9 Beauty editor-approved gifts to usher in the festive season

3 OF THE BEST SPARKLE-SEASON SCENTS 

Enter the New Year with an olfactive bang with these luxurious, sparkle-inspired scents

1. If you’re a lover of saffron-forward scents, run (do not walk) to get your hands on the latest from Acqua Di Parma, inspired by the Venetian terrazzo craftsmanship technique which combines precious materials such as gold, marble and Murano glass. Not what you would expect from a classic amber-woody scent, Zafferano is elegantly fresh in the opening, with notes of mandarine, bergamot, coriander, orange and hits of spice nudging their way through. With a rich floral heart comprising notes of saffron, jasmine sambac, rose, orange blossom and tonka bean – trust us, noses (not just tongues) will be wagging.  Acqua Di Parma Signature Collection Zafferano EDP 100ml R4,200 skins.co.za
2. An oldie but a goodie, Louis Vuitton’s curation of holiday gifting highlights an amber-floral scent that keeps making it onto our wish list. Inspired by natural phenomena such as shooting-star showers, Attrape-Rêves is made to leave a captivating, airy-light trail. With notes of litchi, ginger, bergamot, peony, Turkish rose and cacao, it’s definitely one to stock up on. Louis Vuitton Attrape-Rêves Cologne EDP 100ml R4,800 louisvuitton.com
3. Prepare to add another iconic Carolina Herrera stiletto bottle to your vanity as the latest reiteration of the Good Girl scent goes into the night with a glitzy jasmine-forward scent. Inspired by the magic of the night, jasmine is elevated with the addition of tuberose, orange blossom and nuanced base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla and tonka bean.  Carolina Herrera Good Girl Midnight EDP 80ml R3,045 edgars.co.za

BRAND TO KNOW: NARS COSMETICS 

We love it when a new global beauty brand lands on our shores and this one is long-overdue.  NARS Cosmetics, founded in 1994 by makeup artist and photographer François Nars, is finally in South Africa.  Known for its game-changing, skincare-first formulas, there’s no need to rack your brain about what to gift the makeup enthusiast in your life.  Available nationally in ARC stores as well as online, and with a stand-alone store in Sandton, any of NARS’s iconic cult-favourites and stellar complexion products will do. Choices include the glow-giving Light Reflecting Foundation, Soft Matte Complete Concealer or Orgasm Blush. 

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in Caracas R1,065; NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Biscuit R675; NARS Climax Mascara in Explicit Black R615; NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush in Orgasm R760 narscosmetics.com arcstore.co.za

SPLURGE ON CHANEL 31 LE ROUGE

We love a good splurge and this one is worth every cent.  Visually delicate but technically sturdy, 31 Le Rouge is Chanel’s first lipstick to be housed in glass packaging.  Created by a Japanese master glassmaker and inspired by the staircase mirrors of Gabrielle Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon apartment in Paris, the diamond-like glass lipstick case with two gold-coloured metal rings adorning the centre merges craftsmanship, technology and glassmaking expertise (traditionally used in high perfumery).  The glass case features a refillable and interchangeable aluminium core that houses the satin-finish, high-performing lipstick formula.  With 12 saturated shades to choose from, each comes powered with lip-loving ingredients such as gardenia-infused oil and Maracuja oil. 

Chanel 31 Le Rouge Ultimate Lipstick With Case R7,955 available exclusively at CHANEL Boutiques

STOCKING FILLER MVP: PEARS AND SHARES 

If you love to invest your coins in bath and body products that make every day feel super indulgent, make sure The Body Shop’s festive collection is in your stocking. From body creams, body yoghurts, hand creams to shower gels, this year’s assortment has a scent thread of pears, cherries and plums in vegan-friendly collections - Pears and Shares, Love and Plums as well as Cherries and Cheer.  We can’t get enough of the delicately fragranced Pears and Shares range that feel like cheer in a jar with pear, peony, and sloe berries.  Rest assured that you are also doing good while gifting as a portion of sales goes towards supporting Woman Lead Movement to aid research and drive change against gender-based violence. 

The Body Shop Small Pear Seasonal R550 thebodyshop.co.za