It's that time again, where I pull together what I like to think are the best last-minute beauty gifts for Christmas 2019! I like to keep my yearly Christmas Gift Guide posts realistic and I personally think £20 and under Christmas beauty gifts are just that. These are the kind of gifts that while still on a budget don't look cheap and are from well-respected brands.
I hope this gives some Christmas shopping inspiration or simply an idea of what to ask for this year or to mark down to snap up in the post-Christmas sales.
By now it's more than likely that you've been asked what you want for Christmas this year from both family and friends, and if like me your response is "let me think about it" then see this as a blog post written with you in mind.
More than ever before we buy what we need as and when we need it and while our head is thinking about what to buy others for Christmas it can be tricky to know what to put on our own Christmas list, even if it's vague to allow for a semi-surprise come the big day. But creating a Christmas list however old you are can be a wise thing to do! It takes the stress off the person wanting to buy you a gift and you know you will receive something you like rather than something that's destined for a drawer or dare I say it; the present cupboard (we are all aware of this method of recycling unwanted gifts, right?).
So without further ado, here is a relaxed gift guide of sorts with suggestions of what you may possibly want to ask Santa for this year!
It's that time of year again! Well actually I'm a little late with writing my Christmas list this year as I simply didn't know what I wanted - I blame getting older!
Aldi is renowned for its beauty and skincare dupes and savings so just last week I wondering if this year they have launched any Beauty Gift Sets for Christmas so I heading in-store and low and behold they did - with much more new gifts than I expected!
Side note: This post isn't sponsored... I just love shopping at Aldi!
Last year I created my first ever eBay Christmas Gift Guide and not only did I love finding the best gift ideas for you, but the post also got a good response. So I'm bringing The Ultimate eBay Christmas Gift Guide back for 2019!
Below you will find gift ideas from only UK sellers with free delivery. When I can I've kept everything as budget-friendly as possible with nothing over £15. I really hope you find a few gifts here as I personally shop on eBay for Christmas presents and it means I grab a bargain while also picking up items that you wouldn't necessarily find in shops.
This post contains affiliate links.
If there's ever a time for pampering it's during winter. So this is why I often find myself giving pampering gifts from skincare to bath products and home fragrance at Christmas.
Below I have something for all budgets, from inexpensive body care gift sets to luxury skincare and both high and low-end home fragrance gifts. Even if you are done with your Christmas shopping this year (I applaud you) you may find this gift guide can point you in the right direction for some after Christmas sale shopping!
By now I think it's pretty clear I love a bargain however it has to be good quality and worth it, hence why I named this blog 'Makeup Savvy' all those years ago. So this year I decided I had to put together an eBay Christmas Gift Guide.
As we are nearing Christmas itself all the items below are from UK sellers with Buy it Now prices and free delivery, oh and everything is under £10! I'm really pleased with all the gifts I've found here and hope you find a few things you like - I may have already bought the Star & Moon Hair Slide Set and the ingenious printed cookie rolling pin!
Welcome to my first ever Skincare Gift Guide!
I thought I'd start with skincare because I have such a passion for it and both skincare and body care sets make a lovely gift to give. Below I have quite a few budget options, both skincare and body care gift sets and two affordable cleansing devices I really do rate.
Hope this gift guide gives you a few present ideas or even what to treat yourself to in the Boxing Day sales!
Budget Skincare Gift Ideas
Bee Good Clean Sweep Set
£11.50 BUY HERE
Okay, I will admit I was totally lured into this gift set because of the Raspberry & White Chocolate Lip Balm and can confirm it's just as yummy as it sounds! This is a really lovely gift set that will suit most as it contains the lip balm (everyone needs one in Winter!) and a cleansing water over a cream cleanser that I know a lot of people don't use. The Honey & Wild Mint Cleansing Water very much reminds me of one from Caudalie as it's so mild in scent and gentle and refreshing on the skin. For £11.00 this is the perfect no nasties, vegan gift set that will suit all skin types.
Sheet Mask Bundle
£1-5 for 3 to 5 masks
Sheet masks are certainly popular right now so I think a stack of various ones from all different brands would make an interesting and affordable gift for a friend or family member. You can find a wide range of Korean branded sheet masks such as the Tony Moly one above in TK Maxx for only £1.99 and Garnier have just come out with a moisture sheet mask which you can find on offer for £1.00 in various supermarkets right now.
Patisserie De Bain Hand Cream Collection
£9.99 BUY HERE
If you know someone that always uses hand cream then this gift set will be just perfect for them. For many a good hand cream means something that's moisturising but also well scented and fortunately Patisserie De Bain do the best smelling hand creams I've come across. The set includes – Strawberry Cupcake, Creme Patisserie and Caramell Whip and let me tell you they all smell beyond amazing. Caramel Whip smells like the inside of a pecan caramel pastry, Strawberry Cupcake reminds me of a children's strawberry yoghurt and I've decided Creme Patisserie is basically vanilla custard... I was that close to giving it a lick when I first used it! If was want someone to unwrap your gift and sit there ooo'ing and ahh'ing as they try it out then this is what you should get them!
Wilko Rose Glow Gift Set
£3.00 Wilko in-store
If you what to go super cheap but don't want to compromise on look or quality then I'd highly recommend a trip to Wilkos. I couldn't resist picking up this gift set for the price and the fact it's rose gold... my eyes seriously honed in on the gorgeous rose gold pouch that is worth buying the set for and filling it with a few beauty treats in my opinion. But if you want to keep it whole then it's a great extra gift or gift for a work colleague. It includes 4 items – Rose Glow Shower Gel, Rose Glow Body Lotion, a shower flower puff and a nice sized rose gold makeup pouch. Well done Wilkos!
Skincare Gift Sets
Elemental Herbology Radiant Skin Set
£19.00 BUY HERE
When it comes to gifting skincare I believe even if you are on a budget it's always worth giving a skincare brand you trust. It may mean the gift set is smaller however I'm sure the recipient will be more grateful of it than they would a larger unbranded set. A perfect example of this is the Elemental Herbology set which is fairly small for the £19 price tag but if your gift-ee uses the set there's a high chance they will fall in love with the brand and want to purchase from EH in the future! The two minis included in the set are – Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser and Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream. I haven't tried either of the products as I'm giving the set as a gift however I can say they smell so fresh and amazing. Also I've yet to dislike an Elemental Herbology product, they are one of those brands that use only quality ingredient which make all their products highly effective. Plus the gift box is copper... what's not to love!
GLAMGLOW Gift Sexy Treatment Set
£39.00 BUY HERE
Talking of effective products you won't find better face masks than the ones from Glamglow. Unless you know someone that absolutely loves skincare and face masks and deserves thoroughly treating then this really is a set to snap up for yourself in the after Christmas sales in my opinion, especially if you are new to Glamglow. Included in the set are four 30g face masks that target anti-ageing, hydrating, clarifying and firming and all though not all will suit your skin type three out of the four masks will work well, although I wouldn't recommend this set to anyone with sensitive skin as these are some potent masks that really do get to work and fast! I of course love how effective these masks are but I also love how most of them also double up as a different treatment. For example the Supermud mask can be used as a spot treatment (it works amazingly well overnight), Youthmud is grainy so you can exfoliate with it and Thirstymud can be used as an overnight mask which doesn't need to be wash off. If you are into your face masks then this is the ultimate set that you may want to ask Santa for or treat yourself to!
Pai Everyday Hero Collection
£38.00 BUY HERE
Onto a good all round skincare set that is ideal for someone you want to treat and you know they will embrace a skincare routine thanks to the set. As Pai is rich is organic extracts this is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or prefers natural feeling and smelling products. The set includes 3 of Pai's bestselling products – Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with face cloth, Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream. And with the cleanser alone costing £28.00 this set is mostly definitely good value for money. Ideal for a mum or aunt that deserves an extra special gift.
Dermologica Power Rescue Masque Trio
£43.25 BUY HERE
Back to face masks because I can't get enough of them, I have a trio of three 38ml Dermologica face masks. Dermologica is a brand I associate with spa facial treatments and again come up with highly effective products. The trio includes the Charcoal Rescue Masque, Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque and the Skin Hydrating Masque, which are suggested to be used at the same time for various areas of the face. Now I personally think they are all amazing stand alone face masks but they could be used together if you have a combination skin type. My favourite has to be the Charcoal Rescue mask as it's amazing at drawing out impurities in the skin and instantly brightens. However even on first use I can tell that the Multivitamin Power Recovery mask is something totally different are really rejuvenates the skin, perfect for ageing skin or after being ill. Comparing this to the GlamGlow set as they are similar in price I feel the masks here are just as effective however less commercialised; no pretty packaging and the scent of the masks leaves much to be desired. Basically if you love skincare and use face masks often then this set will impress you!
Body Care Gift Sets
Neal's Yard Shower Gel Organic Collection
£15.00 BUY HERE
This may seem an odd question, but do you know someone that loves having showers over baths? If you do, then an all shower gel set with no wasted bath products may be the perfect call. Also it's a gift you know they will use! This lovely gift set from Neal's Yard includes four 50ml shower gels in four glorious relaxing and uplifting scents – Geranium & Orange, Jasmine & Ylang Ylang, Rose & Geranium and Rosemary & Elderflower. My personal favourite has to be Jasmine & Ylang Ylang as it's such a relaxing and comforting scent, so much so that I'm tempted to treat myself to a full size bottle. A gift set just perfect for shower lovers or anyone that travels often.
Soap & Glory 12 Christmas Washes
£30.00 BUY HERE
Next up possibly the ultimate bath & shower set that contains 12 mini S&G products! This pretty affordable set is ideal for any lovers of the Soap & Glory scents, new and old. First of all I feel I need to mention the amazing packaging as the box is not only huge but it actually lights up... I'm not sure of the purpose but it's a fab Christmas novelty none the less! The jumbo set contains 5 x 50ml products and 7 x 75ml, which would last anyone a pretty long time. What I really like about this set is that is contains a good mix of products from scrubs to body washes and even a face wash, plus there's even two of the new shower jelly's included to try out. I know a lot of people that would be thrilled to receive this gift set!
Baylis & Harding Miidnight Fig Body Wash Cracker
£6.40 BUY HERE
Baylis & Harding offer some well priced gift sets so I had to feature something from the fairly large range. This large cracker shaped gift includes a huge 500ml Midnight Fig & Pomegranate Balancing Body Wash that makes a great extra gift or a gift for someone you don't necessarily know so well. Paired with a box of chocolates you've got a fab gift for under £10!
Wilko Handwash Duo
£3.00 Wilko in-store
Staying with budget gifts I had to include another amazing Wilkos gift set that's only £3.00! This duo hand wash & hand lotion set is ideal for anyone older or anyone you've noticed likes to have duo hand products next to the sink. Not only is the outer packaging really well presented for the price but the bottles really are lovely and could definitely be re-filled after they have been used up. Skip the supermarkets for budget skincare gifts and head to Wilkos, you won't be disappointed!
Skincare Cleansing Devices
Foreo Luna Play Cleansing Device
£29.00 BUY HERE
A few years ago cleansing devices were pricey, and quite a few still are, but thankfully Foreo had made trying out sonic facial cleansing accessible to all budgets. This Foreo Luna Play is a mini version of their larger Foreo Luna and offers 100 uses. This means you can cleanse with the device for a few months to see if a Foreo is worth the investment. Having used this device before I can say it's just as good as larger cleansing brushes and really does remove makeup well. I also love that the bristles are silicone which means they don't splay and the entire device dries quicker without any bacteria forming. A perfect gift for anyone that's into cleansing or is wanting to improve their skin. To make it into a gift there is a gift set available for the same price here or you could pick up the day cleanser 100ml which will last the same amount of time as the Foreo Luna Play if used together. Even though the Foreo Luna Play is under £30 this would seem such a generous gift to give.
Magnitone Daily Cleasing Brush
On Sale £50.00 BUY HERE
Another well priced cleansing brush that certainly gives the Clarisonic a run for it's money is the Magnitone Daily Cleansing Brush. This can be currently picked up from Look Fantastic for the amazing price of £50 – this is the time to try one or ask for one if you've never used a sonic cleansing brush before. Unlike high-street versions which still cost around £30 it's the sonic element and the brush quality that makes the difference of how well the brush cleanses your face. Having tried of the Magnitone brush and the Clarisonic I can say that they are pretty much identical, in fact the Magnitone is much more lightweight and the magnetic charger (it's literally the best thing!), plus the 12 month warranty make this the one to go for. A perfect gift to ask for or sneakily buy for yourself for amazing skin in 2017!
So there you have it, my skincare gift picks for Christmas 2016!
Make sure to look out for my Beauty Gift Guide on Monday – it's gonna' be a big one!
Fee xo.
Welcome to part 2 of my Christmas Gift Guide for Book Lovers!
If you haven't read Part 1 you can find it here with lots of book recommendations, from popular recent releases to YA fictions and even how to pick up affordable signed and special edition books!
Below you will find even more gift ideas that are more non-fiction based and even some non-book gifts that's I'm really excited to share as they look amazing but are beyond affordable.
Motivational books
Motivational books make an ideal present any time of the year but especially at Christmas with a new year looming. Here are a few popular and uplifting reads that would make an excellent gift.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
£6.29 BUY HERE
For all creatives and aspiring writers there is Big Magic. Big Magic is about embracing ideas and creativity whilst staying realistic. Ideal for anyone currently writing or studying. This easy to read book is a total joy!
Rise Sister Rise by Rebecca Campbell
£7.69 BUY HERE
If you are wanting to give an empowering feminist read to someone then this is the book to give! A contemporary yet spiritual guide to rising up and becoming our powerful and authentic selves. Rise Sister Rise is a call to arms for women to rise up, tell their truth and lead. It is a guide to co-creating a whole new archetype for women in these awakening times - a woman who does not keep herself small in order to make others feel more comfortable, a woman who knows that she is not her body weight, her sexual partners or her career. A woman who understands the true meaning of sisterhood, and that alone we are strong but together we are fierce. Side note - It also has the prettiest pastel sun prism page edging!
Girl Boss by Sophie Amoruso
£6.99 BUY HERE
For me this is a certain type of motivational book compared to my other choices. This is an inspiring books for someone 18-25 that's wanting to be their own boss. Whether that's in the fashion industry or not as this is an honest look at becoming your own boss by ultimate girlboss Sophia Amoruso. A perfect first motivational read for that strong career focused friend!
The Year of Yes
£6.29 BUY HERE
From award-winning Creator and Executive Producer of the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes, comes this personal yet deeply funny look at how she started to say 'Yes'. The ideal book to give in the run up to a new year, especially for someone you know will value a book like this of self discovery and change.
Beauty books (because I couldn't not!)
I've come to realise that a lot of people that love makeup don't own a single makeup book! In recent years there has been a spike of some amazing ones so it's the ideal time to gift an updated beauty book. Below you will find a varied selection of well put together books that I absolutely adore.
Face by Pixiwoo
£9.99 BUY HERE
Finally a book created the amazingly talented Chapman sisters! Now this would make an amazing book for any fans of their Pixiwoo Youtube channel, however if you're unsure you're recipent knows of them or not don't fear as this is still an amazing makeup book regardless! You can read my in-depth review here if you like, but in summary this is a comprehensive guide to makeup and covers everything from skincare to all makeup techiques. One of the best practical makeup books I've read to date.
Face Paint by Lisa Eldridge
£12.91 BUY HERE
Maybe you know someone with a deep interest of makeup that goes beyond applying it. They might have expressed an interested in vintage makeup or maybe their a makeup artist. Basically this isn't your typical makeup book as this is a detailed history of makeup from the politics of colours throughout history to key women through the ages and the makeup they wore. There's also a section about the business of beauty that anyone with a passion for makeup will find deeply interesting. Lisa Eldridge's love of makeup and the history behind it really shines through in this book and for that reason it makes such a detailed read.
Pretty Honest & Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes
£12.99 BUY HERE | £12.00 BUY HERE
Written by the beyond knowledgeable Sali Hughes, Pretty Honest is like no other beauty book. If you are looking to give a makeup book with lots of visuals then you may want to opt for Face by Pixiwoo but if you are after a solid book then you will get that in an abundance with this Pretty Honest Unlike most makeup/beauty books Sali has a clear writing style that is intelligent and witty, making for a really good read. Points are covered on anything you can imagine associated with beauty - how to manage makeup counters, salon etiquette, hair problem solving, wearing red lipstick and even how to pay and receive compliments. As for Sali Hughes' follow up book; Pretty Iconic, think of it as a beauty product bible. Expect the same intelligent and engaging writing style but wrote as almost mini essays (one per page) on products new and old. Both a nostalgic and interesting read and a book sure to make your recipient want to go out and treat themselves to some new beauty products!
The Body Book by Cameron Diaz
£14.88 BUY HERE
If you are looking for a book that mixes aesthetics with health and the body then you can't go wrong with The Body Book. I was refreshingly surprised when I read this to find an educational book on living a healthy lifestyle and fully understanding your body. This is far from a book about Cameron Diaz but one in which she shares her knowledge and with the help of nutritionists explains the key points to being healthy in great depth. Cameron also has a follow up book called The Longetivity Book that looks at age and health in more depth which may not be as ideal to give as a gift but interesting none the less.
Beautiful For Ever: Madame Rachel of Bond Street by Helen Rappaport
£8.99 BUY HERE
Another amazing read for anyone interested in the history of beauty is the intriguing story of Madame Rachel: cosmetician, con-artist and blackmailer. This true story tells of Madame Rachel who began life as a poor fish fryer in Victorian London. She ended up with a shop in New Bond Street, where her wealthy clients came in their droves, lured by the promise of eternal beauty. What they found there was a con-woman and fraudster who made a career out of lie and the desperate hopes of women wanting to be 'beautiful for ever'. A unique book for anyone interested in the history of makeup and the Victorian era.
Festive reads
Okay, so this section is more about books to treat yourself to than giving as gifts. However if you know someone that is all about Christmas and you exchance gifts before the big day then one of these may just be perfect for them. From festive fiction to a Christmas cookbook you will turn to each year.
A Boy Called Christmas & The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig
£3.49 BUY HERE | £6.49 BUY HERE
Want to feel the magic of Christmas? Well The Boy Called Christmas needs to be part of your plan in that case. This festive fairytale wrote by genius Matt Haig is for children and adults alike and won't fail to bring a little sparkle to your Christmas. A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and a boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic. It's also sprinkled with illustrations throughout which adds to the magical story of how Father Christmas came to be. And if you steam read though that over the festive period then you can also enjoy The Girl Who Saved Christmas which I plan to read next week!
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R.Tolkien
£6.29 BUY HERE
Without a doubt the sweetest Christmas book I've ever purchased. This special book is a large collection of hand written and drawn letters from J.R Tolkien as Father Christmas to his three children from 1920 to 1942. With simple letters in shaky handwriting whilst his children were small, to more detailed and elaborate stories as the years go on, even with input from Father Christmas' polar bear chief assistant. Not only is this a book of short Christmas stories in letter form but the love Tolkien had for his children shines through making this such a beautiful and special book. A book I've thoroughly enjoying reading right now.
Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy
£4.79 BUY HERE
A magical reworking of The Night Before Christmas here, wonderfully illustrated by Rob Ryan. This little book would make an ideal stocking filler or to be bought and read to children at bedtime on Christmas Eve. A book to cherish and bring out each year.
Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson
£21.44 BUY HERE
I couldn't recommend my favourite festive reads without mentioning the cookbook I rely on every Christmas. Nigella Christmas for me is the ultimate Christmas cookbook with recipes you will actually cook and enjoy. This large coffee table sized book with over 250 pages includes stunning photography alongside the most glorious and indulgent sounding recipes. There's also a 50 page guide in the middle of the book to cooking Christmas dinner from the turkey to all the trimmings and multiple gravy recipes. P.S. If you pick this up please try out the fully loaded potato skins - you won't be disappointed!
Book-ish Gifts
Last but not least I wanted to include some gift ideas that are still book related in a way which would be ideal for book lovers that you don't want to risk buying a book for that they already own or have read. I of course love books but these gifts are some of my favourites from this gift guidee!
Book Related Art Prints
Roald Dahl Print £2.45 BUY HERE
I personally believe a framed art print can make the most wonderful gift, whether it's at Christmas, a birthday or any other celebration. I came across this magical Roald Dahl print on Etsy along with so many other book quote prints on the site and simply downloaded it and printed it out, hence the super affordable price! The beauty of this is that you can print in whatever size you wish and a lot of prints come in a range of colours - this print could be printed in black or gold font. I also love this 'Eat, Sleep, Read' printable print here that's only £1.94 and again would make a wonderful gift when framed.
East of India Bookmark
£2.28 BUY HERE
Giving a bookmark as a little stocking filler or with a book is a nice idea I think. Bookmarks can be picked up all over the place, but I personally love these card East of India bookmarks from eBay. This is my own and it stops me folding down page corners or using scrap pieces of paper as temporary bookmarks!
Stationery gifts
Lastly I wanted to include a few stationary ideas as often book lovers also love stationery... I know I do! Now you may be wondering how much that stunning ring bound weekly planner is going to set you back and I can happily tell you only £3.00! Yes, this is from Sainsbury's of all places, along with the lovely gold polka dot Daydreamer notebook, £2, and is just so well made for the price. For more affordable stationery that's Kate Spade inspired I'd recommend Home Bargains and for beautiful hardback notebooks TK Maxx/Homesense should be your port of call.
I really do hope this Christmas gift guide has been helpful and make sure to check out Part 1, if you haven't already, here!
Fee xo.
ASOS is hands down my go-to website when it comes to beauty & fashion and well, impulse purchases in general. So when Christmas comes around (i.e September) I get excited to see what they have to offer!
Their gift and beauty sections are now fully stocked and extensive to say the least, stuffed full of wish-list worthy items from a huge range of brands! And as I've already been doing a bit of online Christmas shopping I thought I'd create a mini gift guide* to give a few ideas of what you can pick up this year for friends & family or even put on your own Christmas wish list!
*Apologies in advance if any items listed are out of stock. It's always worth adding the product to 'saved items' on the ASOS website as things do tend to come back into stock.
Club L Night Mermaid Blanket
£32.00 in 6 colour options HERE
The mermaid trend is still going strong right now and one of the key items is a mermaid blanket. These are verging on ridiculous but that's kind of the point and they are very snug for the winter months! I didn't want to risk the quality so I decided to pick up a branded mermaid blanket from Club L on ASOS (as a gift for someone that will hopefully not see this post!) and I have to say it's so thick and warm. You can find the turquoise blanket here. However unbeknown to me all mermaid blankets are open ended, which doesn't make much sense for keeping the ol' tootsies warm, so that is something to be aware of. I will be either applying some bonding web to the end or sewing it up before giving it as a gift. That aside this is whimsical yet practical gift that I feel a lot of people would be happy to receive this Christmas!
Paperchase Pop-up Igloo & Bear Christmas Cards
£7.50 for 6 HERE
Okay, I cheated... this item clearly isn't a 'gigt', unless you are including money or vouchers in the mix... then it certainly is! But I just had to include them as they are oh so lovely! Each year I enjoy finding a set of original cards for close family and this year I will be giving out these lovely pop-up igloo cards that are almost a little decoration when put on a windowsill or shelf. These are currently sold out of ASOS but you may still be able to find them on the Paperchase website or in-store.
Paperchase Set of 3 Copper Clip & Pin Jars
£8.00 HERE
Sticking with Paperchase I also picked up this trio of copper stationary jars. This would make a lovely gift for anyone that loves stationary or all things copper/rose gold. I'm personally more in love with the copper glass jars than what's inside and already have a few ideas of how to re-use. ASOS have such a great range of Paperchase stationary, gifts and Christmas items that are really worth checking out here.
I also wanted to include two gift sets that contain two of my personal favourite products. These not only would make great gifts for a beauty lover (or to throw on your own list!) but are excellent value for money - especially theBalm set.
Pixi Best of Bright Gift Set
£20.00 HERE
Pixi Glow Tonic is one of my most favourite skincare products and if you know someone that loves skincare but hasn't tried this cult classic then this is the ideal set to get them. The 30ml toner is just enough product for the recipient to fully try it out and they also receive the Glow Mud Cleanser and Glow Mud Mask which sound really good. I will never be without Pixi Glow Tonic now so I'd love to find this gift under the tree come Christmas morning!
theBalm Mary Lou Luminizer
+ Free Mini Collection
£17.50 HERE
Another cult favourite in the beauty world is certainly theBalm Mary Lou Luminizer highlighter and a product I have a lot of love for. The highlighter alone costs £17.50 but exclusive to ASOS you also receive 3 mini products - yes! This is perfect for a makeup loving friend as with the mini lip gloss and two eyeshadows it looks more of a set. Also if you don't already own the Mary Lou Lumizer I highly recommend adding it to your Christmas wishlist with strict instructions for the present buyer to buy it from ASOS. This truly is one of the best highlighters on the market!
I really hope this mini ASOS gift guide has given you a little more inspiration on what to gift this year and possibly what to ask Santa for!
Fee xo.
Whether you're buying for the man in your life, a brother, friend or your dad it can be tricky to come up with ideas. Men generally aren't known for being materialistic beings and often buy what they want/need for themselves, they are also notoriously bad at coming up with gift ideas to help us out!
So with that being said I personally think 'For Him' gift guides are some of the most useful to give ideas that are better than gifting rubbish gift sets or something they just won't use. Below I've tried my best to pull together gifts for all ages so hopefully you will find some inspiration here!
Moscow Mule Copper Mug (£7.99 TK Maxx or Homesense)
Out of nowhere Moscow Mule Mugs have become popular, which I guess is no surprise with the copper trend at the moment. Even though I'd like one for myself, a copper mug is well suited for a man that likes to drink as apparently with carbonated beverages such as ginger beer the copper improves the taste by increasing how carbonated/fizzy the drink is! I don't know the science as you can probably tell but it sounds good to me. It also keeps drinks cold for longer and hot drinks hot, as well as looking good! I came across so many variations of this mug from smooth to hammered in TK MAXX and I personally think it makes a nice gift especially when paired with a few alcoholic drinks.
4 Cheese Knives with Acrylic Block (£12.99 Amazon)
Do you know a cheese lover? I know I do! Of course you could get them a selection of different cheeses to eat over the festive period and they would love you for it, but why not pair it with a set of cheese knives and/or a cheese board. This above set caught my eye on Amazon as I loved the acrylic block, but if you don't have a Prime account and it's too late to order you can find quite a few different sets at TK Maxx or Lakeland. As for cheeses I'd highly recommend popping to a local market to pick up a selection of cheese truckles as they are just the right size and they're sealed in wax meaning they will last months if the recipient doesn't want to dig into them straight away.
Multi-Pack Waffles Socks (£5.50 reduced ASOS)
Okay, so I'm including one of the most boring presents you can buy a man and I apologise for that. But socks are practical and can be a nice gift if you pick the right material/brand! These waffle socks are great, they are fairly thick and kind of a combination of a normal sock and a thick sport sock with the waffle texture. Also I know they last well. If you are going down the socks route these are the ones to get... they do also come in other colours and pack sizes.
Wool Lined Moccasin Slippers (£12.99 TK Maxx)
If you are buying for an older gentleman (oops these are actually for my dad!) then slippers are great to go for. I personally think men prefer something more structured as they get older (no slipper boots!) and something that can be worn in and out of the house, maybe not to the shops but to wear in the garden, so they need to also have a good sole to them. Moccasins are great for that purpose as they are both structured and well made to the sole, plus they look quite nice. But if you are buying for someone slightly younger then driving shoes which again can be worn in and out of the house are a really good choice.
Ted Baker Skinwear Limited Edition EDT 100ml (£15.00 Superdrug)
If you are struggling to buy for someone then a fragrance is an easy choice as long as you select someone you think they will like. One of my favourite men's fragrances this year is Ted Baker Skinwear which has been around for years but keeps coming back in a limited edition bottle. This years packaging is one of the best yet in my opinion and for the price doesn't scream budget at all, in fact this is just as good as most high end scents I've tried this Christmas. This is quite a manly scent however it's not too full on with a few fresh notes in there making it idea for the 20-35 age range. I think most people would like this scent actually!
Paco Rabanne 1 Million EDT 50ml (£42 The Perfume Shop or Boots)
But if you want to play it safe then Paco Rabenne 1 Million it is as this is such a popular scent, in fact it's that good I know that some women wear it. This really is such a quality fragrance that is sexy and has depth to it. If you're man is after a new aftershave/fragrance this Christmas then this is the one to treat him to!
Dolce & Gabbana The One EDT 30ml (£31.99 Fragrance Direct)
Lastly I had to include the luxurious Dolce & Gabbana The One as it's such a layered scent that is masculine but also oriental with notes of ginger and orange blossom. I also love that the scent mellow down after 10 minutes or so to be smooth with a hint of spice with the ginger. If you know someone that likes a masculine scent then this is the perfect sophisticated version to get them.
Beanies Mini Xmas Coffee Stash (pick 3 flavours for £10)
If you know of a coffee fiend than a selection of interesting coffees can make a lovely gift. You can go as novelty or a luxury as you like here (for interesting lux coffees I recommend looking in TK Maxx/Homesene) and make up a nice bundle of different coffees for them to try out. After coming across Beanies on Twitter I headed over to the website to find a great deal on 3 jars of coffee for only £10 including delivery. There are a range of flavours to pick from but I went for Very Vanilla, Nutty Hazelnut and Cinder Toffee - yum! These smell incredible and make a lovely gift. You could also do a similar thing if you know of someone that loves tea by popping into a local tea shop or a Whittards store.
American Candy Gift Box (similar £10.99 Amazon)
A gift I've given over the past few Christmas' to various people in my family is a selection of American candy. You can now buy select American candy from larger supermarkets but it can be pricey and they don't stock lots of American branded chocolates. But you can head to the World Food aisle in a large Tesco store or Selfridges and make up your own gift box of Amercian candy or buy a pre-made box from Amazon. This makes an interesting and fun gift I think, especially for teens.
Rubik's Cube Light (£18.00 reduced Flamingo Gifts)
On to quite a fun gift now and one for children of the 80s! This is an amazing giant Rubik's Cub light that you can actually use as intended, as a puzzle, and as a light! I think this is totally amazing and for someone that use to have a Rubik cube as a child and would make a really good gift. I'm personally really impressed with the quality of this as the light is bright and it's much bigger than I was expecting. The lamp is currently reduced to £18.00 from £36.00 which is such a good price for it.
Marvel Comics: The Untold Story (£10.68 Amazon)
In recent years Marvel has made a huge comeback and there are a ton of Marvel themed gifts out this Christmas to satisfy fans of any of the characters. Here I picked up an interesting book about the history of Marvel for a family member that I'm hoping they will love. But there are so many gifts such as this Marvel Socks & Mug Gift Set (£7.00 Tesco) that really feel like a quality item.
I hope this gift guide has inspired you if you were stuck for a few present ideas!
This is my final gift guide and I can say even though they took a lot of planning I loved putting them together! You can find all my Christmas 2015 Gift Guides here.
Fee xo.
After sharing with you quite a lot of bargain buys in my previous gift guides (Under £5 Gift Guide and Under £15 Gift Guide) I thought it was time for a little luxury!
Christmas is certainly the time of year to hope for something special, it may be your signature scent, a luxury skincare set or a total surprise! This guide is both to inspire if you are still doing your Christmas shopping and for possible splurges after Christmas in the Boxing Day sales!
High End Beauty Buys
theBalm In theBalm of you Hand Palette (£34.00 Debenhams)
If you're a lover of theBalm then you will probably be swooning over this palette right now. This is a combination of best selling single products and various shades from other smaller palettes to create one amazing palette. Included in the palette - 3 blushers, 1 bronzer, 1 highligher, 4 eyeshadows, 1 cheek & lip cream and 1 lipstick. The stars of the show here are Mary-Lou Manizer Lumizer, Hot Mama Blusher and the 4 eyeshadows from various theBalm palettes. Just an amazing palette for someone that loves theBalm! Side note - Finally a brand has figured out a way to separate cream products from powder ones in the same palette!
Luxury Scents
Fragrances are the perfect item to give and receive at Christmas, I know I'm hoping for at least one new scent. There are so many new launches this year but two of my favourites are Thierry Mugler Alien (EDT 30ml - £39.99 Boots here) and Dolce and Gabbana The One (EDP 30ml - £37.99 Fragrance Direct here). Both are such classic scents that I know many people love. But if you really want to go down the luxury route a fragrance gift set of the recipients favourite scent will be a total hit I'm sure.
Ted Baker Wash Bag (£27.00 Ted Baker)
If you know a fellow beauty lover than a lovely gift to give them is a high end makeup/wash bag as it's generally something that people don't often buy themselves. Ted Baker offer an amazing range of wash bags that are high quality, structured and importantly wipe clean. The above makeup bag is now sadly discontinued but there are so many stunning designs on the Ted Baker website.
Skincare
Liz Earle Sparkling Skin Duo (£28.00 Liz Earle or select Boots/John Lewis stores)
If you know someone that is into their skincare than a high end skincare set is a perfect gift to give them. Of course you have to be aware of their skin type and any allergies they may have but a brand that is perfect for nearly all skin types and needs is Liz Earle, you really can't go wrong with it in my opinion. The above set is an ideal gift if the recipient is new to Liz Earle or loves the brand as it contains the star product of the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser with 2 muslin clothes and the highly rated Instant Boost Skin Tonic. A great all-round set for any age that will cleanse and brighten the skin a dream.
Elemis New Beginnings Pro-Collagen Collection (£68.00 Elemis)
If you have a little more to spend than Elemis is the skincare brand to look at. This year they have some amazing gift sets that are beautifully presented including this amazing Pro-Collagen set that contains their excellent Marine Cream. What I love about this set is that it's true luxury, from the 3 quality products - Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Eye Renewal and 2 Hydra-Gel Eye Masks, to the turquoise box that is so stunning that it could easily be used as a jewellery box or trinket box. This is just a stunning luxury gift that I'm sure anyone would be thrilled with!
Single Luxury Products
This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up (£30/40ml - Boots here) Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (£16.00/75ml - Boots here)
This Works is a fairly new brand for me but as I've been so impressed with the products I've tried I really wanted to include them. As the name states the products really do work and are so effective - I can't tell you how much I already love this brand! My absolutely favourite product is the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray which I was sceptical about but it's amazingly improved how quickly I fall to sleep and the quality of sleep I have - no more waking up during the night. As someone that's taken sleeping tablets in the past I'm so very glad I've found this natural product that works! This is certainly a new favourite and one of those that will be forever repurchased. An ideal gift for someone that struggles with sleep or relaxing. As for In Transit Camera Close-Up, again this is a product that just works and gets the job done amazingly well. This is basically a primer and moisturiser in one and creates the perfect base for makeup as well as brightening the skin. The Works also do quite a few gift sets that would make lovely gifts this Christmas.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat (£25.00 Boots or Limited Edition at John Lewis)
Sometimes it's nicer to spend on one luxury item than a few budget products especially for someone that enjoys high end beauty but don't treat themselves to it. Touche Eclat is one of those products that you can certainly give as a single gift as it's such a cult product that so many people love - I've been re-purchasing it for 10 years! Equally lovely products would be a single Chanel lipstick or nail polish!
REN Rose Gold Glow Perfect Dry Oil Spray (£26.00 John Lewis)
Lastly I had to include a favourite body product of mine that feels quite festive with the stunning rose gold accent packaging and name. This is a gorgeous sensual smelling dry oil that hydrates the skin a dream after a bath or shower. I love quite a few REN products now but this just feels such a luxurious product to me and and ideal for gifting to someone special.
Luxury Electrical
Cloud Nine Original Iron Christmas Gift Set (£135.00 - Cloud 9 or Look Fantastic)
Over the years I've tried many a hair straightener but Cloud Nine are by far the best and a brand I wouldn't stray from now. For Christmas Cloud Nine have teamed up with designer, Emilio de la Morena to bring out this gorgeous limited edition velvet heat resistant bag that I can't get enough of. As for the hair straighteners these are the original irons that I really do prefer over the Cloud Nice Touch Irons as you can can control the temperature which is so important so not to heat damage the hair. Also the plates of the irons really are perfect and ideal for long, thick hair. This really is an amazing gift set and a real treat for someone that you may know is in need of new hair straighteners!
Panasonic IPL Hair Removal System (£299.99 - Boots)
On to one of the latest beauty gadgets now that I've been lucky enough to try out (I'm in the process of trialing it out for 6 weeks). This is the latest and the most portable home hair removal devices on the market today that offers safe and long lasting hair removal to the arms, underarms, legs and bikini line with a simple treatment once every 2 weeks to begin with and then once every 4 weeks to keep up the results. I tried my first IPL system years ago when they were heavy and tiresome to use but with the latest technology the lightweight portable device can be worked into your routine and takes 10 minutes per leg at most. I'm currently trialing this out on my underarms and I've already seen reduced hair growth and I'm actually seeing a few bald patches now - a full review to come! This is of course an investment purchase/gift to buy someone but finally the technology is there with it and now is the right time to spend on a device like this!
Luxury Extras
Oprah Magazine Subscription or other U.S magazine subscriptions £30+
Magazine subsciptions are are great gift to give at Christmas, they are the gift that keeps on giving over the coarse of the year and if the recipient is a fan of the magazine they will love it! UK magazine subscriptions cost around the £15-30 mark but I've found you can often subscribe to US titles for a little bit more if you order though the American website instead of a UK based website! This is something I've done for my sister in the past with Oprah magazine which she enjoys reading. You can order a 1 year subscription through the US Hearst Magazines website for $50/£33... and that's including the extras delivery costs! So it's totally worth checking out US magazine titles to give that extra special gift.
Decorative Mansion Box, Large (£35.00 John Lewis)
John Lewis is one of my favourite places to shop at Christmas as it has so many wonderful unique gifts and this is one of them. Yes, it may only be a decorative box but I personally use it as a jewellery box as it's just so detailed and gorgeous. A gift like this maybe filled with some other little treats would make a perfect gift to someone that enjoys interiors. Other decorative boxes here including a smaller size of the Mansion box.
Dita Von Teese Your Beauty Mark (£17.00 Amazon)
There's something about receiving a large hardback book at Christmas, isn't there? Your Beauty Mark is amongst a few new makeup books this Christmas, which I've featured in my other Christmas guides, but this offers something slightly different. This book focuses on vintage makeup and hair as well as Dita Von Teese herself with so many wonderful portraits of her in the book. This would of course be a book for someone interested in old hollywood style makeup or in the makeup industry to pour over and have as a coffee table book. As you can see in the first image without the book jacket it looks quite a luxury coffee table book which is how I will be keeping it! Just a wonderful quality book for admirers of Dita or makeup lovers.
Ted Baker Leather Crystal Matinee Purses (£79 TB online or in-store)
Lastly I had to include another little something from Ted Baker as I own quite a few pieces from them now and treasure them all - I love their Ikon bags! This is my own purse which I've had for over a year now and still absolutely adore. The quality and design is spot on and luxurious without costing over the £100 mark. A gift like this would be perfect for the friend or family member you spot using an old purse they've had for years and with some many different designs and colours you really can pick something that would suit their taste. Smaller purses are also available at around the £40 mark.
Hope this has helped you with a few ideas!
Fee xo.
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