With all that shopping for other people at this time of year, sometimes you need a little something for yourself. Or, for the men reading: here’s some stuff you might like to buy for your girlfriend, wife, daughter or boss. If only you worked for me.
Lana writes: “I love buying beauty products for Christmas gifts – I think it is because I just love looking at the shiny stuff, glittering powders and glistening creams. And, as I have admitted before, I am a complete sucker for mascara.
I just know that most of my girlfriends love “pretty” as much as I do. I mean who doesn’t want to be pampered on Christmas, or New Year’s Day or weekends, or weekdays …..so I was thrilled to bits when Mia asked me to draw up a list of beauty products that I would buy for my friends and even more excited when she said to also include gifts that I would love to receive. And so without further ado…. here are my top picks and if you like them as much as I did just click on the link to buy them. Best part? You don’t even have to give them to me. You can buy them for yourself or for your friends – or even both.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – If I say I am channeling Sheena Easton would I be giving away my age?
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Napoleon Perdis Mesmer-Eyes Mascara $35 Napoleon claims this is like a miracle bra for your lashes. I agree this mascara brush has two sides that look short and ineffectual to the untrained eye (mine) but they really do the job. The wide set brush applies product and the fine set perfects and separates even the tiniest lashes. Click to buy |
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Smashbox Brow Tech 39.00 A defined brow can take years off your appearance and I don’t mind a year or two coming off mine. Two parts to this nifty little pan of tricks – a hair color coordinated powder to fill in and shape brows and a colorless pomade wax to groom brows on the other. I love shaped eyebrows. Really I do. Call me shallow or call me a brow lover. Click to buy |
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Napoleon Perdis Ultra Pearl Shadow $17.50 A pressed shimmer eyeshadow with an ultra pearl finish. These cool eyeshadows ares are shot through with more than one colour which makes them very easy to blend. And we all like easy to blend. Click to buy |
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Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colours $44.00 I think I may be part magpie – because I cannot resist sparkle so I do ever so love an eye colour that has soft-sparkle effects .The deep-impact shades can be swept over eyes softly for a stunning day look, or applied with more intensity for evening glamour. Click to buy |
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Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust $35.00. How cool is this? This pigmented powder comes in a canister that dispenses just the right amount of product each time. There is a sifter mechanism that measures out enough shadow for one application. I can be a little over exuberant so I really like this idea. Dust or pat Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust onto the eyes, cheeks or even body for brilliant shimmering highlights. Click to buy |
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Napoleon Perdis Lash Patrol Individual Lashes $15.00 As if I could write a post without false eyelashes. Napoleon’s faux eyelashes are the ultimate in party beauty tools. When correctly applied these lashes last for hours and they can be reused. They are buildable as well so you can choose your look – dramatic, sexy or natural. Click to buy |
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Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfecter $45 My under eyes can be problematic especially when I am exhausted which I often am. So I like this creamy corrector that hides my dark circles and “awakens” my eyes – which is a tough job considering the rest of me is sleeping. The Mauve/Rose shade is recommended for fair to medium skin tones, while the Orange/Yellow shade was designed for olive and darker skin tones. Click to buy |
MY LIPS ARE SEALED NOW – my Bananarama reference is probably not doing wonders for my illusions of youth , hopefully the lipstick will.
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Laura Mercier Lip Colour $45 One swipe to enhance your lips appearance, protects them from the elements, provides hydration and cares for the lips like skincare. This lipstick also claimes to resfresh each time lips are pressed together. Could you want more? Click to buy |
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Jane Iredale Lip Crayons $30 Available as singles, these gorgeous crayons line and colour your lips and can even add a blush to your cheeks. The crayon makes application easy and comfortable – just like colouring in . The botanical oils and waxes moisturise and condition the lips. Click to buy |
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ModelCo Lip Lights Lipstick $35 How often do you need a light when you put on your lipstick? And a mirror? Personally I have never been able to apply lippy in the dark let alone without a mirror so I rather love this built in light and mirror feature that this lippy comes with . It is also a super hydrating with great colour, which is handy of course in a lipstick. Click to buy |
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Bloom Lip Stain $24 Because I am a little stationery obsessed, okay a lot stationery obsessed I love a felt tip pen. Ergo I love the Bloom lip stain which is just like a felt tip pn but you don’t look like a goose if you draw on your lips with it. In fact you just look effortlessly polished Complete with a sculpted tip, Bloom’s Lip Stain makes defining and contouring lips a cinch. Click to buy |
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Burts Bees Lip Shimmer $12.95 A kiss of colour and shine added to the most awesome lip balm. Made from natural ingredients like vitamin E, coconut and sunflower oils to moisturize and highlight your lips. You will lose this easy to apply lip colour that really softens and hydrates your lips. Only hard part is choosing the colour! Click to buy |
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Dr Hauschka Lipstick Novum $35 Provides moisture and a transparent, shimmering hue to your lips. I love shimmer. This lippy also contains rose petal extract, Argan and Jojoba oils give the lips a velvety feel. Shea butter and plant waxes smooth and protect lips and is ideal for sensitive lips. Click to buy |
WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR FACE? I am constantly amazed by foundations and mineral powders. My quest for smooth, even toned skin has made my search for the perfect foundation quite intense
| i.d bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer $38.25 A preservative free foundation primer developed to combat flaky dryness, rough patches, fine lines, excess oil, enlarged pores and uneven texture, all of which I have. The i.d. bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer is mineral-infused and has a satin-finish formula that glides on seamlessly with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion. Click to buy |
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St Tropez Instant Glow Face Lotion $27.95 Deeply hydrating and smooth to apply, St Tropez Instant Glow Face Lotion – Wash Off gives an even, natural all over glow to your skin. You can use it under foundation, or on it’s own, this tube of instant radiance is all you need to achieve glowing, beautiful skin. And you can wash it off. But you’ll want to reapply. Trust me. Click to buy |
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i.d. bareMineral Loose Foundation $67.15 Everytime I wear this product Nicky tells me my skin looks good, and that is nearly enough for me. The weightless, silky minerals in this foundation give you a flawless buildable coverage with the amazing look and sensation of radiant bare skin. Click to buy |
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Invisible Zinc Silk Shield Foundation Stick $42 A day-night makeup with award winning Invisible Zinc SPF30+ environmental protection built in. This stick glides on in seconds and you don’t need liquids, powders or concealers and it stays on all day for gym-proof, swim-proof, perfect-looking skin. You can apply more coverage as you go along for a flawless complete crème to powder finish. I like the idea of still looking smooth and perfect at the end of the day Click to buy |
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Bloom Mineral Plus Liquid Foundation $48 This incredibly luxurious full coverage liquid foundation is made from a unique cocktail of earth derived minerals and Jojoba Oil to care for your skin, while disguising any flaws. And I like cocktails, ergo I like to use this. It also has inbuilt sunscreen and is good for any skin types including extremely sensitive skin – you know that I am extremely sensitive don’t you? Click to buy |
| Mirenesse Flawless Revolution Foundation $99.50 This foundation is ‘beyond makeup’ in fact it’s a little bit Keanu Reeves with an invisible triple matrix. This specially formulated matrix slips one layer on top of the other layer without you having to do it. There’s a clear layer which firms, hydrates and helps correct lines and wrinkles over time, a second layer which has sunscreen and primes and smooths the skin and a third layer which delivers the colour… . I like the whole three in oneness of this. Click to buy |
SHINY SHINY SHINY OR BEACHY HAIR – Not to be covered by a Santa hat, unless of course, you must.
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MorrocanOil Original Oil Treatment $49.59 If you are dubious about hair products – try this. Even if you aren’t. The Mamamia office often smells like the MoroccanOil factory and I don’t mind it. In fact I don’t even notice it I am too busy brushing my hands through my hair and marveling at the softness and manageability of it. This oil really softens hair and restores shine and softness. It also reduces drying time and speeds up styling time which is tres handy. Click to buy |
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Kosco-Murphy Beach Hair $24.95 Kusco-Murphy Beach Hair is the next best thing to a day at the beach so if you can’t get your hair to the beach get this into your hair. Beach Hair gives you that tousled, textured, bed-head look. It separates and defines curls and gives body and texture to straight hair. Interesting fact: his product contains crushed bamboo, which may be visible and undesirable in very dark hair.. Click to buy |
AND DONT FORGET YOUR NAILS – I love colours. That is all.
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OPI Nic’s Sticks $14.95. Ever so handy. Get it? Handy for your nails? These gorgeous “Sticks” provide the easiest application ever. They provide one coat coverage and are quick drying. I would like one in every colour. Click to buy |
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Butter LONDON Nail Lacquer Artful Dodger $19.95. The main reason I have included this polish is just because I love the colour so much. I just want to look at it. There is no other reason Click to buy |
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Napoleon Perdis Chandelier Shine Nail Polish $15.00. Ultra fancy nail polish with optical refractors to deliver a long lasting shine. The gorgeous ‘chandelier drop’ bottles are exquisitely hand made by local Australian craftsmen. Each bottle is then mixed, filled and capped by hand. The professional quality of Chandelier Shine has an outstanding gloss and is chip resistant. Three cheers for me who ALWAYS chips her nail polish.Click to buy |
Do you fall victim to the beauty trap at Christmas time? What will you be buying for the makeup box and what would you recommend to other Mamamia readers?
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Top Comments
Loved your article but I have a complaint. I very excitedly purchased the invisible zinc thinking this is going to be great for the summer holidays. I applied it and asked my BF what he thought and he said "it looks lovely darling is the just dead look coming back in?" what the so applied heaps of bronzer over the top. Then tried it again on holidays and asked my GF's what they thought and they said it eccentuates my pores - what the?? Never worn it since!
Lana I'm showing my age here - I think Our Lips Are Sealed was the Gogos? I can picture Belinda Carlyle in a convertible with a big bow in her hair...
Sorry that was me :)
Oh My God. You are right! *hangs head in shame* So busy researching make up I quite forgot to make sure the rest of the stuff I was saying was right!
I used to think it was "Alex the seal". Now *that's* shameful x