Holiday Gift Guide: Last Minute Gift Ideas and Fabulous Stocking Stuffers

So the stockings are hung, the tree is lit and you are preparing your holiday menu but if you need some last minute gift ideas here are a few goodies to help complete your shopping mission.

The I Love...holiday gift sets are the perfect skin pampering sweet treats! These body products come in an assortment of delectable scents including the delicious Strawberry & Cream Take Away Kit below. The Bubble Bath & Shower Cream foams away dirt and oil with a rich sumptuous lather and fluffy foam. The Body Butter is smooth, fragrant and nourishing to keep skin soft and hydrated all winter long. The kit also comes with a small bath puff and the set is great for teens, teachers, friends, co-workers, secret Santa and even your neighbors. It retails for $18.99.

Everyone loves fluffy socks and face masks so why not create a little gift package with a variety of skin loving treatments. The Montagne Jeunesse face masks (now called 7th Heaven) have been a part of my skincare routine for years. They come in a range of formulas infused with natural ingredients like Honey, Creamy Coconut, Dead Sea, Green Tea and many more for just $1.99 each!

I’ve also included the Sparkling Wine Masque Visage from THE FACE SHOP with real wine extract, jojoba, licorice, ginko biloba and more. These masks make great stocking stuffers along with 

THE FACE SHOP'S cute Gel Perfume Tubes that retail for $18.00.

Also from THEFACESHOP the Around the World hand cream set is great for dry skin and totally adorable! Each little fruit has a cute animal wrapped around it and comes in three formulas: mango, avocado and cacao made with real fruit butter! Who wouldn't want one of these in their stocking this year! 

Bio Beauté by Nuxe has some great skincare and recently I’ve been using the Flash Perfection Serum which is loaded with antioxidants, pear seed extract, hyalouronic acid and apricot kernel extract to plump, smooth, deeply hydrate and illuminate. For those who love taking selfies this fluid day cream melts into skin as the pearl pigments adapt to all tones correcting pigment and minimizing minor blemishes and flaws. It retails for $37.00.

The Silky Perfecting BB Cream with peach extract and mineral pigments is one of my favorite BB creams on the market! It moisturizes, protects, corrects skin tone, enhances radiance, conceals, blurs flaws, diminishes blemished/dark spots, smooths wrinkles and mattifies. It also provides light to medium coverage with buildable color and an infusion of fruit extracts and minerals to help you achieve a flawless finish. You can wear it alone or under foundation and it comes in fair, medium and dark. The BB cream retails for $24.00.

In terms of perfume there are many trendy new scents on the market and I have reviewed quite a few here on my blog. I decided to include the Alien Eau de Parfum because it smells amazing! This irresistible aroma is powerful, seductive, alluring and designed to evoke the radiance, splendor and Goddess in every woman with a sophisticated blend of jasmine, vanilla and warm amber. The bottle is designed like a beautiful purple amethyst for a stunning jewel effect. One spritz is usually enough to make me smell wonderful all day and have people asking what perfume I'm wearing. The 30 ml/ 1oz retails for $96.00.

So ...? Fragrance has also released some cute sets that are perfect for stocking stuffers! Inspired by glamorous cities around the word the body sprays are light, sweet, playful and fun. These trendy scents retail for just $6.99 per box and So..Fragrance is available at Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu.

The Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss Set comes with 4 iridescent shades: Sweet Pink, Coral Kiss, Passion Fruit and Mauve all packaged in a cute mini purse. Infused with mango and shea butter to hydrate and plump the formula provides subtle color, bold shine and a beautiful lush finish. The set retails for $30.00 and you can find it at Elizabeth Arden counters and London Drugs.

For the mature ladies on your list Crabtree & Evelyn always has a great range of classic scents to choose from. The Rosewater products smells like a fresh English garden on a warm sunny day. Infused with real flower extract, oils and nourishing butters this collection is the perfect skin pampering set for your aunt, mom or granny and my mother-in-law just loves this brand! The set is valued at $76.00 but retails for $55 and the packaging is beautiful!

Dermalogica is one of my favorite brands and because the products are fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin they are suitable for almost everyone on your list including the guys. The Skin Prep Scrub ($20.00) is a polishing exfoliant with natural grains that remove dulling surface debris to improve absorption of moisturizing products. It contains a comforting blend of extracts, cucumber and aloe to prevent overstimulation and leave skin smooth and silky. The Hydra Blur Primer is perfect for use under makeup as it blurs pores and fine lines. It also hydrates without being greasy for a bright luminous finish. It retails for $62.00.

We can’t forget about the hair so last but not least are two products formulated to replenish and soften your mane. The éprouvage Replenishing Leave-in Conditioner uses plant cell technology and antioxidants to neutralize environmental elements, fortify weak damaged strands and protect the scalp. It also moisturizes, helps detangle, prevents breakage, calms fly-aways and reduces frizz for healthy looking hair. You can apply it to damp hair before styling or simply air dry for beautiful waves and curls. It retails for $18.00 at Ulta and ulta.com.

The Inecto Naturals Hair Oil with organic argan is great for battling the drying effects of winter to moisturize and protect fragile hair. I usually use a tiny bit on my ends after styling to smooth and add shine but don't over apply as the texture is a bit slick! The oil retails for just $6.99 and makes a great stocking stuffer.

For more great gift ideas check out my previous posts
 Happy Holidays!

Mark Moon Chill Berry Bath and Body Collection

Since the weather has gone from chilly and crisp to cold and icy I have been pampering my skin with some amazing products from mark. Many of these bath and body products have become some of my favorites and nothing hydrates and moisturizes my skin like the thick, luscious body butters that are on my must-have holiday list!

The Moon Chill Berry Collection is the perfect way to unwind on a blustery winter’s night and the decadent scent of chilled berries, frosted blossoms and moonlit musk is enough to put me in the mood for some hot cocoa and gift wrapping!

The collection includes:

*Moon Chill Berry 3-in-1 Body Wash ($12)

This fruity formula lathers richly for a wonderful aromatic clean that makes skin smell amazing. You can use it as shampoo or shower gel and if you want to soak away the stress of a long day you can also use it as a foamy bubble bath!

*Moon Chill Berry Body Scrub ($14)

To slough away some dry, winter skin the scrub is infused with sugarcane extract and walnut for smooth supple results. You can use the scrub in the shower and the gentle exfoliating beads smell wonderful!

*Moon Chill Berry Shimmer Body Cream ($15)

For luminous shimmer, the lightly scented body cream is a great option. The shimmer is very subtle for a healthy glow and great hydration.

*Moon Chill Berry Body Butter ($14)

If you suffer from dry skin this body butter will help you battle the winter weather with a luxuriously rich, ultra-hydrating formula that melts into skin. When it comes to long-lasting moisture and soft, supple skin this butter is number one on my list this season! Although it is thick, creamy and smooth it doesn't have a greasy residue and the results are long-lasting.

*Moon Chill Body Mist ($14)

All of the products above will leave your skin looking and smelling great but the body mist adds the finishing touch. With a light musk scent infused with sweet, juicy berries the mist smells good enough to eat! The scent lasts a few hours before dissipating so I would love a purse-sized version!

*Moon Chill Berry Hand Cream ($14)

During the winter my hands need extra moisture so this hand cream is great for use on the go and takes care of dry cuticles and rough patches all season long.

This collection makes a great holiday gift or you can mix, match and pair items together to create smaller gifts, gift baskets or stocking stuffers. You can find the collection by clicking HERE. 

**Disclaimer: products provided for review

Mark Eye Dream of Glam Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette

One of my favorite things about gift giving is seeing the excitement and joy on someone’s face as they open a gorgeous package. When I first laid eyes on the Eye Dream of Glam eye shadow palette by mark it was like Christmas came early! I was excited to begin creating gorgeous holiday looks with this jaw-dropping palette.

The Glam Palette is definitely unique! It contains 16 big, beautiful shadows with multi-dimensional color and intricate marbled patterns for a blend of interesting hues. The packaging is great and allows you to see each color while the palette is closed, it also comes with a dual-sided sponge applicator which works well for layering and creating a bold effect.

The texture of the shadows are velvety-smooth with a shimmery, metallic finish that has great pigmentation and is easy to build and blend. For more intensity you can also use the pigments damp and despite the marbling you can still achieve consistent color by sticking to the area of the circle that produces the shade and effect you want.

The palette is not only visually stunning and artistic it is also great quality and a wonderful value at just $40.00. Although the theme is glitz and glam it also looks a bit interstellar with patterns that remind me of colorful planets! I like that I can alter the amount of shimmer and glitter I apply as some areas of the shadows are more concentrated than others, this also allows you to control the specific color you pick up and the saturation.

This palette makes a great gift and a fun new addition to any makeup collection! The shades are very festive for the holidays but it also contains hues for every season from: gold, blue, purple, bronze, cream, silver, grey, green and many more!

Swatched over primer

The formula works excellent with a great primer for long-lasting color with no creasing or fading and they pair well with matte shades for more depth and a contrast of texture.

You can find this palette by clicking HERE.

**Disclaimer: product was provided for review

Eos Holiday Gifts! Shave Cream, Hand Lotion and Lip Balm

Give the gift of soft lips and supple skin this winter with eos! By now many of you have heard of or seen this band in stores and it has quickly become one of my favorites! I love the natural ingredients, cute packaging and the way the products nourish my skin to help battle the frigid winter.

This holiday I’ll be stuffing stocking and making gift baskets with some delightful goodies from eos! The shave creams have an ultra nourishing formula that makes skin feel silky smooth and helps you achieve a closer shave. I like the way the cream coats and distributes making a slick layer for less friction and more efficiency. Vanilla Bliss contains shea butter, oat and aloe to help soothe and moisturize while antioxidants and vitamins C and E condition.

Pomegranate raspberry is also formulated with natural oils, shea and aloe to provide 24 hours of deep hydration. This cream is so luscious that you can use it to shave dry or wet and both scents smell wonderful! They also come in a fragrance free formula for sensitive skin and a lavender jasmine scent. You can find them at most drug stores including Target, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall for just $3.49.

The eos lip balms are some of my favorites and are always in my purse or travel bag. I love the shape, the scents and the antioxidant-rich formula packed with vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba that keeps my lips moisturized and smooth. The balms are also long-lasting, gluten free and made with 100% natural and 95% organic ingredients.

I've tried just about every scent including: blueberry acai, sweet mint, strawberry sorbet, summer fruit and honeysuckle honeydew. I like the pomegranate raspberry balm best which also contains: coconut seed oil, plant extracts, sunflower oil and pomegranate seed oil to alleviate dry chapped skin. The lip balms retail for $3.29 each.

If dry hands are an issue this winter, then the portable mini hand lotions from eos are a great solution. These fast-absorbing creams are formulated to provide 24 hours of moisture with antioxidants, shea butter, aloe, soybean oil, sunflower oil, macadamia oil and oats. It is made of 95% natural ingredients and I like that it doesn't leave behind a greasy residue. The creams are perfect purse-size and retail for $1.99.

To check out more products from this brand you can visit them online by clicking HERE.

**Disclaimer: products provided for review

Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss and Limited Edition Mineral Eye Color Quads

I have put up my Christmas tree, hung the stockings and I’m ready to wish my family and friends a Merry Christmas with beautiful gifts! This year Mary Kay has released some wonderful products to make gift giving simple and fun with items for everyone on your list. Today I’ll feature makeup that is sure add some festive sparkle and keep everyone looking trendy through the season!

The Nourishine Plus Lip Glosses are available in 7 dazzling shades from: berry, pink, gold and frosty silver. I love a gloss that provides long-lasting hydration, especially through the blustery Canadian winters and these moisturize, protect and condition with anti-oxidant rich vitamins and minerals.

I like the ultra-shine finish, smooth texture and the non-sticky formula. All of the shades with the exception of Sun Blossom are embedded with micro-shimmer for a pouty, radiant effect. The pigmentation and color-payoff varies by shade but most offer sheer to medium coverage.

(Swatches from left to right: Berry dazzle, Shock Tart, Sparkle Berry, Sun Blossoms, Pink Wink, Golden)

My favorite color is the deepest shade called Berry Dazzle, this gloss provides the most pigmentation and a rich wash of deep red that is perfect for the holidays! For those with more modest taste, Sun Blossom has a nude, natural hue while Golden and Silver Moon provide sheer, luminous color.

These are great stocking stuffers and ideal to keep in your purse, the glosses retail for $18.00 each.

Keeping with the holiday cheer and shimmer theme the limited edition Mineral Eye Color Quads have 4 complimentary shades per palette and are suitable for every occasion and season. The shadows have both matte and high-shimmer finishes with great pigmentation that is easy to blend and intensify.

Sandstorm contains neutral tones that are great for day wear and Autumn Leaves has a gorgeous combination of burgundy, deep purple, green and gold to create fantastic looks for both day and night! I like the soft, velvety formula and ease of application, the palettes are also small and magnetic so you can pop them in a case and take them on the go, they retail for $19.00 ea.

These products are now available at MaryKay.Ca or through independent consultants. 

Disclaimer: products were provided for review

Yves Rocher Fruits Noirs Blackberries Collection: Holiday Gift Ideas

As we creep into winter and sleigh bells begin to ring, most of us are preparing for the joyous festivities of the holidays! The soft twinkle of lights from the tree, the smell of homemade desserts wafting through the air and a warm cozy fire as snow lightly falls outside makes this season my favorite! This year Yves Rocher has introduced some wonderful new bath and body collections that capture the essence of the holiday to make gift giving simple. The Fruits Noirs Blackberries Collection has a scrumptious, uplifting scent and includes a wide variety of decadent products for everyone on your list.

If you want to smell as good as you look this holiday season while pampering your skin in rich lotions, shower gels and balms this collection is truly indulgent!

The collection includes:

* Shower Gel ($4.00) – With a botanical cleansing base this gel is infused with organic cornflower water for a gentle, invigorating cleanse and is paraben free!

* Exfoliating Shower Gel ($9.00) – This fragrant gel lightly exfoliates with real kiwi seeds and lathers into a delightful blackberry foam that leaves skin smelling wonderful! It also contains apricot, organic water, mint, blackcurrant and essential oils.

*Sparkling Shower Gel ($6.00) – This gorgeous shower gel sprinkles you in glitter and holiday spirit. The dazzling globe reminds me of a beautiful Christmas ornament and the sparkling formula is fun for parties, events and even New years Eve! It contains many of the same great extracts and oils as the exfoliating gel.  

*Silky Body Cream ($9.00) – After lathering up with the aromatic shower gel, the body cream is a great way to add the finishing touches and prolong the alluring fragrance of sweet blackberries. Infused with shea butter, sweet almond oil, peppermint, patchouli, orange and essential oils this cream nourishes, hydrates and protects.

*Body Lotion ($6.00) - The Body lotion has the same great ingredients and hydrating properties as the Body Cream but contains a bit less and is packaged in a bottle rather than a jar.

*Sparkling Body Powder ($14.00) – The powder is formulated to lightly perfume the skin and create a luminous, satiny smooth finish. After a shower the powder is refreshing and helps keep you dry and comfortable.

*Liquid Hand Soap ($5.00) – Add a bit of festive cheer to your powder room this season with the sweet blackberry soap. It cleans hands thoroughly and smells enchanting!

*Hand Cream ($4.00) – After hand-washing, moisturize with the luscious blackberry hand cream infused with organic water, sweet almond oil, mint, patchouli, orange, blackcurrant and extracts. This is a great cream to keep in your purse to help battle winter dryness. 

*Nourishing Lip Balm ($3.00) – The cute blackberry balm with almond oil, jojoba and shea butter alleviates dry, cracked lips, protects against the elements and smells delicious!

*Scented Candle ($9.00) – With fall and winter comes a great selection of scented candles and comforting fragrances. This blackberry candle is decorative and fills your home with the aroma of delicious, mouthwatering blackberry pie!

The great thing about this collection is that you can mix and match any of the items to create great gift baskets, stocking stuffers and customized packages. Every product has a natural fruit scent so there are no unpleasant artificial notes and if blackberry isn't your thing the other collections include: Redberries, Cocoa & Orange, and Pear Caramel! Some of the items also have a slight perfume aroma that is so captivating I wish the collection also included a fragrance! You can find these products in all Yves Rocher Stores and online by clicking HERE.

**Disclaimer: products were provided for review

Viva La Juicy Noir Eau de Parfum Spray- Review

Soon the season will be changing once again and I've been busy preparing my holiday gift list and embracing the weather with hot cocoa and fluffy scarves. New beauty collections boast deep shades and beautiful jewel tones and it is also time to break out the warm, intoxicating fragrances! Viva La Juicy Noir by Juicy Couture is inspired by timeless youth, sensuality and feminine confidence. The stylish pink bottle, delicately etched with falcons and adorned with a black satin ribbon is flashy yet enchanting.

The packaging is fun, trendy and exudes youthful elegance. The dazzling bottle is suited for display atop a vanity and the alluring scent is sure to turn heads! The top notes include: juicy berries, sparking mandarin, honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. The bottom notes balance the floral sweetness with amber, golden caramel, vanilla and sandalwood.

I like the intermingling of ingredients and the great composition; initially it smells slightly sugary with bursts of fruit but slowly diffuses into a warm, deep scent as the vanilla and amber notes become more evident. The perfume has moderate intensity and slightly dissipates into a rich captivating aroma.

I prefer fragrances with a mild fade-out and those that smell softly aromatic as the day wears on. The longevity of Noir is good and the scent is suitable for both day and night. It also transitions well through the seasons.

This year Juicy Couture sponsored the World MasterCard Fashion Week here in Toronto and I stopped by their booth to check out the wonderful array of products! The brand creates scents to suit a wide variety of preferences.

Although the elaborate, bright design of the bottle is suited to my taste and may be most popular among young women, the scent can be enjoyed by all ages! This is definitely a great fragrance and with the holidays coming up it makes a wonderful gift!

You can Purchase Juicy Couture Noir (30 ml) for $65 at Shopper Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay, Sephora, London Drugs and Pharma Plus. (alternative sizes are available)

**Disclaimer: provided for review