The Christmas season is in full swing, and the air is filled with excitement as we approach the final stretch of festive gift-giving
One thing is certain: a thoughtfully chosen beauty product is always a guaranteed hit. Acting Beauty Editor Elle Gordon shares her top picks that are sure to bring a smile when unwrapped this Christmas.
Sculpted by Aimee Sculpt & Glow Gift Set, €40, boots.ie
Give yourself or someone you love the gift of effortless radiance with The Sculpt & Glow Gift Set from Irish brand Sculpted by Aimee. This set includes the must-have Bare Basics palette, featuring seven beautifully blendable textures perfect for defining cheeks and eyes, along with the bestselling Perfecting Duo Brush for easy application. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle, everyday glow or a more dramatic, sculpted look, this versatile set has everything you need. Ideal for beauty lovers who want to add definition and luminosity without spending hours in front of the mirror. Find it here.
The Skin Clearing Cracker, €40, skingredients.ie
This is the ultimate skincare trio to tackle oily, blemish-prone skin with ease, perfectly packaged in a festive cracker for this time of year. Inside, you’ll find the award-winning Sally Cleanse 2% Salicylic Acid Oil Control Cleanser, which is a fantastic solution for balancing oily skin. This expert-founded formula created by none other than Jenn Rock aka The Skin Nerd penetrates deep into pores, dissolving sebum and decongesting blockages to reveal a clearer, calmer complexion. To elevate your cleansing routine, they’ve also included the Cleanse Off Mitt 4-Pack; a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to disposable cotton pads. Love to see it! These reusable mitts effortlessly remove makeup, SPF, dirt, and the rest to boost your cleansing power. This set also features their handy wristlets, designed to keep that awful drip that can happen when cleansing away. No more soggy sleeves we say. It is the perfect Christmas bundle to start the new year with a fresh, radiant glow. Find it here.
Clinical Skin, From €80, institute of dermatologists.ie
Looking for the perfect gift to spoil the skincare queen in your life this Christmas? Look no further than the exclusive Irish launch of Clinical Skin, a cutting-edge skincare line that combines scientific innovation with luxurious, results-driven formulations. Developed by a team of aesthetic experts Clinical Skin is designed to target the root causes of aging and skin health, emphasising the importance of resilience and inflammation management for glowing, healthy skin. With its revolutionary A.C.E. Technology featuring a potent blend of antioxidants, enzymes, and ceramides, this collection boasts five flagship products that cater to every skin need. From the hydrating Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Serum (€105) to the skin-firming Polypeptide Firming Serum (€300), and the collagen-boosting Collagen Boosting Complex (€80), each product is meticulously crafted to rejuvenate, repair, and restore the skin’s natural beauty. The Multi-Lipid Replenishing Cream (€125) delivers all-day moisture, while the Retinol + Peptide Refining Serum (€137.50) offers a smooth, radiant complexion. Whether you’re gifting a skincare enthusiast or someone who deserves a little pampering, Clinical Skin’s advanced formulations and proven results make it the ultimate luxury treat. Available exclusively at the Institute of Dermatologists, this skincare line will elevate your gift-giving game and provide lasting beauty benefits. Find the range here.
Mini Starter Set, €115, thewicklowstreetclinic.ie
Give the gift of glowing skin this Christmas with the Eminence Organics Must-Have Minis Starter Set. If there is one thing I love it is a set of minis. This set showcases the best-selling products from Eminence Organics, making it the perfect introduction to the brand if you haven’t tried it before. It features a trial-size cleanser, exfoliant, moisturiser, facial concentrate, and eye serum, and is designed to rejuvenate tired skin and reverse the signs of aging. This set offers a complete skincare routine suitable for all skin types, featuring organic ingredients like healing Stone Crop, firming Bamboo, regenerating Neroli, and hydrating Strawberry Hyaluronic Extracts. It also comes in a convenient bag which is always handy. The cherry on top for me is that Eminence plants a tree for every product sold through Forests for the Future, leading to 12 million trees being planted to date. This truly is a thoughtful and results-driven gift with heart that’s sure to make the beauty lover in your life smile if they spot it under the tree. Find it here.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream Moisteriser Bauble, €29, charlottetilbury.com
Have you spotted Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream Bauble yet? If you’re still hunting for the perfect last-minute gift, look no further. There’s under the tree, and then there’s on your tree. This travel-sized jar of the award-winning Magic Cream (available in Magic Cream and in the lighter Magic Water Cream version) is a must-have for anyone who loves glowing skin. Perfectly packaged in a festive gift box with a bauble loop, it’s ready to hang on the tree and bring instant delight. Magic Cream isn’t just a moisturiser—it’s an immediate skin revival treatment that smooths, firms, plumps, and primes in one simple step. Infused with a powerful blend of supercharged ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamins C & E, this clinically proven cream delivers hydrated, glowing, and firmer skin. Whether you’re gifting someone special or treating yourself, this luxurious festive edition of Charlotte Tilbury’s bestselling product guarantees radiant skin and joy-filled unwrapping moments. Spread love, confidence, and very happy skin this Christmas. Find it here.
Real Techniques Midnight Mood Brush & Cleanse Set, €37, boots.ie
Looking for the perfect gift for the makeup enthusiast in your life? The Real Techniques Midnight Mood Brush & Cleanse Set is a perfect option to up their beauty game. This set includes nine high-quality brushes, for everything from a flawless foundation to impactful eyes. With brushes like the 259 Glow Round Base Brush and 258 Flat Contour Brush, plus a Brush & Sponge Cleanser Gel for easy maintenance, this set has everything you need for a complete beauty routine. It’s truly one for the makeup LOVERS in your life, the ideal gift for anyone who enjoys creating endless looks with precision and ease. Plus, these brushes are 100% cruelty-free and vegan, making them a thoughtful and ethical choice. Find it here.
Gingerbread Whipped Shower Foam, €14.95, sundaebody.ie
This festive season just got a little sweeter with Sundae Body’s latest launch. Known for transforming everyday showers into a fun and indulgent experience, this Australian beauty brand introduced a limited-edition seasonal scent. Inspired by the festivities, this rich shower foam features, cosy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet clove, capturing the essence of freshly baked gingerbread. Available for the first time in Ireland, it creates a soft, creamy lather that leaves skin feeling fresh, hydrated, and velvety smooth. Infused with native Australian ingredients like Finger Lime and Kakadu Plum, it delivers a natural dose of Vitamin C for a gentle, skin-brightening cleanse. Free from harsh chemicals such as PEGs, sulfates, and GMOs, it’s a lovely one for the teen beauty lovers in your life to embrace the season, or just for yourself to add a little bit of festive sparkle to your routine. Find it here.
Gimme Gimme Mini Set, €50, spackenk.com
Treat yourself or someone special to the ultimate pampering experience with the Space NK x Sol de Janeiro Gimme Gimme Minis gift set. Available online or in one of their two Dublin stores, (Grafton Street and Dundrum Shopping Centre) this exclusive set features mini sizes of some of Sol de Janeiro’s bestselling and award-winning body mists and creams, all tucked neatly inside a vibrant travel bag. Inside, you’ll find the nourishing Beija Flor Elasti-Cream, designed to hydrate, plump, and improve skin elasticity, along with Delicia Drench Body Butter to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier. As for the scents? Prepare to be transported with a mini Cheirosa ‘76 Perfume Mist, which combines tantalizing notes of blackcurrant, midnight jasmine, and freesia, plus the beloved Cheirosa ‘62 mist—a joy-sparking blend of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla. This set is the perfect way to indulge in luscious textures and joyous fragrances, making it a must-have gift for any bath and body lover—or as a treat for yourself. Find it here.
Color Wow, Smooth + Shiny VIPs, €51, very.ie
Looking for the ultimate haircare trio to gift this season? Color Wow’s Smooth + Shiny VIPs set is the answer, offering glossy, frizz-free hair suitable for all hair types. This luxurious set includes travel-sized Color Security Shampoo and Money Masque, plus a full-sized Dream Coat Supernatural Spray for salon-quality results from the comfort of your home. The Color Security Shampoo is sulphate-free and cleanses without leaving any residue—perfect for those with hair extensions, in my humble opinion. The Money Masque deeply nourishes and boosts shine, while the Dream Coat Supernatural Spray works as your anti-frizz hero, protecting against humidity and keeping hair sleek and glossy. With long-lasting results, built-in heat protection, and hair that’s both hydrated and smooth, this set is ideal for anyone needing a little boost. After all, what feels better than a good hair day? The results will last well into 2025, making this a beauty buy with true longevity. Find it here.
SkinCeuticals Glow & Plump Luxury Cracker, €185, southwilliamclinic.com
This is a standout choice for gifting radiant, youthful skin, thanks to two powerhouse serums that truly deliver results. C E Ferulic is an essential antioxidant serum that provides 8x environmental protection, guarding the skin against harmful free radicals while visibly improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. When paired with HA Intensifier Serum, a multifunctional formula designed to boost the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels, this dynamic duo works to restore plumpness, smoothness, and a firmer texture. Whether treating a loved one or indulging yourself, these scientifically-backed products offer the perfect way to enhance the festive season with healthier, more vibrant skin. Find it here.
