I didn't realise how much certain little beauty buys would make my day-to-day life so much easier this year, but now I wouldn't be without them. That's exactly why I'm gifting them to my friends this Christmas – and you should too...
Whether you're shopping for Christmas gifts for friends or your loved ones, gift giving can be one of the trickiest tasks when it comes to festive season planning – a struggle that I know all too well. While one of the best hair dryers or best red light therapy devices would certainly be an impressive present choice, they often also require making quite a big investment.
The 6 handy beauty tools that I'm gifting to friends this Christmas
RRP: £14
I have long, fine hair that tends to get particularly knotty, so a quality hairbrush that aces at detangling (without tugging or pulling your hair out) is a must. That's where this Tangle Teezer comes into play. I appreciate its ergonomic, handled design that's easy to grip and manoeuvre through my strands. Its soft-flex teeth work to effortlessly glide through both wet and dry hair, eliminating any knots and leaving it smooth and tangle free. Plus, the flexible bristles also make for a great scalp massage while also helping to stimulate circulation, hair growth and minimise irritation.
RRP: £20.99
Prove me wrong, but I believe quality makeup brushes are the key to a good makeup day. Whether you're buffing in your foundation or blending your eyeshadow, everyone's goal is to achieve a seamless makeup application and this nifty five-piece kit from Real Techniques does the trick. Equipped with an expert face brush, blush brush, eyeshadow crease brush and powder setting brush – plus a sponge – you'll have all you need for an effortless makeup application. Not only are these tools super lightweight and easy to use, but they also feature synthetic, custom cut bristles that are both long lasting and easy to clean, too.
RRP: £49.95
I'd heard people rave about dermaplaning, but I never knew I needed a dermaplaning tool until I tried this one. This electric device works to remove dead skin cells, peach fuzz hair and other unwanted buildup from the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter and more radiant complexion. I treat my skin to this regime roughly every 30 days or so and each time I notice a huge difference in how my skin feels, my makeup applies and my skincare products absorb. It really is one of those beauty gifts that you never knew you wanted until you receive one.
RRP: £24
For those experiencing facial tension or who want to encourage a more defined complexion, a gua sha is a great gift. This facial massager is a spa-like treat in your skincare regime, helping to minimise puffiness while sculpting the contours of your face, for a refreshed and revitalised appearance. I'd recommend opting for a stainless steel version as the non-porous material prevents any build-up of dirt, meaning a lower risk of bacteria-caused-breakouts (though you can also avoid this by cleaning your tool regularly).
RRP: £5.99
Makeup brushes are breeding grounds for dirt and bacteria, which can cause your skin a number of issues, such as breakouts and rashes, so it's essential that you regularly clean your brushes. I can't tell you how much easier this silicone brush cleaner tray has made this task since I invested. Whether you use it with soap and water or a dedicated brush cleansing solution, this tray features three different textures on its surface that you simply swirl your brushes over in order to remove excess makeup and dirt. It truly gives your brushes a new lease of life and you can rest easy knowing they won't wreak havoc on your complexion (until it's time for your next cleaning session, of course).
RRP: £7
Previously, I could never achieve a sleek updo as my hair would always succumb to kinks and flyaways. So much so that I always felt like I was missing out on a secret trick to a flawless updo that everyone else was privy to. But then I discovered a secret... a backcombing brush. While I don't actually use the brush for backcombing, the stiff, compact bristles work amazingly well for slicking my hair back and smoothing out unwanted frizz and flyways, resulting in a sleek and smooth finish.
