The Christmas countdown is on and if like me you tend to leave present buying to the very last minute, that festive cheer can very quickly turn into present-buying panic and the potential to get things seriously wrong. Fear not! Here is my ultimate beauty gift guide to help you find the perfect pressie that’s guaranteed to put a smile on the face of your loved one this Christmas morning.

Ella & Jo Ultimate Hydration Gift Set
Ella & Jo cosmetics is the creation of Charlene Flanagan Makeup Artist and Niamh Ryan Makeup Artist and Skin Therapist. Both noticed a gap in the market for functional products that made every day easier for women. This gift set includes their newest edition to the family, the Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum, and their soothing 3-in-1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist. The serum is supercharged with powerful collagen boosting ingredients, designed to increase skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and along with hyaluronic acid, helps to hydrate, condition and protect the skin. They recommend using the serum in conjunction with the 3-in-1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist, spritzing throughout the day to ensure you have the most hydrated and plump skin possible – a skin saviour, €60 available online from ellaandjo.ie

Ella & Jo Hydration Set

The Skin Nerd Philosophy: Your Expert Guide to Skin Health
Jennifer Rock is back with more essential advice and skincare secrets to change the way you think and feel about your skin. The Skin Nerd Philosophy delves into movements such as Skin Positivity and Skin Neutrality, discusses the link between skin and mental health as explored through the field of psychodermatology, and provides easy-to-follow skin protocols and rundowns on specific ingredients and products for different skin concerns and scenarios. With advice from experts in the fields of dermatology, healthcare, psychology, nutrition, wellness and beauty, The Skin Nerd Philosophy is your multi-disciplinary guide to accepting the skin you’re in while taking care of its health, €24 available in selected book shops nationwide and online.

The Skin Nerd Philosophy Lancome Skincare Genifique

Lancôme Advanced Genifique Serum 50ml Christmas Set
Perfect for skincare lovers, this anti-ageing gift set aims to create a supple, youthful-looking complexion. Advanced Genifique is Lancôme’s number one serum for glowing, younger-looking skin. This serum is a powerhouse, patented and enriched with hyaluronic acid and probiotic fragments, the firming formula enhances natural luminosity and radiance while smoothing uneven texture and boosting clarity for a glowing, rejuvenated complexion. The set, suitable for all skin types, contains Genifique Youth activating Serum, Genifique Youth Activating Day and Night Cream and Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Eye Cream, €102, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.

Seavite Nourish & Glow Box
Containing a select line up of Seavite’s cult products, the Nourish & Glow Box offers a beautiful introduction to the transformative powers of the super-nutrient face range. This 3-piece gift set contains the Cleansing Lotion to detoxify the skin and dissolve all traces of make-up. Seavite’s Super Nutrient Toning Spray captures the refreshing energy of the sea to gently purify and tone the complexion, whilst the Soothing & Replenishing Face Cream nourishes skin deep down, leaving it glowing from the inside out! It also comes with a Rejuvenating Candle. Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, €100. Another option is the Revive and Glow Box, to exfoliate, cleanse and revive the body. This head to toe set contains Super Nutrient Illuminating & Firming Body Exfoliator to polish and smooth the skin, Super Nutrient Revitalising Bath & Shower Gel cleanses, leaving skin instantly hydrated, balanced and soft and Super Nutrient Purifying and Volumising Shampoo with advanced marine actives, cleanses and detoxifies the hair while seaweed extracts boost shine and amplify the hair fibre, so hair feels fuller with a silky touch, €50, both available from seavite.com.

Seavite Revive & Glow BoxPestle and Mortar Glow Drops

Pestle & Mortar Glow Drops
While we might not be tripping the light fantastic at the moment, there’s nothing to say we can’t get our glow on during the festive holidays. For the tan lover in your life, achieve the perfect tan, effortlessly, with these customisable Pestle & Mortar Glow Drops. Simply mix these magical drops into your moisturiser to achieve a natural-looking glow. While 1-2 drops provide natural radiance, 2-4 creates a sun-kissed glow. If you want an even more golden bronze, 4-8 drops will do the trick. Suitable for all skin types, the drops are also enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to intensely moisturise and hydrate skin, €38, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.

AYU Limited Edition Iconic Gift Set
AYU is a multi-award-winning Irish based and Irish owned online cosmetics company set up by renowned makeup artist Suzie O’Neill. This fabulous limited edition gift set includes the exclusive AYU Iconic Palette, to help you achieve a fresh, gorgeous make up look for eyes, face and cheeks, the AYU Double Ended Brush Set, containing four of their most popular brushes (two for face and two for eyes) and a travel pouch to bring you anywhere. All AYU brushes are vegan friendly and non-shed and if that wasn’t enough, they have also included their fabulous new custom designed cosmetic bag, big enough to store your every-day products safely so you can carry them with you wherever you go! The retail value of this is €107.50 but the set price is €85.00! available online from ayu.ie

AYU Iconic Gift Set

Waters + Wild Perfume
When it comes to gifting perfume to your loved one, you don’t have to look any further than Waters + Wild, based in Glandore. This 100% certified organic range of scents are created using only the finest natural, raw, organic ingredients from around the world and made in Ireland in small batches, inspired by the nature and beauty of their West Cork location. I love Sweet Basil + Bergamot Eau de Parfum, fresh, peppery basil, sweet with delicate anise undertones, combines beautifully with the spicy citrus notes of Calabrian bergamot, warm cedarwood and wild rose. Good enough to eat! from €35, watersandwild.com, a full list of stockists is on their website.

The Silk Pillowcase ‘Rest’ Gift Set
Give the gift of a great night’s sleep with this stunning gift set from Irish Company, The Silk Pillowcase. The set consists of a luxury 100% mulberry silk pillowcase, great for hair (bye bye bed head) skin and sleep, along with an indulgent slumber inducing ‘Rest Oil’ from luxe aromatherapy brand Flora + Fiona. Made in Ireland, the aromas of Rest Oil include frankincense to alleviate nervous tension and exhaustion, organic neroli and organic Lavender, the soft fragrance of sleep. Simply roll the oil in the palm of your hand, breathe deeply 4-5 times, lay your head on your silk pillowcase, and take your sleep experience to another level. Both products come attractively boxed, ready to be gifted, €75, available online from thesilkpillowcase.com

The Silk Pillowcase Rest Gift Set

ClarinsMen Expert Firming Care Gift Set
Energise and firm skin with these everyday must haves, all presented in a festive wash bag. The set contains an invigorating 2-in-1 wash that gently cleanses hair and body whilst toning skin with energising Bison Grass and Chinese Galanga. Suitable for all hair and skin types, even sensitive skin. Line Control Balm is a lightweight, line-fighting balm that lifts and firms in all the right places and helps block skin-damaging pollutants. Non-greasy, it gives a fresh matte finish to skin. Lastly, Shave Ease Oil, with essential oils of rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint, softens stubble to banish and fight against razor burn, €54, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.

Clarins Expert Firming Care

Armani Code Homme Christmas Gift Set
For the man in your life who loves their cologne, Homme is timelessly sensual, in a pure and understated way. This aftershave was the first oriental fragrance created by Giorgio Armani. A combination of citrus, wood and tonka bean, it’s a cologne that strikes the perfect harmony of sophistication and seduction. A favourite in men’s fragrance, the set combines a travel and full-sized cologne with the matching shower gel in a luxury Armani gift box, €68, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.

Armani Code Homme

West Cork Beard Company Limited Edition Ultimate Black Gift Box
This limited-edition gift box has everything the bearded man in your life will need. A choice of two beard oils to moisturise and nourish, a beard balm made with all-natural ingredients to define and tame those rebellious beard hairs, a natural boar bristle brush and a beard scissors. With a lovely selection of scents (and an unscented option too) it will be hard to narrow down which to choose, €50. For those who might be just starting to grow a beard, they also do a great starter beard set, containing a beard oil of your choice and their natural boar bristle beard brush, €20, available from westcorkbeardcompany.ie

West Cork Beard Company Black Gift Box

Sherna Malone Gift Voucher
Had to include to this! If you would like to give your loved one the gift of healthy beautiful skin, a gift voucher for a Skincare Consultation, Facial Treatment, or perhaps a monetary value towards a treatment is the perfect choice.

Sherna Malone Gift Voucher