Ok I’m fessing up, I’m a last minute Christmas shopper. I’d like to pretend it’s because I prefer to feel festive and swoop out in the last two weeks to grapple with the gift buying trauma, but, well, I’m just disorganised. This year, in a bid to nail the perfect gifts for friends and family, myself and fashion & beauty assistant Sophie scoured beauty pit stops for the best xmas gift sets. Shown here, our favourites. There’s make up, there’s body & skin care, oh and there’s a deliciously scented selection of festive candles into the bargain.

 

CLARINS: My personal skin care favourite. It’s natural, effective and a luxurious treat for skin and body. We’ve chosen the Body Care Collection, £30, the perfect way to test drive new products in a well designed travel pouch. There are twenty different gift sets to choose from starting at £15 up to £69. http://www.clarins.co.uk/christmas-boutique/700/

 

LIZ EARLE: Celebrating 20 years of natural skincare, this Liz Earle Sparkling Skin Duo gift set includes the two best sellers, Cleanse & Polish and Instant Boost Tonic. It’s like giving the gift of perfect skin. Job done I’d say. £28  http://uk.lizearle.com/christmas-sparkling-skin-duo-uk.html

 

NUXE: A luxury curve ball. The fêted Huile Prodigieuse is presented for Christmas in three delicious scents. Amazing on your face, body and hair – it nourishes, repairs and softens. There’s no end to the talents of this one product. £70 https://uk.nuxe.com/xmas-shop

 

MOROCCAN OIL: My desert island product in a neat little gift box. Travel sized oil plus the shampoo, conditioner and heat styling protector. That’s the friend with perfect hair sorted then £53,  https://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/product/moroccanoil/premium_collection_repair.aspx 

 

ESPA:  In three wise men style, Espa bring the calming scents of sandalwood, yang-ylang and rose geranium to the party. The luxe box contains sleek bottles of soothing bath and body oils, the infamous pink scalp mud (this REALLY works) and a soothing candle to help you drift off into a deeply relaxing sleep. Erm, yes please.  £58, http://www.espaskincare.com/gifts/luxury-gifts/soothing-essentials

 

PAUL & JOE:  Off beat, cool and impeccably packaged, this is a little box of body joy we’d all love to find in our stocking £33.60 (currently reduced, so move fast) http://www.asos.com/paul-joe/paul-joe-luxurious-body-collection/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5773788&clr=1&SearchQuery=paul+and+joe+gift+sets&pgesize=11&pge=0&totalstyles=11&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=1

 

CRABTREE & EVELYN: Want to give the gift of Christmas? The Noël candle with its signature  scent of festive fruits, spruce and spices, is a sure fire winner and a great treat for that Aunt you can never think of anything to buy for.  £38, http://www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk/collections/noel/noel-large-poured-candle-81155.html

 

FRANK BODY:  New kid on the block, Australian brand, Frank Body is a coffee-based skincare range that targets problem skin. It’s a great gift for that cool, teenage hipster who wants naturals products that REALLY work. £34.95 http://uk.frankbody.com/products/bundles/ and coming soon to ASOS.

 

PAUL & JOE @ASOS:  Difficult teen? Sorted! This super cute little set contains 5 quirky eye shadow sheets, creamy cheek colour, eyeliner, lip balm and the gorgeous cat make up zip up bag.  £28, (reduced, so move fast), http://www.asos.com/Paul-Joe/Paul-Joe-Cat-Make-Up-Collection/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5773778&cid=4950&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=One&totalstyles=43&gridsize=3

 

THE WHITE COMPANY:    Deliciously spicy, the Winter Botanical Candle literally fills the house with the scent of Christmas. Light it, get the mulled wine on et voila, all you need is ELF on the tv.  £35,  http://www.thewhitecompany.com/candles-and-fragrance/home-fragrances/candles/winter-botanical-candle–large/

 

NUDE BY NATURE:  Another winning Aussie brand, this mineral make up is PETA certified cruelty free and made from entirely natural ingredients. A toxin free zone. Now available in the UK it’s another winner for someone with sensitive skin and a sensitive soul.  Kabuki brush, £25, Natural Glow Loose Bronzer £18, Sheer skin illuminator £18 and Matte Pressed Bronzer £22. http://www.feelunique.com/brands/nude-by-nature?q=nude+by+nature

 

BENEFIT:  Four favourites in one super cool tub. Yes it can only be Benefit. Give this to a fashionable teen and you’ll be VERY popular.  It contains; Hoola bronzing powder, High Beam complexion enhancer, They’re Real lengthening mascara and Gimme Brow – brow gel,  £39.50 https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/get-your-party-on

 

DIPTYQUE:  The Liquid Ambar candle doesn’t just boast a beautiful jar – nope, it’s choc full of nature’s delights including amber, nutmeg, cinnamon and muscovado sugar. You’ll drift off to foreign shores once this is lit. A small but perfectly formed present I’d certainly love to receive.  £28,  http://www.diptyqueparis.co.uk/liquidambar-1071.html

 

INDUSTRIA:  I’m a sucker for gorgeous packaging and the Ambergris, Bergamotto and Cardinalis frangrances and candles from Industria stopped me in my tracks. Not only do they smell delicious, (Ambergris has notes of Sicilian lemon, juniper berry and ambergris, Bergamotto combines bergamot oil, orange blossom and musk and Cardinalis combines lemon,mandarin oil, coconut and amber), but the cool artwork on the packaging is very collectable too. The Stylish Stuff Loves.  Candle £40, http://www.thehambledon.com/industria  perfume £60 http://www.lambertsyard.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=industria

 

Fashion & Style Direction Shelly Vella

Fashion & Beauty assistant Sophie Dearden

Photography by Shelly Vella using Olympus Pen