Here’s to some much-needed pampering time just before the crazy holiday season hits, amiright?

This past weekend, I took myself over to the Sephora inside JCPenney in the Manhattan Mall — and can you say best sponsor ever? I treated myself to a free 15-minute mini makeover (something you can get too, just walk in and ask — especially right before your next holiday party, hint), picked up some brilliant makeup tips (turns out a dark accent shade on your outer-lid crease looks awesome if you draw a Pac Man and I know completely understand the joy of shimmer stick), and overall, just had the best time perusing the shelves with my two girls, making up beauty wishlists in our minds from among all the hot new products.

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Enter to win one of two $250 gift cards to Sephora inside JCPenney.
See below for details. (It’s easy!)

Turns out, if there’s one word that defines the hot holiday beauty trends right now, it’s shimmer. Or maybe glitter. Possibly sparkle. In some cases, glimmer.

Okay, so there are lots of words.

Also, lots of amazing beauty products that give you just a little more shine, a little more glow, so your outside can match your inside.

Take a look at some of the picks on my own beauty wishlist, and start getting excited for holiday party season!

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick ($25)

This cult-favorite beauty product is such a winner. And I looooove the Starstruck shade that Michelle (from the Sephora inside JCPenney at Manhattan Mall) is applying on me here. Love. Love. Love. So much so, I actually now own my own. It’s amazing just above your cheekbone for subtle contouring, or swipe it over your eyes for a subtle shimmer alone or over shadow. Plus it lasts, and as someone who totally forgets to re-apply throughout the day, I’m grateful for the small favor.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix by the Dozen  ($129)
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Trio ($54)

Can’t choose from among all the gorgeous Match Stix shades? Don’t bother! You can get one spectacular beauty gift in this set of a dozen above, that also happens to be a phenomenal value. Or go for the Trio and you’ll have three shades to play with. Tip: if you get the trio shade called “Light 100”, it comes with my beloved Starstruck Match Stix.

 

Sephora Collection Enchanted Sky Palette Collection ($10)

A glimmering gift doesn’t have to cost you the moon and stars. For just $10, I think this lovely little palette makes a great gift for all your office pals, a perfect Secret Santa gift, or as a stocking stuffer for your makeup-crazy teen. In fact, the Sephora Collection products at Sephora inside JCPenney are all fabulously priced and I definitely appreciate that.

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Frosted Metal Lipstick Trio ($36)

Okay Rihanna, stop it with the amazing gotta-have-its already. I am swooning over this frosted trio of metal lipsticks in one of two limited edition sets. Extra fine pearlized pigments smoothe easily over your lips, and the result is a sophisticated sheen. You can choose between warmer Snow Daze colors seen here, or the cooler Snow Nights colors that include a magical midnight blue.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Eye Shadow Palette ($45)

Turns out the brow queen of Beverly Hills does a beautiful job with lids, too. This 14-color palette comes is in a gorgeous, glittering box making it feel like a little gift you get to open every single day (or night). It holds a 14-shade smokey eye palette ranging from Rose Quartz, to a golden Steampunk, to a silvery Cyborg, with lovely matte shades mixed in.

-Don’t forget to enter to win one of two $250 gift cards to Sephora inside JCPenney.
Details below! –

Tweezerman Pro Curl Eyelash Curler in Gold ($22)

I bought this fabulous Tweezerman lash curler from Sephora inside JCPenney earlier this year and it’s become a favorite beauty essential. I can definitely use a little help in the lash department these days and I always trust Tweezerman products, which come with a lifetime replacement guarantee.  Plus, I just love how the gold curler looks just sitting on my dresser. Great wishlist item if you want something a little shiny — but a little practical too.

 

Huda Beauty The New Nude Shadow Palette ($65)

I knew Huda Beauty’s New Nude palette has been blowing up the beauty blogs, and now that I’ve seen it in person, I totally get it. The shades are a little creamy, giving them some stay, but they go on lightly and smoothly. And wow, those colors! Michelle has much darker skin than I do and you can see how “nude” colors like these look radiant on anyone. (Because we all know by now that “nude” doesn’t mean pale pink, right?)

 

Huda Beauty Collection Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Gemstone  ($27)

Another great value, this affordable, purse-size palette of gemstone colors is such a treat! It’s the kind of beauty gift that’s edgy enough that you might not buy it for yourself — but would totally add to a wishlist, hoping someone gets it for you. (Hint hint.)

Urban Decay Naked Cherry Eye Shadow Palette ($49)

I am obsessed with this packaging and yes, I’m a sucker for gorgeous presentation when it comes to gifts. But the inside is just as appealing, with a dozen velvety shades of metallic “cherries,” each with sexy names like Devilish, Drunk Dial, Caution, and Privacy. (Like, get a room, Urban Decay!)

 

Make Up Forever Glitter Dust Set ($39)

If you ever needed an excuse to get a sitter for the night and dust off the dress that shows off your collarbone or shoulders, this would be it. It includes two Star Lit Powders that give you a kind of luminescent shimmer, plus two very reflective Star Lit Glitters for a far more far more dramatic effect. In fact, go ahead and give this to a lucky woman with a coupon for a date night or a girls’ night out. Perfect.

 

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18)

While all the shades of this liquid liner rock (yep, went there), I just can’t resist this gorgeous Spandex color. If David Bowie were a shade of eyeliner, I think it would be this one.

Sephora Collection #MOOD False Lash Vault ($60)

Talk about a pick for my own beauty wishlist…whoa. Like I said, I am not shying away for asking for help in the eyelash department, and I’d get tons of it with this fun falsies gift set. While the lashes don’t sparkle, I bet anyone wearing these will.

Isn’t beauty so fun?

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT!

We’re giving away two $250 Sephora inside JCPenney gift cards, one to each of two lucky CMP readers, whoo!!! To enter, visit the Sephora Inside JCPenney website, and leave a comment below telling us what beauty product NOT featured here is on your own beauty wishlist and why. (If you’re not a makeup wearer and you’re thinking about a gift for someone who is, let us know what you’d buy them and why.)

NOTE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. We will announce the winners shortly. 

Enter by midnight PST on Sunday, November 18, 2018. One entry per household, must be 18+, US only please, and you must use a real email to qualify. (Don’t worry, no one can see it but us.) See general sweepstakes rules for full details  and GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor, Sephora inside JCPenney, for making beauty shopping so fun and easy, with so many great deals to be found. And extra thanks to the entire team at the Manhattan Mall Sephora inside JCPenney — especially you, Michelle! — for all the great makeup tips and a mini makeover I loved so much, I kind of bought everything you recommended. For more fun, follow on social at  #SephoraInJCP