Christmas is coming up fast, which tends to put people into one of two camps. The first are the conscientious shoppers who meticulously plan their loved ones' gifts way before Saint Nick climbs down the chimney. The second camp likes to take risks, lives life on the edge – and ends up having to trawl Oxford Street on 23rd December in a last-ditch attempt to find something suitable.
If you land in camp one, congratulations; you're so very organised. If you're in camp two, however, relax. We've compiled the best products for every beauty junkie in your life. Whether it's the friend who always has perfectly polished nails, the sister who battles dry skin every winter, or the person who just loves an Instagrammable product; we've got something for everyone.
Now you can feel smug and enjoy the festivities without the stress of overheated shops and Christmas songs on a loop. Ahhh. Anyone for mulled wine?
For the one who went to Somerset House's Perfume exhibition multiple times
For those who like heavy, rich scents, Atelier Cologne's Café Tuberosa is divine. With notes of tuberose from India, bergamot from Calabria, and a coffee espresso accord, its fragrance is deep and one spritz lasts all day. For those searching for something a little more feminine, the latest addition to Marc Jacobs' Decadence range is perfect – fruity and floral, but not too sweet. Another earthy scent comes from cult fragrance makers Byredo. Velvet Haze is inspired by the music and movements of the '60s, so expect a heady mix of patchouli, cacao, ambrette and musk.
Atelier Cologne Café Tuberosa Cologne Absolue, £110, available at Selfridges
Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau So Decadent Eau de Toilette, £57, available at Debenhams
Byredo Velvet Haze Eau de Parfum, £95, available at Byredo
Elizabeth and James' Nirvana Amethyst carries tobacco and honeysuckle for a decadent scent, By Terry's vanilla, tonka bean and patchouli is equally as sumptuous, while The One by Dolce & Gabbana is a spritz of femininity while orange blossom and lily.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Amethyst, £69, available at Harrods.
By Terry Delectation Splendide Eau de Parfum, £175, available at Liberty.
Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau De Toilette, £67.50, available at The Fragrance Shop.
For the one who battles dehydrated skin every winter
Give the gift of a hydration hit this Christmas. Tackle the plummeting temperature and office central heating with Pestle & Mortar's duo hyaluronic serum and moisturiser, packaged up in in bathroom shelf-worthy bottles. The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid is a cult hit for a reason, and makes for a stellar stocking filler, while Alpha-H's Liquid Gold Luxe rose-enhanced gift set will buff away dead skin, leaving complexions glowing.
Pestle & Mortar The Hydrating Duo Gift Set, £69, available at Pestle & Mortar
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, £5.90, available at The Ordinary
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Luxe Collection, £49.95, available at Cult Beauty
Prep parched party skin with Skimono's sheet mask, with its formula inspired by Korean beauty trends. Mario Badescu's refreshing facial spray is a permanent feature on our office desk, and looks cute on bathroom shelves to boot. This stocking filler from REN looks just as good hanging on the tree. The rose bath oil brings hydration to dry limbs.
Skimono Beauty Face Mask for Advanced Moisturisation, £14.99, available at Look Fantastic.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray, £7, available at Urban Outfitters.
REN Moroccan Rose Stocking Filler, £10, available at Space.NK
For the one who values her beauty sleep
For the woman who won't get out of bed for less than £10,000, Slip's 100% silk eye mask is gentle on lashes and brows, and promises some good shut-eye. Tropic's pillow mist is heavenly to spritz on freshly washed sheets, with lavender, rosemary, frankincense and rosewood to send you to sleep. If you're going to get a full eight hours, you might as well give your skin some overnight TLC; Kiehl's' Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a divine blend of primrose oil and squalane that works hard while you rest.
Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask, £45, available at Cult Beauty
Tropic Skincare So Sleepy Pillow Mist, £20, available at Tropic Skincare
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, £44.10, available at John Lewis
Skin Laundry's smart pillowcase is treated with charged silver ion tech, which reduces harmful bacteria while you sleep. You'll be asleep within minutes with This Works' tranquil lavender and chamomile candle, and Lush's rich Sleepy Body Lotion is perfect post-bath, pre-bedtime.
Skin Laundry SleepCycle Clean Skin Pillowcase, £26.00, available at Feel Unique.
This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle, £85, available at Space.NK.
Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, £13.95, available at Lush
For the one who has every eyeshadow palette under the sun
If your friend has their calendar marked for Urban Decay's next eyeshadow drop, gift them some equally versatile and pigmented palettes. Huda's Rose Gold set has all the sparkle to see you through party season, while Zoeva's Queens Guard palette comes with an oxblood makeup bag and a hefty collection of high quality brushes. We love SUQQU's fit-in-your-handbag compact, perfect for mid-evening touch-ups.
Huda Beauty Textured Shadows Palette – Rose Gold Edition, £56, available at Cult Beauty
Zoeva Queens Guard Collection, £165, available at Selfridges
SUQQU Designing Color Eyes Palette, £46, available at Selfridges
Violet Voss' palette is a punchy box of poster paint shades - perfect for the dance floor. Too Faced's shimmery shades smell a good as they look, and Urban Decay's metallic set is ideal for the '80s trend sweeping fashion and beauty right now.
Violet Voss The Rainbow Palette, £28, available at Cult Beauty
Too Faced White Chocolate Chip Eyeshadow Palette, £22, available at Selfridges
Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette, £43, available at Selfridges
For the one who likes their beauty to be Instagrammable
If your friend is just waiting for Into The Gloss to request their Top Shelf, treat them to some more Instagrammable goodness that'll sit as pretty on their face as in their bathroom. If Glossier's UK shipping wasn't exciting enough, grab some Cloud Paint from the brand's London pop-up, open from tomorrow. Lixir is the new kid on the scene and already at the top of every busy-but-beauty-obsessed woman's wish list, while Aesop's luscious gift set looks handsome in even the tiniest rented flat.
Lixir Skin Electrogel Cleanser, £25, available at Lixir Skin
Aesop Affiliation Gift Kit, £95, available at Aesop
Glossier Cloud Paint, £15, available at Glossier
How gorgeous are Briard Kami's soap sheets? Just add water and wash your hands - ideal for on-the-go situations. Shu Uemura's signature Cleansing Oil Shampoo gets the Super Mario treatment and looks cute in any shower, while Marvis' mint toothpaste is replacing our Colgate, stat.
Briard Kami Soap Sheets, £10, available at Net-A-Porter.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo Limited Edition Super Mario, £23.50, available at Feel Unique.
Marvis Mint Toothpaste, £8, available at Urban Outfitters.
For the one who goes for the glow
Luminescent skin isn't going anywhere fast, with SS18's beauty offering encouraging glowing cheek and brow bones. RMS' Luminizer Quad is our go-to all year round, with four shades matching your skin no matter the weather. Fenty sent social media wild with their Match Stix Shimmer Sticks – this gold number is beautiful on dark skin. NARS' recent homage to Man Ray gave us the prettiest highlighting powder, complete with abstract lips.
RMS Beauty Luminizer X Quad, £46, available at Cult Beauty
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Stick in Blonde, £21, available at Harvey Nichols
NARS Overexposed Glow Highlighter Man Ray Holiday Edition, £28, available at Space.NK
Rituel De Fille's eye shoot brings an iridescence to eyelids with the subtlest hint of teal, Topshop's Glow Pot has a party season refresh, and Bobbi Brown's Moon Glow will give cheekbones the shimmer and shine NYE calls for.
Rituel De Fille Celestial Sphere Eye Soot, £30, available at Cult Beauty.
Topshop Limited Edition Glow Pot in Gleam, £10.50, available at Topshop.
Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Moon Glow Highlighting Powder, £36, available at Selfridges.
For the one who lights candles to unwind
If your friend's idea of a relaxing evening involves a glass of red, a steaming hot bath, and a few hundred lit candles, three new drops will satisfy their senses. Bella Freud's Starry Nights scent is bursting with rich frankincense, agarwood and tobacco flower, plus looks great as a makeup brush holder once you've burned it to the bottom. Diptyque's holiday candle will get you in the festive spirit, with soul-warming blood orange, smoky wood and cloves. Urban Apothecary's romantic floral notes are the ideal accompaniment to an end-of-a-long-week bath.
Bella Freud Starry Starry Nights, £48, available at Cult Beauty
Diptyque Dragon Candle, £48, available at Selfridges
Urban Apothecary Velvet Peony Luxury Candle, £30, available at Urban Apothecary
With saffron, anis, and ginger, &Other Stories have created the Christmas candle of our dreams. Espa's restorative candle has notes of lavender, palmarosa and geranium for a sweet-smelling bedroom, and indie brand Ohros' cinnamon and orange offering is good enough to eat.
&Other Stories Juste Mythique Scented Candle, £19, available at &Other Stories.
Espa All Is Bright Restorative Candle, £15, available at Look Fantastic.
Ohros Cinnamon and Orange Candle, £12, available at Ohros.
For the one whose New Year's resolution is to go vegetarian
It's never been easier to get hold of quality vegan beauty products, and now your green-loving friend can have the prettiest products in her bag. Sister & Co.'s Body Melt combines cold-pressed raw apricot oil with shea butter for a lightweight moisture hit, while Dr. Bronner's lavender and coconut concoction is a hydrating post-shower staple. Clean Beauty Co.'s Supercharge Serum is perfect for lacklustre winter skin, thanks to its potent blend of squalane, prickly pear, jasmine and watermelon seed oils.
Sister & Co. Apricot, Lemon & Vanilla Body Melt, £26, available at Sister & Co.
Dr. Bronner's Organic Lavender Coconut Lotion, £9.49, available at Dr. Bronner's
Clean Beauty Co. Supercharge Serum, £32, available at Clean Beauty Co.
We love The Soap Co.'s exfoliating soap pebble, which comes with matching body lotion and cold processed soap bar. Bleach is our stocking-filler go-to for a new season hair switch up, and you can try the best of Liha's line with this cute vegan gift set.
The Soap Co. Wild Nettle & Sage Body Gift Trio, £39, available at The Soap Co.
Liha Sample & Gift Set, £25, available at Liha Beauty.
Bleach London Awkward Peach Super Cool Colour, £6, available at Bleach.
For the self-proclaimed skincare pro
Cult hits for those who know their salicylic acid from their hyaluronic acid, their vitamin C from their vitamin E, their retinols from their retinoids. Emma Hardie's glow-giving set includes her renowned Moringa Cleansing Balm, nourishing Age Support Face Cream, lightweight Brilliance Facial Oil, an essential Protect & Prime SPF 30, plus a face cloth for perfectly prepping makeup. Any skincare fanatic worth their salt will want to get their paws on La Mer, so treat them to one of the most hyped youth-bestowing products out there. 111Skin's edit of classic products repairs, restores and brightens dull skin, with serums, eye gel, day and night creams to turn winter skin around.
Emma Hardie Lift & Glow Skin Essentials, £55, available at Space.NK
La Mer Moisturising Soft Cream, £120, available at Harvey Nichols
111Skin The Classic Edit, £190, available at 111Skin
Sure, it's extravagant, but we love Sisley's millennial pink Ridoki box, with the brand's anti-ageing face and eye creams and Ridoki massage tool. We've been hooked on Omorovicza since first trying the brand - this set contains a mist, cleansing balm, cleansing foam, moisturiser, and mask. If Dr Frances Prenna Jones advises it, we're doing it. Her Three Wise Cleansers set is perfect for any skincare obsessive.
Sisley Limited Edition Sisleya L’Integral Anti-Age Prestige Ridoki Box, £436, available at Harrods.
Omorovicza Discovery Kit, £59, available at Omorovicza.
Dr Frances Prenna Jones The Three Wise Cleansers, £68, available at Dr Frances Prenna Jones.
For the one who loves their beauty tools
Got a gadget-obsessed pal? Foreo's cleansing and detoxifying LUNA offering is wide-ranging but we love the Play edition as it's perfect for travelling and sleepovers, meaning there's no excuse for not taking off your makeup. Won't leave the house without your 30-minute GHD ritual? DAFNI's Go Straightening Brush is a compact and time-efficient tool for those seeking smooth locks in no time. For those at the opposite end of the tresses spectrum, T3's Interchangeable Styling Wand gives you everything from '70s curls to beachy waves.
Foreo Luna Play, £29, available at Look Fantastic
Dafni Go Straightening Brush, £100, available at Harvey Nichols
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand, £199, available at T3
We've waxed lyrical about the benefits of microneedling before, but we may just have to add this rose gold number to our collection. BaByliss' new hair styler is pretty genius - it sucks in sections of hair to either curl or straighten, depending on the side you use. Party hair sorted. Ghd's Air Nocturn hairdryer gives salon-quality blow dries at home, drying it 2x faster than most tools.
GloPRO Limited Edition Rose Gold Microneedling Regeneration Tool, £249, available at BeautyBio Science.
BaByliss Smooth & Wave Hair Styler, £130, available at Debenhams.
Ghd Air Nocturne Hairdryer, £99, available at ghd.
For the one who cherishes bathtime
Whether your friend is stressed or just loves some bubble-filled alone time, these bath treats are perfect. Jo Malone's skin-hydrating Bath Oil will fill the room with amber, lavender and bergamot, while Herbivore Botanicals' Bath Salts infuse the water with minerals to detoxify skin. For something sweet, Laura Mercier's Sweet Temptations Crème Brûlée Duet brings warm caramel, sugar and vanilla bean to bathtime.
Jo Malone London Amber & Lavender Bath Oil, £44, available at John Lewis
Laura Mercier Sweet Temptations Crème Brûlée Duet, £35, available at Harvey Nichols
Herbivore Botanicals Calm Dead Sea Bath Salts, £22, available at Wood/Grey
Feel Unique has loads of great gift sets for stockings, but we love the Bath & Body number, with four products facilitating an at-home paper evening. Cowshed's Bath & Body Oil is divine for those who put as much care into their skin post-bath as the bath itself. Rose geranium and linden blossom help relax. Haeckles bath salts not only ease muscle tension, but look oh so pretty in our bathroom.
Bath & Body Pamper Set by Feelunique, £15, available at Feelunique.
Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Bath & Body Oil, £23, available at Cowshed.
Haeckels Seaweed Bath Salts, £30, available at Cult Beauty.
For the one who wants a little of everything
Gift sets are perfect for those on-the-go or wanting to test a new brand before committing. Charlotte Tilbury's given us an edit of her bestselling pieces, from Charlotte's Magic Cream Moisturiser to Lip Cheat Lip Liner. Benefit's collection sets you up for party season with cult They're Real! Mascara and Dandelion Twinkle Blush. There's no introduction needed for MAC's super collection of classic lip shades, including Ruby Woo, Velvet Teddy and Flat Out Fab.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beauty Icons, £55, available at Selfridges
Benefit City Lights, Party Nights Gift Set, £24.50, available at Boots
MAC Snow Ball Mini Lipsticks – MAC Classics, 12 Minis, £85, available at Look Fantastic
Beauty Pie's retinol set is for sensitive skin that regular retinol treatments irritate. Including a serum, moisturiser, eye cream, and hand treatment, it's your one-stop-buy for anti-ageing purposes. We fell for NARS' Powermatte offering when we discovered the durability and shade range. This vault is every beauty lover's dream. Head down to Carnaby Street to create a customised box for your secret santa, choosing anything from their extensive brand range.
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Set, £35.75 for members, £275 otherwise, available at Beauty Pie.
NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment Vault, £195, available at Selfridges.
Birchbox Build Your Own Birchbox, £15, available at Birchbox Carnaby Street.
For the one who has weekly manicures
Is there a better time of year to go all-out with sparkle and shine? Yves Saint Laurent's red and gold-flecked Dazzling Lights polish is perfect for the friend who has Muji boxes full of nail lacquer. Alternatively, Nails Inc.'s holographic duo bring a more understated shine to New Year's Eve nails. For those who experiment with textures and finishes, Sally Hansen's Chrome Kits give a salon effect at home – with no UV light needed.
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture Dazzling Lights Edition in 91, £19.50, available at Selfridges
Nails Inc. Holler-Graphic Trend Effects, £15, available at Cult Beauty
Sally Hansen Salon Chrome Kit, £17, available at Superdrug
Deborah Lippman's glitter dolly mixture paint is a sweet addition to any polish collection. Add a subtle glow to your talons with Dolce & Gabbana's fuchsia formula, or get in the festive spirit with essie's brilliant red shade.
Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Colour in Across the Universe, £18, available at Harrods
Dolce & Gabbana Nail Lacquer in Royal Pink, £21, available at Harrods
essie Gel Couture 471 Style Stunner Bright Red Nail Polish, £9.99, available at Boots
For the one who wants to treat their tresses
It's party season, which means morning-after-the-night-before hair will certainly need a little TLC. Ouai's trio offers Rose Hair Oil (which can also be used on the body), Dry Shampoo Foam for partied-out tresses, and a smoothing Finishing Creme. Kevin Murphy's haircare is a treat at any time of year, but this gift set is ideal for those with coloured locks in need of some care – plus, the bottles look cute on our bathroom shelves. Davines' gift set is rich in Amazonian roucou, giving hair a frizz-fighting, just-left-the-salon finish.
Ouai Haircare Morning After Kit, £19.50, available at Cult Beauty
Kevin Murphy Anti.Gravity & Staying.Alive Combo, £28.99, available at Kevin Murphy
Davines Wishing You A Beautiful Experience, £56, available at Cult Beauty
We love a good scalp cleanser, and The Body Shop's green tea scrub is the kick start you need on dark mornings. Emulate Kate Moss with Sam McKnight's Cool Girl texturising spritz - it smells divine too. Preserve coloured hair with Aveda's gentle and protective ColourConserve gift set.
The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Refreshingly Purifying Cleansing Hair Scrub, £15, available at The Body Shop.
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texturising Spray, £25, available at Liberty.
Aveda Vibrant Hair Gift Set, £42.30, available at Look Fantastic
For the one who likes their skin as healthy as their body
For the friend who is as conscientious about their skin as their healthy lifestyle, Farmacy's farm-to-face set, packed with delicious natural ingredients, is a four-step routine for glowing skin. Gallinée's Happy Bacteria Set includes a trio of products that work with your skin's natural bacteria, plus a recipe book of healthy and lit-from-within meals. If your health-conscious friend hasn't got their hands on Tata Harper's wonderful products yet, then bestow the gift of this all-natural, restorative Daily Essentials kit.
Farmacy Perennial Picks Skincare Discovery Kit, £38, available at Cult Beauty
Gallinée The Happy Bacteria Set, £49.90, available at Gallinée
Tata Harper Tata's Daily Essentials, £64, available at Cult Beauty
100% of sales from the Beauty Kitchen's handwash and lotion duo go to Rainbows Hospice for Children & Young People, so it's just another good reason to buy from the organic brand. Dr Hauschka's entire makeup range is green and organic. Keep lips glossy and hydrated with this sheer lipstick. Anything from Neal's Yard transports us to a treatment room - get the feeling at home with this festive set of Refining Cleanser, Toner, and Hydrating Cream.
Beauty Kitchen Rainbows Hand Duo, £10, available at Holland & Barrett
Dr Hauschka Sheer Lipstick, £17.25, available at Dr Hauschka.
Neal’s Yard Remedies The Rejuvinating Frankincense Collection, £60, available at Neal’s Yard.
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