We are back with Part 1 of our annual Glow Journal Beauty Gift Guide for 2021- its fifth year. For those who are new to the Glow Journal Gift Guide process, I began curating these guides in 2017 based on my own need for them.
I wanted to see a beauty gift guide that had been broken down by price (I had grown frustrated with scrolling through a gift guide, finding the right gift, then discovering that it didn’t sit within the price range I was hoping to purchase from), contained only original imagery rather than stock imagery (I lacked trust in gift guides that relied on stock imagery- how could I know if the writer had so much as held the product in their own hands if the photos were pulled from the web?) and actually told me something about the product beyond its name and price (I wanted to know why the writer had chosen to include each gift and who it might be suitable for). You will also find no sponsored product placement in these guides. I personally looked over the Holiday collections of each of my favourite brands, decided which products I would like to include, then reached out to each brand’s publicist one by one. There is not one single gift within these guides that I would not be thrilled to receive and proud to give to a loved one.
It’s important to note that nobody needs anything. There is so much waste in the world and, given my role within the beauty industry, I am conscious of my contribution to that. Whatever you choose to gift, please do so with consideration. The purpose of these guides is not to encourage impulse shopping- it is to allow for careful, considered gift giving.
As per every year, we begin with “Stocking Fillers”- a collection of gifts priced below $40 AUD across a multitude of categories. The trap we can fall into when it comes to purchasing stocking fillers and Kris Kringle gifts is buying something cheap and shiny on a whim that will never be used by the recipient. I’ve provided details on each gift here and why I’ve deemed it worthy of inclusion in the guide to help you make a choice that will be used and loved.
Please enjoy Part 1 of the annual Glow Journal Beauty Gift Guide, and stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 in the coming days.
I have elected to begin this year’s Gift Guide series as this is being published on the first day of Summer here in Australia, and if ever there was a time for me to bully my friends, family and onlookers into wearing sunscreen daily, this is that time. In fairness (to whom, I’m not so sure) I engage in this SPF bullying every day of the year, but the festive season is a lovely time to ramp things up. Merry Christmas!
What I love about Ultra Violette is the idea of an “SPF wardrobe.” The best sunscreen truly is the one you want to wear, so it’s nice to have a variety of formulas on hand depending on what your skin so desires. The brand’s holiday sets are a great way to try a few different options without committing to a full sized purchase, or they’re a great way to present a loved one with a subtle hint that the sun is damaging their skin and that you’re there to assist. This particular set contains miniature versions of the brand’s Queen Screen SPF50+ and Supreme Screen SPF50+ in 10mls and 15mls sizes respectively.
Ultra Violette UV Icons Only Set, $26
Mecca Cosmetica also make one of my favourite sunscreen formulas as part of their signature line. If you prefer to do your not-in-any-way-subtle hinting in a more festive form, might I suggest doing so via a Christmas cracker? This one contains a 30g tube of the brand’s best selling To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen Oxybenzone Free Formula.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Superscreen SPF50+ Cracker, $22.
Skincare can be a difficult category to gift from as everyone’s skin is different, so there are a few tips I have when it comes to gifting from this category. I will share them with you now.
The first is to choose a product (or in this instance, a set) that is something of a “cult product” for the brand. The sort of universal product that gets people in to the brand in the first place. This set from Fresh contains three travel sized products, all of which are amongst the brand’s best sellers (the Rose Face Mask, in particular, is an icon). For something to sell well, it needs to suit a lot of skins, which is a great sign.
Fresh Cleanse & Hydrate Skincare Gift Set, $35
The second is to find a miniature, ideally holiday-themed, iteration of one of your own favourite products. We have all found ourselves in this situation- you’re raving about a product to a loved one, but they don’t want to commit to a full-sized purchase despite said rave review. No hard feelings! A miniature version is a great way to get them on board without further nagging. Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold is one of my all-time favourite products across all categories, so this gift was an essential inclusion here.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Ornament, $25
Thirdly, pay close attention to their favourite brands, then find a gift set from that brand. Simple in theory, but involves a bit of listening. This is a great way to gift as it’s a win-win- you’re either helping them restock one of their existing favourites, or you’re introducing them to a new product from a brand they already love. I’m gifting this Biossance set to one of my cousins. She is definitely reading this.
Biossance Lifted Spirits Skincare Set, $39
Remember that thing I wrote only a moment ago about buying a miniature, festively-housed (likely not a word) version of one of your favourite products? This is another example of that, however in this instance, the gift is for myself. I think I include the Eve Lom Iconic Cleanse Ornament in the Gift Guide every year, and that is because it is aptly named- it is both iconic (a true cult product) and an ornament (the packaging has a little ribbon sticking out of its head so you can loop it onto a tree should you feel that way inclined). I always keep this for myself though, because it is one of the most beautiful cleansing balms of all time and I love being able to take a travel sized version away with me. I think you’ll love it too!
Eve Lom Iconic Cleanse Ornament, $34
I do not know one single person who does not love receiving a gift by Go-To. The products are beautiful to use, they deliver results, and they’re fun. No one uses Go-To products without enjoying using the products, and really, that’s what beauty is all about. This Glowy Face set is one of my favourites, and I will explain why. Some gift sets are a bit crap because they contain stuff that the recipient will not use because they have no pressing need for it, will forget about because they have no pressing want for it, or both. This is the opposite of that. This set contains a lip balm (everyone always needs more lip balm) and a sheet mask (everyone always wants a lovely sheet mask, particularly at this time of year), so you can’t lose.
Go-To Skincare Glowy Face Set, $24
While we are on the subject of sheet masks, the Mecca Cosmetica Mask Library is a beautiful collection of them. Mecca’s signature lines, both Cosmetica and Max, are really great quality at an accessible price point, and that accessible price point means that you’ll often find full-sized products in their holiday gift sets rather than the standard gifting travels sizes, so points for value. Sheet masks are such a lovely way to prep the skin before an event or to wind down of an evening, but I find that they’re something my friends and family generally don’t purchase for themselves as they’re not an “essential” step. I love a gift that feels a little luxe, and is something the recipient may not spend money on regularly. At the time of writing this has sold out online, however it is still available to purchase in stores.
Mecca Cosmetica Mask Library, $35
Frank always put together some very fun, very good-for-your-skin gifting options, but this year’s limited edition Holiday collection is, without question, my favourite of their’s ever. Ever. Marshmallow is the star of Frank Holiday, with a collection of brand new, mallow-spiked products sitting at the core of the collection (as well as gift sets, which I’ll share more on in parts 2 and 3 of the guides). The hero product for me has been the Buff Marshmallow Body Scrub. Frank are the undisputed leaders in the body scrub sphere, and this shea butter, quartz, and marshmallow root extract-rich exfoliant serves as a creamy alternative to the brand’s famous coffee scrubs. The experience of use is akin to dipping your fingers straight into a pot of marshmallow scrub (which I momentarily thought was something I’d made up but I just googled it and it is most definitely a thing). The lip balm and scrub duo from this collection are both really beautiful too. I’ve long-loved Frank’s lip scrubs as the formulas are slightly waxy, so your lips don’t feel parched after use.
Frank Body Buff Marshmallow Body Scrub, $19.95
Frank Body Marshmallow Lip Duo, $24.95
Lips! While we’re on the subject. I really do think lip products are always a largely-appreciated gift. There is truly no such thing as too many lip treatments. You already have one in your beauty bag? Here’s one for your desk. Desk covered already? Here’s one for the car. The cycle continues. Both Fresh and Mecca Cosmetica’s signature line make some of my all-time favourite lip balms, and their Holiday lippie sets are very festive (these might actually be the best Kris Kringle option on this list! Big call!). The Fresh Colour & Care Hydrating Lip Gift Set contains two tinted lip treatment and the brand’s iconic Super Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy, while the Mecca Cosmetica Tinted Lip De-Luscious Cracker contains a full sized pot of the line’s best-selling tinted balm.
Fresh Colour & Care Hydrating Lip Gift Set, $36
Mecca Cosmetica Tinted Lip De-Luscious With SPF25 Cracker, $22
I always include quite a number of lip product options in this section of the gift guide as they fit really nicely within my beauty ethos- you can generally find a close-to-full-sized, beautiful quality product on a budget in this category (and, as mentioned, something small but high quality is always a better choice than a budget bumper hamper of products that are almost past their shelf life).
MAC’s Holiday 2021 collection will pop up a few more times throughout this year’s guides as it’s VERY fun and festive. The collection itself is named Hypnotising Holiday, and it reminds me of a hall of mirrors or similar at a circus. My under $40 pick from the collection is the Lipglass in Ruby Taboo, which is a red gloss with gold reflective particles throughout.
MAC Hypnotising Holiday Lipglass in Ruby Taboo, $37
Neutral lip products are a safe option no matter who you’re buying for, so this is the category I’d be purchasing from for something like an office Secret Santa or even just to have on hand should unexpected visitors pop past during the season with a gift for you- it pays to be prepared. I love the Bare Minerals Holiday Lip Gloss Duo, which includes two balm-gloss hybrids, and the Mecca Max Party Popper Mini Lip Gloss.
Bare Minerals Holiday Collection Mineralist Lip Gloss-Balm Duo, $28
Mecca Max Party Popper Mini Lip Gloss, $15
This could well be my favourite from this year’s lip offering, which is another really large call. Lilah B’s lip oils are stunning- they really do combine a treatment with a gloss. This Holiday duo is a failsafe gifting option as it contains a clear lip oil which can be used as a treatment on a no-makeup day or as a topper over another lip colour, as well as a tinted lip oil in what I believe to be a legitimately universal rose hue. At the time of writing this has sold out online, however it is still available to purchase in stores.
Lilah B. Lovingly Lip Nourish + Shine Lip Oil Set, $34
Based on my limited understanding of human nature, there is no one on the known earth who does not think Rihanna is very cool. What’s great about a Fenty Beauty gift is that, when you hand it over, you can say “This is from Rihanna.”
The other great thing about Fenty Beauty is that the products are genuinely amazing. Fenty have set the industry standard for shade inclusivity and are therefore a brand worth supporting, and I am yet to try a colour cosmetic from the brand that I have not been impressed by. My pick from Fenty Beauty’s Holiday collection is the Resting Peach Face Duo, which includes a mini Gloss Bomb Cream and a full size Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush, both in a brand new, limited edition peach shade.
Fenty Beauty Resting Peach Face Duo, $36
Mecca Maxima’s signature line, Mecca Max (which I’d characterise as the younger sibling of the Cosmetica signature line), has delivered some really impressive launches over the last couple of years. I know better than to judge a product by its price, but the quality of the Mecca Max range is so high that, given how accessibly priced the range is, it almost doesn’t make sense.
One of my favourite launches from the line has been the brow soap, which gives you that very nice, almost fluffy, brow laminated sort of look. The spoolie it comes with is fantastic too, which seems like an odd thing to give air time to, but there are some really sub par spoolies out there and this is not one of them. For the holidays, the brow soap is available in a kit with a mini bottle of setting spray to keep your soap brows in place.
Mecca Max Brow Raiser Super Soap and Set Kit, $26
Mecca Max also do great palettes, which I’ll talk more about in a moment. A great all-rounder palette is the limited edition Hot Shot Everyday Palette which is filled with four eyeshadows, four cheek colours and a lip gloss.
Mecca Max Hot Shot Everyday Palette, $35
If you are shopping for someone who enjoys beauty, as opposed to someone who worships beauty (there is a distinct difference), then you want to be careful when purchasing a palette. Most people will gravitate towards only a few shades in an eyeshadow palette, so unless you know them and their beauty preferences well, choose a small, considered palette rather than something with a wide and varied colour spectrum. Mecca Max make really great palettes- palettes where all of the shades are equally wearable. Their Eyeshadow Quads are an excellent gifting option as they include four shades (so the user isn’t overwhelmed by choice), and they’re accessibly priced, so even if one shade isn’t used as often as the rest, it’s not too wasteful.
Mecca Max Eyeshadow Quads in Smoke Show and Sun Seeker, $12 each
Now this, this, is a palette for a true beauty devotee (although, that said, it’s still really well priced given its size). Morphe make some of my favourite eyeshadows, and I sincerely find the quality of their formulas to be comparable (and in many cases, much better) than a lot of the high-end, luxury eyeshadow powders I’ve tried. With a palette of this size it’s to be expected that not all of the shades will be used equally, but for this price I think you’re in the clear. If you’re shopping for an aspiring makeup artist, I recommend purchasing one of the Morphe palettes that has a few bold colours in there so they can really have a play. If you’re shopping for someone who prefers more of a soft glam look, I highly recommend this limited edition “Big Primpin'” artistry palette which contains a variety of shimmer and matte finishes in wearable warm tones.
Morphe 35X Big Primpin’ Artistry Palette, $38
Nude By Nature are so consistent. I largely credit them with popularising mineral makeup in this country, and their influence is enduring. Some of my very favourite makeup brushes, in my personal collection, are by Nude By Nature. A brush set always makes for a great beauty gift as I personally do not know anyone who replaces (nor cleans, which is another issue entirely) their brushes anywhere near as often as they should. The Nude By Nature Natural Beauty 10 Piece Brush Set includes everything you really need to master your makeup application, for both complexion and eyes, and is housed in a vegan, faux-leather brush case (not pictured). Another really easy and beautiful gifting option is the Little Wonders Trio which includes the brand’s now-siganture Natural Mineral Cover Foundation, primer and a kabuki brush.
Nude By Nature Natural Beauty 10 Piece Brush Set, $39.95
Nude By Nature Little Wonders Trio, $19.95
Sincere and special thanks to the teams at Ultra Violette, Mecca Brands, Max Media Lab, MCMPR, Go-To Skincare, Frank Body, Estée Lauder Companies and TMCPR.
