‘Tis the season to glow! From dazzling makeup looks to luxurious jewelry and must-have gifts, here is everything you need to sparkle and shine this season. Get ready to unwrap the most indulgent holiday treats.
The holidays are definitely upon us, a time of celebration, joy, and of course opulent indulgences. As the year winds down and festivities begin, it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season with stunning makeup looks and elegant fashions. Be mesmerized by a cornucopia of sultry eyeshadows in berry hues, striking red lips, and gorgeous cocktail frocks as our favorite brands launch their special collections.
Christmas is also an opportune time to shop the beauty department, with a bevy of limited-edition drops, special collaborations, and glittery cosmetics hitting the shelves. Special sets filled with a brand’s bestsellers are also a great way to try a selection of new things. Often rendered in adorable mini versions, these curated sets are great for travel and make wonderful presents as well.
Of course, amidst all the pomp and merriment, self-care shouldn’t be forgotten. Be it through the pleasure of a scent we love, or the comfort and care of luxurious skincare, these gentle rituals ensure we’re ready for the busy days ahead.
Holiday Makeup
With so many elegant soirees on the horizon, luxury beauty brands are pulling out all the stops and debuting glamorous holiday looks. Dior draws inspiration from the romance of Versailles, imbuing eyes with enigmatic tones of brick and gold in its Ecrin Couture Iconic Eye Makeup palette. Lips mesmerize with the limited-edition Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Sequin lipstick, which had been a hit last year and now comes in a host of new shades. The innovative formulation glides like a liquid lipstick, but reveals a glittery texture when lips are pressed together.
Meanwhile, Chanel crafts a magical narrative inspired by the aurora borealis of a starry night sky. Distilling these vibrant hues – magenta, coral, and pink – eyes get an unexpected wash of color, while lips are grounded in timeless shades of deep red. On the other hand, capture the silvery magic of snowflakes with the Diamond Dust palette, a champagne-hued highlighter that imbues the complexion with a pearly glow.
Wanting to truly dazzle, Nars envelopes their bestsellers in shiny gold palettes, in tune with the yuletide vibe. We love the Pure Luxury Light Reflecting Cheek and Eye palette for its color payoff and versatility, as well as the Gold Dust Light Reflecting Setting Powder for its iridescent sheen. Not forgetting our puckers, the brand’s new Explicit Lipsticks deliver great color, in a satiny finish that glides on and stays put.
Guerlain’s holiday collection is equally marvelous, as the brand collaborates with artist Shourouk Rhaiem. Cases capture the light bedecked in rhinestones, like in their cult favorite Météorites Sous les Etoiles, where light-reflecting pastel pearls finish the skin flawlessly. For eyes, the Eyeshadow Quad combines pinks and reds with the warmth of copper.
All That Glitters
Imbibe in the glitz and glamour of this month’s festivities with glittery makeup certain to make a statement. Bobbi Brown’s Dream Gleam Luxe Eye Shadow Palette combines high-octane shimmer with matte neutrals, to create both subtle and statement looks well into the new year. Meanwhile, Issy & Co. gives lids an ethereal sparkle with their Glitter Suspension Pressed Shadows. The ultra-fine glitters add a sheer yet scintillating veil, in a host of juicy colors.
Extending that mesmerizing sparkle to the body is Teviant’s Starbalm, which is quickly becoming a celebrity favorite. The nourishing balm gives the complexion a healthy, shimmery glow perfect for parties and red carpet events. Enriched with skincare ingredients like Vitamin E, jojoba oil, macadamia seed oil, squalane and more, it is also a great reminder that we should nourish every part of ourselves.
Indulgent Treats
With so much happy energy in the air, it’s hard not to treat oneself to the best of what the season has to offer. Clé de Peau Beauté invites one to rediscover life’s joys through their holiday collection. With the city of Paris whimsically illustrated by French artist Jean Dalin, the luxury brand’s skincare and makeup treats are made all the more special.
The winged Pegasus crystallizes this playful narrative, decorating the Wings of Wonder Eye Color Quad, replete with pretty pastel hues. Meanwhile, the La Crème glistens in a prismatic pink jar and continues to wow with its radiance-boosting powers. Formulated with more than 60 potent ingredients and inspired by stem cell technology, it’s one of the brand’s most revitalizing moisturizers.
Another skincare gem is Dior’s La Macro-Huile de Rose Activated Serum, which harnesses the regenerative powers of the Rose de Granville. The beautiful bloom had been specially cultivated by the Maison, after discovering it contained a micro-nutritive richness found in its omegas. The bouncy petals of this rose are a testament to its regenerative qualities, now encased in thousands of pearls suspended in the formulation. The potent serum helps repair the skin, making it feel bouncier and more youthful. It likewise helps it recover faster after laser treatments.
Another treat we are eyeing is the Dior Le 30 Montaigne Advent Calendar. With 24 miniature creations – from scents and skincare, to makeup and candles – beauty aficionados can countdown to Christmas in style.
Fabulous Fashion
What’s the holidays without a little bit of sparkle? Thankfully, Forms Jewellery has launched its newest collection just in time for the refined merriment of the season. Known for its meticulous and modern creations featuring rare stones and cutting-edge setting techniques, the Hong Kong-based jewelry house wows with a scintillating array inspired by both the natural world and global cultures. What is more fascinating is their way of making high jewelry chic and wearable, ensuring their clients are always bedecked in elegant style.
With so many parties on the horizon, women of sophistication are wont to liven up their wardrobes with eveningwear that makes a statement. One label that has long been favored by society’s ladies is Criselda Lontok, whose holiday offerings at Rustan’s feature luxe fabrications, delicious jewel tones, and a lot of sparkle.
Rajo Laurel, another Filipino designer, was just as moved by the opulence of the holidays. His Gilded collection draws inspiration from the inimitable flamboyance of fashion illustrator René Gruau, as well as the romance of old Hollywood. Witness a bevy of shimmering brocade dresses, rich hues, and bold flounces, as he presents his take for this season.
Luxury Beauty Sets
Christmas is a time wherein we often express our love by giving gifts to those near and dear. One present sure to delight is the gift of beauty. And if it comes in cute miniature sizes, all the better. These curated selections are also a great introduction to a new brand, and are handy enough to bring out of town. One fun set is Shiseido’s First Experience kit, which contains their Eudermine Activating Essence, Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, and Essentiel Energy Hydrating Cream. The regimen works to hydrate the skin and activate its own restorative powers for that healthy glow.
Fans of Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex will be delighted by the brand’s holiday sets. The must-have boxes also contain its ANR Cleansing Gelee, Supercharged Eye Gel-Crème, and Youth Power Soft Crème, to repair the skin as one sleeps and get it ready for all the parties that lie ahead.
For radiant complexions, grab Clinique’s Moisture Glow-To’s set, with its Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. Great for addressing dry skin, it has an oil-free formulation that’s packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe bioferment. The cute kit also comes with a tiny lip gloss and eye cream.
And not to forget our tresses, Olaplex has the perfect set for strengthening hair and giving it shine. The curated set has the brand’s must-haves, like the No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, No 7 Bonding Oil, and No 3 Hair Perfector.
Makeup lovers will rejoice with MAC’s Golden Girls Mini Lustreglass Lipstick Vault, with 12 of its best-selling shades in adorable mini-me versions. Just as nifty is Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Mini Modern Renaissance Glam Kit, with pint-sized takes on its eyeshadow, eyebrow pencil, and liquid lipstick.
Scented Indulgences
Fragrances, albeit unseen, are a potent way to elevate one’s look, and those craving the cozy warmth of vanilla would be delighted by all modern gourmand scents hitting the market. Gucci’s Gorgeous Flora fuses the sweetness of vanilla and the sensuality of vanilla orchid, with the freshness of an ozonic accord. The perfume is modern, with its floral creaminess balanced by an airy brightness.
We also love Kayali’s Yummy Vanilla set, which has a full-size version of its Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33, and a tiny bottle of its Vanilla | 28. With the former a creamy blend of pistachio, hazelnut, whipped cream, and marshmallow, and the latter a smoky vanilla, the pair are an olfactory match great for layering.
In the realm of perfumery, there is rarely someone as revered as Francis Kurkdijian. One of his newest creations for his eponymous label is also one deeply personal. APOM, or A Part of Me by Maison Francis Kurkdijian, is a sensual and luminous blend of orange blossom and lavender, with an ambery woody accord. The perfumer describes the experience as fragrance coming alive on skin, and a part of yourself you leave with others, referring to the sensual, nuanced nature of this perfume.
Another memorable scent is Jo Malone’s Orange Bitters, which balances the juiciness of sweet orange with zest of bitter orange. It also comes in cologne, candle and diffuser form, so you can scent both yourselves, and your homes.
Meanwhile, if you want to experience the serene shimmer of sunlight hitting the snow on the French Alps, try Tom Ford’s Soleil Neige. It opens up bright with bergamot at the top, before revealing a sumptuous bouquet of blooms and a base of warm musk. Another brand known for its sophistication is New York-based Le Labo, which has earned a cult following for its artisanal blends. Experience a curated selection of its well-loved scents though its Discovery Sets, which the brand offers for both its perfumes and its candles.
And if you’re keen on partaking in something new not as mainstream, Korres has a wonderful selection of apothecary scents that harness the potency and biodiversity of Greek flora. Try the White Tea EDT, an uplifting blend of freshly-cut flowers, citrus fruits, and white tea.
And with all the partying, it’s smart to layer your scents to get them to last longer. Holiday sets, like that of Burberry’s Goddess perfume, comes with a body lotion, as well as a travel atomizer for touch-ups. Crafted with three kinds of vanilla, Goddess is balanced with aromatic notes of lavender, cacao, and ginger for a comforting and relaxing blend.
Holiday Stocking Stuffers
While hanging stockings by the fireplace is a beloved Christmas tradition, one would be pleased to know that its origins are even more heartwarming. According to a folk tale, a kind Saint Nicolas had placed gold inside the stockings of three poor girls who had been hanging them to dry. Since then, it’s been commemorated as we gift loved ones with small but meaningful trinkets during the yuletide season.
These beauty finds, though tiny, do bring a lot to the festive table, like these beautiful enamel pieces anyone would be thrilled to receive. Truly decadent, these ornamented Solid Perfumes and Metal Powder Compacts from Estée Lauder are unique presents for the holidays that will surely be cherished for years to come.
For something you can hang on your tree, grab a couple of Burt’s Bees gift sets. The pretty package contains a Beeswax Lip Balm and Hand Salve, great for when the temperature starts dropping, or for your next trip to colder climes. Panier des Sens from Beauty Bar had the same brilliant idea with their Hand Creams ensconced in a beautiful Christmas house box. Infused with organic honey, shea butter, almond, and grape, the French brand aims to create products that enhance the power of nature while being gentle to it.
And for the holidays, who wouldn’t want sun protection – a necessity all year round. Supergoop’s SPF Starter Set has all their fan favorites in one nifty box, like its Unseen Sunscreen and Glowscreen, as well as their (Re) Setting Refreshing Mist for on-the-go application. Finally, there is Laura Mercier and their bevy of beautifully wrapped makeup sets ready to be gifted. We love the Divinely Flawless Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Puff set. The powder has enjoyed a great reputation amongst beauty lovers, and is versatile enough to fit most complexions.
Banner photo courtesy of Dior Beauty.
