It’s gift hunting season again! Don’t get all flustered trying to find the perfect gift. There are so many options out there and though it might seem overwhelming, I’m here to cut out the noise and give you a breakdown of some of my favorite things to give and receive this Christmas. It’s super easy to shop for the beauty-obsessed guy or girl in your life. Don’t get lazy by choosing the gift card options. You can simply attach a gift receipt to any gift so the recipient can exchange it later should they choose to. I have curated a fabulous list of products beauty lovers are going to drool over if any of the gifts popped under the Christmas tree.
HAIR
My holiday beauty gift guide has items in various price ranges so you need not break the bank. An ingenious gift I’ll be including in all my stocking stuffers to my niece, mom and the girls in my life is this adorable box filled with hair ties from Cricket Tools. At just $4.99, it’s the perfect gift for office holiday parties too. Cricket products are available at the beauty supply and drug stores so it’s easy to get your hands on their products. I actually intend on putting together a gift basket for a few of my natural hair girls that will also include their Coconut Combs, which are infused with coconut oil and keratin protein to fight frizz while detangling. I wouldn’t mind receiving the Oribe Dry Styling collection, which includes three of the brand’s best sellers for $74.
I don’t use too much heat on my hair but when I do, I need a fast solution. My friends Lara and Mandy have been raving about hair straightening brush tools for a while and now I want one. I tried the Revlon Hair Dryer Brush, which under $60 and loved it. On my list, however, is the Brush Crush by DryBar, which clocks in at $145. My holy grail item on my wish list is the new Dyson Airwrap Complete styler (HINT! HINT!).
CLEAN BEAUTY
I always appreciate gifts that give back and that’s the case with Natura Brasil, a beauty line that hails from Brazil, with a mission to save the Amazon rainforest and impact communities surrounding the area by also supporting public education and the preservation of Brazilian music and culture. I’ve been using their Acai Dry Body Oil to seal in moisture after my showers. My skin gets so dry in the cold weather months so I double layer on moisture by sealing my products with an oil.
I’ve also added their Daily Revitalizing Oil to my facial routine. Both products dry very fast and keep my skin supple all day. They have several gifting options for people to discover and try their products. Give the gift of pampering with their Maracuja Favorites Set, which comes with a shower oil and soap bar in a gorgeous handmade basket for $37.50. The basket can be reused for home decor! I love their Acai hand cream. The Skin Essentials Handcream and soap set is the perfect gift for the vegan beauty lover and at just $19.50, is the perfect stocking stuffer as well. My favorite set on I’ll be giving my mom this year is the handmade Raffia Clutch filled with the Cacau Handcream and Soap. The limited edition clutches are hand-made by Brazilian women of the Porto Sauípe Artisans Association, which helps reduce poverty through trade.
MAKEUP ADDICT
It’s no secret, I’m a sucker for It! Cosmetics products. Their SuperHero mascara and liner are must-haves in my makeup bag. The set is currently available for $29.99. The brand has several gift sets in every budget that are perfect stocking stuffers. You can’t go wrong with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palettes for the makeup addict. The new Naked Cherry collection is to die for with a beautiful eyeshadow palette I’ve been using for the past few weeks. It has 12 new shades to create flattering looks on all skin tones. Pat McGrath is a star in the makeup world and her MatteTrance lipsticks are a favorite of mine. The regular sized lipsticks are a bit pricey so Sephora has bundled a trio of mini versions for $25.
SKIN & NAILS
Skincare aficionados would love to receive new products to try or iconic favorites on editor’s lists. Why not give your favorite person the small-sized Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion? It’s a magic potion to exfoliate skin and balance pH levels in the skin. I swear by this product. My full sized version was confiscated by French airport authorities when I forgot to pack it in my checked luggage. I cried! Looking to splurge? The Dennis Gross SpectraLite™ Faceware Pro is a statement gift. It’s uses LED technology to fight fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and uneven skin without stepping foot in a doctor’s office.
This year, I’m giving a few of my girlfriends nail polish kits for Christmas and Hanukah. My old roommate loves doing her own nails and will surely be getting this Marilyn Monroe Forever Fabulous 8-piece set by Morgan Taylor. It’s under $25 and the perfect gift that won’t break the bank. On another note, I’m a stickler for healthy nails and for me, cuticle oil is a daily must. I love the Morgan Taylor Remedy Renewing Cuticle Oil, which keeps my cuticles from being dry, especially since I get SNS nails at my local salon every few weeks.
