Although there are so many things that can go into a Christmas stocking, a lot of people either don’t bother with them at all or, if they do, just fill them full of sweets, because it’s easy, and present them to their loved ones on Christmas morning. Generally, if people do go ahead with filling a Christmas stocking for a family member, there isn’t a lot of thought that goes into the contents, which means that generally whatever’s inside won’t get used and will eventually be thrown away. There’s really no reason why Christmas stockings should be filled with rubbish that the recipient won’t use, so why not make a change this year and really make an effort with a Christmas stocking for your loved one. It really doesn’t have to be expensive.
If you have someone in your life who loves their cosmetics and can always be found in front of the mirror then these top cosmetics will make excellent fillers for a stocking they’ll love and use well after the Christmas period is over.
Women’s cosmetics
Nail varnish
Nail polish is one thing that every girl loves and can never be without, so it’s a great starting point. The colour of their nails is something that many girls change pretty regularly in order to match their outfits so a couple of new colours for their collection is something that they’ll really appreciate. Choosing a nail polish as a stocking filler isn’t as easy as walking into your local chemist and choosing a colour that takes your fancy, it’s important to choose something that’s on trend so that you can be sure they’ll use it – so try taking a look at 2013’s ultimate winter nail polish guide.
Brushes
Although an essential in the world of cosmetics, make-up brushes are nothing but a pain. They shed their bristles everywhere, they break easily and eventually – after not such a long life – they give up the ghost and are no longer suitable for purpose and therefore have to be replaced. Possibly the most annoying thing about make-up brushes though is the fact that they never fit into a cosmetics bag that’s intended for travelling, so why not combat this annoyance with a make-up brush set that’s intended for that very purpose?
Lip gloss
Lip gloss is unlikely to ever go out of fashion and it’s a cosmetics product that no female is ever without and so is the perfect candidate for a well-thought-out stocking filler. There is a huge choice of lip gloss out there so it’s always a good idea to read reviews before you buy in order to make sure you choose the best. If you want to be sure that you’ll choose a lip gloss that your lady will love, then not only do you need to pick a great colour but you also need to ensure that it smells nice, is long lasting and – perhaps most importantly – isn’t sticky.
Mascara
A great mascara is every woman’s secret weapon and is something that she’ll use every day if you choose well.
Hair products
Women take the condition of their hair exceptionally seriously but the combination of hot styling products and the environment can often leave it looking dry and dull which is why having a good quality shampoo and conditioner is really important. When choosing a shampoo and conditioner, you should avoid products that contain a lot of chemical ingredients and sulphates as these also damage your hair. Instead try out Dermalogica’s hair products which contain a range of botanical extracts and natural ingredients that will leave your hair feeling silky and smooth.
Men’s cosmetics
Hair products
Men are just like women when it comes to styling their hair. They take it extremely seriously and it’s something they generally do without fail every day. A stocking full of male cosmetics is nothing without their favourite hair products so try these for some inspiration.
Shaving
Shaving is an essential part of every man’s beauty regime, but something that a lot of them would prefer to avoid if they could. A lot of men suffer with irritation and rashes after shaving so any man in your life will thank you for making their shaving experience more tolerable. There are loads of great grooming products out there so you could opt to give them a full kit or individual products.
Moisturisers
Nowadays moisturising is something that almost every man does – take a look at our previous post, The Rise of Male Grooming – but a lot of men don’t have the first clue about choosing the right moisturiser for their skin type and will merely pick up the first product they see on the shelves. There really are some great moisturisers out there and an educated choice is guaranteed to work wonders.
Anti-aging
The signs of aging are just as big a threat to men as they are to women, which means that a lot of men become concerned about how their skin looks as they get older. In order to put their minds at rest and to help them on their quest to combat the signs of aging, consider anti-aging products like the specialist range here at Pure Beauty.
Body scrub
A lot of men settle for using the extremely feminine scented body washes that are intended for the whole family because they’re generally the ones that are on the side when they jump in the shower. However, there are plenty of great male body washes out there which smell much more masculine and can also be used on your hair.
Using these small gift ideas will help you create an unexpected but great Christmas stocking that the recipient will love.