Friday, November 19, 2010

Christmas 2010 Gift Ideas: Make-up

I feel quite proud of myself – I’m almost finished my Christmas shopping. I’m sure this is quite a surprise to many of those who know me as Caroline’s last-minute-Christmas-present-shopping-shouty-frenzy is almost routine at this stage. Nonetheless, I’ve turned over a new leaf, and in order to help others avoid the last-minute-Christmas-present-shopping-shouty-frenzy, I’ve put together a few nice gift ideas for the make-up fan in your life.

1. Wish for the Perfect Palette from Smashbox (€75)

What an aptly-named collection. This self-contained kit contains (deep breath): 9 eyeshadows, 10 cream liners, six brow powders, brow wax, eight glosses, two blushers, a bronzer, highlighter and four mini brushes. Available in Debenhams and selected pharmacies nationwide. Note that this is a limited edition product and will sell out in nanoseconds (if last year’s similar collection is anything to go by).

Smashbox Wish Palette

Smashbox “Wish for the Perfect Palette”

2. E.L.F. 100-piece Eyeshadow Palette(£15stg)

This would make a fantastic gift for any make-up enthusiast. Containing 100 shades in a variety of textures, this palette offers superb value for money. Also available in a smaller 32-piece collection (£9). E.L.F. is available in selected outlets nationwide, and is also available to purchase on-line. Their Facebook page offers regular discounts.

ELF 100 Shadows

E.L.F. 100 Shadow Palette

3. Laura Mercier Travel Brush Set ($85usd)

Laura Mercier brushes are the creme de la creme of cosmetic utensils. Gorgeous as they are – they are lightening dear. Or should I say, they are usually lightening dear, but, in tune with the economic times, Laura Mercier has created a travel brush set for Christmas 2010 which offers great value for money. The collection contains five brushes, 4 of which are double-ended, giving you a total of 9 brush heads for eyes, lips and face. Laura Mercier products are available at Brown Thomas stores.

Laura Mercier Travel Brush Set

Laura Mercier Travel Brush Set

4. Sigma Brush Kit ($99usd)

SigmaBeauty.com offers a complete brush kit with 15 full-sized brushes and a brush roll, offering great value for money. Sigma brushes are blatant copies of MAC brushes both in terms of appearance and their brush numbering system. The quality isn’t quite on a par with MAC (not all the brushes are as soft, some shed bristles), but they are still good brushes. In fact, I use them regularly, having purchased this same kit a year ago – click here to read my review. A word of caution to Irish buyers – you may have to pay tax and/or duty if you are importing products from the US (the Irish Revenue website has more information).

Sigma brush roll

Sigma Brush Set

5. Her Name was Glowla by Benefit ($36)

I always look forward to seeing what goodies Benefit will come up with for Christmas, and once again they have come up trumps for Christmas 2010 with this limited edition palette. It contains; 1 blush, 2 highlighters, 5 eyeshadows, mascara, lipgloss and a double-ended brush in extremely natural shades that will suit all skin tones. In fact the only negative thing I can find about it is that I now have Barry Manilow stuck in my head! “At the Copa, Copacabana…”

Benefit Glowla

Benefit Her Name Was Glowla


6. Naked Eyeshadow Palette by Urban Decay (€32)

This limited-edition is another one of my kit favourites. No doubt inspired by Bobbi Brown’s “nude” palettes which were a huge hit a few years back, this palette contains 12 earthy shadows in a variety of colours and textures including matte and shimmery. The palette also contains two eyeliners and a mini bottle of primer potion. Available in Debenhams.

Urban Decay Naked

Urban Decay Naked Palette

As I come across more present ideas I’ll post them here. Happy shopping!

Yours in style,
Caroline

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