Shopping for Christmas gifts is an exercise in discretion and imagination. And when said gift is meant for the beauty junkie(s) in your life, the process is often made more complex because, well, there are so many choices.
Is one good enough? Or one set better? When it comes to Christmas gifts, is new necessarily most desired – or familiar is still favoured? Between luxury and sustainability, how does one pick a side without offending the other?
TBH, these are moot points to the beauty junkie(s) in your life. We’d wager they love a lippie (or fragrance, shampoo, mask) as much as, say a body lotion. Christmas gifts are, after all, meant as a token of love. And the opportunity to express love is truly a luxury in a year struck by pandemic and lockdown.
SULWHASOO CONCENTRATED RENEWING SERUM HOLIDAY SET
The K-beauty mammoth’s iconic Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum takes the starring role in this four-piece suite. For this festive season, the set is decorated with whimsical illustrations of the haetae (a creature that symbolises strength and perseverance in Korean mythology) by Thai artist Phannapast Taychamaythakool.
Available here
CLARINS 24-DAY CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR
Led by cult raves like Beauty Flash Balm, Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate and Lip Comfort Oil, this seasonal treat makes for the perfect reason to indulge.
Look good, feel better Clarins has gone carbon neutral in 2020 and is working towards plastic neutrality in 2025, as well as 100% recyclable packaging and 100% sustainable sourcing.
Available here
DIOR PRESTIGE SKINCARE SET
Comprising Dior Prestige La Lotion Essence de Rose Exceptional Regenerating Essence Lotion, La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced, and La Crème Texture Essentielle, skincare can’t get any sumptuous. And to make your Christmas gifts even more exclusive, pop in at Dior’s Engraving Atelier to get initials added. While waiting, watch Gisele Bundchen try face yoga.
Available here
NET-A-PORTER ADVENT CALENDAR 25 DAYS OF BEAUTY
An impressive selection of full- and travel-sized haircare, skincare and makeup products – including Hayo’u Beauty Restorer (yes, that acclaimed gua sha tool) and Joanna Vargas Ritual Bar soap.
Available here
CHARLOTTE TILBURY BEJEWELLED EYES TO HYPNOTISE INSTANT EYE PALETTE
Likened to the LBD of the beauty world, this collector’s must offers 12 new shades from the sought-after makeup artist’s eponymous label. Each is formulated with an innovative wet powder technology to mimic the subtle glow of jewels like quartz, ruby, amethyst and topaz.
Available here
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS PALETTE VAULT
Pull open the first drawer to discover the Sultry Eyeshadow Palette, which features 14 shades that range from neutral and matte to metallic. The second one, meanwhile, contains other eye makeup essentials such as Liquid Liner, Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara and Mini-Mini Eye Primer.
Available here
GUCCI BEAUTY ROUGE À LÈVRES LUNAISON
Alessandro Michele has singlehandedly turned lipstick into the season’s most covetable makeup must-have with this thrilling trio. The creamy consistency is finished with a pearly shimmer to ready you for that kiss under the mistletoe. Comes in three shades.
Available here
TOM FORD PRIVATE BLEND LOST CHERRY EDP SET
“Like the plump fruit waiting to be eaten”, was how Tom Ford described this potion, which captures the senses with yummy notes of exotic black cherry, liqueur, plum, Turkish rose, vanilla and patchouli.
Available here
CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR MINI MIST BAUBLE
Women the world over owe their flawless complexion to this well-loved radiance booster that also helps tightens pores.
Look good, feel better Caudalie contributes 1% of global turnover to environmental causes and aims to plant over 8 million trees in eight countries by 2021. The French skincare brand’s Christmas gift sets are made with recycled plastic and paper from sustainably managed forests and printed with plant ink.
Available here