This is totally one of my favourite posts to write each year. Namely, my round-up of some of the fiercest beauty gift ideas for any cosmetics maven in your circle. Although I’ve got plenty of beauty and body care ideas, these are simply some of my favourite ideas across the board to supplement your shopping AND your wish list.
Cake Beauty ‘It’s In The Bag’ Set – $30 @ Sephora, Murale and Cakebeauty.com
Dry hands are a perennial problem for Canadians come wintertime. Luckily, the folks at Cake Beauty totally feel your pain, and have an award-winning line of Velveteen Hand Creams to prove it. This fun set contains three bottles – one for your purse, home, and desk – in three different scents, including a limited-edition holiday fragrance called Vanilla Cashmere. Best of all, it comes in a ready-for-gifting metallic tote that your gal pal can use to stash her beauty essentials in while going for a holiday overnight trip.
Michael Kors Limited Edition Holiday Nail Set – $40 @ Hudson’s Bay
Bling up your nails this holiday season with a festive yet fashion-forward line of shimmery polishes from Michael Kors. As a designer that tends to favour classic safari-inspired neutrals (khaki and fatigue green are perennially part of his collections), it’s no surprise that they make an appearance here – however between the brassy gold bottle and the subtle micro glitter finish, rest assured this is no snoozy set. Rendered in Christmas star gold, gingerbread brown, and evergreen (not the official names mind you) the colours all channel the holidays but will still look amaze six months down the line.
Anna Sui Minnie Mouse Makeup Kits – $59 Each @ select Hudson’s Bay locations (Yorkdale, Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens and Vancouver Downtown)
It doesn’t get much cuter than this! Anna Sui has teamed up with old school style icon Minnie Mouse for a line of adorable palettes and other products (including mascara so you can get Minnie’s doe eyes and nail polish with cute Minnie heads). The palettes themselves are the real showstoppers though, coming in a collectible tin packed with a bow-shaped palette and a custom-molded Minnie lipstick. The entire collection is a little rock & roll but also uber girly, making it an ace choice for the Disney diehard in your circle. Note that only the palettes are exclusive to Hudson’s Bay – the rest of the collection can be found in select Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale and Pharmaprix locations.
eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm 3-Pack Holiday Collection – $11.99 @ Walmart, Target, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Uniprix, London Drugs
How’s this for a sweet stocking stuffer or Secret Santa pick? I’ve got an eos lip balm on my desk at work to help stave off chapped lips in the wintertime. Their adorable little pods house an all-natural lip gloss that glides on easily with a hint of yummy flavour. When you’re done, the packaging is actually recyclable too. If someone you know already loves the brand, they’ll adore this trio of glosses in limited edition Vanilla Bean, festive Sweet Mint, and fruity Pomegranate Raspberry. A perfectly affordable option for the beauty queen on your list.
The Tarte of Giving Collector’s Set and Gift Bag – $71 @ Sephora
I am a devout Tarte fan. Their products are free of virtually all of the potentially scary ingredients out there, and infused with tons of natural ingredients. This gorgeous gift set comes encased in a plush purple travel bag, and features luxury-size samples of some of their most popular products including their must-have Maracuja oil and Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara as well as a set of mini glosses to take you from diva to sweetheart. Of course, the real showstopper is the included palette, which has 20 full-size Amazonian clay eyeshadows in exquisite, interrelated quads of colour. A wonderful choice to either introduce someone to this fab brand, or to gift the Tarte diehard (like myself).
Kiehl’s x Haze Limited Edition Collection – $32 – $62
Luxury skincare brand Kiehl’s has taken Canada by the storm over the last few years, with new retail shops opening in a number of major markets across the nation. If you’ve not yet indulged in their sumptuous line, the holidays are a perfect time to treat yourself (or a loved one). This year, the brand has teamed up with famed NYC street artist Eric Haze (or ‘Haze’ as he’s known) to create a line of limited-edition specially packaged products featuring Haze’s signature urban style to update Kiehl’s otherwise minimalist look. Not only do they look festively fresh, in Canada, 100% of the net profits from the purchase of these two products will actually go to support children’s charities.
Nails Inc. Bling It On Rose Gold – $27 @ Sephora
When it comes to this set, let me put it this way: there is glitter nail polish, and there’s glitter nail polish. Nails Inc. has a longstanding reputation for being serious innovators in the world of nail art, and this sparkly kit is no exception. After applying a coat of their signature foil polish, you’ll dip your fingers in actual glitter for the most festive fingertips in town. Major snaps for coming in rose gold, which as many of you know, I’m obsessed with. A great splurge gift for your nail-addicted gal pal.
Rahua The Jet Setter Travel Kit – $32 @ Fresh Faced
Take care of your locks no matter what the climate has in store for your post-holiday vacay with this quad of natural, luxurious haircare products. With two regular formulas and two volumizing formulas, each 2 oz bottle promises to nourish your tresses from root to tip. A fun stocking stuffer that travels well, but also works for tossing into your gym bag or just giving this high end brand a spin for yourself. Comes housed in a reusable plastic pouch.
Stila Color Me Glossy Lip Glaze Set – $34 @ Sephora
A gift within a gift? That’s the debate with this snappy set that includes three trios of Stila’s high-shine lip glazes. Keep the stash for yourself to have perfectly matched pouts with whatever face you’re sporting, or break them up amongst your siblings, best friends or bridesmaids. No matter what, know that the value is seriously there. If purchased separately, these glosses would retail for a mind-blowing $160. But packaged together, they’re available for a seriously sweet deal.
Paul & Joe Eye & Cheek Colour Sets – $68 each @ Beauty Bay
I love Paul & Joe’s whimsical collections of beauty products. Their latest muse? Cats! These precious cat-printed cosmetics bags house three luxury products with a Christmas / kitty theme. Indulge in a duo of shimmery eyeshadows, a cat-shaped blusher stick in a pretty pink shade, and a subtle eye shimmer cream for a festive look. Extra unique? Both of these scents have a unique scent – either Sugar & Spice or Gingerbread – so you can smell and look amazing all season long.
Marc Jacobs ‘Honey’ – $30 – $105 @ Sephora
Of all the designers-turned-fragrance makers, Marc Jacobs is probably one of the most buzzed about (pun intended). The latest incarnation from the brand is ‘Honey’, which as you may have guessed, harkens strongly to its namesake with powerful notes of honeysuckle, fruit punch, and pear amongst more subtle hints of orange blossom, mandarin orange, and yes, honey, that unfold the longer you wear it. The scent is altogether girly, sparkling and playful – a perfect choice for the bright-eyed beauty in your life. Available in everything from a purse-friendly rollerball to a full-sized bottle, your budget can also ‘bee’ perfectly matched.
Stroke of Midnight Eye Kits – $47.50 each @ MAC Cosmetics
Every year MAC outdoes themselves by creating a new line-up of interlinked products on a particular theme. This year’s take is all about looks for the evening – think smoky eyes and dramatic lips. Their Art Deco-inspired eye kits include five shadows each and come in three palettes – warm, cool and smoky. Also nifty? The kits include two brushes to help you perfect your party time look. A real steal from a beloved brand.
Burt’s Bees On The Go Gift Set – $14.99
For the gal that’s always packing her bags (or simply running around town), this natural care gift set from Burt’s Bees is just the crazy affordable ticket! A cute printed paper cosmetics bag holds a bounty of essentials, including travel-friendly sizes of body lotion, body wash, makeup removing wipes, and two ultra-nourishing lip balm. Burt’s Bees is such a stellar choice for Christmas gifts because they’re widely available (including their very own website) in drugstores and grocery stores nationwide, yet they’re also an (almost entirely) natural brand so you give a little love to your body this season. Plus the prices make them ideal for things like stocking stuffers or Secret Santa exchanges with a tight budget. Where else can you get this much for this little?
Buxom Serial Kisser Set – $40 @ Sephora
If you’re unfamiliar with the Buxom brand, the main thing you need to know about them is their name: picture plush curves and you’ll get what they’re all about. Whether through their thickening mascara or their plumping lip glosses and lip sticks, Buxom is one of the rare brands in the world of beauty that wants to fatten you up. In a way. Anyway this adorable velvet-encased box features five standout shades – from classic red to bold berry – that are guaranteed to have all eyes (and maybe more) on your lips. A perfect choice for the lipstick-wearing maven in your midst.
Naked 3 Palette – $52 @ Sephora (coming soon…)
This last idea is a bit of anomaly. Basically the internet lost its collective mind when rumours of a third incarnation of Urban Decay’s wildly popular (and oft-sold out) Naked palettes was hitting the shelves, after some were accidentally sold in advance in Paris. Recognizing the hype, Urban Decay moved up the release date of this super secret palette…although when that will be exactly is still a mystery (rumours are it’ll be launching in the UK on December 16th). Long story short, Naked palettes are well-regarded for their incredible colour pigmentation, ability to mix and blend for daytime and evening looks, and the range of universally flattering shades. This latest version focuses in on soft pinks and browns – ideal for brown-eyed and hazel-eyed beauties – and comes housed in a pretty metallic dusty rose tin. If you are a makeup maven, add it to your wish list and hope someone will elbow their way through the crowds (virtual or real) to snag you one once they’re available for real.
So naturally, I had to pull together a few of these fun beauty picks for one of Canada’s prettiest ladies to try out for themselves. The exciting news I’ve got five amazing beauty gifts valued at over $225 for one lucky gal! If you’d like to potentially win two Kiehl’s x Haze products, an eos ornament, a Stila Colour Me Glossy set, a Cake Beauty gift set, and a bottle of Marc Jacobs Honey, here’s how to enter:
1) Tell me in the comments below by December 17th: What beauty gift idea featured in this post would you most love to unwrap come Christmas? Or if you’re not the make-uppy time, gift?
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 18th to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: You want more ways to try and score this prize package you say? You got ‘em:
Kiehl’s – Like Kiehl’s on Facebook, leave a comment about why you love (or would love to try) their products, leave a link back to your comment (it can be done, Google it) in the comments below.
eos – Like eos on Facebook, leave a comment about why you love (or would love to try) their amazing lip balms, leave a link back to your comment (it can be done, Google it) in the comments below.
Stila – Like stila on Facebook, leave a comment about your fave Stila product (or one you’d most like to try), leave a link back to your comment (it can be done, Google it) in the comments below.
Cake Beauty - Like Cake Beauty on Facebook, leave a comment about why you’d love to win this cute gift set, leave a link back to your comment (it can be done, Google it) in the comments below.
Marc Jacobs Fragrances – Like Marc Jacobs Fragrances on Facebook, leave a comment about why you’d love to be doused in ‘Honey’, leave a link back to your comment (it can be done, Google it) in the comments below.
5) Bonus Entries Part Deux: Want to score an extra five entries into the draw? Pick your five favourite (or less) items from this post and Pin them, leaving links to your pin(s) below. You’ll earn one extra entry per pin.