Gift Guide: For the Beauty Lover + December Beauty Picks

December 5, 2018

click the item in the image to go directly to the product page!

Gift Guide: For the Beauty Lover

Raise your hand if your bestie knows how to create that perfect smoky eye! How about a mom who collects gorgeous perfumes? We all have a beauty lover in our life and the holidays are the perfect time to treat her to an indulgent beauty gift! You can start small or go big because there are just so many great, luxurious beauty gifts available at any price!

For the glam gal who always looks red carpet ready, this curling iron looks good and gets the job done. I’ve been using it for years and it’s never let me down! This gorgeous {but only $30!!!} makeup brush set is another tool that any beauty loving gal will appreciate.

On the flip-side, for a girl who prefers that I woke up this way look and tries to keep her routine simple, start with the basics like a good face oil, an all-natural detoxing bath soak, or a cook book that promotes glowing from the inside out!

How about for the lady who needs a little rest and relaxation this holiday season? Encourage her to get ready in this elegant robe, light a few candles on her vanity, or make a cup of tea before bed that will help her get the best beauty sleep of her life. Consider treating your stressed out co-worker to a jade roller that will sooth her skin and her mind a little.

Of course, a gorgeous neutral eyeshadow palette or lipstick will always be a solid gift choice! These gold bobby pins and French soaps are the perfect stocking stuffer. For a real splurge you could always fill an elegant makeup bag with chic products like this glow stick or tortoise shell comb!

P.S. Keep reading to see my reviews of beauty products I used in November and ones I’ll be testing in December!

SHOP THIS POST

onetwothree . fourfivesix . seveneight nineteneleventwelve . thirteenfourteenfifteen . sixteen . seventeen .

These are the beauty products I loved in November! - M Loves M @marmar These are the best beauty products to try this winter. - M Loves M @marmar The Kirstin Ess rotating curling wand is so good! - M Loves M @marmar

If you’re shopping for beauty gifts, I thought it would be helpful to share my December beauty picks and November product reviews with you. Maybe your perfect beauty gift is on this list! With so many fun holiday parties and events coming my way, this month I wanted to focus on products that could help me prep and perfect my skin, hair, and makeup!

DECEMBER BEAUTY: PREP AND PERFECT

Living Proof Overnight Perfector

Every winter my hair takes a hit thanks to the cold weather and blasting the heat on chilly nights. Goodbye hair moisture! Which is why I can’t wait to try this hair treatment by Living Proof. It promises to help bring back shine and vibrancy to your hair. Jennifer Anniston backs the brand and we all know how good her hair looks!

Bliss That’s Incredi-peel Pads

I love the idea of adding these pads to my nightly routine as they are super convenient and easy to use. All you have to do is wipe the pads over your skin after cleansing. The pads use glycolic acid to target fine lines and discoloration to improve the overall quality and appearance of your skin.

Lavanila Elements Deodorant

I’ve been wearing natural deodorants for a few years now and have found some great ones that work, but none that smell like vanilla! This deodorant has a cult following and it smells so good I can see why. Hopefully it holds up on long days!

Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

Keeping your skin hydrated and wearing sunscreen are such an important part of a healthy skincare routine. This product combines these two, while also giving you a full coverage foundation that lasts all day. This multitasking product won the 2018 Allure Readers Choice Award for Tinted Moisturizer so I have high hopes for it, especially since the one I tested last time fell a little flat.

Kristin Ess Soft Wave Pivoting Wand Curling Iron

I love curling my hair so I’m always looking for the best tools to help me create an effortless curl. This curling wand by Kristin Ess is supposed to be great for creating easy, everyday waves or soft, bouncy curls. With the holiday season quickly approaching, I can’t wait to use this wand to help me create the perfect look for parties and events! Let me know if any of you would be interested in a tutorial and I’ll try to shoot one for IGTV!


NOVEMBER BEAUTY: SMOOTH SKIN, HAIR & LIPS

Moroccan Oil Beach Wave Mousse

I was so impressed with this product the first time I used it. I will say I think I used a little bit too much the first time because my hair was slightly crunchy, but I decreased the amount and I LOVED the texture I got with my hair. Typically my hair is pretty straight and doesn’t have much wave to it, but with this, I felt like it looks so effortless and perfect. It gives you that messy sexy look without needing to curl it. Just take note that you’ll have to play around with the amount that’s right for your hair. You actually don’t need to add that much for it work its magic!

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

I already know I’m going to be going back to this cleanser for years to come. It’s so gentle, does an amazing job cleaning my skin and a little goes a looooong way! You don’t need that much but the lather is awesome and very thorough. I love a cleanser that I know will last awhile. It has avocado oil and squalene which help make your skin extra soft too!

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer

This is a great moisturizer and the texture is amazing. I’ve always loved KS products so this one is no exception. It absorbs easily and my skin feels hydrated all day long. Plus I love how it smells!

Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Lip Fix 

This lip product is supposed to do 4 things: plump, moisturize, prime, and reduce the look of wrinkles. While I don’t think it worked it’s plumping magic on me {maybe because my lips are larger to begin with?}, I did like how moisturized and smooth they felt. I ended up loving this lip balm as a base for my red lipsticks, though, especially the matte ones! If you’re looking for a good lip product that is geared to doing those 4 things though, give it a try. And let me know if it helps with your lip fullness!

Dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel

I have mixed thoughts about this product. I opted for the 3 day Kick-Start where you use one tube every day for 3 days and then continue weekly. My skin isn’t that sensitive so I didn’t feel anything more than a slight tingle, and I had no redness. My skin has definitely felt smooth but I don’t feel like it targeted my post-acne pigmentation, which I was really hoping it would do. Do any of you have some recommendations for me?? I’d love to know! I feel like my options are a little limited being pregnant.


I am so so so excited to share my second gift guide of the season! Are there any must-have kid’s gifts I missed?! I recently shared some really fun gift ideas for the hostess too! Matthew even pitched in to share some great gift ideas for the men in your life {he even wrote the post and it is so funny!}.

xox