Holiday countdown: the gift of a great beauty steal

I think we’ll agree that for many of us, it’s ‘been a year’. I know it has for me and most of my nearest and dearest, with less in the budget for beauty splurges, but a newfound joy in discovering a shiny, new beauty ‘steal’ that definitely won’t break the bank.
With that in mind, read on for some of my holiday countdown budget-friendly buys, presented once again as potential gifts… and gifts to self.

The EF Tools Air-Tool multi styler
The work of Emma Axford-Hawkins (above in her salon), the owner of Emma Frances salon on Jervois Road in Auckland’s Herne Bay, the EF Tools Air-Tool multi styler is the London-born stylist’s answer to the pricier hair tools flooding the market right now – and yep, it performs. One of my favourite local beauty faces, Emma – who started her career back in 2008 – calls the tool a slice of “affordable luxury”. Priced at just $290, “this hair tool is a perfect dupe for high-end brands, letting everyone create salon-quality hairstyles without leaving the house”. It allows you to easily achieve sleek straight styles, gorgeous waves, or voluminous curls, and it’s a great gift idea for the beauty enthusiast in your life or anyone looking to pamper themselves this Christmas. “Treat yourself or your loved ones to a luxurious styling experience without breaking the bank!” says Emma, and who am I to argue with that?

The MECCA COSMETICA Mask Wardrobe
An essential collection of face and eye masks for a visibly brighter, fresher complexion, the MECCA COSMETICA Mask Wardrobe clocks in at just $44 and is a dream gift for the skincare obsessed everywhere. The set includes the iconic Australian brand’s Fresh Faced Sheet Mask, the Lit From Within Sheet Mask and two Bright Eyed Eye Masks, little luxuries that will go down a treat at any time of year.

The kit: Snooze Kit
Everyone’s favourite sleep-in treatment in ornament form, this cute-as-a-button bauble contains a super cute mini of the brand’s famous cocooning Good Night Balm that comes enriched with rejuvenating botanicals for visibly smoother skin. “Our best-selling balm in nap size” says the brand, here to nurture the skin overnight for visibly firmer, smoother and more hydrated skin.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Iconic Lip & Cheek Secrets
Gift the magic of Pillow Talk, loved by stars and adored worldwide, with Charlotte T’s universally flattering, best-selling lip and cheek products for just $109. A mix of full and travel size products, the kit includes the iconic nude-pink Lip Cheat to reshape and define lips effortlessly, and the award-winning Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk to deliver a long-lasting, hydrating matte finish. Add an instant plumping effect with the new Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm, and complete the look with a dewy glow using the viral Pillow Talk Beauty Light Wand.

The gift of calm and care from Sans [ceuticals]
A local brand that I fell in love with from the moment it first entered the chat, clean beauty innovator Sans [ceuticals] never disappoints when it comes to creating beautiful holiday kits with an extra layer of care. This year, the limited-edition ‘Moments of Care’ kits (from just $95) are designed to be your “pause button”, helping you navigate from the pre-holiday hustle to January’s peaceful moments. Perfect for personal rejuvenation or as a soothing gift to someone special, they include curated sets for skin, hair and body, all of which come beautifully encased in a washable canvas bag, thoughtfully designed by Sans [ceuticals] with a waterproof liner and available in three chic shades.

Main image: Sans (ceuticals)