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‘Twas the night before Christmas and no gifts to be seen? We’ve been there… and we know how stressful it can be — despite your best intensions to get it done by November. But no need to fret (or wrap up lumps of coal). Our team of editors have curated a selection of last-minute gifts that will surprise and delight your loved ones without any suspicion. The strategy is simple: look for beautiful, luxury items (steer clear of anything limited) that can be express shipped or picked up at a major department store. Christmas crisis averted.
Keep scrolling to shop.
Glasshouse Spinning Carousel Candle, $80. SHOP NOW
“When it comes to those last little niggly gifts to buy – for your mother-in-law, a distant relative, or worse, when you get your boss for Secret Santa – the stress can be an all-consuming. Glasshouse Candles has become my go-to for a present that is bound to impress. These chic carousel candles are not only beautiful (the heat from the flame causes the discs to spin and bounce light around the room) they smell absolutely divine. The best thing? It won’t kill the credit card.” — Rebekah Clark, Features Writer
ELLUS & KRUE BRIGHTER DAYS GIFT SET, $99. SHOP NOW
“Ellus & Krue is a brand that creates effective skincare that’s safe for all complexions, including sensitive. They even donate 20% of their proceeds to cancer research, a lovely feel-good element that’s especially poignant this time of the year. The Brighter Days set contains a gentle exfoliant to buff and refine the skin, plus a hydrating gel cleanser to whisk away makeup without stripping. I also love that it’s Australian!” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor
Burberry Iconic Eye & Face Palette, $150. SHOP NOW
“The Burberry Iconic Eye & Face Palette is everything you will ever need for your makeup routine and thanks to a great colour payoff and wearability for any complexion, it makes the perfect gift for even the pickiest of women. It is housed in sleek gold case adorned with the iconic Thomas Burberry monogram and contains four everyday eye colours, a blush and highlighter.” — Rebekah Clark, Features Writer
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, $159. SHOP NOW
“If you know someone that’s into skincare, Advanced Night Repair is a safe bet. Available at almost any beauty retailer or department store, the cult serum is a fail-safe gift that’s luxurious but also practical. I personally love adding a drop to my foundation for a fresh finish, or pressing some in underneath a balmy moisturiser when I’m feeling dull. And while it is categorically an anti-ageing serum, the brightening and hydrating properties mean it’s beautiful for almost any skin type.” — Jessica Bailey, Editorial Director
Sunday Riley Good Genes, $174. SHOP NOW
“Like I mentioned earlier, cult skincare products are rarely sold out and easy to find in store, so won’t be hard to snap up at the final hour. Good Genes is one such product. Rich in lactic acid, it removes dull surface cells for a visibly brighter complexion, reducing the look of uneven tone, congestion and rough texture in the process. It works quickly, suits most skin types and has stellar reviews online — the skincare gifting trifecta.” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor
Byredo lipstick, $67. SHOP NOW
“The Byredo makeup collection could not be more perfect to wrap up this festive season. Every product is sleek and thoughtfully designed, while the formulas themselves are unmatched in terms of colour, texture and pigment. The lipstick is especially perfect: creamy and rich, a single swipe deposits opaque colour in an array of bold hues.” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor
Sisley Black rose Hydrating Satin Body Veil, $210. SHOP NOW
“This body lotion screams luxury. Velvety and light, it’s formulated with black rose oil, camelina oil, rose water and squalane to provide limbs with soft, luminous moisture. It sinks in quickly, smells divine and comes in a vivid fuchsia bottle that will delight even the most discerning beauty consumer. I know my grandmother would absolutely love to unwrap this — and you best believe I’ll be borrowing it every time I visit!” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, $728. SHOP NOW
“If you need a gift in the space of five minutes that’s going to truly blow someone away, make a beeline for the nearest Mecca and pick up a bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540. Quite possibly the most addictive perfume on the planet, the intoxicating blend of jasmine, saffron, amber and cedar wood is attention grabbing for all the right reasons. The 200ml eau de parfum is the pinnacle of prestige fragrance, too.” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor
Tom Ford Lost Cherry eau de parfum, $485. SHOP NOW
“Tom Ford is another brand that I love to fall back on when I’m in a rush (i.e. always). I first smelt Lost Cherry on a friend of mine and was surprised at just how much it smelt like cherries! Juicy and sweet, it’s unusual but addictive, and the lacquered red bottle is just so damn chic. I love it so much I might just ask Santa for one of my own.” — Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor.
Myer Gift Card. SHOP NOW
“When you’re really, really stuck (as in, driving to Christmas lunch empty-handed stuck) a gift card to a great department store is always a winner. Myer even offer theirs digitally with the capability to add a photo or video, so it still feels thoughtful and personalised with minimal effort. You could even gift it with a note detailing some purchase ideas.” — Jessica Bailey, Editorial Director
