Treat Yourself: 6 Brilliant Beauty Gifts, From €8 - The Gloss Magazine

Treat Yourself: 6 Brilliant Beauty Gifts, From €8

Whether it’s a friend’s birthday or you’re going to a party or weekend stay and want to take something for the hostess, here are six beautiful ideas. Or just treat yourself, because it’s sunny at last …

Beauty gifts don’t just have to mean scented candles. Remember when Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham beauty launched and we rushed to admire the weighty palettes and cool colours? The glamour of the collection (no longer available, sadly) was all about treating yourself, while being beautiful and useful enough to use on a daily basis. And that’s what we’re thinking of now. Whether it’s a beautiful body or face oil, or a truly lavish perfume, here are some ideas at every price point.

ALMOND LIFE L’Occitane has some gift sets that will last you the whole summer, including an Almond Set for €60 featuring the delicious Almond Shower Oil (now refillable, at the Wicklow Street store, or pick up refill pouches at stores nationwide) and body cream. Though my current favourite thing at L’Occitane is the €8 metal tube-squeezer, the Magic Key, which enables you to get every last drop from every tube.

THE EXPERIENCE I was recently given a voucher for an acupuncture session as a gift, and love this idea: treating someone to an expert you really rate is thoughtful and welcome. My suggestions include Agnes Gajewska at Essentials Salon in Baggot Street (www.essentials.ie) – she is every bit as good as everyone says – you will not find another facial like this in Ireland, particularly as an alternative to injectables. This is one for people who are serious about their skin, as opposed to those wanting a wafty half-hour with scented oils. If, like me, you’re devoted to Andras’ body restoration treatments (www.andreas.ie, Dun Laoghaire), this is the equivalent for your face – both are deeply effective and properly therapeutic. For a quicker treat, how about a manicure – Mink Dublin have just opened their latest salon in Monkstown, Co Dublin (cuticle oil, €25). 

GET A GLOW A few drops of face oil is a great way to add a bit of a glow to your skin at this time of year. The new Charlotte Tilbury face oil smells beautiful, like crushing a bunch of lavender in your hands, and it feels silky on the skin, but it’s pricey at €75, and we’re a little weary of the shouty claims on the bottles – “SKIN LOOKS +311% MORE RADIANT” etc. It’s a lovely blend of oils like avocado, olive and sunflower seed, but let’s not get too carried away. With Ground Wellbeing’s Restorative Face Oil, with Jasmine Absolute and Frankincense, you get exactly the same amount (just the bottle is smaller, and the formula simpler), for €40, plus it’s handmade in Ireland. www.groundwellbeing.com 

ROSE LUXE If you’re heading to Dundrum Town Centre, there’s a ton of great new beauty at the new Brown Thomas store – the hard bit is choosing just one gift. I’d say the honey-infused hair oil by Gisou (€40), or the hair perfume, is a hot favourite right now. For a fabulous spring/summer fragrance, we love a moody and magnificent floral (forget anything overly fruity and forgettable). The dream? Frederic Malle’s Rose Tonnerre (from €190). We know what Portrait of a Lady smells like by now – and it sure is hard to beat – but have you tried this other lush rose? It’s a darker take on Turkish rose absolue, with a base inspired by truffle. For a lavish birthday gift, or a new signature scent, this is the ultimate long-lasting bouquet to invest in.

HOSTESS GIFT If you’re determined to go for a scented candle, consider something other than the ubiquitous Jo Malone. How about this elegant diffuser by Carriere Freres for a little French luxury, €70. I love the rose and spearmint scent and the (minimal) packaging is very pretty and old-school. www.seagreen.ie. Also, bathsalts are back in again, and are no longer a cop-out gift (particularly if you’re giving the hefty glass jar of Dublin Herbalists’ Sweet Orange and Bergmot epsom salts, which are an utter treat for tired muscles, and good value at €19.95; www.dublinherbalists.ie). Max Benjamin’s Lavender & Chamomile Magnesium bath salts are another safe bet (€27, www.maxbenjamin.com)

SUPERIOR SOAPS One of my colleagues is obsessed with Claus Porto soaps, and no wonder – these creamy, beautifully packaged soaps (€14), made in Lisbon by this gorgeous heritage brand, look fabulous in the bathroom and smell exceptionally good – think notes like lemon leaf, jasmine and sweet almond. Find them online at www.theoldmillstores.ie – where you’ll find a load of other brilliant gift ideas too, from ceramic cappuccino cups to brightly coloured enamel baking dish sets. 

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