I think that apart from my annual ‘Gifts for Her’ roundup, this is probably the most anticipated post of the season (or so the feedback is from my friends and family). It makes sense really, since this post is basically an offshot of that one. That’s right folks, today is my annual Best Beauty Gifts roundup! I’ve highlighted some fantastic indie brands and products, as well as some more mainstream fare, so you can treat every beauty fanatic on your list to something that’ll make her more radiant than the star on top of your Christmas tree.
Kryolan Metallique Palettes – $35 each
I love metallic eyeshadows – particularly around the holiday season – and I love cream eyeshadows. The tricky part is finding ones that will still in place and not give you that awkward ridged stripy eye effect. Kryolan is a world-renowned makeup brand that’s actually used by makeup artists around the globe – meaning that if their products are known to stand up under harsh lighting and HD camera scrutiny, they’ll work just fine for everyday use too. I had the chance to try out one of their incredible Metallique Palettes and was duly impressed at how little they budged. Each palette includes five shimmery shades in either warm or cool tones that give your eyes a sheer layer of sparkly colour – simply layer it on for a stronger effect. You can wear the shadows on their own, or use them as a base for some of the brand’s other products, like micro glitters, for a super shiny effect. For the record, you can buy Kryolan products at the Kryolan Store in Toronto – located at 110 Lombard Street. Call ‘em at 416.968.6212 for hours and shipping options.
Forever Vera Vera Wang – $49-$78 @ Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs
I’m a big fan of Vera Wang’s perfumes – they really stand out in my (admittedly huge) collection and are just the right blend of girly and fun. With her newest scent, Vera Wang’s gone in a slightly different direction – a more sophisticated yet earthy one. If you close your eyes, Forever Vera smells like a peaceful day at the lake, with strong top notes of sandalwood and musk. Of course, in signature Vera Wang style, there’s still plenty of fizzy, juicy, fruity tones, like coconut and white peach (and even a splash of rum), as well as a bouquet of flowers including iris and gardenia. The overall result is something flirty, fresh, and quite light – making it a perfect pick for anyone that’s not super into perfumes.
Stila ‘Best of Black’ Set – $90 @ Murale
Believe it or not, cult beauty brand Stila has been on the shelves for 20 holiday seasons. To celebrate, this year they teamed up with amazing jewelry site BaubleBar to create a series of fun gift sets that are themed to some of Stila’s bestselling products. Each gift set comes with its own unique cosmetics bag, as well as a $10 BaubleBar gift card and a piece of jewelry so you sparkle everywhere. And let’s not forget the products themselves – each curated kit comes with 3-4 products designed to give you a certain look. Since I love a good smokey eye, I was drawn to this ‘Best of Black’ set which includes two different black liners, a lush mascara, and a shimmery grey-black shadow. But rest assured, they’ve got plenty of other collections that highlight other goodies – from their lip glosses to their eye enhancers.
Complete Daily Essentials Kit – $68 + The Party Kit II – $58 @ Province Apothecary
I could write pages on Province Apothecary’s super cool line of ‘wildcrafted’ natural products made right here in Canada, but for now I’m going to introduce ‘em by highlighting two of their perfect-for-gifting kits. First up we’ve got the Complete Daily Essentials Kit. It includes five multi-tasking products: a Cleanser / Makeup Remover, an Invigorating + Balancing Toner, a Regenerating + Stimulating Exfoliator, a Detoxifying + Clarifying Mask, and a Rejuvenating + Hydrating Serum, all housed in a handy canvas bag. Not only will your skin look fab as you use each product daily, you can feel good about the products’ seasonally appropriate, organic ingredients that are blended together in small batches by Julie Clark, the brand’s founder and a certified holistic esthetician and aromatherapist. Province Apothecary is also suitable for people with sensitive skin or chronic conditions like eczema (which Julie herself suffered from). The other kit I’ve highlighted is ideal for the holidays – aka the season of overindulgence – because it’s specifically designed to whip your skin back into glowing shape after a night of partying. Breathe in the included Essential Oil incense while rubbing on the brand’s natural Hangover Remedy, erase that gross headache with a swipe of their Headache Therapeutic Roll-On, and if you’re in the mood for a different kind of party, try out their sensual Sex Oil. With both of these kits you’re getting some killer value here as each one would cost nearly $20 more if purchased individually – so stock up and give your friends the gift of radiant skin.
Bobbi Brown Highlight Powders – $52 each @ BobbiBrown.ca, Holt Renfrew, Sephora and Murale
Give your face a festive sheen with one of Bobbi Brown’s new limited edition highlight powders. Available in ‘Pink Glow’ and ‘Bronze Glow’, these shimmery cakes are designed to give you that ‘sitting by the fireside’ glow without that dull, ashy look that other bronzing powders can give off. A few quick swipes applied strategically to spots where light reflects off your skin (nose, cheekbones, chin, etc.) can polish off any pretty party look. These pretty powders are part of this holiday season’s limited edition ‘Scotch on the Rocks’ lineup, hence the reason why they’re housed in these sorta retro, tortoiseshell cases that channel the warm amber tones of a high end bottle of whiskey. Be sure to check out the full line for some choice picks for the discerning beauty buff in your life.
Ceramic Glaze Holiday Bling Collection – $10.99 each @ Shoppers Drug Mart
Deck out your nails this season with Ceramic Glaze’s latest collection, specifically designed to dress up your favourite party outfits. This 7-piece line includes three faves from the brand’s existing line, as well as four sparkling new shades with cute festive names like O Holly Night and Sugar Plum Sparkle. If you’re unfamiliar with Ceramic Glaze, it’s an awesome brand beloved by beauty mavens (particularly those with a nail polish obsession) for its high pigmentation and unique, thinner formula that makes it easier to get an even coat (particularly critical for glittery polishes). Best of all, you can swipe on a coat right before heading out the door – because of the thinner formula, it actually dries quicker too. And with a special clay ingredient (hence the ‘ceramic’ in the title) it’s meant to harden your nails and make ‘em stronger. Buy a bottle for each of your daughters’ stockings, or share them amongst your closest friends as you bling on the new year.
Kinhaku Complete Travel Ritual Set – $145 @ Tatcha
I introduced you guys to Tatcha – the unique skincare brand inspired by Geisha beauty secrets – last month. If you didn’t check ‘em out then, now would be an excellent time to do so as their holiday gift sets are in stock (and many of them are already sold out or nearly sold out). In fact I wanted to feature a super luxe collection of the brand’s entire product lineup in miniature form, but that one IS sold out – so as a close second I’m highlighting this smaller version featuring several of the brand’s pint-sized products, perfect for travel or test out Tatcha’s rejuvenating products for the first time. Housed in a beautiful wooden box, this expansive gift set includes 8 different items to give your skin a beautiful glow from the inside out.
BONUS! While I advise acting early to nab Tatcha’s gift sets, it’s worth noting that they’re doing a 20% off sale on anything on their site from 11/28 – 12/8. Just enter FF2014 at checkout!
MAKE UP FOR EVER Studio Case – $68.50 @ Sephora
If you haven’t had a chance to test out MAKE UP FOR EVER’s amazing, beauty editor / makeup artist / blogger-beloved products, now is very much the time. This past fall, in celebration of the Parisian brand’s 30th anniversary, they actually relaunched their ‘Artist Shadow’ eyeshadows – which includes over 210 shades with five different finishes, giving you access to a veritable rainbow. The bigger selling point however, is the increased quality of what was already an incredible product – each shadow now delivers up to 88% pigmentation and is super easy to blend. I actually got to attend a very cool MAKE UP FOR EVER event this fall where Kabuki, a world-renowned makeup artist whose credits include Sex and the City, hand-selected three beautiful champagne and purple shadows for me to try out – and honestly I am hard-pressed not to pull them out every single day! Then again, I may be tempted to with the MAKE UP FOR EVER Studio Case, which includes twelve mini-cakes that’ll give you a chance to test out a bunch of shadows before taking the plunge on a particular favourite. The shadows are organized into four families and the kit comes with a handy booklet to help you create four different party-ready eye looks – all of which can be finished off with a swipe of the brand’s equally impressive Artist Liner, which is included here too in classic black. And let me also point out, the little kit this set comes in is adorable, great for travel, and sturdy too. A must-have for any eyeshadow maniac (like myself!)
Marulagold Hair Products – From $8
African beauty secrets come to Canada in the form of Marulagold, a unique haircare brand built off the concept of taking care of your scalp and being rewarded with gorgeous, luscious hair. The titular Marula is actually a golden fruit grown in Africa, known for its antixoidants and rich fatty acids that soothe your scalp and hydrate your hair for gorgeous, soft locks. Marulagold works with a group of women farmers to grow, harvest and extract the marula oil, helping to support their livelihood while giving you access to this rare and super beneficial ingredient. Marulagold essentially consists of three core products: their Intelligent Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as their Intelligent Hair & Scalp Serum. Why ‘Intelligent’ you ask? Because all three products are crafted with some strategy in mind: they nourish your hair, help perk you up and improve your mental / memory functions, and it’s 100% natural. Pretty smart, don’t you think?
Ultimate 6-in-1 Beauty Solution – $73.99 @ Mistura Beauty Solutions
So I gave you a little taste of Mistura last week – now’s the time to explain what this cool brand’s all about. Their key product is their 6-in-1 Beauty Solution (that compact you see to the right), which amazingly enough is formulated to work with every single skin tone. How you ask? It includes the brand’s signature Miracle Match Color Blend Technology, which uses the heat of your skin to seamlessly blend in – regardless of your skintone, skin type, age, you name it. The result is a glowing, radiant finish that minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes and redness. This incredible product has won over thousands of women already – and if you want to get even better results, you can pair it with the other products included in their handy Ultimate 6-in-1 Beauty Solution kit. Luminada is Mistura’s moisturizing primer that’ll help your skin shine and stay nourished all day, plus you’ll also take home a lip-soothing treatment packed with Vitamin E and a retractable brush that’s perfect for travel. It’s a fabulous way to introduce yourself (or a not-yet-familiar family member) to this impressive brand – and since whoever you’re gifting it to is likely to fall in love, you can simply replenish their stocks for your next gift-giving occasion. And be sure to keep tabs on the Mistura site – they’re adding new products all the time!
Eye Studio Sampler – $39 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
A good mascara can do a lot for a girl – in fact, I’d suggest that if you were to narrow down your beauty essentials to one or two products, mascara should probably be on that list, if only for its eye-opening properties that make you look more awake. If you’re like me, you’re probably perennially on the hunt for THE mascara that’s going to become your go to – and with the rate beauty brands are innovating, it’s hard to keep up. Luckily, Shoppers Drug Mart has gathered six of their most popular high end mascaras (and Benefit’s new ‘They’re Real’ gel eyeliner) into one luxury-sized sample collection. Use them all at once or spread them out over a few months; whenever you find the eye-popping formula that suits you best, this cool gift set includes a certificate you can trade in for your favourite full-sized mascara (hint: Benefit’s ‘They’re Real!’ mascara is one of my go-to’s!)
Demeter Fragrance Library Holiday 2014 Collectors Edition Log Cabin Set – $45
If the hustle and bustle of the holidays gets to you, then this beauty gift idea may be just the right pick. Inspired by Demeter Fragrance Library’s CEO’s family trips to Vermont, this trio of festive, wintery scents is designed to channel crisp winters and cozy nights. If you’re unfamiliar, Demeter Fragrance Library’s M.O. is to bottle memories, in a sense – their fragrances evoke real-life scents from the exotic (Hawiian Vanilla) to the unexpected (Pizza). Unlike a regular perfume, they’re not really meant to stick on your skin all day long – instead, you simply spritz one around you or on you when you’re in the mood for a quick fragrance pick-me-up that channels a favourite smell. The trio in this cute set include two Demeter Fragrance Library classics – smokey Fireplace and refreshing Christmas Tree – alongside their new scent for the holiday season, Log Cabin, a unique, woodsy scent that’ll have you dreaming of ‘lake season’ in no time. Layer ‘em on for a custom scent or wear them individually. And dare I say it – this is probably one of the only unisex gifts on my beauty gifts list, making it a worthy pick for mom, dad, or the in-laws. While this set is only available to Canadians through the Demeter Fragrance Library website, you can get select scents from the brand at select Loblaws banner store locations (such as Real Canadian Superstore) for $15 a pop!
Hello Kitty Pop-Up Party Eyeshadow Palette – $62 @ Sephora
You wouldn’t know it just by looking at her, but the eternally youthful, bow-wearing Hello Kitty is actually turning 40 this year! To celebrate, a new lineup of adorable Hello Kitty anniversary-themed products have popped up at Sephora, ideal for fans of the cult series or as a cute entre into the world of makeup for any young ‘uns that are big Hello Kitty fans. My favourite pick of the litter has to be this adorable, metallic-cased eyeshadow collection, which includes 20 hues in a spectrum’s worth of shades, from deep, sparkle-flecked black to the softest, shiniest champagne white. Not only do you get a range of colours to choose from, there’s also a great mix of matte, glitter and metallic finishes, so you can mix and match to create a pretty endless stream of looks.
Click n Curl Sets – $59.99 @ Amazon.ca
I couldn’t write a beauty post without touching on hair styling tools – and this is one of the coolest ones I’ve seen to date. It’s a total time saver designed to give you salon-quality results with minimal effort (and skill). Think: big body, loose waves, and a smooth finish. The premise is pretty simple. Set one of the included brush heads / rollers on your counter, click it into the universal base, and as you dry your hair, curl it around and let it ‘set’. As you move onto another section of your hair, the first section will cool off and dry – all you have to do is release the roller when you’re done and voila, beautiful, full, bouncy locks. Click n Curl comes in Small, Medium, and Full kits so you can control how loose your curls will be (as well as pick a size that’s suitable for your loved one’s locks – the thicker the hair the bigger the rollers you’ll want). Once you’ve got the hang of things with whatever set you initially choose, you can buy add-ons to change up your look with the same simple method.
Dual Salmon Concealer – $39 each @ Eve Pearl
Remember how I talked about my MOST essential beauty products? Well apart from mascara, my ultimate beauty must-have has to be concealer. I’ve got genetic dark circles under my eyes…but Eve Pearl’s innovative, made-for-HDTV concealer might just be the trick to banishing my bruise-hued patches for good. This incredible, award-winning product capitalizes on a pretty simple technique – the use of the colour salmon. Brush on the darker of the two shades to neutralize those bothersome blue undertones, then swipe on the lighter shade on the inner and outer corners for a smooth, airbrushed finish. The product goes on super easily yet finishes like a stay-put powder. Ideally suited for sensitive skin, this paraben and fragrance-free concealer comes in five different shade combinations so you can find the perfect match to brighten up those eyes in no time. Eve Pearl’s website does ship to Canada for free with a $200 purchase, but you can also buy them on The Shopping Channel website or at a range of retailers, viewable here.
NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette – $75 @ Sephora
If you’re looking for that flushed-from-fun-in-the-bedroom glow, than this cheeky palette quite literally designed for your cheeks is a must-have. With a bronzer, three rosy-toned blushes and a contrasting highlighter, you’ll have all the tools you need to create a sweet dewy glow to a hotter-than-hot flush to a bronzed goddess shimmer. It’s part of the brand’s limited edition ‘Laced With Edge’ holiday collection, meaning your lucky giftee will also be nabbing some exclusive packaging to add to their already overflowing beauty drawers.
So if you’re in the mood to be extra pretty this holiday season, I’ve got some pretty insane news. I’m giving away a beauty-laden prize package valued at over $700 (not including the fact many of these items are worth quite a bit more, thanks to holiday gift sets)! If you score this ultimate beauty haul, you’ll be taking home:
- A Kryolan Metallique Palette
– A bottle of Forever Vera Vera Wang
– Province Apothecary’s Complete Daily Essentials Kit
– Ceramic Glaze’s complete 7-piece Holiday Bling collection
– MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Studio Case
– A $90 package of Marulagold products
– Mistura Beauty Solutions’ Ultimate 6-in-1 Beauty Solution kit
– A $25 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card
– A Demeter Fragrance Library ‘Log Cabin’ Set
– A Click n Curl set in the size of your choice
– An Eve Pearl mini-collection including a Dual Salmon Concealer, Concealer Brush, Non-Latex Sponges, and a Mini Spray Bottle
Interested in prettifying yourself? Here’s how to enter to win this fantasmic beauty prize package:
1) Leave a comment on this post by midnight on December 4 telling me which of these amazing beauty gift ideas you’d most love to get (or gift).
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 5, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: There’s a BUNCH of ways to get extra entries into this fun draw. Do as many or as few as you want. For whatever Likes / Tweets / Pins you do, be sure to leave your proof in separate comments per bonus entry.
Like Kryolan Professional Makeup on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall about the product you’d most like to try from their site. Link back to that wall post in a separate comment below.
Pin Forever Vera Vera Wang on Pinterest and leave a separate comment below with a link to your Pin.
Like Province Apothecary on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall about which product you’re most in need of from their collection. Link back to that wall post in a separate comment below.
Follow Ceramic Glaze on Twitter and Tweet at them and me (cdngiftguide) with a creative Tweet that links back to this post. Link back to that Tweet in a separate comment below.
Like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook and leave a comment on one of their wall posts. Link back to your comment in a separate comment below.
Follow Marulagold on Twitter and Tweet at them and me (cdngiftguide) with a fun Tweet that links back to this post. Link back to that Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Mistura on Twitter and Tweet at them and me (cdngiftguide) with a creative Tweet that links back to this post. Link back to that Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Shoppers Drug Mart on Twitter and send ‘em a friendly Tweet at them that includes me (cdngiftguide) while linking back to this post. Link back to that Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Demeter Fragrance Library on Twitter and Tweet at both me (@cdngiftguide) and them with a creative Tweet that links back to this post. Link back to that Tweet in a separate comment below.
Like Click n Curl on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall. Link back to that wall post in a separate comment below.
Like Eve Pearl Beauty Brands on Facebook and drop them a comment on their wall. Link back to that wall post in a separate comment below.
