Aisling’s Picks: Luxe christmas gifts

For this week’s Christmas gift guide I’m going all out with ’money-no-object’ choices for the beauty addicts in your life or just for you. I’ve done my best to choose gift sets in which the value exceeds the cost of buying each product one separately. Splurge and spend cleverly.

Elemis 25 Heritage Heroes Christmas gift set €317

Any fan of Elemis will fall down and faint with joy at the sight of this set. Worth almost €600 it contains nine products from the Pro-Collagen line (three of them full size). The best selling Papaya Enzyme Peel, three Frangipani Monoi body treats plus Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules all add to the rest of the goodies. A skincare lovers dream gift.

Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau De Parfum Set 50ml €109

The scent of the season and definitely the bottle of the year. Also widely known as “the green handbag perfume” this really makes an impact. It’s more grown up than a traditional Marc Jacobs scent, with less sweetness. Woody, with rich plum and vetiver it is indulgent and sophisticated. Included is a shower gel so that you can layer your fragrance to ensure you smell Decadent from head to toe.

The House of Jo Malone London Limited Edition €165.00

A fantastic gift for luxury lovers. I love these Jo Malone Christmas houses modeled on the brands Georgian headquarters. Six signature products include Red Roses bath oil, Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne, Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème, Grapefruit Body & Hand Wash, Pomegranate Noir Travel Candle and English Pear & Freesia Body & Hand Lotion.

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe: K.I.S.S.I.N.G Limited Edition €285.00

Oh just look at this. Just look. If your heart is overflowing with joy and you’re gasping with pleasure then you’re a true beauty junkie. Every single one of the Tilbury lipstick range of lippies is included and it means you will have a shade to suit your mood whatever the time of year or occasion.

Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream Holiday Kit €136

Another skincare set with a value far higher than the individual products would be if sold separately (€219.96). This Bio-Performance kit is a perfect gift for any woman concerned with dry, dull or mature skin. This set contains moisturiser, creamy cleanser, Wrinkle Resist 24 Enriched Balancing Softener and Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. I will warn you as I always do; don’t give anti aging skincare to a woman unless you know for certain that she wants it. Otherwise you could face tears over the turkey.

By Terry Eye Designer Palette N°3 Magnet’Eyes €97.20

A beautiful palette containing metallic, satin and gloss shadows. This palette will get used all year long but the shades are glamorous and perfect for either all day wear or Christmas parties.The colours range from turquoise green, frosty white and to sparkly black and browns. sun-kissed notes.

Estee Lauder The Ultimate Makeup Kit €69

This kit is Incredible value and will make a stunning present. Three separate palettes, containing almost every colour under the sun slot in and out of the customisable kit so that you can experiment to your heart’s content. Over 30 Pure Color shadows are included together with three look cards to help you to make the most of the shadows. I would love this set for Christmas. Santa, are you listening? I’ve been really good this year. Well for most of the time anyway.

Molton Brown Festive Signature Candle Set €82.00

I love Molton Brown candles because of their long burn time and the scents which can fill the house after an hour or two. Again this kit is worth far more than buying each candle separately which would set you back €102, These candles are suitabe sparkly and will fit right in with your Christmas decorations with their subtle sparkle. I normally buy my Molton Brown candles in Kildare Village but at this price I’m picking this set up. For myself. A little self gift never did anyone any harm now did it?

Clinique Great Skin For Him Gift Set €50

Packaged in black, dark grey and navy packaging, this is a great set for both pre and post shave skin. Check. Clinique’s excellent Face Scrub (I’ve had my husband in testing duty) exfoliates to prep skin. As shaving effectively scrapes off the top layers of skin the Aloe Shave Gel helps to calm razor burn and Post-Shave Soother cools and makes skin feel comfortable. Then he can slap on the Anti-Age Moisturise to hydrate.

I Colonia Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza Christmas Gift Set €106

I know many fans of I Colonia, male and female. This gift set contains Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne, After Shave Balm and Hair & Body Shower Gel. It looks luxe and the black and gold packaging manages to convey festivity and masculinity in one go.

MAC Enchanted Eve Lip and Eye Bag €60.00

The Mac concession in Brown Thomas sells more product than almost anywhere else in the world - Macy’s in New York is the only one that moves more Mac. This Enchanted Eve Lip and Eye Bag contains Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow, Lipstick, Lipglass and Photogravure Technakohl Liner. And it’s all packaged in a clutch so you can take your clobber around with you wherever you go.