Sure, ‘tis the season of giving…but sometimes a girl’s gotta be her own Santa! Here, the beauty gifts that have us clicking “add to cart,” with only a smidgen of guilt.
Because we love a touch of glitz:
Alexis Bittar for Sephora Liquid Gold Powder Brush
In the most glamorous collab of the year, jewelry designer Alexis Bittar teamed up with Sephora on a line of brushes using his signature Lucite, crystals and gold. Our pick of the bunch is the tapered powder brush. Made with silky synthetic bristles, it’s perfect for loose powders, contours and highlights. And since such a posh piece might not want to mingle with our raggedy old brushes, it comes with its own multi-pocket sueded pouch. (Alexis Bittar for Sephora Liquid Gold: Beauty Brush and Travel Wrap, $58, sephora.com)
Because we’re coffee addicts:
Juara Coffee & Crème Skin Smoothing Body Ritual
When it comes to coffee-infused scrubs and lotions, nobody does it like Juara, a line based on Indonesian beauty rituals. They’ve bundled their signature scrub with the decadent candlenut body crème for a coffee-and-cream combo perfect for giving. Used together, they smell intoxicating — and brilliantly hydrate winter-weary skin. (Juara Coffee & Crème Skin Smoothing Body Ritual, $49, birchbox.com)
Because we’re on a quest for the most kissable lips:
Fresh Dare to Bare Sugar Lip Ritual
Once we sampled Fresh’s now-iconic lip treatments, there was no going back. Over the years, the luxe apothecary line has added tinted versions, non-goopy glosses, an exfoliating lip polish and even a restorative lip serum. This festive set has ‘em all, so we’ll be ready for any mistletoe moment. (Fresh Dare to Bare Sugar Lip Ritual, $45, sephora.com)
Because we like to do good:
The Body Shop Joy Schoolbook of Wishes
We’re always impressed by The Body Shop’s commitment to charity, and this year the brand has partnered up with War Child, whose mission is to educate children in war-torn territories. A portion of every holiday gift set goes to the cause. We have our eye on this charming box, filled with our favorite vanilla-infused body butter, balm, soap and shower gel. (The Joy Schoolbook of Wishes, $15, thebodyshop.com)
Because we do our best thinking in the shower:
Soap & Glory 'Your Own Sweet Lime' Gift Set
The holiday season puts us in a citrus mood. So along with New Year’s mimosas we’ll be indulging in this decadent body wash and body cream. (Soap & Glory 'Your Own Sweet Lime' Gift Set, $22, hsn.com)
Because winter has us dreaming of the tropics:
Eos Limited Edition Lip Balm 3-Pack Inspired by Rachel Roy
Okay, so we already own and love a drawer full of Eos’s signature smooth sphere lip balms. But there’s nothing wrong with sampling new flavors, is there? After all, the tropical concoctions are a limited run, the Rachel Roy-inspired colors are an instant mid-winter pick-me-up and the whole shebang is less than $10. (Eos Limited Edition Lip Balm 3-Pack Inspired by Rachel Roy, $9.99, evolutionofsmooth.com)
Because we’re addicted to hand cream:
L’Occitane 'Shea Adore' Set of 8 Hand Creams
They say applying hand cream eight times a day prevents all manner of aging ills. With one of these ultra-rich shea-based creams stashed in our desk, another under our pillow and one in each handbag, we’re well on our way to hand immortality. And that’s how we’re justifying keeping all eight of these for ourselves! (Plus, it’s just plain fun to compare and contrast each of L’Occitane’s Francophile-fantasy scents.) (L’Occitane 'Shea Adore' Set of 8 Hand Creams, $58.98, qvc.com)
Because manicures make us merry:
Ciaté Tree Trinket Nail Pot
We like to buy ourselves one special ornament each year. 2014’s bauble of choice? Ciaté’s twinkly polish suspended in a clear ball. It may not last till next year, but we’ll have an Instagram nail shot to remember it by. (Ciaté Tree Trinket Nail Pot, $10, bloomingdales.com)
Because we can’t forget the career that got away:
e.l.f. Studio 111 Piece Everyday Palette
Like many beauty addicts, we fancy ourselves a bit of an artiste. And this is our dream palette, complete with yellows reminiscent of Titian and blues that unlock our inner Yves Klein. (e.l.f. Studio 111 Piece Everyday Palette, $25, eyeslipsface.com)
Because this season we want to go old school:
Kiehl’s Greatest Hits Collection
Talk about a beautiful friendship: apothecary Kiehl’s has teamed up with the Norman Rockwell Estate to provide 1,000,000 meals to families. We can support the cause by picking up this greatest-hits collection, which includes icons like Crème de Corps and Midnight Recovery, and is housed in a nostalgic box featuring the artist’s Young Love: Sledding. (Kiehl’s Greatest Hits Collection, $45, kiehls.com)
Because we have a hippie soul:
Dr. Hauschka Revitalizing Face Care Kit
In 1967, well before we were frightened of parabens and worried about phthalates, holistic brand Dr. Hauschka quietly debuted its luxurious, truly all-natural skincare. Today, the line’s intricate formulas are as coveted and pleasurable to use as ever — and this little kit makes the perfect introduction. (Dr. Hauschka Revitalizing Face Care Kit, $24.95, dermstore.com)
Because we hoard a good thing:
First Aid Beauty Set of 4 Ultra Repair Cream
When a brand confidently offers a kit of four of the same item — in this case, First Aid Beauty’s uber-emolliant, colloidal oatmeal-based cream — you know it’s gotta be good. (First Aid Beauty Set of 4 Ultra Repair Cream, $36.34, qvc.com)
Because we’re only as good as our tools:
Sonia Kashuk Golden Age Brush Set with Clutch
Our current brush collection could use an upgrade, so we’re asking Santa for this kit from Sonia Kashuk, who has a way of designing things that look like they cost three times as much as the sticker says. (Sonia Kashuk Golden Age Brush Set with Clutch, $19.99, available November 19, target.com)
Because we overdid it on the heat styling:
Oribe Liquid Gold Collection
Our hairdryer and flatiron are like helpful elves throughout the holiday season. But come January, a bit of TLC is always in order. We’re planning to repair the damage with this glossifying, healing trio from Oribe’s Gold Lust collection. The products have amazing word of mouth, and the travel sizes will help us decide if we’re ready to commit to full-size. (Oribe Liquid Gold Collection, $55, bigelowchemists.com)
Because Grace Kelly is our beauty icon:
Chateau Krigler 12 Krigler
It’s not every day we get this excited about a scent that’s more than half a century old. But Chateau Krigler 12 isn’t just any spritz. Developed by perfumer-to-the-royals Albert Krigler, it became the signature scent of none other than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. The blend of lily of the valley, mimosa, white musk and rose evoke her femininity, elegance and ingénue-to-icon story, and the black-label bottle feels like it belongs on a royal’s vanity. Want to sniff before you splurge? Pop by the Krigler boutique in New York’s Plaza Hotel (where else?) or take advantage of their online sample service. And while this limited-edition hand-painted bottle filled with pure parfum might be an out-of-reach aspiration, the luxe EDP is a slightly more attainable splurge. (Chateau Krigler 12 Parfum [pictured], $765; Chateau Krigler 12 EDP, $210, krigler.com)
Because our smoky eye needs an upgrade:
Make Up For Ever Studio Case
We can create four eye looks — “everyday natural,” “sultry smoky,” “daring bold” and “sophisticated chic” — with this carefully curated palette of Make Up For Ever’s pigmented, beautifully blendable shadows (and one of the brand’s beloved Artist liners.) Now if only Santa would select express delivery, so we have time to practice (with the included step-by-step guides) before our holiday parties… (Make Up For Ever Studio Case, $59.50, makeupforever.com)
Because we love a good glow:
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights
Becca created — and still dominates — the liquid highlighter market with their lit-from-within “perfectors.” And now we can sample three of the most lauded shades (opal, pearl and champagne gold) in adorable minis. A dab on the cupid’s bow, a swipe atop the cheekbone…it’s our idea of heaven. (Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights, $25, ulta.com)
Because our hair could use a pick-me-up:
Rita Hazan Weekly Remedy
So it’s not packaged in a snowman-print box. But this new at-home treatment from colorist Rita Hazan is just what any woman's over-ombred hair needs right now. Used together, the once-weekly system — formulated with oils, rice proteins and UV shields—repairs, protects and hydrates like heck. (Rita Hazan Weekly Remedy, $42, ulta.com)
Because we’re still obsessed with Kate:
Lorac The Royal Full Face Collection
We’re having a Middleton moment (again) thanks to this collection. Inspired by the rosy neutrals favored by modern royals, there’s everything needed for a full face, including highly pigmented neutral shadows, smudge-proof liner, classic black mascara, sensibly sexy lipstick and gloss, and the perfect coral blush. Even the crest-embellished packaging would feel at home in Sandringham. (Lorac The Royal Full Face Collection, $40, kohls.com)