I love glowing makeup especially this time of year! There’s nothing quite like combining a good glossy lip with soft shimmering cheeks to brighten up your whole look for the holiday season. Today I’ve partnered with Sephora to share a few glowing holiday makeup looks that I’ve been loving lately. Sephora is truly one of my go-to’s for beauty shopping. They have most of the brands I love and I’ve been a Sephora Beauty Insider for years. The points and perks they offer are among my favorites out of all the beauty rewards programs I’ve signed up for. By popular request I’m doing three looks with each of the three Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizers in Fenty Glow, Diamond Milk and Fussy. So many of you have asked for a review!
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Glowing Look 1: Featuring Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fussy
Holiday Look 1 features the new Fussy Gloss Bomb which is a sheer soft pink shimmer. This one is also on the sheer side but has enough color to give a glowing pink tint to the lips. I like this also layered on top of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner. I mix a blended blush + highlighter from Hourglass which adds the perfect amount of glow. For those who haven’t tried the Gloss Bomb it’s a cushiony smooth gloss without the tacky feel. All three colors have a smooth shimmer to them. They are softly scented like a faint cherry.
Glowing Look 2: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow + Stunna Lip Paint Fluid in Uncuffed
Look 2 features original color in Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fenty Glow which is a pretty rose shimmer. It’s fairly sheer on its own but makes for the best layering gloss over any other color. I tried this over the Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid in Uncuffed and it’s one of the best liquid lip products I’ve tried. It does have a matte finish but isn’t dry looking.
Look 3 is with the lightest color Diamond Milk. This adds the prettiest sheen to the lips. It’s also really nice layered over nude lipsticks or peach colors for a more diffused look. Wearing in this look:
That wraps up three holiday glowing makeup looks! Hope you found these helpful if you’re looking for some lip and cheek combinations. If you’re set on color I think three things that can really make a difference in your routine to give you a fresh glow include the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Glow Powder (I use in place of highlight) and the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow to mix in with any base you have. You can find all the items I featured at Sephora.
What are some of your favorite glow products for eyes, lips or cheeks?
As one of the biggest face mask junkies, I’m excited to share a review of Foreo’s latest innovation called the UFO (short for Ur Future Obsession). This is a smart mask system that combines advanced technology with serum-infused masks to give you a complete facial treatment in just 90 seconds. I’ve partnered with them to put this to the test and think it’s the perfect DIY facial treatment especially for those who are limited on time and need something quick but effective.
The Foreo UFO combines several advanced technologies including thermo-therapy, cryo-therapy, T-sonic pulsations and full spectrum LED. All of these help to push the essence from the masks into your skin, lock in moisture, reduce pore size, massage the face with LED lights therapy to rejuvenate the skin. In testing the UFO I found it really interesting how they’ve created various different treatment combinations depending on what kind of mask your skin needs. A brief overview of each function:
The Thermo-Therapy feature gently warms up the device to activate the mask and opens up the pores to allow product to penetrate the skin. The device becomes noticeably warm but not hot.
T-sonic pulsations massage the face and help push product into the skin further. These are gentle and very soothing.
LED Lights vary depending on mask you use. I have sensitive eyes and have not been able to do many LED light therapy facials even with light blockers on the eyes (that’s how sensitive they are!) so this device is perfect for me! Red lights are designed for anti-aging, it stimulates collagen production. Green lights work to brighten dull skin and evens out the skin tone. Blue lights kill acne causing bacteria and stimulates circulation.
Cryo-Therapy cools down the skin, tightens it and makes pores smaller. You can always repeat the treatment if you feel you need to. I’ve found one treatment sufficient per use.
What you get in the box:
UFO device
charger
mask packet
stand helps protect it during storage and also helps it dry out faster after washing
The device is supposed to last up to 40 uses with a 2.5 hour charge time. It is super easy to use via the Foreo App that you download onto your phone. They ask you to complete a short survey to fill out your profile. It connects via Bluetooth and treatments vary depending on what mask you pick to use. Steps are goof-proof:
Turn on the app and power up device (make sure Bluetooth is enabled)
Pick your mask
Scan the barcode on your mask to activate device and open packet
Place mask onto UFO and secure it with the plastic ring
Follow the diagram and video on the app for placement, mask for 90 seconds
Tap extra essence into skin
Wash the device under the sink (it’s 100% waterproof!)
Place on stand until next use
There are currently 7 mask options all formulated in Korea and I’ve put 5 of them to the test. Each one has a different purpose. With each packet these there is enough serum soaked in the pads to work into the entire face. There will be some leftover residue and essence on your face after the treatment. Depending on what you plan on doing after (ie apply makeup, go to sleep, etc.) you may want to pat down with a towel or rinse excess off:
Make My Day is the best one to use in the mornings, it has red algae and hyaluronic acid, leaves the skin feeling plump, glowing and well hydrated. Red algae helps protect the skin from pollution in the air. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy.
Call It A Night has olive oil and ginseng to tone and hydrate skin. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses.
Youth Junkie is a collagen renewal formula which reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It makes the skin noticeably more plump. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses. This one is my favorite!
Glow Addict is a brightening mask that has pearl extract and niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone. It also has Vitamin E to hydrate and make the skin glow. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy. I also really love this one.
Shimmer Freak is an Eye Mask that is caffeine infused. It utilizes the Cryo-Therapy for a cooling sensation to reduce puffiness. It utilizes the Red and Blue LED lights and T-Sonic pulses. This also worked wonders to brighten and waken my tired puffy eyes. The device is a little big for the under eye area but it still works just fine by moving it around the eyes and temples.
I think this is the perfect tool for mask and skincare fans. I do think skincare takes time to see long term results but after each use of the UFO my skin is noticeably more hydrated. With the Youth Junkie and Glow Addict my skin is glowing and plump. We’re in the middle of dry season now here in South Florida and my skin has been noticeably dry and more prone to irritation. These masks are the perfect addition to my routine to rebalance and rejuvenate.
I highly recommend the Foreo UFO. I think it’s a great tool and love how easy it is to use. As much as I love regular masks or sheet masks, they do take extra time. I think being able to mask in 90 seconds is amazing. P.S. I put together my first mini video with the UFO and have a demo going up on my Instagram page @beautylookbook today if you want to check it out!
You can find the Foreo UFO ($279) and Sheet Masks available separately now at Foreo.com. It comes in three fun colors and I love that they have a nice selection of sheet masks to choose from.
Many thanks to Foreo for partnering to sponsor this post.
I’m so excited it’s finally sweater weather here! We have hot humid weather almost year round here in Tampa making it too hot to even wear denim jeans most of the time. While I love the sunshine I’m thrilled that it has cooled down enough to haul some cute sweaters. By popular request I’m combining two topics today that many of you have been asking for: best holiday red lips plus a sweater try-on haul.
I’m a neutral lip lover so I was actually really surprised to find how many red lip products I own. I sorted through around 35+ colors and formulas to narrow down my absolute top picks for the best color, pigment, lasting power and a few budget friendly options. I’ll discuss each color with the sweaters I paired below.
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Everlane Cashmere Crew + L’Oreal Color Riche Shine
I did my first Everlane haul and picked three styles to try out. I haven’t tried the line before so I relied on online customer reviews for height and weight to decide on XXS and XS depending on style. I lucked out because I’m really happy with what I ordered. For sizing reference I have been losing weight but also gaining a little bit of muscle with our weight training. I’m 5’3″ and currently 114 pounds. I usually wear XS in most sizes, sometimes XXS because I’m on the shorter side.
It’s been a long time since I’ve invested in anything cashmere (again because it’s simply TOO HOT to wear here) so I can’t compare to current styles of other brands. I have tried J.Crew, Vince and Theory to name a few which I’ve loved in previous years. I think the styles I ordered from Everlane are just as good. For the Everlane Cashmere Crew ($100) I picked Light Oatmeal in XS and it’s a PERFECT fit. This is my favorite one of my purchases. It’s soft, lightweight but not tissue thin. I plan on getting a couple more colors. Denim worn are the Paige Verdugo Ankle (for me ankle jeans are the best because I usually don’t have to hem them!).
Up next is the Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew ($145) in Heather Grey in XXS. I would have bought XS but one of the models on the website was wearing that size and quite a bit taller than me. I’m happy with the fit of XXS. This is a nice soft semi thick ribbed sweater. It’s one of the ones I was wearing on stories.
I paird this one with the NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman. There are a lot of reds in this formula this one seems the most classic to me (Vain is warmer, Light My Fire is brighter and there are options with either more blue or deeper tones too). This is one of the nicest liquid matte lipstick formulas that is matte but doesn’t shrink my lips to look like raisins. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t transfer on my teeth. (If you want a neutral option American Woman is the best chestnut neutral rose out there.)
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Leith + Everlane with Tom Ford Dylan
Tom Ford Lips and Boys Dylan isn’t a new color but remains a favorite for a semi-matte finish. It’s a classic bright bold red with a warm undertone. I’m wearing it below with two sweater colors. A soft nude pink fitted Metallic Pullover from Leith ($49, XS is pretty fitted) that I bought at Nordstrom and the Everlane Cashmere Waffle Crew in Black ($150, XXS) which is boxy but I think has a nice hang to the sides. I like the side slit detail too which makes for a little more interesting sweater.
Another look at the Everlane sweater so you can see the neckline, it’s hard to see the detail but check out their website for close ups which you can see better.
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1.State + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Wild Cherry
In terms of red lips I don’t think it gets better than Pat McGrath. I could have done an entire dedicated post to swoon over all her lipsticks but wanted to give some other brands and formulas some love. If you feel like you can’t wear full on red lips, opt for a sheer gloss or balm. The Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry is a great sheer but buildable red. I reviewed it in this post here.
In looking through my closet I find that I own a lot of white tops and sweaters. It’s funny because in San Diego I used to wear all black and grey, or stripes. Since moving to Florida I’ve suddenly found my closet has changed. So many of you have been asking about all the white tops I’ve been wearing. This is a cute one from 1State Convertible Zip Neckline Sweater ($109). This is an XXS and runs big but slouchy. It’s cute to tuck in or belt. I’m not 100% sure I love this style. The zipper is adjustable which makes it so you can wear this a number of ways. A similar option that I have really liked in a tee form is the Free People Nikala Tee which I find has a better fit.
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Frame + NARS
My favorite purchase is the Frame Stripe Crewneck Merino Wool Blend Sweater ($235) and it’s one of my most expensive sweater splurges in a long time. I’m a huge sucker for anything with stripes, so much so that I tried to ease up on wearing and buying them. This was too cute to pass up. It’s soft, thin and I love the fit. I really love everything I’ve bought from Frame. Prices prevent me from splurging more. I paired it with the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel from the holiday collection from the Riot Lip Pencil set. Unfortunately it’s sold out but Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Elson is close (reviewed here). Denim worn is also from Frame Le Skinny.
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Loft + Pat McGrath
For affordable sweaters that aren’t itchy or scratchy I’ve found some amazing deals from Loft. They have cute cable knit basics. I tried two styles. One is the Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater in XS ($49.50 but I got mine 50% off, they have online holiday sales so check their site for current code). At $20 it was a steal. This one is a little long for me but on most people I think it will be just the right length. I’m wearing it with the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red which is one of the most fun sparkly blue red lip colors I’ve tried. Full review here.
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Loft + Em Cosmetics
Another Loft find is the Cable Knit Trim Sweater in Silvered Heather Grey (XS, $49.50). I could have sized down for a shorter fit but this one is super cute and easy to wear as well. I paired this with the Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight which is one of the best red plumping glosses I’ve tried. I need to review this formula for you, I have been sitting on all the colors for a while now. It’s been on my to-do list! They have some cute sets for the holiday I think are worth checking out. I have all the colors individually otherwise I would have ordered one.
Sweater worn is the BP Heritage Stitch sweater in XXS. It’s so soft and plush. Unfortunately it just sold out online, but you might want to check in stores to see if they still have some near you. It does run on the large side, I ordered an XXS and it’s very roomy!
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Lipsticks worn/featured in this post (all shades are press samples):
Pat McGrath and Tom Ford options swatched next to two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution colors. I used to think the Charlotte Tilbury formula was the best, I still think it’s very good, but Pat McGrath’s formula wins 100%.
Makeup breakdown worn in all other photos include:
The best red nail polish I’ve tried is from Christian Louboutin’s Red, although OPI is also a favorite of mine, I just don’t own any reds from them at the moment
I hope you enjoyed this sweater try-on haul and red lip roundup! If you love a good red lip let me know what your favorites are in the comments. I love cozy sweaters and I would haul more if we had cooler weather in Tampa.
I didn’t have time to post yesterday but did not forget my giveaway for the week! One reader will win four Pat McGrath lip products including: Opulence 1995, Opulence Flesh3, winner’s choice of two other lips formulas. Not sponsored or affiliated. Open internationally to those 18 years or older. Simply enter via the widget below. Giveaway runs this week and I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail.
Winter has brought about cool and dry weather and my skincare routine has changed with the season. Even though south Florida is usually warm it’s been significantly colder in the past month or so. Tampa weather is similar to Southern California weather right now! I’m thrilled to be able to wear sweaters and jackets right now. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to share a roundup of my favorite winter skin care savers I think are suitable for any skin type.
At home cozy wear: Thermal henley from PJ Salvage, denim by Paige, sandals from Tory Burch (yes, sandals in winter, probably only in Florida! lol the weather does fluctuate quite a bit still), zip pouch from Truffle
I think some of the best skincare sets you can find to treat yourself are from Fresh Beauty. I love their Rose Skincare line because it’s gentle and nourishing. I’ve been a huge fan of their Fresh Rose Floral Toner which also comes in a mini size perfect for travel and in this season’s Rose Skin Care Set. Exfoliation for the skin is key to keeping it smooth and help the regenerating process, I love their Sugar Face Polish – it’s the best gentle face scrub that exfoliates and gently hydrates without being greasy. It’s also in their Great Escape Face Mask set which I think everyone should try. For body I’ve particularly loved their Black Tea Age Delay Body Cream because it’s lightweight in the drydown but still very moisturizing. It’s lightly scented but in a fresh kind of way so it doesn’t interfere with my perfume too much.
I love trying out hand creams. I usually prefer ones with a velvety finish but this time of year I need something stronger. My three favorites right now include the Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm (also comes in a larger pump bottle size) for an aromatic one, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is probably my favorite strong moisturizing hand cream and anything from L’Occitane is a no-fail option, I love their Holiday Hand Cream Trio with the Rose, Delightful Tea and Shea Butter in their festive packaging.
There are always some nice set options available during this season. They’re perfect to treat yourself or split up as stocking stuffers. A couple others I’ve tried recently include the Lano Coconutter Hand Cream Intense which is indeed very intense and on the thick side. Once you let it dry/set for a minute it doesn’t feel as thick or sticky. I also splurged on the new La Mer Rejuvenating Hand Serum which is the most I’ve spent on hand cream. I need to test it more before I review it but it feels so nice and it’s silky smooth!
My body has felt the most impact with the dry weather. I always have to switch things up this time of year and I’m so thankful for L’Occitane’s Almond Body Care line. It’s probably the best for irritated or dry skin and I know SO many of you swear by their shower oil. I love the L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate because it has an ultra smooth texture that glides on and melts into the skin like a dream. Their Almond Supple Skin Oil is also fantastic. I’ve been living off of minis for a while and decided it was time for the full size again. It comes with a spritzer which I truly appreciate with oils. It makes it so much easier to apply!
Lately I’ve found myself reaching for rose skincare a lot. The best face oil I’ve ever tried is the Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil. Their moisturizer Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream holy grail material for me. I do think the Laura Mercier skincare line Infusion de Rose is a really nice alternative at a lower price point. It’s gentle, nourishing, non-irritating and feels smooth. The Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil is one I’ve used up entirely before and love this for a nice lightweight oil that isn’t heavy. The Infusion de Rose Moisturizing Glow Mask is one of the prettiest soft masks I’ve tried, it’s a tissue off formula but I usually like to also cleanse off after with a damp washcloth.
Last but not least are a few of my favorite face mists. I’m a huge face mist junkie and I’ve tried dozens. Even in Florida we need extra moisture year round. Outside is often humid and hot, especially in the summer, but we’re still prone to having our skin dry out with the constant air conditioning indoors. Not to mention it’s on during the night when we sleep too! Face mists help add that little bit of moisture throughout the day without ruining makeup. Four I’m loving right now include the Saturday Skin Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist, Omorovicza Magic Moisture Mist, Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist and the Fresh Rose Floral Toner. All of these have a super fine mist spray and lightweight finish without leaving a film on the skin.
My one favorite is probably the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist but this year they launched a bi-phase version called Magic Moisture that you shake up for more moisture. I think both are equally good. The Fresh option is more of a toner that comes with spray pump but I also use it as a face mist (it’s also alcohol-free).
This wraps up my winter skincare favorites! I picked items I felt would be suitable for a wide range of skin types, even sensitive ones. As always I’d love to hear what your winter favorites are. I know that Florida winter is mild compared to other places so let me know what works best for you! I love reading about the things you use.
You can find all these products at Nordstrom. If you’re shopping online also don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase page as they update it regularly. Their Holiday Shipping Deadlines are also listed on their website if you’re doing last minute purchases!
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Press samples featured include the Sisley Black Rose Oil, Laura Mercier Rose Balm, Laura Mercier Rose Mask, Omorovicza Magic Mist.
By Terry launched some beautiful pieces for the season with the Gem Glow Holiday Collection. There are a couple new individual products and a number of beauty sets to choose from. Today I have a look at their Gem Glow Trio Highlighter ($65 for 5.5 g/0.19 oz), Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum ($91 for 30 ml/1 fl oz), Mini Baume de Rose ($24 for 3 g). In addition I’ve added swatches of some eye makeup including the Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2 ($49 for 9 g/0.31 oz) that launched earlier in the fall plus some swatches of the Ombre Blackstar Cream Shadows since they usually have a few shades in one of the holiday sets. My thoughts on each product below.
Up first is a look at the Gem Glow Trio Compact Highlighter. It’s a stunning mix of pink, pearl and soft peach shimmers. The little yellow spots are overspray but it’s very soft so what you see in the compact is pretty true to what you will find underneath. I swatched each portion individually and swirled.
By Terry makes some of the most beautiful complexion products but they’re all very expensive. I do really love their Compact Expert Dual Powders (I still do) even though they cost an arm and a leg. This holiday season I found myself truly overwhelmed with all the highlighter options and for the first time in many years I did not review or purchase the holiday ones from Chanel or Tom Ford. After trying the options from NARS, Hourglass and Marc Jacobs combined with the dozens launched this year alone I feel like they’re all starting to look the same. I probably would have not purchased this By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter as I’m really set for life with highlighters in general, but out of all the ones I’ve seen this year this one has the prettiest presentation. Like many of her other face products there is more than one color in the pan with a small divider in the compact. The small spacing makes it virtually impossible to get individual colors which I don’t mind. But you will most likely have to swirl or mix shades with a regular face brush.
The pigment and color payoff are excellent. On my skin this translates into a beautiful pearly glow. It performs well, applies smoothly, stays put and doesn’t emphasize my pores. I find it has enough sparkle to be perfect for holiday. The shimmer is truly stunning on the skin making this a beautiful option I think will suit a wide range of skin tones. I do really love this one but the color can probably be duped.
Next is a look at her Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum. It’s a pearly rose gold that is very sheer. I’ve purchased several of her CC Serums in the past and they are extremely expensive but beautiful. They are sheer enough to use all over the face for a very soft subtle glow. It’s rose scented and it does not irritate my skin.
I do like the way it gives the skin a lit from within glow without any greasy emollient finish. The dry down has a soft almost velvet feel which is nice because any added shine with a shimmer product can often translate into a greasy look. If you’re looking for a liquid highlighter this is not the product for you, it’s too sheer to be used as a highlight. If you want something more glowy or visible I’d recommend Armani Fluid Sheers or a stick cream highlighter like the Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighter sticks.
As beautiful as this product is I think you can get a nearly identical effect with the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow or Brightening Youth Glow Primer for a fraction of the price. I know ingredients aren’t the same so it might not be fair to compare them, but effect is similar. I do think the By Terry Brightening CC Serum is a beautiful product. I love that it comes with a pump and the bottles I owned in past years lasted for a long long time.
Swatched on the hand straight from the pump and then blended out you can see how it just adds a luminous sheen to the skin with barely any color.
For holiday she usually launches a Mini Baume de Rose packaged in a cute ornament form. It took me many years to bring myself to splurge on the full size but it’s 100% worth it. The minis are $24 each which is easier to justify as a splurge even though it’s tiny. I think it’s one of the best treats you can gift yourself. A look at the mini vs full size:
Next are some swatches of her Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2. I haven’t tried any of her shadow palettes before as they’re usually out of my price range. This one retails for $49 and I’ll say up front it doesn’t swatch well on the arm or hand but on the eyes it’s MUCH much better. For those who are tired of the red, orange, pink or glitter palettes that seem to have taken over the beauty world today, you’ll find this one different for the neutral lover. It is very natural but has a nice range of colors for a polished muted classic eye. The colors are soft but they do give a beautiful wash of color you can layer or mix. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I think it would look really nice especially on fair skin tones. They have varying degrees of sparkle but the overall feel is very soft, airy, lightweight and has a subtle sheen.
Last but not least she has some of her Ombre Blackstars in a Trio this year with Blond Opal (shimmery pale champagne gold), Misty Rock (metallic purple) and Bronze Moon (shimmering bronze taupe) for $95. They usually retail for $38 each so you do get a little price break. For some reason I remember these being more expensive individually, I’m not sure when the price changed. Most of her colors have an intense shimmer pearl. These are some of the prettiest cream shadows that stay put on my lids without any issue. I’ve included swatches of a few other colors that I still have.
Overall I think these are beautiful quality pieces that are well made. If you splurge I think you’ll be happy with any of these items although I do think there are more affordable alternatives just as good to pick with other brands. The highlighter is such a beautiful piece to look at especially with the design and I think it’s a really pretty color with excellent pigment. Photos cannot do the swatches justice – the sparkle is so gorgeous and mix of colors a sight to behold. I do think you can get a similar effect with other shades though.
Have you checked out any of the By Terry holiday items? What has been your favorite holiday launch this year? For those curious additional items featured in the opening image: Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro 8 Inch in Rose Gold, simplehuman Compact Mirror and a Cuyana Vanity Case that I just ordered and will review in the near future.
By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter, CC Serum, Baume de Rose and Eye Palette provided for review. Ombre Blackstars are from my own collection.
Every year around the holiday season, I always gift Molton Brown. For me it’s a no brainer because there is always something for everyone – even those that are hard to shop for!
I’m the biggest fan of their Bath & Shower Gels which have the most refreshing scents. Each year Molton Brown launches a limited-edition scent for the holiday season. This year they introduced the new Muddled Plum Collection which is perfect for those who want something different from the traditional spice or pine scent. I’m thrilled to partner with the brand to give you a peek!
Muddled Plum is a warm and cozy scent with a fruity feel that mixes rum, saffron and plum into one delicious fragrance. They describe it as “a celebratory aroma featuring rich notes of oak-aged rum, saffron and plum” which couldn’t be more perfect because I love anything with sandalwood during this time of year.
Top notes: orange, saffron and elemi. Heart notes: plum, davana and oak-aged rum. Base notes: sandalwood, benzoin and musk.
The Muddled Plum Collection is composed of 6 different products, all great for gifting. Everything is beautifully packaged that looks like a gift in itself. The collection includes Body Lotion ($44 for 10 fl oz) and Bath & Shower Gel ($35 for 10 fl oz). I prefer to use the shower gel as my bubble bath after a long day as it lathers nicely, has a strong scent and leaves my skin feeling soft. The Body Lotion is perfect to apply after a long bath and leaves your skin feeling deeply hydrated.
A perfect stocking stuffer is the Festive Body Wash Bauble ($15 each). This item is shaped like an ornament so you can also hang it from your tree!
The collection also includes an Eau de Toilette ($65 for 1.7 fl oz) which has really good lasting power on the skin. This one makes for a nice warm fall scent with the mix of sweet and a little bit of spice.
My ultimate fave product from the collection has to be the Scented Glitter ($45) which I’ve never seen before! This is such a cute idea – you can sprinkle it on your tree, gifts, your dinner table or letters you send. It’s purple and silver to match the festive plum color theme.
Lastly, from the collection we have the Single Wick Candle ($50). It burns beautifully and fills the entire room within minutes. It has a soft mellow burn so it’s not overpowering.
There are so many gift options for the holidays at multiple price points! The new Muddled Plum Collection is a great option if you’re shopping for the person who already has everything as there’s a good chance they haven’t tried it yet! I typically buy their Hand Creams or one of their Holiday Crackers to give away, but this year they also have an amazing Opulent Infusions Advent Calendar as well!
You can find the Molton Brown Holiday gift sets and Muddled Plum Collection at MoltonBrown.com. The collection is limited-edition for the season and can also be purchased with gorgeous gift box options.
Happy Monday! I have a roundup of gift ideas for the guys in your life including some of Andrew’s favorite things I’ve gifted him. We’re in the process of putting together our best of skincare posts which I hope to have up soon, but for now here are some things we both think would make great gifts for any of the guys in your life.
Jack Black makes some of the best skincare options and sets for guys. I think these are no-fail sets for anyone regardless of age. I even borrow some of the products from the line as well. Andrew thinks it’s best to buy individual items to pick and choose the best, but since everyone has different skin types I think the sampler sets are the nice way to start. His top picks are the Turbo Wash (only body wash he swears by), Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser (leave it on a few minutes and it doubles as a mask), Face Buff (is his go-to face scrub).
He’s been trying some other things in skincare and has been really impressed with the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream and Baby Facial. He also uses the Kate Somerville Eradikate line almost as religiously as I do. We both think those are no-fail options for a wide range of skin types. I think everyone we know has to deal with breakouts every now and then, the Eradikate Cleanser is one of the best ones to help with preventing acne.
For body care, aside from almost exclusively using the Jack Black Turbo Wash, Andrew also swears by the Aesop Redemption Body Scrub and their hand washes. There are a number of Aesop Gift Sets that are great unisex gifts regardless of age and skin type. After trying my Aquis Hair Towels he looked more into the line and found some things on Amazon. He bought the Aquis Exfoliating Back Scrubber and says it’s one of the best ones he’s tried.
Fragrance is something I think can be tricky and very personal, but the best scent we’ve ever smelled for men is Creed Aventus. After going through several bottles very quickly I bought him one of the Flacons last year. It was such a splurge but buying it saved me so much money as it lasted him an entire year (it’s down to the last drop now). If you’re unsure of what scent to buy you can always opt for a refillable atomizer. I’ve gifted Andrew a couple and he uses them all the time. Other nice options include Chanel Bleu de Chanel or Dior Sauvage which are nice, fresh and modern.
For the sporty guy in your life you truly cannot go wrong with an Apple Watch, sport headphones or anything from Yeti. Andrew’s two “can’t live without” things are his Yeti Tumbler and his Jaybird True Wireless Headphones. The headphones are the one item he bought himself after doing a lot of research. They’re small enough that they fit inside the ear, they’re truly wireless and work best even through a sweaty run.
Since Andrew already owns everything here I’m putting together my gift list for him. Apple came out with a new version of the Nike Watch and we plan on trading his current one in for a newer one (love how they will give you some store credit for trade ins!). Louis Vuitton’s L’Immensite has been on my list for a few months after smelling it in store, but he would probably be happy with another bottle of Creed Aventus. He’s a big fan of Cole Haan shoes and Nike running shoes too so I’m browsing through the newer options this season. Since we’re more active with weight lifting and running he’s been more into active wear so Lululemon is also something on his wishlist.
Hope you found this men’s gift guide helpful! One of my girl friends was telling me her hubby seriously needed to up his grooming game and she couldn’t convince him to use better skincare. When it comes to the guys in my life I think the best way to have them try new things is to buy it for them and put it on their counter or send it in a cool looking package. So if the guys in your life need some help in the grooming or skin care department, I hope this gives you some ideas!
I’m wrapping up gift guides this week but in case you missed the previous ones:
