This write up was originally posted on Morgan’s Skin Journal Substack and was shared with permission from the author. Check out the original post here.
Hello, hi there and a very warm welcome to the first and very special holiday edition of the journal! Thank you for being here, we have some super fun beauty talk ahead of us.
It may be October but Christmas collections and holiday gifting has been on the shelves since September, so of course we have to talk about some of the beauty releases that are already available to shop!
Personally I am a big Christmas fan, I love the holiday spirit, decorating my house and everything that comes with it but especially love seeing how all our favourite beauty brands embrace the holiday season.
I’ll call this part 1 of who knows how many because I have a feeling another drop is just around the corner, so there will be even more to talk about. Of course there will also be the return of my holiday gift guide – last year’s was quite well received so I am already planning what will be included this year…
Image: A sunny Sunday spent right playing with new makeup. Follow Morgan on Instagram here.
Enough chit chat; let’s talk holiday beauty!
Some of the biggest and best players in holiday beauty have already delivered on big and beautiful holiday collections that are already very available to shop. Seeing how some brands choose to go all in with themes and storytelling is just so gorgeous, so we’re going to spotlight some of those here!
Glasshouse Fragrances: Iconic Scents and Festive Packaging
Glasshouse are very well known for their incredible Christmas collections and this year is no different. They launched the range with a beautiful artistic video to set the scene for the style of this year’s offering.
The scents stay mostly the same from year to year with updates to the vessel packaging and gifting options.
Image: A post shared by @glasshousefragrances
The Night Before Christmas is probably their most well known scent, with a dancing sugar plum profile that’s also available this year in a stunning 760g size (selling out quickly!).
My personal pick is the Christmas Morning scent with a blood orange note, but Gingerbread House is also always a favourite too. You can pick these up from their own site, Sephora, David Jones, Myer, Adore Beauty and their website.
Top value pick: The Christmas Trio, which has 3 mini versions of their most iconic holiday sets and are a great way to try multiple scents or use in a tablescape.
Image: A post shared by @glasshousefragrances featuring their Night Before Christmas Candle.
Glossier: Limited Edition Tins and Holiday Favourites
If you follow me on TikTok, you might have seen that we got a little sneak peek at the Glossier holiday collection before it was officially announced (oops) but it has to be one of their best ones yet. It’s a good mix of existing and limited edition products all packaged up in beautifully designed reusable tins.
Image: A post shared by @glossier
They’ve leant heavily into their fragrances as gifting options, which makes it super easy to pick for a friend, with fan favourites and a new Lilyhaze scent available in sets and hand creams. No doubt the Sugar + Spice Balm Dotcom Duo will go quickly, especially for my girlies that really enjoy a classic Christmas scent, but there is a real range of size and price options.
I think the Cloud Paint Trio will be an excellent option because they’re such beautiful shades in very makeup bag friendly sizes. The range is available at Mecca and on the brand site (if you want the candles).
Top value pick: the Glossier You Duo. I know so many people who love this scent and swear by it as their everyday wear, so you can’t miss the opportunity to pick up a bottle and a mini for a $42 saving.
Image: A post shared by @glossier
Benefit: Game Night Glam and Playful Packaging
Another brand that always absolutely nails a theme is Benefit! The 2025 holiday range has this super fun games night vibe, with game pieces featuring heavily in the packaging design (the advent calendar is next level).
Image: A post shared by @benefitanz featuring their Queen’s Glam-Bit Full-Size Mascara Duo
I feel like you really can’t go wrong with gifting Benefit and they have such a vast range of options to choose from.
You can often pick up most of your makeup routine within a set, like the Glam-A-Grams or Benefit Dream Team, which gives you some skincare, a cheek product and then also has your brows and lashes sorted. Available to shop at Sephora and Adore Beauty.
Top value pick: the Game On Glow Mini Palette. One palette with 3 iconic powder shades from Benefit, a great formula that really delivers in a palette that will easily fit in most makeup bags.
Image: A post shared by @benefitanz
Charlotte Tilbury: Luxe Gifts Worth the Splurge
As a brand, Charlotte Tilbury barely needs an introduction and to honest their vibe is already so luxe and sparkly that you don’t need to do much to make it look very giftable.
This time of year is an excellent time to take advantage of the savings that you so rarely get on this brand, especially if the products are on high rotation in your routine.
Image: A post shared by @charlottetilbury
I don’t think there’s a single beauty lover in your orbit who wouldn’t love to open some Charlotte Tilbury at Christmas, so it really is a very easy go-to when you do your Christmas shopping.
You could go with a Lip and Cheek Kit in classic Pillow Talk, a Perfume Set or even just go all out with the Treasure Chest set. Available to shop at Mecca.
Top value pick: the Charlotte’s Mini Viral Beauty Icons Set. Like the name suggests, this gives you a mini size of the most viral and most loved products from the range. Would also make a good present to yourself if you’re keen to actually try something from the brand.
Image: A post shared by @charlottetilbury
Fenty Beauty: Glow-Up Season in Full Swing
If there’s one thing you need to know about Fenty, it’s that they will always pull up with a stunning holiday collection, and this year is no different. This years theme is Glow-Up so they’ve kept things simple but still pulled off that Fenty twist we all love them for.
Image: A post shared by @fentybeauty
For me, the Fenty holiday range is a perfect example of what a gifting selection should look like: multiple price points, hero products in value sets, limited edition shades and scents, it really does have it all.
They have the Lined + Luminized and Glow’N Xtra lip combo sets, that provide good value and gorgeous, classic shades. If you have a friend or two to go in with, there’s also the insane Gloss Bomb Vault Set with 10 (!!) lip products.
Top value pick: the Fenty Skin Lil Butta Dropz Mini Duo. If you don’t know about this body cream formula, you need to! It’s luxe and lovely and this duo has two warm, spicy scents that are perfect for that holiday vibe (or even saving for winter).
Image: A post shared by @fentybeauty featuring their Gloss Bomb Vault Set
Ole Henriksen: Glow Sets Under $100
I am personally a newer member of the Ole Henriksen fan club, but I am so on board with their well curated holiday offering. Pretty much all of the sets are under that $100 mark and give you a chance to give your whole routine a refresh or just stock up on some lip treatments.
Image: A post shared by @olehenriksen
I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that the battle for the best lip balm or treatment, especially one that uses peptides, has started to lean heavily in one direction.
That is to say that the Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment has quietly been gathering fans and is now converting some die hards from other brands.
That makes the Pout Preserve Petites Mini Lip Trio an excellent gift because you don’t even need to choose a scent when you can have 3! I have personally also been eyeing off the Get Glazed + Glowing set which features their iconic Banana Bright Eye Creme.
Top Value Pick: the Pout Preserve Lip Vault Glimmer Set. It really is hard to go part gorgeous, glimmery versions of your fave lip treatment scents…
Image: A post shared by @olehenriksen
What are you picking up? Let us know in the comments below.
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