2016 Holiday Gift Guide & Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Christmas is just around the corner so today I'm sharing a few great gift ideas including skincare, makeup, fragrance and awesome tools.

The Skittles Lip Smackers Set brings back fond childhood memories of my obsession for delicious lip products. Before I had Burberry and Mac lipsticks these colorful little balms kept my pout sufficiently hydrated and they were super trendy! With fun candy flavors like Strawberry Starfruit, Mango Tangelo, Green Apple, Raspberry and Banana Berry, you can slip one into to everyone’s stocking! The set retails for $9.95 at Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart.

I think pimple patches are the most ingenious treatments for nasty breakouts and MaskerAide has just released their own set! Unlike topical creams these don’t rub off, transfer or wear away which makes them highly effective and there are different sizes for optimum zit coverage. To use: simply cleanse the affected area, apply a patch and leave on for 8-12 hours. I usually wear them in the evening and while sleeping. The formula contains a blend of Salicylic Acid, Volcanic Ash and Tea Tree Oil to detoxify and absorb excess oil. Usually by morning my pimple has disappeared or greatly reduced in size and redness. There are 96 clear patches per box retailing for $25.00 at maskeraide.com.

I’ve tried a lot of skincare but the Body Butter by Mark is my favorite formula on the market. The ultra rich, creamy lotion is a dry skin savior and comes in decadent scents like Lemon Sugar, Dreaming of Jasmine, Crushing on Coconut and Passionate for Plumberry (my personal fave). The butters envelop rough, deydrated skin in layers of moisture so you feel soft and supple from head-to-toe. They also alleviate hands, feet and damaged cuticles. You can pick them up for $14.00 each at avon.ca or through independent consultants.

THEFACESHOP has some great sheet masks that make perfect stocking stuffers. The Character Masks ($4.00 ea) are moisturizing and refreshing with rejuvinating ingredients like honey, collagen and plant extracts. If you are looking for an anti-aging treatment to firm and tone, try the Wrinkle Care Face Mask ($2.00). (Available in store or at the thefaceshop.ca)

If you don’t want to spend a lot on a cleansing brush, these silicone pads exfoliate and refresh the skin. I take them on vacation instead of bringing along my expensive devices like the Clarisonic which could go missing if my luggage is lost. These are ideal for travel because the bristles don’t harbor bacteria, are easy to clean, fit nicely into any bag and can be wiped dry. They also have little suction attachments at the back for adhesion to almost any surface. I stick one on the shower wall for easy access and use it with my foaming cleanser. They retail for $10.00 but are now on sale for $3.99 at avon.ca.

While browsing avon.ca for luxurious skincare be sure to check out the Anew Ultimate Supreme Advanced Performance Creme. The jar is designed to resemble the rare Tahitian black pearl which is also one of the main moisturizing ingredients in the formula. The refreshing gel-cream texture melts in with no greasy residue and the silky finish creates a smooth makeup base. It also contains the highest concentration of Avon’s anti-aging complex which mom and grandma are sure to love! The cream retails for $60.00.

The Stila Bright & Bold Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set contains three mini lip colors in: Beso (true red), Viola (cool lavender) and Lume (deep fuchsia) for $20.00. These colors are vibrant, full-coverage and gorgeous which is perfect for any makeup junkie on your list. Stila can be found at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and beautyboutique.ca.

The Mani To-Go Deluxe Manicure Set makes a glamorous little gift for co-workers, teachers and friends. It comes in a chic glittery case with cuticle scissors, cuticle pusher, nail clipper, file and tweezers for $12.00 at avon.ca.

For the jetsetters on your list, the Travalo Refillable Fragrance Atomizer is great for any trip. The elegant packaging comes in different colors to suit your style and can be used with any standard perfume bottle. To use: simply remove the perfume spray head, pop off the bottom casing of the Travalo and pump to fill. This handy little tube allows you to travel with your favorite scents without having to pack an entire bottle of expensive fragrance! (Travalo retails for $19.99 at travalo.com). For gifting you can also pair the Travalo with a fun perfume like Private Show by Britney Spears. This composition is sweet, youthful and dessert-like with notes of whipped cream, coffee, dulce de lech, jasmine, amber and musk. It retails for about $32.00.

Slipping on a pair of Avon’s Pop of Plaid Memory Foam Slippers is like walking on a fluffy cloud! After a long day they support tired, achy feet and keep them warm and cozy. I wear these slippers everyday and all year, especially in the winter. They retail for $12.99.

A few more great stocking stuffers include the All Bundled up Collection with Hand Cream ($6.00) and Body Spray ($14.00). This soothing scent is perfect for the season with notes of crisp sparkling pear, warm vanilla bean and rich amber. I also love the sweet, fruity scent of the Avon Senses Hand Soap in Pomegranate & Mango. It makes a great gift paired with a few other skincare essentials and the formula cleanses effectively with natural extracts. The soap retails for $10.00 but is on sale at avon.ca for $4.99).

~Happy Holidays