Still in the dark about what to give your beauty-loving pals this festive season? The ELLE beauty team is here to make gift giving a little easier. You're welcome.
Sophia Panych: Indie Finds
I treat gift giving like a competitive sport. I want to win the holiday season — to give the best, most thoughtful presents I can think of for my loved ones (bringing that Virgo energy, all year round). That means thinking outside of the proverbial beauty gift box and into the offerings of some of my favourite indie brands.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more unique gift than a fragrance you’ve made yourself, which is why Maya Njie’s Bespoke Perfume Workshop is on my radar this season. Maya’s collection of scents is exceptional, but she also leads perfume-making sessions, helping you to concoct your own custom scent. With more people appreciating experiential-type gifts since the pandemic, this fits the bill while also allowing for a touch of beauty indulgence.
ELLE Edit: Sophia's Indie Beauty Faves
Gunia Project Honey Candle
Maya Njie Nordic Cedar Eau de Parfum
By Joy Adenuga Multi-Use Face Brush Set
From custom fragrance to quality beauty tools, I want all my makeup-wearing friends to experience the magic that is Joy Adenuga’s make-up brushes, in particular her Multi-Use Face Brush Set. Made from synthetic fibres, they blend, buff and diffuse cream and powder pigments beautifully, while the shapes of the brush-heads make applying your base a breeze. I’ll be buying the set for a few lucky friends this year, throwing in Joy’s Solid Brush Soap as a friendly beauty-editor reminder to clean their new brushes regularly.
Shopping indie brands also allows you to be very intentional about where your money goes. Supporting Ukrainian artisans, brands and craftsmanship is important to me this year, and Gunia Project’s handmade, semi-porcelain candles — all handmade in Ukraine — are a lovely and gorgeously-scented gift that you can easily pick up at London-based online boutique, I Am Volya.
Katy Young: Fancy Candles
It’s hard to get candle gifting wrong - who doesn’t love a candle? And whoever buys one for themself? Exactly. But it helps to know a few candle brands to turn up the generous heat.
For beauty junkies (aged between eight and 80) there is Glossier, the iconic New York beauty label whose candles are very, very good. Play safer still by opting for the Glossier You scent, which burns with the beauty house’s cult classic cosier-than-cosy iris and ambrox perfume.
Most candle connoisseurs will have burnt a Jo Malone in their time – they are undeniably good, but no way near as chic as an Acqua di Parma candle. This Italian brand uses scents that are a little less known, but a little more grown up for the sophisticated nose. (Its limited-edition glass packaging is also worth keeping for storing matches, make-up brushes or flowers.)
For your most fashion-forward friends there is Diptyque, the French perfume brand whose jars and scents are a fashionable crowd’s pleaser. Baies, a room warming blend of blackcurrant and Bulgarian Rose, is a failsafe choice.
ELLE Edit: Katy's Covetable Candles
Mixmy Candles #TheGreatBasilica
Glossier You Candle
Acqua di Parma Holiday Portafortuna Candle
If it’s just a question of good fragrance taste, handcrafted Brit brand MIXMY does some gorgeous scents that envelop a room in minutes. Wood/Smoulder turns any room’s ambience into that of an expensive study full of leather books and half smoked cigars (in the most delicious way). The natural waxes come in refills too if you get through them quickly.
On the label, do remind your friend to burn their candle. So many of us wait for that special party which never comes, and these are way too good not to burn.
Medina Azaldin: A Holistic Touch
Self-care might be a term bandied around but so few of us actually take the time to pamper ourselves IRL, which is why I'm treating my loved ones to a bit of soul-soothing, head-clearing gifts this Christmas.
A bath is always a good idea in the colder months, even better when it's filled with reviving salts from Mirror Water. The punchy, forest scent is more herbal than spa-like, and ideal for adding some pep to grey winter days. But if you prefer something that smells a little more festive and cocooning, Soapsmith Bergenhus Bath Soak will transport you to a cosy log cabin. Actually, anything from Soapsmith is a worthy buy. The homegrown bodycare brand looks aesthetically pleasing and feature lingering scents in its gentle formulas.
ELLE Edit: Medina's Self-Care Treats
Mirror Water Soak Bath Salts
Ren & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray
Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel
For the ones who are a regular at barre class (or at a desk), a chic yet effective muscle gel is a luxurious essential. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel is a great stocking stuffer. It's packed with rosemary, ginger and black pepper to soothe aching limbs.
Finally, a good sleep mist is a always a winner. They're a delight to have - and they do make a difference to your bedtime routine - but is always at the bottom of one's shopping list. So this year, I'm giving the gift of rest with Ren & Now To Sleep Pillow Mist, which has a dose of frankincense to help you doze off faster than you can say 'Chrimbo'.
Katie Withington: Useful Make-Up Sets
Finding the perfect cream for combatting vague skincare concerns (without offending your in-laws with an aptly named anti-wrinkle cream) is no small feat, particularly when the market is flooded with skincare, make-up and perfume gift sets of every shade and note.
But, rather than opting for your typical commercial boxset, a sample menu of deliciously curated notes is the simplest way to tackle luxury fragrance gifting this season. A taster set with a generous selection of perfumes, see the Memo Paris Post-Christmas Advent Calendar, gives your giftee the chance to try multiple scents and stock each and every handbag with a useful travel size.
ELLE Edit: Katie's Practical Must-Haves
Memo Paris Post-Christmas Calendar Exclusive Gifting Set
VIEVE The Full Expression Brush Set
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Set
Skincare wise, I’ll be targeting minimalist formulas in jet-setter friendly packaging. Complete with trial-sized formulas, these are perfect for friends and family in need of a New Year beauty refresh. Fresh Hydrating Skincare Set is my personal fail-safe for 2024 (just FYI, mum).
If in doubt, you simply cannot go wrong with new tools. While I’ll never turn my nose up at a shiny new eyelash curler or a replacement for my lost tweezers, a set of clean make-up brushes are the true must-have for me. They’re essential and useful for anyone, from make-up novices to seasoned pros.
Amelia Bell: Little Luxuries
When it comes to gifting, sometimes less is actually more. By that, I don't mean scrimping or 'repurposing' the dubious cardigan you got last year, but rather thinking about the small treats you know the'll cherish; the sort of beauty gifts they might not buy for themselves but consider to be the ultimate little luxury.
If it's an instant serotonin boost they're after, I'm of the opinion that no mood cannot be lifted with a new festive candle. It's a fact universally acknowledged among beauty editors that few can compete with the OG that is the Jo Loves Christmas Trees candle. It's a complete joy to light and the wafting aromas of pine, lavender and incense are both nostalgic and uplifting.
Next up is lipstick. And for those up to speed with 'The Lipstick Effect' and its proven effect to make us feel good, it's a strong contender for gifting season. Part make-up statement, part fashion accessory, Guerlain's highly coveted lip colours make waves every season, with its famed case arriving in new and ultra chic iterations – cue green leopard print and Parisian patterns.
Finally, for a beauty staple that's often overlooked, I declare a fancy (read: beautifully packaged and heavenly scented) soap to be the ultimate gift for the festive season. One of my favourite UK-born brands is Soapsmith and I often gift this beautiful line-up of triple milled soaps, body washes and bath soaks to my friends and family to much delight.
Jo Loves Christmas Trees Candle
