What does a beauty-lover really want this Christmas? Our independent beauty panel, The GLOSSiest, tell us their dream gifts …
For fabulous beauty gifts combined with great value for money, I suggest heading to Kildare Village for excellent discounts and brands including a standalone Charlotte Tilbury boutique.
The Loop at Dublin airport offers up to 15 per cent off across over 80 brilliant beauty brands, including new Charlotte Tilbury boutiques in T1 and T2).
And what they don’t want? Let’s steer clear of coffrets. Those hideous huge boxes bolstered by a ton of plastic inserts and packaging are not desirable. None of us need more waste or packaging in our lives – far better to have one small thing we really love and use.
Here, eight of our beauty panellists – beauty addicts who really know their stuff – tell us what they really, really want, from daily essentials to the best spa treatments and full-blown glamour. We can all dream. Here are their dream gift lists – discover what will truly impress and delight the beauty-lover in your life this winter…
Gilian, Dublin 6
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … The Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar or Liberty London Advent Calendar
A perfume I’m dreaming of … Tom Ford Portofino
A skincare item I would love … Biologique Recherche face masks
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out …The Dyson Airwrap
Something practical I use every day … GHD Curve, Biologique Recherche products, Revitalash
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Yes yes yes! There’s so many amazing ones out there
I would love a voucher for … Floraison facial, The Shelbourne or Monart spa.
Sarah, age 44
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … the Lyma laser, an at-home laser device, combining LED lights with a laser beam to regenerate skin at a cellular level
A perfume I’m dreaming of … is Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique, a warm and romantic fragrance inspired by Paris in the late 20s
A skincare item I would love is … the Augustinus Bader Starter Kit. I have heard great things about this brand and this would be a great kit to try out all their hero products
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out is … the Dyson Airwrap to get that salon curly blowdry at home
Something?practical I use every day is … my gua sha from Face Yoga by Agnes. Great for depuffing and improving the texture of the skin
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Yes! As someone who travels for work, the sizes are great and it’s a great way to try new and much-loved products. Net-a-Porter or Liberty calendars are divine
I would love a voucher for … Monart Spa for a retreat including spa treatments to reset post-Christmas.
Louise, age 43
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … a week-long trip to a spa
A perfume I’m dreaming of … I’m wearing one of Jo Malone’s once-off Christmas perfumes called Ginger Biscuit and wish they’d bring it out again as I love it
A skincare item I would love is … a really good facial exfoliator as I’m finding it hard to get one
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … The Dyson Airwrap although I’m not sure how much use I’d get out of it!
Something?practical I use every day … Neccessaire Body Wash and Lotion, the non perfumes ones
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? No, I got the Jo Malone one last year and felt it was a complete waste of money. I was so disappointed with it.
I would love a voucher for … A facial.
Claire, in Dublin 12
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is… A Liberty Advent calendar [£245stg, www.libertylondon.com]
A perfume I’m dreaming of … Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Tonka
A skincare item I would love … Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … Dyson hairdryer
Something?practical I use every day … Oat Cleansing Calm from the Inkey list
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? YES!
I would love a voucher for … SkinCeuticals facial in Meaghers SkinLab in Churchtown.
Maria-Celene, age 57
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … Thanks to my Beauty Advent Calendars I’m now besotted with everything from Augustinus Bader. So if there’s anyone ready to part with (ahem) a few euro then I’ll be a very happy woman on Christmas morning to receive the Augustinus Bader Winter Recovery Kit at a mere €500.
A perfume I’m dreaming of is … Portrait of a Lady by Frédéric Malle. After testing it every day in Brown Thomas I found it to be elegant and sophisticated but with an edge to it (like a naughty wink). It’s a perfume that a woman of any age can wear and make it their own.
A skincare item I would love … I’d love Victoria Beckham Cell Rejvenating Priming Moisturizer in Golden, advertised as “Golden Hour In A Bottle”. Yes please.
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … Dr Dennis Gross DRX Spectralite Faceware Pro Mask – I’d love to see if its claim to smooth wrinkles, firm skin, diminish discolouration and clear blemishes lives up to the hype.
Something practical I use every day … My Spotlight Sonic Toothbrush.
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Personally I find Beauty Advent Calendars are just fantastic and getting better each year. An ideal opportunity to try new brands and products before committing to a full size. Mind you, be careful as it’s so hard not to ransack every little door: as of today, according to my beauty advent calendar, apparently there are only three days left to Christmas.
I would love a voucher for … A spa treatment voucher for Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa is always top of my Christmas list and very gratefully received.
Sheila
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … ooh, probably a full day in Escape Spa [at the Imperial Hotel, Cork] to be scrubbed, moisturised and massaged from head to toe – or a combined yoga and spa retreat.
A perfume I’m dreaming of … is the one I own – Blenheim Bouquet from Penhaligon’s.
A skincare item I would love … a subscription to Agnes Gajewska’s face yoga – and the time to do it every day.
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … I’m not really a big one for beauty tools, so maybe just a quartz roller.
Something?practical I use every day … Elave SPF45 every morning, even in winter. Irish-made, suits my skin, does the job.
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? The treat aspect appeals to me, but no for environmental reasons. Even reusable ones will still have loads of packaging.
I would love a voucher for … a facial or massage in Escape Spa.
Stephanie
A perfume I’m dreaming of … Yves Saint Laurent Libre
A skincare item I would love… La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum
The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … Ice Globes these are definitely on my wish list for Christmas. Dying to try out and see if the results really are effective!
Something practical I use every day … my Aurora band hair wrap. Literally the best €15 I’ve ever spent.
Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Yes if it’s the Brown Thomas Advent Calendar!
I would love a voucher for … Definitely a spa day trip and of course some anti-wrinkle injections.
Clare, 45
If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … My hubby and I are going to London for a few days in early December. I’m going to use it as an opportunity to visit Liberty of London. They are now stocking Jones Road Beauty, Bobbi Brown’s make-up and skincare line; I am planning on buying the Miracle Balm in dusty rose and maybe magic hour.
I waited till the sale to purchase from Victoria Beckham. I remember when she did her collab with Estee Lauder and I couldn’t get my hands on it, I was gutted – so I am expecting big things from the future lash mascara. It is Christmas after all and it was 20% off, so I bought a gift set and the Reflect Highlighter Stick. She knows how to do luxury at a price that is not excessive.
A pre-Christmas treat will be a facial with the lovely and amazing Dawn in Florasion. I have been going to Dawn for at least five years. She is not only only a lovely person, she is an amazing facialist. One of my go-to day to day brands is Biologique Recherche and she uses these products in the most sublime and relaxing experiences.
