Christmas Gift Guide 2017: The Last Minute Edit (Online & Highstreet)

Still on the hunt for some Christmas Gifts and Stocking Fillers? Forgot someone's Secret Santa? It's not too late! Here's my handy Last Minute Edit filled with beauty treats and featuring a wide range of brands and stockists.

 MasqueBAR Pretty Animalz Reindeer Calming Sheet Mask* (£4, link) & iN.gredients Cream Masks* (£3 each, link)

For a super cute stocking filler, MasqueBAR have released a range of festive Animalz Sheet Masks which feature the animal printed onto the mask itself for the ultimate Christmas skincare selfie! Each one has a different purpose and this Reindeer mask is perfect for hydrating and soothing. Available online from ASOS or from your local House Of Fraser. Also available from ASOS are the festive-themed face masks from MasqueBAR's iN.gredients range which include the delicious Hot Cocoa (hydrating), Candy Cane (purifying), and Egg Nog (anti-ageing). These are all cream masks that smell exactly like their names!

 Skin79 Golden Snail 24k Hydro Gel Mask* (£5.90, link) & Venetian Carnival Shiny Star Mask* (£3.90, link)

If you're looking for a sheet mask stocking filler that's more luxurious, cult Korean brand Skin79 have a massive range of different masks for all skin types and concerns. Two of my favourites are the Golden Snail 24k Hydro Gel Mask which is fantastic for anti-ageing and extra radiance, and the Venetian Carnival Shiny Star Mask that's a great pre-party mask for a gorgeous hydrating glow. Both available online from HQ Hair. 

 KISS Looks So Natural Iconic Lashes* (£4.99, link), Lash Couture Strip Lash Adhesive* (£4.99, link), Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails* (£6.99, link) & imPRESS Press-On Manicure* (£7.99, link)

Popping into Superdrug or Boots? Head straight to the KISS stand and pick up some of their beautiful lashes and nail kits. I love their Looks So Natural Lashes for a pretty, fluttery, easy-to-wear style and a tube of their Lash Couture Strip Lash Adhesive would make a fab stocking filler for any girlie girl who is always wearing fake lashes! Their Gel Fantasy and imPRESS nail kits are also a must-buy for DIY mani-fans with lots of shades and styles to choose from.

 Brushworks HD Midi Sponge Set* (£9.99, link) & HD Oval Brush Set* (£12, link)

Makeup accessories and tools are huge Christmas gifts this year and Brushworks have something for everyone. Their HD Midi Sponge Set contains four high-quality, latex-free blending sponges that can be used with a variety of liquid and cream based products, whilst the HD Oval Brush Set is a brilliant affordable dupe of the popular Artis brushes that have dominated Youtube tutorials this year. Best of all? These sets and much more are currently in the 3 for 2 offer online at Feel Unique - win win!

 MUA Matte Supreme & Cashmere Collective Eyeshadow Palettes* (£8 each, link)

Eyeshadow palettes are also insanely popular this year and MUA's latest 25 Shade Eyeshadow Palettes are a budget-friendly way to gift the makeup lover in your life with a whole bunch of new colours! There are several colourways to choose from, but my personal favourites are Matte Supreme (this really is the ultimate neutral matte palette) and Cashmere Collective (a selection of beautiful matte and shimmery, neutral and smokey shades). Available online from MUA direct and Superdrug. 

Joan Collins I Am Woman Eau De Parfum* (12ml, £15, link) & Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré* (£15, link)

Some stocking filler ideas that I think mums/aunties/older female relatives and friends will enjoy, include Joan Collins' popular I Am Woman fragrance (a classic feminine scent with citrusy top notes layered over a woody and musky base with hints of floral), and the French skincare guru's favourite, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, which is an ultra-rich multi-purpose cream that's perfect for Winter and currently available in a ready-to-gift, Limited Edition Paris design.

 Know Cosmetics No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner* and No Dark Shadows Complexion Enhancer* (£12.50 each, link) & Carmex Skinny Dip Limited Edition Lip Balm* (£3.95, link)

Your local Lloyds Chemist might not be the first place that you think of when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts, but my local one is a great place to find some beauty bargains from bestselling brands. If your local stocks Know Cosmetics, look out for the No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner (a clear lip liner that can be used with any lipstick) and No Dark Shadows Complexion Enhancer (a cheeky YSL Touche Eclat dupe that provides more coverage for pesky dark circles). 

If you need a cutesy little stocking filler for a teen or young daughter, I think they'd love the new Limited Edition Carmex collab with Skinny Dip which has been given a festive twist with a yummy Sugar Plum flavour, and it features a unicorn! Available from Superdrug.

 Superdrug Studio London Metal Hair Accessories* (£2.99 each, link)

Also from Superdrug, you'll find these new, on-trend metal hair accessories from their Studio London range which make brilliant stocking fillers, especially if you have teens or young girls to buy for. Plus they're in the current buy one, get the second half-price offer on Superdrug hair essentials so now's the time to stock up! 

Clipper Snore & Peace Gift Caddy* (£10, link)

Tea lovers will adore this beautifully presented and reusable Gift Caddy that contains Clipper's bestselling Snore & Peace blend in 30 enveloped tea bags. This relaxing infusion of Chamomile, Lemon Balm and Lavender will help to send your recipient off to the land of nod so that they can get a restful night's sleep during the busy festive season. Certified organic by the Soil Association and available from Amazon.

US ONLY! Image Skincare Forever Young Gift Set* (link)

Lastly, as I've had some requests from a few of my American followers for gift recommendations, I wanted to include the Forever Young Gift Set from Image Skincare. Available in the US only, this set contains a great travel-size selection from Image's Vital C range (Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Anti-Ageing Serum, Repair Creme and Moisturiser), alongside a gorgeous Silk Eye Mask designed by DANNIJO. 

What last minute Christmas gifts are you buying this year?

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5 Vegan Beauty Products To Add To Your Makeup Bag

Thanks to the popularity of Veganuary this month, I've seen a lot of people discussing vegan beauty products on my social media feeds recently, with many of you looking for recommendations and reviews. So here are just five vegan beauty suggestions that I've rounded up that would be great additions to anyone's makeup bag - vegan or not!

Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup* (8g, £30, link)

Mineral makeup is one of the easiest areas to find vegan alternatives in, and a well-known, highly praised brand are Pür. They have a large selection of vegan-friendly makeup available, and their 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup compact is one of their bestselling products. Late last year, the brand celebrated their 10th Year Anniversary (a seriously impressive feat when you think about how many makeup brands seem to come and go these days), and they released a special Anniversary edition of their bestselling hero product in the most amazing bling-tastic packaging to mark this important milestone.

The crystal encrusted compact houses a pan of pressed mineral powder foundation which is infused with a plant-based Ceratin Complex that has anti-aging benefits, as well as Waltheria Extract that helps to naturally lighten and brighten dark spots and an uneven skin tone. It's also free from harsh chemical dyes, petroleum-based oils, fragrance and fillers, so it's ideal to pick up if you have sensitive skin, and has the added bonus of SPF 15.

The pressed powder is super silky to the touch, blends beautifully and makes it easy to achieve a light-to-medium coverage that looks natural, yet flawless (think 'your skin but better'). It wears extremely well throughout the day, doesn't cling to any dry patches or accentuate pores, and it feels practically weightless on the skin. I can see why this is such a classic bestseller! I have the shade 'Golden Medium' which is a good match for me, and there are 8 shades in total to choose from. Pair it with your favourite buffing/kabuki brush, or treat yourself to the matching Pür 10th Anniversary Edition Chisel Brush* (£15, link) which has soft, cruelty-free, synthetic bristles.

 Living Nature Eyeshadow & Compact* (currently on offer for £9, link)

Although I use both pressed and loose mineral foundations, when it comes to natural eyeshadows, I much prefer them to be pressed as it can be a little messy fiddling around with an extra small pot of loose powder! If you're the same, check out Living Nature's range of cruelty-free makeup which includes these easy-to-use, mess-free, mineral based eyeshadows. 

The shade pictured above is 'Slate', a soft matte grey/black that makes a killer base for a powerful smokey eye. This shade is currently on offer via Botanical Brands, and comes with a handy compact that you can fill with four eyeshadows to make your own bespoke palette. There's a double ended sponge applicator in the compact, but I never use these - get your hands on a proper brush like the MUA E10 Precision Eye Blending Brush* which is cheap as chips for less than £2.

 PHB Ethical Beauty Botanical BB Cream* (30g, £18.95, link)

For days when you're short on time or want an easy fuss-free, 'no makeup makeup' look, a BB Cream is the base that I'll always reach for. One of the best that I've tried in a long time comes from PHB Ethical Beauty, who are an inspiring British family run business with a primary focus on creating products that are handmade from 100% naturally derived ingredients. Everything is also certified vegan, cruelty-free, and halal (no alcohol), and they donate 20% of their net profits to helping to improve the lives of animals and people in the UK and abroad. How cool is that?

Their BB Cream is packed full of skin-friendly ingredients such as Rosehip, Aloe Vera and Grape Seed Oil, so it won't clog pores and is suitable for sensitive and acne prone skin types to try out. I love the lightweight texture as it essentially feels like a high quality tinted moisturiser, but it has a little more coverage than most making it a trusty base option for days when I don't want to wear a lot of makeup. Available in four shades.

 Know Cosmetics No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner* (0.25g, £12.50, link)

Love lipstick, but hate rummaging around in your makeup bag trying to find a lip liner that'll match it? Or worse still, finding one that you think matches, but in natural light makes you look like you've got a thin caterpillar perched on your upper lip (trust me, we've all been there!)? Stress no more, all you need is this lip liner and you're good to go! 

No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner is basically a silicone-based clear lip liner which forms an invisible barrier that stops your lipstick from feathering/bleeding. I used to use one from The Body Shop a few years ago, but since trying this one out, I can confirm that it's much more effective and actually does what it says on the label. The ingredients aren't natural based unfortunately, but there's nothing animal derived in it, so it's a good choice for vegans who want to avoid beeswax which is commonly found in a lot of lip products.       

 Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick in Goddess* (5g, £12.50, link)

When it comes to finding vegan lipsticks, some brands only offer a small, limited range, but Lippy Girl currently has 14 shades available, ranging from demure nudes and everyday neutrals to on-trend wintery reds and 90s browns. I particularly love the shade Ski Bunny, so much so, that I had to repurchase it immediately last year when I accidentally lost it! All of their lipsticks are eco-friendly, natural, organic, and suitable for vegetarians and vegans as they only use natural mineral pigments, alongside organic and wildcrafted natural waxes and oils. 

Their newest shade is called Goddess which looks like a dark, vivid purple in the bullet, but translates to a pretty dark berry/wine colour on the lips. The formula is a little stiffer than mainstream lipsticks, but after a couple of swipes, it does soften slightly, and it doesn't feel drying on. Goddess is a versatile shade as you can wear it as a subtle tint (as shown below), or build it up for more vampy coverage. It does have some blue/purple shimmer to it that I'm not 100% crazy about, but I wanted to include it to show that not all vegan lipsticks are safe neutral shades!

What are your favourite vegan makeup products?

Have you tried any of these?

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