Best Beauty Holiday Gifts 2015
These Are the Beauty Gifts Editors Are Asking For This Holiday Season
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What do you buy the girl who has everything? Seriously. It can be a quite a challenge — and we are going to admit it: beauty editors fall into that group when it comes to hair, makeup, skin, and fragrance products. As part of our jobs, we need to test and try all of the new grooming launches (we know, feel bad for us). So if you feel stumped on what to gift a similar beauty junkie, then we are about to make your life much easier. We rounded up the presents we are seriously excited about this holiday season. Use it as a guide to find a truly unique set or kit for your favorite hoarder (even if that happens to be yourself . . .).
Kiehl's Limited Edition Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter
Every season, Kiehl's asks a different artist to outfit the packaging of its classic body creams for holiday. This year, the brand tapped New York designers Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra (of fashion label, Costello Tagliapietra) to create this custom design featuring shoppers in lumberjack-chic outfits and woodland animals. I chose the Limited Edition Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter ($38), because it's a heavy cream that really soothes dry skin — especially on ankles and knees. The milk-and-honey scent makes me want to snuggle under a cashmere blanket scarf with a cup of hot tea.
—Lauren Levinson, beauty editor
Rouge Louboutin Lip Colour Collection
I am known throughout the office for my lipstick addiction. I'd be enthralled if I were enabled even further with this indulgent trio from Christian Louboutin ($270). Though the shades are all the same (the brand's signature red hue), each tube houses a different formula — matte, satin, and sheer — on a silver chain. I'd wear them all around my neck as a conversation starter . . . and for easy touchups.
— Emily Orofino, assistant beauty editor
Tom Ford Private Blend Collection
I am borderline obsessed with Tom Ford – we both hail from Austin, TX, his designs are what my dreams are made of, and his fragrance is enough to get me hot and bothered. As a woman who likes to change up my fragrances, I can't think of a better gift that the Tom Ford Private Blend Collection ($345). Yeah, it's pricey, but it includes some of Tom's most beautiful fragrances, including Neroli Portofino. Plus, the packaging is like eye candy. I can't wait to display these on my vanity!
— Kirbie Johnson, on-camera beauty reporter and producer
Karin Herzog The 7 Creams of the Week
I'm dubbing 2015 as the year of the skin care treatment. There was a resurgence of the sheet masks and dermatologist-grade peels, and multimasking took over Instagram. This Karin Herzog The 7 Creams of the Week ($100) coffret includes everything I need to revive my post-holiday skin. The exfoliating AHA treatment and the soothing rose are two of my favorites in this comprehensive set. I also love that it comes with an application brush, so that every mask goes on evenly and nothing gets contaminated with hand germs.
— Jessica Cruel, associate beauty editor
Rituals Shower Foam in Oriental Dream
You'll always find a can of Rituals Shower Foam in my tub. Not only it is a softening body wash, but it also doubles as a luxe shaving cream. The limited-edition Oriental Dream scent ($15) has a sweet, spicy kick to amp up my pre-party prep. The beautiful gold-flecked bottle just adds to its festive flare. Ingredients like creamy cocoa and almond milk will give my skin an extra dose of hydration.
—LL
Urban Decay The Mother Lode
68 full-sized Urban Decay eye shadows?! You have to be freaking kidding me. This limited edition, be-all, end-all set ($595) is this Urban Decay junkie's ultimate fantasy. I'm actually imagining myself rolling around in a pile of shadows a la Scrooge McDuck, laughing maniacally as I apply them. There are a lot of things I would do to guarantee that I saw this under the tree, and I'm not proud of any of them, but that's how desperately I want this.
— EO
Vera Wang Embrace
While bombshell waves and a bright red lip consistently work as my go-to party style, I'll happily change up my fragrance to set my mood. This season, I'm relying on Vera Wang Embrace, which is offered in three gorgeous iterations: Vera Wang Embrace, Vera Wang Embrace, and Vera Wang Embrace. And at $27-$30 each, I can afford all three romantic scents!
— LL
Rodin Holiday Set
Linda Rodin has the best face oil in the business. As a dry oil, it absorbs quickly, smells divine, and leaves your skin with an ethereal glow, which is perfect during dry Winter weather. The Rodin Holiday Kit ($500) is for the beauty connoisseur in your life, and includes all of her best products: Hand and Body Cream, Body Oil, Perfume, Face Oil, and Hair Oil. Everything is packaged up in a gorgeous, custom-made acrylic box.
— KJ
Philip Kingsley Pure Indulgence Set
My natural hair is addicted to the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer. If I skip the treatment at the end of the week, my strands feel dry and crispy within days. This holiday season, the brand is releasing the Pure Indulgence Set ($50) that has the special, geranium-scented cream with a coordinating candle. This duet satisfies my two biggest beauty obsessions: deep conditioning masks and gorgeous fragrance.
— JC
Benefit They're Real Limited Edition Mascara
If you haven't tried Benefit's cult They're Real Mascara, then there is no better time to grab this lengthening essential. The bottle got a special "outfit" for the holidays that entails a Swarovski crystal-studded cap ($26). I've been a fan of this wand for years because of the glossy black finish and its ability to actually make me look like I'm wearing falsies.
—LL
Guerlain Météorites Perle des Neiges
Guerlain's pretty powder spheres are totally iconic, but the line's holiday spin on the product ($80) is worthy of becoming an instant cult classic. It's made of luminescent pigments that you apply with a loose powder brush, just like the original, but there are tiny stars (!!!) scattered amongst the classic pearls. I doubt I could even use this, it's so pretty — I'd just sit and sigh dreamily as I stared into the gorgeous jar.
— EO
Charlotte Tilbury Book of Makeup Magic
Since the launch in the US last October, I've been a devoted Charlotte Tilbury fan. This is one brand I will happily spend my hard-earned dinero on! From the color payoff to the fun names, every product is a joy to use. Plus, her Magic Cream? I want to bathe in it. That's why The Book of Makeup Magic($200) is on my list — it includes travel-sized and full-sized samplings of CT's best products: a mini K.I.S.S.I.N.G. lipstick in Penelope Pink (a stunning beige that's great for emulating a Kim K. pout), Multi-Miracle Glow Balm, and a sample of her unreleased Magic Night Cream, which I can't wait to test out.
— KJ
The Little Market Woven Cosmetic Bag
There is no better gift than one that gives back. The Little Market, an e-commerce site cofounded by Lauren Conrad, empowers and employs artisan women in Guatemala by tasking them with creating one-of-a-kind printed makeup bags ($40). The cases are created using huipil, which is the Spanish word for traditional blouses worn by Mayan women. Every iteration speaks to a woman's individual personality and draws inspiration from her village. Knowing how much love goes into these pouches makes them that much more special. And how chic would they look as a clutch when you're vacationing at an island during the holiday break?
Smith Cosmetics Smithfolio Makeup Brush Case
If you're not familiar with Smith brushes, it's time to get acquainted. They're one-of-a-kind luxe makeup tools are durable — they aren't hollowed out — and soft (most of the brushes are not synthetic.) They're unique in that they have an antibacterial coating on each brush handle, and double-crimped copper caps, so you won't worry about rust; they're extra beautiful to look at, too, but I digress. I am obsessed with the Smithfolio ($62): a leather makeup brush case with gold hardware. The coolest part about this case is that you can add additional plates and pockets to your Smithfolio, depending on your needs. Then, simply remove them from the case, lay them on your vanity, sink, table, or wherever you do your makeup, use them, then snap back into place. No fuss, no mess, no clutter.
— KJ
Tory Burch Lip Color Set
While I'm not typically impressed by designer labels, the signature packaging on the Tory Burch Lip Color Set ($72) is hard to pass up for a lipstick-lover like me. The trio comes with three shades: Pas du Tout (a sheer, pink nude), Smack Dab (a tomato red), and Ramble On Rose (a pale rose). Honestly, I might never swipe on the shades. The geometric casing is going to be the star of my vanity makeup display.
— JC
Cargo Magic Brush Duo
Full confession — though I may be obsessed with makeup, I very rarely use brushes and often opt to apply products with my fingers. However, when I discovered these magic brushes from Cargo ($42), they immediately became part of my beauty arsenal. They are legitimately the perfect tools — they pick up, lay down, and blend the perfect amounts of pigment for whatever look you're trying to create. They also wipe clean for quick color changes, making them ideal for indecisive beauties. Because they're so multifunctional, they'll replace all the other tools in my kit.
— EO
The Original Makeup Eraser
As much a I love face wipes, the truth is that most of them are filled with alcohol and dry out the skin. Since I usually have to do my makeup twice a day when shooting Beauty Junkie, I need something that will effectively remove my makeup at work without sending my skin into a downward spiral. The Original Makeup Eraser ($20) is a towel that only requires water to remove even the most stubborn makeup, like waterproof mascara. And because it's washable, you can use it for up to 1,000 washes. This would be the perfect stocking stuffer!
— KJ
True Nature Botanicals Dead Sea Bath Salts in Bliss
After living in a tub-less apartment for years, I finally have a shower where I can take a soak (hallelujah). So, I'm stocking up on all types of add-ins from Epsom salts to bath bombs. These True Nature Botanicals Dead Sea Bath Salts in Bliss ($48) are a mix of rose essential oil and mineral-heavy salt. The blend soothes sore muscles (which will come in handy when I hit the gym hard in 2016) and helps me get to sleep when my brain is constantly reviewing the holiday shopping list.
— JC
