The holidays are my favorite time of year. I absolutely adore the cold weather, hold chocolate, & being with loved ones. This year, I am on a mission to find the best gifts for my friends & family. These are my top skincare recommendations!
GIFT BOXES ————————————————————————————————————-
Beauty Heroes Subscription Box
I received my first Beauty Heroes box year ago & I regret nothing! When I first got this monthly box, I know nothing about green skincare. Looking for products was so overwhelming. I didn’t know what I should be looking for or what companies were actually any good. Then I found Beauty Heroes. They had done all of the work for me and curated only the best products to be included each month.
For someone just dipping their toe into green skincare, this would make an amazing gift. Each box costs $39, but comes with well over $100 worth of products inside. Novembers box contained a total value of $205. Value for money is impeccable.
The one downside to Beauty Heroes is you must purchase a 3 month subscription, but after your first box, you’ll be so excited about the 2nd & 3rd box that you won’t mind having already purchased them!
MINTD Subscription Box
I recently received my first MINTD box. And by recently I do mean I got my box 3 days ago. But I love it so much already, I decided to include it here.
Unlike the Beauty Heroes box, you can purchases on a month-to-month basis. Each box costs 65 Euros, a bit of a price increase from the Beauty Heroes box. But for that price increase you do get more. Where Beauty Heroes feature a single company, MINTD features 4-5 different companies. The most recent box contains 4 full size products as well as one deluxe sample size.
Besides just getting more, my favorite part is that you get the chance to try something from multiple companies. This months box featured products from Votary, African Botanics, Oribe, Skin Laundry & De Mamiel.
You really can’t go wrong with picking up any green beauty subscription box, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, this is where it’s at. Just based solely off of value for money, MINTD can’t be beat.
GIFT SETS —————————————————————————————————————-
Drunk Elephant Come C About Me Gift Set
Drunk Elephant may be one of the most well-known green skincare brands on the market right now. It seems like everywhere I turn, someone is talking about the amazing effects of Drunk Elephant products.
My favorite of the gift sets that Drunk Elephant is offering this year is the Come C About Me set, which includes a full size of the C-Firma Day Serum as well as deluxe sample sizes of the Beste Jelly Cleanser, B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel & the Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30.
Beste Jelly Cleanser A jelly-based cleanser that removes all traces of makeup, excess oil, pollution and any other grime. With a unique blend of mild surfactants and makeup dissolving emollients, this gentle formula rinses away without an ounce of residue, leaving skin clean and soft without feeling stripping.
B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel This ultra-hydrating gel replenishes the complexion and improves the look of skin texture and tone. Formulated with pro-vitamin B5 and pineapple ceramide, B-Hydra delivers steady hydration throughout the day, leaving the skin looking healthy and more illuminated. This light-weight, hard-hitting gel is ideal for all skin types.
C-Firma Day Serum A vitamin C serum packed with a powerful antioxidant complex of l-ascorbic and ferulic acids that reveals a brighter, firmer and more even-looking complexion. Formulated with pumpkin ferment extract and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, C-Firma helps to dissolve surface dead skin cells as it intensely hydrates.
Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 This sheer, physical sunscreen is loaded with potent antioxidants like astaxanthin, grape juice and sunflower shoot extracts to minimize the appearance of photoaging for a more youthful-looking complexion.
I took a full size of this beauty with me when I went hiking for a week in Chile last year & it was absolutely amazing. Out of the probably 15 different sunscreens that everyone brought, mine was the only one that people wanted to reach for. Why? Because it doesn’t burn your eyes. And when you’re hiking for 12 hours a day for a week, you’re bound to sweat, which means your sunscreen will run down your face and eventually some will get in your eyes. I also came back without a burn on my face, proving that it actually does work. Trust me when I say that this baby has been tried & tested!
Retrouve Collection Quartet
The most expensive product that I will be recommending, there is a reason that celebrities swear by Retrouve. I got the chance to test out the Luminous Cleansing Elixir & the Intensive Replenishing Facial Moisturizer. Besides being gorgeous, these are highly effective products.
The Luminous Cleansing Elixir reminds me of an even more luxe version of the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This emollient cleansing balm is richly textured without being thick & moisturizes while gently cleansing the skin for soft, nourished, hydrated result. I may love this beauty even more that my beloved Oskia Renaissance.
The Intensive Replenishing Facial Moisturizer is like a hybrid between a serum, balm & moisturizer. With an almost a caramel-like consistency, this is ideal for people concerned with dehydration & firmness. Formulated with stem-cell rejuvenating properties, this moisturizer is one of the most intensely moisturizing products I’ve ever tried. This is the type of moisturizer that would be perfection for someone like my mom, who suffers from intense dehydration.
Now, you can’t go wrong with picking up a full size of any of their products as a luxurious gift, but my recommendation would be to pick up the Quartet. It contains 1/2 sizes of four of their products: Nutrient Face Serum, Dynamic Nourishing Face Cream, Intensive Replenishing Facial Moisturizer, & the Revitalizing Eye Concentrate.
At One Skincare Iconic Facial Collection
This collection includes three FULL SIZE cult products from At One Skincare: Flawless Cleansing Oil, Night Repair Serum & Vitality beauty Balm.
The Vital Cleansing Balm is an intensely purifying formulation blended with seven key skin loving botanical oils. The unique blend includes Watermelon seed and Hemp oils that rejuvenate tired, dull skin while opening pores to deeply cleanse.
The Night Repair Serum is a lightweight and intensively hydrating serum that repairs skin on a cellular level, reversing stressors and environmental impacts.
The Vitality Beauty Balm is a deeply nourishing daily moisturiser formulated with only the purest plant oils and butters to soften, hydrate and protect delicate skin, making it perfect for this cold winter season when skin needs a little extra love.
While I have not had the chance to try these products out myself, I can say that this gift set is on the top of my Christmas List (*hint hint wink wink Austin).
I did speak with the founder of At One Skincare (she’s amazing btw) & she is giving all of y’all 25% off your order with the code IamAtOne (excluding gift sets). Go check her out & give her a big thank you for being so amazing!
Caudalie Trio Mini Masques
If you’re looking for a small gift that really packs a punch, I would recommend the Caudalie Trio Mini Masques. Like the rest of the Caudalie line, these masks are beautifully formulated.
The Glycolic Peel treatment renews skins texture, visibly tightens pores, reduces oil, and provides an immediate burst of radiance to your complexion. This non-irritating, two-in-one peel diminishes dark spots and smooths skin’s texture.
The Moisturizing Mask is essential for anyone seeking a high dose of hydration. The formula protects against future dehydration and leaves skin supple and quenched with a youthful-looking radiance. It is enriched with vinolevure to strengthen and soothe, grape seed oil to nourish, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize.
To treat enlarged, clogged pores, apply the Instant Detox Mask to immediately bring life to dull, tired skin. This mask acts like a vaccum for the pores to draw out any impurities and toxins, leaving a smooth and clear complexion.
Votary 3 Step Routine Gift Set
I have longed for Votary products for quite some time. There is just something so luxurious about them. The gorgeous packaging. The incredible ingredients. Votary can basically do no wrong. I recently picked up two products from them: the Clarifying Cleansing Oil & the Calm Your Skin Jasmin & Calendula Facial Oil. And I want more. Votary has come out with discounted gift sets & they have made their way onto my wish list.
The one that I am most interested in? The Votary 3 Step Routine, which includes the Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil, the Toning Serum, & the Smooth Your Skin Neroli & Myrrh Facial Oil.
INDIVIDUALS ———————————————————————————————————-
Planted In Beauty Reparative Complex
If you are looking to spoil your mom, or grandma, or yourself (I see you people), I would start here. Yes, it’s expensive. But it is a treat. And the type of product my mom wouldn’t buy for herself.
This natural, multitasking complex promotes skin’s overall health and delivers firming, smoothing and brightening actives that support skin’s natural cell metabolism and revitalize from beneath the skin’s surface. Green Algae, Beech Tree Bud and Pomegranate promote collagen production for firmer, smoother skin. Ascorbyl Glucoside (stable form of Vitamin C) brightens and restores radiance while Alping Willow Herb refines the skin’s texture and minimizes the appearance of imperfections.
There really isn’t anything from Planted In Beauty that I wouldn’t recommend picking up, but this is definitely my top recommendation of the products that I have had the chance to use. This is actually what I’m looking at getting for my mother since it has such beautiful firming & brightening properties.
Vintner’s Daughter Limited Edition 50ml Bottle
I’ve lusted after Vintner’s Daughter for years. It was one of the first things I got interested in when I started looking into green skincare.
This lightweight face serum has an award-winning formula consisting of over 22 active ingredients that work in synergy to firm, clear and add radiance to your skin. Housed in a limited edition 50ml glass vessel, it deeply penetrates the top layer of skin to battle signs of agin and maintain elasticity and brightness, as well as stimulate cell turnover for a smooth, even and balanced complexion.
Oribe Balmessence Lip Treatment
With the holidays in the dead of winter, intensely chapped lips are becoming a major problem. Possibly the best balm I’ve ever used, this makes an amazing stocking stuffer for your skincare loving bestie. Thicker than a typical lip balm, Oribe has found a way to make something that can intensely hydrate & thick while still feeling comfortable.
EXTRAS ——————————————————————————————————————-
We all know that drinking water is one of the most important things when it comes to skincare. But if I’m being completely honest, I’m the worst at getting myself to drink water.
I know that a cute water bottle is not necessarily the answer, but maybe it is. It’s freaking adorable, which makes me want to take it with me. And if it’s with me, I’ll use it, which means I actually drink more water.
Madison And White Clean Skin Pillowcase Set
For someone that loves skincare so much, you would think that I would have thought about this before, but your pillowcase really does play a large role in your overall skin. These satin pillowcases allow the skin to gently move across the surface without tugging or causing wrinkles, the way a typical cotton pillowcase can. The fibers in these satin pillowcases also help the skin to retain its natural hydration levels, which helps you wake up with beautifully plump skin every morning. The extra plus is the satin helps keep your hair fresh longer and lowers your chances of hair loss due to your hair tugging on a traditional cotton pillowcase.
Girl Undiscovered Stars Aligning Crystals
Know someone that could really use a way to relax? These beauties may be the perfect gift. I just started getting into facial massage, and it’s one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done. That level of self care is wonderful. These can be used with any oil that you already have in your collection. These crystals calm, naturally lift and help to increase product absorption while encouraging skin repair and rejuvenation.
HUM Nutrition Supplements
I truly believe that great skin starts on the inside. When you eat, what supplements you take, all play a huge role in how your skin looks. While I try my best to eat healthy, HUM supplements are really what I rely on to help cleanse my system.
If you have a friend that is into smoothies, protein powders & supplements, I would look into HUM. My two favorite supplements for skin health are the Daily Cleanse & the Gut Instinct.
Daily Cleanse detoxes your skin, liver, bowel, kidneys and lungs from toxins, leaving your skin as clear as can be.
Gut Instinct is a probiotic blend of bacteria that helps with digestion & supports your immune system which aids in beautiful skin.
I know supplements may be an odd thing to recommend as a gift, but I truly believe that if you have someone that is struggling to keep their skin clear, these are lovely and definitely something that I would have appreciated.
QYK Sonic ZOE
This thing is freaking awesome! Not only is it amazing for a deep cleanse, but flip it around & you can use the back of it to apply your skincare products to help them penetrate deeper. With eight pulsating speeds, your bound to find a setting that work perfect for you. I personally prefer to have it on a lower setting for both cleansing as well as skincare application as I find its essentially like giving yourself a beautiful facial massage at the same time. It also has a pointed tip to help you get into the hard to reach corners of your face. This is an A+ gift for the skincare lover in your life.
What are you looking at picking up for your loved ones?
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