One lovely beauty product for friend's 40th?

[SpicyNoodles]

Very good friend turns 40 on Sunday. Birthday dinner out so need a gift by then.

She's a very discerning lady ...expensive/luxury tastes traditionally...but due to messy divorce, se is currently a skint single parent who doesn't have much money and doesn't treat herself at all.

I've got her a lovely book I know she wanted and a few small, sentimental and inexpensive gifts, but I'd really like to treat her to a posh toiletries item or small set, perhaps?

She doesn't have any brand allegiances. I'm loathe to buy a fragrance or facial skincare, as she is quite particular. Ditto make-up. But maybe a single, lovely body care or other luxurious beauty item she wouldn't normally indulge in? I want to surprise her, though.

Any ideas?

Head to space nk online- got lovely gift sets st the moment

Wow ! Didn't realise that Guerlain Meteorites were still available. I bought these when they were first introduced in the late 1980's. This was the only face powder I've ever found works for me. Might have to treat myself to an updated pot.
Personally, if a friend was going to but me a special gift for my birthday, I'd rather it was something for the bath or shower rather than an item of makeup. I'd love some L'Occitane , maybe the Shea butter range.

As a PP said though, one persons heaven is another's hell!! A lovely friend of mine bought me Laura Mercier's creme brûlée as a set one (which I know is not cheap) because she adores it, the ultimate treat. Honestly, truly the smell makes me want to vomit!

L’Occetain almond range. They have a couple of gift sets at the moment which would make a lovely luxurious gift.

I think Chanel is great as it is still pretty iconic, their hand cream is lovely. Or perhaps a red lipstick?

Ah sorry just seen no make up.

Espa bath sets are pretty good value and smell heavenly.

Diptyque candles always a good shout - The Liberty collaboration they have with their Insolite fragrance is beautiful. Their Christmas range has just come out, although it’s not as good as other years IMO.

A Tom Ford lipstick in scarlet? Or a nude shade for safety. The packaging is luxe.

Hourglass is a great brand. Their sunset palette of cream bronzer/ blush/ highlighter is great if she’s light to medium skin tone.

YY to Aromatherapy Associates - Inner Strength is a fantastic blend.

Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown do lovely palettes this time of year if you fancy getting her a set, they are often good value and the packaging is lovely.

Blow do gift vouchers if she would like regular blow dries?

Balls, just seen no make up.

Mauli is a lovely new luxe brand if she likes sandalwoods/ jasmine type scents.

Ortigia’s packaging is amazing in itself. I buy their Florio range for people when I’m stuck for a gift and that always goes down well as the scent is pretty and inoffensive.

Noble Isle scents are often unusual although I find their branding a bit too “ Gentleman’s club” for my taste.

The new hand cream from Chanel looks gorgeous. £45 for a little egg shape but very covetable. mobile.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/skincare/p/by-category/body-care/la-creme-main-smooth-soften-brighten-p140350.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI84qB273_1gIVQUAbCh2ogQwzEAQYASABEgKqTfD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Iqhw_iv1wIVQxUYCh2KZwkwEAAYASAAEgKpDPD_BwE#skuid-0140350

The Chanel handbag mirror would be a nice little luxury that would be used regularly. mobile.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/makeup/p/brushes-and-accessories/other-accessories/miroir-double-facettes-miroir-duo-p137500.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA0IXQBRA2EiwAMODilzqcwN1wT5F-s8FA-8u77VKdKxl4Em67XEZALAgtojaywiaAkFagBRoCXg4QAvD_BwE#skuid-0137500

Apologies for the huge links!

What about the M&S beauty advent calendar? Lots of lovely bits and pieces. Their clothes are awful at the moment but makeup and cosmetics are really good. It costs 35 pounds but you have to spend 35. You could get something to go with it and stock up on tights or something to get to the 35 pounds (but don't buy their rubbish opaque which bag at the ankles)

Opaque tights, I mean.

You said not sure about make up, but I strongly suggest getting one of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palettes. They’re literally amazing and will suit everyone’s skin. You can’t go wrong.

What about a beauty advent calendar? The m&s one goes on sale this week and is within your budget.
Would be a treat that lasts over a whole month

Origins

L’occitane

Molten brown

All lovely stuff.

I highly recommend the ginger scrub and body lotions from origins and the Shea butter body lotion from L’occitane.they also do a hamper with lots of different products.

I’ve bought some of my friend’s engraved bottles of Jo Malone bath oil for their 40ths. You can engrave a small message of your choice. X

Still Not just me that hates their opaques then. I keep seeing them recommended on here and I’m all Nooo they’re awful! Nora Batty eat your heart out.

Do consider the hourglass special edition new lipstick collection, really good suitable for everyone colours. Just bought for my mum. They are beautiful :)

Another not very original vote for l’occitane almond shower oil or their slightly shimmery body lotion.
Or if she wears powder a lovely Dior or Chanel compact is lovely to use and feels a bit ‘special’.

Another vote for a Chanel compact mirror. Useful and stylish. I always have mine in my bag.

Yy to a Chanel gift. Always met with delight as a gift IME.