Last Minute Luxury Gift Suggestions

Isn’t it crazy how Christmas just crept on up on us? I feel like yesterday it was Thanksgiving and I was working on a delicious menu for an at home celebration. And now there are 5 more shopping days until Christmas Day.

Photo of woman with gifts via Shutterstock

It’s enough to make a late shopper freak out a little. But in the wise words of George Nooks, worry not yourself, my bellas. Fret not yourself. I’m here to help you buy the BEST holiday gifts for your loved ones. These are products I’ve personally tried and tested and I can speak to their absolute awesomeness. Your relatives and friends will be sure to ADORE these. Trust me! Let’s go to the department store and bang this shopping list out, shall we?

 

For the decadent bathtub queen – Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Body and Bath Trio. I think many folks – including myself, before I tried this amazingness – thought Laura Mercier was mainly about makeup. The brand does make incredible cosmetics, but their body and bath products are TO DIE FOR delicious. I absolutely adore the Almond Coconut trio, too. Dying to try the Pistache next!

For the acne prone teen – a gift basket of Mario Badescu’s best. OK so maybe acne fighting products aren’t the most fun holiday present, but if someone had given me a bottle of Drying Lotion as a teenager it would have saved me SO much struggle. If you package it nicely and explain to them that it’s the best skincare ever, I’m sure no offence will be taken. The thank yous will roll in later.

For the perpetually dry – Kiehls Crème de Corps. If you’re department store shopping for a relative who’s always got dry winter skin issues, do yourself a favor. Skip the flowery department store counters and head straight to Kiehls. Their Crème de Corps is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to high quality skin moisture, and this season their bottles are festooned with the art of Kenny Scharf, and 100% of Kiehl’s worldwide net profits, up to $200,000, will support children’s charities worldwide. Give a little, support a lot.

.For the almost-thirty – Lancôme Genifique serum OR Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. Something mysterious happens when you approach 30. All of a sudden, your skin’s needs change. You start noticing areas of dryness where perhaps they didn’t exist before. And what are those? Are those…wrinkles? For your friends approaching the threshold, get them one of the best serums in the game. Lancôme Genifique is luxury in a bottle. And Lauder’s ANR makes your skin feel fresh, dewy and fabulous. Love them both.

For the timeless classic – Chanel No. 5 eau de parfum. Yes I am aware that there’s a fancy new Chanel No. 5 soap. That’s a fun frivolity, but I love this fragrance so much I demand it in its most intense and longlasting form. That’s a gift that will keep on giving for a while.

For the no-nonsense non-makeup-wearers – Fresh lip balms. If you’re in a Sephora and looking for a gift for that one friend who’s insanely picky and doesn’t wear a lot of makeup and has particular perfume preferences and you have no idea what to buy them…get a Fresh gift set. Take for example the Sugar Perfection Duo. The fragrance is mild and delicious at the same time and the products are just bonafide quality. Everyone needs a killer lip balm and Fresh’s are the bomb.

For the organic loving lady friends – Lush bubble bars. If you’re shopping for an eco-friendly lover of all things organic and natural, treat her to a box of Lush’s bubble bars. They smell divine, will give her a moment of blissful serenity when she uses them, and bonus points for packaging them in a reusable decorative box. Namaste, and Happy Holidays.

For the Francophiles – Clarins 7 Wonders skincare set. For the bella who yearns for Paris and decorates her office cubicle with photos of the Eiffel Tower or images of Parisian streets straight outta Midnight in Paris, treat her to some of the best skincare to come from the city. The Clarins 7 Wonders set includes some of their very best, award winning skincare products including Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Beauty Flash Balm and their incredible body lotion. C’est magnifique.

For those who know more is more – go get a gift with purchase. Fun fact – did you know Estee Lauder invented the gift with purchase? It’s true! She did! To this very day, Estee Lauder fragrances and cosmetics come in amazing gift packages for the holidays. And just about every other fragrance brand has followed in the footsteps. So if you’re REALLY in a holiday rush, here’s what you do. Have an idea of what your loved one’s favorite fragrance is – whether the scent itself, or the base notes. Does she like jasmine? Roses? Spicy woodsy scents? Fresh herby fragrances? Figure that out first and then go to your favorite department store. Ask a friendly salesperson for the best gift with purchase packages for the season. Check another gift off your list.

Hope my suggestions help you get your last minute shopping done! And if you find one of the aforementioned gifts under your tree, you’re welcome and enjoy!

Are you done Christmas shopping yet, bellas? I’ve got a full weekend of getting it all done ahead of me! Wish me luck!