The air is crisp (read: absolutely freezing), the scarves are out, my desk is surrounded by a fort of Christmas beauty gifts (opens in new tab) and I’ve opened up the first two days of my beauty advent calendar (opens in new tab)—yep, December is here.
If I close my eyes, I can smell cinnamon and clove, I can taste mulled wine of my lips and I can even feel the heat coming off the crackling fire I don’t have. And while there’s no doubt that December is my favourite month of the year, I’d be lying if I said the responsibility of Christmas shopping isn’t weighing on me.
If I’d have been organised, the majority of my shopping would have been done by now. But the truth is, 2022 has been a busy one and I’m only just getting around to thinking about it properly (with the exception of a coffee machine (opens in new tab) for my fiancé that I picked up in the sale last week). And if I’m feeling this way, I can only imagine you might be, too.
This year, I’m tackling my Christmas shopping a little differently. Instead of purchasing last-minute gifts en masse that will no doubt end up in landfill by this time next year, I’m taking a more considered approach. I’m buying less, but I’m buying smart–focusing on luxury gifts I know my loved ones will love and use until they can’t use or love them anymore.
As a result, this Christmas, the beauty team at Fashion’s Digest are only recommending gifts we know your loved ones will get the use out of. And you don’t have to spend hundreds to do it right (although if you’d like to and can afford to, there’s some stellar treats out there for you, too).
To prove it, I gathered the Fashion’s Digest beauty team around to discuss the very best and most thoughtful luxury Christmas beauty gifts out there this year, to please anyone and everyone. We’ve taken a considered approach to rounding up some of the very best Christmas beauty gifts to be given and received this year—from delightful Christmas candles (opens in new tab) and make-up to stellar skincare products and incredible luxury perfumes (opens in new tab).
The best Christmas beauty gifts 2022
Chanel Éclat Lunaire Oversized Illuminating Face Powder
“This is, without doubt, the most beautiful make-up product to have fallen upon my desk this Christmas—it’s almost too pretty to use. The packaging is luxe enough, but what’s inside this supersized compact is what makes it really special. Upon opening you’ll find a melts-like-butter highlight that can be swept over cheekbones for a glow so effortless, people will be asking your secret every time you wear it.” – Shannon Lawlor (opens in new tab), Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Givenchy L’Interdit Eau de Toilette
“I’m yet to find a fragrance that gets me as much compliments as this Givenchy one. The floral, woody scent is the perfect mix between sweet and musky, with hints of orange, bergamont, jasmine and sandalwood. The sensual fragrance lingers on the skin, and I always save it for special occasions.” – Grace Lindsay (opens in new tab), Shopping Writer, Fashion’s Digest UK
Dyson Airwrap™ Multi-Styler Complete Nickel/Copper
“Once I had the knack of it, I loved using this to add volume and bounce to hair. The handiest bit: it dries AND styles in one, while never overdoing it on the heat front. This would be ideal for someone who is into their hair and wants the ultimate styling tool.” – Madeleine Spencer (opens in new tab), Beauty Contributor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Dior Vernis Top Coat in Cosmic
“Nothing sits under the tree quite so wonderfully as a Dior Vernis nail polish. This limited-edition number in Dior’s Holiday 2022 collection is a surefire win of a gift. Apply one coat over the top of any chosen nail polish to give nails a suitably festive, shimmering upgrade. Since first receiving this top coat, not a day has gone by in which it hasn’t graced my nails.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Jo Malone London White Moss & Snowdrop Scented Candle
“If you’re asking me, there is no fragrance that sums up a super-luxe Christmas quite like Jo Malone London’s White Moss & Snowdrop. Like a crisp, Christmas-Eve walk in the snow, this candle fills any and every room with what is hands down the most pleasing aromas my nose has ever come across.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Chanel N°5 The Gold Body Oil
“Nothing says luxury like this Chanel body oil. In fact, I like to describe it as liquid gold. Not only does it feel incredible on the skin, but the gold pearly particles leave a shimmery finish. I will be applying this on my legs and décolletage before every Christmas party this year.” – Grace Lindsay, Shopping Writer, Fashion’s Digest UK
Nars Stargaze Eyeshadow Palette
“One for the make-up lover in your life, this 12-pan eyeshadow palette has a crowd-pleasing mix of versatile mattes and intense shimmers to create what is easily the best eyeshadow palette Christmas 2022 has to offer.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Guerlain Terracotta Starlight The Shimmering Bronzing Powder
“The great thing about this: the bronzer has a festive sprinkle of gold stars, but it’s not a Christmas gimmick; under them lies a stellar bronzer that’ll faithfully impart healthy glow minus any shimmer or sparkle, aka precisely what anyone who likes to fake their bronze needs.” – Madeleine Spencer, Beauty Contributor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Hamper Of Wellbeing Gift Set
“I’m going to go ahead and say it: if you’ve got the budget to play with, this is the gift to give this Christmas. Inside this delightful hamper, not only will you find an array of Aromatherapy Associates best products in full-size (including the beauty-editor-favourite Deep Relax body range), but there’s also the brand’s cult, electronic room diffuser, along with a full collection of mind-soothing oils. If I received this under my tree, tears of elation would most certainly be shed.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Dior Miss Dior Scented Candle Millefiori Couture Edition
“Anything and everything from Dior’s stunning Millefiori collection is sure to go down a treat this Christmas, however it’s this candle that really stands out. In Dior’s iconic floral Miss Dior scent, this little candle makes for the ultimate edition to any Dior-lovers shelfie.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Neom Real Luxury Pod Starter Pack
“This diffuser makes scenting a room a very pleasing experience: it’s quiet, it glows softly creating nice ambience, and it comes in a pretty ceramic finish so you can put it somewhere conspicuous and enjoy it.” – Madeleine Spencer, Beauty Contributor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Charlotte TIlbury Charlotte’s Heroes Hamper
“What’s better than one Charlotte Tilbury product? A hamper of Charlotte Tilbury products. This luxe Harvey Nichols hamper contains all of the brand’s best selling products, including the Magic Cream, Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, Pillow Talk Lipstick and more. Who wouldn’t want this sat under their Christmas tree?” – Grace Lindsay, Shopping Writer, Fashion’s Digest UK
ghd Platinum+ Styler Limited Edition in Champagne Gold
“If you have a loved one who has been complaining that their GHDs are on their last legs, this one’s for you. As a beauty editor, I can safely say there is no multi-use styler and straightner out there that compared to the GHD Platinum+, so do them a favour and replace their broken ones with the best. This limited-edition version comes with a red, festive case to house their new champagne-golde styler.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Rouge Hermès Matte lipstick Limited Edition in Rouge Feu
“There are few lipsticks out there that deliver quite as much joy as an Hermès lipstick. This limited-edition number is easily the most versatile red I have ever tried and delivers what is the most comfortable matte finish the industry has ever been graced with. It is the pinnacle of luxury gifting.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Diptyque The Home Fragrance Diffuser in Baies
“There’s no doubt that a Diptyque candle is the best fail-safe gift over Christmas. Having said that, as a candle lover, I can’t help but feel sad every time the last millimetre of that DIptyque wicks burns away. To experience the luxurious joy of Diptyque’s iconic Baies scent for longer, I’ve popped this diffuser top of my 2022 Christmas list.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Bamford Rose Nurture Balm
“I’ve already purchased another two of these multi-purpose balms to gift to loved ones this Christmas since receiving it on my desk last month. The delicate rose scent oozes mind-calming luxury, while the nourishing balm provides a cushion of comfort to distressed skin. Personally, I like to use it best to soften cuticles and heels.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Westman Atelier The Brush Collection Gift Set
“Brushes don’t come better than this. Yes, they’re very, very spendy, but they also make doing make-up a doddle – and they’re softer than soft, and look pretty sleek, too. You can’t go wrong with any of them: the collection is a perfect, tight edit of daily essentials. Get this for any lover of luxe make-up in your life and they will be delighted.” – Madeleine Spencer, Beauty Contributor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Caudalie Vinotherapist Vegan Body Butter Set
“As a bodycare expert (and fanatic), trust me when I tell you there is no body cream in existence that compares to this one. It’s rich, unctuous and absolutely delightful. The accompanying hand cream in this set is equally as lovely. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, you can’t go wrong here.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
“Whenever someone asks me what beauty gifts to treat their loved ones to at Christmas time, this Cleansing Balm is always the first product that comes to mind. It delivers a bit of me-time at the end of every day and brings a little bit of spa-like luxury along with it.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
“Believe me when I tell you there is no woman out there right now who doesn’t want this perfume on her dressing table—it’s been the talk of 2022. Every spritz is like cloaking yourself with the softest cashmere blanket you’ve ever felt—it’s warm, comforting and has the power to make anyone go weak at the knees.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
“If you’re not personally into beauty but have found yourself here with intent to buy for somebody who is, I can assure you this gift is not as boring as it might seem to you. Olaplex No3 is considered the gold standard of hair products, and it pains we beauty lovers every time we find ourselves forking out £28 for the small but mighty bottle (which we all do). Give your loved one a month or two off from having to splurge on Olaplex 03 by gifting it for Christmas.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Aesop Industrious Bodycare Gift Set
“When I received this gift set on my desk, I actually went out of my way to hide it from the rest of the office (sorry team Fashion’s Digest UK). The idea of anyone getting their hands on this was just unthinkable. Containing Aesop’s iconic Resurrection Hand Wash, complete with matching hand cream and sanitiser, it’s a gift that keeps on giving all year round.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Jo Loves Christmas Trees Home Candle
“I can confirm that it is never too late or early in the year for your home to smell like Christmas tree. This candle is easily the most natural and realistic-smelling Christmas tree candle out there—and I don’t know a single beauty editor who isn’t head over heels for it. Like fresh, woody pine, it’s a yuletide delight.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Lisa Eldridge Cinnabar Eyeshadow Palette
“These brand-new eyeshadow palettes by Lisa Eldridge would make the perfect stocking fillers. Presented in gorgeous gold packaging, inside you will find six eyeshadow shades to create a range of different looks. My personal favourite is the ‘Cinnabar’ palette, with six warm based shades from light caramels to deep earthy browns.” – Grace Lindsay, Shopping Writer, Fashion’s Digest UK
Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Mega: Celestial Nirvana Eyeshadow Palette
“Okay, we need to talk about this Pat McGrath palette. This is THE gift for those of you that love a bold eyeshadow look. From blues to greens and burgundy shades, in a selection of matte and shimmery finishes, there is everything you need to unleash your inner make-up artist. Plus, have you seen the packaging? It doesn’t get more lavish than this.” – Grace Lindsay, Shopping Writer, Fashion’s Digest UK
Sunspel Sea Moss Fragrance
“If you’re just not sure what fragrance to gift this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with this unisex scent. It’s beautifull fresh and marine-like. If the smell of a Boxing Day walk on the beach could be bottled, it would smell a little something like this.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK
Cloud Nine The Evergreen Collection Curling Wand
“If it’s curling tongs that are top of your loved one’s list, this is the product to go for. No tong creates effortless curls quite like them. I won’t use any others, and I’ve tried them all.” – Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Fashion’s Digest UK