What we're stocking up on during the festive sales

‘Tis the season for saving

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, a house full of laughter, a belly full of laddoos and a happy bank account. It’s the festive sales season, folks, and you know what that means. It’s time to stock up on the products you’ve been eyeing all year and restock on your favourites.

Whether you’re prepping for epic Diwali parties, gearing up for your long-awaited vacation, or just want to look your absolute best when turning down the inevitable rishtas that family members will try to push your way. The beauty industry is bustling with incredible deals and limited-time offers. From makeup palettes that rival the shimmer of phuljhadis to skincare sets that’ll keep you glowing through to the winter, we scouted the internet to find the best deals.

So, put on your festive attire, join the dance of the diyas, and celebrate along with your bank balance.

The product details and pricing are accurate as of the time of publishing

Beauty products to pick up during the festive sales

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Rum Raisin, ₹559

Rum Raisin made a comeback, and how. As Gen Z looked back at the 90s and Y2K with nostalgia, they made all our mothers’ favourite lipstick trendy again, albeit in a different formula.

But the original is a GOAT. It glides on easily and doesn’t dry up in the cracks of your lips. While lipstick colours look different on different skin tones, this one pulls on the lighter pink side for people with a duskier skin tone and if you have pigmented lips.

Thank You Farmer Sun Project Silky Calming Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++, ₹1,919

Sunscreen sticks are all the rage, and for good reason. They make sunscreen reapplication a whole lot easier when you’re on the go.

This one by Thank You Farmer went viral, and the festive sales are a good time to pick it up. It’s water and sweat-resistant without leaving behind a sticky film on your skin. Remember to do enough swipes to get good coverage and pat it in once you’re done

Agaro hair dryer set, ₹1,399

There are days when you can let your hair take all the time it needs to air dry. But there are also times when you need to power blast through and get to Sima Aunty’s kitty party.

So you might as well pick up a great hair dryer set like this that lets you do different hairstyles (there’s a diffuser head for curls and wavy hair, too), which lets you control the temperature and has a cool shot you can end with.

MARS Cosmetics, buy 3 get 1 free

If you’re running out of products after attending multiple garbas, then use the ongoing deal by MARS Cosmetics to stock up. You can get all your festive staples.

MARS Cosmetics has everything you need, from glitter eyeshadows, lip gloss and eyeliner to lipsticks in multiple formulations. The best part is that you get quality products at a great price.

2% Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 PA+++ Hybrid Sunscreen, ₹638 (pack of 2)

You can never have enough sunscreen, though if you have oily skin, it can be a challenge to find one that gives you good protection without turning you into an oily mess that breaks up the makeup look you spent so long perfecting.

With niacinamide to regulate oil production and minimise the appearance of pores and the added benefit of rice water to brighten and hydrate, what’s not to love?

Dr PAWPAW Ultimate Red Balm, ₹300 – ₹550

So many great lip balms are on the market, but we keep returning to Dr PAWPAW’s balm.

We love the wash of colour the red variant gives you, but there’s also a clear, colourless one which you can use as the multipurpose soothing balm it is meant to be.

I Dew Care Vitamin To-Glow Pack, ₹1,200

Incorporating vitamin C has been on your skincare wishlist for a while, but you didn’t know where to start (we have a helpful guide). Let this kit by I Dew Care be your gateway to glowy skin.

You get all your treatment products in this set – serum, moisturiser and lip mask – infused with vitamin C. Remember to follow up with sunscreen to reap all its benefits.

Maybelline New York Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara, ₹300

No one does mascara quite like Maybelline, and they have multiple choices. But if you’re an excessive face sweater who breaks out at the first sign of humidity (like this writer), then waterproof mascara is the way to go.

We love the classic Hyper Curl, which gives short, non-existent lashes a great lift and a little volume. The wand is easy to use to separate the lashes and also give them a curl which holds without crumbling.

Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in Dark Coconut, ₹757

If there is one thing you pick up during the festive sales, then make it a lip product from Rom&nd. We’re partial to the shade Dark Coconut, which looks fantastic on pretty much all Indian skin tones.

It goes on like a watery, glistening gloss (without any stickiness) and tempers into a beautiful tint on the lips that stays for far longer than you’d expect.

Niveo Cocoa Nourish 48h Deep Moisturising Body Lotion, ₹247

Winter is coming, and it brings with it cosy sweaters, garam chai with a bowl of mumphali and also dry ashy skin.

Stock up on moisturiser that will nourish your skin without making you feel like you’re wrapped in suffocating cellophane. This is perfect for people who have dry to very dry skin.

Neutrogena Treat And Protect Combo, ₹1,250

Neutrogena was a game-changer with their Hydro Boost gel cream, unleashing many copies and dupes in the market. The took the hydrating formula and extended it into a great line of products for people with dehydrated skin.

The serum is light and effective for day or night use, and in this bundle, you get the bonus of their best-selling sunscreen to end your routine.

COSRX Advanced Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch, ₹1,499

The debate over whether you need an eye cream will continue in the skincare world, but you can’t deny that some people have extremely dry under-eyes. Whether it’s from using harsh products, age or letting strong actives get too close to the delicate under-eye area.

The snail mucin essence by COSRX has a cult following. They extended the line, took the hydrating and soothing snail mucin and added them to under-eye patches. Use these on the days your eye area needs some TLC.

Toni&Guy Heat Protection Mist, ₹703

Hands down one of our favourite heat protection sprays in the Indian market. We always keep an eye on this product when the festive sales come around and quickly add it to our shopping cart before it sells out.

Give yourself a salon-like blowout before hitting your next taash party without fear of frying your hair from too much heat. The formula of this heat protection spray doesn’t leave a film or coating on your hair that makes it coarse.