With eleven sleeps until Christmas and all of our fun December plans getting cancelled left, right and centre (again…) we’re feeling somewhat inclined to ramp up the gifting an whack some smiles back on faces next weekend. We’ve already shared our tips for the tastiest treats in town and a selection of more sustainable gifts, now it’s time for the pick of the beauty bunch. We defy you not to pick up a few of these for yourself while you’re shopping…
A stocking filler we’re definitely stocking up on, we’ve fallen a little bit in love with Olverum’s heady, herbaceous bath oil. Its intoxicating blend of oils includes lavender, eucalyptus, lemon peel, rosemary, lime and verbena, among others, the result of which is a stunning scent to leave you refreshed and revived. Just a few drops will engulf your bathroom in fragrance and help your tensions slip away. £36.50 from www.uk.olverum.com
The French fancies over at L’Occitane never fail to impress with their delicious fragrances and this new addition is no exception. The Neroli & Orchidée range combines the two precious white flowers in a harmonious fruity floral scent that will transport you back to sultry summer evenings on a French terrace; just the ticket for getting through winter. We love the Hand Cream (75ml, £6.50) - L’Occitane’s really can’t be beaten for formula - but a spritz or two of the Hair Mist (30ml, £29) will see you through any festive soirée. www.uk.loccitane.com
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a heavenly scented candle or two and Keep Candles is a more sustainable option for those who prefer to minimise waste. Each is handmade in a reusable container (bowl, mug, glass or a super cute eggcup) All of their ceramics are made by a British potter, candles are blended and hand-poured in London, free from paraffin and soy wax and contain no synthetic oils. With 100% natural wax (coconut and rapeseed), cotton wicks and our essential oils they’re proud of being zero waste. We love the Negroni glass tumbler candle (£39), with a delicate blend of cleansing juniper, sweet orange, zesty grapefruit, cold pressed lemon and spicy cardamom essential oils that will warm any winter evening. www.keepcandles.com
The Ilody Kansa Beauty Wand is an ancient ayurvedic beauty tool to massage, sculpt, lift, detox and calm the skin. Hand-crafted from wood and metal alloy, the shaped device is designed to work with the contours of the face and work in product with facial massage. Twinned with one of Ilody’s serums - we love the Luxmi hydrating radiance serum, formulated with hylaruronic acid and tremella mushroom for superior moisture retention - it’s the gift that keeps on giving. £69 from www.ilodyskincare.com
While the dyson might be the most talked about hairdryer of all time, it’s not exactly an affordable price point for most of us… The Hot Tools Pro Signature Hairdryer on the other hand is a whole other ballgame. The award-winning brand has over 30 years of salon experience yet despite a huge cult following across the pond, only launched the first UK collection this summer. This machine is powerful, professional, super speedy and a bargainous £44.99 which already pits it streets ahead of dyson in our view. Available at www.argos.co.uk
ARRAN Sense of Scotland is a beautiful brand from the Scottish isles, with its roots in helping you take time out, slow down and reconnect with nature. Its beauty products are all made in Scotland, born from a love of fragrance inspired a lifelong pursuit of exquisite scents with the power to seduce and captivate the imagination. The After the Rain Body Care Gift Set (£30.00) includes a full sized bath & shower gel and body lotion in the brand’s signature scent, a reviving blend of lime, rose and sandalwood. It’s the ideal something for someone who needs a switch off. www.arran.com
Developed by Yaw Okyere in response to his wife’s feeling of insecurity over her hyperpigmentation, Ava Estell, is an all-natural line of cosmetic products specifically developed for both the black community and people of colour, by those with first hand experience in the cosmetics’ race gap. The range includes products such as the Magix Cream, packed with Ghanian cocoa and shea butters and a blend of oils and extracts to target a number of skin frustrations, the Winter Body Cream infused with the purest tea tree oil to keep your skin protected during the cold, dark winter months, and a Summer Body Cream, infused with zinc oxide, the Summer Body Cream acts as a sunscreen to keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays. www.uk.avestell.com
Award-winning scalp and haircare brand Monpure may not yet be two years old but it’s already taken the beauty world by storm. Beloved by editors for its plant-based formulas, scientifically-proven ingredients and brilliant results, its haircare range is second to none for those with scalp issues. Aside from that however, it also has a nifty little range of accessories and we adore its trio of beautiful silk scrunchies, in a rich forest green, pale gold and dusky pink, to help look after your hair day or night. £23.50 from www.monpure.com
Cult brand Ecooking is one of the fastest growing skincare brands in Denmark. The brand name is an amalgamation of ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘cooking’; a dual reference to the ingredients that go into each product and Ecooking’s humble birthplace – a kitchen. The entire range is designed for everyone – regardless of gender or age - and we love the Neck and Décolletage Cream (£43 from https://uk.olverum.com/www.lookfantastic.com, utilising Hyadisine (a regenerative and protective bioactive ingredient), the quick-absorbing formula helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, younger-looking complexion.
