It’s my fricking favourite time of the year… not just Christmas but HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TIME. I get to trawl the beauty sites and curate the perfect list of bits and pieces from luxe to less (and stocking stuffers too!) for you to gift the beauty lover in your life (or add to your own not so secret wish list).
First up: beauty tools! Where would we be without these little tools, devices, gadgets and gizmos to help us primp, preen, style and strut our stuff? I’ve gathered together my favourite beauty and skincare tools for 2022 that any makeup maven would be overjoyed to receive. I’ve also grouped them by price point from Luxe to Less and a few Stocking Stuffers rounding out the lot.
Beauty tools that are oh so luxe
GHD Platinum+ Professional Smart Styler, $395
GHD has really upped the ante with the smart Platinum+ Hairstyler… seriously, this beauty tech is a Christmas miracle. It actually predicts and adapts to the needs of your hair for a personalised flawless finish EVERY DAMN TIME. It checks the temperature 250 times per second to make sure your hair doesn’t get frazzled and stays sleek. That means stronger locks, shiny strands and more protection for coloured hair. If you really want to impress someone you love (or treat yo’ self) this is the ultimate luxe holiday gift this year.
FOREO Luna 4 Go, $199
With the release of FOREO’s new Luna 4 facial cleansing device comes its little sister, the travel friendly Luna Go. Think: palm-sized pocket rocket to help purge skin of nasties and dead skin cells. This little gem uses T-Sonic pulsations and super soft silicon touchpoints to remove impurities trapped in the pores and remove 99 per cent of dirt, oil and makeup. It’s way more hygienic than cleansing brushes with nylon bristles and can last 300 washes on a single USB charge. Plus it’s so cute, and teeny and I can’t wait to take it on holiday; it’s the ideal size for your toiletries bag. This is one little but mighty device you’ll want to put on your Christmas wish list.
Laura Mercier An Artist’s Gift Brush Set, $117
Run, don’t walk… OK it’s online only so open your laptop quick-smart and add to cart! This little gold envelope clutch is also filled with makeup brush gold from Laura Mercier. These mini precision perfect tools are perfect for sculpting, highlighting, contouring and defining. Featuring a fan brush, cheek colour brush, smokey eye liner brush, all-over eye colour blush, eye crease brush and the gold pouch, this is the a great gift for the makeup lover in your life, even if that’s you.
Slip Silk Ultra Violet Queen Zippered Pillowcase, $95
Move over Barbie, Slip is jumping on the pink bandwagon this year. Every year Slip brings out exclusive colours for the Christmas gift-giving season and this year’s collection features ultra violet, blush pinks and a paisley moonshine pattern. If you’re looking for the ideal practical yet pretty present for the beauty lover in your life, this is it. Silk pillowcases have a heap of beauty benefits (as well as looking oh so chic). Slip uses the highest quality mulberry silk to help prevent friction on skin (fewer wrinkles!), reduce pull on hair (no more bed head!), and absorb way less of your precious face products than cotton pillowcases (keeping the hydration on your skin where it should be!).
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Mini Brush Set, $80
If you’re looking for luxury brushes, you can’t go further than Charlotte Tilbury. And look, I know there are two brush sets in this list but I love them both and want them both and they each have different brushes in them so with their powers combined, you are ready to travel knowing every brush is covered. The brush fibres on these babies are soft beyond compare. As well as a stunning violet velvet pouch for on-the-go portability, the set features a mini foundation brush, a mini powder brush, a mini eye smudger brush and a mini eye blender brush.
Beauty tools for less
Aceology Aqua Spoon Ice Facial Massagers, $69
Beat the summer heat and up your skincare game with these cool face massagers. And when I say cool, I mean literally, positively chilled. Pop the Aqua Spoons in your fridge and whip them out for a heavenly massage. Apart from just feeling darn good, the massaging miracleworkers also visibly tighten and firm skin, promote better product absorption and helps skin to look glowy and refreshed. This is the gift that keeps on giving.
Ere Perez Quartz Sculpt and Lift Face Tool, $39
Speaking of massages, here’s another little gift to add to the beauty list: Ere Perez’s twinkly little Quartz Sculpt and Lift Face Tool. Crafted with clear quartz, this luxe tool draws from the Chinese technique of Gua Sha to encourage radiant healthy skin. The beauty lover in your life will adore this little tool that hugs the natural contours of your face to sculpt and lift, stimulate lymphatic drainage and kickstart microcirculation. It’s the gift of a little self care relaxation ritual and let’s be honest… who couldn’t benefit from that?
Beautyblender Blending Queen Set, $36
I am a big fan of Beautyblenders and they always release some super cute sets this time of year. With super gift-worthy packaging, this little duo features a Beautyblender in a gifting exclusive royal blue. And you can keep your little miracle sponge clean with a solid Blendercleanser; perfect for eliminating stains and keeping your Beautyblender in tip top condition to provide airbrushed results.
Beauty tools for stocking stuffing
Slip Moonflower Nights Holiday Ornament, $32
Yes more from Slip, mostly because silk is just so darn useful in skincare and haircare. This little ornament will look cute as a button hanging from your tree on Christmas morning. Inside is four of Slip’s best-selling slipsilk skinny scrunchies: one in moonflower, one in pink, one in ultra violent and one in blush. This is honestly my fave stocking stuffer this year and will leave hair shiny and non-creased after your beauty sleep.
Vela Days Cleansing Bands, $20
I’ve just discovered these microfibre miracles and I am in LOVE; they really are the skincare assistants I didn’t know I needed. You know when you clean your face at the sink and all that water goes everywhere? No more! Pop on these cleansing bands and there will be no more water running down your arms when you’re splashing your face. Even better, they also double as microfibre makeup removing cloths (yay sustainability!).
Esmi Skin Minerals Microfibre Headband, $14
And while we are talking cleansing, another handy beauty tool for the skincare lover in your life is this Esmi Microfibre Headband. Easy to use with velcro closure for an adjustable comfy fit, this cute little band comes in a range of colours. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer Christmas gift to keep your hair out of your face (and your products!) while you’re putting on makeup and taking it off.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
