We’ve all received Christmas gift sets filled with countless pungent, saccharine-sweet bubble bath bombs, shower gels and foot creams – and probably gifted a few as well. They’re easy to find, reasonably priced and come nicely boxed or wrapped in cellophane and ribbon so you don’t have to do much more than add a card.
But volume and packaging don’t impress if the products are likely to still be sitting on the bathroom shelf the same time next year. There are plenty of quality beauty products out there worth the extra effort – and your cash – this Christmas. Here are just a few that would make great gifts and stocking fillers.
Accessories are always a smart gift as you don't need to know skin type or tone. I've been using EcoTools make-up brushes for years. They're cruelty-free, long-lasting, super soft and excellent value. The EcoTools Bamboo Six-Piece Brush Set (€19.99, Boots) includes blusher, eye shadow, liner, brow and concealer brushes, and a handy cotton and hemp case. The Retractable Kabuki Brush (€17.99) is one of their pricier products but it's perfect for travel and throwing into the handbag without any worry of damaging the bristles or dusting everything with excess powder.
A handbag mirror is always a lovely gift and I can’t think of anything prettier than
Andrea Garland’s
Vintage-Inspired Pill Boxes (€21 plus shipping, andreagarland.co.uk). Not only are they adorable on the outside, they come with a mirror and all-natural lip balm on the inside. Made with sweet almond and vitamin E oils, organic beeswax and shea butter, the balms come in clear, pink and red tints – and you can get refills. She makes balm-filled necklaces, brooches and rings as well. It’s a close call, but the Skiing Scotties Pill Box is my favourite.
Anyone who loves make-up loves a good palette, and the new 12 Colour Eye Shadow Palette (€59.90, visit couleurcaramel.ie for a list of stockists or to order online) by Paris-based natural and organic cosmetic brand
Couleur Caramel
is sure to impress. It’s a smorgasbord of highly pigmented matte and shimmery shades for day and night, and there isn’t a single colour I wouldn’t use.
Jane Iredale’s
Lip & Cheek Stain (€32, janeiredale.com) sticks are one of my favourite discoveries this year and they’ve just launched a new shade: Forever Red. I love the buildable colours, the dewy finish on the cheeks and the moist, non-sticky texture on the lips. It’s a perfect little luxury for any beauty lover.
A great beauty gift is one that can be seamlessly added to your existing routine, something a little extra that you might not spend the money on yourself. The Rose Miracle Makeover Facial Oil (€19.99, Boots) from Super Facialist, a lovely range by London-based Irish skincare specialist Úna Brennan, is a good quality, all-natural oil for a very reasonable price.
It can be used as a pre-cleanse or leave-on treatment and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple. Made with avocado, sweet almond, raspberry and carrot oils and brown algae, it will give a welcome boost of moisture to skin in nippy winter weather.
