The Ghosts of Christmas Past Collections

From year to year as collections come and go and change and rearrange I like to look over what I've stashed away over the years and compare price increases, quality, quantity, etc...

Some of my most favorite cosmetic possessions are from Holiday Collections and every year I am always excited to see what new items will be introduced.

Allow me to take you back on a journey into Christmas Past Collections! Maybe some of these are in your own personal stash, maybe you remember when they were released, and maybe you are still lemming them and hoping to find them on MUA or E-bay or some out of the way place that may still carry that particular item that has been on your wish list since it's release from a Christmas that's since past.

I've only taken on a few select pieces from my Holiday Collections! Hell if I did them all it'd make a bible of an entry ;) Do enjoy the ones I've included in this post!

This year Smashbox hasn't a single item that I've been tempted by but I remember being quite excited about last year's Holiday Collection that was entitled Winter Nights.

The collection consisted of two parts, single cosmetic items plus kits and palettes named after legendary nightclubs.

Smashbox The Winter Lights Series


Avalon
Consisted of two double-ended mini eyeshadow and shimmer duos. The picture of Avalon can be seen above on the far right hand side of the group photo!

Spider Club







Consisted of a white leather carrying case which included a double ended palette (one side lips and one side shadow) plus three brushes

Troubadour



Consisted of a similar white leather carrying case as the Spider Club and included a lipgloss trio and lip pencil

The Derby

Consisted of a cream eyeliner trio and a flat end liner brush

The single cosmetics collection included a soft lights powder in Smashing Halo which was a soft shimmering white that showed up pink on your cheeks! It's gorgeous and remains one of my favorite items from Christmas Past Collections! Also released was a shadow duo in shimmering shades of white and brown, a duo cream liner which included a shimmering gray liner and a shimmering white liner, and finally another of my favorite items, the Lux Shimmer Overlay which is a shimmering gold gel that can be apply to lips, eyes, and face.

Smashing Halo, Dual Liner, Dual Shadow and Lux Shimmer Overlay


Smashbox, in my opinion, has not released a nicer collection than this in a long time.

I can't recall a time that Stila has introduced a Holiday collection that I have actually wanted. It's been too long a time that I've really had any hard lemmings for a Stila holiday collection! This year is another year of snore and thankfully so because it saves me money in the long run for other more interesting collections.

I believe it was two years ago (or last year I can't really recall which) that the Stila Star Studded Event All Over Shimmer coffret was introduced. This consisted of four shimmers in a gorgeous box with a draw that pulled out to reveal four brushes! Really a lovely set!

Stila Star Studded Event All Over Shimmer Set








Stila also did the grand collection which really needs no introduction from me. As you can see with your eyes while it was titled so!

The Stila Grand Collection






Benefit has since resorted to just throwing together gift sets that include age old favorites. They take a little dandelion, a bit of bad gal mascara, a lipgloss or two and slap it in a brightly wrapped bag, mark down the price and Happy Holidays! Not that there is anything wrong with Benefit's version of Holiday cheer but a special product or two is always appreciated by the masses. Two years ago (again I believe it was two! I have so many collections I tend to forget when items were released) they had introduced two pretty little kits one of which the Muse happened to pick up which was entitled Dancing Darlings. The kit included 4 mini shimmering lip glosses in gold, pink, bronze, and white! Benefit I speak for all of us please do something like this again!





Tarte introduced a quad of four shimmers in a hard plastic case which was lovely! I believe this was around 2-3 years ago and I remember happily being able to purchase this at such a nice price because the shimmers are normally expensive and here was a little kit that included not 1 but 4 shades! The glistening powders you received were cute little pots that could stack into the plastic case all together!

Tarte also graced us with the Glitterati set which contained a mascara, silver glitter mascara, and silver glitter liner!

Tarte's Glitterati Set


Tarte's Glistening Powder Set






While in jolly old England last year around the middle of November I went to Pout and purchased three palettes from their very interesting Holiday lineup! One of which I don't believe was introduced here in the states. Masque de Jour, Masque de La Nuit, and Spoilt Senseless each included a trio of shadows, a cream blush, a gloss, and a brush for application! I have high hopes that Pout will do a similar style palette this year!







I believe, correct me if I am wrong, the Limited Edition Gold Shimmer Brick from Bobbi Brown was introduced last holiday season! However, I purchased mine in the summer at Nordies who still had one lonely palette in stock. This year I'm actually kind of excited to see the pink limited edition Shimmer Brick they are putting out!



Ahhhh Givenchy. I remember going nuts searching out the Prismissime palette all over this bloody city. It was sold out virtually everywhere but by some chance I got it around the first week of January when it popped back in stock at the Times Square Sephora plus I happened to nab the elusive Lash Pearls to go with it!





Bare Escentuals gave us the lovely Rose Gossmaer Gift Set which the Muse uses daily and adores! This year they bring us a new set entitled Precious Diamonds which is virtually the same style kit with a new exciting powder.





Bourjois Paris gave us thee most gorgeous shimmering shades of gold and silver loose powder shadows with it's Suivez mon Regard Eyeshadows.



Dior gave us a few backstage items that the Muse had trouble locating and finally, bless her weak heart, she was able to locate both at Nordies. The coveted Lash Pearls and the limited edition Glitter Top Coat in Gold for lips (they have since released a silver version as well).

I can remember a time when Dior was a bit of a funky, fun brand. It's since been introducing more elegant, couture themed palettes. The Diorglam palettes were on of the few items that were released in both colors something us statesiders are not used to getting!









Prescriptives got exciting one year with it's Startlight Shimmer Powder and Brush set! I can remember lemming this little set quite hard ;)





Around this time last year MAC surprised us with it's anticipated Couture collection and the masses ran to the stores to snatch up these highly coveted items! The Muse only happened to get four pieces from the set. Those were the Richmetal Highlighter and believe you me she regrets not nabbing more from the collection!





And finally MAC introduced us to it's Formal Black Holiday collection which included gorgeous palettes in lovely black compacts with a swinging beaded tassel and the elegance of a compact that made you the envy of your friends when you whipped it out for a touch up!





I hope you enjoyed this look at Christmas Past I'll bring you Christmas Present in a future entry. It's only October but already the shops are filling up with an array of treats to tempt and tease your credit card and cash right out of your very wallet. Heck, you don't even have to hand over either they will gladly walk right up to the counter for you and make their own purchases ;)

What are your favorite Holiday Collections from Christmas Past?

Have any of these? Love them?

Tell me what you miss or want back!

My ears are always open.