It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and to get you into the festive mood we've got the dream event for you.
Christmas is finally upon us and as we start to tackle those endless lists of gifts to buy for our nearest and dearest L’OCCITANE is offering you the chance to get ahead of the Christmas game with their annual shopping event. They're hosting a lavish event on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 and you can't miss it.
At this private event there will be plenty of treats on offer, including a luxury hand and arm massage, exclusive 15 percent discount on purchases*, plus a free goody bag worth over €40 to take home! What more could you ask for?
As well as having some ‘me time’ whilst enjoying a glass of bubbly, why not kick-start your Christmas shopping and be the first to discover L’OCCITANE’s variety of gifts, including their exciting new festive limited editions.
From award winning bath and body indulgences, captivating fragrances, men’s grooming essentials, stocking fillers and much more, there really is a gift for everyone.
Not only will you find that perfect present for your loved one, but to make life even easier for you L’OCCITANE will also offer a complimentary gift-wrapping service for any purchases made on the night!
When and Where:
The events will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm* on Tuesday, December 3 2019 in L’Occitane boutiques nationwide.
How To Book:
Book online here or directly at your preferred L’OCCITANE boutique (click here to find your nearest boutique). Tickets cost €10 and are non-refundable. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
*Terms & Conditions: 1. Special discount offers only valid in store on the night of the event on purchases over €30. 2. Discount excludes gift sets and special value items 3. Goody bag contents may vary. 4. Event times vary for certain stores – please be sure to check specific times on Ticket Web.
Planning your summer holiday can be either exciting or stressful, and most of the time you can't help but forget something important.
We all make the mad dash over to Penneys and Boots mere hours before the flight to try and grab everything for the suitcase, but it's a futile effort. We wanted to treat ourselves on this holiday, but we need a list of recommended beauty items.
This year is different, because we've got the ultimate make-up and skincare list for your trip abroad this year, and you absolutely need to experience them all. They're flawless.
1. KISS imPRESS
We all want to have the most gorgeous nails for our holiday, but how can we make sure they last for the entire trip?
KISS have released a special line of imPRESS nails, for superior, lasting shine with an indestructible top coat rivalling even the best salon gel polish.
imPRESS nails protect the nail and last up to a week, making them perfect for the coming summer months and festival season. Two new designs have been added to the range, and we've never felt more glamorous.
Buy: Selected pharmacies, retailers and Dunnes Stores nationwide
Price: €10
2. iWhite Instant and iWhite Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Get whiter teeth on the go, wherever you go with these travel essentials; iWhite teeth whitening toothpaste and iWhite Instant. Your daily beauty maintenance has never been so easy.
Everyday food and drink can stain your teeth; from coffee, fruit juices and red wine to curry sauces, and indulging on holidays can lead to even more staining on those pearly whites of yours.
These nifty products are small enough to pack, so why not keep your teeth sparkling throughout your time away? Clinically proven to be safe and effective without the use of peroxide, iWhite gives you plenty to smile about.
3. Misslyn 'Beach Please!' Bronzing and Contouring Powder
The heatwave beauty look is oh so easy to achieve with this treat in your suitcase. Misslyn's 'Beach Please!' bronzing and contouring powder will give your skin that glow it's always wanted.
Healthy, sun-kissed skin can be achieved easily with this beautiful, soft-matte texture. We especially love the compact mirror, which makes this the perfect on-the-go top up for your holiday.
Buy: Penneys stores nationwide and select pharmacies
Price: €6.95
4.Payot Peeling Oxygénant Dépolluant
Exfoliating your face is so important for getting rid of all those pesky dead skin cells which haven't naturally shed themselves. When this happens, the leftover dead skin cells can cause dry, flaky patches and clogged pores, which is why exfoliating this summer is imperative for healthy skin.
Payot's crackling foam new skin effect suits every skin type, especially those leaning towards coarseness, and leaves your skin feeling totally brand new. The mask uses triple action- oxygenating, detoxifying, and neutralising pollution- in order to inject new vitality into your skin.
The pink gel will transform into foam which evaporates on the skin, removing impurities and pollution so your natural radiance emerges.
What is the perfect product that can help us to keep our glowing summer tans fresh this season? Delarom has the answer.
Their Orange Sugar body scrub contains sweet orange essential oil to gently eliminate dead cells from your body, so you get the most evenly spread tan as possible.
The sugar melts when massaged into the skin, leaving it soft, supple and deliciously scented.
Clinique uses 'SolarSmart' technology to stabilise high-level protection against the ageing and burning effects of UVB and UVA rays, but remains suitable for sensitive skin (anyone from Ireland).
We adore their Sun and Body Care Cream, which is oil-free and dermatologist tested as well as water AND sweat-resistant.
Slay queens, without sunburn…
Buy: Clinique
Price: €21.95
7. Misslyn's Colour Crush lipstick
Statement lips are all the rage for the summer, and red is the perfect colour to make your lips look irresistible.
Misslyn have a new collection of 22 shades, with beautiful creamy texture and rich tones for your make-up bag.
We're loving the unique colours chosen by Misslyn for your summer holidays, you won't be able to pick just one lipstick. They're all too beautiful for your make-up bag to miss this summer.
Buy: Selected pharmacies nationwide
Price: €7.95
8. Inglot AMC Pure Pigment Eye Shadow
We can't get enough of Inglot's latest pure pigment eyeshadow collection. With over 30 shades to choose from, the make-up company are allowing you to have the most sparkly eyes in town this summer for a great price.
The pigment is so easy to spread over your eyelids, and can be used as a highlighting powder for your cheekbones, Cupid's bow and as glitter for your lips as well.
With a product this affordable and this versatile, with that many colour options, you've got to make sure it's packed in that case of yours this year. Your holiday won't be the same without it.
L’Occitane's new lip collection is infused with fruits, vegetables and herbs from Provence and the Mediterranean Basin, and the scent of these three lip scrubs alone will have you holiday-ready.
Raspberry Crush, Fabulous Fig and Marmalade Kiss; three flavourful scrubs bursting with goodies for your lips this summer. Enriched with Vitamin E, mandarin extract and carrot, pomelo and pomegranate oils, this gentle exfoliator leaves a sweet and delicious taste you won't want to forget.
When you're on your holidays, it can be tricky to keep your hair as styled as you like it. With sun and sea comes frizz and knotting, but the DAFNI Allure straightening brush is one of the best products around for treating your hair kindly on-the-go.
Pop it in your suitcase or handbag for your travels, and you can make sure you won't be spending all of your trip trying to blow try and then straighten your hair, wasting valuable moments.
Instead, take a few minutes with the styling tool to brush your locks and they'll be straightened and looking glossy in no time, no matter the weather.
Enjoy your holibops, gals, and don't forget to treat yourselves. It's self-care, not vanity. (The Fab Five from Queer Eye came up with that line, we can't take credit…)
Remember: Packing doesn't have to be a tense experience, filled with expletives and forgotten essentials.
Choosing that very special beauty product at the week can be difficult, there is an extensive list of brands and exciting new collections involved.
This week, however, it has never been easier to decide what our faves are; L'Occitane's new lip and mega mask collection has absolutely swept the competition away.
We're already huge fans of the legendary Provence-inspired company, which prides itself on creating high quality products and preserving the natural beauty of the environment.
As if we didn't love them before, now L'Occitane are releasing their incredible lip collection, featuring moisturising balms, scrubs and lipstick infused with fruits, vegetables and herbs from Provence and the Mediterranean Basin.
Alongside their unprecedented new lip care and make-up collection, they're also gifting the world with their new mega masks; one to exfoliate for radiance, one which soothes the skin and one that purifies it.
Words can't explain how excited we were to test out these goodies, and they truly live up the hype. Between the freshness of their natural ingredients and their ability to cater for all skin types, what's not to love?
1. Lip scrub collection in 'Marmalade Kiss', 'Raspberry Crush' and 'Fabulous Fig':
Apply their new lip scrubs to damp lips, gently massage and then rinse off with water for the perfect base before moisturising. They truly are the perfect preparation ritual before using lip balm and lipstick.
L'Occitane's 'Marmalade Kiss' delicious lip scrub contains Vitamin E and is enriched with pomegranate oil, pomelo, mandarin extract and carrot for exfoliating perfection.
If you're looking for a sweeter taste to be left on your mouth, 'Raspberry Crush' and 'Fabulous Fig' have extracts from the fruit which bears their name, and we honestly can't get enough of the trio.
Coming in at just €16 each, the lip scrubs won't break the bank to get your mouth feeling fresh and fruity. You can nab all three scrubs on their website now, before they're out of stock.
2. Fruity Lip Profector and 3-in-1 Delicious Multi-Balm
This duo are truly the most iconic way to soften up your lips this summer. As well as theFruity Lip Perfector and 3-in-1 Delicious Multi-Balm, L'Occitane have added four fruity lip balms to deliver hydration and keep your mouth feeling exquisitely soft, for just €22 each.
Vitamin-rich fruits from Provence can be captured in treats for your lips, with all four delicious tinted lip balms boasting a creamy texture and sunny scent. The four flavours come in a range of colours and tastes; 'Miss Grenadine', 'Pink Calisson', sunny orange 'Carrot Fizz' and soft purple 'Gimme Mauve'.
The Fruity Lip Perfector is ideal for moisturising and adjusting the pH of your lips to show off their natural colour. It comes in a handy stick form, and uses a plumping formula for enhanced texture. We love how the yellow shade turns pink when it touches your lips, such a gorgeous treat.
The 3-in-1 Delicious Multi-Balmis the perfect primer to prepare the lips for lipstick, as a softening balm or a rich overnight mask. Long-lasting nourishment has never been so easy to achieve, using the beneficial properties of a blend of botanical oils.
L'Occitane's groundbreaking new fruity lipsticks are beautifully colourful and smell positively gorgeous.
The range features nude, subtle shades for keeping it fresh and light, orange and scarlet tones for turning the heat up, and pink and violet hues for making an impression.
Each of the eight shades has something special, but our personal faves are 'Flamingo Kiss' and 'Provence Calling'. The fuchsia and purple colour splashes matched with fruity scents and ingredients are what make these goodies our faves this week.
For only €22, these lipsticks are absolutely unmissable. Head over to L'Occitane's website to choose your favourites.
4. Trio of mega-masks for that ready, set, glow mood
L'Occitane's Radiance Scrub, Soothing Mask and Purifying Mask are next level gorgeous, your skin will thank you for these.
The Soothing Mask is enriched with fresh blackcurrants from the Ardèche, and contains magnesium and calcium for maximising skin function. The gentle exfoliation of the blackcurrant seeds provide an instant refreshing sensation.
The Purifying Mask is made from freshly-cut, organic thyme from Provence, and the mattifying texture absorbs excess sebum and gently exfoliates. The Radiance Scrub contains natural fruit acids to remove the dead cells to leave you with your best complexion.
Nab the trio of mega-masks on L'Occitane'swebsite now for just €32 each.
Most of us don't think twice about plastic in our make-up and beauty regime. Yet once it's pointed out to us, it's completely unavoidable; plastic is EVERYWHERE in beauty.
From eyeshadow palettes to shampoo bottles, plastic toothbrushes which take over 400 years to decompose, foundation which isn't ethically sourced to packaging which could easily be replaced with recyclable equivalents; beauty is problematic when it comes to our environment.
What do we mean by sustainable cosmetics? Essentially; fair wages for workers, recyclable and biodegradable packaging, ethically sourced and natural, cruelty-free ingredients, renewable resources. In summary: doing no harm to the planet, other people or animals in the process.
Sounds great, doesn't it? So many of us tune out when we hear things about the environment; it all just seems overwhelmingly impossible to face it head-on.
Yet swapping your beauty routine for a greener option is SO easy, even small changes have large repercussions. We each must think individually about our own actions, rather than the planet as a whole.
Here are our top tips for reducing your carbon footprint through your beauty regimen…IT'S VITAL that we embrace the change.
1. Swap plastic toothbrushes for bamboo counterparts.
Toothbrushes are constantly bought and thrown away, without a single thought about where it goes after our bins are emptied. Basically, it heads to landfill, where plastic takes up to 1000 years to break down. Incredible, isn't it?
Changing your toothbrush for a bamboo one can HUGELY reduce the harm caused by your oral hygiene.
The Humble Co. sell great ones, check out their website here. You can also pop into your nearest Holland and Barrett health store. Pair it with Fig + Yarrow Cornmint Lavender Tooth Powder, which comes in little recyclable/reusable glass bottle and is created with white clay, sea salt, baking soda, and antibacterial essential oils.
2. Recycle your empty make-up containers in stores now
Since the creation of plastics, humans have made 8.3 billion metric tonnes of it. Of that amount, an incredible 6.3 billion metric tonnes have already been thrown out and 91 percent of that waste has NOT been recycled. It makes a lot of sense now why governments and communities are raising support for the banning of single-use plastics…
Make sure that your plastic bottles and empty make-up sets are recycled properly; companies such as Lush, The Body Shop and L'Occitane have unreal reward systems for returning your plastic packaging to the stores.
More stores are committed to limiting their impact on the environment. L'Occitane's new initiative with TerraCycle enables the recycling of beauty products from any brand. TerraCycle is a collection and recycling programme which specialises in difficult-to-recycle packaging, so they know their stuff.
Any L'Occitane customers can recycle their empties at any store now. Thirty-five percent of Lush products are sold 'naked' (with no packaging), so zero-waste washing is absolutely possible. Their products sold in pots and bottles are 100 percent post-consumer plastic.
Save and return five clean, black pots to any local Lush store for a free face mask; you give back and you get in return.
3. Know your brands, and choose ones who are HONEST about where their ingredients and packaging come from.
It's not difficult to be totally aware of what you're consuming and if it's harming anyone else. Send Instagram DMs or email the company to ask if the information isn't readily available on their packaging or websites. Hint: if the information is hard to find, it's probably NOT a good company to go with.
There are so many incredible natural, cruelty free and ethical make-up brands around now; Bia Beauty is an up-and-coming Irish brand we adore. Beauty Without Cruelty products for sensitive skin are considered among the best on the market.
Lush are another company who partner with the Ocean Legacy Foundation to use recovered plastic from the ocean as material.
Christopher Davis, who is The Body Shop's international director of campaigns and corporate responsibility, said the brand is undertaking a "comprehensive review" of sustainable packaging choices. They are hoping to remove fossil fuels from 70 percent of its product packaging by 2020.
"Our long-term vision is that packaging will not harm people or the environment and can be repurposed," says Davis. "All our solutions need to be truly sustainable."
Why not try and use bars of shampoo rather than bottles? Numerous shops now have methods of bringing your own plastic bottles which have been recycled to collect any goods from the store, so they don't waste packaging.
Reuse empty make-up plastic packaging for something more creative. You can also try and use powdered deodorant or bars of soap instead of the spray-cans. For pump-bottles, you should generally throw away the pump before recycling as the metal springs inside can’t be recycled.
Once part of it isn't recyclable, it nearly always ends up in landfill or the sea, and we don't want that. Oh, and GET A METAL STRAW right this minute.
Terracycle has a partnership with Bausch & Lomb which aims to recycle contacts, blister packs, and the top foil from contact lenses, if you wear glasses. Terracycle also have an incredible partnership with Garnier, which recycles ANY hair care, skin care, and cosmetics packaging.
5. Use recyclable make-up remover pads or a face cloth instead of wipes.
According to the FDA, wipes are made from an amalgamation of ingredients such as polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wood pulp, and rayon fibres. Many of these are not biodegradable, but some wipes are compostable, such asRMS Beautyand Yes To.
We recommend the MakeUp Eraser remover cloths, they're absolutely life-changing. Buy them on iHerb at a great price, and never look back. The Cleanse Off Mit is another wonderful option; all machine-washable.
Pretty much every make-up brush is made from plastic, but we've discovered some alternatives. EcoTools brushes are made from recycled bamboo, recycled aluminium, and some recycled plastic: GORGE.
Morphe also has a beautiful 18-piece vegan brush set that we have our eyes firmly set on. ZOEVA do bamboo brush sets via Beauty Bay's website, for a heftier price.
In terms of hair brushes, try the WetBrush Go Green Detangler Brush, which is made of plant starch and designed to break down within five years.
AXIOLOGY is your go-to for non-toxic lipstick. They value a holistic, vegan lifestyle and are 100 percent transparent about where their ingredients come from. The brand is pretty expensive if you're a student or on a lower wage, but it's excellent quality and totally ethical. Their boxes are sourced by Bali women who recycle local waste into paper.
The founder of AXIOLOGY, Ericka Rodriguez, is proud to use no palm oil or palm oil derivatives in their goods; "Palm oil is causing widespread deforestation and causing the extinction of many animal species. We donate to the Orangutan Foundation International to help the orangutans during this crisis."
Once again, go for plastic-free lipstick holders or lip liners if possible, or at least recyclable options. Check out earth911.com to find out about your plastic bottles and recycling options. Over 40 percent of the plastic we use is in the form of packaging, so it's time to change.
Girlos who shave, it's time to get a razor you can use again and again. Throwing away constant disposable plastic razors causes phenomenal harm to the environment, and we are so much better than that, ain't we? The EPA estimates 2 BILLION razors are thrown away each year….wow.
You can find a reusable, stainless steel razor in any major retailer, and can get reusable blades for cheap. It's cost-effective and eco-friendly beauty, let's DO IT.
Do you really need sun-cream AND foundation AND highlighter AND concealer AND moisturiser AND primer AND bronzer AND setting spray AND powder? We're guessing not.
Try choosing products which double-duty; like SPF BB creams, lip primers which have moisturising properties, tinted moisturisers etc. Minimise as much as you can, and really think about what you need versus what you want.
10. Tampons
Disposable tampon applicators are one of the BIGGEST forms of ocean plastic pollution. Why not try switching to applicator-less tampons, or invest in a menstrual cup. The cups last for up to 10 years, producing far less waste than disposable menstrual products, and avoid the chemicals present in tampons.
They also save you a lot of money over time, and are becoming far more popular as more women in Ireland try them out. In terms of applicator-free tampons, try Emerita.
Contact product manufacturers, give feedback to brands and express your wish that plastic they use is recyclable. Annoy them if you must; consumer pressure makes a significant difference. You can make the change.
It's worth a shot, lobby your local TDs so we can improve environmental laws. Email your favourite make-up brands, show your support for eco-friendly and ethical companies especially.
You can do it gals, a little change goes a long way.
We absolutely ADORE Valentine's Day, not only because celebrating romance usually gives us an excuse to pamper ourselves, but because it's a wonderful time of the year for cosmetics shopping.
Why buy roses or chocolates when you can get the best beauty products around?
We've decided to curate a list of our top 12 makeup, skincare and cosmetic goods for this year's Valentine's Day; whether it's for a hot date, a dinner for the gals or even a cosy night in with Netflix and a furry friend.
From your favourite smouldering red lipstick to sparkling pink eye-shadows and rose-scented perfume; 'tis the season for LOVE in beauty-land.
1. Charlotte Tilbury 'Hot Lips' red lipstick in Carina's Love.
Inspired by Chinese actress Carina Lau, this bold and sexy red lippy inspires confidence in any woman who wears it. It's siren red and has light-diffusing pigments that create a luminous finish for a full-bodied effect.
In Chinese culture, the colour red is representative of good fortune and joy, so it's positively perfect for Valentine's Day, right?
There's a great reason why Charlotte Tilbury is a globally renowned brand, and their matte lipstick range stands by their statement of good-quality products for women.
The creamy formula, protection from UV damage and seamless finish are just three reasons why this lipstick makes our top 12. Enjoy it in all it's glory, gals.
For Valentine's Day, it's only too important to smell and feel your best. We've found the ideal scent for the eve: ROSE. French powerhouse brand L'Occitane have gifted us with a set, that we all both need and deserve.
The gorgeous and elegant fragrance set includes: Rose Eau de Toilette, Rose Shower Gel, Rose Body Lotion and Rose Hand Cream.
L'Occitane 'Romantic Rose' collection is priced at €69 from the L'Occitane website.
3. Too Faced 'better than sex' mascara
The 'Better Than Sex Mascara' Hourglass-Shaped Brush is genuinely revolutionary.
Formed by discovering the bust-waist-hip ratio of an iconic silver screen Blonde Bombshell, the brush has the ideal silhouette that separates lashes for voluminous perfection.
The collagen-fuelled mascara formula give you redefined lashes which stretch to unreal lengths, for romantic dinner date eyes.
Nail brand CND Vinylux have just debuted their new range, featuring stunning pinks, dark berry, ravishing reds and blush tones to show off your romantic side.
Mambo Beat, Rose Bud, Hot Pop Pink, Tinted Love, Wildfire and Dark Lava are ideal for a hot date, or pretty much anything the night has in store; There's a colour for every kind of date.
For Valentine's Day, why not treat yourself to a some gorgeous new shades from the iconic brand? You'll feel pampered and date-ready in no time.
For anyone with platinum blonde, highlighted, silver, bleached hair and all shades in between, the L'Oreal Paris Go Purple shampoo is a TOTAL WINNER.
Finding the best purple shampoo to keep the brassiness out of light-coloured hair can be tricky, but thankfully L'Oreal Paris have solved that problem just in time for Valentine's Day.
Tried and tested by us, we can guarantee that this stuff genuinely works. Any yellow tones are washed out, leaving your hair looking bright and rejuvenated. Yes girls.
L'Oreal Paris Go Purple shampoo is priced at €8.95 from all major retailers now.
6. Dermalogica intensive moisture balance
Promising to deliver nourishment beyond the skin's surface, the Dermalogica intensive moisture balance cream is 100 percent professional grade.
It's vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and uses NO artificial colours or flavouring; it's legit eco-friendly while clearing up all those dry skin worries. We'll take 10, please?
Finally we have discovered the best clump-free mascara in town, with four oils to it's lash-loving Wonder collection.
For volumised, thick and full lashes, with maximum volume; Rimmel's your go-to product.
Rimmel has even infused argan oil into it's four-oil complex, as well as Maracuja oil, Marula oil and Camellia oil for conditioning and protection from hair splitting.
Argan oil is renowned for nourishing properties, so mascara won't have to damage those eyelashes anymore. Thank GAWD.
8. Sculpted by Aimee Connolly: The 4-in-1 lip liner pen
Why have one Valentine's Day lip liner when you could have four, stunning shades?
Grab yourself the Nude or the Pink edition, whichever you're in the mood for will light up your night. Each edition has four beautiful shades, from 'Buff', 'Bare', and 'Peach' to 'Rose', 'Blush' and 'Rouge', you're in for a treat.
Line the perfect pout with makeup guru Aimee Connolly, she's only gone and made the holy grail of lip liners.
9. Garnier Ultimate Blends almond crushshampoo and conditioner
Garnier Ultimate Blends are launching up to 98 percent natural origin haircare, and we could NOT be more excited about it.
Your hair will feel cleansed, nourished and weightless using their almond crush shampoo and conditioner, which is made with a blend of organic almond milk and agave sap.
The gentle formula is a complete game-changer; did we mention it's 100 percent vegan?
Garnier Ultimate Blends almond crush shampoo and conditioner are priced at €4.95 each and are available from all major retailers.
10. La Roche Posay Lipikar Cleansing Oil AP+
La Roche Posay have long been one of our go-to skincare brands, and their new cleansing oil for dry skin will save the day for those of you who are PLAGUED with this skin type.
It's a soap-free, paraben-free and alcohol-free pH neutral shower oil that gives your skin the lipids it needs to reconstruct the skin barrier,
Skin with atopic tendencies or extreme dryness will CRAVE this product, it also soothes that feeling of tightness many of us know and hate.
11. Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette
From white shades like 'Tempera' and 'Vermeer' to baby pink 'Bijon Fresco', bold raspberry 'Love Letter' and 'Venetian Red', even brown shades like 'Red Ochre' and 'Cyrprus Umber', we're dazzled by these Renaissance-inspired tones.
The range is gorgeous; this collection of matte and metallic eye-shadows is PERFECT for creating dazzling cosmetic effects this Valentine's Day.
Anastasia Beverley Hills always create the best products, which means they sell out fast. Grab yours now online from Cult Beauty to avoid disappointment.
Leading French brand Bioderma has introduced the new Sensibio foaming gel, and all we can say is: WOW.
The gel is specifically created to soothe and hydrate your skin to ensure it's free of trapped oil and impurities.
It's mild but cleansing active ingredients calm irritations and will leave your skin feeling squeaky clean just in time for your Valentine's Day make-up regime.
Buy: Cloud10 Beauty or select pharmacies nationwide
Price: €13
That concludes the round-up of our top 12 ultimate Valentine's Day beauty products: tried and tested.
You'll be getting a faster heartbeat and butterflies in your stomach just looking at these gems, let alone using them. They'll melt your heart, and self-love is all about treating yourselves, right?
Look, don't kill us, but Christmas actually is just around the corner. While it may seem way to early to even be considering Christmas ('Halloween is still a month away!' we hear you cry) the thing is, when it comes to the holiday season, you have to be prepared if you want the best of the best.
One element of the season of giving that we love is essentially giving to ourselves everyday with a cheeky little advent calendar.
However, today we're not just talking about any old advent calender – although the ones with the little chocolate shapes are divine. The spotlight is on big budget beauty calenders from luxury beauty brands that we're aspiring to purchase as a festive treat for ourselves (or I loved one, I suppose).
Read on, to discover a labyrinth of sumptuous surprise calendars that make every day of December extra special:
Net-A-Porter is out go-to online destination for browsing through all the luxury designer clothing brands we aspire to own one day, and we could afford to nab a little slice of the glamour for ourselves via this calendar.
The calendar includes brands like Philip Kingsley, Charlotte Tilbury, Leonor Greyl, Sarah Chapman and Omorovicza – focusing heavily on skincare with a few makeup treats thrown in.
This calendar is the holy grail for those of us who are seriously invested in high end, impactful skincare.
Space NK Apothecary's reputation for scrupulous choice of brands translates extremely well in their advent offering, with must-have products like Drunk Elephant's Marula Oil and Sunday Riley's Luna night treatment included – and it's available for pew-order now.
Elemis's legendary advent calendar is back on the market, with a modern update for 2018, arguable one of the prettiest calendars we have ever seen, the beauty bonanza comes with almost €400.00 worth of products.
This calendar is an online exclusive, so make sure you snap it up quick.
Definitely one of the most affordable beauty calendars on our list, the L'Occitane Classic Beauty Calendar comes with a selection of the brand's iconic products.
We spotted the advent calendar at the brand's recent Christmas soiree, and we were suitable impressed with the mix of skincare, haircare and bath and shower products.
The Balmain calender has 10 mystery doors to look behind, so for those of us who don't like celebrating Christmas too early, it's ideal.
Focusing mostly on hair care, this calendar will have your locks shiny and scented all through party season.
Jo Malone Advent Calendar €360.00
Containing 24 miniature candle, fragrance and body treats, this Jo Malone treat is a feast for the senses.
The calendar isn't available for purchase until October 23rd, so get refreshing that Jo Malone website in anticipation of it's arrival.
Diptyque Advent Calendar €350
Diptyque is one of those aspirational brands we dream of featuring throughout our homes – and this calendar is a great way to start the Diptyque collection.
It's worth it for the candles alone, but the advent offering also includes fragrances and body products.
The calendar will be available to order exclusively from Selfridges online this month.
Looking for an advent calendar with more of a dermalogical leaning? The Skin Store's carefully curated beauty advent calendar could be the one for you.
The experts at Skin Store have selected a mix of full size and mini skincare products from the likes of Caudalie Elemis, This Works, First Aid Beauty, Eyeko, Skinchemists, Omorovicza, Dr. Botanicals, Grow Gorgeous, Aromatherapy Associates, and SkinMedica. The products have a value of over €340.00, but you can pre-order it now for just €86.15. ($99.00)
I am a big believer in the phrase Treat Yo Self. My bank account is certainly aware of my love of this motto.
Ever since Tom and Donna introduced me to the phrase on Parks and Recreation I’ve been treating myself to everything from over-priced notebooks to concert tickets.
Trust me, it hasn’t gotten to a dangerous level (yet) but a recent tweet reminded me of why we should splurge on luxuries every now and then.
Following the death of her mum, Twitter user Cath (@rentswrites) shared: “After she died I was tasked with clearing out her things. So much unworn and untouched. So many things kept “for best.” Don’t do that. Wear the clothes, spray the perfume and dance in the shoes. Be bold/outrageous/fancy while you have the chance.”
This tweet got me thinking about how guilty we can feel for treating ourselves which is nonsense. So, when I got a sneak peek at the new L’Occitane Christmas collection my mind screamed… TREAT. YO. SELF.
This year, the brand has teamed up with none other than French fashion house Castelbajac. Together they have created a divine collection that has left us starry-eyed.
The two brands have put together the most divine collection inspired by constellations, that instantly reminds us of the classic childhood book A Little Prince.
The new collection features the classic products we have adored for years, but they’ve been given quite the eye-catching makeover.
The Shea Butter rage is here to save your skin during those bitter, icy winter days. One thing you need to invest in is the nourishing hand cream with 20 percent Shea Butter. It will leave your hands feeling super soft in no time. Pick up the 200ml tube of this life-saver for €24.
Another heavenly product on our wish list is the hydrating Almond Milk Concetrate. The swoon-worthy product is our winter saviour. It keeps your body hydrated from dusk ‘til dawn. Treat yourself to a 200ml jar for €46.
There are so many incredible L’Occitane products we want to try, from hand creams to lip balms, and the perfect way to find your holy grail products is by purchasing one of the classic advent calendars. The advent calendar features 24 mini-products that you can look forward to opening every day of December.
The Classic Advent Calendar is worth €99 but available for €59- the ultimate bargain. The Luxury Advent Calendar is worth €126 but is priced at €99.
The new L’Occitane Christmas collection in collaboration with Castelbajac is available in stores and online from September 20, 2018.
Let's be honest, choosing presents isn't exactly easy.
But choosing presents for a loved one who embodies all that is good in the world borders on unbearable when you refuse to settle for less.
While everyone else on your list is checked off in next to no time, you devote a serious amount of time and research to this particular person's gift, and yet you rarely feel the final choice does them justice.
If this sounds all too familiar, then you'll be relieved to know that the always luxurious L'Occitane has your back this Christmas.
Give your loved one the gift they deserve in the form of a decadent pamper package from one of the world's most desired brands.
We mean, just take a look at these and discover more about L’Occitane here!
