Christmas present buying is always a momentous task around this time of year. Shops gradually become more and more hectic, and desperation often kicks in, leading to you grabbing anything from the shelf thinking, “that will do” (we’ve all been there). When it comes to beauty, there is such a huge range of Christmas products on offer that it can be a little overwhelming faced with endless shelves of bath and body gift sets. Beauty gifts are often a safe option, for both women and men, as people are vain and like to look good (let’s face it).
I’ve put together a selection of great beauty gifts, suitable for anyone you need to buy for, to save you from hopelessly wandering around town this Christmas wondering what to buy your mum. You’re welcome.
The products range from cheap and cheerful to the more luxurious, depending on whether you want to splash your cash this year, or think “how much?!” when you see the price tag and refuse to buy into such a materialistic capitalist market. If so, lighten up a bit.
Crabtree & Evelyn Citron Honey & Coriander Hand Therapy Cracker- £5.00
You may look at the name and wonder what the hell a “Hand Therapy Cracker” is. Never fear, I am here to explain the jargon behind Christmas beauty gifts. This Crabtree & Evelyn Christmas cracker contains a hand cream- great for the cold winter months. At only £5.00 this is a really affordable beauty buy for anyone in your family (well, anyone that cares about hand cream).
Molton Brown Festive Shower Gel Bauble- £10.00
A Christmas gift suitable for anyone, Molton Brown’s shower gel baubles are a great festive spin on the standard shower gel present. Molton Brown have some really nice scents, aimed at both men and women, such as “Black Peppercorn”, “Gingerlily” and “Pink Pepperpod”, and at £10.00 these baubles make a lovely gift.
Burt’s Bees Uncap The Flavour Collection- £13.49
As I mentioned in my previous column, Burt’s Bees is my favourite brand for lip balm. This Christmassy tube contains five lip balm flavours: Beeswax, Honey, Pomegranate, Wild Cherry and Vanilla Bean. It’s a really great winter gift set and Burt’s Bees lip balms are always very moisturising and smell lovely.
L’Occitane Almond Petit Gift- £20.00
L’Occitane have come out of with a wide range of gift sets this Christmas; a personal favourite is the almond set. If almond scents drive you nutty (sorry), then this could be a great gift for you, or for anyone else of course. The set includes 75ml Almond Shower Oil, 50ml Almond Milk Concentrate, Almond Delicious Soap and 10ml Almond Delicious Hands. In English, it’s basically a shower and body lotion set.
Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara Makeup Gift Set- £20.25
Lancôme have brought out a range of mascara gift boxes for Christmas, containing mascara, eyeliner and eye makeup remover. They have loads of variations of these sets, including “Lovely Eyes” and “Captivating Eyes”. I’m not sure what the difference is, other than trying to sell every mascara in their range, but you can choose a box set depending on the effect desired.
Nails Inc Nail Polish Festive Cracker Kit- £32.30
These crackers from Nails Inc each include a different nail varnish. If you’re feeling really fancy, you could put these Christmas crackers on the table for an upgrade from the usual paper hat and tacky key-ring combo. Alternatively, this would also make a great festive present. If you’re buying for friends, you could even split this up and give everyone a cracker each.
Bobbi Brown Deluxe Eye & Cheek Palette- £50.15
If you want to go all out this Christmas, or have more money than sense, then this is an amazing gift for anyone. By anyone I mean me. Feel free to buy me this. Bobbi Brown’s makeup is always pretty and wearable, so this is a really luxurious gift for a makeup-lover.
