Christmas shopping is highly stressful, and I try and get it all done before December starts as then I can enjoy the nicer festive activities. Here are some of my favourite products this Christmas – I have chosen products for a variety of ages and with a variety of prices.
Sunkissed by Lucy Beautifully Bronzed
This gift set contains a bronzing brush, a bronzing powder compact and a bottle of Self-tan Mousse in Medium and I think this is a fab present for a self-tan lover or as a starter kit for someone who hasn’t tried self-tan before.
This set has been designed by Lucy Mecklenburgh and so any TOWIE fans would also love this gift! You can get this set from www.sunkissedbronzing.co.uk Price £8.99
Wilkinsons Barely There Nail Varnish Set
Wilkos is one of my favourite shops, they always have such a variety of things and at such good prices too. This nail polish set contains five colours, Cobalt Blue, Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Fuchsia Pink and Chocolate Brown.
There is a colour for everyone and you could get this set to split up and give as separate little stocking fillers. I think my favourites are definitely the metallic colours, the shimmer is perfect for the festive season. You can get this set from www.wilko.com Price £4 – Gifts are currently 3 for 2.
Rituals Perfect Shave
If you struggle to buy for any males in your life, this luxury kit is the ultimate collection for a perfect shave. It includes a Face Scrub & Wash, Calming After Shave Lotion and Mild & Caring Shaving Cream.
Rituals products are great for the skin and I always think they smell absolutely divine. My boyfriend James will definitely be receiving this in his stocking this year. Delicious! You can get this set at http://uk.rituals.com/ Price £17.50
Rituals True Happiness
This gift set is for the ladies and includes four gorgeous smaller sizes of Rituals products. Inside the set you get a Shower Foam, Shower Oil, Body Scrub and Body Cream and I think these are perfect for taking away with you or as an introduction to the Rituals range for those who haven’t tried the collection before.
Get this gorgeous gift from http://uk.rituals.com/ Price £17.50 – Gift sets are currently 3 for 2 at the moment!
I Love…Lots of Bubbles
I do actually love this little set of bubble bath & shower gels. You get six fabulously fruity flavours including, Raspberry & Blackberry, Strawberries & Cream, Mango & Papaya, Coconut & Cream, Blueberry Smoothie and Lemons and Limes.
They really brighten up bathtimes and make me feel refreshed and revitalised in a morning. As with the Nail Polish set, you could also split this collection up for stocking fillers. You can get this from www.superdrug.com Price £6 although it is currently on offer for £4
Wilkinsons Urban Artist Phone Case for Gaming
This is such a boy toy! You simply pop your iPhone 5 or 5s in and you can hold the phone like you would a games console. I actually bought this for James but I had a little go myself and it really makes game-playing so much easier!
Perfect for your boyfriend or little brother. It is available from www.wilko.com Price £4
B. Creative Art Edition Vol. 3 Colour Collection
This cosmetics palette is fabulous to create pretty daytime looks. It includes a mirror, four eyeshadows, a blusher, a bronzer, two lip colours and a highlighter. Perfect for on the go, or to introduce teenage girls to natural make-up looks, whilst using quality products.
This will slip perfect inside a stocking or is also great for a Secret Santa present as the colours will suit almost any skintone. You can get this at www.superdrug.com Price £14.99
Dermalogica Active Moist Gift Set
I love Dermalogica skincare, but it isn’t the cheapest around and so I often like to pop it on Christmas and Birthday wish lists. This gift set includes 100ml of the Active Moist moisturiser, 30ml of the Soothing Eye Make Up Remover and 4ml of the Intensive Eye Repair.
As well as getting your chosen product, it is a good opportunity to try a couple of Dermalogica’s other products. This set costs £38 and you can check out which products are perfect for your individual skin type at www.dermalogica.co.uk
Studio London Manicure Collection
I am forever losing my nails files and this is a lovely little collection for any of us girls to get those nails in tip top condition, including a Sapphire Nail File, a Glass Nail File and a Four Way Buffer.
Most females ( and some males) are always in need of nail files and so this would be a great stocking filler or Secret Santa present. You can get this set from www.superdrug.com Price £3.50 (Was £4.50)
Wilkinsons Chalk Mug
This is definitely one of my faves – this mug has a chalkboard effect paint on the outside and comes with two little sticks of chalk. You can be as naughty or nice with this as you want, and even leave a little message on it before you pop it back in the box and wrap it up.
Another gift that is suitable for men or women as well as any age range. (Well perhaps not a toddler but you get the idea…) Check out www.wilko.com Price £5
Label M Jean Pierre Braganza
Everyone needs haircare! Label M has been produced in collaboration with Toni & Guy and this Anti-Ageing collection would be great for a Mum, Nanna etc who’s hair isn’t quite as youthful as it once was. I really don’t think it is offensive to buy anti-ageing products as gifts as these days you are told to use them from as young as in your Twenties and with them often not being cheap I think they make lovely presents.
This collection includes Age-Defying Shampoo and Conditioner as well as the Age-Defying Radiance Oil. The set is available at www.labelm.com and costs £39.99 (RRP of individual products totals £57.75)
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
Another skincare staple, this Hot Cloth Cleanser from Liz Earle was recommended to me by my friend Jay, who recently did a post on The Kats Paws. This is the Limited Edition Sweet Orange and Mint scented cleanser and smells absolutely divine.
It arrives in a pretty circular gift box and includes two of the face cloths as well as full instructions on how to do a deep-cleanse and therefore is a great introductory skincare product for teenagers or adults alike. This is available at www.lizearle.com Price £19.75
Yardley Daisy Gift Set
This beautifully bright collection includes 50ml of the Daisy Eau de Toilette and 100ml of the Daisy Body Wash. Yardley have often been known as perhaps an older person’s preference, but they have recently brought out some gorgeous sets and new fragrances which are suitable for girls and women of all ages.
The Daisy fragrance is a fresh, floral scent that is perfect for everyday wear. The Daisy collection is available at www.yardleylondon.co.uk Price £14.99
NYX Nude on Nude Palette
Every make-up brand I can think of currently have a ‘nudes’ eyeshadow palette out at the moment and this stunning palette holds 20 eyeshadows and 10 lipglosses. I love the nude eyeshadows because they are perfect for any skin tone and range from matte shades to shimmers and glitters.
The lipglosses all compliment the eyeshadows and with a mirror on the inside, this is perfect to take away with you on holiday or on a mini break. The NYX Nude on Nude Palette is available at www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk Price £25
Aromatherapy Associates The Star
This gorgeous little star gift box includes a vial of the Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil. The Star is also perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree or placing on the table instead of crackers when enjoying your Christmas lunch.
For those of you who haven’t tried Aromatherapy Associates before, they do the most delectable bath and shower oils, the tiniest amount can really nourish the skin and they smell absolutely heavenly. The Star is available at www.aromatherapyassociates.com Price £10 and 10% of proceeds go to the Defence Against Cancer charity.
Topshop Lip & Cheek Duo
Topshop cosmetics is one of my favourite beauty brands as they have plenty of fun, fashionable colours and trends. This cute little set includes their Lips lipstick in the shade Wicked, which is a wearable plum colour and their Blush in Head Over Heels which is a pretty coral/light pink colour.
This would be a perfect gift or stocking filler for all of the fashionistas in your life. The set is available at www.topshop.com Price £12
Topshop Nail Trio
Another cute gift set from Topshop is this trio of nail polishes, and again you could give this as a whole set or split up and make little packages for your friends. Included in this set are the colours Salamander, Scuba and Sonic.
The shades are all blue, and includes a lighter candy blue, a shimmery multi-tonal lagoon coloured blue and lastly a dark shimmer blue. There are other colour-themed sets available if blue isn’t your colour. Available at www.topshop.com Price £12
Selfie Brush
This is from the makers of the Wet Brush and is suitable for iPhone 5 and 5s. Probably one of the funnest gifts in my little gift guide, and continuing the latest Selfie trend, this hair brush enables you to fit your iPhone inside and has a mirror on the back so that you can check you are looking your best whilst taking your selfies!
What more could anyone possible need???? The Wet Brush collection is available at www.wetbrush.com and the Selfie Brush costs £12.98
Jelly Belly Duo
I am a huge Jelly Belly fan, their scents and flavours are always so amazing and lifelike. This set includes a flavoured Lip Balm and scented Nail Polish in the Jelly Belly Very Cherry scent. It is a gorgeous little set that would be perfect for your little sister, or older sister!
You can see the entire Jelly Belly range at www.jellybelly-uk.com Price £4.99
ESPA Love Replenished Skin Collection
ESPA produce spa-quality skincare and bath products and this sweet kit is a perfect way to try out their range. I actually got this for myself as I wanted to try their range out but with the satin purple bag, this makes a lovely present idea. This fab little gift bag includes little version of the following products;
· Hydrating Cleansing Milk
· Hydrating Floral Spa Fresh
· Optimal Skin Pro Serum
· 24 Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser
· 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser
The ESPA range is available at www.espaskincare.com
Wilkinsons Barely There Manicure Set
I see these manicure kits every year but they are such a bargain and super handy to have at home, in your handbag or on your desk at work. They include all of the manicure essentials, a nail file, clippers etc and are affordable for any price range.
This little zip-up case is available at www.wilkos.com Price £1
Woods of Windsor Blue Orchid & Water Lily Duo
Perfumes nowadays can be SO expensive, but this fragrance set from Woods of Windsor is a much better pricepoint but without scrimping on quality. You receive 100ml of the Eau de Toilette and 350ml of the Body Lotion (which by the way comes in a pump bottle, which I think is so much easier when you are moisturising compared to ones where you have to mess about with the lids).
Both of the products have the Blue Orchid & Water Lily scent, which is a light, refreshing florally fragrance and so is super-wearable for everyday. This gift set is available at www.woodsofwindsor.co.uk Price £20
Steamcream Christmas Edition
I recently did a Steamcream review and so I won’t go into too much detail, but their Christmas designs are super fabulous! This tin has the Ted & Friends design and is totally Christmassy with Ted, Santa and the Snowman on the front, along with lots of pretty snowflakes and gingerbread men.
Steamcream is one of those products that is suitable for all skin types and can be used all over the body. Get this cute tin at www.steamcream.com Price £12.95
Sensationail Gel Starter Kit
Another product I have reviewed on The Kats Paws is the Sensationail Gel Kit, which I loved as it is so quick and easy to produce salon-worthy gel nail polished nails. This kit contains everything you need as well as the colour Pink Chiffon.
To get the full details on this amazing kit, check out my review here http://thekatspaws.com/2014/08/07/sensationail-kit/ I also chose three beautiful shades of polish including Rose Gold Glitter, Juicy Sangria and French Manicure Sheer Pink. You can check out the range at www.sensationail.co.uk The Starter Kit is £69.99 and the Gel Polishes cost £12.50 each.
Studio London Lash & Line Eyeliner Collection
This kit contains everything you need to produce fabulous eye make-up looks. Included in this set is a mascara, eyeliner, eye crayon and cream eye shadow. It also includes looks that you can copy and create, which is fab for those who are interested in make-up but aren’t always sure how to re-create popular looks.
This kit is from www.superdrug.com Price £6 (Was £8)
Aromatherapy Associates The Refinery Essentials Kit
This is a luxury skincare kit for the gorgeous man in your life, but at £45 he has got to be in to his skincare. As previously mentioned Aromatherapy Associates really do produce beautiful skincare and bathing products and this kit is no different.
Inside the wash bag is The Refinery Face Wash and The Refinery Revitalising Moisturiser, which are both fab everyday products that can also be used as an introduction to a skincare routine. Available at www.aromatherapyassociates.com Price £45
Vaseline Care Bag
Who doesn’t love Vaseline? An absolute beauty staple and an absolute bargain, this gift bag contains the Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rose and Almond Oil and the Healthy Hands & Stronger Nails Hand Cream. Perfect for practically any female in your life – again, not the toddlers…!
A pretty pink gift set which won’t break the bank. You can find out more about Vaseline at www.vaseline.co.uk and this set is available at stores such as Boots, Superdrug and Tesco. Price £6
Vaseline Lip Care Case
This cute little case contains a mirror and Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rose and Almond Oil. It fits perfectly in your handbag and makes it easier to apply Vaseline on the go.
Another fab pricepoint, this case is a great stocking filler, or like with the Aromatherapy Associates The Star, you can place one of these on each ladies’ dinner place on Christmas Day. Available at Boots, Superdrug, Asda etc. Price £4
Flutter Lip Gloss
Ahhhh this is so cute from the Superdrug Flutter range! The packaging is really girly and has little wings on and inside is a pretty pink shimmery lipgloss.
I might even pop this on my Christmas tree, or my Goddaughter would also love this little gift. Available at www.superdrug.com Price £2 (Was £2.50)
Shavata Heart Tweezers
These quirky heart shaped tweezers are super cute! They are high quality Swiss made slanted tweezers which come in a perfect little mirrored compact. They are so easy to use and the heart shape make them comfortable to use also.
You could even buy them in black for the man in your life – yes James does like to pluck the odd stray hair haha! These are available from www.shavata.co.uk Price £21
Escapology Reed Diffuser in Madagascan Vanilla by Ashleigh & Burwood
I think this would be a wonderful gift for someone that has perhaps just moved into their own home. Reed Diffuser’s are a great way of fragrancing the home and this particular one lasts SUPER long and smells absolutely divine!
I got this from www.a1gifts.co.uk where there are lots of other gorgeous scents. Price £14.96 (RRP £19.99)
DIY Message Mask
This is definitely one of my fave novelty items! As my boyfriend James is a lorry driver, he is up super early and so I rely on an eye mask to keep me from waking up too early. This DIY mask has a plastic layer in which you can write messages on, and it comes with a little pen and eraser for you to re-write your messages.
Hmmm any suggestions for what you would write on yours? It is up to you whether you want to be naughty or nice! This is from www.a1gifts.co.uk and costs just £3.95 – fab stocking stuffer or Secret Santa price point.
So…? Kiss Me Eau de Toilette & Body Lotion Set
I have told you about my teenage crush on So…? products before and this fab set contains a bottle of their Kiss Me fragrance and a Body Lotion too. The Kiss Me fragrance is a really pretty, fresh and light scent and would be great for teenagers who are wanting to experiment with perfumes.
You can get this set from www.boots.com for just £7 and it is included in their 3 for 2 offer.
Cocoa Brown Bronzed & Beautiful Set
From another of my favourite brands, this gift set includes the Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan which gives a radiant bronzed glow, the Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff Body Scrub to prepare the skin, as well as removing the tan when you have finished with it and the Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Gradual Tanner. It costs under £10 and is available from www.cloud10beauty.com
Soigne Nail Polish
The majority of girls love nail polishes, and these polishes by Soigne are perfect gifts. The packaging is simple but classy and open up to reveal their classic colours. I chose Pomegranate which is a true classic rouge, Ube – a really pretty lilac and Praline which is a milky beige colour and reminds me of café latte!
At £11 each, these polishes are cheaper than some of the other luxury brands and come in fab packaging too. Check out www.soignenails.com for the full range.
Sanderson Dandelion Clocks Hand Cream
I am super impressed with the packaging for some products this Christmas and this Hand Cream is no different. The pattern on the packaging reminds me a little of wallpaper – in a good way! This superb, luxuriously creamy hand cream arrives in a beautiful gift box and would make a perfect gift for someone such as your Mum or sister.
You can check out the full range at www.heathcote-ivory.com where the Hand Cream is £10.
Jelly Belly Jewel Collection, Hello Kitty Tin and Christmas Mix
Those of you who follow me on Instagram (kjw130384) and Twitter (@kjw130384) may have seen that one of my advent calendars this year is a Jelly Belly one – I am in love with those little beans of sweetness and I think these three would make fab stocking stuffers.
The Jewel Collection would be perfect for girly girls as they are all metallic pretty colours, the Hello Kitty Tin would be cute for a little girl (or older one! ME!!!!) and the Christmas Mix is great for all!
I love the colours from Jelly Belly and their Christmas range this year has been by far the best they have done. You can check these products out at www.jellybelly-uk.com (Jewel Collection £6.62, Hello Kitty Tin £3.50 and Christmas Mix £6.60)
Ciate Tree Trinket from ASOS
Arghhh this is super cute!! A well-presented bauble with a cute black bow – AND a Ciate nail polish inside. Can gifts get any better seriously? In my bauble I received a purple and pink glittery polish, but these are re-usable and so you could always add something else in for next year!
A lovely pre-Christmas gift from www.asos.com
The Body Shop The Sparkler in Glazed Apple, Lip Gloss in Glazed Apple and Eye Palette in Frosted Pastels
I was recently sent these lovely goodies from The Body Shop and thought they would be perfect as stocking fillers for the girls! The Sparkler is a body shimmer powder which is housed in a vintage-looking bottle complete with crocheted puffer. It is in the scent of the Glazed Apple range and leaves such a pretty shimmer on the skin – perfect for Christmas and New Year’s eve parties.
The Glazed Apple Lip Gloss is also super gorgeous, and don’t be alarmed by the colour – it doesn’t go on to the lips green, and it leaves a lovely shimmer, perfect with The Sparkler. Again, The Body Shop has been another brand I am really impressed with this Christmas and the eyeshadow palette has a cute hearts and snowflake design on the front in my favourite colours of mint green, brown and cream.
Inside there is a mirror and four colours of eyeshadow, which includes a cream and light brown with just a smidgen of shimmer and two sparkly shadows in mint green and a charcoal mix. SUPER gorgeous! It does also come with a double ended applicator for on the go beauty top-ups. These three fabulous products are available at www.thebodyshop.co.uk (The Sparkler £15, Lip Gloss £7 and Eye Palette £15)
Hugo Frosch Animal Pillow – Lamb
Arghhhh how cute is this lovely little lamb? It is like one of those pillow pets that you can use as a pillow or velcro the strap and it becomes a cuddly toy. The difference here? It contains a hot water bottle!
Therefore it is perfect to keep you warm when its cold outside and I love snuggling on the sofa with it. It is totally safe for children to use and complies with the regular British standards, as do all Hugo Frosch products so you can rest in peace whilst your little one keeps snuggly and warm. Available at www.amazon.co.uk £34.95
John Frieda For the Love of Big Hair Kit
This little set is perfect to give your hair some extra oompf. It includes smaller versions of their Touchably Full Shampoo and Conditioner, Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster and All-Day Hold Hairspray.
If you are new to the John Frieda Volume Range, then this is a great way to try four different products. I have used this range before and I love it, and your hair certainly won’t be flat as a pancake at your Christmas and New Year parties! It is available at www.superdrug.com for £6.
So, rather a long post but I hope you managed to find a few products that you may like to purchase, if not for others then maybe to add to your Christmas List to Santa!
Love,
Kathryn xxx