Take a walk through any big beauty or department store this month and your head will probably spin. Between the loud rock n’ roll holiday music, the pungent wintry scents and the glittery packaging of so many gift sets, even I, a champion shopper, cannot contend. That’s why I decided a while ago to only shop online this season. Shipping is fast, discounts are plenty and returns are easier than ever.
So without further ado, here are my favorite beauty buys this holiday season from many of my favorite brands. Be sure to snap something up for yourself, too.
Nails Inc The Holiday Edit, $19. This beautiful trio of chemical-free polishes are statement-making and simply beautiful.
Charlotte Tilbury Enhance Your Colour eye collections come in sets catered to eye color. Stunning, fool-proof makeup that is my current obsession.
AHAVA Wish Upon a Star Ornaments, $12. So clever, such a sweet gift.
Annick Goutal Holiday Candles, $60 each. Limited edition and fabulous.
Clarisonic Pedi Sonic Foot Transformation, $199 ($310 value). The same technology that transforms your pores now does miracles on feet. Clarisonic has so many good holiday deals, but I think this pedi set is the ultimate indulgence.
Bliss Handy Candy, $25 ($35 value). This is one of those tiny luxuries I feel like no woman would buy for herself but would be thrilled to have these little gems.
Miracle 10 Skin Rejuvination Collection, $160 (use code “BeautyMama” for 20% off). This remarkable set is the brand’s remarkable (easy) 3-step exfoliation system that really brings radiance and luster to dry, dehydrated skin. A perfect winter fix.
Emily and Tony Ménage À Trois Aromatherapy Massage Candle Trio $24—these amazing candles burn beeswax, soybean oil and coconut oil that you can use as massage or body oil as the candle burns!
June Jacobs Brightening Gift Set, $54. TSA friendly! I will be traveling with this no-fail regimen.
Tata Harper: Tata’s Daily Essentials Natural Antiaging Skincare Discovery Kit, $68. A really well-priced introduction to this cult natural skin care brand. (I’m in love with the cleanser.)
For Him: Anthony, The Perfect Shave Kit, $65 ($90 value). Not too fancy but a nice indulgence.
For Kids: So Cozy’s So Smooth gift set: Kid’s haircare legend, Cozy Friedman, has launched a new line of hair care for older kids who are beyond Burts Bees but not quite ready for grown-up shampoo and conditioner. The packaging and scents are amazing and the products are fabulous.
Shopping tip: I just learned about Raise, a site that offers discounted gift cards from major retailers, including many great sites for beauty like Sephora, Macys, Saks and Barneys. But what’s also cool about Raise is that you can sell your own gift cards or merchandise credits on the site, too. Pretty cool.
