AS WE COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS, NANCY BUCKLAND KIRK REVEALS THE GIFTS THAT THE BEAUTY LOVER IN YOUR LIFE IS REALLY HOPING TO FIND UNDER THE TREE…
Beauty lovers lie in wait anticipating all of the festive launches from the industry’s major players. I know I do. But one thing I have learned is that while Christmas is the perfect time to treat a beauty fanatic, it’s worthwhile investigating what’s actually a great buy, and what’s more a smoke-and-mirrors purchase. I’ve yet to get my head around Beauty Advent Calendars. Call me old school, but I want my goodies on the Big Day Itself.
I often feel a little overwhelmed as the choice out there is astronomical. And it’s also easy to get it wrong. As the beauty buffs in your life are getting more and more savvy, it’s time to make the perfect selections to avoid the Christmas morning eye roll from someone who really, really didn’t want a collection of plum eyeshadows that looked so gorgeous in store, but not so much when she’s getting ready to party.
2018 has been a bumper beauty year, with launches aplenty within the UK and much awaited brands arriving on our hallowed shores. But if you want to see joyous beaming smiles this December, I hope you’ll consider my advice, on behalf of everyone at Team His and Hers, as I can’t stuff a turkey to save my life, I have no idea how to create the ultimate wreath but when it comes to beauty, well, I’d stake my life and reputation on any of the below winning you brownie points well into 2019. Oh, and I may have written this as I know my other half will read it. We need all the help we can get, right?
TOM FORD Eye Colour Quad Honeymoon (£68)
I can’t think of a single female I know who wouldn’t want to receive a Tom Ford delight, and this quad is much richer and more tonal than the average neutral selection. The finish on these shadows is sublime, and so a little really does go a long way. There are four colour finishes – sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer and matte – and the opulent shades work well with all the jewel toned velvets that are in store this season. The quad for the luxury lover in your life.
Website: www.tomford.co.uk/beauty
DRUNK ELEPHANT Rescue Party Kit (£63)
Drunk Elephant has recently arrived in the UK, and it was well worth the wait. The brainchild of Tiffany Masterson, this skincare range is all about avoiding ingredients that strip the skin and do little for the environment, whilst giving your skin a real boost whether it’s pre or post party. Packed with Drunk Elephant’s signature deluxe cleanser, lip balm and moisturiser, I have really fallen for the C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream and B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, too. The best pick-me-up for the coolest gal in your group chat. Website: www.spacenk.com
CHARLOTTE TILBURY Lip Archive (£60)
I was lucky enough to try Charlotte’s lipsticks before her first launch, although I didn’t realise quite how lucky I was at the time! It’s actually difficult to get neutral lipsticks just so, but Charlotte is a perfectionist, and her years of experience plumping the pouts of everyone from Kate Moss to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley means she knows how to create superb shades and wearable formulations. This Archive contains Miss Kensington, Confession and Between The Sheets. No mistletoe provided, but believe me, you’ll need it! Website: www.charlottetilbury.com
CHANEL No 5 Eau de Parfum Limited Edition (£130)
Forget fragrance bells and whistles, you simply cannot fail with Chanel No.5 and in this limited edition red glass bottle, you’ve got the perfect excuse to create a premier beauty gift. It smells as divine as ever, and that bottle will take pride of place on any woman’s dresser. Wear it with silk pyjamas, or turn the heating up, and don it just as Marilyn Monroe intended.
Website: www.chanel.com
NARS Defiant Lip Gloss Coffret (£30)
Nothing says seductive like Francois Nars, and the brand’s signature lip glosses are just the thing if you want to create that Studio 54-inspired glossy pout. The three shades are standout stars, Big Trouble, Bite and Noise, and are a sumptuous little stocking filler for the diva in your life.
Website: www.narscosmetics.co.uk
TRINNY LONDON Eye To Eye Eye Shades (£18) 
We’ve just recently interviewed the legendary Trinny at Selfridges, and we didn’t just fall in love with her. Her whole collection is everything you desire in a beauty range, with a host of practicality without a hint of predictability. Trinny London is all about innovative, stackable products that you can take anywhere with you, and using Match 2 Me, you can find your suitable shades. The formula is creamy, foolproof to apply but lasts from desk to party and beyond. Every make-up artist we know loves these, and we are now devoted converts. Just the travel ticket for your fave jet setter.
Website: https://trinnylondon.com/
FAKE BAKE Flawless Coconut Serum Christmas Gift Set (£43.90)
The only orange we are interested in this Christmas is the type that tastes of chocolate.
Fake Bake’s legendary Flawless, easy-to-apply formula is part of this self tan’s appeal, in its newest, award-winning Coconut Serum. This glides on seamlessly, is streak free, and gives you a lustrous skin finish. The range’s Coconut Body Polish preps your skin and keeps it smooth and the Blushers included give you an extra glow. The perfect cracker for your most glam pal.
Website: www.fakebake.co.uk
MAC Shiny Pretty Things Lip Kit (£65)
We can’t talk about beauty without mentioning MAC, who recently invited us to look at their festive launches at the Beauty Bazaar, and we left with our heads in the stars. These are statement lipsticks in mini sizes, which are fabulous to slip into your new festive party clutch. Our ultimate Ruby Woo is in there, as is Velvet Teddy, in this gorgeous array of heavenly shades. For the make-up maven in your life. Website: www.maccosmetics.co.uk
BOBBI BROWN Highlighting Powder Duo (£49.50)
I am going to hold my hands up and say I don’t like a lot of highlighters. Yes, they look great on Insta snaps but in real life, I think they can look a bit, well, cheap! However, Bobbi Brown only does both wearable and classy, and this duo is packed with light-reflecting pearl pigments that look so pretty when layered. The size of this duo is really impressive, meaning this is a beauty gift that will keep on giving. The best duo for the uptown girl in your gang. Website: www.bobbibrown.co.uk
BEAUTY PIE Japan Fusion Skincare Set (£27.10 to subscribers, retail value £225)
I’ve left this one until last for the simple reason that I use this range every day, and it is the most wonderful gift for that friend who is a skincare devotee. By joining Beauty Pie you pay a monthly subscription, which enables you to buy from the whole range at prices that even I still can’t get my head around. Japan is the home of cutting-edge skincare, and this four- step programme is all you need to cleanse, prep, treat and moisturise your skin. I can honestly say that this is the best skincare I have ever used, and for someone who started off with Anne French Milk Cleanser back in the day and has used everything from Eve Lom to La Mer, this is the one I want under my tree.
Website: www.beautypie.com
Happy shopping and if you happen to throw the odd gift in for yourself, well, why not? You can’t go letting your squad down, especially over Christmas. It’s the time for peace, goodwill and a beautifully blended smoky eye. Rejoice.
About the author: Nancy Buckland Kirk is a writer with a keen interest in fashion and beauty and a career which has spanned modelling, teaching and spreading the word about leading beauty brands.
Related feature: Nancy’s skincare highs & lows
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