10 show-stopping Christmas gifts for beauty lovers

What do you get the lady who seemingly has everything? The show of thought and effort — that’s what. Not only can you not explicitly purchase this exquisite gift set, there are only three pieces available globally. Handmade in France and designed as a treasure box or commode to house your Cha Ling tea paraphernalia and skincare products, it’s the ultimate treat for any discerning beauty lover who has fallen for the natural tea formulas of this French-Chinese crossover brand. It also comes personalised with English or Chinese calligraphy service featuring the work of Hong Kong artist Annice Ung. You can only get it upon purchase of HK$30,000 of Cha Ling products before 31 December — which you can easily achieve by gifting your closest friends the Winter Essential set (HK$4,400), for instance, which includes the popular Detox Infusion Serum (50ml), Energy Nutrition Boosting Concentrate (15ml) and a Winter Mask jar (100ml) altogether in a bright red gifting tea tin.

Cha Ling, Shop 3306A, Level 3, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3101 0708

Aesop’s thoughtful holiday gift kits are always a joy to behold, usually equipped with timeless sentiments, design philosophy and substantial products. Enlisting Dutch couturier Iris van Herpen for this year’s design, the gift kits are elegantly packaged in reusable amenity kits with a van Herpen patterned sleeve. The contents of each are inspired by the patterns of connection between people, places or ideas as we all come together at the end of the year. Whether the gift recipient is a fan of Aesop already or not, the Contours of Discovery (HK$770) is easily welcomed by all, with its quartet of signature body care items including the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, Geranium Leaf Body Scrub and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser.
Aesop, 2 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2673 3468

Jo Malone’s advent calendar townhouse is always at the top of the wishlist for any fragrance junkie, with all its miniature bath oils, colognes, candles and body cremes showcasing the best of the brand. While it may be a little late to purchase your advent calendar for the year (psst… you can still buy it online here if you so wished), you’ll instead want to get the Jo Malone aficionado in your life the comprehensive Luxury Cologne Collection (HK$4,680), which offers the glimmering gift of choice and versatility: an extensive spread of 25 scented miniatures to layer and play with to their heart’s content.
Jo Malone London, Shop 137, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2918 4865

What does one typically need for a fruitful and healthy 2019? Finances in check, friends and family in good standing, and skin and body that’s nourished and hydrated. While this gift set can’t exactly promise the former items, it will certainly keep your skin smooth, hydrated and balanced with its wholesome, nature-forward skincare goodies — and give you some pretty amazing nightly rituals to keep you grounded, too. Valued at HK$4,600 but offered at HK$3,300, this Jurlique Ultimate Collection features all of the Aussie brand’s signatures, including the succulent rosewater balancing mist as part of many items in the rose product range, as well as skin-restoring and firming items from the Herbal Recovery range.
Jurlique, Shop B229A, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2506 3028

Ever since Instagram heavyweight Pat Mcgrath’s arrival on Sephora Hong Kong this month, it’s been increasingly hard to resist its comprehensive collection of lush smokey eye palettes and glamorous lip products. The Mothership Eyeshadow Palette (HK$1,050) is one of the makeup artist’s much sought-after products, bringing all the glitz and glitter for the season with its wearable bronzes, jewel tones and rose golds, with its cool toned shimmers giving off an irresistibly ethereal and otherworldly effect. The hardest thing is to pick between all the colourways — I am personally battling between II Sublime and V Bronze Seduction.
Pat McGrath at Sephora.com

Taking on an Alice in Wonderland theme this winter season, Cle de Peau’s latest collection features stunning surrealist-inspired designs: playing cards float past flamingos and faceless queens in a whimsical motif by artist Daria Petrilli. Cle de Peau’s powerful anti-ageing La Crème (HK$4,600) also gets a limited edition revamp with new packaging, with its jar encased in an opulent new pink sapphire hue. If you’re looking to pamper a lady who loves beautiful things, this is sure to take her fancy.
Cle de Peau, Shop 1059A, 1/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2234 7111

Who can resist an indulgent spa night at home? This luxurious Spa Collection set (HK$2,750) by La Mer brings together its signature Creme de la Mer, Lifting and Firming Mask, Treatment Lotion and Lifting Contour Serum and is the ultimate kit to feel renewed and radiant for the winter season. It’s all encased in a stunning jewel-toned block colour silk pouch, which adds an elegant touch for any gifting occasion.
Lane Crawford, 3/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong

A scent fit to celebrate the ethereal beauty of any goddess, the Luna Collection (HK$970) is perfectly suited for any lady looking for a delicate yet sophisticated, not too girly scent. Named after the mystical moon goddess, notes of bergamot, juniper and amber give off a fresh, almost floral whiff yet still full of depth and a comforting warmth. This set includes a 30ml flacon of the EDP, as well as a body cream and atomiser spray.
Penhaligon’s, Shop 3025A, IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2959 3001

For year-round fabulous hair, there’s no going wrong with the latest and greatest GHD styler — the Platinum+, which smartly detects your usage speed, thickness of hair and so on to maintain the optimum temperature of 185 degrees. This Christmas, keep looking cool with this icy blue limited edition wand (HK$2,580).
Lane Crawford, 3/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong

If you’re gifting for the type of girl who loves big, bold gestures like a strong red pout and a hedonistic, romantic scent, Tom Ford’s Jasmin Rouge set (HK$2,270) exclusively launched at Lane Crawford is a splendid, timeless choice with plenty of festive flair. The shiny, garnet-black case is sure to set hearts racing, before opening to reveal an exotic scarlet rouge lipstick paired perfectly with the Jasmine Rouge 50ml EDP — one of Tom Ford’s classic earlier releases in its private blend collection, a spiced, floral scent championing Sambac jasmine with clary sage and rounding off with vanilla and amber notes.
Lane Crawford, 3/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 3572 0184