According to a survey by PitchBox Media, the average consumer plans to spend almost $1000 on the holidays. It seems that in a period of inflation, the holiday spirit still lives on. But this has been a challenging financial time for many people. So I’m not suggesting luxury gifts that are really well beyond the reach of most people this year. We found great products that are deluxe but don’t cost a lot of bucks! Here are some to consider.
Avaka Volcanic Face Roller:
It’s small, portable, and does great things for your face and so affordable at $29. It’s the Avaka Volcanic Face Roller 3-in-1 Beauty Tool.
A Fabulous Brush Set (and it’s Vegan, too):
Luxie has a fabulous gift set of ethical, vegan, hypoallergenic, high-quality, cruelty-free makeup brushes. The name itself shows that this is a luxury gift idea. The Expert Artist Set is a $225 value, but it’s yours for just $90. Whether you’re an actual professional makeup artist or you just want a drool-worthy set of makeup brushes, this is the set for you. It’s actually a zippered black pleather case with a zippered back pocket to keep your most important items at the ready. But it’s also a belt bag to wear when there’s no time to lose and no place to put everything out in front of you. The set features 24 brushes in individual pockets and 2 larger mesh pockets, ensuring all your essentials are ready when you need them. There are also two blender sponges.
But that’s not all. Attached with snaps to the side is a zippered pouch, great for holding eyeshadow palettes, blender sponges, and more!
What’s in It?
I don’t have the space to advise you about how to use all of these brushes. But the Luxie Website has all the details. If you’re looking for synthetic bristle brushes, you will find them to be a makeup lover’s dream!: 502 Large Powder; 520 Tapered Face Brush; 522 Tapered Highlighting Brush; 504 large Angled Brush; 512 Small Contouring Brush; 530 Flat Top Kabuki Brush; 532 Round Top Kabuki Brush; Precision Blender Sponge (Brown); Detail Blender Sponge (Pink); 205 Tapered Blending Brush; 213 Eye shading Brush; 231 Small Tapered Blending Brush; 207 Medium Angled Shader Brush; 223 Short Shader Brush;-221 Flat Definer Brush; 217 Pencil Eye Brush; 215 Small Angle Brush; 201 Spoolie Brush; 219 Eyeliner Brush.
Holiday Hair Jewelry:
What do women really want? I’d guess glamour and bling. Fiona Taylor who created Faces by Fiona (traveling beauty services) also created Beluxxia Beauty. The website has gorgeous hair jewelry and some pretty awesome bling cosmetics and faux lashes to make holidays even more merry and bright. The hair bling is nicely made but not outrageously expensive. However, even just one piece will make someone happy.
In my photo above and below you can see some of the pieces I think you’ll love for yourself. Of course, they’re great for gifts, too. The Avery Hairpins set ($20). These are accent pieces for a ponytail, a bun, or an updo featuring marquise crystal leaves “En Tremblant.” As you move the leaves move too, catching the light, or the glow of a fireplace. The larger and smaller combs are great for a half-up/down style, or to secure an updo as well.
I also love the Amilya Comb Set Hair Accent ($35) which includes the large and small combs shown in the photo with the pink background, above. These have round and teardrop-shaped accents along with sprays of pearls and faceted beads. The large comb is 5.11 in, Small comb is 2.36 in. There are also tons of larger pieces that would be great for a bride. Check out Beluxxia Beauty!
Perfect Promise & Travel Ring:
Would you like to indulge in major bling but don’t have the bucks? Getting engaged but you don’t have the ring yet? Diamonds may be forever, but Starlette Galleria has beautiful diamond substitute jewelry at prices that are as low as the diamond substitute gems are pretty! Advicesisters.com loves Starlette Galleria (see our past reviews) for bling that you don’t have to worry about. For the holidays, our pick is the Dionne Ring ($105). This is a showstopping ring that looks expensive and it makes a great promise ring or just a little splurge for you.
The Dionne ring features simulated diamond stones (AAA CZ). It has an Asscher cut center stone, with a ring of tiny “diamonds” around it. The band (923 sterling silver) also sparkles with tiny stones. Get this ring in rhodium white gold plated or 14-carat yellow gold plated. For friends, there are earrings and necklaces that are truly budget-friendly with prices lower than $50. *these pieces look real, so make sure you don’t flash them where you wouldn’t normally wear big diamonds, either.
Find something for everyone at drool-worthy Starlette Galleria.
Advicesisters.com love gifts that give back. The crab earrings and the pumpkin bowl lid below are featured as gifts on the National Wildlife Federation Website. This respected organization helps to protect wildlife in our changing environments. It’s the largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States.
Anne Koplik makes jewelry with her two daughters in upstate New York in their women-owned business. These beautiful little enameled crab earrings ($35) are made with exclusive hand enamel techniques. The findings are locking and secure, and the earrings are really eye-catching. It’s the perfect gift idea for all your friends who love the beach and the sea. My photos don’t show all the beautiful detail in these pieces of “art.” So I’m including the stock photo, as well.
If you’re seeking something very sustainable and you want to help protect wildlife through the National Wildlife Federation gift something re-useable and cute such as this pumpkin-shaped silicone lid. This luxe lid sticks tight to your bowls and saves you from using so much cling wrap and aluminum foil. It’s also mondo-cute!
The air-tight pumpkin keeps food fresh in the refrigerator and freezer. What I really like is that these BPA-free lids can also be used for baking, steaming, cooking, and reheating. It’s also Microwave and oven safe (up to 425 degrees). The large lid in my photos is 11″ in diameter for a salad bowl or batter bowl. I took a photo of the large lid on the largest bowl I had, but really, for small to medium bowls get the medium lid ($18).
