We Asked Beauty Lovers What Gifts They Really Want This Year

What do beauty lovers really want this Christmas? Five members of our beauty panel tell us their dream wish list…

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Sarah, aged 45

If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … The Dior make-up clutch. Classic Dior lipsticks in red, pink and nude housed in the most beautiful gold metal case that doubles as a clutch bag. (€350)

A perfume I’m dreaming of … is Victoria Beckham’s Portofino ’97, mimicking a fresh sea breeze. Divine!

A skincare item I would love to try … is the Ayuna Eye Serum from Floraison. (€124) Love the range and it’s next on my list.

The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … is the Dr Dennis Gross DRX Spectralite Facewear Pro. Love the effect LED has on my skin. (€539)

Something practical/useful … is the Chanel Compact mirror in Rouge Noir. Elegant and handy for touching up your make-up on the go. (€35)

Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Yes. Great to have small sizes for travelling and to try a product before investing. The Liberty Advent Calendar is my holy grail.

I would love a voucher for … a facial with Agnes Gajewska. She is a skin magician and her facials transform my tired face into skin that is sculpted and glowing. For more on Face Yoga with Agnes see here.

Louise

If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … the Westman Atelier full set of products.

A perfume I’m dreaming of … Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit – so glad they brought it back this year.

A skincare item I would love … Jones Road Miracle Balm (€36).

The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … Foreo Peach 2 Device (€342).

Something practical/useful … Make-up brushes. (So Eco Brush Sets start from under €20, at Boots)

Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? No, I got the Jo Malone one a few years ago, so disappointing as full of mini perfumes I wasn’t keen on, so a complete waste of money!

I would love a voucher for … the full works! (facial/spa/treatment).

Maria-Celene, age 57

If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … Thanks to my annual and beloved 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 Winter Recovery Kit at a mere €500.

A perfume I’m dreaming of … but haven’t purchased yet 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. With notes of Turkish rose, patchouli, sandalwood and a hint of frankincense, which all give this perfume character, charm but a hint of sex appeal which is just perfect for the party season. (From €155) To read more about it see here.

A skincare item I would love … I’d love Victoria Beckham’s Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser in Golden. Described as “golden hour in a bottle”, it’s a golden lightweight daily moisturiser that brings out the inner glow in skin, and it’s backed by 30 years of research by Augustinus Bader. (From €68).

The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … I’d love to try the Dr Dennis Gross DRX Spectralite Faceware Pro Mask if I could (€479). Whilst I thankfully don’t require its use to target acne, I’d love to see if its claim to smooth wrinkles, firm skin, diminish discolouration and clear pesky blemishes for a beautiful, youthful complexion holds up – it promises improvements visible in two weeks.

Something practical I use every day … My Spotlight Sonic Toothbrush has been a game changer for me and makes a fantastic Christmas gift when personalised too.

Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? Personally, I find Beauty Advent Calendars are just fantastic, and getting better and better each year. An ideal opportunity to try new brands and products before committing to a full-size product. They are an unbeatable gift for anyone besotted with beauty products. 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 as it’s the gift that keeps on giving after you’ve used it. You can look forward to having glowing skin and feeling zen and chilled after a lovely facial. A spa treatment voucher for Powerscourt Hotel Resort & 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 … Agnes Gajewska Facial Yoga class (online group face yoga, €130; one to one session online €165). (Also wondering if paying for my house cleaning and laundry would give me more beauty sleep, literally!) www.faceyogabyagnes.com

A perfume I’m dreaming of … Just let me loose in Penhaligon’s and I’d probably pick something. I do also love the lightness of L’Occitane’s cherry blossom range.

A skincare item I would love … Oh God, something that would give me glow and make me look less tired! Clarins Flash Balm? Or maybe Immortelle from L’Occitane, as the more natural the better.

Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? I will never buy one for myself – it just seems so self-indulgent when you’re having presents on 25th December. That said, what a treat it would be to have a present every day. I’d love L’Occitane if I was getting one. Otherwise, I will shy away environmentally because of the packaging. (L’Occitane’s reusable advent calendar, made from recycled cotton, €195).

I would love a voucher for … A facial with Niamh (or a whole day with her) in Escape Spa in Cork (www.imperialhotelcork.com), or a massage and eyebrow shaping/tint in Priya (Priya Therapy, Cork). I know Neelu in Dublin has a fab reputation, too. I feel like I could do with a make-up lesson. Remember in the 1990s, when it was all about matte (and you had oily skin)? Now, I feel like I need glow and luminosity …

Clare, age 47

If money was no object, the beauty gift I’d really love is … I would love to try the Vintner’s Daughter range, especially the Active Treatment Essence, which has great reviews, but am finding the price a hindrance. It’s hard to justify spending over €200 on one item of skincare.

A perfume I’m dreaming of … I recently got Victoria Beckham’s Fragrance Discovery Set and I have to say she knows how to deliver fragrance that is distinctive. Portofino ’97 is a firm favourite and one I am planning to buy. Very helpfully I was given a discount code for fragrance from the site after purchasing the discovery set. Happy Christmas to me!

A skincare item I would love … Oh that’s easy, it would be restocking my Biologique Recherche skincare: P50 lotion, serum and Creme Elastine. My go-to everyday skincare. I have never found a range better for my skin.

I would also love to expand my collection of Jones Road balms. They act as a great base under or over make up and for an added glow and make my skin look smooth and plump. I keep one in my bag at all times!

The beauty tool/gadget I’d most like to try out … I would love to try out an LED mask using light therapy. They sound really beneficial, but I can’t justify the price. (From €170 at www.boots.ie).

Something practical/useful … A set of cryo sticks, usually stored in the freezer is a must have for the Christmas season. After lots of nights out, there is nothing like them to reduce puffiness, under-eye bags and give a general feeling of being refreshed. I use mine in the morning with jojoba oil, giving myself a nice cold uplifting facial massage while I am at it. I also find my skincare goes on better after I have used them. They also wake me up and make me feel ready to tackle the day!

Beauty advent calendars – yes or no? I am very torn about beauty calendars. One one hand it is a chance to try lots of different products and also get some travel-friendly sizes. On the other hand they are usually a big investment and I’m not sure they worth it. So I would probably have to say no, while I have lusted over some of them online – Chanel, La Mer and Jo Malone come to mind – I have never bought one.

I would love a voucher for … The Marker Hotel spa. I’ve visited a few times and always had a great experience. It’s such a lovely space, with cosy relaxation rooms and a beautiful pool area. I could happily spend a day here, followed by a cocktail on the roof.