What to Buy the Beauty Fan That Has It All?

Our beauty buffs have hand-picked the gifts they want to find under the tree this Christmas...

Words: Grace Gargini

WHAT TO BUY THE BEAUTY FAN THAT HAS IT ALL?


Our beauty buffs have hand-picked the gifts they want to find under the tree this Christmas...

Words: Grace Gargini

When it comes to gift giving, it can be tricky to find one that ticks all the boxes. Will it be genuinely useful? Will it bring joy? Does it have an inch of originality to it? Add a hardcore beauty fan to the mix and things get a little more intimidating… ​But fear not – there is a solution! We’ve called on three of our biggest beauty buffs across Selfridges to find out what they genuinely want to find under the tree this Christmas, from the beauty gadget our Beauty Buyer discovered in lockdown to the sustainable skincare our Beauty Editor is smitten with. Plus, if you’re feeling particularly stumped, our beauty experts are just a call away with expert gift advice to enjoy from the comfort of home – click here to find out more. 

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Melissa McGinnis, Head of Beauty Buying

Looking for a truly standout beauty gift? Discover Melissa’s pick of the products that will upgrade their everyday.

Bobbi Brown

AESOP – Resurrection Duet

“As a nation I think we’ll all be filing ‘handwashing’ as the major pastime of 2020, which makes this duet of Aesop’s bestselling Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and Balm the perfect gift this year. The hand wash has an amazing woody citrus scent and you only need a small amount of the hand balm to leave your hands feeling silky smooth – plus, the glorious scent lingers for hours. This makes the ritual of hand washing a total delight!”

BYREDO – Ambre Japonais

“I have an extensive collection of Byredo candles that I love to rotate, but at the moment I find myself reaching for its Ambre Japonais scent. There’s something about its distinctively spicy aroma of coriander seeds and black pepper mixed with creamy bourbon vanilla and sandalwood that makes it the perfect choice for a cosy evening in (Netflix box set optional).”

THE LIGHT SALON – Boost LED Mask

“I started using this LED mask when we first went into lockdown and it was clear facials were on hold for the foreseeable future – and boy am I hooked! The combination of red and near-infrared wavelengths plump and hydrate my skin while also reducing the appearance of fine lines. At the end of a long day, I pop this mask on for 10 minutes to work its magic – and the LED lights help me to relax and unwind. Such a great gift for any beauty geeks out there!”

Aqua di Parma

AUGUSTINUS BADER – The Rich Cream

“If you have any skincare fans on your Christmas list, they’re going to love this! This rich cream leaves skin looking plump, feeling nourished and I’ve noticed such an improvement to my overall skin tone. It can be used day or night, but I tend to reach for it in the evening as it gives such a glowing complexion come the morning. I am on the dryer side so use the Rich Cream formula, but The Cream is great for oily or combination skin types too.”

AVEDA – Shampure Hair and Body Care Set

“Is shampoo really a gift, you ask? Well if you’re into beauty – and have a soft spot for brands making waves in the world of sustainability – then this Aveda set will tick a few boxes. The Shampure set features the brand’s bestselling range of hair and body care which promises to make shower time a treat. The iconic Shampure scent is a botanical delight and I love its eco-conscious ethics – it’s all 100% cruelty-free and the packaging is fully recyclable.”

HOURGLASS – Sculpture Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

“My make-up routine has definitely changed this year with more working (and general living) from home, so this palette has everything I need wrapped up in one. It contains blushers, a bronzer and two of its brilliant Ambient Lighting Powders (of which I’m a huge fan). It’s perfect alone over my skincare for a natural polished look, or as a finishing touch over my foundation for more of a flawless finish. Any make-up junkie will be thrilled with this one!”

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Grace Gargini, Beauty Editor

Our guru of all things beauty recommends the solution-based gifts that will bring some joy to the start of 2021.

Bobbi Brown

BIOSSANCE – Your Clean Routine, Overachievers Kit

“On first glance, skincare may seem an odd thing to gift someone; too personal perhaps? But there’s no denying our longing for indulgent, radiance-boosting remedies right now and this skincare set from Biossance is a surefire winner. Its gentle yet effective formulas are packed with skin-loving ingredients (think: vitamin C, squalance, rose oil etc) that I’m convinced would benefit all skin types. This five-pronged approach of an oil, retinol serum, eye cream and moisturiser make the perfect set for those serious about skincare.”

HERMÈS – Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in Rouge Exotique

“OK, people aren’t wearing lipstick as much as they used to. And yes, we have the added hurdle of lipstick vs. face coverings. I get it, I do. But just look at this lipstick. Ever since I discovered the Rouge Hermès Matte Lipsticks (more on that here), I’ve been smitten with their beautiful packaging and pigments – and I’ve been wearing this amazing red shade at home for instant pick-me-ups. If there was ever a time to treat a make-up lover to something special this Christmas, I say it’s now!”

DIPTYQUE – Baies, Figuier and Roses Candle Set

“I have a theory: everyone, and I mean everyone, loves a good candle. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding or moving-in gift, they’re always a safe bet. And when it comes to candles, Diptyque is the OG of the home fragrance world with its iconic scents and chic glass jars, it has built quite the fandom. This set contains 70g taster versions of its bestselling scents so your gift recipient can take all three for a spin.”

Aqua di Parma

SLIP – Silk Face Covering

“It goes without saying face masks are now a part of our everyday routine, and if you know someone who has been struggling with ‘maskne’ (yes, it’s a thing), this silk face covering from Slip is just the ticket. Using high-quality silk and a 100% cotton inner they feel ever-so-soft on the skin and less abrasive than their disposable counterparts. Plus, they can be popped in the wash so can be reused over and over.”

SIMPLEHUMAN – Sensor Mirror

“Listen up: this is the ultimate gift for any hardcore beauty nerds out there! Simplehuman’s cordless mirror has a built-in sensor that activates an illuminated x5 magnification so you can see yourself in the very best light (albeit slightly shocking when you look at yourself for the first time. I spent about 10 minutes obsessively examining my pores). It’s perfect for assisting with intricate make-up application (skilful cut-creases, liquid eyeliner et al) and it’s so good for catching the tiny hairs around your eyebrows (or chin) with the tweezers.”

DYSON – Corrale Straightener

“Gifting someone the Dyson Corrale Straightener is a real ‘drop the mic’ moment come Christmas Day. Released earlier this year, Dyson’s scrutinous approach to research and testing delivers pretty impressive results – this is the first cord-free straightener that uses flexing plates to gather the hair and style it with less heat (and therefore, less damage). It’s so, so easy to use and although it’s made for straightening, I’m a big fan of the way it gives hair a smooth gentle wave thanks to its slightly curved edges.”

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Adella Family, Beauty Buying Manger

For beauty gifts that will help them refresh and recharge, Adella has it covered.

Bobbi Brown

SUSANNE KAUFMANN – Bath Oil For The Senses

“Have any stress-heads on your Christmas list this year? How about a new mum who could do with a moment of TLC? Cue: Susanne Kaufmann’s uber-indulgent bath oil. Kaufmann’s results-orientated range of natural skin and body products focus on wellbeing – and the bath oils are coined her pièce de resistance. Bath Oil For The Senses is packed with a glorious blend including lavender, patchouli and ylang ylang that envelope the bathroom into a truly heavenly experience. Divine!”

BYREDO – Colour Stick Multi-Use Cream Stick

“2020 was the year I finally mastered a quick make-up look – and by quick, I mean a comb of the eyebrows, a coat of mascara (if I’m lucky) and a finishing touch of bronzer. The thought of juggling more than three products and wearing even a splash of colour feels pretty alien. So, the clever folks at Byredo have answered all of my Christmas wishes with these multi-use sticks that can be used on lips, eyes and cheeks to create multiple looks in the blink of an eye. With 16 vibrant colours to choose from it’s the perfect gift for the girl who wants it all (and wants it quickly!).”

SKIN GYM – Rose Quartz Workout Set

“A facial workout counts as exercise, right?! Well, this is my kind of workout. One where you can put your feet up throughout and finish with a radiant glow (with no squats or lunges necessary). The Skin Gym workout set is perfect for anyone just starting out with their beauty tool routine as the combo of the facial roller and gua sha brighten, tighten and tone while chiselling my jawline and revealing cheekbones I never knew I had – it’s a DIY facelift!”

Aqua di Parma

LA BOUCHE ROUGE PARIS – Refillable Lipsticks

“As a beauty buyer, I believe investing in the perfect red lipstick is just as important as finding the ultimate power blazer is to our fashion buyers. La Bouche Rouge delivers gorgeous lipsticks that come in handcrafted leather cases (and are an accessory in their own right). And the best part? It will last a lifetime as it is completely refillable – this Parisian Red set comes with two refills to get you started.”

JO MALONE LONDON – Wild Berry & Bramble Candle

“What to buy your mother-in-law when you’ve made your way through the entire range of Jo Malone candles, you ask? Fear not, I have just the thing! As part of its stunning Townhouse collection, Jo Malone London has launched six ceramic candles that smell just as good as they look; inspired by Georgian architecture, they’re a welcome addition to any mantlepiece or coffee table. My favourite is Wild Berry & Bramble, but I’ll have one of each please, Santa.”

Dr. Barbara Sturm – Drops Discovery Set

“An all-star line-up of three of my favourite Barbara Sturm products for less than £100? Sounds like a Christmas miracle! This set of skincare superheroes restores radiance, protects from UVA and UVB rays and shields the skin from environmental factors (stress, pollution etc.). It makes the perfect stocking filler and will defend their skin from whatever 2021 throws at it.”

Virtual gifting and beauty services

Looking to be inspired by our beauty experts from the comfort of your own home? Book a video call with personalised advice on all things beauty and discover the best gifts for your nearest and dearest (and let us organise the delivery).

Find out more