Nancy Buckland Kirk shares her pick of the ultimate Christmas skincare and beauty gifts in association with Next. Although she started with a (very) long list, somehow we managed to persuade Nancy to whittle her selection down to her top 10 for the skincare and beauty lovers in your life (or for yourself, because we think we could all do with a treat at the end of 2020!)
This is the type of column that I always ask my other half to proofread before it gets near to the team at His & Hers.* When it comes to choosing ultimate beauty gifts, I was honoured to be asked to look around Next Beauty. An absolutely genius selection of beauty, skincare, hair and gadget paradise awaited me, and if I had been filling a trolley, well, I’d have needed more than just one!
Next Beauty is such an easy section to negotiate within the Next website we all know and love, and while you are doing your Christmas shopping, it is so easy to head on over to Beauty and have a browse. As this area of Next has really grown, it is now a playground for serious beauty lovers, with established and prestigious brands as well as new players. Whether you are looking for the ultimate in luxury, a regular favourite, a fresh twist or for some pretty stocking fillers (or, like me, a mixture of everything!) you have come to the right place.
I have made a few high end picks which I’d love to treat my favourite beauty lovers to, including the guys, and some gorgeous little treats which don’t blow your gift budget but are still stylish presents which anyone would love to receive. Including me. (Come on, if you don’t place something in your shopping basket for yourself, well, you have the kind of willpower I will be praying for come New Year 2021!)
As I type this I have no idea what kind of Christmas we will all be having. It definitely won’t involve lavish parties, or big get-togethers, or many of the events and occasions we all relate to the festive season. I know so many of us will be more cost conscious than ever before, but perhaps that will take us back to what the spirit of this celebration is all about. Everyone counts.
However, as an all-year-round fan of everything related to skincare and haircare and make-up, it’s always my first wrappable gift of choice. I might not be on a gold, frankincense and myrrh budget right now, but I found so many presents at Next Beauty that I’m happy to part with, when I have wrestled them out of my own hands first, of course. These are my favourites from tiny beauty investments to dream gifts.
1. Valentino Born In Roma Donna Eau De Parfum (from £55)
Fragrance first. Housed in that famous Rockstud signature design, this is glamorous and edgy at the same time. It’s a blend of jasmine notes, vanilla bourbon set in a delicious woody base. This is all about street-inspired Roman luxury. If it’s good enough for Gaga…
2. Next Cashmere Bath Bombs Gift Set (£6)
Who doesn’t adore a gorgeous bath bomb? The whole Cashmere range is brilliantly affordable, as well as luxurious, including a plethora of fragrance, bath and shower delights, and I’ve picked this little stocking filler for when you need to deliver extra treats. These have a fresh beautiful floral fragrance combined with delicate powdery musks.
3. The Luxury Bathing Company High Class Gift Set (£10)
As this has been the year of extra hand washing, we all deserve some luxury hand products this season. This pretty caddy houses a 300ml Hand Wash and 300ml Hand and Nail Cream. Gorgeously fragranced with a subtle mix of flowers, fruits and musk, this set also looks stylish beside any wash basin.
4. Next Set of 4 Nx Lip Gloss (£10)
If you know a beauty lover who loves a glossy pout, this is a great value stocking filler. This set comes with four high-shine, neutral finish glosses with a hint of shimmer. Worn alone or over a favourite lipstick, they are go-anywhere classics.
5. Coach For Men Eau de Toilette (£45)
Treat an important man in your world to a fresh, new fragrance. Coach is all about American attitude, and this blend of green Nashi pear, cardamom and vetiver is refreshing and sporty at the same time. It’s also great value for a really luxurious treat.
6. Moroccanoil Discovery Kit – Repair, worth £34.70 (£28)
Moroccanoil has a beautifully selected range of gifts this season, and you can pop this in a stocking knowing it will be welcomed by a haircare fan. The signature Moroccanoil Treatment is rich in argan oil and shine-boosting vitamins. This option is suitable for dark hair, and is a huge gift for between salon visits, too!
7. Bobbi Brown Signature Brush Collection (£75)
The original, and still the best range of make-up brushes is always a joy to give and this collection is a steal as it’s worth £139.50. Packed with the range’s signature brushes, all full-size, this must-have set comes in a luxurious case with that famous Bobbi Brown logo. These brushes last and last: a gift that will be treasured for long into the future.
8. BY TERRY Eye Designer Eyeshadow Palette (£69)
All palettes are not created equal, and this one is the ultimate compilation of ten luxurious yet wearable shades. They are nourishing, too, using the label’s own blend of moisturising avocado oil. The pay off is exceptional and the packaging is simply beautiful.
9. Elemis Men’s Grooming Duo (£39)
I know this duo will go down well at home, and again, it’s a great investment at this price. This stylishly packaged duo includes full sizes of Deep Cleanse Facial Wash and Daily Moisture Boost. It’s perfect to prep skin for shaving, and to soothe and calm it afterwards. Worth every penny.
10. Lancôme Absolue Signature Christmas Gift Set (£374.50)
I have included one really luxurious gift here, in the hopes that both Santa, and the Universe, hear my call. This is the ultimate in skincare luxury for a brand renowned for its regenerating skincare. Absolue is its premium, anti-ageing skincare range and this set includes full sizes and travel sizes of every product you need to keep skin nourished, and looking and feeling softer and smoother in texture.
Whether you are planning on a luxe skincare item or electrical treat, a midrange beauty buy or hero-haircare gift, or something fabulously special to pop into someone’s stocking, there’s really only one way to give in 2020.
Choose wisely, offer everything from the heart, and make it beautiful.
All gifts are available from www.next.co.uk
*Note to my husband. This is not really about proofreading it’s more about HINTS!
Related read: His & Hers Magazine’s Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide with Next
