CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR BEAUTY JUNKIES

So let’s face it, this gift guide is basically a ‘what I would have on my list/buy for myself’ round up. So if you know somehow who likes beauty and general pretty things then the selection of pretty things here are indeed a good bet for YAY results under the tree this Christmas. Or in the stocking. Or wherever it is you like to stash your presses.

PERFECT PALETTES

An eyeshadow palette is pretty much a never fail option, especially one that’s filled with pretty but easy to wear shades. My two top picks for Christmas gifts this year are the GORGEOUS Estee Lauder Violette palette (Selfridges – £42) . The shades in this are just beautiful and as it’s a limited edition it will also be a special gift as not one that will be available to buy forever. With 8 shades that are a mix of golds and bronzes with some warmer red toned shades. It’s a beauty (there’s also a version with blue shades if you want something more bold)

Then there’s the one with the WOW factor – the IT Cosmetics IT Girl Vol 2 palette (Selfridges £48). A stunner of a palette with 12 shades of eye shadow and a face colour with an ombre effect so you can blend as you wish to get the shade you want. With a large mirror and the lid has one of the liquid sparkle things that moves. It’s a pretty one and went down a storm on Instagram when I shared it as I opened it.

SKINCARE OBSESSED

For the skincare obsessed (or perhaps someone who travels a lot) the Oskia Deluxe Travel Set (SpaceNK – £55) will get a whole lot of heart-eyes emojis on opening. A smart red pouch filled with five decent sized travel products including the very excellent renaissance cleanser Oskia are famous for. Plus the mask, exfoliating balm, super 16 serum and day cream.

SHINY PRETTY THINGS

The MAC Christmas collection has a few stand-out items that would be very welcome in my Christmas stocking this year. *Cough* mini lipstick sets…. *cough*….  (I’m a sucker for anything mini sized). Plus these two shown here. The Extra Dimension Skin Finish (John Lewis – £22.95) is like a metallic glitz of a bow on top of a gift. Which translates to an OOOOHHHHH level of highlight. Available in this shade shown (Oh Darling) and a rosy shade (Snowflushed).

Then in equally pic-and-mix style shiny packaging we have a set of lovely lipglosses (John Lewis – £22.50). With four perky pink shades from baby to Barbie – a definite no-fail stocking filler or secret santa option maybe?! I think so!

  

SMELLS LIKE CHRISTMAS

Perfume and scented candles are probably my personal two favourite gifts to receive. For me and my home to smell good – the dream. So of course I had to include the brand that just DOES Christmas year after year. Jo Malone – they have two perfectly festive scents this year: Orange Bitters (Net a Porter £48) and the White Moss & Snowdrop colognes (Mr Porter £96) (also available in candles etc). Orange Bitters is a zingy but unisex feeling fragrance. Smells suitably festive without being like you’re dousing yourself in frankincense and pine cones or something.

Then of course there’s the annual special edition Diptyque Candles – three scents, the green ‘Sapin De Lumiere’ (smells like Christmas trees), ‘Amande Exquise’ (sweet almond scent) and ‘Baume D’Ambre’ (a fresh and cool festive scent). It’s a tough call on favourites – I do love to choose a favourite – but the green sapin de lumiere I adore. Christmas trees just smell SO GOOD. I adore the packaging on this year’s Christmas collection – they really remind me of the imagery of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Diptyque candles from £30 from John Lewis.

BEAUTIFUL STOCKING FILLERS

I always find stocking fillers a tricky one to pick as know they tend to be combination of being those smaller ‘filler’ gifts but also price wise tend to be on the lower end. So these stocking fillers for beauty lovers are probably ticking one of those boxes as they are the smaller, pretty products – but budget wise they’re a little more on the ‘special end’. But sometimes the most special gifts come in the smallest of packages… so these could easily be a main present too! Or just a gift for yourself if you want a treat…

As much as my family and friends seem to think I have enough beauty products…. (WHY WOULD THEY THINK THIS?!) I do love bath and body products as gifts for Christmas as it’s a bit like giving the gift of some time to pamper… a forever classic has to be the Kiehl’s Creme De Corps which has been given a festive makeover with the Christmas 2018 special edition. A lovely rich moisturiser with a nice neutral fragrance that won’t turn even the most fussy of noses. A great gift if you’re not sure what to get someone. 

Also in the never-fail camp has to be L’Occitane – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this brand. I adore their shower oil (especially now they have re-fillable packaging, green beauty tick there). But for Christmas there’s ALWAYS someone who I buy some of their lovely hand cream for (hello mum if you’re reading!). This year they have some gorgeous bright colour packaging and a tin with a trio of L’Occitane hand creams that makes an ideal gift.

Then for the luxury beauty lover I have two special suggestions. One, a beautiful liquid blush from the Giorgio Armani Neo Nudes collection – I’m a bit obsessed with this as love a cream/liquid blush, especially when you can easily use on lips or cheeks (and eyes if you fancy going for a full trio of matchy-matchy). The texture is lovely and the sheer wash of flattering colour a total win. Plus the baby pink packaging ticks all my shallow packaging-loving boxes. Will impress a beauty lover for sure as it’s not maybe an obvious gift choice but will be a much loved one.

Then, last but by no means least a lipstick that is pure luxury from Estee Lauder. The new Pure Colour Desire Rouge Excess Lipstick, with matte gold metal casing and a lipstick inside that feels so creamy and luxurious to apply it will really feel like a special gift. Plus the added beauty kudos each time you pull it out to apply and how fancy-pants you/the gift recipient will feel… There are 29 shades to choose from and my tip would be go with either a crowd-pleaser nude or go brave and choose a bold festive red shade. The shade Misbehave would look beautiful on almost every skin tone in my opinion, although it is a bold choice. There’s also a mix of cream or chrome shades if you know you’re buying for someone who likes a sheen.

Hopefully that covers off a few beauty – lover ideas to suit a range of budgets and beauty-specific interests! But what’s on your wish list this year? I’m hoping Santa will get my many many hints about the Dyson Air Wrap…. and one of the Chanel L’Eau Chanel No 5 Red Limited Editions…