Clarins Holiday Gift Sets

Clarins has an assortment of holiday gifts for all budgets, so plan to do your holiday shopping early. The following are my recs:

The Holiday Glow Getters box ($125) is jam-packed with 20 of Clarins' best-selling products. The Advent calendar-styled gift box includes full-sized versions of the popular Beauty Flash Balm, Booster Detox, and the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in 01 Honey. You'll also get travel, miniature and sample versions of their makeup collection as well as the HydraQuench skincare line, and much more. The gift box comes with three bag accessories and gift tags if you decide to share it with loved ones, or...just keep it all to yourself!

Ring in the holidays with the relaxing Tonic Scented Candle ($75). Inspired by their legendary Tonic Body Treatment Oil, it features a spa-fresh fragrance that includes notes of geranium, chamomile, spearmint, basil and bitter orange. Burn time is about 50 hours. 

For the budget-conscious there are $15 stocking stuffers as well. This Beauty Sweets gift box comes with a Wonder Perfect Mascara and an Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 01 Rose Shimmer. 

Available now at www.clarinsusa.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

NARS Rita Audacious Lipstick - Holiday Edition

Designed for red lipstick fans, the NARS Rita Audacious Lipstick ($32) is available in a limited holiday edition. A must-have for every occasion, the full-coverage satin lipstick is offered in a universally-flattering scarlet red.

The matching lipstick case is also quite stunning and I love the magnetic closure. The pigment is so insane—you only need one swipe to get a seriously bold lip. If you love red, get this Sephora exclusive soon as it WILL sell out. 

 

Available at Sephora and Sephora.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Goodbeing Beauty Subscription Box

The beauty world is saturated with subscription boxes, but Goodbeing is an excellent one to try if you enjoy natural beauty and wellness products. Each product is curated with ingredient purity and efficacy in mind. For $21 a month, you can customize your selection (choose 1-2 products) or opt out and be surprised. Members also fill out a profile to further personalize their subscription. 

I received a box of five products, which were a mix of popular and niche brands. I got a 1 oz. bottle of Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Oil, a 1 oz. Osea Ocean Cleanser, a 1 oz. Annmarie Skin Care Rosemary Peppermint Body Wash, 1 gram of Pure Anada mineral eyeshadow in champagne, and a Daily Concepts Your Dual Texture Scrubber. This is definitely a high-quality box of goodies and it's a great value for $21. If you choose the annual subscription it brings the price down to $18/month.

For more info: joingoodbeing.com

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Yoku Moku Cookies

I've heard about the famous Yoku Moku Japanese butter cookies for a long time and finally got a chance to taste them. These dainty treats might be small but they're packed with buttery vanilla goodness.

Made in Tokyo, these all-natural confections don't contain preservatives, so the shelf life is pretty short. There are six varieties to choose from as well as seasonal collections. I love the double chocolat au lait—it's like eating a rich chocolate ganache cookie sandwich. 

The holidays are around the corner so these will make excellent gifts for the gourmands in your life. The stylish tin cases are so modern and elegant, which are perfect for storing tea or candy when you're finished with the cookies.

Available at Neiman Marcus, Horchow and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Rikumo Kitchenware

I'm always admiring the gorgeous Japanese kitchen tools and homeware from Rikumo. Based in PA, the thoughtfully curated boutique also sells their products online, making it a dangerous retail pastime. Everything offered is built to last and is sourced from talented Japanese artisans.

I've already invested in the soft Imabari hand towels, so now I've got my eye on the Futagami solid brass trivets ($70-$92). Not only are they durable and well-made, they can double as home decor. I just love the Galaxy and Sun designs—so ornate yet minimalist at the same time. 

I first noticed the Hasami porcelain plates ($10-$60.50) last year and had mentally placed them on a wish list. This particular one features the Gloss finish, a pale green glaze. It comes in different sizes so you can use them for dining and/or decor. 

These precious glass bottles ($40) are for storing soy sauce. They're made with a special aburidashi glassmaking technique, resulting in various opalescent designs. This type of glassware is pretty rare in Japan, making it even more special. 

Available at rikumo.com.

Repetto Sale on Gilt

Gilt is running a great sale on Repetto shoes and handbags. I'm eyeing the Arabesque Mini Leather Tote ($399), which is going for 33% off the $595 retail price. The classic red is the perfect antidote to fight the gloomy weather we're having. 

These navy Cendrillon Patent Leather Ballet Flats ($199) are an elegant alternative to black ballerinas. The patent leather can repel raindrops better than regular leather, which is ideal here in the PNW.

The sale ends in less than three days. If you've been lusting after these items hurry on over!

Clarins Extra-Firming Mask

A new product for fall, the Clarins Extra-Firming Mask ($75) is a great way to relieve facial tension and stress lines. Organic green banana, acerola seed, mimosa and lemon thyme help revive tired skin and restore a youthful glow.

You only need ten minutes to get a quick pampering treatment. Be sure to use the Clarins Pressure Point Method to let the mask fully sink in (instruction video here). Use it once or twice a week to see maximum benefits. My skin has been getting a bit dry from the changing weather so this was a soothing pick-me-up!

Available at all Clarins counters and www.clarinsusa.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Pure

Velvet Pure, a new fragrance released by Dolce & Gabbana, is a fresh floral blend that celebrates the reseda flower. Also called mignonette, reseda is a highly fragrant herbaceous plant that grows in the Mediterranean region.

The Italian luxury fashion house designed Velvet Pure as an homage to the art of traditional perfumery. Other notes include galbanum, jasmine, cistus labdanum, fig leaf, narcissus, jonquille, North African neroli, geranium, Haitian vetiver, and orris butter.

While marketed as a unisex perfume, this is definitely an airy, bright floral. However, the fresh green notes will allow any confident man to pull this off with success. Either way, it's a pretty scent that will appeal to those who love sweet and herbal notes.

Available in a 50ml (1.6 oz) bottle for $230 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Function of Beauty Haircare

My friend Natalie recommended Function of Beauty's haircare and I was so glad I tried it. The customizable haircare line lets you tailor everything from formula to scent to shampoo color. You can also personalize your order by having your name printed on the bottles. How fun is that?

I took their hair quiz to pick a formula based on my concerns (color protection, hydration, etc.) The ordering process is easy and the price is much more affordable than many premium haircare brands. For instance, a set of 8 oz shampoo and 8 oz conditioner is $26. Free shipping is included. 

I liked how the shampoo gets my hair clean without stripping my hair. It feels soft and healthy even before using conditioner. The conditioner is pretty weightless so it doesn't leave a residue, which I love. I selected white tea jasmine as the fragrance, which wasn't strong or overwhelming at all—it's just right for me as I'm sensitive to certain scents. All Function of Beauty products are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOs, and triclosan. It's also vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

Curious? Get $5 off by purchasing via www.functionofbeauty.com/?ref=57CF3797D9C86

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Memento Mori by Aftelier

Aftelier's newest perfume, Memento Mori, is an unusual one. Mandy Aftel is stretching her creative genius by creating this deeply personal interpretation of a beloved's scent.

Notes of butter, beta-ionone and orris conjure the ephemeral saltiness of one's skin. Turkish rose plays a pivotal role in retelling this love story, but it's the civet, ambreine, patchouli and ambergris that add a warm muskiness. Exotic yet familiar, Memento Mori has a strong sillage, allowing the wearer to cherish the happy memories for just a bit longer. 

Available in a 1 oz eau de parfum spray ($180) and 1/4 oz liquid perfume ($180) at www.aftelier.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.