Holiday Gift Guide 2011

For stuffing stockings to show you care

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream ($16) or Skin Food *($20). Winter is coming, and that usually means dry cracked skin. Weleda’s holiday offerings contain soft moisturizing gloves with your choice of hand moisturizer. Sea Buckthorn is naturally healing, while Skin Food’s rich texture eliminates dry patches overnight. These are great stocking stuffers for frequent hand washers, as well as eczema sufferers. Available at Weleda online, Whole Foods Market, natural independent health food stores, Planet Organic Market, Nature’s Fare, Noah’s Natural Foods and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.

Pure + simple Super-plump Lip Kit ($34.95). Stay away from the petroleum-based lip balms, which actually dry out your lips in the long run, and go natural. This kit contains soothing Lavender Lip Oil and the Collagen Elasin Eye + Lip Concentrate, which keep your lips plump and protected for all the smooching you’ll be doing this season, amirite? Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and online.

For the one who is hard to please (Glitter Geek’s TOP PICK)

Thann Jasmine Blossom Set ($50). Is your mother-in-law hard to please? Yes? This set is perfect for anyone you want to spoil. This actually makes me want to get out of bed and hop in the shower in the morning. Oh, and my lazy self has been putting on the lotion everyday, too. This is the most beautiful green that smells like crushed up jasmine buds. Both the body milk and the shower cream moisturize the skin incredibly. I cannot recommend it enough! Available in the flagship Thann store (in Ottawa) and online.

For anyone, anytime

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-usage Dry Oil ($42 for 100ml). Although not technically a gift set, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a champ at multitasking and so luxurious that it makes a fabulous gift. It keeps skin and hair beautifully moisturized and also doubles as a fragrance. It’s a cult product for a reason. Available at Shoppers Drugmart and Beautyphica (get a bonus 50 ml Huile Prodigieuse OR for a limited time here!).

For the new mom or hard working gal who truly deserves a spa day

Pure + simple Super-hydrating Intensive Kit * ($99). It’s no secret that I’m a Pure + simple junkie, and my newest discovery is the Cellular Repair Face Cream in this set. I’ve been using this medium weight face cream both for day and night and it is a dream to put on. The Collagen Elastin Plus serum and Skin Restoration Cloth Mask are must haves for a home spa day. Tip: do the mask in the dark or risk scaring your significant others or pets. Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and online.

For those who are nice… ‘kay maybe the naughty, too

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Bath and Body Products * (from $4 to $18 each). The Body Shop is one of my go-to shops for holiday shopping because of their holiday scents. My favourite is the Spiced Vanilla, which smells divine and is available in different bath and body products. If you must have just one for a stocking stuffer, the Body Butter is a no-brainer (and on sale for $10 right now!). Available at The Body Shop stores and online.

Philosophy Sweet Kisses and Merry Wishes Set ($47). If you have never tried Philosophy shower gels, you’ve been missing out. Philosophy makes the best shower gels in the scents of the season. This set contains four (FOUR!!!) shower gels and coordinating lip shines. Gift it to one special nice person, or break it up as separate stocking stuffers for the naughty ones. Available at Sephora stores and online.

Anything catch your eye?

What will you be gifting from these sets, and what will you be keeping for yourself?

For the budding artist or makeup junkie

Smashbox Click You’re It Holiday Palette ($56). With 15 eyeshadows, 5 cream eye liners, a lid primer and how-to guides, this is the ultimate colour palette for the creative ones. See swatches on Makeup and Beauty Blog. Available at Sephora stores and online.

For the natural beauty or mama-on-the-go

Laura Mercier The Book of Nudes ($60). Laura makes some of the best eyeshadow palettes on the market; they are soft, luxurious and always well-coordinated. Available at Sephora stores and online.

For the life of the party

Lise Watier Soleil Festive Palette Eyeshadow Trio and Mascara * ($39) and Liquid Gold Eye and Cheek Illuminator * ($25). Lise Watier eye palette — beautifully dressed in gold and black — is sure to be a hit! The classic shades mixed with multi-dimensional glitter is perfect for all the parties she will be crashing this season. See swatches on Beauty Reflections. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Lise Watier counters and online.

For the pickiest girl on your list

Laura Mercier Limited-Edition Mini Lip Glace Set (US$48). Even a lipstick kinda girl (me) will love this gift set. This is for the girl who cannot just have one lip colour in her purse. See swatches on Makeup and Beauty Blog. Available at Laura Mercier counters and online.

P.S. Send you my address?

For the teen girl or the young-at-heart

Nails Inc The Glitterati ($30). I love these chunky glitter polishes from new-to-North-America Nails Inc! Watch your teen girl swoon over her manicure instead of complaining about how gross boys are. See swatches on Oh, Dollymix. Available at Sephora stores and online.

For anyone (Glitter Geek’s TOP PICK)

China Glaze Winter Ice Nail Polish Set ($30). This one is a crowd-pleaser. Wear the nail polishes alone or layered for a true disco ball effect. My absolute favourite is Tinsel Town. Make sure you buy this for your favourite beauty blogger, too. See swatches on Vampy Varnish. Available on NailPolishCanada.com and Trade Secrets.