I am so on it this Festive Season! The tree is up, I’ve got all my presents for other people (with the exception of Mr E as he keeps changing his mind on what he wants!!) and I’ve even started wrapping some of them!! So to help those that are still deciding what to buy others I thought I would do a quick gift guide with some items that I’ve bought or been gifted myself to review (will be clearly marked), I’m trying to include some gender neutral gifts too as I think this should be supported more through retailers websites and ranges should not pigeon hole things all the time.
La Montana First Light Candle* £25
This was in my LibbieClub box this month and I must say when I saw the usual price (£35) I thought it was rather a lot fora candle! However after burning it I can see why, the scent is very strong the perfume content is high in these candles so the scent is really carried through the room even when not lit. They’re on offer at £25 here with free p&p and I do think they’d make a great gift for a candle fanatic. (Cyber Monday alert – free beauty crackers with orders over £20 too so something for you!! I’m buying one as a gift just need to choose one of the 3 scents!)
Soigné Nails Macaroon Collection £22
Okay so maybe not so gender neutral, but still a fab pressie. The box, the presentation and the soft colours of this gift is just lush. It’s great value too at £22 (reduced from £38) making each polish only £4.40 each, which is great value vs the usual price for one.
Fenjal Products* £5.36/£5.49/£4.25 (currently a third off these prices at boots!)
You are going to think I’m crazy when I tell you I was so excited to be approached by this brand! This truly is the scent of my youth, my mum and my late auntie used to buy it each other for Christmas and the smell evokes memories of luxurious winter baths, this was like a Lush bath bomb in the 80’s trust me! I always remember my mum buying it one year and it coming with free gift wrap (I was rather excited!) as it was a silver fold out box and the biggest bow I’d ever seen. I actually think it was at that point I became obsessed with present wrapping.
Anyway the shower oil and body lotion are just as I remember them and at a reasonable price make a great stocking filler present, I’m hunting out a silver box to give them my mum in. I’ve commandeered the hand cream though it smells lush, sinks in fast and has helped my dry hands get back to their usual softness. It will be a repurchase for me! 
The Body Shop Glazed Apple Feel Good Tin £17
I really wanted this when it launched last year as I fell in love with the glazed Apple scent. When I was invited to the Body Shop in the White Rose shopping centre to have a look at their Christmas gift offerings I knew I’d be picking up more of the individual shower gels especially with 40% off on the day, but when Mr E saw how much I wanted it he bought it me(and he’ll be using it no doubt too)! It’s got mini’s of the shower gel, body butter, body scrub and shimmer lotion plus the cute tin. Another alert! You can get 40% off when you buy two or more gifts online so makes this a bargain £10.20. I bought this Shea Ultimate Luxuries Gift (£35) £21 with code which is a perfect statement gift as it’s got loads in it!
Real Techniques Bold Metals Essentials with Clutch £64 (£30 on offer)
I bought this for me. I love my bold metals brushes so when this was on offer previously I snapped it up. Considering the blush brush that is in this set is £24 it’s a decent deal! I wouldn’t consider the clutch as useable though but it does fit all 3 brushes in to keep them in. Be quick as the offer is on for Black Friday/Cyber Monday so may fall off soon. 
Paul Mitchell Christmas Gifts*
I love the styling of these gifts, and was drawn to the positive messages on the outers, The Because You’re Confident set is for those that want to manage their girls with no frizz so perfect for a curly haired friend to give them fab locks but a great compliment too! It contains Spring Loaded Frizz-Fighting Shampoo and Conditoner (200ml and 250ml) and Ultimate Wave Beachy Texture Cream-Gel (150ml) and is £30.
The Because You’re Bold set is £35 and contains everything a full bodied friend needs, Extra Body Daily Shampoo and Rinse (300ml) each and Extra Body Daily Boost Root Lifter (250ml) to keep their hair boosted. I love the design on the bags too and think both would be a great gift for siblings or friends who know what they like.
And one for the men, unless you like a wet look Bob or slick back pony, the Mitch Refined Chap set* contains Double Hitter 2 in 1 Shampoo, Steady Grip Gel and a Barbers Classic Pomade so perfect for those that like to look sharp. This is perfect for my brother who is always really hard to buy for.
Hopefully this has given you some alternative ideas for this Christmas, think of me as I’m wrapping the rest of my presents up today so have quite a job on!
*items sent/requested for an honest review as always!