A table laden with this season's offerings, set for the eyes to feast on their magnificient packaging.
Let's start in order of favourites, shall we? We have Savon de Maseille (which means soap for Marseille in Southern France. I discovered this brand back when I went to France for a visit, and I've never stopped loving it since. New in is the Extra Pur Limited Edition Orange Blossom Liquid Marseille Soap 500ml ($38), a sweet fragrance and comes in a special bottle of white and gold; or the Extra Pur Limited Edition Cotton Flower Liquid Marseille Soap ($38) which is a powdery, musky scent.
But I much enjoy collecting their different soaps, and you can get the best of everything with the Extra Pur Discovery Box ($28) which comes in a colorful box of 10 soaps in various fragrances. Ps:My favorite would be the Lavender or Fig, the latter relaxing with a slight woody base.
Don't tear yourself up trying to decide! If you prefer body washes, then the Extra Pur Discovery Boxes which come in 4 bottle ($38) or 10 bottle ($86) sets will be perfect, with everything from classic lavender to refreshing verbena for you to choose from. All bottles are 50ml each.
Now REN, with its oriental design and mandarin-sounding name may be mistaken for being Eastern , but this much loved brand from Sweden is well-recognized for its all natural products that make it such a great choice for people like me, plagued with incessant skin problems such as eczema. This season, you have choice of four exquisite sets:
The REN Mini Gift Set ($38) has all the basics covered: a 4-piece set of 50ml travel sized bottles that has both its best-selling Moroccan Rose range and the invigorating Revivo-Tonic range, which has uplifting essential oils such as Mint, Cypress and Lemon blended in it. Luxuriate during that staycation!
For the girlfriend who loves all things floral, you cannot go wrong with the Ren Duo Rose Set ($88). Featuring their multi-award winning Moroccan Rose Otto BodyWash, you can also layer the gorgeous rose sent with its accompanying Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion which is fast-absorbing for skin. Life can't get any rosier than that!
If roses aren't your thing, go along the zesty path with the REN Neroli Duo Set ($65) which consists of full-sized body wash and body lotion. The refreshing Neroli scent is distilled from Tunisian Orange Blossoms as well as cold-pressed Grapefruit which is highly nourishing.
But if you want to get the full works, then there is nothing more glorious than the REN’s Luxury Rose Set which contains their multi- award Moroccan! Rose Otto Body Wash and Body Lotion. Scrub away pesky dead skin with its sweet Sugar Body Polish. or simply indulge in scent-sational bath soak with its Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil.
If you read my earlier posts on By Terry, the you'd know that this French beauty brand is a cult favorite. We're in for a treat and a steal: this gorgeous set called Give me 5 Smoky Eye ($230) consists all the basic necessities you'll ever need: Hyaluronic Eye Primer, Ombre, Blackstar Crayon!Khol, Terrybly Mascara (the bestseller) and Terrybly Eyebrow Liner. It's actually a combined savings of $70 if you get the set!
Maison Kukjian does it again, capturing our hearts (and our noses).You or your significant other will be spoiled for choice with a set of 8 choice fragrances (11ml). But what is truly droolworthy is the edgy, faceted bottle cover ($23) where you can interchange for the scent to suit your mood!
For HER: Aqua Universalis, Aqua Universalis, Forte Aqua, Vitae, Oud APOM, femme, Lumière Noire femme Amyris femme féminin Pluriel
For HIM: Aqua Universalis, Aqua Universalis Forte, Aqua Vitae, Oud, APOM homme, Lumière Noire homme, Amyris homme, masculin!Pluriel
This Perfect Skin Trio for Face, Eyes & Lips Holiday Kit 2014 ($120) consists of SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles, plus a clinically proven intensive anti-aging Eye Concentrate, which boasts peptides, eye-brighteners and light diffusers to diminish dark circles. And here is a touch of SPF protection that multi-tasks: the CC Anti-aging Lip Tint SPF 20 which gives a nuance of color while nourishing lips and protecting from environmental free radicals.
Here are holiday sets that sounds as lovely as they look: L'Artisan Parfumier La Chasse aux Papillons Gift Set translates to Catching Butterflies, and evoke the memories of summer with its light floral blend of Lime Blossom, Tuberose and Jasmine in an 50ml Eau de Toilette and 100ml Body Lotion. Or go for the Caligna Gift Set which features a luminous, woody mix of sage, jasmine marmalade and fig; which comes in a 100ml EDT and Body Lotion. Both sets' prices are unavailable at this point of time.
For Atelier Cologne, its all about bespoke. The Orange Sanguine Christmas Set ($380) includes a whopping 5 items: 200ml, and 30ml versions of the EDT, a shower gel body lotion and leather case where you can monogram your name inhouse! And rose lovers like myself, will love the Rose Anonyme Christmas Set ($390) which also also offers the same items in that classic floral scent.
Let's take a moment and appreciate the delicate beauty that world-renowned Parfumier brand Penhaligons has come up with: this Christmas, gift that significant other with a collection of its star scents (5ml bottles) with the Ladies Collection Gift Set or the Gentlemen’s Collection Gift Set, priced at $80 each. Very vintage looking with its old-school dipper bottles.
Red Tin: Vaara, Malabah, Ellenisia, Iris Prima and Quercus
Blue Tin: Blenheim Bouquet,Juniper Sling, Bayolea, Sartorial and Opus 1870.
These limited-edition set from Diptyque will just about unleash the hoarder within me. Made of beautifully carved Resin holders, you can choose from 3 amazing scents:
Pine (green): Undoubtedly my favorite of all, because nothing says Christmas like the smell of fresh pine trees and well, green is my favorite color. A fresh blend of fir, eucalyptus and balsam to really bring in the mood at home.Spice (red): It's a woody and spicy mix with this one, layers of woody cinnamon, nutmegs layered with fruity traces of plum. Winter (blue): This one veers to a soft warm edge, with herby ingredients such as clary, sages and the comforting undertone of cedarwood.
All candles are priced at $56 for 70g and $115 for a 190g.
Or, embrace its no-frills but equally lust-worthy Winter Candle Set ($130). a collection of 5 mini!candles! (35g) that include feu de bois, amber, pomander, opopanax and genévrier. You'll have plenty to chose from for Christmas week!
Previously, I reviewed 2 of Radical Skincare's products, which I stand testament for their efficacy. Here, get their Radical Starter Kit ($145), a 3-piece set which has the Age -defying Exfoliating Pads that easily eliminates dead skin in just 1 wipe. A more targeted version of my serum is the Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum for mature skin available as well as the Anti-aging Restorative Moisture cream and the Eye Relive Crème to complete the regime.
Annick Goutal's sets gives more bang for your buck, with savings for each of your favorite scents. Choose from the Eau d’Hadrien Christmas Set, Petite Chérie Christmas Set (my personal recommendation), Vent!de Folie Christmas!Set (newest scent), which all come in a 50ml EDT and a 100ml body lotion, priced at $210 each.
Each set is also available at a larger size of 100ml for both the EDT and Body Lotion ($260).
Looks like its going to be a bountiful Christmas this year! Hope this list of goodies has given you some inspiration on gift ideas for friends and loved ones. All items are currently retailing at Escentials Paragon and Tangs Orchard, check them out today!
