Christmas Day brings us twinkly lights, mulled wine and the overwhelming annoyance of a family lockdown. The Christmas season can be wonderfully awful, regardless of how you view Christmas here is a list of must have gifts for others, or if you’re like me, wee treats for yourself because god knows we deserve it.
Skincare
Farsali Rose Gold Elixer – £50– This elixir may be on the pricer side of skincare, but it doubles as a moisturiser, a serum and even as a base before makeup. A cult favourite for many makeup artists including those that prep the skin for Shay Michelle and Desi Perkins, known for their incredible glow. It is available on Beauty Bay and can be bought in store at Selfridges.
Holika Holika Pure Essence Mask Sheet Strawberry – £2.00– Sheet masks have honestly popped out of nowhere it seems; however Korean skincare is pathing the way for new formulations and products. This mask is perfect for a stocking filler as it is inexpensive. The strawberry extract in these masks rejuvenate and nourish the skin. Especially during winter, our skin can become dry and dehydrated due to the harsh weather conditions. With this mask you are ensured to have plump skin that has a glow from within. Again, this mask is available from beauty bay, and I highly recommend checking out Holika Holika’s other masks and products which can be tailored specifically to your skin type.
Glossier Balm Dot Com – $12/£9.33 – An iconic staple in everyone’s bag. The weather in Scotland can be so cold during the first few months of the year, and that means, chapped lips are inevitable. Chapped lips are sore, so I highly recommend balm dot com, glossier has a wonderful aesthetic, and when it comes down to products, the quality also remains high. They have an array of ‘flavours’ including birthday which is my personal favourite as it has a hint of glitter, they have also just launched a new berry shade which has a berry tint which will be stunning during the winter months. If you don’t wish for some colour in your balm, they also have the original and mint formulas. It’s worth splashing out on. Available on the glossier website.
The Ordinary Organic Rosehip Oil – £9 – I will preach over the ordinary until the day I die, the organic rose hip oil is anything but ordinary, it won the 2019 Haul of Fame award and is another cult favourite. If you have never tried the ordinary, I cannot recommend it enough, their products are affordable and incredibly effective. Rosehip oil is something which my mum recommended and I shyed away from it thinking it would be utterly useless, however it has transformed my skin and has helped to improve the appearance of acne scarring, darkness, hyperpigmentation all whilst keeping my skin hydrated and plump. If you buy one skin care product for yourself for the rest of the year, let it be this. The ordinary is available instore at House of Frasers also online at Beauty Bay and on Cult Beauty.
Makeup
The Jefree Star X Shane Dawson Conspiracy Palette – N/A – If you caught Shane Dawson’s most recent web series, which premiered during the month of October. We saw the behind the scenes of the production of the product as well as the creative process behind the launch. As of just now the palette and the rest of the collection can be bought from beauty bay and online at Jefree Star Cosmetics, however I’m sure that the collection will sell out almost instantly as soon as it restocks. The shades featured in the palette consist of wearable warm tones and transitions and a few splashes of colour. JS Cosmetics is known for its unique formulation when it comes to pressed pigments and eyeshadows, meaning this is the perfect palette for those wishing to experiment with makeup more, beginners and those who are addicted to cosmetics. I cannot wait to have my hands on the palette, I truly believe it will revolutionise the entire cosmetic industry.
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored – £19 – The love I have for this lipstick cannot be compared, I wear red lipstick nearly every day and it must be the stunna lip. Christmas time is perfect for wearing red, and this lip colour will win your heart, trust me. The universally flattering shade of red is beautiful on every skin tone and every undertone, and that is guaranteed by Rihanna herself. This liquid lipstick has a unique applicator which makes a very defined lip line meaning you don’t need a lip liner for it to look immaculate. It lasts all day, through meals, coffees, dancing and drinking. If you need a new red lipstick or wish to start wearing red try the stunna lip out in Uncensored, I promise you, you will love it. Fenty beauty is available in Harvey Nichols, online and now has been launched in most Boots stores, meaning its very accessible for most of us.
Artist Couture Diamond Glow Powder in Coco Bling – £30 – It tends to be thought that matte skin is the go-to for autumn and winter, however I believe the glow should stay all year round, as dewy skin suggests youth and nourishment. This is a cult favourite within the beauty community and has been for many years. Coco Bling may not be the correct shade for you; however, they have numerous shades to choose from. The highlighter is in the formulation of a powder that is finely milled, this gives the skin an extra dimension of glow and almost brings a dewiness from within. Rather than a shimmery pigmented streak of light, this highlighter acts almost as a clear reflect, giving that facetune glow but in real life. The diamond glow powder is available to buy from beauty bay and on cult beauty.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation – £43 – The newest foundation launch for Anastasia was much more successful than their previous stick foundation launch as the formula is better in terms of coverage and how it makes the skin look. The medium coverage foundation with a slight dewiness makes acne prone skin, dry skin and even combination skin look healthy and youthful. The shades range from very light skin to deeper tones and has all the undertones in between. Meaning this foundation truly does fit everyone. Even if you have an oilier skin type, with the right primer and setting powder this foundation will still make your skin look lovely and remain intact throughout the day. Anastasia Beverly Hills is still quite tricky to get a hold of in stores; however, you can get this foundation on Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic and online line at Anastasia Beverly Hills’ UK website.
Have a very Merry Christmas and I hope this gift guide is useful in finding the perfect gift for your friends or yourself.
PHOTOGRAPH LINKS
https://shop.farsali.com/collections/most-loved/products/rose-gold-elixir
https://www.glossier.com/products/balm-dotcom
