Christmas Gift Ideas: Make Up and Cosmetics

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Have you even started? If you answered no to either of those questions, fear not, because I have another jam packed post of gift ideas for you! Today I'm focusing on make up and cosmetics.

Most women love to be given beauty products for Christmas... but only when it's done right. It can be difficult to fake a smile when you unwrap a set of smellies which has clearly been fished out of a pharmacy bargain bin and smell like fermented fruit. Yes, it's the thought that counts, and whether great Auntie Doris meant well, or your brother bought you it last minute on the way to the family gathering (tut tut!), you know come Boxing Day you're going to list it on eBay or banish it to the back of a cupboard never to be seen again. Am I right? 

I'd bet the vast majority of us can relate to that!

I'm sure when we buy gifts for others we all hope our loved ones will love them, but sometimes finding the right gift can be so taxing! I've compiled 34 wonderful gifts ranging from a purse-friendly £5 to an indulgent £250 guaranteed to be appreciated by your favourite ladies this Christmas. 

1. The Body Shop fruit lover soap gift £6.00
2. Cath Kidston shower gift set £7.00 (currently £5.50)
3. L'Occitane orbis get on board for sight soap £5.00
4. The Body Shop mango butter up duo £7.00
5. Burt's Bees Basics pomegranate £5.99
6. Lush sweet Christmas £6.95


Whether you're looking for a present for the Secret Santa, a stocking filler, or a little gesture on a tight budget, there are thousands of fantastic gifts to be found for under £7.50. Inexpensive doesn't have to mean cheap.

My favourite has to be the Body Shop fruit soaps. When I was little my Nana used to give my Sisters and I pots full of bath pearls and soaps shaped like fruit and animals, so this set makes me really nostalgic.

1. Nails Inc The Stylists mini collection £15.00

2. L'Occitane shea butter soap collection £12.00

3. Crabtree & Evelyn pomegranate, argan & grapeseed little luxuries £10.00

4. The Body Shop born lippy fruity lip balms £10.00

5. Lush had a very shiny nose £12.50

6. Burt's Bees head to toe kit £14.99

7. The Body Shop cranberry joy shower, scrub, and moisture collection £15.00

8. Lush Mr Frosty £11.95

£15 or less will easily buy you a fairly large set of products, often in a lovely festive box or tin. Mr Frosty has to be my favourite from this price range. Isn't he cute? Lush gifts are always presented in beautiful gift wrap, boxes, tins, or scarves, which not only ensure they'll be the best wrapped presents under the tree, but this also means you'll have (at least) one less present to wrap!

1. L'Occitane revitalising verbena essentials £25.00
2. Benefit High Flying Glosses £19.50
3. Urban Decay Fun palette £25.00
4. Crabtree & Evelyn lovely hands £18.00
5. Stila limited edition all is bright lip glaze set £18.50
6. Lush merry Christmas £23.95

£25 or less is usually the budget I set when buying presents for my best friend, Mum, and Sisters as I like to spoil them at Christmas. I either buy lots of little things for them, or a lovely gift set like the ones above. L'Occitane sets are always well received in my family (I love the Verbena and Cherry Blossom ranges). If your loved one loves make up but can only afford to buy budget brands, why not treat her to some luxury make up? It would make her day!

1. O.P.I limited edition the top 10 mini nail polish kit £28.50
2. Benefit She's So Jetset £29.50
3. The Body Shop coconut shower, scrub and soften luxury gift £30.00
4. Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette £36.00
5. Stila limited edition sparkle luxe eyeshadow palette £30.00
6. L'Occitane delicate cherry blossom collection £48.00
7. Lush 12 days of Christmas £39.95
8. L'Occitane revitalising verbena collection £42.00

Feeling generous and have a few notes to spend? Well look no further! Any beauty product loving lady would be thrilled to open a bumper box of luxurious toiletries, or an expensive make up palette. The Urban Decay Naked palette is on many a beauty junkie's wish list- treat her to one for Christmas and you'll be her favourite person for life!

1. Clinique limited edition black tie violet £55.00
2. Neals Yard deluxe frankincense collection £79.00
3. Estee Lauder the make up collection £250.00
4. Lush all I want for Christmas £69.95
5. L'Occitane best of L'Occitane collection £60.00
6. Lush wonderful Christmas time £99.95

And finally...  It's not often us mere mortals can afford to spend this much on others, but  if you're planning on splurging a little or a lot more, there are gifts out there to suit your budget, too. I'd personally love to be given the huge hat box of Lush bath bombs, or the L'Occitane collection, as the products are fantastic. (Well, a girl can dream). I also think the Estee Lauder make up set would be a utterly amazing gift if I had a spare £250 to spend, which unfortunately, I do not, but if you treated a lucky lady to it for Christmas, you'd be in her good books for weeks! Alternatively, why not take a leaf out of the three wise men's book and give some frankincense (in the form of a Neals Yard set) this year?

Happy shopping!