I think the £30 and under category is my favourite, it’s roughly what I spend on most of my friends, and also I tend to get a few smaller items and sets rather than one big present : I think variety is great. This year there is SO MUCH beauty & beyond that you can pick up if your budget is around £30 and here are some of my favourite sets and just general things AKA MORE SH*T THAT I REALLY LIKE:
Okkkkk, let’s do this. First up, a glorious lip selection from Pur Minerals ; The Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick set that includes 4 full-size liquid lipsticks (all good shades FYI…no rogues!) + a nourishing lip oil to prep the lips. They also have a fancy diamante-decorated lid so they are Christmassy AND spangly. Whilst we are on that lip vibe, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils {£20} are always a win for any makeup-lover as a gift, Christmas or not ; if you want a gorgeous red, go with Dragon Girl. If there’s one set that’s been adorning every beauty blogger’s Instagram this season, it’s the Urban Decay Blackmail VICE Lipstick Palette {£31.50} : 6 different finishes and 12 shades to play with from the nude and natural to the bold and brights , this quite literally has something for everyone and it’s super collectable, limited edition, basically anyone who loves makeup will WANT THIS.
Benefit have a ridiculous arsenal of Christmas offerings this year (& every year tbf) : DO check them out but if you want a safe option then I absolutely Lo-Ve the Rockateur Rose Gold Blusher {£23.50} and it’s a shade that suits quite literally everyone I apply it on. Plus…look how preddy it looks with that rose gold dusting when you first open it.
Anyone who is anyone who loves a highlighter will know about the BECCA Opal highlighter. That’s a given. The Opal Glow to Go Collection {£20} has the original pressed powder version and the newer liquid version, in handy travel sizes. Posh stocking filler a-go-go.
OK I effed up a bit here. I have accidently taken a snap of The Estee Edit ‘Glowing Balm’ instead of the ‘Flash Illuminator’ in my lovely pictures above (IT’S BEEN A LONG WEEK OK). Yes, the Glowing Balm is lovely but it’s basically a foundation…..so tricky to select a colour for someone else. The Estee Edit Flash Illuminator on the other hand comes in 5 shades BUT most people can wear all of these shades as it’s simply a sheer, skincare-infused liquid highlighter. If in doubt, gift the ‘Morning Light’ as this is the most wearable and versatile colour.
Crownbrush have launched an absolute beauty in the form of this Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette. {£22.99} It’s one of the prettiest combination of eyeshadows I have seen and is a really blendable, and a well-pigmented palette for the price tag. ANY eye colour will look great with these warm, mesmerising hues, it’s all about experimenting and having a play, and it has a great variety of matte VS shimmer VS satin finishes on the shadows. Forget gifting this, buy this for yourself.
Everyone loves a little ‘me time’ and pamper and the Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask {£31} is a perfect winter treat for the skin, that is suitable for ALL SKINTYPES. It is organic and contains Manuka Honey Active 20+ to balance and battle blemishes at the same time as deeply hydrating and softening with Pohutukawa extract. Read my full review on this mask here.
A treat for the body? Then Laura Mercier do a hugely popular line of bath & body products including a bubble bath, hand lotions, body creams & scrubs. I usually gift the Body Wash as this can be used as a shower gel OR bubble bath so maybe better if you don’t know if a person prefers their baths or showers! I know some people love the Creme Brulee range from Laura Mercier but I find this sickly sweet ; opt for a safer option such as the fig or Ambre Vanilla.
What gifts do you like from this selection? Keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s Christmas gift edit which will be the £60 & Under / luxury gifts. If you missed my budget guide/stocking fillers for under £15 then be sure to check it out here.
