BEAUTY GIFT EXCHANGE

In the past, a holiday tradition I shared with friends was a beauty gift exchange. Everyone brought one of their must have products for the group and it was always interesting to discover what items made the cut. Today, I’m doing a version of that with you. I’m sharing the tried and true, reliable beauty performers I buy on repeat. They’re the products I don’t even bother to consider replacing with a new brand and instead stick with what I know works best. These are the hero products on my beauty shelf.  I think any would make a fabulous gift, stocking stuffer or even better, bundled together in a stylish case for a luxurious present that feels personalized.

If you have a must have, favorite product, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

above: Clarins, La Mer, Chantecaille, Dior, Le Labo, Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Natura Bisse, The Light Salon Boost

Creme de la Mer has been part of my beauty round up for years. It’s my go-to evening moisturizer that pampers and hydrates my skin. The larger sized container is a bit of a spurge, so I often replace when on sale. For an introduction to the line, the gift sets are the way to go. And if you fall in love with product, you can upsize your favorites and save the gift set for travel. Their are a few moisturizers to choose from, but the must have for me is the Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream.

I did my research and decided to jump in on the LED Light bandwagon. I definitely see a difference in the texture of my skin. But, the one caveat is you must commit to using it several times a week. It’s actually not as inconvenient as I expected to wear the mask for a 10 minute stretch. I use The Light Salon Boost LED Mask but there are others similar. The fit is adjustable with velcro straps so it’s fairly comfortable. I purchased mine at Nordstrom knowing they have a great return policy if it broke down or I didn’t see results. I also am a new user of the NuFace Trinity device (on sale now).  It’s too soon to report on results, but my facialist convinced me I would see improvement in my skin if used consistently. To be continued…

A fairly new product I’m very excited about is Clarins Decollete and Neck Concentrate. The aesthetician I see for skin treatments commented on a noticeable improvement in the texture of skin on my neck. This is after only two months of use. Based on the visible results, I’ll keep this product stocked on my shelf and am now purchasing the hand cream too.

I don’t wear much makeup so my regimen is pretty simple. My absolutes are Natura Bisse Color Balancing Eye Cream followed with Bobbi Brown Undereye Corrector dotted on dark lines or circles. I skip foundation most days and instead even out my skin tone with a light dusting of By Terry Hyaluronic Tinted Powder. I have doubles of Rouge Dior Forever Lipstick in colors 100 and 458. One for a handbag and the other for the makeup drawer. Chantecaille Lip Tint Hydrating Balm is great on its own or to refresh the Dior stain when I want a little sheen. It feels rich and nourishing when applied. I have it in madeira (red) and calendula (coral).

I switch between two scents and they’re quite different from each other. Le Labo Santal 33 is my all time favorite. It’s the only scent I’ve used where people routinely stop and ask me what I’m wearing. Le Labo’s other scents are equally indulgent, interesting and void of overly strong floral notes. Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt is the other fragrance I reach for often. On its own, the scent is woodsy and warm but takes on a personal note when layered with other Jo Malone products. I love that both scents can be carried through to the home with diffusers, room sprays or candles.

BELOW ARE A FEW ADDITIONAL OPTIONS OF MY FAVORITES.

I’ve linked all of the products to Nordstrom. Especially this time of year for gifting, I appreciate their generous return policy. The selection of brands Nordstrom carries is extensive, their customer service is top notch, and they competitively price match. All good reasons to keep me coming back for more!

LA MER: Creme de la Mer moisturizer, body lotion and travel size sets

CLARINS: The Super Restorative collection 

LIPSTICKS: My go-to Dior Rouge Matte followed with Chantecaille Tinted Balm (obsessed)

MAKEUP: Concealer, powder, occasional foundation

TOOLS AND DEVICES: LED Mask and NuFace device

LE LABO: to wear and for the home

JO MALONE: to wear and for the home