So you’re looking for a gift for a friend but she’s not really a makeup kinda gal? We all have that one friend. The one you want to chat with about your favourite lipstick but she just doesn’t get it. Okay, maybe that’s just me? 😉
Bath and body products are always a good call for someone who’s hard to buy for. Everyone needs a cleanser, a moisturizer, a lip balm. If they are really into skincare, then they love masks. Although there are so many skincare brands and bath and body shops out there that have great gifts, if you want to go the extra mile, get that hard-to-buy-for friend something from Fresh.
Fresh has a ton of different options available for the holidays and they have consistently come out with some fabulous products in their line up. Their Sugar Lip Treatments are pretty much a cult classic and their cleansers and masks are something to write home about.
Who doesn’t love chilling at home with a girlfriend or two, a glass of wine, and a chick flick while your face is getting rejuvenated courtesy of a mask? The Fresh Mini Mask Spa has five different masks to choose from, all in 30 ml sizes.
There’s the Sugar Face Polish, a gentle exfoliating mask made with brown sugar that softens and smoothes for a radiant complexion, then there’s the Rose Face Mask that’s infused with real rose petals and pure rosewater that hydrates and tones the complexion. If you are looking for something overnight, the Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask is an intense moisturizer that works in synch with the skin’s natural nighttime recovery process to achieve a lifted, firmer look. If you suffer from shine, then give the Umbrian Clay Mattifying Mask a try, it’s a multi-functional formula that can be used as a purifying mask, a daily deep cleanser, or to minimize small imperfections. Lastly, there’s the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, a hydrating treatment that reveals smoother, healthier-looking skin, while enhancing luster and softening the complexion.
This set is only available on fresh.com and retails for C$115, with a value of C$132. Fresh’s masks are on the pricer side (the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask retails for $92 USD for 100 ml), so if you always wanted to give these masks a try, this would be a great set.
The Fresh Skincare Treasures set includes five skincare faves from the brand. There are a few products in this set, which retails for C$90 (C$114 value), that I have used and loved, including the Soy Face Cleanser and the Sugar Lip Treatment.
The Soy Face Cleanser (50 ml) is a gentle gel cleanser for all skin types that removes impurities and makeup without losing essential moisture. I actually first tried this when they offered it as a birthday gift this year from Sephora. I needed a travel cleanser so I was happy to receive a mini of this cleanser, which is one of my now favourites. I actually still keep a sample of this guy in my travel makeup bag since it’s the perfect product for removing all your makeup at the end of the day.
Other items include a 5 ml of the Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream with Super 7 Complex, which is a lightweight formula featuring seven super-charged ingredients that illuminates while delivering 24-hour moisture around the eye area; the Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex (30 ml), which is a daily moisturizer also containing those seven ingredients that minimize and prevents visible signs of aging, while delivering intense hydration and radiance; the Sugar Face Polish (30 ml), a gentle exfoliating mask made with brown sugar that softens and smoothes skin; and the Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 (4.3g), a sheer rosy tint lip balm that moisturizes, protects, and smoothes the lips.
This set is perfect to gift either someone who loves Fresh skincare, wants to try something new, or going on vacation this winter. Since these are all under 100 ml, they are perfect for your carry on. I’m actually going to Asia in January so I may gift this to myself since there are so many staples in here for skincare.
Lastly, the Fresh Sugar Lip Seduction is a set that I’ve received for the past few years and includes seven minis of the popular Sugar Lip Treatments.
These are all tinted and contain SPF 15 so they are perfect for daytime. There’s Rose (a sheer rose tint), Petal (a bold pink blossom tint), Tulip (hot pink tint), Poppy (bold deep pink red tint), Ruby (sheer shimmery rouge tint), Berry (bold flirty berry tint), and Fig (sheer pearlescent wine tint).
If you haven’t tried a Sugar Lip Treatment before, you are missing out. Fresh releases these sets every year, and although they are minis of the product, you do get a lot in the tube. This set comes in a beautiful box that you can certainly gift as is, or you can split it up amongst your friends (cause really, who needs seven lip balms?). This set retails for $50 and you can find it at both Fresh’s site and at Sephora.
Like I said, skincare gifts are always a good idea, and I would definitely check out what Fresh has to offer. I know they are a few more holiday sets, so definitely check out their offerings this year.
Will you be gifting any Fresh sets for the holidays?
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
One of the biggest shopping days is among us and that means it’s full-on holiday time!
I’m not sure if I’ll have time to make it down to the mall today to check out all the deals, but if you’re there, make sure you stop by Sephora. I love checking out the beauty retailer today and Boxing Day for amazing prices on select items. And, even if the set you want isn’t on sale, there are so many glittery things to go crazy over.
Now if you are stumped on what to get your bestie/gf/mom/anyone who loves beauty products, I have a round up of some of my favourite items (all of which are shiny!!) to choose from.
Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set
They released a similar set to this one last year, and although I do gift a lot of the items I get, I just had to keep this one for myself. The brushes are amazing quality (I use them almost every day), and it comes with the most stunning glittery stand.
This particular set is quite pricey (C$106) but includes a blush brush, powder brush, crease brush, precision concealer brush, all-over shadow brush, and lip brush. Usually I find these sets to contain one or two brushes that I don’t find useful, but you’ll get a lot of use out of these. Also, it’s just so stunning to display on any countertop.
Sephora Collection Double Time Double-Ended Brush Set
Looking for a show-stopping gift? When I received these brushes originally I just thought it contained a bunch of metallic gold brushes in a roll case. Then one day I was browsing through Sephora and they had these displayed in a glass case and it totally stopped me in my tracks.
This set, which retails for C$93, is a five-piece double-ended eye and face brush set with champagne gold aluminum handles encrusted with glass stones. To sum it up, this is the most luxurious brush set I have ever seen. The glitter! The stones! Oh yeah, and I guess the brushes are pretty amazing too…
Encased in a travel-ready quilted gold-crackle pouch, you get a blush/bronzer brush, foundation brush, concealer brush, shadow brush, and double liner brush. Because these are double-handled, you’re actually getting 10 brushes in here. The 10 most amazing-looking brushes you’ll keep in your collection.
Sephora Collection Sparkle & Shine Dual Boar Brush
Planning a winter vacay? This little travel brush is the perfect companion to keep those beauty waves in check.
Available for C$19, this 100 per cent natural boar bristle brush with nylon pins is great for all hair lengths and types. It’s better than other travel brushes because the boar bristles evenly distribute the scalp’s natural oils to promote shiny, healthy hair.
Sephora Collection Breakups to Makeup Clutches
I’ve always been a fan of the Sephora Collection Breakups to Makeup clutches with their witty sayings and cute imagery (plus, not to mention you can fit a lot of stuff in there). When I saw the glittery holiday bags though I just about freaked out (can you tell I love glitter?!).
Available in two colours, gold and pink multi-colour, these retail for C$33 a piece. They feature the same witty sayings on the front (Glitter, Gold, & Everything Bold and Leave a Little Sparkle Wherever You Go), and are just so showstopping to carry around. You’ll be debating on whether to use it as a clutch or a really chic makeup bag.
Sephora Collection Cat Nap Sleep Mask
This cute eye mask would make a great stocking stuffer! At only C$18, this puuuurfect eye mask is not only fun to look at, but it’s great at blocking out sunlight for a good night’s sleep. The adjustable velcro strap at the back ensures that it fits any head shape.
Formula X Alchemy III Nail Polish
Formula X seems to have something for these Alchemy polishes. Last year’s limited edition shade was Alchemy II, a metallic copper gold, and I guess that was so popular that they had to come out with a third version.
This polish is perfect for the holiday season, as it’s a rose gold shade, which if you apply enough coats of it, you’ll get some dazzling nails. For the best effect though, apply it over a darker shade to really make the colour pop.
I can’t find this guy online at Sephora, but check your local store if you’re interested.
Sephora Collection Sparkle & Shine The Universalist case
The ultimate makeup case, most people can probably fit their entire makeup collection in here (unless you’re a beauty blogger.. we may have hoarding issues…).
I actually took this C$61 case along with me this week to the P&G Beauty Awards because I wanted to do a full glam look, which included about 30 different products. It held everything and then some. Plus, there’s tons of pockets to store extra stuff and the top zips open and it’s designed to store brushes. This is a must for any beauty fanatic!
Speaking of the P&G Beauty Awards, I was so happy to finally make it out to Toronto to attend the awards. The night was hosted by Jessi Cruickshank and although I didn’t win my category (Best Site – congrats Beautezine!), it was such an honour to be a finalist and among some of Canada’s best editorial beauty talent. It was also so amazing to catch up with some other amazing bloggers.
Let me know if any of these items are making it on your list for the holidays. Also, what did you buy for Black Friday?!
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
Looking for some elegant holiday sets to gift this year? Look no further than Marc Jacobs Beauty.
The Sephora-exclusive line has some gorgeous offerings this season, everything from brushes to eyeshadows to lipsticks. From a tassled clutch full of the most velvety lip colours to a walkman-sized eyeshadow palette, there are some amazing products this year from the designer beauty brand to choose from.
The About Last Night Style Eye Con 20 Eyeshadow Palette (phew, that’s a mouthful), is a giant eyeshadow palette filled with 20 shadows in a variety of finishes – metallics, mattes and sheens.
There are four rows of 20 shadows, specially curated for five different high-fashion looks. Love a more natural look? Stick with the top row. Want a dramatic smoky eye? Load up the pigments on the bottom row. Of course though you don’t have to stick with the colours in each row, you can mix and match to create pretty much any look.
If you haven’t used Marc Jacobs Beauty eyeshadows before, they are incredibly creamy and pigmented. They are so super blendable. This palette is very pricey (C$124 at Sephora) and there are many other palettes in there by other amazing brands that are almost half the price, but if you love luxury cosmetics, this is an amazing set to gift. This palette really is quite large (about the size of a discman), it’s also thin and includes a very large mirror.
For the lipstick fanatics out there (you can never have enough lip colours!), there is a gorgeous five-lipstick set which contain minis of some popular colours. The Up All Night Lip Creme Collection has five mini Le Marc Cremes in five staple colours.
If you haven’t tried Le Marc lipsticks, they are super buttery and long lasting. Each colour includes vibrant pigmentation that goes on with just one swipe. Colours in the set include No Angel (apricot nude), Slow Burn (creamy nude rose), Oh Miley! (strawberry spice), Scandal (intense plum), and Miss Scarlet (deep ruby), which are all a part in the permanent line.
The lipsticks come housed in a beautiful patent purple case with a black tassel. This set is stunning, both the case and the lipstick colours. These are mini but they are a good size, especially if you’ve always wanted to try out Le Marc creme lipsticks but didn’t want to spend the C$38 for one of them. Unfortunately I couldn’t find this set online on Sephora’s website, which probably means it’s sold out online and not coming back, but check your local store to order it. You can also find it on Marc Jacob Beauty’s site for $49 USD.
If you are already a fan of these lipsticks, the brand has also released a new shade special for the holidays in the colour Bad Behaviour, a warm burgundy. This lipstick comes in the standard Marc Jacobs Beauty lipstick tube but in gold for some extra festiveness.
If you are looking for some awesome luxurious beauty gifts I would definitely check these out in store. The packaging – and the products – are to die for!
Are items from Marc Jacobs Beauty holidays 2016 on your wish list?
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
