Main image: Susanne Kaufmann
Matiere Premiere
Ensens Suave, £220
I was given a tiny vial of this to try recently and I have been eking it out all month. It’s exactly the fragrance feel I dream of as the festive season approaches; it smells of midnight mass with amber and incense notes, and festive baking with vanilla and coffee accords. Delicious, cosy and a little bit ethereal. It’s firmly at the top of my self-gifting list this year.
Diptyque
Friandise Candle, £68
Every year I buy one super Christmassy candle to get me in the festive spirit and burn it when baking my Christmas cake, decorating the tree or writing my cards. This year it’s the spiced Friandise candle from Diptyque with notes of gingerbread and cinnamon. Yum.
Slip Flora
Silk Scrunchie Set, £45
I’ve been committed to growing my hair this year and one of the things I’ve been advised by many hair stylists is to switch to silk scrunchies to minimise breakage and tangles. I’ll keep you posted how I get on with these.
By Terry
Baume de Rose Lip Balm, £42
I know: £42 for a lip balm in the current economy seems slightly *ahem* indulgent but hear me out. I buy one pot of this a year (that’s £3.50/month in beauty maths) as the buttery, nourishing lip mask only needs applying once a day (okay maybe two – it smells so good). It’s non-sticky, so comforting and keeps my lips from chapping on my daily wind-swept dog walks. An investment, yes, but one I can highly recommend.
Caudalie
Resveratrol Lift Firming Eye Gel Cream, £39
I don’t know if it’s the central heating or hitting 40, but I’ve noticed my eyes are puffier when I wake up in colder months. I’ve started using this cooling tipped applicator to massage in the vitamin-rich eye gel whilst the kettle boils in the morning and it’s tightened and brightened my under-eyes already.
Susanne Kaufmann
Bath for the Senses Bath Oil, £55
As the evenings darken, I switch my ablutions to a daily bath. Nourishing oils have amazing transformative powers when swirled into warming waters and this magic elixir from Susanne Kaufmann has a blend of essential oils, including ylang ylang, lavender and patchouli to soothe the spirits.
Davines
Pasta & Love Beard Oil, £23
I’ve just repurchased this for my husband and it reminded me just how good it is. More than just a scent, it actually makes his Mr Twit worthy beard soft and glossy. At risk of making him sound like a show pony, it is rather transformative.
Patrick TA
Major Dimension Eyeshadow Duo in We Need Better Lighting, £37
I love the idea of this molten metal duo for the party season. Apply as a wash across the whole lid for a subtle hint of festive cheer, or intensely along the lash line for nights out.
Dr Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, £21
I keep a few of these sachets in my arsenal over a busy festive season when the late nights and excesses are starting to show in my lagging skin. It helps exfoliate, unclog pores and generally pep up my skin to make me look more awake than I am.
