Best Makeup Sets According To Our Research

First, ask yourself: who is this set for, and what is its main purpose? The answer will dramatically narrow your search.
For the Absolute Beginner or Teenager: The goal is simplicity and usability. Look for sets that are not overwhelming.
What to Choose: A starter kit with the absolute essentials: a good mascara, a neutral eyeshadow palette with 4-6 shades, a user-friendly blush, and a lip gloss or balm. All-in-one palettes that include eyeshadows, blush, and highlighter can also be fantastic. Avoid massive, unbranded kits with hundreds of colors, as the quality is often poor and can be frustrating to use.
For the Everyday Makeup Wearer: You know what you like, but you want to streamline your routine or try new hero products.
What to Choose: “Discovery” or “Best-Sellers” kits from reputable brands like Tarte, Benefit, or NARS are perfect. These usually contain deluxe travel sizes of their most popular products, allowing you to test formulas without committing to the full price.
For the Makeup Enthusiast: You love variety, quality, and value.
What to Choose: Limited-edition holiday sets are your playground. These often feature full-sized products (like Fenty’s lip gloss trios or Charlotte Tilbury’s eye kits) at a bundled discount. Brand vaults or curated collections offer a deep dive into a specific product line.

It’s easy to be dazzled by a set with 58 different eyeshadows, but this is the biggest trap. A set is only as good as its weakest product.
Focus on Usability: Look at the palette. Will you realistically use at least 80% of the shades? A perfectly curated 6-pan palette you use daily is a better investment than a 30-pan palette where you only touch three colors.
Beware of “Filler” Products: Some large sets include low-quality applicators or glitter gels you’ll never use. Ensure the core items, the foundation, eyeshadows, and lipsticks are the stars of the show.
Check for Shade Inclusivity: This is crucial for sets with complexion products. If a kit includes foundation, concealer, or contour, check if the shades are customizable or if the pre-selected shades will actually match your skin tone. If not, it’s better to choose a set focused on eyes or lips.

A good set should offer tangible value in one of two ways:
Trial Value: It allows you to try multiple products for a lower entry price. This is the logic behind “discovery kits.” Calculate the cost per item and see if it’s a good deal for sampling.
Monetary Value: It offers full-sized or deluxe-sized products for significantly less than their individual retail prices. The product description will often state the “total value” of the set, so you can see the savings.

Some sets come with brushes, but their quality can vary wildly. A great set of makeup products can be let down by flimsy, scratchy brushes. If the set doesn’t include high-quality tools, be prepared to use your own.

They can be an excellent value. “Discovery kits” let you try several popular products for a low price, while holiday or “value sets” often bundle full-sized items for much less than their individual costs. However, the value is lost if you don’t use most of the products included.

A great beginner’s set should focus on the essentials: a good mascara, a simple neutral eyeshadow palette (4-9 shades), a user-friendly blush (cream or powder), and a lip gloss or tinted balm. It should be versatile and not overly complicated.

Unfortunately, this is the biggest risk with pre-packaged sets. You can try using shade-adjusting drops to lighten or darken the foundation, or use them to mix with other foundations you own. To avoid this, it’s best to buy complexion products individually or choose sets that focus on eyes and lips.

It’s a mixed bag. High-end brands often include decent-quality travel-sized brushes. However, in many larger, more affordable kits, the brushes are “fillers” and are often scratchy and ineffective. It’s usually better to use your own trusted brushes.

Look for reviews and swatches from real users online. A key indicator of poor quality is chalky, unpigmented eyeshadows that don’t blend well. A reputable brand name, even an affordable one like e.l.f. or ColourPop, is often a safer bet than a large, unbranded kit.

Yes, the holiday season is one of the best times to buy makeup sets. Brands release limited-edition kits that often have the best value of the year, featuring best-sellers in beautiful packaging. They are a great way to stock up or try a new brand.