30 In Beauty/ Style

Christmas gifting for Girlfriends

I have a small group of girlfriends who all exchange presents with each other for Christmas.  Our only guideline is that gifts should be something that you wouldn’t normally buy for yourself… something a little bit special.  Initially, this meant luxurious handmade soaps in leopard print wrapping, a beautiful glittery makeup bag, or cashmere wrist warmers.  After many years (because my friends are not right in the head!) ‘something you wouldn’t normally buy for yourself’ morphed into ‘something you wouldn’t buy for yourself because it is insane.’  Gifts became surreal.  Things like pewter egg cups with duck feet, pot holders in rude shapes, and my personal favourite, Pedro, the salt-and-pepper-shaker-carrying donkey.  Don’t get me wrong, I truly LOVE Pedro (my tasteful minimalist husband is less enthusiastic), but our gifting became about trying to out-do the previous year’s level of nuts.  Eventually (thank heavens) common sense prevailed.  We decided to rein ourselves in, dial down the surreal factor, and give USEFUL gifts to each other.  We decided to keep the focus on beauty products, and only on products that we personally use and love, not just something we’ve read about.  As you know, I am crazy about beauty products, so this is easy for me.

This year, my girlfriends are getting the following:

They are all getting this magnificently scented candle.  It has a wide wooden wick that crackles as it burns like a tiny fireplace.  I’m not giving them each a different one.  This amber and incense one is my favourite in the range, so they’re all having it because I’m bossy like that.  Actually, they always like the candles I burn at home, so I know they will appreciate this warm spicy one.

wooden-wick-candle-gift

One of my friends who has the same fair colouring as I do, will find that this NYX Golden Hour eyeshadow palette works as well on her as it does on me. NYX is one of my favourite cruelty-free and budget-friendly brands. This very wearable range of warm brown eyeshadows is my absolute favourite palette right now.  There’s not a bad one in the bunch, nothing too light or too dark. The best-selling liquid liner and mascara that come with it are a bonus.

NYX eyeshadow palette

My other friend is obsessed with her skin (sounds familiar!) so she’s getting Glam Glow’s Forget the Filter set along with her candle.  The award-winning Instamud treatment was created specifically for actors to get their skin camera ready in 60 seconds.  It isn’t really a mud, more of a purple cream that foams and plumps.  It really does make your skin look amazing.  Whack a dab of the moisturising illuminator (just the right amount of illumination, no chunky sparkles, and the vanilla orange scent is heavenly) on top and skin is ready for makeup and a closeup.  Unlike me, my girlfriend hates going to salons and having people touch her face, so this will give her similar results at home.

GlamGlow-Instamud

One of the friends has amazing hands and nails (like, hand model perfect) so this range of Skinnydip polishes will be a great gift for her.  These colours aren’t the usual ones she wears, but they’re also not so crazy as to be unwearable.  The gold glitter is particularly beautiful over dark polishes.  The pale iridescent one is one of my favourites when my own nails are quite short (I’m wearing it right this moment).  Skinnydip is a great brand that has had local and/or organic ingredients and no animal testing as part of its DNA from the beginning.  I like supporting ethical brands, so giving them as gifts and introducing them to my friends is the best way to put my money where my mouth (and heart) is.

Skinnydip nail polish

I found all four of these gifts at Boots.  They have a vast range of gifts for any woman on your list, you’re truly spoiled for choice on their site. Of course they have things for men too, I just haven’t got that far yet!  As much as I enjoy gifts like Pedro the donkey, it is a relief to be in my sweet spot of giving the perfect beauty and skincare products to my girlfriends.

This post is in conjunction with Boots but all thoughts are my own.

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    Lazy Daisy Jones
    November 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM

    Hi Lisa
    Lovely post! I’m guessing at who is who and if I know any of those you have described !!!
    Love Glam glow too,
    Have a super week
    Ashley x

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 12:14 PM

      Haha, you may well be able to figure out one or two! Isn’t Glam Glow just ridiculous?! Thanks Ashley, you too xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    November 27, 2018 at 1:04 PM

    Wow all from Boots? You could’ve knocked me down with a feather at that reveal!
    I like candles but I love nail varnish and those colours are gorge.
    Your friends sound fun, I wanna be in your gang?

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 1:10 PM

      Yep, their beauty gifts are especially fantastic, I find. You’re in the gang any time you like, lovely lady! I think you’d really like these nail polishes too (as would Lulu!). The lavender one is really pretty on… unusual but not too weird. xxx

  • Reply
    whatlizzyloves
    November 27, 2018 at 2:21 PM

    Such a lovely post Lisa. Gorgeous choices. My girlfriends and I do Secret Santa. We each choose something for £10. This ranges from the absolutely ridiculous to the utterly fabulous. As you know, I have been very impressed with Boots this season too- something for everyone xxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 4:27 PM

      Thank you Liz! I know you would love every single one of these items; the palette would be superb on you, in case you’re in need of one! I want to know what you girls get each other this year! xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 4:29 PM

      Thank you Liz! I know you would love every single one of these items; the palette would be superb on you, in case you’re in need of one! I want to know what you and your friends get each other this year! xx

  • Reply
    Nancy
    November 27, 2018 at 3:48 PM

    I wished we had a Boots over here. These are very nice presents. I’m a minimalistic too, so I don’t want to receive anything for in my house! But it could be fun to unwrap!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 4:24 PM

      Their gift section is always very good (even booze!) but this year they’ve really outdone themselves. Yeah, decor presents are always tricky, but Pedro has a special place in my heart 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    LA CONTESSA
    November 27, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    I only know and LOVE the NYX brand and I too ONLY wear browns!May have to treat myself!THANKS for the recommendations!!!!!
    BANKSY CARD is in THE MAIL as of SUNDAY!
    XO

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 27, 2018 at 4:22 PM

      OH FANTASTIC, thank you Elizabeth! I can’t wait to see it. This palette is the best palette I’ve ever EVER used. Every colour is a cracker. If you like browns, you’ll love it, I know. xx

  • Reply
    1010parkplace
    November 27, 2018 at 5:39 PM

    NYX… I didn’t know this brand, but it’s perfect for one of my girlfriends! Thanks so much! Your donkey salt and pepper shaker holder reminds me of a coiled rattlesnake salt and pepper shakers I received from a “white elephant” Christmas exchange with neighbors when I lived at the ranch. They were a little creepy, especially since I shot a couple of live rattlesnakes. They’re a problem in the Texas Hill Country. xoxox, Brenda

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:40 PM

      NYX is an American brand, so you should have no trouble finding it, Brenda. It is sort of like the new and improved Wet n’ Wild, if you know that one.

      Oh my, I much prefer Pedro to a coiled rattlesnake salt and pepper shaker, that is for sure!! xx

  • Reply
    stylishatsixty
    November 27, 2018 at 7:02 PM

    The candle looks a lovely gift – I will pop into a store to check it out. Some lovely gift ideas there. Thank you

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:38 PM

      You’re so welcome! My local Boots has a huge range of the candles. There is a ‘Linen’ scent which is also lovely, some fruity ones which I wasn’t crazy about, and some beautiful woody/spicy ones like the one I have. xx

  • Reply
    No Fear of Fashion
    November 28, 2018 at 11:14 AM

    I can imagine that the gifts of the previous years have led to many, many laughs. They served a good cause. But I can understand, you might want to throw it away after the laugh as it is too hideous. And that is not sustainable.
    I think your friends will love their presents. As you know I am not at all into make-up, skin care etc. Abnormal, I know. And we don’t do Christmas presents either. Dull around here.
    Greetje

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:37 PM

      Many of the previous years gifts were too rude to post about! They did make for some mirthful gift openings, but it is MUCH nicer to get things we’ll actually use and enjoy now. I feel like you can never go wrong with candles in a good non-controversial scent. I didn’t know you didn’t do Christmas presents?! xx

      • Reply
        No Fear of Fashion
        November 28, 2018 at 8:44 PM

        My darling husband has quite a few youth issues. Didn’t get along with hi parents from a very early age (11). So he never wanted to celebrate anything, no birthday, no Sinterklaas and no Christmas. As he never wanted having to say Thank you. That is still in his system and spoils it for everybody. So we don’t do gifts. It is what it is. I get spoiled all year round, no big loss.

        • Reply
          Lisa
          November 28, 2018 at 9:50 PM

          With your shopping, I don’t think you have any room for Christmas gifts too! xx

  • Reply
    Tracy Patil
    November 28, 2018 at 12:25 PM

    Great post, especially love that candle!! xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:33 PM

      They’re not expensive and they’re in my local Boots as well as online. Definitely give them a whirl, they’re fabulous and fun! xx

  • Reply
    Samantha Blair
    November 28, 2018 at 12:26 PM

    I’d be chuffed with any of these gifts, especially the beautiful candle… but Pedro made my heart melt a little.
    He is extra special.
    XXX
    Samantha

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:33 PM

      Pedro is a real charmer; the ladies all love him. Men, not so much. The candle everyone loves though! xx

  • Reply
    melissa williams
    November 28, 2018 at 4:49 PM

    The candle, the candle, the candle. I must have the candle. It crackles like a tiny fireplace?? WHAAAAT? Must have. Also- how can you possibly have a minimalist husband? . Your friends are getting some lovely gifts and that sounds like a really fun time! Thanks for sharing! Off to find a crackling candle. 😉
    ~Melissa xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 28, 2018 at 8:32 PM

      I know, the decor arguments are real in our house with his need for minimalism and my need for colour. We almost filed for divorce over ONE TINY WALL of wallpaper (just kidding. sort of). Keep me posted on your crackling candle situation! xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    November 29, 2018 at 11:36 AM

    I just love Pedro LOL!! I bet you had a right laugh buying gifts like that before common sense prevailed, Lisa!! What fun! These alternatives from Boots look fab though. I do love visiting Boots when I’m back in the UK. I shall have to look out for all these lovelies.
    Hugs
    Suzy xxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 3, 2018 at 3:36 PM

      Pedro is a bit of a scene-stealer, toddlers to grown ups love the old geezer. We did have a laugh out-shocking each other, but now it is a pleasure to have things we’ll actually use and not put in a closet! xx

  • Reply
    This Main Line Life
    November 29, 2018 at 4:11 PM

    That’s a really fun idea. Love Pedro!
    x, Julie | This Main line Life

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 3, 2018 at 3:34 PM

      He’s pretty charming, isn’t he!? xx

  • Reply
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