Tis the season for eggnog and grandma’s fruitcake and stockings hung by the chimney with care. Tis also the season for crowded malls, rude shoppers, stressed store clerks, and hasty, poorly chosen gift giving. With all the joy of holiday gift shopping, who can blame you for holiday shopping procrastination?
It’s the annual budget-busting shopping riddle of who gets what, what size does so-and-so wear and do you think they will like it? Simplify holiday shopping. Gifts of beauty are perfect practical yet indulgent presents that fit everyone on your naughty or nice list.
I’ve complied the my top holiday beauty gift picks perfect for everyone on your shopping list including men, women, old, young, your bff or total stranger, your casual mom or even your uppity mum-in-law!
#1 Best All Around Universal Beauty Gift: Clarisonic Skincare Brush
The Clarisonic Skincare Brush is a no brainer. Beloved by males, females, celebrities, teenagers, baby boomers, beauty junkies, and minimalists alike so it’s guaranteed to be a hit. Every person on the planet feels better when they look better. And what looks better than fresh clear skin? The Clarisonic was the first facial cleansing brush to hit the market and, while often imitated, it remains the best. Give your friends and family the gift of glowing skin. I promise they will love you for it.
Various models available for $125-$199.
#2 Best Beauty Gift for Trendsetter: Lip, Eye and Nail Colors inspired by 2014’s Color of the Year
Pantone recently named Radiant Orchid as 2014’s color of the year. Impress the trend chasing beauty lover on your list with lip, eye and nail colors inspired by 2014’s hottest color. Include a note explaining your picks because even the trendiest girl can miss the latest news. She will be in awe of your fashion-forward coolness with these recommendations:
- bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolor in Moonshine ($12)
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Asphyxia ($18)
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Pure Pigments Eyecolor in No. 14 ($20)
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in 118 Oui! ($18)
- Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Obsess ($17)
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl – Full in 208 Truth Or Dare ($28)
- Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Strangefruit ($22)
- Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Swinger ($21)
- Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy ($22)
#3 Best No-Fail Beauty Stocking Stuffer: Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm
Stocking stuffers are generally last minute filler items that register more as grab bag junk than an actual holiday gift. Surprise any lip gloss wearer with Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm ($25). This universally flattering, cult favorite shade will raise the stocking bar for years to come.
#4 Best Beauty Gift for Your Brother’s Brand New Girlfriend (or what to get someone you barely know): Fresh Sugar Baby Lip Treatment Set
Inevitably, you will need to purchase a holiday gift for someone you barely know-your brother’s brand new girlfriend, your reticent sister-in-law or maybe your kid’s teacher. Win her over with Fresh’s Sugar Baby lip treatment set. Soft, smooth and nourished lips look good (and feel) on everyone and you can’t beat the $28 price tag. Set includes Sugar Lip Polish, Sugar Shine Lip Treatment and Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15.
#5 Best Beauty Gift Under $20: Caudalie Beauty Elixir Limited Edition by L’Wren Scott
Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is probably the most refreshing and uplifting $18 beauty product around and its now available in a limited edition bottle by L’Wren Scott. This is really a fabulous gift for so many reasons. First, most women probably wouldn’t just randomly purchase unless they already use it. I promise the receiver will be grateful for the product introduction. Second, the glass bottle just looks so pretty on your bathroom counter and vanity. Third, this elixir can refresh your make up, shrink pores, smooth fine lines, and just give an overall boost of radiance. Buy it. It will make someone happy.
#6 Best Beauty Gift for Any Man in Your Life: Philips Sonicare Diamondhead Toothbrush
This is a gift of health as much as it is a gift of beauty. Electric toothbrushes give you a pretty smile but also prevent gum disease and plaque. Philips Sonicare Diamondhead toothbrush ($189) features 5 cleaning modes and is clinically proven to whiten teeth in just one week. The limited edition black model is the perfect for no frills manly men who don’t like beauty gifts (your dad, brother, boyfriend or future father-in-law). You can’t NOT like this gift.
#7 Best Beauty Gift for Beauty Product Junkie: Subscription Service to Sample Society
What do you give the beauty junkie who has every product to ever hit a drugstore, department store or virtual beauty store shelf? A subscription to Sample Society! Sample Society is every beauty and product junkie’s dream! A $15 monthly subscription includes 5 deluxe sized samples from the best luxury brands. She will love you more and more each month.
Need more options? Birchbox is also a great subscription service featuring beauty and lifestyle products.
#8 Best Splurge Beauty Gift: Bobbi Brown’s Lulu Frost Compact
Make up maven Bobbi Brown teamed up with jewelry designer Lulu Frost to design a sophisticated vintage inspired, Swarovski encrusted compact. Touch ups instantly become more glamorous when this tiny piece of art emerges from your favorite clutch. The $150 price may be too high to justify purchasing for yourself but not too expensive to gift to your best friend, mom, wife or girlfriend. Indulge and impress your favorite girl with this glam gift.
#9 Best Fragrance Gift: Holiday Gift Set by Chloe
I adore Chloe perfume and I promise any girl on your gift list will adore it too. This sophisticated yet never offending fragrance is perfect for any age, size or style. Featuring notes of pink peony, freesia, magnolia flower and rose grounded by cedarwood, amber and honey. Fresh, feminine, coy but never ever headache inducing or over the top. She will want to bathe in this stuff.
Holiday gift sets start at $75 but a simple rollerball is awesome at just $25.
Note to beauty shopping challenged: Remember to look for Chloe’s original Eau de Parfum. Not See by Chloe or Chloe Love or any other variation. You want Chloe’s original fragrance.
#10 Best Unconventional Beauty Gift Everyone Needs (yes, EVERYONE): Poo-Pourri
Okay, so at first, this may seem like a gag gift. It’s not. Poo-Pourri is a bathroom spray that eliminates poop odors. There, I said it. Every bathroom needs a bottle of Poo-Pourri. This product is different from standard air fresheners because you actually spray the bowl before you go. Odors are trapped underneath the layer of aromatic oils and flushed away before they can ever infiltrate the nostrils of innocent bystanders.
They even feature cute names like Trap-A-Crap, Royal Flush and Party Pooper (prices start around $9). Bathroom odors are not pretty. Everyone benefits with this gift.
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