Holiday Gift Guide 2017 – Stocking Stuffers

One of my favorite things about Christmas morning is waking up early, having breakfast with my family and then digging into my stocking. They are always stuffed to the brim with amazing treats and over the years we’ve gone from regular sized stockings (cute and modest) to medium length (a bit bigger but still quite normal) and now we have giant stockings that touch the ground (a small kid can fit inside). Admittedly we may have gone a little overboard but there are so many cool things you can put inside from practical household items, clothing, accessories, snacks, makeup and more! The possibilities are endless.

From Eco Tools - the Exfoliating Pouf ($3.19) is made of 100% recyclable netting that sloughs away dead cells and creates a rich, cleansing lather. The small Contour Buki Brush Ornament can be hung on the tree (very cute) or popped into a stocking. The angled shape and fluffy bristles creates definition when used with powders, bronzers and highlighters. The Eco Tools Shower Cap ($11.49) comes with a handy storage case for travel and the soft cotton protects hair from moisture. You can also flip it inside out for deep conditioning treatments. (Eco Tools is available at Rexall, Pharma Plus, Guradian IDA, Lawtons Drugs Sobeys and online at farleyco.ca).

I love getting skincare masks in my stocking. The 7th Heaven Black Charcoal Peel-Off Mask ($7.99 for 5 at Rexall and Pharma Plus) cleanses and detoxifies to draw out impurities with a blend of natural ingredients that target problem skin. The Patchology Wink & Kiss Set ($10.00 at shoppers and beautyboutique.ca) comes with 2 pairs of Eye Gels to diminish puffiness, darkness and fatigue plus 2 Lip Gels to moisturize and soften. The NeoStrata Hydrating & Plumping Sheet Masks ($8.50 for 1 at Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart) are great for dry winter months. They protect against external aggressors with a blend of Hyaluronic Acid and rejuvenating botanicals.

For soft, smooth legs and arms, the Velvet Touch Mittens ($4.49 for 3, available at Rexall, Pharma Plus, London Drugs and farleyco.ca) buffs away stubborn hair with no pain, chemicals or wax. If you slack on hair removal, The Secret Collection Knee-High Pantyhose ($7.99 for 2 pairs at Shoppers Drug Mart) always come in handy and the stylish Strut-n-It Non-Slip Insoles ($4.99 at London Drugs) are great for high heels, flats and open-toe shoes.

Friends, family and travelers will love the Steripod Tooth Brush Sanitizers ($6.99 at farleyco.ca, Walmart, London Drugs) and every woman needs a new supply of hair bands because they all seem to mysteriously disappear. The Stylize Non-Friction Elastics ($12.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart) are embellished with charms and jewels so they look fashionable on the wrist. Yardley has a variety of travel sized fragrances with fresh, floral scents for $18.99 each at Shoppers and beautyboutique.ca.

Lip Smacker always has an adorable collection of lip balms and the Stack & Collect Tsum Tsum Sets by Disney are great for kids and nostalgic adults ($9.49 at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore Lawtons and Toys R Us). If you prefer a voluptuous, pout then the Soap & Glory Pillow Plump Gloss ($24.99 at Shoppers) provides ultra-shine with lip-enhancing technology.

Makeup cleansers are always a big hit with my family so this year they are all getting the Vichy Thermale Wipes ($14.95 at drugstores and vichy.ca) suitable for sensitive skin and eyes. Life Brand also has fantastic Micellar Water ($9.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart) that removes dirt, makeup, oil and impurities.

London Town Cuticle Oil ($18.00 at Shoppers Drug Mart) is infused with vitamins and oils that nourish and heal dry, damaged skin.

If you don’t have a Scrub Daddy scratch-free sponge ($5.99 at Canadian Tire) then you need to get one. You can use this happy little guy to deep clean and scour your entire house from the outside in and it even tackles the bathroom (you may need to get a few). Speaking of the bathroom, Sqautty Potty has created the Unicorn Gold deodorizer spray ($14.99 at Canadian Tire and Bed Bath & Beyond) that you spritz in the toilet (beforehand) to trap odors beneath the water. This may sound unusual but it could come in handy for public restrooms, travel and the workplace.

For more great ideas check out my other gift guides:
2017 Holiday Gift Guide - Makeup & Beauty Sets
The Ultimate Holiday Fragrance Gift Guide
Must-Have Beauty Tools
Sephora - Holiday Collection

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

Almay Makeup Remover Towelettes and Pads

Need some help stuffing those stockings this holiday season? Why not get the makeup lovers in your family something practical they are sure to use! Some of my favorite makeup removers are from Almay, they remove heavy formulas, glitter makeup, waterproof mascara and eyeliner while being gentle on skin!

The oil free towelettes are thick, plush and soft, formulated to lift away stubborn makeup effectively with no greasy residue. Aloe, cucumber and green tea soothe skin and the wipes are also safe for contact wearers.

They have just the right amount of dampness to get the job done and I like that at the end of a long day they make removing my makeup less taxing and leave my skin feeling refreshed!

The oil free gentle makeup remover pads are just as great! The jar contains 80 pads that wipe away eye makeup without burning or irritating. I like to fold the pad in half around my lashes and hold it there while the formula soaks in and loosens crunchy mascara. I lose a lot less lashes this way and the extracts provide a bit of hydration.

You can pick these up at most drugs stores. 

**Disclaimer: products were provided