After a wild ride of a year (thanks Covid-19), Christmas and the holiday season is only weeks away. This means that shopping for gifts is coming up fast and it can be tricky to know what to get espeically if you need to shop online. So to hopefully save you some time and money, I've put together my picks for Christmas this year!

 

Image from Mecca.com.au

Sol de Janeiro Wild Extravaganza Set

If you're a fan of the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream by Sol de Janeiro, then this set is for you! The set includes a full sized Brazilian Bum Bum cream (240ml), the Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist (90ml), the Brazilian 4Play Moisturising Shower Gel Cream (90ml) and the Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter (6.2g). It's basically a greatest hits of the delicious smelling Brazilian range and is a great way to try more products in the range as it's valued at $129! I'm absolutely obsessed with this scent and I knew that I just had to put it on my Christmas list this year. Available from Mecca for $99.

Image from Opallac.com

Opallac Pastel Gel Palette*

This 4-piece gel polish pack includes the most beautiful pastel shades from Opallac. This pack includes Marshmallow (the perfect pastel pink), Frosted (a light, sky blue), Buttermilk (a pale, creamy, light yellow) and Lovender (a beautiful light purple). These shades are exclusive to this pack and is the perfect gift for someone who loves gel polish. Available from Priceline and Opallac directly for $58.

Mecca Max Feel Good Beauty Range*

The Mecca Max holiday range is year is absolutely fabulous. In line with the rest of the Mecca Max range, the holiday range is super affordable (starting from $12), the quality is amazing and the packaging is so cute. My picks from the range include Double or Nothing Zoom Shadow Stick Duo $29, Golden Hour Everyday Palette $35, Brush Over Brush Set $85 and the Eyeshadow Quads $12.

Image from Mecca.com.au

Double or Nothing Zoom Shadow Stick Duo

I love the Zoom Shadow Sticks so much. They're so creamy to apply and stay put all day. They come in a range of fabulous colours and are perfect for day or night wear. They are normally $18 each so at $29 for two, it's a great deal! 

Image from Mecca.com.au

Golden Hour Everyday Palette

This palette includes 6 beautiful eyeshadows (4 matte, 2 shimmer) that can easily be worn for any day or night look, a nice and neutral pink lipgloss and 3 face powders (a blush, bronzer and a highlighter). As with all Mecca Max products, the pigmentation is great, the packaging feels sturdy and good quality. This would be the perfect gift for someone who is just getting into makeup or someone who wants it all in one place. Available for $35.

Image from Mecca.com.au

Brush Over Brush Set

This brush set includes eight vegan brushes and a cute, coral travel case. The set includes a blush brush, powder brush, highlighter brush, foundation brush, three eyeshadow brushes and an angled liner brush. It's perfect for someone just starting out with makeup or someone wanting to expand or upgrade their current brush collection. Available for $85.

Image from Mecca.com.au

Eyeshadow Quads

These eyeshadow quads are so cute and compact and are the perfect size for travel! They come in three different shades and the perfect little stocking stuffer. They have a mix of shimmer and matte shades in each one and are the perfect gift for anyone. Available for $12.

 

Image from MCoBeauty.com

MCoBeauty The Beauty Edit Pout Gloss & Lip Liner Set in Tickle*

If you're on a budget, this lip set is a perfect gift to buy for any beauty lover! The set includes a lip liner in shade 'Universal' and Pout Gloss in 'Tickle'. The lip liner was very creamy and pigmented and the gloss applied like a dream too! It reminds me a lot of the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, both in packaging and formula. Available from MCoBeauty and Woolworths for $18.

Image from TheOodie.com

Now I know it's coming into summer here in Aus but I bought an Oodie a few months ago and I have worn it non-stop! If you haven't heard of them before, an Oodie is basically a giant super soft hoodie with a fluffy sherpa lining. It's beyond comfortable, so warm and comes in lots of different prints. The arms have a ribbed cuff which is great because it means that the arms don't get in the way. Available from Oodie directly for $109 (they often have sales or coupon codes!).

Image from au.mysilvi.com

I was already a fan of silk pillowcases but boy oh boy this is the nicest one I've ever tried. It's made of 100% Mulberry Silk (22 Momme, the highest 6A grade) and infused with anti-bacterial silver ions. What makes this particular pillowcase so special is that the silver ions help to reduce acne, clogged pores and ingestion all while you sleep! It also helps to smooth hair and prevent frizziness, boost the skin's collagen and prevent wrinkles. Is there anything that it can't do?! Available from Silvi directly for $89.

Image from Mejuri.com

I have been a long-time admirer of Mejury Jewellery and for my birthday recently I was treated to the Silver Croissant Dome Ring. It is even more gorgeous than it looks online and I'm already adding more pieces to my wishlist! They have a great range of necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets in gold vermeil, sterling silver and 14k gold and white gold. They are also having a sale right now so if you have a piece or two in your wishlist, now is the perfect time to treat yourself!

Image from Mecca.com.au

Tangle Teezer Fine and Fragile Wet Detangler Brush

This brush has been a life-saver! I've been using it for the last four months and my hair has been loving it. It's a brush specifically designed for fine, damaged or colour treated hair and be used on wet or dry hair. I love to use it while my hair is wet and it just glides through. It also comes in a pink and black version for thicker or non-colour treated hair. It's literally the perfect gift for anyone! Available from Mecca, Tangle Teezer and Hairhouse Warehouse for $24.

*Indicates Pr Sample

I received some great news recently that Milani is finally launching in Australia! That's right, Milani is launching in Priceline in early September and I am so excited.

If you haven't heard of Milani before, it's an affordable, drug-store LA based brand that was created for all ethnicities, backgrounds and ages. All products are cruelty free, PETA certified and a range of products are also vegan. I picked up some products when I was travelling in the USA and have loved them ever since. I was very kindly sent a generous package by the team at Milani Aus to try out some of their products before they hit the shelves. I don't have price information for all of the products but let's jump straight into my thoughts:


Conceal and Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation

Shade 01 Creamy Vanilla

Along with their Baked Blush in Luminoso, this foundation is one of Milani's top selling products. This foundation is apparently a "one-step liquid foundation and concealer that delivers long-lasting full coverage that evens out skin tone". It apparently features a "lightweight, full coverage, oil-free and water-resistant formula in a no mess, no drip pump dispenser and is suitable for all skin types and tones". Upon trying the foundation, I can see why people love it! It had a nice, medium-full coverage that looked very natural on the skin. The finish looked really natural with a little bit of glow. It lasted really well throughout the day and didn't separate or go all funny in my oily areas. Big yes from me! It's available in 22 shades for $24.95. I do wish that the shade range was a bit more extensive but I saw that in the US, it's available in 45 shades so hopefully they release the extra shades soon.  


Conceal and Perfect Shine Proof Powder

Shade 02 Nude

This powder is apparently a multi-tasking miracle worker that can be worn alone or over foundation. The Milani website says that it's a "luxurious lightweight mattifying powder is blended with Lily extract to tighten pores and keep skin fresh". It also has Bamboo powder to absorb excess oil. My first impressions of this powder is that it feels really lightweight and smooth. It mattified my skin nicely and didn't make the undereye area look dry or crepey. It kept me shine-free for hours, didn't look cakey and locked my foundation in for the whole day. I did get some fallout in the pan but nothing major. It comes with a flat sponge/puff for easy application on the go. It's being launched here in 4 shades for $26.99 however it's available in the US in 10 shades so like the foundation, hopefully they extend the range here.  


Conceal and Perfect Longwear Concealer

Shade 120 Light Vanilla

This concealer claims that it's a longwear concealer with a creamy formula that's water resistant and full coverage. Upon application, I found it really creamy and blendable. It didn't look dry or cakey under the eye and lasted well throughout the day. It has a great doe-foot applicator and the formula reminds me of Tarte Shape Tape. It's also a vegan formula that contains Vitamin E for hydration. It's available in 10 shades for $24.99.  


Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush

Shade 110 Nude Flush

I was really intrigued by this blush! I'd never really used a liquid blush before, only creams and powders. The formula reminded me initially of a gel formula as it felt really lightweight and smooth. It applied really nicely to the cheeks and didn't lift or disturb my makeup underneath. The colour built up nicely and gave a sheer, flush of colour to the cheeks. It would be perfect for just a touch of colour or for a 'no-makeup makeup' look. This product is also vegan!


 Baked Blush

Shade Luminoso

As I said earlier, Milani is probably best known for their Baked Blush in Luminoso and after using it for years, I can see why. The formula is buttery soft, easy to blend and pigmented! They're one of the nicest blushes I've used before and all of the shades are absolutely gorgeous. A fun fact about these blushes is that they all have been sunbaked on Italian terracotta tiles! The shade Luminoso is the perfect peachy, pink with a really nice glow. They've changed the packaging since I originally purchased it a few years ago. It originally included a mirror and a small brush in the packaging and they've removed that in the current packaging. It doesn't make a huge difference for me as I don't normally use the included brush. The Baked Blush range is available in 7 shades in a range of satin and shimmery finishes for $19.95.  


Baked Bronzer

Shade 05 Soleil

Similarly to the blushes, the Baked Bronzers are wonderful. They have the same pigmented and blendable formula and apply like a dream. The two shades I have (04 Glow and 05 Soleil) are a beautiful marbled finish in the pan and they make me feel like I've been on a holiday in the sun! These bronzers remind me of the Hourglass bronzers and are also vegan. Similarly to the blushes, they also have the updated packaging with no brush or mirror. Love them!  


Baked Highlighter

Shade 120 Champagne D'oro

This highlighter is so fantastic! The formula so smooth and buttery and blends so well. Like the blushes, the highlighters are baked on Italian terracotta tiles for the perfect formula. The shade I tried here is 120 Champage D'oro and it reminds me of ABH x Amrezy. It's the perfect soft gold shade that looks great on my fair-light skin tone.  


Gilded Ember Hyper-pigmented Eye and Face Palette

Gilded Ember Hyper-pigmented Eye and Face Palette

This eyeshadow palette is a 11 pan eye and face palette that's a mix of metallic shimmers, mattes and duo-chromes. The colour story is inspired by the 2019 Pantone Colour of the Year, Living Coral. The 2 larger shimmer pans worked so well as a highlighter and the shimmers and duo-chromes were insanely pigmented. The packaging feels quite lux for a drug store brand with embossing and a good sized mirror. So fantastic!  


Ludicrous Lip Gloss

Shade 120 She's All That

I really liked these glosses! The formula felt lightweight but not too sticky and were so glossy and shiny. The formula reminded me a little of the Fenty Gloss Bomb. I tried out the shade She's All That and it was the perfect nude gloss with a really nice, subtle shimmer. It feels hydrating and smooth on the lips and applied really well over lipstick.  


Make It Last Setting Spray Prime + Correct + Set
Another one of their bestsellers is their setting spray and I can see why! The mist was really fine while also being lightweight, not sticky, greasy or tacky. I also liked that it didn't leave big dots or spots behind on my base. It reminds me of the MAC Fix+ as it primes the skin and sets makeup all day.  


Colour Statement Lipstick

Shades 89 Naked and 05 Red Label

I was really intrigued by the formula of these lipsticks. They felt really smooth during application and didn't ball up or pill on the lip. I found the scent quite surprising, it reminded me of a Lipsmacker/watermelon scent. The finish of these lipsticks definitely is more a creme finish and it looks quite glossy on the lip too. I don't think they'll have long staying power because they are so creamy so if you're looking for a really long wearing lipstick, perhaps the Amore Matte Lip Creme or the Bold Colour Statement Matte Lipstick will more your speed.  


Precision Brow Pencil


I really like this pencil; it gave good, lightweight colour and fine strokes. It felt creamy and was easy to apply. I didn't have to press heavily or drag it across my brow to get product payoff which is great. It is also double ended with a spoolie which is super convenient. The packaging maybe felt a little light and on the cheaper side but that's definitely a minor point.




Overall I loved everything that I tried and I am beyond excited that Milani are launching in Aus. I think they'll fit really well in Priceline and the Australian market. From the pricing information I have on some of the products, the prices seem to be reasonable and comparable to other brands in Priceline such as L'Oreal, Maybelline and Rimmel London. In comparison with the US, the prices seem to be a bit more expensive but still are at an good price point. I can't wait to see Milani hit the shelves here and for you all to give their amazing products a go!