2022 Holiday Beauty Gift Guide: Products We Tried

If you were shopping for beauty gifts in the 2022 holiday season, these were some of the products that stood out to us after trying them firsthand. The list covers skincare, nail strips, makeup, root touch-up and everyday skincare products.

KaramMD Skincare

KaramMD’s Polish powder was simple to work into a skincare routine. Following the directions provided at the time, I mixed the powder with a few drops of water, massaged it onto clean skin and rinsed it away. My skin felt very smooth afterward.

I also tried Illuminate. At the time, the cream was described as containing ingredients including retinol, niacinamide, botanical brighteners and a lipid complex. What stood out most to me was how moisturized and refreshed my skin felt after using it.

Color Street Nail Polish Strips

Color Street’s nail polish strips offered a quicker alternative to painting nails with liquid polish. You peel off the backing, apply the strip to the nail and trim the excess.

There was a learning curve for me. It took a couple of tries before I felt comfortable applying them, and I actually found it easier when someone else helped. The variety of designs and colors made them a fun gift option.

Mineral Fusion Makeup

I tried several Mineral Fusion products, including lip gloss, mascara and the 3-in-1 color stick. The Sedona lip gloss was my favorite because it felt moisturizing, while the mascara gave my lashes a fuller look.

The 3-in-1 color stick was especially convenient because it could be used on lips, cheeks and eyelids. I also liked that it was compact enough to carry throughout the day.

Style Edit Root Touch-Up

Style Edit became one of my go-to products between salon appointments. The blonde root touch-up helped blend darker roots and looked natural on my hair when applied carefully.

For me, the biggest benefit was extending the time between full color appointments without making the touch-up look obvious.

Sukin Naturals Skincare

Sukin Naturals fit well into a straightforward daily skincare routine. I used the foaming facial cleanser in the morning and evening and found it gentle enough for regular use.

The moisture-restoring night cream was one of my favorites because it felt rich without being overwhelming. I also liked the hydrating mist toner for its refreshing feel after cleansing.

Bottom Line

The products in this guide covered very different beauty needs, but the most useful ones were the ones that made a routine easier: Color Street for quick nails, Style Edit between salon visits, Mineral Fusion for portable makeup and Sukin for a simple skincare routine.

For another holiday beauty review from the same period, see our Honest Beauty Holiday Makeup and Skincare Review.