One of my absolute favourite things to shop for at Christmas time are gifts for stocking fillers, a tradition for me which dates back to high school with my close group of friends, both boys and girls, for whom we used to set a budget and create a gift. Having just had Black Friday and what feels like 12 months of continuous sales and deals, here is just some ideas to create your own Stocking Filler.
Hair care
This is a topic I have seemingly mentioned a lot this year! I have had so many people telling me I need to try Olaplex and I finally bit the bullet and ordered the Intense Repair Kit which was on offer for less than £15 so that I can finally give it a try. The kit features No.0 the Intensive Bond Repairing Kit and No.03 which is the Hair Perfector.
Then to keep my locks tangle free, I have the Manta Hair brush (£20) which I have been using for over 3 years now and it is one of the best brushes I have ever used and one with such a lovely story behind why and how it was made. It can be used on both wet and dry hair and is one of those brushes that doesn't snag your hair or pull if you have a tangle, it is so incredibly gentle.
Make Up
I think anyone who reads my blog or follows me on social media will know that I absolutely love the brand GA-DE. So within this gift guide I have the Black Intense Mascara which with its quick drying formula is designed to designed to deliver superior volume and striking intensity. I have also included the Everlasting Lip Colour in shade Pure Love and it is incredible, non-oily, full coverage, doesn't stick to dry lips, though always use a scrub first, it doesn't dry uncomfortably and it lasts all day, better still as this is a double ended product, there is a clear gloss at the opposite end to apply over the top. Then we have a GA-DE Everlasting Lip Liner in the shade Hazelnut which is my current most used, nourishing, creamy texture, doesn't smudge or budge and you could wear it on its own with a gloss over the top. Plus use the code QUEEN20 to grab yourself a discount.
NARS Mini Wanted Palette (£26) - The perfect travel companion and for doing your eye makeup on the go, this palette features 6 shades which are matte, satin and shimmering metallic finishes in warm-toned hues from rose gold to copper and cranberry. It is such a good palette, I have bought it for 3 different people so far!
Aldi Desert Rain Eyeshadow palette - This Palette is priced at just £5.99 is, you could say one which has been inspired by the Anastasia Beverley Hills Soft Glam eyeshadow palette, at a fraction of the cost. This Velvet Eye Shadow Palette, which costs just £5.99 features 14 eye-shadows which are described as being ultra-pigmented, matte, metallic and shimmer shades and they come packaged inside an almost velvet-like palette, which alongside a double-ended brush is also a mirror which runs along the top of the palette lid.
Skincare
This is a huge topic for me on this blog and there is no end of new released and product upgrades and packaging changes. However, when choosing skincare for other people, you can be as picky and careful as needs be and here I have some pretty amazing products.
Two products that I have really enjoyed using come from a brand called NeuroSkinfeeds with the MicroOil and the Micromilk. The MicroOil is described as being an oil that takes care of your skin, your mind and your mood. As a formula, it is also a lightweight super skin serum, packed with omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. I have combination oily skin, so whilst I can have a shiny face come mid-afternoon, my skin is also quite dry, especially around my t-zone, so I do find that oils are my friend. Then with MicroMilk, which is a hydrating and ultra-light body moisturiser, it is designed to be used daily to keep dry skin at bay and skin silky soft. With its Holistic Formula, it also helps to boost your mood as well as care for your skin.
From Primark, who have the most amazing gifts in all kinds of budgets, but the Gua Sha & Rosemary Skin Care Mantra Kit. Gua Sha has become quite the phenomenon with so many brands now offering their own version of the original tool. This kit, which costs less than £5 is perfect for anyone who is starting out with their own facial massages. I always find the Gua Sha tools work so much better in conjunction with another oil and this Rosemary option, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties is a lovely, non-oily oil to try.
Jurlique Travel Mini Duo (£40) - I am a huge fan of Jurlique and have already listed some of their amazing gift sets for Christmas, but for anyone who is new to the brand or already loves it, this duo comprises of a luxurious hand cream with the uplifting natural scent of Rose and the hydrating and refreshing Rosewater Balancing Mist.
Glow Hub Calm & Soothe Stick Mask (£10) - I love a good face mask and this one happens to be a mask in the form of a stick and I love the concept. Described as being a hemp infused face mask stick, its job is to really chill irritated skin out, enriched with both Jojoba and Hyaluronic Acid too. To use, it is really easy and not at all messy, you simply apply a thin layer to the skin and leave for 10-15 minutes before removing. The stick part of the mask, which my hubby did say looked like a Prit Stick, is designed to be applied direct to the skin.
Bath Care
One of my favourite places to be is in the bath, one of the most relaxing places for me in beside or in water - the joy of being a water sign! Within this part of my stocking filler Guide is some bath products.
From the Aldi Hotel Collection comes the No.3 Pomegranate Luxury Bath Foam which I’ve been hiding from view in my bathroom for some months now. If you are a fan of another brands version of a bath oil, then all I can say is that for less than £5 this is absolutely delightful.
Up next from Grace Cole I have the White Nectarine and Pear collection (£16) which features four products. The scent is described as being zingy scents of luscious Nectarine and English Pear blend with sophisticated yet delicate floral notes of Lily and Rose and it smells just wonderfully floral with a hint of citrus. The four products within the collection is a bath and shower gel, a hand and body lotion, a refreshing body mist and a hand and nail cream. They also come packaged ready for flying or taking away with you for that much needed long weekend away.
I have shared the wonderful Skin Alchemist on my blog before and once again I am featuring them in this guide, this time with the Cardmom and Rose Artisan Soap (£10). Hand crafted with balancing Geranium and a spiced concoction of Cardamom and Clove it is also infused with nourishing Coconut Milk, Cocoa Butter and Olive oil. Again, this soap smells absolutely incredible and even before the box was opened.
Fragrance
When it comes to fragrance, I am a bit of a perfume obsessive and I like a whole host of scents from high end brands to the more high street brands and in this gift guide I am sharing three different products that I really like.
First up is a brand I have mentioned on my blog before, Potion Paris and for anyone who, like me, would prefer to find a fragrance they like in their own surroundings, rather than a high street store, then this is a great way to do just that. This sampler set features 7 different fragrances to test and try and it gives everything from the florals and woods to an Oud and Musk.
From Primark comes PS Love Noir which is actually a favourite of someone I work with. It is sweet and fruity without having that 'too manufactured' scent to it and impressively it has a really good sillage, which I was not expecting to find. Within this set you have a 20ml roll-on which is handy for carrying with you and also a 100ml bottle. It is priced at just £9.
The next fragrance is the newest one to be added to my collection and it comes from Floral Street and happens to be their latest release with Sunflowers. Priced at £24 for this 10ml size, which by the way is such a good way to test and try these unique fragrances before splashing out on a full-sized bottle. This is a citrus, fruity fragrance which you might have guessed has been inspired by Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting and I just absolutely love it.
Those are just a few last minute ideas or a good start to creating an amazing stocking filler gift, even if it is for yourself!