When it comes to Christmas, I love adding a little treat or unexpected surprise into gifts, and this year, I’ve fallen a bit in love with Edinburgh-brand The Shortbread House. Baked in the capital, each of their biscuits are hand cut, and honestly, they are the tastiest biscuits I think I’ve ever tasted.
Packaged in the most beautiful tubes, decked out in designs by London designer Sara Miller, the shortbread makes for such a lovely Christmas gift. The brand make biscuits for everyone from Harvey Nichols to Fortnum & Mason, so you know they’re top tier. Enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee, they are such a festive treat!
The Shortbread House’s Sara Miller designed tubes are priced at £10 and are available here.
When it comes to gifting, there’s nothing quite as glorious as a present which feels like a real indulgence. And honestly, there’s nothing quite as luxurious as a silk accessory. Edinburgh-based Artem Luxe has one of the most beautiful selection of goodies I’ve come across, which are perfect for festive gifting.
Silk is one of the best things you can sleep on – it’s far more gentle on both skin and hair, not to mention, it feels super-special to enjoy. As someone with wavy, dry hair, my hair tends to frizz and knot up overnight, but when I use the Artem Luxe pillowcase (£65), it stays so much tidier. Artem Luxe use 100% Mulberry Silk in their products, which is machine washable on a gentle setting, and it looks absolutely beautiful too.
For the ultimate evening-in, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the Mulberry Silk Sleeping Mask (£38). The Pearl shade is just breathtakingly beautiful, and I feel so fancy getting to use it in the evening. After cleansing, I make sure my moisturisers have fully absorbed (usually about an hour after applying) before using the mask, as I’m obsessed with keeping it pristine, and it’s so, so lovely to use. The silk feels heavenly, and it effectively blocks out every peep of light, so I love to use it on nights when I want to enjoy a lie-in the next morning. On the evenings I use the mask, I sleep so, so well and the mask is incredibly comfortable to wear too.
When it comes to holiday gifting, few companies do it better than Kiehl’s. Not only are their products a sure-fire win, but the fact that you can pop into one of their delightful stores and pick-up a limited edition version of a favourite, or a box filled with them, makes Christmas shopping an absolute breeze.
Their Facial Favourites for All Gift Set is an absolute winner no matter who you’re buying for this Christmas. All wrapped in a beautiful red box, there are four of the brand’s best-loved products which will keep skin glowing throughout 2021.
For someone with dry skin like mine, the Facial Favourites is pretty much a godsend. The Calendula Deep-Cleansing Foaming Face Wash is a glorious cleanser which leaves skin feeling fresh, but not stripped, and the Calendula is wonderfully soothing (perfect for combatting winter-weary skin).
The Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is another staple of mine. The bottle comes complete with calendula petals and has been a brand staple since the 1960s! Since there is no alcohol in the formula, it’s great for soothing skin, and it leaves it feeling perfectly fresh. I love it as a morning option, so my skin can look and feel it’s best all day long.
Kiehl’s Face Masks are some of my favourites, and their Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque is perfect for my weekly at-home facial. The 5ml pot is tidy enough to slip into a travel bag (when we’re actually allowed to travel again) and it means I can enjoy a bit of a treat when I’m away for work. The masque’s formula contains Amazonian Clay to draw out toxins and minimise pores, so it’s amazing for leaving skin looking it’s best!
Last (but certainly not least) in the line-up is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. It’s a moisturiser I’ve used consistently for about 10 years, and it’s a product which I always love to use. Lightweight but incredibly hydrating, it’s the perfect moisturiser for when my skin is feeling a bit sensitised. Despite giving skin a real whack of hydration, it’s not greasy or overpowering. Instead, skin just looks and feels nice and glowy all day long.
Kiehl’s Facial Favourites for All is priced at £44.50 and is available here (UK) and here (US)
When it comes to crowd-pleasing gifts, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a bit of Estee Lauder. The brand has been the epitome of glamour for as long as I can remember, and they always have the chicest range of gifts each Christmas. I’ve fallen absolutely in love with their Mini Winter Nudes Gift Set.
Comprising of five of the brand’s best nude shades in their Pure Colour Envy formula (one of my favourites), the lipsticks are small enough to slip into the chicest clutches once we’re allowed back out.
Ranging from a made-for-lunch dates nude, through to a deep ./l; chocolatey brown, the range of shades will suit all skin tones, and it’s such a lovely way to gift someone with a little glamour this Christmas!
The Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy Mini Lipstick Set is priced at £36 and is available here
When it comes to family traditions, finding cute, glitzy treats in my stocking has got to be one of my favourites. When I was little, pots of Barry M were the ultimate goal, swiped on in time for Christmas dinner, and over the years, I’ve progressed (a bit!) to seriously gorgeous bits from the likes of Too Faced.
If there was ever a brand who was made for Christmas, Too Faced are it! From their adorable packaging all the way through to products which are as high-performing as they are pretty, they always knock the season completely out the park!
Their Lip Injection Extreme Plump & Tasty Trio feature three of the brand’s iconic Lip Injections glosses, each with a delicious scent and flavour. From the clear Original, which is shot through with holographic glitter, to the mouth-watering Pumpkin Pie and Sugar Cookie, they’re the perfect bundle for raising the glamour stakes this Christmas.
If you’ve never tried the Lip Injection formulas – they’re perfect if you’re looking for a little extra oomph. There is a bit of a tingle when you apply the gloss, but within about 10 minutes it dies down to nothing. It’s got a good amount of stick and it lasts and lasts. I’m also more than a little in love with the scents – they’re so sweet and fun. They’re also a fun mini-size, so they slide right into my handbag without taking up any room at all!
Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Plump & Tasty Trio is priced at £24 and is available here (UK) and similar here (US)
