WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING for inspiration for your own wishlist or some last minute ideas for the makeup lover in your life, we have managed to round up some of the most exciting new beauty products as well as the old reliable essentials, to help you out with your shopping.
Here’s what Dani Duffy (MUA and Instagrammer over on @TheRebelLipstick) recommends.
1. L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Foundation (€11.95 on Cloud10 Beauty)
This is my absolute favourite foundation at the minute. It’s dewy and natural looking while still providing a good medium coverage and it’s so inexpensive too, so if Santa is really good he may be able to pop a few shades in your stocking.
2. Huda Beauty Obsessions Vault (€112 on Cult Beauty)
I had one or two of the Obsessions palettes on my own Christmas wishlist as I’d heard amazing things about the shadows but when I saw the vault featuring all five palettes, it was a no-brainer that this replaced them.
3. Huda Beauty New Nudes Palette (€65 in Brown Thomas)
If the colours in the vault scare you, the New Nude Palette has to make its way onto your wishlist. Stunning neutrals, unique shimmers and just enough pink tones to differentiate this enough from your other nude palettes to justify it.
4. Beauty Blender (€16 on Beauty Bay)
I adore the original Beauty Blender and haven’t found a dupe that compares. This is a staple and even if you have one, it’s worth putting it on your wishlist to get a fresh one, as they need to be changed regularly.
5. Elizabeth & James: Nirvana Black Eau de Parfum (€79 for 50ml in Brown Thomas)
I bought a rollerball of this in Sephora two years ago and have been using it sparingly since for fear of running out. I only recently found out it’s available in Arnotts/Brown Thomas so if you like dark, sensual and masculine scents this has to be top of your list.
Here are some recommendations from blogger and MUA Joanne Coughlan (AKA @Lipstickn_leopardprint on Insta)
1. Teint Idole Foundation from Lancome (€39 in Boots)
This is my Holy Grail foundation. I just adore it. I use shade 02 Lys Rose and it’s just such a great match for me. It makes my skin look so healthy and glowy.
2. Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks (€28+ in Arnotts)
I’m such a fan of the formula of CT lipsticks. It’s difficult to narrow it down to a favourite shade, but seeing as it’s Christmas I feel I have to pick a red. I pick my current favourite red which is Tell Laura.
(Here’s what Tell Laura looks like on Joanne)
3. Essence Cosmetics Waterproof Liquid Ink (€3ish, in most pharmacies)
I absolutely love liquid liner, you’d rarely see me without my beloved flick. This liquid liner is so pigmented and so ridiculously easy to use. Perfect for a bit of seasonal glamour.
4. Huda Beauty New Nude Palette (€65 in Brown Thomas)
Joanne seems to be in agreement with Dani on Huda’s new palette:
I felt so smug about not wanting this palette, that was until I saw it in real life. OMG, it’s an absolute babe and even though I don’t need another palette, I think I need this one.
5. Any eye shadow palette from Pat McGrath, tbh.
The last thing on my Christmas wishlist? Lastly and frustratingly, it’s another eye shadow palette. In fact, it’s any eye shadow palette from Pat McGrath. I don’t care which one. I’ve just purchased my first Pat McGrath lipstick and I think I’m hooked.
Finally, we spoke to freelance makeup artist Grace O’Connell about her top makeup picks this Christmas.
Grace told us, “I think makeup wishlists should be a solid mix of stuff you already use and love – and some luxe bits you’d never dream of buying yourself.” She’s not wrong. She starts her list off with a staple in every makeup bag.
1. Beauty Blender (€16 on Beauty Bay)
Recommended by two MUAs already – that is a surefire sign you can’t go wrong with one of these.
New year, new beauty blender, right? They’re so annoying to replace because of the price, but such a good stocking filler and I always love getting to open a new one.
2. Huda New Nudes Palette (€65 in Brown Thomas)
Unsurprisingly, Grace also wants to get her hands on the new Huda Palette that has Dani and Joanne’s attention this Christmas.
I always have an eye shadow palette on my Christmas list because I think it’s the best time to play with some fun looks. I got Huda Desert Dusk last year and it was my most used palette so I’m hoping for the same this year with the New Nudes. Her eye shadow formula is amazing, one of my favourites for sure.
3. Smashbox Primerizer (€38 in Boots)
I think this will be on my Christmas wishlist until the day I die. I can’t do my complexion routine without this now. Great for everyone, regardless of age/skin tone/makeup ability.
4. Fenty Gloss Bomb (€19 in Harvey Nichols)
The best gloss in the business by far. I love the original Universal Gloss Bomb and this year I’ll be asking Santa for the newest edition, ‘Fu$$y’ (a nude mauve/pink).
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills x Amrezy highlighter (€32.50 on Beauty Bay)
If you can’t get an obnoxious level of glow at Christmas, then when can you? A really good example of “I don’t need another champagne gold highlighter but absolutely want it” – which is really what silly/fun makeup wishlists are all about at Christmas time. This highlighter will make you want to place yourself on top of the the tree this year.
