Apparently, that hairstyle still has plans.

The poof hairstyle, also spelled “pouf,” has been working its way back into beauty coverage for a few years. In 2026, it has red-carpet appearances to back it up, too. The part worth borrowing is the lifted front section. How high you take it is entirely your business.

The poof has been showing up on red carpets again

Anne Hathaway wore a voluminous half-up hairstyle to the March 2026 Oscars.

Then came Charli XCX’s textured half-up look at the Met Gala. Her hairstylist, Matt Benns, told NewBeauty that he wanted to keep her natural, lived-in style. He gathered the upper section at the crown for height, built up the texture and finished with teasing and styling sprays.

So the comeback has room for both a neat little front bump and a much bigger, curlier half-up look. You don’t have to commit to the tallest hair in the room.

What makes a poof a poof?

It’s that raised section of hair swept back from the front, with enough lift to make a visible bump instead of lying flat. Prose’s guide to the style explains that the volume can come from your natural texture or teasing, and you can wear it with loose hair, a ponytail, a bun or braids.

The fun is in the proportions. A small lift with the rest of your hair down looks very different from a tall, sculpted front section. Same basic idea; very different level of commitment.

How to try a smaller poof

For an approachable starting point, hairstylist Sophie Sugarman’s pinned-back styling method shared with GLAMOUR keeps the shape smooth and controlled. Here’s a simplified way to approach that look:

1. Start with dry, styled hair. If you’re blow-drying or using a hot tool first, apply an appropriate heat protectant.
2. Separate the front section. Gather the face-framing hair you want to pin back, leaving the rest loose.
3. Choose your height before you pin. Sweep that section back toward the crown, keeping a little lift at the front instead of pulling it completely flat.
4. Secure it and tidy the surface. Use pins or a small barrette, then a little hairspray to hold the shape and settle flyaways.

Start small so you can see whether you like the shape from the side as well as the front. You can always loosen and reposition the section before adding more hold.

You can keep your curls

A poof doesn’t require straightening every strand. The lifted section can sit above loose curls, or become the front of a ponytail or bun. If you want a softer look, keep some of that texture instead of brushing everything into a perfectly smooth shell.

Try the smallest version with the pins you already have. The Bumpit shopping can wait.

There is a time commitment, though. Olive & June estimates 45 to 60 minutes for an at-home dip manicure. This is more of a settle-in-and-do-your-nails plan than a quick coat before heading out.

What’s the difference between the $75 and $100 kits?

The $75 one-color Dip Mani System lets you choose a color powder. The $100 Dip Mani Essential System comes with six: Shacket, Dark Chocolate, Berry Pie, GH, Velvet Regatta and Royal Treatment. Those are regular prices before tax, without applying a promo code.

That makes the six-color kit $25 more for five additional color powders. It is the better fit if you actually want that lineup. If you tend to wear the same shade until the jar is empty, the one-color system keeps the initial spend lower without making you buy a color wardrobe.

The kit includes the base coat, activator, top coat, base powder and color powder, along with nail-prep tools, a brush, a cleanup tool, cuticle care, an acetone remover pot and a placemat. The one-or-six choice refers to the color powders; the base powder is a separate part of the system.

No lamp, but there are still several steps

According to Olive & June’s system guide, the dip air-dries without a lamp. The process involves prepping the nails, applying the base and color powders, setting and shaping, then finishing with top coat. That 45-to-60-minute estimate is the brand’s, not a promise that your first attempt will fit neatly into an hour.

Removal matters here, too. The brand says the manicure must be soaked off with acetone, so acetone-free polish remover will not do the job. It says no nail drill or e-file is required.

Read the powder claim carefully

Olive & June describes its powder as non-acrylic and plant-based. That description does not apply to every component in the box: the brand discloses methacrylates in the base and top coats and warns that they may cause reactions in people with allergies or sensitivities to nail glue or acrylic-based nail products.

That distinction is worth reading before treating “non-acrylic” as an allergy-safe promise.

Where to buy it, and when it might arrive

Both systems are available directly from Olive & June. At their regular prices, either clears the brand’s $55 threshold for free standard shipping within the contiguous U.S.

For planning purposes, the shipping estimate is usually one to three business days of processing, followed by five to ten business days for standard ground delivery. Leave yourself time if the kit is for a specific event.

The $75 kit is the lower-cost way to find out whether an at-home dip routine belongs in your life. The $100 kit makes more sense when you want the extra shades, not just because the box has more in it.

That changes the shopping math a little. Here’s what you get, what the two price levels cover, and where the lower shipping rate actually starts.

What does one set cost with shipping?

The U.S. collection lists ten solid-color designs at $19.95 each and two chrome-effect designs, Prosecco and Glazed Chocolate, at $21.95 each. These are one-time purchase prices.

At our October 21 check, Silent Night Mauve was sold out. Check your chosen design before ordering.

Doonails’ posted U.S. shipping policy charges $14.95 for baskets up to $39.99. At those prices:

• One solid-color set: $19.95 + $14.95 shipping = $34.90 before tax
• One chrome-effect set: $21.95 + $14.95 shipping = $36.90 before tax

Those totals are calculations from the posted prices and shipping policy, before any discounts, rather than checkout quotes.

What comes in one pack?

The Ballerina and Prosecco single-pack listings each include 30 nails in 15 sizes, 30 adhesive stickers in 15 sizes, a rosewood stick, two cleansing wipes and instructions.

Nail glue isn’t in those listed contents. If you’re planning to use glue instead of the included stickers, check what you’ll need separately before ordering.

For sizing, Doonails’ fit guide says a press-on should cover your natural nail without sticking out at the sides. Check the brand’s guide against your own nails before choosing a shape or length.

Two $19.95 sets don’t quite reach cheaper shipping

The next shipping tier is $7.95 for a basket of $40–$58.99, with free shipping starting at $59. The thresholds apply after discounts, and digital gift cards don’t count.

One small shopping-math catch: two $19.95 sets total $39.90 at list price, so that pair alone still falls below the $40 shipping tier. Check the discounted basket subtotal before adding another set just to chase cheaper shipping.

Prices, availability and shipping policy checked October 21, 2026. Check the store for current pricing and availability.

The limited-edition en pointe collection brings together ballet pinks, plum shades, shimmer and icy-blue packaging. Two of the lip gifts are $26: a trio of mini glossy balms and the shoe-charm lip mask.

The $26 mini set gives you three shades

The Gloss Barre Mini Glossy Balm Set contains three mini balms.

The brand lists Frosted Fairy, an icy silver shimmer with an almond-biscotti scent; Snow Blossom, a pale frosted pink with a maple-brown-sugar scent; and Sugar Plum, a shimmering plum with a matching sugar-plum scent.

The other $26 option has the tiny shoe

Satin Slumber Lip Mask is a tube with a dangling pointe-shoe charm. The shade is plum, and r.e.m. describes the fragrance as lavender crème brûlée.

The brand says the mask can be used during the day or before bed. Both $26 gifts are scented; the mini set offers three shades, while the mask keeps the focus on one plum lip treatment and its little accessory.

The rest of the featured picks run from $24 to $44

If lips aren’t the assignment, these are five more products in the collection:

• Sweet Dreams Eyeshadow Singlet, $24: one duochrome eyeshadow, for someone who wants a shimmer shade rather than another full palette.
• Frost & Flutter Eye Makeup Set, $29: Tulle liquid eyeshadow, described as rose-gold shimmer, paired with Treble Maker 3-in-1 mascara in Midnight Black.
• Mélange à Trois Blush & Highlight Stick, $29: a marbled blush-and-highlighter stick.
• Ballet Rosé Blush Palette, $42: three cheek shades with matte, shimmer and mélange finishes.
• The Prima Palette, $44: six eyeshadow shades, including pinks, plum and shimmer, with matte and duochrome finishes.

The individual gifts above are listed at $24–$44 on r.e.m. beauty’s U.S. site. The collection also includes higher-priced bundles.

The Disney holiday gift set pairs Mickey Mouse Wild Watermelon with Minnie Mouse Vanilla Blossom. Each 30 mL bottle comes with a matching silicone character case and metal keyring. The pair is $40.

That makes two ready-to-split gifts for Disney friends, or a matching set for someone who would want both.

There’s a sparkly option, too

Touchland’s Main Character Set is also $40. It includes four 30 mL hand sanitizers—Wild Watermelon, Mango Passion, Pure Lavender and Vanilla Blossom—plus one Frosted Sparkle Hand Mist Case.

The difference is straightforward: Main Character gives you four scents and one case; Disney gives you two scents and two character cases. The Disney fragrances also appear in Main Character, so the extra case and Mickey-and-Minnie designs are the draw.

Both sets use cases made for Touchland’s 30 mL hand sanitizer mists. One checkout detail matters here: Touchland advertises free shipping on orders over $40, so a $40 set alone does not meet that stated threshold.

Pura Vida’s 2026 24 Day Advent Calendar is $138 and was available to preorder when checked October 17. Here’s the spoiler-light version before you commit.

Pura Vida has offered to send us a complimentary calendar.

What’s inside?

The brand lists 24 surprises, including bracelets, adjustable rings, necklaces, anklets and stickers. So, keep the stickers in mind if you’re expecting 24 pieces of jewelry.

Pura Vida puts the assortment’s value at $300. That’s the brand’s valuation; the useful question is whether the person opening it would actually wear a mix of these accessories.

The full item list is on the product page if you’re shopping for someone particular. If the surprise is half the fun, skip that section and the contents photos.

When does it ship?

The product page estimates shipping by November 3. That’s a ship-by estimate, not a delivery date, so leave room for transit if you’re gifting it before December.

Check the materials before buying

The gold jewelry is gold-plated brass. Pura Vida says the plated pieces aren’t waterproof or tarnish-proof and advises keeping them away from water, perfume and lotion.

That makes this a better match for someone who takes jewelry off before showering or swimming. For an always-on jewelry person, the care requirements are worth thinking through first.

One checkout detail to read

The listing says orders without Checkout+ are final sale; eligible orders with it have 30 days from purchase to start a return or exchange.

Check those terms before ordering early for a December gift. A countdown calendar is a lot more fun when the shopping surprises are already out of the way.

A small spoiler: one of the bracelets

If you’d like a peek before ordering, this official photo shows one of the calendar’s bracelets.

Or it can be a really good gift. The difference is what’s behind those little doors.

So let’s compare the 2026 K-beauty calendars by what you’re actually buying: skincare versus makeup, minis versus full-size products, and whether the thing is even available. There’s also one mixed Asian-beauty option worth knowing about, with that distinction clearly labeled.

Prices and U.S. ordering information checked October 16, 2026. These are comparisons of published product listings, not hands-on reviews. Prices below are one-time purchase prices before any additional shipping, tax or duties.

The quick comparison

TONYMOLY x Squishmallows: the $30 cute-gift pick

The 10-day Squishmallows calendar is the least expensive option here. Ulta lists hand creams, lip glosses, masks and patches, plus extras including a headband and keychain.

That makes it a fun match for a Squishmallows fan who likes beauty treats. It does not make it ten full-size skincare products, and it isn’t a box of plush toys.

The lip gloss adds a little makeup to the mix, but the character packaging and accessories are a big part of the appeal. If those extras don’t interest you, keep looking.

Want a closer peek? Here’s our Squishmallows calendar breakdown.

ANUA: a smaller skincare commitment

The $34 ANUA 7-Days of Glass Skin calendar is the skincare-focused option to compare if you don’t want a three-figure holiday box.

Ulta’s contents list includes cleansing oil, cleansing foam, toner, serum, moisturizer and lip serum, with listed sizes from 0.33 to 1.35 ounces. Think a compact assortment, not a promise of seven full-size bottles.

There’s one detail to check before ordering: the product is called a seven-day calendar, but Ulta currently names only six products in its contents list. The product photo also shows a brightening-pad packet and labels the lip serum full-size. That helps explain the assortment, but check the complete contents with the retailer if a specific item matters to you.

Best for: someone interested in trying ANUA skincare. If you’re shopping for colorful makeup, this isn’t that calendar.

YesStyle: the multi-brand one to watch for the next batch

YesStyle’s $164.90 Y So Cereal calendar combines 35 beauty items in mini and full sizes, plus merchandise, across skincare and makeup. The listing’s 38-piece label does not mean 38 beauty products.

This is the pick to investigate if the fun is trying different brands. Just check the actual contents against what you already own; a big product count doesn’t automatically make everything useful to you.

As checked October 16, YesStyle says the next batch is expected October 20 at 9 a.m. UTC: 5 a.m. Eastern, 4 a.m. Central, 3 a.m. Mountain or 2 a.m. Pacific. That’s an expected release time, not a delivery date or a guarantee you’ll get one.

Our YesStyle calendar article has more details.

LANEIGE: for the person who already loves the brand

The $149 LANEIGE 12 Days of Wonder calendar mixes full and mini sizes. Its 12 listed products include cleansers, moisturizers and sleeping masks, with six lip-focused items spanning balms, tinted serums, a tint and a lip sleeping mask.

If lip products are your favorite part of a beauty gift, that could be a plus. If you wanted a broad makeup collection, there’s no reason to pay for this expecting eyeshadow and mascara.

Availability caveat: the official page displayed a back-in-stock notification alongside add-to-cart text when checked. Treat this as a stock-check option, not a confirmed ready-to-ship gift.

Kiokii: the full-size-heavy option, with an important label

The $149.99 Kiokii calendar belongs in the conversation, but it isn’t exclusively Korean beauty: it combines K-beauty, J-beauty and C-beauty.

Kiokii lists 22 full-size products, three travel-size products, five extras and a tote bag across 24 windows. Its assortment includes makeup, skincare and other beauty items. The 31-total count includes the extras and bag.

Best for: someone who wants more full-size variety and is happy to explore beyond Korean brands.

The U.S. listing was accepting orders, but shipping copy still included preorder language and differing timelines. Check dispatch timing before buying. U.S. duties and fees are calculated at checkout, and the calendar is final sale.

Which one is actually worth your money?

Start with the products you’d be happy to receive even without an adorable box. Then look at the total you’ll pay at checkout.

For a smaller gift budget, compare TONYMOLY’s character-heavy mix with ANUA’s skincare focus. For a bigger spend, decide whether you want one familiar brand, several K-beauty brands, or Kiokii’s broader Asian-beauty assortment.

Full-size only helps if you’ll use it. Minis only help if you wanted to try them. And a sold-out calendar is a wish-list item, not a finished Christmas-shopping task.

Still deciding? Our 2026 Advent calendar guide has more options beyond beauty.

I am still very much in my Aussie era.

The curl mousse with leave-in conditioner makes me happy. The Instant Freeze gel gives me the most castastic cast ever. And that mega-hold hairspray has held up in the rain for me, which feels like a perfectly good reason to remain emotionally attached to a hair product.

Then I tried Umberto Giannini’s Curl Jelly, and my hair became this lovely combination of texture, shine, and loop de loop. The curls were doing the thing. I was delighted.

I’m also convinced it helped with drying time, but sometimes I make stuff up. I can tell you I loved the result. I cannot promise the gel was responsible for how quickly my hair dried.

Now I want to know what else is out there. I want to understand what I’m putting in my hair, when I’m supposed to use it, and which things might actually be worth spending more on.

Because I’m still learning curls. I would prefer not to go beyond broke while doing it.

First, I’m keeping the Aussie

Trying something new does not require throwing away the products that already make me happy. I can keep my inexpensive gel and experiment with a different mousse. Or keep the mousse and try another leave-in. My bathroom does not need to become a beauty supply store overnight.

This is a beginner’s shopping guide built around my actual starting point. The Aussie experiences, my reaction to Umberto, my love of the bowl method, and the pink-versus-green dryer story are mine. The other products below are researched options I’m curious about, based on their listed purpose, directions, size, and price. I haven’t personally tested them.

And luxury is a price category here. It is not a promise that your curls will like something more.

What does all this curly-hair stuff actually do?

The checklist in the Locks by Libby Brenner screenshot that inspired this post includes everything from shampoo and a diffuser to root clips and a bonnet. Before I start buying all of it, I need to know what job each thing has.

Curlsmith’s explanation of cream versus leave-in helped make that distinction clearer: they have different jobs, and whether you use both depends on your hair and the result you want. There isn’t a prize for using the most layers.

Also, check what your bottle already does. Aussie Sprunch Mousse & Leave-In Conditioner, for example, combines two categories. That is worth noticing before buying another conditioner just because a checklist mentions one.

Curl Jelly first. Firmer gel after. That’s what I like.

Curl Jelly feels more like a curl cream to me. I use it as that softer first styling layer, then put a harder-hold gel over it. I don’t know exactly why that combination works so well for my hair, but it does. Texture, shine, loop de loop. Happy.

There is a naming wrinkle here: the original Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly is sold as a medium-hold gel, and Umberto also makes separate cream and leave-in products with Curl Jelly in their names. I’m describing how mine feels and where I use it in my routine, rather than saying every Curl Jelly product is the same thing.

Shampoo → rinse-out conditioner → optional leave-in or cream → curl styler → optional firmer-hold gel → dry completely → gently scrunch out the cast → optional hairspray.

That’s a starting point to experiment with, not a rule that every curl has to obey. Product directions take priority, especially on how wet the hair should be. Some stylers ask for damp hair; Umberto’s original Curl Jelly directs you to apply it through wet mid-lengths and ends.

If mousse alone gives you the look you want, you can stop there. My softer-styler-then-firmer-gel combination is another option. The first layer helps me get the curl shape I like, and the second is where I’m looking for more staying power. That’s how I think about it; I haven’t run a hair laboratory. Changing one thing at a time gives me a better chance of figuring out which thing helped.

And the cast? That firm shell can be part of the process. Curlsmith’s gel-cast guide explains letting hair dry fully before gently scrunching it softer. Umberto gives the same fully-dry instruction for Curl Jelly. Crunch while it dries does not automatically mean you bought the wrong product.

I really like the bowl method

One thing I already know: I really like the bowl method. That belongs in this conversation before I buy twelve more bottles.

The basic idea is to dip wet hair into a bowl of water, lift it out, and scrunch so the water falls back into the bowl, repeating to encourage curls to gather into clumps. Hair.com’s bowl-method walkthrough starts with washed, conditioned, detangled hair and works styling products into the process before drying.

You can try it with a bowl you already own. The amount of water and product is another thing to experiment with, so I would keep my familiar products while figuring out the technique.

Gel: luxury, middle, and budget

This is where my strongest feelings currently live. I enjoy a serious cast. But different gels aim for different finishes, which matters more than whether the bottle looks expensive.

Luxury: Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold

Oribe describes a lightweight glossing gel with soft, natural hold. A possibility for someone seeking that finish; it is not sold as the strongest-cast option.

Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold
Reference price: $46 / 5.9 oz. Check Amazon for the current price.

Middle: Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly

The original Curl Jelly is listed as medium hold. Apply to wet hair, then air-dry or diffuse and scrunch out the cast when fully dry.

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly
Reference price: $14.99 / 6.7 oz. Check Amazon for the current price.

Budget: Aussie Instant Freeze Gel

The strong-hold option I already enjoy. A very reasonable place to stay if that cast makes you as happy as it makes me.

Aussie Instant Freeze Gel
Reference price: $4.99 / 7 oz. Check Walmart for the current price.

I loved my experience with Umberto’s curl gel, so the brand is a natural place for me to explore. We also have the details on Umberto Giannini’s Ulta launch.

The Oribe comparison is a useful reminder for me: a $46 gel can be designed for a softer finish than a $4.99 gel. I need to shop for the result I want.

Mousse: when I want to experiment with volume

I already like what my Aussie mousse does. These are three options beyond it if volume and styling feel are the next things I want to compare.

Luxury: Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse

Body, curl definition, and a supple finish. Its directions say to work it into damp hair, then diffuse or air-dry.

Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse
Reference price: $42 / 5.7 oz. Check Amazon for the current price.

Middle: Umberto Giannini Curl Whip

Volume and lift. The directions include scrunching into damp hair at the roots. This is a mousse, a different product from Curl Jelly.

Umberto Giannini Curl Whip
Reference price: $14.99. Check Amazon for the current price.

Budget: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Activating Mousse

Flexible control and volume. A lower-cost experiment if you want to try a different mousse without starting in the luxury aisle.

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Activating Mousse
Reference price: $10.99 / 7 oz. Check Walmart for the current price.

I would try one as a replacement for my usual mousse first. Adding two mousses, a new cream, and a new gel in the same wash would leave me with absolutely no idea who deserves the credit.

Leave-in conditioner: when softness is the goal

This is a conditioning choice. If my curls feel soft already and the main problem is keeping their shape, I would look at the hold step before adding more conditioning layers.

Luxury: Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler

A conditioning lotion marketed for detangling and rich moisture. Oribe directs application to damp hair.

Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler
Reference price: $44 / 8.5 oz. Check Amazon for the current price.

Middle checkout price: Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer

A concentrated conditioning spray. This is the hair primer, not the similarly named rinse-out conditioner or body spray.

Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer
$24 / 3.3 fl oz

Budget: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner

A conditioning and detangling spray to consider before jumping to a larger splurge.

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner
Reference price: $10.99 / 6 fl oz. Check Walmart for the current price.

Watch bottle sizes, too. The little Lush bottle costs less at checkout than the Oribe lotion, but it is much smaller. “Middle” here describes the initial spend; it does not mean the best value by volume or the most uses per bottle.

If your hair easily looks flat or coated, start with less product. You can experiment with whether you need a leave-in and a cream together once you know what one of them does on its own.

My pink dryer has entered the conversation

I bought this pink AINA diffuser hair dryer on Amazon during a Prime Day sale, and it is insanely good. I think I paid around $14, but I don’t remember the exact price. I also bought a green one from Temu that is terrible. That is my actual experience with those two dryers, and it is why I’m not assuming the answer is automatically “spend more.”

Check the listing for the current price; my fuzzy memory of a sale is not a price guarantee. The shopping options below are separate researched picks; none is being presented as my pink dryer.

Before spending anything, check the attachments that came with your current dryer. If you already have a compatible diffuser, that is a very appealing $0 starting point. A separately purchased attachment needs to fit your specific dryer; “universal” is something to check.

Luxury: Dyson Supersonic Nural, Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold

This exact package includes the Wave+Curl diffuser. It also offers adjustable heat and airflow and attachment-setting memory.

Dyson Supersonic Nural, Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold
Reference price: $449.99. Check Amazon for the current price.

Middle: Curlsmith Defrizzion Dryer & XXL Diffuser

A dryer-and-diffuser set aimed at textured hair, with three heat settings, two speeds, and a sustained cool setting.

Curlsmith Defrizzion Dryer & XXL Diffuser
Reference price: $189. Check Amazon for the current price.

Budget: INFINITI PRO CONAIR Natural Texture Styling System

Includes a texture diffuser with adjustable vents. A much smaller initial spend for trying a dryer with a curl-focused attachment.

INFINITI PRO CONAIR Natural Texture Styling System
Reference price: $37.99 at Target. Check Amazon for the current price.

I haven’t tested these dryers against one another, so I’m not handing out fastest-drying trophies. Compare the included attachment, controls, weight, and return policy with how you actually plan to use the tool. You can also air-dry if that works for your routine.

What about the towel, brushes, clips, and bonnet?

These have separate jobs, too. A detangling tool helps work through knots; a styling brush helps arrange curl sections. You do not need to buy both before you try using what you have gently on conditioned hair.

For drying, a soft cotton T-shirt is a low-cost place to start if you already own one. L’Oréal’s guide to plopping explains using that fabric to gather and dry curls. A microfiber hair towel is another option. Gently squeeze or blot rather than vigorously rubbing everything around.

Root clips are something to explore if lift at the scalp is the specific thing you want. A bonnet, scarf, or smooth pillowcase is a separate experiment for protecting your style overnight. I would choose one approach to try before buying an entire sleep wardrobe for my hair.

And yes, I already own a big tub of green Eco gel. I use it to slick down hair when I’m doing EDM braids for friends and their kiddos. That is the job I know it for. I haven’t established how it compares with my other gels for wearing my own curls loose.

How I’m going beyond Aussie without going beyond broke

I’m keeping the things that work and choosing one thing I want to improve. More volume? Try a different mousse. A different kind of hold? Compare a gel. More softness? Experiment with a small amount of leave-in.

I want to keep track of the product, roughly how much I used, how wet my hair was, and whether I air-dried or diffused. Then I can compare the feel, shape, and staying power across a few wash days before deciding something is magic.

I can also check for a smaller size before buying a full bottle, knowing that a mini may cost more per ounce but less to try.

For now, Aussie still has a place in my bathroom. Umberto has my attention. And I would like considerably more loop de loop without a considerably worse bank balance.

Reference prices were checked October 15, 2026, at the brands, Ulta, or Target, before tax and shipping. Amazon and Walmart prices may differ; check the linked listing for the current price, seller, size, and included attachments.

The brand’s 2026 12 Days of Mani Magic calendar is listed at $60, with 11 polish shades and a duo of top coats. There’s also a separate $50 Pressies calendar for kids and tweens, filled with press-on nails and nail-art stickers. Same countdown idea, very different manicure situation.

The $60 calendar has full-size polish

Olive & June calls this its first full-size holiday calendar. The 12-day format includes 11 colors, with the two top coats grouped as a duo. That gives you 11 colors to play with, plus two ways to finish them.

The shade lineup goes beyond Christmas red and green. There’s Favorite Beanie, a slate blue; Lavender Stems, a sheer purple; and Office Party, a milky white with holographic flakes. Glitter Elf brings the green glitter, while JG is raspberry red.

The collection also includes This Lettuce is Radicchio, Exclamation Point, Can I Borrow a Sweater?, Potpourri Quick Dry, Team Spirit and Lovenote Quick Dry. So if you prefer sheer colors, a soft pearl or a glitter top layer, there are options beyond one very specific holiday manicure.

The finishing pair is Sparkle Fairy Top Coat Effect, with iridescent flakes, and Long-Lasting Top Coat, for a glossy finish. Olive & June puts the retail value at $128.

The $50 Pressies calendar is a different kind of gift

The Pressies 12 Days of Mani Magic calendar is made for kids and tweens. It contains festive press-on designs and nail-art stickers rather than bottles of polish.

The named designs include Puffy Christmas Tree, Holographic Snowflake, Diamond French Bows, Olive the Other Reindeer and Candy Cane Crush. The product list mixes XS/S and S/M round styles, so check the listed sizes before choosing it for someone.

The sticker themes include woodland creatures, gems, cookies and candy, bows, and snowmen. Olive & June lists this calendar at $50 with a stated $72 retail value.

Which calendar makes more sense?

For someone who likes painting their nails and choosing their own combinations, the $60 polish calendar is the one to compare. The $50 Pressies version is the kids-and-tweens option for decorated press-ons and stickers. It costs $10 less, but it isn’t a smaller version of the same polish box.

The official holiday-calendar page still labels both as preorders, while the individual product pages have Add to Bag buttons. Check current shipping timing before ordering one as a gift. Prices are before any applicable tax or shipping.

If you’re comparing other nail calendars, we also have a Manucurist calendar comparison.

Walmart has a Way to Celebrate DIY Ghost Hair Buns Kit, and the listing shows it at $5. It comes with the bun forms and little white ghost covers, so you don’t have to start by making the ghosts yourself.

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What comes in the ghost buns kit?

The four-piece kit includes two foam bun forms and two fabric ghost covers. The covers have black eyes and an open little mouth. They’re giving “boo,” but politely.

One detail to catch before you get ready: hair elastics are not included. The package says so right on the front. Grab your own hair ties along with the kit.

A little Halloween costume for your hair

The idea is a pair of buns wearing matching ghosts. It’s a cute option when you want a Halloween detail without planning an entire costume around it.

Walmart says the instructions are on the kit. Follow those directions for fitting the foam forms and fabric covers; this is a product find, and we haven’t tested the kit ourselves.

You can check the ghost hair buns kit at Walmart here. The listed price is $5 at the time of writing, but prices and pickup, delivery, or shipping availability can vary by location.

If you’d rather make your Halloween hair accessory, try our googly-eye headband or DIY bat hairbow. Apparently, even our hair accessories need eyes.

The choice comes down to how you actually do your nails: regular air-dry polish or LED-cured Green Flash polish. Here’s the difference before you spend $139 or $179.

The $139 Time to Shine Advent Calendar

Time to Shine is the regular-polish option, combining Manucurist Green colors, Active makeup-meets-care nail products, hand care and tools. The brand lists eight Green nail polishes, three Active care polishes, four Green manicure essentials, four hand-and-nail care products, four manicure accessories and one case of biodegradable gold glitter. That’s 24 full-size surprises, and the included Active Shine Icy is exclusive to this calendar.

The best part? The Green and Active products air-dry. You won’t need to buy an LED lamp just to use the polish.

The $179 Time to Flash Advent Calendar

Time to Flash is built around the brand’s Green Flash LED-cured polish system. It includes ten Green Flash colors, five Green Flash essentials, four nail-and-hand care items, four manicure accessories and biodegradable gold glitter, according to Manucurist.

But here’s the catch: the $179 calendar does not include an LED lamp or Green Flash remover. Manucurist says you’ll need both for this system, so factor those in if you don’t already have them. The brand also offers bundles that include the extra supplies.

Which one should you buy?

• Choose Time to Shine ($139) if you want conventional air-dry polish and nail care without an LED lamp.
• Choose Time to Flash ($179) if you already have the Green Flash supplies or want that LED-cured system and have budgeted for the lamp and remover.
• Skip both if you rarely paint your nails. Twenty-four products are a treat only if you’ll actually use them.

Is a full-size nail Advent calendar worth it?

For someone who regularly buys nail polish, nail-care treatments and manicure supplies, I get the appeal. You’re not paying for 24 tiny bottles you’ll use once. You’re getting colors, practical tools and nail care in one very festive package.

I’d start with the polish system you’ll actually use, then compare the colors and nail-care products in each calendar. Stock and prices can change.

And if you need ideas for all those colors, our Halloween nail designs and Thanksgiving nail art should keep you busy.

The British haircare brand announced its Ulta.com debut for October 8. Its curl-care lineup includes gels, wash-day products, detangler and styling creams, so you can browse more than one pink tube.

Start with the Curl Jelly

Ulta lists Curl Jelly as a lightweight, silicone-free styling gel with medium hold for waves, curls and coils. Those are the brand’s product claims, rather than a Totally The Bomb wear test.

The directions call for working it through wet mid-lengths and ends, then scrunching before air-drying or diffusing. Once hair is completely dry, you can scrunch out the gel cast. In other words, don’t judge the finished feel while your hair is still drying.

What else is in the lineup?

The Ulta assortment also lists Curl Jelly Wash, Banana Coconut Detangler, Banana Butter Air Dry Cream, Crème De Curl, Curl Jelly Shine, Curl Whip, Curl Jelly Vanilla and Curly Custard. The individual listings shown when we checked were $14.99 each. The brand says the full 16-product U.S. collection ranges from $14.99 to $24.99, so check the price on the specific item you choose.

If you’re choosing between a gel and a cream, check the individual directions rather than treating every product with “curl” in its name as interchangeable. Crème De Curl, for example, is a 5-ounce styling cream; the original Curl Jelly is a 6.7-ounce gel.

Check the shipping details before checkout

When we checked on October 9, Ulta listed the original Curl Jelly in stock and ready to ship, with fulfillment by Umberto Giannini. Store pickup and same-day delivery weren’t available for that product.

One more thing for the coupon crowd: the listing says the brand is excluded from most Ulta Beauty coupons. Check the terms on your specific offer before counting on a discount.

You can shop the collection on Ulta.com. For now, this is a ship-it-to-your-house situation.

The brand teamed up with Mane for an Extra Frosting lip gloss kit, featuring gloss scented and flavored like Cinnabon’s cream cheese frosting. The announced launch price is $28.

It’s a kit, not just a gloss

The box includes a 0.08-fluid-ounce gloss, a pink Jelly Pop brush and mirror, and a Cinnabon reward card. That little gloss is 2.35 mL, so check the size if you’re buying it mainly for the lip product.

The reward card is part of the package, but check its redemption terms rather than assuming it covers your usual bakery order.

Where it launched

The rollout began with a Sephora app preview on September 22, followed by Sephora.com and Mane’s website on September 23. Select U.S. and Canadian Sephora stores followed on September 25.

It’s a limited-edition collaboration, so check the retailer’s current listing for stock and price before ordering.

For the friend who goes to the mall and somehow comes home with both a lip gloss and a cinnamon roll, Cinnabon has connected the dots.

Scentbird’s New Moon eau de parfum is available in a 20ml mini bottle for $39 as a one-time purchase. The bottle has a gold-toned cap and a dark, forest-themed label that makes its allegiance to the Twilight shelf pretty clear.

What are the New Moon perfume notes?

Scentbird describes this one as a floral amber fragrance. Its listed notes are ginger flower, Tahitian vanilla, warm caramel, amber and sandalwood.

That vanilla-and-caramel pairing is the detail worth noticing if you usually gravitate toward sweeter perfumes. Ginger flower, amber and sandalwood are part of the mix, too, so the brand’s description gives you more to go on than a movie title and a pretty bottle.

For a gift, check the recipient’s favorite fragrance notes before letting the movie tie-in make the whole decision. The label does the fandom part; the vanilla, caramel and woods still need to sound like something they’d wear.

The $39 option is the mini bottle

Check the size before you order: the $39 listing is for 20ml. Scentbird’s main fragrance page lists five one-time purchase sizes, including a 1.5ml sample and a larger 1.7oz bottle. Each size has its own price.

The site offers subscriber discounts separately, so choose the one-time purchase option if you just want the bottle. The $39 is the listed product price; shipping and any applicable tax are additional checkout details.

If you already spotted the separate Twilight car and home scents, this is the version for your perfume shelf.

What you need

• White nail polish
• Black nail polish
• A dotting tool or small nail-art brush
• A smaller dotting tool or toothpick for the pupils
• Clear top coat

How to paint these ghost nails

1. Paint the whole nail white. Follow your polish’s directions for coats and drying time. The white nail itself makes the ghost, so you do not need a dark background.
2. Add two black eye circles. Place them side by side near the cuticle end of the nail, leaving room below for the mouth.
3. Give the eyes their googly look. Once the black is dry, put a smaller white dot inside each eye, leaving a black edge. Add a tiny black pupil inside the white. Point both pupils the same way, or let one wander.
4. Paint the mouth. Add a small black oval below the eyes. Make it taller for a shocked ghost or shorter for a less dramatic one.
5. Finish with top coat. Let the face dry first so the brush does not pull black streaks through the white base.

One ghost is enough

Keep one or two ghost accent nails and paint the others black, purple or white. If the layered eyes feel too fiddly, two simple black dots still give the little face plenty of expression.

Keep the spooky manicure going with our Halloween nail art roundup, mummy nails and spooky eyeball nails.

What you need

• Brown nail polish
• Yellow-green polish (or yellow or gold)
• White polish
• Black polish
• Orange polish
• A dotting tool, sewing-pin head or toothpick
• A small striping brush
• Clear top coat

How to paint owl nails

The step-by-step images below are AI-generated illustrations based on our original owl nail design. The original photo tutorial is included below.

1. Start with a brown nail. Paint the nail brown and let the base dry.

   

2. Make two big eye circles. Dot two yellow-green circles right next to each other. Yellow or gold polish works, too. Let them dry before adding the next layer.

   

3. Add the feather details. Use a thin brush and white polish to add tiny feather marks around the face and two little eyebrows.

   

4. Build the eyes. Add a smaller white circle inside each yellow-green one. Once those are dry, add a tiny black pupil to each eye.

   

5. Add the beak. Paint a small orange triangle just below and between the eyes.

   

6. Seal it. Let all the details dry, then gently finish with clear top coat.

   

Make them feel more like fall

Pair one owl accent nail with cream, rust, deep beet red or olive green. You keep the original little owl face without needing to hand-paint ten of them.

For more fall-tastic nails, check out these 60 Thanksgiving nail art ideas and our football nails.

The Squishmallows x TONYMOLY 10-Day Advent Calendar is $30, with skincare minis and character accessories tucked behind numbered doors. Think sheet masks, hand cream, lip gloss, and little extras you can actually use.

And yes, the box is pink. Very pink.

What’s inside the Squishmallows calendar?

TONYMOLY describes a mix of skincare and accessories, including sheet masks, hand cream, lip gloss, keychains, and a headband. It’s a beauty countdown with Squishmallows characters on the packaging, rather than a box of plush toys.

The official photos give you a peek at a toasted-marshmallow hand cream and chocolate-glaze lip gloss, plus a character keychain and a sheet mask. The little holiday outfits are doing quite a lot of the convincing here.

There are ten numbered doors, so this is a shorter countdown than a 24-day calendar. TONYMOLY suggests starting December 1, but you could also save it for the ten days leading up to Christmas. Your calendar, your door-opening rules.

Where to buy the Squishmallows calendar

If you’re shopping for someone who already likes Squishmallows and enjoys skincare, this puts both interests in one pink box.

TONYMOLY says to follow the directions on each skincare product’s individual packaging and check the individual product listings for ingredients. A cute box doesn’t tell you whether every formula is a fit for the person receiving it.

The calendar was listed at $30 and available to add to cart on TONYMOLY’s official site when checked October 4. Shipping and taxes are additional where applicable, and availability can change.

Still comparing countdowns? Our 2026 Advent calendar guide has more beauty, food, and wonderfully specific options.

The “Y So Cereal” Beauty Advent Calendar is listed at US$164.90 and includes 35 mini and full-size skincare and makeup products, plus YesStyle merchandise.

Can you buy the YesStyle Advent calendar now?

Availability checked October 16, 2026: YesStyle’s official product page says the next batch is coming soon, with an expected release of October 20 at 9 a.m. UTC. The original public preorder date has passed.

For U.S. shoppers, that expected release falls on Tuesday, October 20:

• Eastern: 5 a.m. EDT
• Central: 4 a.m. CDT
• Mountain: 3 a.m. MDT
• Pacific: 2 a.m. PDT

That is YesStyle’s expected batch-release time, not a promised shipping or delivery date. Check the listing again before setting an alarm; availability can change, and the page is not currently promising immediate purchase.

What’s inside the giant cereal box?

YesStyle names VT, Arencia, peripera and AXIS-Y among the K-beauty brands included. Its announcement describes 35 mini and full-size skincare and makeup products ranging from cleansers and serums to lip tints, along with exclusive merchandise featuring its Yessies characters Styla, Numi and Bom.

The packaging has illustrations by @pure1water and goes all in on the cereal-box idea. It is a much more entertaining wrapper for skincare than another plain gift box.

How to judge the $164.90 price

YesStyle says the products inside are worth more than US$450. That is the retailer’s stated value, so the useful question is how much of the assortment you or the person receiving it would actually use.

For someone who likes trying different Korean beauty brands, the variety is the draw. Before ordering, look through the product photos and sizes, then check the checkout total and delivery estimate for your destination.

Check current availability at YesStyle. Our 2026 Advent calendar guide has more beauty, food, LEGO and unusually specific holiday boxes to compare.

The OPI x M&M’S Holiday Advent Calendar is $49.99 and contains 12 mini nail lacquers from the limited-edition holiday collection. OPI currently lists it for purchase on its U.S. site.

There’s a chocolate-brown shimmer in the mix

According to OPI’s look at the 2026 collaboration, Choco-lotta Cheer is a chocolate-brown shimmer, What a Tree-t is a deep teal crème, and Crack Me Up brings a candy-shell blue into the lineup. Melt in Your Mani and Red-iculously Sweet cover the red side of things.

That gives you some room beyond the usual red-and-green holiday manicure. The brown shimmer could carry a Thanksgiving look, while the blue would be a fun change from a traditional Christmas red. Pick one shade for every nail or pull a few together for a candy-colored mix.

The remaining shades in the box are Feeling Mmmerry, All Treat No Trick, Merry Crunch-mas, Peanut Butter Me Up, Deck the Shells, OPI Want Them All and White Choco-hot.

Check the minis before comparing the price

The useful detail here is the bottle size: these are minis. At $49.99 for 12, the calendar works out to about $4.17 per mini before tax or shipping.

This makes the most sense as a color sampler or a gift for someone who likes changing shades. If you only want one everyday color, twelve little bottles may be more variety than you need.

You can see the full calendar at OPI, or browse our 2026 advent calendar guide for other countdown gifts.

There are simple polish looks, original nail-art tutorials, and ready-made sets below. Each one has a real finished-manicure photo and a link to its source, so you can decide what to paint yourself and what to save for your nail tech. For full-on spooky designs, head to our Halloween nail ideas.

Start with chocolate, beet red, olive or sheer mauve if you want the least complicated option. For detailed art, check the linked tutorial’s supplies before you begin. Dip powder, stamping and gel techniques are different systems; follow the instructions for the products you actually use.

Jump to: Simple fall colors · Shimmer and swirls · French tips · Sweaters and plaid · Leaves and brushwork

1. Chocolate-brown nails

Simple polish

A warm milk-chocolate manicure is a good place to start if you want the fall mood with very little fuss. OPI’s Chocolate Moose is the shade in this photo. The creamy finish keeps the focus on the color, so there is no tiny pattern to line up on your other hand.

See the polish and original manicure

2. Deep beet-red nails

Simple polish

This rich red does plenty on its own. Olive & June calls Actually Dramatic a deep beet red, and its photographed manicure has the kind of glossy finish that makes a plain sweater look a little more dressed up. Keep it simple across all five nails.

See the polish and original manicure

3. Olive-green nails

Simple polish

Olive green is the earthy choice when orange and burgundy are not your thing. This OPI Suzi – The First Lady of Nails manicure is dark enough to feel autumnal, while the glossy cream finish keeps it clean. It would be especially pretty next to a cream knit or a brown jacket.

See the polish and original manicure

4. Coppery-orange shimmer

Simple polish

The molten orange in this manicure by @sedjames, featured by OPI, is Liquid Fire. It brings the leaf-color part of fall without any actual leaf painting. The shimmer supplies the detail; you can save the tiny brushes for another day.

See the polish and original manicure

5. Sheer gray-mauve nails

Simple polish

For something softer, Lowkey Perfect has a sheer gray-mauve tint. It is the quiet little reset between brighter summer colors and a full dark manicure. The translucent finish also makes a nice reference if you want your salon appointment to end with subtle color rather than elaborate art.

See the polish and original manicure

6. Taupe velvet nails

Ready-made set or salon reference

The soft, light-catching finish is the whole point here. Olive & June’s Taupe Velvet set puts it on extra-short round nails, which is useful inspiration if you like a more compact shape. For a salon version, show the photo so your nail tech can see the finish you mean by “velvet.”

See the original nail set

7. Sage chrome nails

Ready-made set or salon reference

A pale green base with a reflective finish is a gentler way into chrome. This Sage Chrome set is short and round, with enough shine to feel special without a separate accent nail. Save it if you prefer cool, muted colors to the usual pumpkin-spice palette.

See the original nail set

8. Espresso shimmer swirls

Ready-made set or salon reference

These brown swirls deserve a closer look. Tonal brown bands, glossy curves and glittery sections give the Espresso Shimmer Swirl design more movement than a flat brown manicure. The photographed set is a short squoval shape, so you can have the pattern without needing a long nail.

See the original nail set

9. Dark nails with gold drizzle

Ready-made set or salon reference

Thin gold-colored lines over a deep brown base are a very good argument for leaving some empty space in a design. Gold Drizzle uses sweeping curves rather than a full glitter nail. Take this one to your nail tech if you want something dressy that still works with an everyday fall outfit.

See the original nail set

10. Cherry-mocha polka dots

Ready-made set; dotting inspiration

Little rosy dots keep this dark red manicure playful. The Cherry Mocha Polka Dots press-ons have the spacing already worked out. If you would rather paint, use the photo as a pattern reference and try dots on one accent nail first; it is an easier commitment than matching ten of them.

See the original nail set

11. Tortoiseshell French tips

Salon reference

Keeping the amber-and-brown pattern at the tips lets the rest of the nail stay sheer. This Tortoise French design is a lovely option if an all-over animal print feels like too much. The photographed Olive & June press-on set was listed as sold out when checked, so treat this pick as inspiration for your nail appointment.

See the original nail set

12. Velvet cheetah French tips

Ready-made set or salon reference

Here is the slightly bolder cousin of the tortoiseshell tip. Small dark spots sit along the shimmery French edge of Olive & June’s Velvet Cheetah French set. The pale base gives the pattern some breathing room, and the almond shape makes the curved tips especially noticeable.

See the original nail set

13. Chocolate velvet French tips

Ready-made set or salon reference

A brown French tip can be just as seasonal as an all-over chocolate manicure. This short square set gives the familiar French shape a softer, light-catching edge. It is a useful photo to bring if you like neat, straight tips and want to keep most of the nail pale.

See the original nail set

14. Rosewood gradient chrome

Ready-made set or salon reference

Fall can have a pink moment, too. Rosewood Gradient Chrome fades a rosy color into a paler base and adds a reflective finish. This is the softer, dressier pick in the bunch, especially if your fall wardrobe leans more dusty pink and cream than orange and black.

See the original nail set

15. Cable-knit sweater nails

Ready-made glue-on set or salon reference

The raised cream knit detail is the reason to save this one. Kleo Kolor’s Crest & Cable combines sweater-textured accents, plaid and burgundy nails in a single set. If you are having a salon recreate the mood, point out which detail matters most to you: the raised knit, the plaid, or the whole mix. Our closer look at Kleo’s fall nails shows the set in more detail.

See the original nail set

16. Yellow plaid accent nails

Detailed dip-powder tutorial

A little Clueless energy belongs in the fall folder. DipWell’s yellow plaid manicure uses white, Dijon and royal-blue accents, with the busy pattern concentrated on an accent nail in the finished photo. This is a full dip-powder project with taping and several stages, so open the tutorial before deciding it is your quick Sunday-night manicure.

See the original tutorial

17. Pumpkin-and-plaid nails

Stamping tutorial

These are pumpkin-patch nails, right down to the cozy plaid. Maniology’s tutorial pairs its Plaid Perfection and Pumpkin Patch stamping plates. The orange lines and pale background keep the design light, while little pumpkins make the theme obvious. Choose this if you enjoy stamping more than drawing straight lines by hand.

See the original tutorial

18. Falling-leaf nails

Stamping tutorial

The scattered leaves make this look like a tiny walk through the woods. Maniology’s Falling Leaves design uses its Woodland Wonders stamping plate with warm yellow and brown shades. Leave some of the light background visible so you can still see the individual leaf shapes instead of turning the whole nail into one dark patch.

See the original tutorial

19. Autumn glitter waterfall nails

Brushwork inspiration

Maggie at Make Nail Art used a dark red base with orange, yellow, silver and gold glitter for this fall take on a waterfall manicure. Those uneven little lines are the charm. Her post credits The Nailasaurus for the inspiration; the original waterfall tutorial shows how to paint the staggered strokes.

See Maggie’s autumn manicure

20. Distressed metallic nails

Sponge-and-brush tutorial

For the fall manicure with a little edge, Sarah Waite of Chalkboard Nails sponged a metallic gradient and added nearly dry black brushstrokes over it. The rough, broken marks let the gold, silver and bronze peek through. Her original post explains the technique, and the imperfect finish means you are not aiming for ruler-straight lines.

See the original tutorial

Pick the detail you actually want to wear

You do not have to recreate every nail in a reference photo. A plaid accent beside plain burgundy, one leaf-covered nail, or brown tips on an otherwise simple manicure can be plenty. Bring the photo and point to the part you love, especially when a raised texture or reflective finish is the whole reason you saved it.

For a more playful paint-at-home project, try our owl nail tutorial. And if your fall weekends revolve around kickoff, these easy football nails have their own step-by-step guide.