Kim Jones asks.....Have you bought all your Christmas Presents yet?
It's that time of year again - where the organised amongst us have already bought, wrapped and hidden away all manner of gorgeous Christmas gifts for friends, family (and even the nursery school teacher and milkman), whilst the rest of us mere mortals are just at the stage of wondering what on earth to buy for our loved ones. We inevitably leave our shopping sprees to the last moment before dashing to the shops and buying something they Won't Really Want.
But this year, I've been determined to get sorted earlier - so I can enjoy that delicious week before Christmas with my boys, snuggling up in front of the Christmas tree watching 'Elf' on DVD whilst munching a mince pie or three, rather than jostling with the last-minute shopping crowds.
I love the idea of giving gifts that 'keep on giving' through the year: magazine subscriptions, monthly chocolate boxes through the post, that kind of thing. So I was delighted to find a natural and organic beauty company - www.amarya.co.uk - that have set up a monthly beauty box subscription scheme. For £10 a month or £120 for the year, you receive a beautifully wrapped box in the post filled with at least £20 worth of products - usually one full-size as well as 4 or 5 sample sizes of the latest launches. All brands are natural and organic, and include Dr Hauschka, Ren, Neal's Yard, Bohdi, SantaVerde, Botanical, Lavera, Zoya, Terre D'oc, Inika, Essential Care, Eyre, Pinks Boutique and more. It's a great way to sample new products and to try out new brands without forking out a fortune and making an expensive mistake (we've all squandered pennies on an expensive face cream that just didn't cut it when we got it home). I think a subscription, whether for a year or just a couple of months, would make a great present for any mum, sister or beauty-loving mate.
Another company that runs a similar box scheme is www.latestinbeauty.com. When you register on the site, Latest in Beauty will inform you about the latest samples available to review. You can choose three sample-sized products from popular brands like Estee Lauder, Olay and Elemis by sending a £1 text message, or you can 'build your own box' with larger sized samples at different costs. Through the year they also put together specially themed boxes. The latest is a gorgeous 'Festive Stocking Box' priced £4.95, which includes six travel-sized products worth over £20. They include DP London Firming and Smoothing Cream, Dove Express Treatment Conditioner and Richard Ward Couture Hair Optimiser Style Revival spray.
I also love giving beauty gifts that introduce my family or friends to new or little-known brands they may not have heard of before. This year, I'm loving the Seascape range of body and hand washes, lotions shampoos and conditioners made on the island of Jersey using locally sourced lavender, honey and essentials oils. All are paraben, silicone and SLS-free and come prettily packaged in bottles adorned with a floral seahorse pattern. Themed ranges include 'Refresh', 'Unwind', 'Revive' and 'Uplift' so there's something for every personality's needs. Prices are from £10 for a hand & nail cream to £16 for a body wash or bath foam - from www.seascapeuk.com
For the man in your life, I recommend (as well as the usual socks and Cds) the gift of a moisturiser! Far too few guys are protecting their skin from the elements but I can appreciate that many alpha-males may look at you aghast if you presented them with a wrinkle-cream in their stocking. Instead, sneak one into a male grooming gift pack - I love the newly-launched 'Him' range of grooming products from Torchwood actor John Barrowman. The HIM Discovery Collection, £21 from www.qvcuk.com comes in a black wash bag and contains a Face Wash, Shaving Cream, Aftershave Balm, Eye Roll-on and Face Moisturiser. You never know regular use of all the divine-smelling products in this set might even give the recipient Mr Barrowman's chiselled good looks ,.
by
Kim Jones - TheBabyWebsite Beauty Editor
November 2011 |
Bag Yourself A 'Beauty Oscar'
