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BATH & BODY
Kicking this gift guide off somewhat selfishly, I have to admit, as this is my personal favourite category - I am always up for opening a Soap & Glory body butter or a Lush bath bomb! Laura Mercier have seriously brought it in 2022 with their gift sets, the star of the show being the Luxe Indulgence Ambre Vanille Set* - the packaging is to die fo plus vanilla, tangerine and brown sugar combine to make the dreamiest of scents that you're gonna want all over your bath and your body, let me tell you that much!
Temple Spa has become a staple for Christmas bath and body in our home as I'm never let down with the quality of their scents, even when I order online! Their Blissed Out set* is a self-care ritual in a box with a mist, bath soak, eye mask and massage oil melt to transport you to a) a state of total tranquility and relaxation, or b) total ecstasy!
I would highly recommend the Fuss Free Shaving sets*, they have fab festive packaging and 20% off and free engraving to boot! Everything for a fancy shave and shower is included in the Temple Spa Fresh Start* Groom & Go gift set, and Kent Brushes do synthetic shaving brushes* with stands, my Will is a huge fan of his.
For a real treat (for you, and maybe a partner!) then the Douvall's Argan Massage Candle* has a divine Orangery Orchard essential oil scent and Vitamin E for ultra-nourished skin that smells like a spa. One of my current favourite bath products are Epsom salts from Westlab, in particular the Festive Duo* which comes with cinnamon, ginger & spiced orange and cedarwood, neroli & sage which are just as good as they sound. I treated myself to some Mirror Water goodies in the Black Friday sales and am obsessed!
SLEEP & LOUNGEWEAR
One of the most grown-up 'main character' life moments I've experienced so far is getting a pair of silk pyjamas and making my morning cup of tea in them, so give the gift of feeling like you're starring in a Hollywood rom-com every single day with the Pure Silk Pj Set* from Soak & Sleep - I have the Antique Silver pair which are truly giving Cameron Diaz in The Holiday when she's in LA, and their Pure Cashmere Bed Socks* are so her when she's in Surrey. I'm a big fan of their Cotton Velour Bathrobe* for a cosy Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give vibe, too!
Lilysilk silk pyjamas are stunning also, this set* in the colour Blue Haze are the prettiest in my opinion. I recently discovered The Pillow Eye Mask* from Kitsch and it's so cushiony - as are these extra luxurious sleep masks* from Holistic Silk - plus they have a range of lovely and practical gifts like pillowcases and microfibre hair towels*, which I'll probably never be without since trying! Go into the Land of Nod even further with the Olverum Restful Sleep Pillow Mist* which has been so thoughtfully made, I really love it.
JEWELLERY
LilyCharmed are one of those jewellery brands with something for everyone - e.g. darling little bee earrings for a bee-loving friend* or starsign necklaces for an astrology-obsessed pal. My family got me a beautiful Carrie Elizabeth ring for my last birthday and I have so many of their pieces on my wishlist. Larsson & Jennings have a special place in my heart, as I got Will a watch from them with my first paycheque since becoming chronically ill and it's still his favourite almost a decade later! I have two of their Boyfriend watches* myself which I'm sure anyone would be thrilled to unwrap.
BEAUTY
GAIA Skincare have so many options that come in package so festive that you needn't even wrap them - my pick is the Naturally Range Set* which comes with a face mask, serum and jade roller. Cult skincare lovers will adore Biossance Love, Joy & Bestsellers* - the clue's in the name, four of their bestselling products (plus an eye mask, and 30% off right now!) and The Ordinary have a whole host of gifts, including The Smooth & Bright Set*.
Philip Kingsley has been one of my go-to haircare brands for years - their Body Building Jewels gift set* is perfect for anyone like me with fine/flat hair, and anyone who's new to the brand would love the adorable Little Gems Nourish & Shine stocking filler so they can try their iconic Elasticizer.
Our beyond wonderful Mum Says was asking me to choose something for myself from my parents, so I got the Glossier Holiday The Touch-Up Set which came with a rollerball of my beloved You fragrance and a limited edition Ultralip in a shade inspired by the red lid of the perfume bottle - genius! They have since stopped selling the sets which is a shame, but I'd so recommend their other sets and kits.
Other beauty gems include: a) the Stila Gift Of Grace* with their award-winning liquid eyeliner and a makeup perfecter, b) the Limited Edition Beauty Bag* filled with six fabulous products, c) Dr Paw Paw's Mini Shine Gift Collection* with three lip balms and d) the bareMinerals Warmest Wishes Face, Eye & Lip Trio*. Makeup bags always go down a treat too and Elizabeth Scarlett are some of the prettiest, see their bestsellers here!
HOME
You cannot go wrong with candles or reed diffusers, and the Temple Spa Rise Up Aromatic Christmas Candle* is one of the nicest scents I've come across in a long time comprising of rich plum, leather and floral notes. Aja Botanicals By Tilly Into The Mystic* is a similarly delightful cedarwood and lavender natural wax candle, and Douvall's Scents To Uplift* has three room sprays packaged in a luxury gift box. NEST's three-wick Blue Cypress & Snow candle* has a burn-time of up to 100 hours and the glass design looks super pretty when it's lit, plus it smells of juniper berry and smoked vanilla bean.
FRAGRANCE
Finally, another Christmas classic category that you'll never go wrong with! For feminine scents: the new Prada Paradoxe* is all sorts of warm amber and neroli goodness, Carolina Herrera's Good Girl often tops 'people stop me on the tube to ask what this perfume is' TikToks. This year, I'm giving Will's mum Estée Lauder's Beautiful Magnolia and adore the Versace Bright Crystal* which is the perfect blend of sweetness and musk. For masculine scents: it's all about Versace in 2022 - go for Eros or Eros Flame, both are deliciously deep and woody yet fresh and modern at the same time.
I really hope this has been helpful in finding something for the special people to unwrap and that you have a truly magical Christmas, see you in 2023 :) p.s. shoutout to my little 'helper' Millie who was very interested in me taking these photos, spot her little paw/claw!