After doing my Eyeshadow Palettes cost comparison, I decided to follow it up with a cost comparison of miniature or travel sized products versus full sized products. Because so many of us, myself included, really get drawn in by the little aisle of doom at Sephora, I really wanted to delve into what the value of those mini-sized products that seem like such a good deal while you're waiting to pay for your purchases really is. There are a couple of types of products I chose to leave out of this list, which I'll get into in a minute, but I decided to choose products from across makeup, skin care, and hair care products to really get a sense for these kinds of things. I have to say... some of these price differences are downright shocking. The way that I calculated the price difference is is how much less or more you're paying per gram by percentage, because I feel like that makes it the clearest.

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This post may be a little bit long, but I do hope that you'll continue reading!

Even though this is a beauty blog and I am a complete and total beauty junkie, even I know that I can't just get everyone on my list beauty gifts, so I decided to go ahead and put together a list of some of my favorite non-beauty gifts - including a few things that I've gifted to people before and ones that I'll be gifting this year. I tried to split this into different categories for different types of people you might have in your life, but I think there's a lot of gifts here that could be great for a lot of different people. If anything, I hope that this might inspire you or give you some ideas for those people on your list that might be a little bit difficult to shop for.

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At this time of year, we face a pretty unique kind of stress... That stress? Shopping. Picking out amazing gifts for the people we care about... and sometimes strangers in various gift exchanges. So I put together a list of some of my tips for keeping gift giving season from being more of a stressfest than it already is by simplifying and streamlining. Keep reading for my tips!

Don't Stress

This is a rule I have to learn to follow myself. As the number of people I have to buy gifts for inevitably grows as new people come into my life and the people around me are having all kinds of babies, I tend to get a little stressed out about the quantity of shopping that needs to be done. Don't freak out. Try to start your shopping early so that you have time to look for great gifts for your family and friends without having to settle just because of the time crunch. Another point of stress is obviously financial, which leads me to my next tip...

The Budget

I like to set a very clear limit for myself of how much I'm going to spend on each person on my list and stridently stay within that budget. This means that I don't have to worry about how my finances are going to look come the New Year and I don't have to skimp on one gift to finance another. There are great gifts at every price point, sometimes all it takes is a little bit of looking. Also, this is a great time for sales, so keep an eye out. And speaking of deals...

Online Paradise

These days, in the age where everyone is on the internet and even the biggest of box stores have easily navigable websites and, oftentimes, free shipping, there's not a lot of need to venture into crowded malls and stores. You have all the gift options you could ask for right at your fingertips. Obviously you have to keep shipping time in mind when it comes to this option, but a lot of sites will let you know exactly when you need to place your order by so that you'll have it in hand for Christmas. One of my favorite shopping options is Etsy, which is filled with all kinds of unique gifts that you can't find it stores and there's a little something for everyone on your list. Of course, if it's a truly one of a kind gift that you have in mind, let's look at my next tip... 

Embrace Your Inner DIYer

Handmade gifts aren't just for kids anymore. In the age of Pinterest, there are infinite options of different kinds of Do-It-Yourself gift ideas right at your fingertips. From spa gifts to baking, there are hundreds of amazing gifts that you can put together on the cheap to give your family and friends something special just for them this Christmas. Which leads me to my next tip...

Quality Not Quantity

When it comes to a great holiday gift, it's never about how big the box is or how deep the trench in your pocketbook from buying it, it's about getting someone something that's just for them. When you're picking out holiday gifts, think about the person you're buying for and what they'll really get a kick out of rather than something that will impress them on a monetary scale. It's not about the money you put in, it really is the thought that counts. Again, this takes us to the next tip...

Quirk Like A Boss

Everyone has something unique that they really love. A couple of years ago when I quit smoking, my best friend picked me up a package of ninja pencils as a congratulatory gift and it's one of my favorite things I've ever gotten because I knew it was something that she saw that made her think of me. Whatever quirky thing the person you love is into can make for a great gift this holiday season. Be on the lookout for those special gifts that no one else would really get, because those are going to be the ones that really jump out. And finally...

Skip The Last Minute Lines

Every year it seems like the holidays sneak up on us faster and faster, so it really is never too early to start picking out your holiday gifts and tucking them away for later. While it may be a little too late for it this year, keep in mind for next year that if you see the perfect gift for someone it doesn't matter that it's months until you'll be able to give it to them. Pick it up and tuck it in the closet for Christmas time. But even now, at the beginning of December, it's still early enough to skip the madness of that week right before Christmas so don't put it off. Get out there and start getting things in order so that you don't have to brave the crowded parking lots and long line ups that are inevitable in a couple of weeks!

You read that right. The NUME Reverse Classic Wand is reduced to $9.99USD if you use the code INSTA9. Regular price on this wand is $169, so I don't have to tell you that this is an INCREDIBLE deal.

This code MONDAY7 can be used for either the 25mm or the 32mm Classic Wand to get it for only $19.99. The original price on this was also $169... so even though it's not quite as good a deal as the first, it's still pretty damn amazing.

I ordered the reverse curling wand and there was a standard shipping fee to Canada of $15, which brought the total of this order to right around $30CAD. This seriously can't be beat. If you're in the market, I suggest you get there before the code stops working, because this is an incredible deal with a very short lifespan!