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Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Best Beauty Gifts for Last Minute Gift Giving

Who doesn't like to be pampered with a special gift they wouldn't normally buy for themselves, especially during the holidays or for another special occasion?

Whether you have nearly finished your holiday shopping or are just getting started, you can order these these beauty gifts and have them delivered quickly. I've included gifts at a variety of price ranges in this review, from stocking stuffers to splurges.

Happy gift-giving!

Note: I am an Amazon Associates and a ShopMy affiliate partner. If you purchase anything through the product links in this review, I may earn a small commission.

Beauty Gifts Under $25

These inexpensive gifts pack a big punch for their low price tags. They're perfect stocking stuffers for the beauty lovers on your list or anyone who could use a bit of pampering.

NISHEL Large Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag for Women

The Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag is far and away the best bag of its kind I have ever owned, and I have tried a lot of different brands and models over the years. It holds a LOT of products, from shampoo, soap, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, razor, etc., to sunscreen, skincare and makeup — enough for quite a long trip, if desired — while keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible throughout your stay.

Despite how much it holds, it folds and zips up into a compact size with convenient carrying handles.

I wrote an in-depth product review of the Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag last year that includes photos of how I pack mine so you can see just how much it holds and how you might want to organize yours. Also, although it is marketed as a women's travel toiletry bag, it would also be great for men who like to travel with more toiletries than can comfortably fit in a traditional Dopp Kit style bag.

NISHEL Large Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag

The NISHEL Large Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag is for women who travel with a lot of makeup and prefer a train case style bag.

This large-capacity makeup bag measures 10.5 x 7.5 x 7 inches and has both top and bottom makeup storage compartments with a capacious center section with elastic straps that can accommodate even large fluffy makeup brushes easily.

The large main section can hold bottles, tubes, compacts, palettes, etc., and includes a removable divider that you can position as desired (or omit). The top section, inside the lid, is a shallow zippered compartment that's perfect for a larger makeup palette.

Like the travel toiletry bag, the outer shell is a soft, smooth, quilted microfiber material that is both attractive and easy to clean.

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette Makeup, 12 Pigmented Matte & Shimmer Shades

This Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is absolutely stunning and is an incredible bargain. It contains 12 extremely wearable, neutral eyeshadow shades in both matte and shimmer finishes that would be flattering on any eye color or skin tone.

The matte shadows could be used alone for an extremely subtle, conservative look, or can be paired with the metallic shimmer shades for a fancier evening or special occasion makeup look.

Maybelline is known for high-quality, highly pigmented makeup at very affordable prices. This would be great for anyone from a teen to a senior who enjoys "putting on a face."

Note: Although this eyeshadow palette comes with two double-ended sponge applicators, I would highly recommend giving your gift recipient a set of good makeup brushes if they don't already own some.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

This NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette is another terrific choice with 16 high-quality eyeshadow shades to suit any eye color or complexion. The highly pigmented shadows include a mix of safari-inspired neutral browns in a range of finishes, from matte and satin to shimmery and metallic shades.

The colors in this palette were curated by makeup professionals in Los Angeles. It is recommended to apply these shadows over an eyeshadow primer for the best color payoff.

NYX eyeshadows are now vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged with 30% recycled materials.

Shower Steamers Aromatherapy Box of 6 Premium Shower Bombs with Essential Oils

These Shower Steamers Aromatherapy Shower Bombs with Essential Oils are the perfect, affordable way to pamper someone who doesn't love makeup or skincare but loves a warm, relaxing shower. They will make the lucky recipient feel like they have escaped to a relaxing spa for a while, in the comfort of their own home.

This set of six shower steamers comes beautifully gift boxed for easy gift giving. The six scents in the green box, which come from fragrant essential oils, are eucalyptus, green tea, jasmine, rose, lemongrass, and lavender in the green box. If you choose the blue box, your giftee will receive eucalyptus, peppermint, green tea, lemongrass, salvia, and tea tree. The pink box contains rose, gardenia, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and jasmine to make your recipient feel relaxed, restored, and well rested.

These shower steamers are a cinch to use. Let your gift recipient know to unwrap one, place it in the corner of their shower away from the water stream, and allow the steam activate the fragrance from the essential oils.

Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit, 6 Travel Size Products

This Burt's Bees Tips & Toes Kit makes a wonderful, unisex stocking stuffer. It's a nicely boxed set of five travel-size products and a sixth, full-size product that would also be great for a purse, gym bag or briefcase:

A tube of Honey & Grapeseed Nourishing Hand Cream
A tin of Almond & Milk Hand Cream
A tin of Hand Salve
A tin of Burt's Bee's Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
A tube of Coconut Oil & Soap Bark Softening Food Cream
A tube of Pomegranate Moisturizing Lip Balm

This would make a great gift for anyone of any age, especially during the cold winter months.

Beauty Gifts Under $50

These affordable gifts are sure to please.

Jenny Patinkin makes my absolute favorite makeup brush cleaners.

As I have explained in previous reviews about washing makeup on brushes, keeping makeup brushes clean and sanitary is essential for many reasons, including optimal performance and avoiding cross-contamination of bacteria between your brushes, your makeup, and your skin.

I use the Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner with a microfiber cloth to clean my makeup brushes in just seconds after each use. Then, either once a week (if I'm wearing makeup most days) or every other week, I wash them properly with the Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap.

With these two products, I am able to care for even my most expensive makeup brushes effectively yet gently. The set of both products would make a fabulous gift for any makeup wearer!

Body & Earth Ocean Gift Basket - 7-Piece Bath and Body Gift Set

This Body & Earth 7-Piece Ocean Gift Basket Set consists of a reusable bathtub-shaped "basket" filled with 6 luxurious ocean-scented bath and body products:

Bath Salts
Shower Gel
Bubble Bath
Body Lotion
Bar Soap
Scented Glass Votive Candle

Your gift recipients will think of you fondly as they luxuriate in a bubble bath or fragrant shower, and their skin will be silky soft thanks to the body lotion.

The contents are beautifully packaged in an aqua blue and white pattern reminiscent of ocean waves. This gift looks much more expensive than its affordable price tag would suggest!

9-Piece Vanilla Coconut Home Spa Gift Basket Set

An even more luxurious set is the 9-Piece Vanilla Coconut Home Spa Gift Basket Set from LOVERY.

This set features vanilla and coconut-scented bath and body products enriched with moisturizing vitamin E oil and shea butter packed inside a ribbon-tied 9.5-inch tall, 4.5-inch square gift basket.

Because the scent isn't particularly masculine or feminine, this would make a great gift for men as well as women.

This set includes:

Bath Oil
Shower Gel
Bubble Bath
Body Scrub
Bath Salts
2 Bath Bombs
Bath Towel
Reusable Decorative Basket

Real Techniques 9 -Piece Au Naturale Makeup Brush Set

For the woman (or girl) who doesn't have a good set of makeup brushes, the Real Techniques Au Naturale Makeup Brush 9 Piece Set would be a great starter set or a nice but inexpensive upgrade (if she's just using whatever cheap brushes or applicators come with her makeup). It would also make a great second set to keep in a gym bag.

This set of cruelty-free, vegan makeup brushes for face, cheeks and eyes includes:

Ultimate Powder Brush
Light Layers Complexion Brush
Perfecting Prime Brush
Blurring Concealer Brush
Precision Fan Brush
Full Coverage Brush
Shading Brush
Defining Crease Brush
Flat Liner Brush

The brushes have sturdy aluminum ferrules and custom-cut UltraPlush synthetic bristles that apply and blend makeup beautifully.

DRMTLGY Pumpkin Enzyme Face Mask with Jojoba Beads

The DRMTLGY Pumpkin Enzyme Mask with Jojoba Beads is one of my favorite face masks. It's a great way to get a spa-like facial-treatment affordably, in the comfort of your own home.

This mask uses a combination of enzymatic and physical exfoliants to brighten dull skin and leave it feeling soft and silky. It reduces the appearance of large pores, deeply hydrates the skin, cleanses impurities, and gently exfoliates the dead surface layer of the skin for a smoother, more radiant complexion.

Key skin-loving ingredients include pumpkin, jojoba oil beads, kaolin clay, vitamin E, peptides, ceramides, enzymes, and colloidal silver.

You can read more about this outstanding rejuvenating face mask in my detailed product review that explains why it's The Best Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for Brighter, Softer, Smoother Skin.

Beauty Gifts Over $50

I have a large collection of high-quality makeup brushes, but I still had to buy this adorable Jenny Patinkin Brush Babies Mini Makeup Brush Set.

This tiny pink zippered pouch holds 6 mini makeup brushes that feature full-size vegan, synthetic bristle brush heads on palm-size weighted handles that give them the same balance as full-length brushes without the size.

The brushes in this set are:

Complexion
Powder/Blush
Concealer
Eyeshadow
Crease
Smudge

Jenny Patinkin claims that her brushes have 2.5x the number of bristles as other brushes. I'm not sure which brushes she's comparing them to, but her brushes definitely have ultra-fine bristles and a luxurious feel and deliver an extremely smooth makeup application.

This mini but mighty set is perfect for an avid makeup lover who appreciates good quality makeup brushes. Even if your gift recipient already has a good set of brushes, she will love this mini makeup brush set for her purse, car, desk, gym bag, or carry-on bag.

By now you know that I feel strongly about the importance of good quality makeup brushes for a beautiful, seamless, professional-looking makeup application.

BK BEAUTY x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Makeup Brush Set - Vol. 1 (7-Pc Set)

Although it took me many years to bite the bullet and invest in a really good set, I finally did. In fact, I have become a bit of a high-end makeup brush collector by now. I wish I had made the investment sooner, as the positive difference in my makeup application when using good brushes is really noticeable. Of course, it's also important to learn good application techniques, but with the right tools, it's so much easier.

My very favorite makeup brushes of all time are this set of BK Beauty x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Makeup Brushes Vol. 1. Nikki is an incredibly talented makeup artist with a long list of celebrity clients and her work is amazing. The collab she did with one of my favorite brush companies, BK Beauty, to create this 7-piece set of professional makeup brushes is simply superb.

The set includes:

The N14 Petite Precision Multitasker — ideal for small areas
The tapered N15 Precision Medium Powder brush — perfect for blending, bronzer, and contouring
The N16 Pro Concealer brush — its triangular tip allows for precise concealer application
The N17 Multi-Pro Face brush — an ingenious, dual-sided brush with lighter bristles on one side for creams and liquids and darker bristles on the other side for powders
The N11 Ultimate Angle brush — lets you create a winged liner look effortlessly with a single stroke
The N12 Ultimate Smudger — designed for blending pencil liner, smudging, and defining eyes and lips
The N13 Precision Pro Blender — ideal for deep-set, mature, and small eyes (which I really appreciate).

All seven brushes are multitaskers that make them worth their weight in gold for anyone who loves a beautiful, professional-looking makeup application. In fact, pro makeup artists love this set!

Although it's definitely a splurge, any serious beauty lover would adore getting this fabulous set and its complementary companion, the BK Beauty x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Brush Set Vol. 2, which has eight of the most unusual and ingenious multi-tasking makeup brushes on the market.

I hope this review of the best beauty gifts for last-minute gift giving helps you find the perfect gifts for people on your list!

The Best Beauty Gifts for Last Minute Gift Giving by Margaret Schindel

Saturday, December 2, 2023

A Candle Day Review

Candle Day is held each year on the first Saturday in December.

Candle Day

The retail company “Bath and Body Works” started 'Candle Day' to promote their annual candle sale. The sale gives candle lovers time to stock up on world-famous candles at special low prices. Since candles are great for gifting, especially during the holiday season, this annual 'sale' day in early December is perfectly timed.

Brief History of Candles

Candles have been around for more than 5,000 years. Early civilizations used wax made from available plants and beeswax. They were used to provide light in the many years before electricity was invented.

Today, candles are mainly a symbol of celebration and for religious ceremonies. They come in many shapes, sizes and scents.

In addition to the Bath and Body Works sales day on December 2, we also celebrate World Candle Day on March 1. That International candle day was begun by two associations, the Latin American Candle Manufacturers Association and the European Candle Manufacturers Association.

Let's look at a few sources of candles.

Champagne Candle

Bath and Body Works is famous for their 3-wick candles. This Champagne Candle is perfect for a New Year's Eve celebration. It is a 14.5 oz jar candle with an amazing scent.

Ocean Air

Another well-known candle brand is Yankee Candles. This Ocean Air candle will allow you to enjoy memories of your beach vacation or those of a fresh breeze off the ocean anytime you want, even in the middle of winter.

Handmade Candles

Shopping on a handmade site like Etsy, you can choose any scent you want, from favorite kitchen odors like apple pie baking in the oven to holiday and seasonal scents. These candles come in standard jars or pretty glassware, in pretty tins and wood, in fancy & novelty shapes and sizes, and with delightful scents, including aromatherapy.

Knot Candle

Knit Knot CandleCheck Price

Being a yarn crafter, I fell in love with this Knot Candle, as it reminded me of the Knot Knit Stitch. The twisted knot shape would look so pretty in my craft room.

It's a homemade soy wax candle handmade by Urban Craft Style on Etsy.

Cat Candle

Round or square candles, stand-alone or in a glass jar, often appear to be the standard type of candles. But a novelty type candle in a cute shape is also popular.

Chubby Cat CandlesCheck Price

Cat lovers like me would love this adorable chubby cat candle. It comes in a variety of colors and scents from the Etsy Store of Melou Candles of Toronto, Canada. Lara also makes her candles in the shape of owls, elephants and teddy bears, among many others. I think they would make darling gifts.

Summary

Candles can give you magical mood moments. Depending upon the scent, they can transport you to a garden of roses or a sunny day on a tropical beach. Light the wick, take a deep breath, and let a favorite scent transport you where you want to be for a few quiet moments.

So choose your favorite brand, or a fun handmade candle, and enjoy.

Happy Candle Day!

Link to a Related Candle Review:

Yankee Candles for Easter review written by Treasures by Brenda

For more Holiday Reviews, Click Here
ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*Candle Day Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Awesome, Affordable Beauty Gifts to Fill Her Christmas Stocking

Now that the fall season is upon us, it's time to start thinking about what to buy for the friends and family members on our holiday gift lists.

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to give special things that our gift recipients would love to have but might not treat themselves to. While larger, more expensive Christmas gifts might need to be a bit more practical, stocking stuffers are the perfect vehicle to treat giftees to something a bit more fun and indulgent that won't break the bank.

Affordable Beauty Gift Stocking Stuffers

Image generated using Canva AI tools

Many women and teen girls love and use makeup, skincare, and other beauty-related products, while others who might feel guilty spending money on something so impractical might secretly love to receive beauty gifts to enhance their appearance.

Even women who don't wear much makeup might enjoy some nice skincare, bath, or spa products to make them feel a bit more pampered and special.

Following are some wonderful affordable beauty gift stocking stuffer ideas handpicked to delight the women and teen girls on your Christmas list.

The Best Affordable Makeup Stocking Stuffers

Whether your gift recipient wears just a quick swipe of lip balm or enjoys a full face of glam makeup for special occasions, I've got makeup stocking stuffer ideas that your favorite woman or teen will love.

Nearly all of these makeup gifts are priced at $25 or less, and most cost less than $15, so it's easy to put together a nice selection to fill her Christmas stocking without busting your holiday gift budget.

There are so many little-known brands on Amazon (mostly from China) that knock off high-end palettes and other makeup but are of questionable quality and safety. It's hard to know whom you can trust!

The brands I am recommending are excellent quality, established, and trustworthy companies that make products that perform as well as much more expensive brands and offer very similar products at value prices. So, you can order these affordable beauty gifts with confidence.

Lip Balm, Gloss, or Oil

I feel positively undressed without something on my lips, especially since mine tend to be dry and chap easily in winter. I own a large collection of lip balms, glosses, and lip oils ranging from drugstore to high-end, and I'm very picky about quality! Here are some of my most affordable favorites.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm - Best of Burt's 4-Piece Set

Burt's Bees Lip Balm 4-Piece Set contains Burt's Bees beeswax lip balms in different flavor combinations, including the Best of Burt's Bees combo of Original with vitamin E and peppermint, Strawberry, Coconut & Pear, and Vanilla Bean.

These lip balms are great to keep by the bedside, in a purse, in a coat pocket, etc., so it's great to have a four-pack! There's a reason these have stood the test of time. (I've used them for decades!) Even women and teens who don't wear makeup will appreciate a good set of lip balms, especially in the winter months.

You can also get the Burt's Bees Superfruit Lip Balm Set featuring Pink Grapefruit, Mango, Coconut & Pear, and Pomegranate.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Fat Oil Lip Drip, Moisturizing Lip Oil Gloss

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Fat Oil Lip Drip is a real bargain! It has all the moisture, shine, and gorgeous shades of high-end glosses without the premium price tag.

This lip gloss is also vegan and comes in a range of shades to suit any taste. I own three colors and am tempted to add a few more to my collection.

If you're not sure which color your gift recipient might like, the clear version will add a beautiful shine to bare lips or over a favorite lipstick. Or, choose a few different shades to add to her stocking.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Butter Gloss, Non-Sticky Lip Gloss Pack Of 3 NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Butter Gloss is a cult favorite among beauty influencers and makeup artists, for good reason. This gloss keeps lips soft and smooth, adds a hint of flattering color, and isn't sticky. This set of 3 NYX Butter Glosses in packs of three extremely wearable shades is a winner!

Another extremely affordable gloss that looks and acts like those from more expensive brands is the Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss. The shades range from neutrals and pinks to reds that are flattering to many different complexions. The formula is long-lasting, moisturizing, and non-sticky while providing lots of shine.

This gloss is also cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny-approved (i.e., the company has made a genuine commitment to ending animal testing), and looks beautiful on bare lips or over lipstick or balm. Rimmel is a very popular brand in Europe that more and more beauty editors are recommending in the affordable beauty category.

Makeup Palettes

Makeup palettes are extremely popular beauty gifts for the Christmas holidays. They feel like an indulgence that your recipient might not buy for herself but would love to receive as a gift. They're also great to take on vacations, business trips, etc.

Fortunately, the affordable makeup palette selections are getting better and better, with shades and formulations that rival those of expensive luxury brands. The shades available at any given time may change, but you're sure to find some wonderful options among my top recommendations.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP palettes are a fantastic choice. The quality and selection for the price can't be beat. The NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate eyeshadow palettes each contain 16 highly pigmented eye shadows that glide onto the lid silky smooth and blend out effortlessly.

Some palettes are all-matte, while most include a mix of matte, satin, shimmer, and/or metallic shades. Your gift recipient will have fun mixing and matching the 16 shades to create a whole wardrobe of eye looks for different moods, outfits, and occasions.

The Warm Neutrals palette is a great choice for everyday wear.

Tip: Most teen girls would love the gift of a good eyeshadow palette!

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Highlight & Contour Pro Palette

If your gift recipient is really into makeup, she would probably love the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Highlight & Contour Pro Palette.

It contains eight "creamy" powder highlight and contour shades that are pigmented enough to make a difference, but not so pigmented that they are hard to blend out (one of the keys to effective face contouring).

Learning how to contour subtly can help you slim (or shorten) your nose, accentuate (or fake) cheekbones, minimize jowls, and other artistic "magic tricks."

This set has a wide enough range of shades to work for many different skin tones, too.

Physicians Formula All-Star Face Palette

Physicians Formula is another of those affordable beauty brands loved by magazine editors and influencers that looks and acts like formulas costing much more.

The brand is known for its silky powder formulas, and a Physicians Formula Face Palette is a great way to give a beautiful selection of coordinating powders in a range of finishes.

For example, the Physicians Formula All-Star Face Palette includes six stunning pans of bronzers, highlighters, blush, and face powder to flatter many complexions, although they are probably best suited to light-to-medium skin tones.

ColourPop Of Quartz Eyeshadow Palette

ColourPop Eyeshadow Palettes are amazing quality for the price. The brand is famous for its stunning palettes and, especially, its fabulous shimmer shades.

I have one of the 9-pan palettes in the shade "Of Quartz" and absolutely love it.

I love the versatile mix of mattes and shimmers and how easily I can blend out the formula, even on my crepey, hooded lids.

There are also larger palettes, including "mega" sizes with 30 shades (which won't fit in a stocking)! You can choose from sets that would appeal to women who prefer subtle makeup or colorways with bold, bright hues that fashionistas and teen girls would enjoy.

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Eyeshadow Palette, 12 Shades

The Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Eyeshadow Palette comes in a smaller choice of shades, but these eyeshadows have the same luxe feel as the brand's acclaimed face powders, blushes, highlighters, and bronzers. It's a wonderfully blendable formula that's extremely easy to apply and manipulate to achieve the desired look.

I also appreciate the mix of matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic shades in these versatile palettes that would flatter all skin tones.

Like all Physicians Formula makeup products, these eye shadows are clean, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin and eyes, and dermatologist-tested.

Tips on Choosing Eyeshadow Palettes as Gifts

If you're not sure which palettes your gift recipients might prefer, here are some guidelines to help you choose.

Green and hazel eyes are complemented by purple shades, taupes, and earth tones, including bronzes, golds, and burgundies.
Blue eyes are flattered by warm, orangey browns, like amber or copper, or gray and silver shades for a smokey eye look.
Brown eyes can wear almost any shade, especially warm browns, golds, purples, and blues.
When in doubt a neutral color palette is the most versatile and flatters most eye colors and skin tones.

Just remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules when choosing eyeshadow colors, especially for beauty lovers!

Affordable Skincare Stocking Stuffers for Women and Teen Girls

An effective skincare routine makes a huge difference in our skin's appearance and health. A stocking filled with a good quality makeup remover, facial cleanser, micellar water, facial serum, and moisturizer would be a wonderful gift for teens as well as for any woman who still washes her face with soap. (Most soaps are too harsh for facial skin, disrupting the protective skin barrier and causing excessive dryness, oiliness, acne, sensitivity, and other problems!)

A set of sheet masks would be a wonderful treat to encourage someone who's feeling stressed or overextended to squeeze in a few minutes of much-needed, relaxing, self-care and "me time."

While you might want to tailor products to the recipient's skin type, the following recommendations are appropriate for most.

Oil-Based Cleansing Balm/Makeup Remover

Cleansing balms are a great first step to remove sunscreen, makeup, and skincare at the end of the day. One of my favorites, Farmacy Green Clean makeup meltaway cleansing balm, is available on Amazon.

Farmacy Green Clean Fragrance-Free Cleansing Balm for Sensitive Skin - Makeup Remover

This reformulated, extremely popular makeup-removing balm, which comes in a fragrance-free version that's perfect for sensitive skin types, dissolves even stubborn, long-wear makeup, waterproof mascaras, and mineral sunscreens. It's the first step in a two-step cleanse, to be followed by a gentle facial cleanser.

This cleansing balm is effective without stripping the skin of its natural moisture or damaging the protective skin barrier. It leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, not dry or tight. It's also free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial coloring and is not tested on animals.

Farmacy Green Clean cleansing balm starts to melt into an oil as you massage it into your skin with your fingers, and then it turns into a milky cleanser as you add water and continue to massage. Just rinse with warm water and continue with step two (your gentle facial cleanser). I also recommend following with micellar water on a cotton pad to remove any cleanser residue before applying your nighttime skincare routine.

Facial Masks

SpaLife Holiday Treats Facial Masks Set of 12

The SpaLife Holiday Treats Facial Masks 12-Pack has the cutest, most festive packaging! It's also more wintry than specifically Christmas-y, so it would also make a great gift for other winter holidays and gift-giving occasions.

The set comes with a dozen face mask packets in four yummy holiday scents, so it's easy to split up into multiple gifts to help stuff several stockings.

It includes three of each of the following:

Eggnog-scented anti-aging facial masks
Peppermint cocoa-scented nourishing facial masks
Gingerbread-scented soothing facial masks
Candy cane sundae-scented brightening facial masks

These would make great gifts for anyone who loves a bit of holiday whimsy!

TONYMOLY is an extremely popular Korean skincare brand that's PETA-certified and 100% cruelty-free (no animal testing).

The TONYMOLY I'm Real Sheet Mask Collection is a fun way to introduce the women or teen girls on your gift list to sheet masks—skincare-infused paper masks that hold the serum against your skin and let it soak in as you lie back and relax.

TONYMOLY I’m Real Sheet Mask Set of 5

This set of 5 different sheet masks focuses on deep hydration and includes one each of the following:

I'm Rose, infused with rose extract to hydrate and calm the skin
I'm Cactus, infused with cactus extract to deliver long-lasting hydration to dry skin
I'm Pearl, infused with pearl extract to boost radiance and improve skin tone
I'm Green Tea, infused with green tea extract to calm irritation and provide antioxidant benefits
I'm Lotus, infused with lotus extract to lightly hydrate, purify, and balance skin

To use them, start with a freshly cleansed and dried face. Apply toner, then Lie or lean back, open and unfold the sheet mask carefully, and place it over the face, aligning the cutouts with your eyes, nose, and mouth. Gently smooth the mask against the skin and let the serum soak in for 15–20 minutes. (I recommend listening to music or an audiobook to enhance the relaxation effect.) Then remove the paper and pat/press in any excess serum into the face and neck.

Gift-Worthy Skincare Sets

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Hydrated Ever After Skincare Mini Kit

The e.l.f. SKIN Hydrated Ever After Skincare Mini Kit includes small sizes of everything a woman or teen girl on your gift list will need to keep her face soft, smooth, and hydrated. It includes a makeup melting cleansing balm, facial cleanser, hydrating booster drops, face cream, and eye cream.

These products are infused with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump the skin, ceramides to help strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, and peptides to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

While these products would be ideal for someone with dry skin year-round, they are also excellent for all skin types during the cold, dry weather months. (Did you know that even oily skin needs hydration to help regulate oil production?)

Even if your gift recipient already has a skincare routine, she will appreciate this complete set of TSA-approved travel sizes for packing.

All of e.l.f.'s products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny-certified, and they're very good quality at surprisingly low prices. The price for this travel-friendly 5-piece skincare kit as a stocking stuffer can't be beat!

COSRX All About Snail Mucin Korean Skincare Mini Travel Essentials Gift Set

Korean skincare is known for its innovation and high quality at reasonable prices, and COSRX is a popular brand recommended by many dermatologists and beauty influencers. The COSRX All About Snail Kit would make a wonderful gift for women with more mature or sensitive skin.

The hero ingredient, snail mucin, may sound off-putting, but it's a powerhouse skincare ingredient with multiple benefits. In the medically-reviewed 2023 EveryDay Health article "Snail Mucin 101: A Detailed Guide," Georgia Smith, a Sydney, Australia-based cosmetic chemist and founder of Skin Sister, described snail mucin as "a complex mix of proteins, enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides, iron, zinc, and proteoglycans." It can help strengthen the skin barrier; retain moisture; improve plumpness, smoothness, fine lines, and wrinkles; promote collagen building; enhance wound healing; and improve the appearance of scarring. It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, potentially helping with acne and redness.

The COSRX All About Snail Kit includes TSA-approved travel sizes of four of the brand's most coveted skincare products:

Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream
Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream

Pampering Body Care Stocking Stuffers

Skincare isn't just for the face, especially during the cold, dry winter months. A gift of a body wash, body scrub, exfoliating gloves, or moisturizing body lotion can soothe and smooth dry, crepey skin all winter long. A moisturizing hand cream, cuticle balm, or foot cream is something every woman or teen girl can use.

Here are some gift-worthy body care stocking stuffer ideas.

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers or Bath Bombs

Cleverfy Set of 6 Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

I only recently learned about shower steamers, which are similar to bath bombs but designed for use during a shower instead of a bath.

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers are beautifully packaged and are available in several different assortments of different sizes and scents.

The boxed sets of six Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers are the perfect size for stocking stuffers, but you might also consider splitting one of the larger assortments into several gifts.

I really like the set of six aromatherapy shower steamers that includes one each of the following scents:

Eucalyptus & Menthol
Lemongrass & Coconut
Orange & Cinnamon
Graoefruit
Spearmint
Watermelon

There's also a slightly different version with Eucalyptus & Menthol, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Peppermint, Lavender, and Vanilla & Sweet Orange scents, as well as a Set of 18 Mint Mix Shower Steamers featuring Eucalyptus & Menthol, Spearmint and Peppermint scents.

Hand and Foot Care

The Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit is a boxed, six-piece set of travel size products for hands, feet, and lips. It's perfect for gift-giving and costs less than you might expect.

These mini sizes would be great for a purse, gym bag or briefcase:

Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit, 6 Travel Size Products

A tube of Honey & Grapeseed Nourishing Hand Cream
A tin of Almond & Milk Hand Cream
A tin of Hand Salve
A tin of Burt's Bee's Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
A tube of Coconut Oil & Soap Bark Softening Food Cream
A tube of Pomegranate Moisturizing Lip Balm

These travel-size products would certainly be appreciated by frequent travelers.

Also, consider putting together a set of high-quality nail care tools for a woman or teen who loves having pretty nails (or wishes she had them). Check out my in-depth guide to The Best Manicure Tools to see my personally curated, tried-and-true picks. Consider adding a bottle or two of nail polish. Essie nail polish kits always include some great holiday gift sets at affordable prices, and the quality is excellent.

Spa Accessories

Consider filling her stocking with one or more spa accessories to up her beauty and skincare game. Check out my in-depth reviews of the best spa headbands for face washing, skincare, and makeup application, the best silicone face cleansing brushes, the best reusable microfiber facial cleansing sponges, and my favorite microfiber face washing wristbands to keep your arms and sleeves dry.

Need an Elegant Christmas Stocking to Stuff?

Check out my recent product reviews of The Most Beautiful Christmas Stockings for Elegant Holiday Decor. You’ll find a selection of festive picks to hold these beauty gift stocking stuffers.

❆❅❄ Wishing you and your loved ones a beauty-filled holiday! ❄❅❆

Awesome, Affordable Beauty Gifts to Fill Her Christmas Stocking by Margaret Schindel

Saturday, January 7, 2023

Bubble Bath Day – A January Holiday

Reviewing a bubbly holiday observed every year on January 8th.

Bubble Bath Day

No one knows who originally decided that January 8th should be a day to celebrate the 'Bubble Bath'. It was probably created by someone who needed to relax after a tough day.

If you are wondering how to celebrate this 'bubbly' day, it depends on how old you are.

Kids find it simple - fill the tub with bubbles and some water toys - then hop in and play!
For the ladies, a bubble bath is a time to relax! Fill the tub with your favorite bubbles and just enjoy the soothing waters. You can also set the mood with candles, some soft music and perhaps a glass of wine.
Guys don't need to feel left out on Bubble Bath day either. It's a good way to get in touch with your feminine side, as well as relaxing sore muscles!

*Interesting side note: Bubble Bath Day takes place within the same month (January) that is designated as Bath Safety Month!

A Few Bubbly Products

Most kids today know about and have used the original bubble bath for kids. Bath time is more fun with these biggest, longest-lasting bubbles with the original bubblegum scent. Bring back memories of your childhood and create new memories with your own family.

Mr. Bubble was invented in 1961 and has been popular ever since. In fact, it celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2011.

Bath Bombs Gift Set For MenCheck Price

For guys who need to soak in a tub of hot water and use Epson Salts to try and relax their muscles and relieve pain and discomfort, these bath bombs for men are marvelous and so much nicer than just Epson Salts alone.

Handmade by Natalia and Irina in Florida, these bath bombs for men are made with all natural ingredients using Relaxing Epsom Salt, Moisturizing Apricot Kernel Oil, and Scents for Aromatherapy! Check them out at the Relaxcation Etsy Shop on Etsy.

Cocoa Butter Cashmere Bubble Milk BathCheck Price

And for the ladies....

Get ready for a bathing experience that will leave you hydrated, moisturized, and smooth to touch! This milk bath contains all the ingredients needed for a relaxing and fragrant bathing experience.

It has a warm, intriguing fragrance that combines sweet cocoa butter and coconut. Elegant under notes of cedarwood, jasmine, and rich vanilla complete this unique, lovely blend.

Made by Southern Suds by Janet for her Etsy Shop.

Benefits of a Bubble Bath

Most of us never take the time for this relaxing way of pampering ourselves. A quick shower in the morning – and it's off to work or school. Showers may be convenient and quick, but you can't relax standing up!

There are benefits to taking a bubble bath – or even a long soak in hot water. It relaxes your muscles and refreshes your skin. It can even help with any congestion you might have.

So allow yourself the luxury of a sudsy soak because everybody deserves a little me-time now and then.

Oh, and don’t forget your rubber duckie!