Holiday Beauty Treats on a Budget

Don't you just love the holiday season? From the scrumptious sweets to the cozy fires, there is no time more magical than the holiday season. For most people, the sparkling lights and the company of family and friends define the holidays. But for true beauty junkies, the real meaning of the holiday season is found in gifts with purchase and limited edition eye shadow palettes and gift sets. Indeed, for us, nothing says "most wonderful time of the year" quite like a haul from Sephora or Bath and Body Works. And while many may dismiss our excitement for holiday beauty deals as nothing more than frivolous spending, these special edition beauty buys are actually quite frugal investments. Here are some of the best promotions to look for this holiday season.

- MAC - MAC is notoriously expensive, but that could have to do with the fact that it's notoriously excellent. While most of us on a beauty budget could only dream of owning multiple MAC eye and lip colors, the holidays allow us to invest in some shades at a great price. Last year, MAC treated us to the "Little Darlings" collection, which included four-sets of pigments and lip glasses. While the Little Darlings mysteriously disappeared this year, they are offering the "Magic, Myrrh, and Mischief" collection. The best parts of the collection are the six-shade eye palettes, such as "Sorceress" and "Devil May Dare." These palettes are priced at $36.00 each; this may seem pricy to some, but if you consider that six individual eye shadow pots would cost a whopping $85.00, this is obviously a great way to stock up on some premium eye colors at a great rate.

- Estee Lauder - If you only have a hundred dollars to spend on your beauty indulgences this holiday season, spend it at Estee Lauder. Estee Lauder's legendary annual holiday blockbuster is extra special this year. Here's how it works: if you spend $49.50 on any Estee Lauder product (my recommendation would be the Advanced Night Repair Serum, which is quickly developing a cult following amongst skincare enthusiasts), you may purchase the holiday blockbuster for $49.50. Seem steep? Well, the holiday blockbuster is worth over $300.00! It includes a Deluxe Eye Shadow palette with 15 shades, a Deluxe Face palette with three blushes, a Hydra Lustre lipstick, two High Glosses, an Artist's Eye Pencil, mascara, and several other amazing beauty treats. This is definitely the ultimate beauty insider treat, and the holiday blockbuster packs enough of a punch to last you the entire year.

- Bath and Body Works - Bath and Body Works is definitely the ultimate beauty locale during the holiday season. This year they are offering the best promotions to date, in the form of three excellent offers within "The Perfect Christmas: Gift Guide 2009." These coupons offer a buy one get one free on any item in the store, a coupon for ten dollars off any purchase exceeding thirty dollars, and a coupon for 20% off any purchase. I suggest their brand new "Twilight Woods" fragrance collection. It has notes of berry and a strong woodsy undertone, and totally evokes the spirit of a winter's night.

These are just a few of the many amazing promotions occurring this holiday season. So when you're doing your seasonal shopping this year, don't be afraid to stop at the cosmetics counter and pick up a little beauty indulgence for yourself. Happy savings!