It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas which means (drum roll please!) Christmas beauty releases! That’s right, it’s the most wonderful time of the year when our favourite makeup and skincare brands release all of the pretty sparkle of limited edition sets to put under the tree. So which products should you buy the beauty lover in your life (or yourself, we won’t judge)? I’ve scoured high and low for my fave buys of the season and reviewed them just for you. I know, being a beauty journalist is such hard work! Check out the video below for full reviews, and read on for a little taste of the gifts that should be finding their way to your vanities in 2019.
Napoleon Perdis No Panic Collection
One thing Napoleon Perdis does extremely well is gift-worthy makeup and skincare collections. There are so many items in this collection I’ll run through a few of the highlights. Firstly the Disorder brush set. It’s MAGNETIC! It sticks to a metal frame to stand loud and proud on your vanity! The brushes are SO SOFT! I am a huge fan of this set and it’s super on-point presentation.
Then we have the Primer Navigation Collection. Napoleon’s primer has been my go-to since naive little me first discovered that “it’s a crime not to prime”. This set contains their signature Auto Pilot Primer, the Detox Cream-To-Water Primer and a handy stone facial roller to roll away those puffy eyes and help skin stay looking its best. There are loads more goodies to check out in this collection so check out the video for the official word.
Bobbi Brown Luxe Gems Collection
Luxe is exactly the word I would use to describe this stunner of a collection. Think ethereal shimmers, glittery shadows, lipsticks that sparkle against the light. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a holiday collection since… well, ever.
The products in this glamorous collection look more stunning in real life than they do in the PR photos, and they swatch even better. Think long lasting, full pigment ready to take you into the party season.
BeautyBlender Dripping in Diamonds Set
Look, do I have several BeautyBlenders of many colours? Yes. Do I need more? Also yes always. Holidays give premium makeup sponge brand BeautyBlender the chance to bundle up some of their prettiest colours in a value collection for lovers of perfectly blended looks. Like Bobbi Brown, Beauty Blender have gone for a gemstone theme, and the Dripping in Diamonds set (my fave) has two blenders in complementary colours and matching solid cleansers in the shape of pretty gems.
Jo Malone Cologne Intense Collection
When luxury is this luxe, it’s worth every single penny. This Cologne Intense Collection is the perfect gift for the lover of expensive things in your life (if you can bear to part with it). I could try to describe the intoxicating scents of each and every one of these pretty little bottles, but I wouldn’t do them justice. Head in store, take it all in, safe in the knowledge that I’ve tested, and the scent will linger on your skin ALL DAY LONG. These little sets are a great way to discover your signature scent without dropping mucho monies on a whole bottle of something that might not gel with your vibe. Or to have a different vibe every night of the week.
Tarte Winter Wonderglam Luxe Eye Palette
I gravitated towards this palette like some unearthly pull was drawing me near. Seriously, even when I was overseas I popped into Sephora US to just gaze upon its glittery beauty. Featuring 24 seriously party-worthy shadows, mascara, eyeliner and a pretty little eye brush, this is the ultimate kit for your holiday soirees. The pressed glitters have great payoff (check out that video above), the shadows are dreamy, and I am pretty sure I will be pulling out the shadows and trying to use this as a clutch when I’ve used up all the products.
Sephora Collection Frosted Party Skincare Surprise Box
Surprise! It’s a mystery box of skincare that also doubles as a tree bauble! This is one of the best stocking stuffers of the season for any skincare siren. Affordable beauty with a bit of mystery, safe in the knowledge that Sephora Collection is the goods when it comes to caring for your skin. Check out the video above to see what was in mine!
Mecca Max Christmas Collection
So. Many. Gifty. Products. Mecca Max launched to great fanfare for its low prices and high quality collection. Naturally, they have a Christmas collection that caters for many budgets and skill levels. Personal holiday favourites include the Wild and Free All Over Palette (an entire face in one palette!), and the cute little stocking stuffers that can hang on your tree. The Good As Gold Mini Liquid Highlighter has a gorgeous creamy consistency and left me glowing… seriously, someone told me I looked glowing when I was taking it out for a spin!
Know a budding beauty maven? Then the Wild Side Eye Brush Quad will have them jumping for joy. Featuring four eye brushes and a cute little makeup purse, this is the perfect set to learn the secrets of the masters.
L’Occitane Classic Beauty Advent Calendar
This advent calendar is so epic it deserves its own unboxing video. See above for all the luxury treats and surprises contained within it’s dreamily illustrated box.
Charlotte Tilbury Celestial Eyes Luxury Palette of Pops Holiday 2019
It wouldn’t be Christmas if Charlotte Tilbury hadn’t released her holiday sets. I coveted most of the collection, I won’t lie, but this particular little quad caught my eye. Think shimmering, strong colours to top off any dramatic yet neutral eye look. Pigment payoff is HUGE (check out the swatches in the video).
Melissa Allen Mood Essentials, I Am Calm range
You know how the silly season is called the silly season because everything gets so… silly? Well I’ve discovered the perfect solution… I Am Calm. No, it’s not a mantra and I am not calm yet but with the use of Melissa Allen’s Mood Essentials range, specifically I Am Calm, I will be. With a lead fragrance of lavender, both the Hand And Face Cream and the Fragrance carry with them an ability to help you chill the hell out. I also got some good sleep by spritzing myself before bed. And look, isn’t chilling out when your family is going mental what Christmas is really about?
Ooh I love me a Body Shop Christmas range. They always release special seasonal scents and gift packs set to impress and this year is no different. Loving the sustainable packaging on the Rich Plum gift set. In terms of scents, Rich Plum is just the right amount of rich and yet light. Don’t take my word for it, hop to it and get a sniff yourself. The little hand cream set will be my go-to for stocking stuffers this year and their Body Butter Trio might just make its way under the tree to me, from me.
Louvelle Gift Set Grace White Floral
Oprah’s favourite shower-wear brand has expanded to include luxurious bath products and I am ON BOARD. Featuring product collections named after iconic Hollywood stars Gracy (Kelly), Sophia (Loren) and Brigitte (Bardot), these lush scents are explored through shower gels, body moisturisers and other indulgent bath treats. The products had a beautiful texture and left my skin feeling supple and smooth. And don’t even get me started on how divine a bath soak with notes of orange blossom and jasmine.
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.
