It’s the time of year when we get to spoil all of our favorite people — and ourselves! Here are my favorite beauty splurges that anyone on your holiday gift list would be thrilled to receive:
THE ORIGINAL BEAUTYBLENDER ($20, ULTA.COM)
So, this is nothing new to the beauty world — but I can guarantee you that no beauty junkie would ever be upset about receiving a fresh, new BeautyBlender! For those who aren’t familiar with this product, it’s a small, egg-shaped sponge that expands when wet and delivers a smooth, airbrushed finish with your favorite face products by bouncing it over your skin.
I have tried just about every beauty sponge on the market, and there are definitely some convincing dupes. However, I cannot deny the softness and full, flawless finish that the BeautyBlender provides every time. Just don’t forget to give yours a quick wash after each use to prevent buildup of mold or bacteria on your sponge.
BELIF AQUA BOMB DEEP HYDRATION SET (SEPHORA.COM, $38)
Let’s face it, many of us don’t want to splurge on good skincare — especially when so much of finding what jives well with our skin is trial and error. But I say it all the time: Nice skin is the canvas for nice makeup, so it’s important to pamper it when we can.
Value sets like this are a great way to test a variety of luxury skincare products at an affordable price. This is the kind of thing we don’t always want to splurge on for ourselves, so it’s always nice to receive as a gift! Tip: when testing new skincare, introduce new products once every three days. This will allow you to pinpoint any products that don’t agree with your skin.
HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING FACE PALETTE ($80, HOURGLASSCOSMETICS.COM)
Hourglass Cosmetics is famous for its immaculate complexion products and sell-out holiday collections. As we move into dryer winter weather, we need to focus on bringing life back to our skin. This palette includes a lightly luminous array of powder, blush and bronzer products, leaving your face with a soft-focus glow that’s flattering on any skin type or texture. If this price point is a little intimidating, there’s a more affordable mini edit as well.
NATASHA DENONA GLAM PALETTE ($65, SEPHORA.COM)
It’s no secret that warm-toned eyeshadows have been all the rage for the last several years. I can’t tell you how many rich caramel and ruddy red shades I have in my collection. This palette is refreshing because it leans on the much cooler side of the spectrum, with sparkling champagnes, tarnished taupes and chocolate browns. Natasha Denona is known for her buttery and easily blendable eyeshadow formulas, so this is a great addition to any makeup lover’s collection.
Crissy Cox is a freelance makeup artist on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, specializing in on-location wedding and special event makeup. Contact her or learn more at facebook.com/CrissyCoxMUA.