Christmas is all about giving loved ones gifts that they wouldn't usually buy for themselves. Whether that's a more luxurious version of something you know they regularly use, something that's been on their wish-list, or a completely new discovery for them. Splashing out on a scented candle can feel wasteful, but they make a nice, relaxing treat. One of my favorites for this time of year, is the Diptyque Feu De Bois Coloured Scented Candle. Full of rich, warming, woody notes, this fills the room with such a comforting scent, perfect for the dark evenings.

Keeping with the relaxing theme, The Body Shop are a brand I always turn to for gifts. For the inexpensive price-tag, the quality is amazing and there's a plethora of fragrances to choose from, including their limited-edition, festive collections. At Christmas, I tend to buy their body butters and scrubs for people, like the The Body Shop Shea Body Scrub and The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Body Butter, to help keep any dry skin at bay.

Skincare is a tricky one and I'd only purchase it for someone if I knew them well and already had an idea of what they use. When you try a product and it really wows you, giving you noticeable results, you want to pass on the recommendation and giving it as a gift is a great way to do that. One product that I absolutely adore and could slot into anyone's routine, is the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial. A vitamin enriched, light oil, this treatment works to repair, plump and brighten the skin whilst you sleep. Who wouldn't like the sound of that? I've done a full review on Sarah Chapman's Overnight Facial that you can read, if you're interested.

A classic gift that everyone likes to find under the tree, is perfume. If you want to surprise the recipient, rather than ask them which they'd like, then I think the Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau De Toilette makes a quirky, more exciting choice. This ground-breaking brand creates bespoke concoctions that are customized to you, without the usual, extortionate expense. Containing just one molecule of fragrance, the simple liquid that initially smells like alcohol, works with your natural pheromones to emit more of a fragrance effect. Practically everyone that wears this scent comments on the power it has to evoke interest from strangers and I always get compliments whenever I wear it.

Moving onto hair, I think Christmas sets are the way to go. One brand that I discovered and fell in love with, this year, is Living Proof. The Living Proof Restore Discovery kit, contains a mini shampoo, conditioner and hair mask, which offers a taster of their nourishing range for dry, damaged hair. On opening the box, the set is a little smaller than I expected, but the products are impressive, so they may make a better stocking filler.

It always frustrates me that I can never recreate that perfectly coiffed, bouncy blow-dry that a hairdresser can so effortlessly give me. When I try that rotate-pull-lift-release, brush trick that looks so easy to do when your sitting in the salon chair, I just end up with a tonne of knots in my hair and a sore wrist. But, the BaByliss New Big Hair Air Styler gives you those professional results whenever you want them. The spinning brush and in-built hairdryer work together to give sleek, shiny locks that are full of body. As you dry, the styler neutralizes any static, preventing that frizzy result that blow-drying can sometimes have.


Moving onto makeup, we'll start with palettes. This Christmas, my favourite, festive release was definitely the Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette. Not only are Nars' powder products such high quality, but the value of this set is amazing, as it's individual cost would be £117. You get three blushes, two of which are limited-edition, one highlighter and one bronzer, which are all stunning shades and give you a complete, cheek look in one, handy compact. To see lots of swatches, you can read my rave review of the palette, here.

Next up, we have a couple of absolute beauts from the creme de la creme of makeup; Hourglass. One of the most luxurious beauty brands out there, the high-end brand's cosmetics scream 'give me as a gift' and I can't think of anyone, maybe with my farmer Uncle as an exception (just maybe...), who wouldn't love to receive one of their decadent products. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette or Hourglass Ambient Blush Palette, both caused a blogging buzz on their release. The Lighting Powders can be used as finishing powders, highlighters or bronzers, depending on your skin-tone and each shade gives a healthy, lit-from-within glow to the skin. Even those who shy away from colour would be blown away by how beautifully flattering the blushes are, adding a touch of luminous colour and brightening the complexion immediately.

Spending £63 on an eyeshadow quad for yourself may give you some #feelingspendy guilt, but treating someone else will only give you good vibes. The Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads are just total luxe. From the rich, intense shades, to the soft, buttery textures, these eyeshadows are the real deal and I challenge anyone not to love them. Containing four, complementing colours and a range of different finishes, you can create a multitude of eye looks, all with the one palette. You really can't go wrong!

We all have our holy-grail products that we think we can't live without. The ones that cause us heart palpitations when we even hear the word 'discontinued' mentioned in the same sentence or bring us close to tears when we can't find them. What's nicer than putting together a little collection of your favourite makeup items and letting others realise their potential. Depending on your budget, you could include as many products as you wanted. For me, I'd have to include the YSL Shocking Mascara. If you couldn't already guess, this mascara gives incredible volume and length to the lashes in just a single coat. It could be a little clumpy for some, but it's ideal for those who love a dramatic, bold, lash look. I'd also include a Dior Addict Lipstick in a suits-all, nude shade, such as Vintage. Not only do they look the part, but the formulation is moisturising, highly pigmented and long-lasting. Lastly, I'd add in a Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss, again in a shade that anyone would love, such as 'Insolence'. Non-sticky, these glosses have the pigment of a lipstick and a hydrating, vinyl-like shine.

 I've already reviewed the Laura Mercier Mini Caviar Eye Colour Collection, which gives you a limited-edition set of six, cream eyeshadow sticks. Soft and smudgy, they blend easily at first, but soon set in place to last all night. Each shade is flattering and wearable, with only a deep amethyst and khaki adding some non-neutral colour into the mix. With all but one of the shades being full of flecks of shimmer, they add some glitz to the eyes and would be great for Nw Year's Eve. Personally, I struggle to ever finish a cream eyeshadow before it starts to dry out, so this collection of miniatures is great.

Last but not least in my 2014 guide, is the Kevyn Aucoin The Blush Brush. When it comes to makeup, most women will wear a powder, if nothing else. Take my beautiful Mum, for example. She doesn't use foundation or concealer, but she couldn't leave the house without a dusting of her trusty, Clinique compact. Even women who aren't at all interested in beauty products will appreciate a brand-spanking-new, soft, makeup brush (or set) and will be blown away by the improved results they get from using proper, good quality tools. Most traditional, powder brushes are too big for most people, so I recommend a tapered, blush brush instead, to reach right into the contours of the face.


I hope this gift guide has helped you out in the last-minute run up to Christmas!

AGB X