BEAUTY Beauty gift ideas this Christmas

Beauty gift ideas for Christmas


Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

Christmas is upon us again and the shopping frenzy has begun. I spent a few days browsing the shops and chemists recently to explore some beauty gift ideas and there is some great value out there, lots of gifts for every age and budget.
Whether you buy individual presents or club together as a family there is something for everyone. Let’s start with the man in your life (for a change)! Roger & Gallet L’Homme have the most stylish little luxuries guaranteed to impress. A stunning L’Homme Sport Christmas Coffret gift box with a 100 ml Eau De Toilette and a complimentary 75ml L’Homme Sport Hair and Body Gel costs €39.
Ziaja Men’s Duo Concept Gift Set (€7.99) contains Mens Moisturising Cream SPF6 and Mens Soothing Shower Gel. Allergy tested and Ph balanced which makes them suitable for even sensitive skins. For the ladies, there’s the Ziaja Marine Algae Spa Gift Set (€12.99), which contains Deep Marine Spa Moisturising Cream,  Marine Spa Active Firming Cream and Marine Spa Micellar Water. Ziaja products are available Shaws, independent chemists, and online at www.originalbeauty.ie.
Pixy (www.pixy.ie) has kept all gifts under €20. Pixy’s Tempting Gift Box (€14.95) contains a scented, heart-shaped soap that gives a rich, creamy moisturising lather, two skin nourishing mini bath bombs and a creamy lip balm. Pixy’s Enjoy Gift Box (€19.95) contains one moisturising bath bomb, honeysuckle soap, and skin-softening lime body scrub cubes that are wonderful for removing fake tan. As an extra treat, there’s also muscle-soothing bath salts containing therapeutic Epsom salts and Dead Sea salts.
Catrice beauty hampers are available for under €20 nationwide. A great gift for all age ranges. You could make your own pick and mix hamper too. Nail lacquers from the Arts collection come in at only €2.99, and you could add a salon feel to the gift by including Catrice’s Gel Like Top Coat (€2.99) – a transparent sealer for longer-lasting polish with a high-shine finish. For the face, Catrice’s Prime & Fine Illuminating Base is an oil-free primer that covers up little skin irregularities. Combine it with Prime & Fine Highlighting Powder for silky soft skin. Both cost €4.99. For the eyes, and add a touch of glamour with Catrice’s Better Than False Lashes Mascara (€4.99) for dramatic volume and length and Eye Brow Set  (€4.49) for dramatic eyebrow shaping and definition.
For the young people in your life Essence cosmetics offer the perfect gift options. The absolute must-haves are the black false lashes with golden highlight tips, metallic eyeshadow (€2.49) in fuchsia gold and green, and blush stick (€2.89) for beautiful, rosy complexion. Available at chemists nationwide.
For the ultimate gift idea (or treat for yourself!), the Lancôme Beauty box has all your skincare and makeup favourites. The gift comes complete in a limited-edition Lancôme beauty case containing everything from blush and eyeshadow to gloss and mascara, as well as   face creams and tonics, and even little La Vie est Belle fragrance. Worth over €200, you can snap these up for just €55 when you spend €35 or more at any Lancôme Counter.
Lancôme has also brought out a variety of mini-sized products hidden inside festive decorations (€46). When opened, the four beautiful hanging decorations, reveal a different beauty treat in each – lipstick, mascara, gloss and nail polish. How cute is that?

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.