The look to look for - Holiday Season 2009

Ok, so walking into a Christmas tree lined hallway, with floor to ceiling glitter wall coverings is a little disconcerting when it is way ahead of the event. However walking into a veritable Santa's grotto of glamourous goodies is delicious at any time of year. So it was with girlish excitement and a notebook and pen (to begin drafting my letter to Mr. Claus) that I trip-toed into the Esteé Lauder Christmas preview earlier this year. Here are my top picks of the spat of spangly products that are hitting counters this month.

The first thing to note is that the Holiday season this year is a rich and plummy purple - violets, indigos and lilacs are all also invited to the office party. The second thing to note is that winter will be sparkly. Very, very sparkly.


Bobbi Brown has brought the twinkly trends irresistibly together with her Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow. Fans of the non-crease formula of Long-Wear will now be able to update their look for the party season with the new shimmery formulations in 8 glistening shades. This glitter fiend will be accessorising her peacock feather Next clutch with brilliant blue Starry Night or popping Starry Purple. Look out for trendy Black Pearl, a lilac-y purple, and precious Antique Gold which will be on counters along with their six sparkly sisters this month for £16/€24.



The emphasis for Christmas concoctions from the big brands seems to be on luxe for less. To ease nervous shoppers onto the beauty floor many lines are offering beautifully presented, luxuriously finished palettes, compacts and gift sets with cutesy little components and therefore lower price points. This is exemplified beautifully by Bobbi Brown's gloriously well presented Lip and Eye Palette. This super smooth and glossy chrome packaged palette contains eye-shadows with enough high-shimmer to be bang on trend and four luscious lip colours alongside mini BB brushes for on the run application. The detailing is delightful, with the mirror forming a fold-down cover protecting your powders and creams from each other - why don't all palettes have this ingenious little divider?! The price point for this little number is as purse-friendly as the palette itself at £48/€60, so no excuses not to buy as it hits counters this month.

Estée Lauder's Christmas offer also includes pleasingly petite price points. I will be filling stockings this year with their Eyeshadow Palette in gold mock croc - a look echoed across the range - and containing six safe but immensely wearable shades for £21/€31. I will also treat my girliest chums to the Gloss to Go range of six Pure Color Glosses in a cute gold clutch for £26/€39. If I am hyper organised I may even stock up early as they are on counters now.



Of course credit crunch or not, Christmas just would not be Christmas without Estée Lauder's seasonal blockbuster and this year the offer is irresistibly full to bursting with more products than ever before. A palette of 15 Pure Color eyeshadows, 4 Pure Color Longlast lipsticks, 3 blushes assorted brushes, mascaras, and pencils, a gold mock croc make-up bag and a gold upright mirror all contained in a striking and smart red case will satisfy even the most indecisive and demanding amongst us. Especially at the don't-even-need-my-credit-card price of £49/€69 (with any fragrance purchase - try multi-award winning Sensuous)


On the subject of perfume those who who are not feeling the pinch (anyone?!) can still push the boat - or rather the sleigh - out with a £300 Pleasures solid perfume compact Horse and Carriage. The Golden Cobblestones Powder Compact is a slightly more affordable slice of lusciousness at a mere £55. Either way you will have to go to Harrods for them. Jingle all the way.