With new holiday makeup coming out for this winter season, it can be hard to figure out which new releases are worth trying and which ones just don’t stand up to the rest. 

Fear not, because my bad makeup-buying habits mean that you guys reap the benefits of my poor spending habits! Since I’ve been tempted by many a holiday product this season, I’ve tried out quite a few new releases. Here are my thoughts on new holiday makeup releases that I’ve either bought myself or tested in some capacity. Let’s get started!

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Maybelline Gigi Hadid Collection – Cold, but Lukewarm for Some Products

Maybelline Gigi Hadid Collection products: Jetsetter Palette | Glow Eyeshadow Palette | Eye Contour Palette | Fiber Mascara | East Coat Lipstick (Mauve) | Glow Liquid Strobe | West Coast Lipstick (Red)

Even though this is probably the most talked about drugstore makeup collaboration right now, most of the products are sadly busts. There are some decent gems, like the lipsticks, lipliners, and mascaras, but the base products and the giant Jetsetter Palette really don’t stand up even to typical Maybelline quality.

My biggest problem is with the new eye contour palettes. The pans are incredibly tiny and my finger can’t even fit into each shade to swatch them. They have considerable fallout and are really NOT worth the $16 price tag.

Another point to note is that the price of every product is bumped up a few dollars. Most products fall between $8 and $16. You’ll get some makeup in beautiful packaging, but for me, the product quality doesn’t justify the higher price. Bottom line: if you like Maybelline products and don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, try the collection. Pass for me.