@megdvs21 also in a year where cheek products were a hot item, PM didn’t release any face palettes with blush or bronzer? Weird.
I don’t like her lipstick formula so that only leaves 3 different eyeshadow formats (which has not been trending this year)
Right I would have loved to have seen face trios from her this year
@@megdvs21 me too! Someone dropped the ball big time.
I love Salty Sofia! Great video!!! ❤
Haha thank you!
My favorite video you've ever done. 😅Go, Sassy Sofia!!❤🤣🥰
haha so glad!
This was soooo good. Thank you!
You are welcome!
Excelente video Sofia! 👏🏻👏🏻
Gracias 🤗
HOW FUNNY SOFIA! I did not realized my comment was in Spanish LOL!!! 🤭🤭🤭
EVERYTHING is done way too soon. From makeup to holiday decorations. Can we celebrate ONE holiday at a time. The excitement of Christmas is done before December even gets here. I mean let’s just put up all holiday decorations at once.. 🤦🏼♀️.
I know I want to cherish each holiday and just enjoy it
LOVED this video ❤ especially the way you edited it 😂 so well executed
Aw thank you! I just taught myself those techniques this week :) so I really appreciate your comment
I just love you so much! Thank you
😘😘
Pat isn't running the show
Definitely not
I'm totally with ya
Thanks Nicole!