The coolest thing about shopping Ulta at Target is that you can earn 1% back from Target Circle and earn points on your Ulta purchases. And with the holidays almost here, Ulta has a bunch of new gift sets from Clinique, Benefit, Too Faced, and more. So we went to Target to take a closer look and even snapped some pics to give you a firsthand preview.
With Ulta gift sets, we usually expect some good savings out of these “value” kits. But sometimes retailers will try to get you by promoting big brands. I did some extra digging to make sure we’re really getting the best cost per ounce per item. Also, absolutely do not forget to use your Target RedCard to save 5% on any of these beauty holiday sets.
For more savings, make sure to read our Ulta Advent calendar roundup which you can shop now. Lastly, text DEALS to 57299 and receive real-time text alerts when deals go live.
Benefit Mini Mail
This mini beauty holiday trio ($20, Target) gets you three of Benefit’s top sellers, including their Badgal mascara, Porefessional face primer, and 24-Hour Brow Setter (a $41 total value). Since Target’s product listing didn’t specify the ounces per product, I went over to Sephora to find the same set. Turns out that you’re getting the same fluid ounces as the mini versions of each product, which you can buy individually at $13 or $14 each depending on the product. Yep, this is a good deal.
Related: The Best Amazon Holiday Gift Sets of 2022, From $10 to $100
Too Faced Pillow Balm Pop Lip Balm Trio
Target tells me that this entire lip balm set from Too Faced ($34, Target) is 0.42 ounces in total. So I took 0.42 and divided that by three to get the size per lip balm, which comes out to 0.14 ounces each. I found that Ulta sells the Hangover Pillow Balm in a mini 0.14 size for $17. While I couldn’t find mini versions of the other two balms since they’re limited edition, it’s safe to assume that they’d also cost $17. This means with this set, you’re essentially getting one mini balm for free.
Clinique Easy Eye Duo Holiday Gift Set
This Clinique eye set ($13, Target) is a fun idea for those who prioritize skincare and keep their makeup routine relatively simple. It comes with a mini High Impact Mascara and All About Eyes cream gel. I know that Kohl’s sells the mini High Impact Mascara at the same size (0.14 ounces) for $12. And you can’t use Kohl’s coupons on this product specifically. Compare that to this set from Target, where you’re paying $13 for the mascara and the cream gel. That’s even before using your Target RedCard to save an extra 5%.
Holiday Prep Beauty Box
You get so many goodies in the Ulta Holiday Prep Beauty Box ($30, Target), including hair, makeup, and skincare samples from Urban Decay, Clinique, Tula, and IT Cosmetics. You can gift the whole set to someone you love, or to get the most value — break up the 12 pieces into multiple stocking stuffers. A few of these come in 1-ounce samples, which is on the bigger side for mini beauty goodies.
Too Faced Lip Injection Limited Edition Lip Plumper Ornament
You can get this same mini Too Faced Lip Injection ($18, Target) in the exact size and price at Target, but the holiday edition comes wrapped in a little paper gingerbread ornament. I’d argue that since it comes ready for gifting, you’re getting the better deal this way.
Clinique Ulta Exclusive Blockbuster Set: Ready, Set, Refresh
Here’s the deal: the Clinique Ulta Exclusive Blockbuster Set ($42, Target) will cost you more up front, but it comes with seven of the brand’s top sellers at varying sizes. According to Target, the set has a value of $157, and each product works for all skin types.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Limited Edition Mascara Ornament
Like the Too Faced Lip Plumper, you can get this same 0.17-ounce Better Than Sex mascara ($16, Target) for the same exact price elsewhere. However, factor in the 5% savings you get from using your RedCard and that this mascara comes ready to gift.
Benefit Cosmetics Totally Glam Telegram Makeup Value Set
We were pretty shocked with this eyes and face set ($40, Target) that contains some of Benefit’s most popular items. You get a full-sized Porefressional face primer (regularly $32), Hoola bronzer (regularly $32), and a They’re Real mascara (regularly $27), plus a mini Gimme Brow gel. This set would be super smart to break up among a few gifts (or to keep for yourself).
Benefit Cosmetics Letters to Lashes Full-Size Mascara Value Set
Here’s another goodie from Benefit that offers three full-sized items, but this time they’re all mascaras ($42, Target). I love that it already comes ready for gifting, plus it’s eligible for an extra 5% savings with your Target RedCard.
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