Christmas 2012 Gift Ideas
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
It's that time of year again! And though I have no religious ties (or any other) to Christmas, I, blinded by the sheer genius that is the Western marketing strategy, adore the festive season. What's not to like about it?!
Sales, pretty lights, happy people (mostly), and, most importantly, holiday collections and packages.
I have some fabulous products to share with you all today, some make jaw-dropping gifts, and others make delightful stocking-fillers. Enjoy! :)
Balenciaga Florabotanica
L'Eau de Chloé
I'm going to start with fragrance - a classic gift whether or not it's the holidays. If you're buying for a younger, edgier crowd, then Balenciaga's Florabotanica will have them screaming for joy. The fragrance's spokesperson is one Kristen Stewart, the hottest thing on the silver screen at the moment, and this gift times in just right with the release of Kristen's latest movie, Breaking Dawn Pt 2.
If you're looking for a classier, older fragrance, L'Eau de Chloé is perfect. Its light, floral tones is perfect for a sunny Christmas, and the elegant packaging is to die for!
Illamasqua Freak
Another great fragrance is 'Freak' by Illamasqua. This is the brand's first fragrance, and smells rich and spicy, which I think represents the brand perfectly. If you're looking for something for a younger recipient, this is perfect.
For skincare lovers, Kiehl's has released a new collection of body lotions, body cleansers, and fragrances, called their Aromatic Blends collection, featuring yummy scents like Orange Flower & Lychee, and Vanilla & Cedarwood - both of which I was lucky enough to be able to sample. They smell divine and last a very long time on the skin!
If you want something that looks as beautiful as it smells, Urban Rituelle has got you covered. The brand always has the most intricate prints on its packaging, like the one shown in this Hibiscus & Cranberry Travel Trio Gift Set, containing a body lotion, bath & shower gel, and hand therapy. Available online and at David Jones stores.
L'Occitane is one of my favourites when it comes to bodycare, and they do some beautiful Christmas packs. Their latest collections include the Magical Leaves collection, and the Marvellous Flowers collection. The Magical Leaves collection is fresh and tangy, whereas the Marvellous Flowers collection is more delicate and floral. Both smell fantastic, and you can be sure that they will be beautifully packed in Christmas-ready packs in store.
There are also some more-affordable products that still make wonderful gifts, like this Bosisto's Lavender collection. They smell absolutely amazing, and I have fallen head over heels in love with these products. I use them in my oil burner (which would make a great accompanying gift!), and in the bath, and I even use the spray to disinfect my pillow at night, plus it makes for a wonderful room-scent. Available at selected pharmacies.
If you know exactly who you're buying for, then skincare can be a lovely gift to give as well.
Jurlique always has some beautiful Christmas gift packs, so stop by their stores to have a look - you won't be disappointed! I highly recommend their Rose Moisture Plus range, which times out perfectly too, because after holiday partying and drinking, your loved ones are going to want to replenish the moisture in their skin! Check out my post on post-party skin savers here, and you might just find yourself wanting to purchase a pack for yourself too :)
Dermalogica is another brand that everyone wants to try - so many of their products have made it into the favourites of beauty editors and beauty bloggers across the world. A brand new offering from them is their ChromaWhite range, designed to target uneven skin and sun damage. The range is so well thought out and so complete, plus it comes packaged in a beautiful roll-up box, so it saves you the hassle of having to wrap it.
Now if you have a hardcore beauty-lover, they are going to be absolutely floored to receive this baby! This is the PMD - a microdermabrasion device that clears away dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of pores, prevents the development of acne, and brightens and smooths the skin. It does absolute wonders at clearing out dead skin cells on the rest of your body, too, and can clear up dry skin on your feet as well as reduce ingrown hairs.
I also have some fantastic stocking fillers to show you!
Anyone who knows anything about beauty knows of the iconic Shu Uemura eyelash curler, the beauty device that can do no wrong. This makes a fantastic stocking stuffer for women of almost any age, and comes in a limited edition gold design for Christmas, too. Lovers of all things kawaii can also purchase the new Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura curler, which comes with a little add-on dangle-chain with the adorable Mon Shu girl attached to it.
If you have an eco-conscious beauty lover in your family, then these brushes from Furless are the perfect gift. Entirely vegan friendly and fur-free, these brushes are soft, high-quality, and come in a pretty pouch for ease of travel. Available at furless.com.au.
Another affordable stocking stuffer is the Nuxe dry body oil, the Huile Prodigieuse OR, with gold shimmer. This will make skin glow and shimmer, which is perfect for the party season. Not to mention, this is the original, best-selling dry body oil from France, and does wonders for the skin.
That about sums up my Christmas gift recommendations! I have more on the way, so I might do a little video showing you some of the prettier collections. I hope you were inspired! x
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