We all have person on our list who’s pretty, and like REALLY pretty but it can be kind of intimidating because people can be a little intense about their makeup, and you don’t want to seem like you’re not one of the cool kids like in the know, you know??
Well not to worry because I get enough beauty press releases to cause an internet blackout on the best of days, and of course I try my fair share of items too (y’all see my instastories, the beauty fairy godmother is rather kind to me). SO to make it easy peasy for you I’ve rounded up some of my fave fave products, and don’t worry they won’t all break the bank.
THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE FOR THE BEAUTY JUNKIE
SKINCEUTICALS
If you are looking for THE PREMO gift for your beauty junkie, you can pretty much select anything that Skinceuticals sells and you’ll be a winner. Their products are so so great, and really warrant some amazing results. Personally, I love their acids and serums like I come back to them time and time again. And recently I discovered they lip repair, and it’s actually the only lip product I’ve found to provide instant relief.
Advanced skincare backed by science, and born from decades of skin cancer research that led to pivotal breakthroughs in antioxidants, our high potency formulas are concentrated in pure actives and proven to penetrate optimally into skin. You can take comfort in knowing that Skinceuticals skincare is used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medi-spas for daily homecare and to complement their aesthetic procedures.
Skinceuticals is formulated to correct signs of aging, protect healthy skin, and prevent future damage.
I have an entire blog post coming on skincare acids why they’ve life changing, but until then feel free to any of these items into your online shopping cart.
A daytime vitamin C serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion.
A hydrating, soothing gel serum with botanical ingredients ideal to calm and hydrate skin while improving visual redness.
Emollient treatment helps improve environmental damage, while smoothing and refining the lips surface.
SOAP & GLORY AHA BODY LOTION
I’m obsessed with the Soap and Glory packaging I mean how could you not be?? It’s so stinkin’ cute, but better still the Sugar Crush lotion is fortified with AHA which not only moisturizes your skin, but also helps to improve the appearance of the skin too (helps with redness, brown spots, and over all appearance etc) what beauty junkie wouldn’t want that???
Who needs regular old body lotion when you can have a 3-in-1 body lotion?
Just be sure that when you’re using this product you avoid direct sunlight because AHA actually makes you more sensitive, but since it’s the dead of winter you should be good to go on that one.
Learn more about Soap and Glory, and or shop online here.
DERMABLEND CONCEALER + POWDER
Okay y’all these Dermablend products have seriously SAVED me the past couple weeks. I’ve been super under the weather turns out I had strep throat (no big deal), but with December being my busiest time for work, and also tossing back to back segments into the mix the struggle was real. However, you’d never know that (until I lost my voice) because of these two products.
I’ve been using the Dermablend powder, and concealer for about a month now, and I really don’t know what I did before.
With amazing coverage and a lightweight feel, I’m over the moon for these products. They also didn’t break me out which was a miracle considering I’ve been so stressed and traveling recently. If you’re interested Dermablend has a great color finder on their website so you can match yourself online (how cool is that).
To shop Dermablend products or learn more about the brand click here.
MUST HAVES AT SEPHORA
Okay so Sephora can be a tad overwhelming is you don’t know what you’re doing, BUT I’m here to tell you that they have some REALLY cool items for the beauty product lover.
Some of my recent favorites, are the following: The Sephora Brand brushes, Sephora Pro Palette (comes in cool, warm and editorial – and these colors are so beautiful and the pigment is amazing) Sephora Travel Products, Sephora Mini Color Switch (allows you to clean your brushes without any product at all), the Sephora Hair Brush Comb (helps you clean out those hard to get to hairs/ lint in your favorite brushes).
MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST FACE CUSTOM PALETTES
Another product I’ve been loving isn’t a Sephora brand, but rather Make Up For Ever! Recently they launched their custom palettes. I’ve been loving the ARTIST FACE COLOR duo. I chose two colors a blush + highlight combo (H- 106 + S- 214) and I’ve never been happier with a color choice.
I love a deep blush, and this product is so pigmented a little really goes a long way; while the highlight almost gives a dewy finish but it’s a powder so you know it’s staying put.
AWARD WINNING JOICO HAIR PRODUCTS
Not all hair spray or conditioners are made the same, but these two products from Joico are SOOOOO good.
Joico was awarded for not one, but TWO ELLE Grand Prix Beauty awards. The recently-launched K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock won for Best Hair Mask Over $15, while the Power Spray Fast-Dry Finishing Spray won for Best Hairspray.
You can trust the panel of experts that put their stamp of approval behind these products, and of course me!!
BEND BEAUTY
We believe beauty comes from within! You skin is a reflection of everything that’s going on in your body, so what you put in is directly what you see on the outside. For any beauty junkie (at any age) Bend Skin Omega 3 supplements are a MUST.
Topical skin treatments have limited penetration due to the epidermal barrier function. Bend Anti-Aging Formula overcomes this obstacle by delivering its 6 active ingredients via dermal blood supply. Although the epidermis does not have its own blood supply it is nourished by dermal cells via a process of diffusion. Bend Anti-Aging Formula improves the skin climate by altering eicosanoid production, signalling pathways, cell membrane function, and reducing oxidative stress. This physiological shift improves skin function, repair, and resilience.
Clinically proven to assist in preventing the effect from aging by protect your cells from the damage of environmental aggressors. Chronic inflammation and free radical stress both accelerate the bodies natural aging process.
“the antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein are effective at neutralizing free radicals generated by sun exposure and their unique properties help filter out harmful rays. Further sun protection is provided by EPA which reduces your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays and significantly reduces UV related skin inflammation”
Bend Beauty products help to optimize your skin climate by delivering 6 powerful actives via dermal microcirculation, and in approx. 90 days Bend Skincare fully saturates the skin to promote healthy skin climate.
BENEFITS: Improves Skin’s Hydration, Helps Improve Roughness, and elasticity, improves antioxidants for skin heath, and helps improve firmness, and elasticity.
For more ideas be sure to stay tuned for our Beauty Junkie Gift Guide !
SAJE WELLNESS MARBLE COSMETIC BAG
Another amazing gift for a frequent traveler (and beauty junkie) is the Bare Necessities Black Marble Travel Bag. It’s the perfect size, and all the little compartments ensure that all you cosmetics/goodies are perfect organized. This was a HUGE win for me recently while I was traveling in Montreal. I adored the little mesh zipper pouch for my makeup brushes, and it’s water resistant so totally helpful in prevent any leakage from skills (WIN). Beautiful, and practical it’s my favorite combo.
Honestly I don’t think I’ll need another travel bag again. (a) it’s marble so duh I’m obsessed, but (b) the compartments OH THE COMPARTMENTS.
They are just so so good, and it’s the perfect size, and honestly just go by it already you wont need much convincing. The Saje travel bag also comes in white marble too, and had I not been a fraidy cat (I tend to spill a lot things) I would have opted for it because it’s so beautiful.
L’OCCITANE SHEA BUTTER INTENSIVE HAND BALM
When you’re a beauty junkie you’ve pretty much tried it all, and any old hand cream isn’t going to do! You need the good stuff, and you need not look further than L’Occitane they pretty much have luxe skincare down to a science, and heck who are we to argue! I absolutely adore the L’Occitane Shea Butter hand cream it’s so soothing and it just feels amazing on your skin.
What I love is that a little goes a long way with this hand cream, so although I use this every night I’ve had it for months and months.
HIS + HERS FRAGRANCES
Hey now, not all beauty junkies are ladies! Dudes like to look and smell good too. Not to mention who says girls need to stick to “women’s fragrances” and vice versa! I know there’s plenty of men’s fragrances that I would totally rock so who am I to suggest otherwise.
FOR HIM
This fragrance from John Varvatos Artisan Blu is the ultimate embodiment of crystal blue waters under the warmth of the sun. The citrus aromatic fragrance exhales an elegant and refreshing personality, evoking the color-saturated, vibrant seaside lost in the Mediterranean summer .
Notes: Bergamot, French Lavender (yum), Chayote, Basil, Bitter Orange, Egyptian Geranium, Palmarosa, Florentine Iris, Orange Blossom Absolute, French Clary Sage, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Parasol Pine, Tamarisk, Pistachio Tree Resin.
Style: Revitalizing. Elegant. Serene.
ABOUT THE BRAND: Conveying the ideals of the John Varvatos lifestyle, the John Varvatos fragrance collection exudes confidence, elegance, and masculinity with the perfect touch of softness and ease to create a sense of intimacy. Boasting several unique, high perfumery ingredients, the fragrance is an alluring, woody-oriental blend that caters to the man who values his own personal style and poise.
Visit the John Varvatos boutique
I like to say that I’ve never met a Juicy Couture Fragrance that I didn’t like. With the perfect amount of sweet and fresh it’s always a win for me.
FOR HER
Sooooo I’m a bit a hugger (are you surprised), so whenever I hug people I almost always get the same reaction “you smell amazing, what is that” and I always say Juicy Couture. Fact of the matter I love all their scents, but with the holidays coming up the Juicy Couture Rose couldn’t be more perfect.
Sparkling. Charming. Exuberant. Celebrate the season with Viva la Juicy Rosé Eau de Parfum, a light-hearted toast to the forever vibrant Viva girl. Dressed in sparkling pink, she experiences the world through Rosé colored glasses. This effervescent fragrance pops with fizzy citrus perfection. It sparkles in a dew of jasmine and rose honey-like blossoms for a dreamy scent that is kissed by the glow of sensual amber. Cheers!
Fragrance Notes: Top – Italian mandarin, fresh William pear, jasmine petals. Mid – Rose centifolia absolute, white peony, jasmine sambac. Dry Down – Orris absolute, benzoin, ambrox
Like I mentioned I loveeeee the Juicy Fragrances, and if you follow me on Insta you know I have basically all of them.
DRUG STORE FAVORITES
Who says you need to break the bank for the beauty junkie? A lot of cult classics are available in your favorite drug stores, or discount department stores! Some of which include the Nivea 2-in-1 Primer which was created after the internet went bananas for their men’s aftershave balm as primer. This version is lightly scented, and comes in this adorable slim (great for travel) container.
Crest White strips are forever a classic with the same ingredients as dentist strength whitening is so much more affordable, and bonus no impressions needed! Now they even have a set that comes with a light which is designed to get your teeth even whiter so you can get even better results.
Olay knows skincare guys, they’ve been around the block and they’ve done their research. I’ve been seriously loving the Olay Age Defying Advanced Gel Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid it absorbs SUPER quick, is wonderfully light weight, and it actually hydrates. For the price I’d say it’s the best bang for your buck on the market. Also a great gift for men too because it’s not greasy or oily after application so great for men when they aren’t applying makeup after.
Herbal Essences, who doesn’t love the smell of their products? So of course they created a dry shampoo. While the Herbal Essence’s Dry Shampoo product is marketed as a dry shampoo the product isn’t white like it’s competition (amazing when you have darker hair), and it adds a wonderfully fresh scent to your hair making it great for day two- day- three- day- four hair!
FLAWLESS BY FRIDAY
I love sheet masks, so naturally I was interested in trying the under eye masks! Recently while traveling in Montreal I decided to give these products a go I mean what’s worse conditions to test than traveling and EXTREME cold weather ? I was very impressed with these products! I love how hydrated my skin felt, and like any true beauty junkie i loved the clean package design too.
Be sure to take a peek at their serums too! They have some really nice products. To learn more about the Flawless by Friday brand and shop online click here.
VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Remember when we said that beauty comes from the inside?? Well we meant it. Your skin is a direct reflection of what’s going on in your body, so if you’re seeing a lot of dulliness or a lot of breakouts you might want to consider reevaluating your diet. I’ve been taking Collagen Peptides in my coffee for well over a month now, and while these things are VERY difficult to measure (just look at the research) I do feel better knowing that I’m nurturing my body in a positive way. I also like the idea of getting an extra 8 gram of protein in my coffee in the morning (which usually I don’t feel like eating right away).
Benefits of collagen supplements include the following: Improves Health of Skin and Hair, Reduces Joint Pains and Degeneration, Helps Heal Leaky Gut, Boosts Metabolism, Muscle Mass and Energy Output., Strengthens Nails, Hair and Teeth, Improves Liver Health, and Protects Cardiovascular Health.
While the jury is still out on this one in terms of research I still give it a thumbs up I feel like my skin has never looked better!
Grab your Vital Proteins online at Pure Feast. I combed the internet fat and wide, and I could not for the life of me find an online shipment of Vital Proteins from Canada (I really didn’t want to get into paying duties and taxes) until that is, I found Pure Feast. Pure Feast is a great resource for pure organic foods, and supplements and bonus it’s shipping from Canada do no surprises upon delivery.
B6 + BIOTIN INFORCER SHAMPOO
Last but not least! Any beauty junkie is likely styling their hair, blow drying it, probably doing updos this time of year, so the damage is REAL. I’ve been using the L’Oreal Professional Serie Biotin Inforcer hair care system for the better part of two months, and not only does it smell great I feel like my hair has never looked or felt better.
I love the L’Oreal Professional Shampoo + Conditioner, but even more so I LOVE the Brush Proof Anti Breakage + Detangler. Oh my word this stuff makes my hair feel like silk.
You hair is never more fragile than when it’s wet (consider it to be like silk it’s that delicate), so when you’re brushing your hair when it’s wet you need to SUPER duper careful. Because I don’t wash my hair everyday and I work out quite a bit, I’ll admit my hair is pretty gross by the time I wash it meaning I typically need to do a double wash. Which can leave my fine wavy hair a little more than tangled, and although I use a wet brush something I need a little help in getting a brush through it. I love that the Brush Proof Anti Breakage + Detangler is an aerosol spray because it takes FOREVER to dry my hair so the last thing I want to do is make it more wet, as least with this product it’s super light, but definitely WORKS. Love love love.
Well this concludes our holiday gifts guides for 2017. I hope they made things a little easier for you this year! Wishing you all the happiest of holidays, and looking forward to the New Year!
xx
Kayla
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