Team BD is back with another addition of Tried & Tested – the series where we put the latest products to the test.
This month we are trialling the latest Christmas must-haves. From lip balms and skincare saviours to hair treatments and everything in between, there is something for everyone to enjoy this festive season.
Read our honest thoughts below, and why you should keep these offerings front of mind. After all, when you see the BD Tried & Tested badge, you know we've given it our stamp of approval.
For hi-res images, and further product information, click the brand name.
FOREO Dew You Gift Set - Aja
What we think: This beautiful, limited-edition set from FOREO is the ultimate gift for any skincare junkies in your life (or in my case, for myself!). The at-home pampering bundle is packed with everything you need to create glowing, hydrated skin. The LUNA™ play smart 2 is small, but mighty and the Coconut Oil sheet masks (that can be used as a traditional mask or infused with the UFO™ mini) leave skin uber moisturised. Not to mention, the divine FOREO Silk Pillowcase that's included - what a touch of luxury this Christmas holiday!
Synergie Skin Beauty Boost - Tiarne
What we think: Synergie is an all-time favourite brand of mine so I was super excited to trial their Christmas gift pack. Packaged in a recyclable pack, this limited-edition set includes the BioCleanse luxurious milky cleanser, Vitamin B essential multitasking serum with 13% niacinamide and LumiBalance multi-active facial oil (perfect timing because I just finished up my previous regimen). This delightful trio works wonderfully together to smooth the complexion, lock in the perfect glow and just leaves skin looking and feeling radiant, clear and soft. What more could you possibly want this Christmas?
CIRCA Raspberry & Rhubarb Scented Soy Candle - Sam
What we think: The blended fragrance of Raspberry and Rhubarb make this candle smell inviting and delicious. The candle is made in Australia with soy blended wax, high quality fragrance oils, lead-free cotton wicks, and a recyclable jar. If that isnt enough, the festive floral box, coupled with the stunning gold speckled jar make this candle a beautiful item to display in your home this Christmas, or even gift to someone you love. CIRCA have also released a 250ml Fragrance Diffuser and Liquidless Diffuser Set to the Raspberry & Rhubarb range if you can't get enough!
Glasshouse Fragrances A Tahaa Affair Spinning Carousel - Tam
What we think: I am a candle girl through and through, but I have never been as excited about a candle as this one - if this was the only gift I got year after year I would be happy! The Tahaa scent is a rich vanilla caramel that fills my entire house with the most beautiful fragrance, and the golden carousel that sits on top makes this the most devine Christmas decoration I haver ever seen. When lit, the heat turns the carousel that sits atop the candle, leaving reflections around the room from the intricate designs that have been cut into the decorated pendulums.
MOR Shimmering Soiree Marshmallow Duette - Deb
What we think: MOR is the ultimate when it comes to gifting packs, and the shimmering soiree duette in MOR's iconic marshmallow scent is the perfect gift. This bath and body set came in beautiful, very giftable recylable packaging, and smelled amazing before I even opened the product bottles. The marshmallow scent is a distinct floral blend with a rich musky finish. The hand and body wash has the consistency of a silky gel and lathers well in the shower, with the addeed bonus of filling the bathroom with its decadent fragrance. It doesn't dry out my skin at all, and leaves my skin soft and hydrated after rinsing. After showering, the pampering continues with the hand and body milk, which is a skin-hydrating moisturiser of the same scent, and leaves my skin filling silky soft to the touch. This gift will have any recipient feeling and smelling festive long after Christmas comes and goes.
The Body Shop Love & Plums Ultimate Gift - Eleni
What we think: Christmas shopping just got easier with The Body Shop Christmas gift sets! My personal favourite is the Love & Plums Ultimate gift set that comes in a beautiful Christmas themed pouch. Containing vegan and special edition fragranced shower gel, body scrub, shimmer mist, body butter, hand cream and body yogurt, this pack is sure to to keep you (or your lucky gift recipient) smoothed, moisturised and pampered over the festive season. The body yogurt is my new staple and I have found my legs to be smoother and more hydrated than ever. The perfect plum pamper pressie!
Dr. LeWinn's Line Smoothing Complex Gift Set - Issy R
What we think: This is the perfect gift set for a skincare lover who is looking to treat and target lines and wrinkles. The gift set comes with a day cream, night cream and under eye recovery masks, the eseentials you need to kick start your skincare regime. This is an all round pack which comes with a bonus cosmetic bag which makes traveling and storing the products extra easy. You can pick this gift set up for $74.95 which is great value considering the pack is valued at $154.85.
Burt’s Bees® Naturally Nude Lip Trio - Issy D
What we think: This is a great little pack for some lip loving! I don't go anywhere without a lip balm and this trio pack gives me a sustainably natural option for any occassion. A lip shimmer, lip shine and a lip balm that really soothe my lips from everyday activities. They also come in cute little packaging, smell great and are super penny friendly! A great little addition to any christmas present.
Dermaceutic Comfort Your Skin Christmas Cracker - Aurora
What we think: I loved the Dermaceutic Comfort Your Skin Christmas Cracker! Since all the products included in the cracker are suitable for all skin types it would make a perfect gift for anyone (or for a treat yourself moment!). The three products in the Comfort Your Skin Christmas Cracker are the Oxybiome Cleansing Micellar Water 100mL, Hyal Ceutic 15mL, and C25 12mL; these products together are actually enough for a pared back but all-encompassing daily routine, so this gift is great to supplement someone's already existing regime or to start one from the ground up.
Wella Professionals Fusion Trio Gift Set - Ashley
What we think: The Wella Professionals Fusion Trio set is the ultimate combination of luxe and performance in a box. In collaboration with Australian Contemporary Aboriginal Artist Amanda Hinkelmann, the products come beautiful packaged in a custom artwork eco-friendly box. Inside you will find generous sized bottles of the Fusion Intense Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, as well the luxurious Fusion Intense Repair Mask. All three products have Wella’s ground-breaking formula of Silksteel Fusion technology, which consists of a fusion of Silk Amino Acids and micronised lipids. The results from the very first use: instantly repaired hair, that smells like you have just walked out of a high-end salon, and incredible to touch.
