The Most Chic and Unique Beauty Gifts of 2024

Summary

Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary: "The Most Chic and Unique Beauty Gifts of 2024"

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Hosted by longtime beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan, the Gloss Angeles podcast delves into the latest trends and products intersecting makeup, skincare, and wellness with pop culture and entertainment. In the episode titled "The Most Chic and Unique Beauty Gifts of 2024," Kirbie and Sara present their annual holiday gift guide, showcasing a curated selection of standout beauty gifts for the season. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and recommendations from the episode.

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1. Introduction to the Holiday Gift Guide

The episode opens with Kirbie and Sara eagerly transitioning into their holiday gift guide segment. Their conversation begins with light-hearted banter about the hosts’ shared passion for pop culture, particularly the ongoing excitement surrounding the Wicked movie adaptation.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [00:47]: "Welcome to the holiday gift guide episode."

---

2. Towel Gifts: Practical and Stylish

Sara introduces the first gift recommendation: Wheezy Makeup Towels. These specialized towels are designed to withstand makeup stains, featuring cute embroidered patterns that make them both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Sara highlights their utility and customization options, making them ideal for beauty enthusiasts who appreciate both form and function.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [17:52]: "I would highly recommend this for any beauty lover in your life because it's not something they probably would buy for themselves and it's something that we all need."

Kirbie echoes the sentiment by mentioning Volo Towels, which offer a variety of colors and styles, perfect for those looking to invest in quality towels that last.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [20:48]: "I love a good towel gift."

Additionally, Sara mentions Leonard Street towels, a luxury brand known for their thick, soft, hotel-quality towels, though they come with a higher price tag.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [21:43]: "It's Leonard Street, New York. 100% cotton. It feels like I'm at a hotel and taking care of myself."

---

3. Luxury Hair Brushes: The New Age of Styling Tools

Kirbie and Sara transition to discussing premium hair brushes, focusing on the Le Bon Bras brand. These brushes are praised for their elegant design and functionality, resembling traditional Mason Pearson brushes but with a modern twist. The hosts share their personal experiences and the initial excitement that led to their purchase.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [25:01]: "It's like the new age Mason Pearson brush."

Kirbie humorously recounts their overspending during a shopping spree in London, ultimately highlighting the brushes' high quality and the limited edition options available.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [27:22]: "We got a gift selection part of the site as well."

---

4. High-End Makeup Sets: Unparalleled Luxury

Sara unveils the next gift idea: the Hermès Makeup Pencil Gift Set. This limited-edition set includes 24 colorful eyeliners and 16 lip liners, all housed in a luxurious orange box reminiscent of high-end beauty advent calendars. The products are meticulously crafted, with eyeliners made in Germany and liquid eyeliners in Japan, ensuring top-notch quality and performance.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [33:06]: "It's from Hermès. It is their pencil gift set. It's limited edition and comes with every color of the rainbow."

Kirbie acknowledges the exclusive nature of the set, noting its suitability for those with significant budgets or those looking to impress with an extravagant gift.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [35:44]: "That Hermès makeup products are so, so good. It's just hard to get past the price tag."

---

5. Mini Lip Sets from Prada: Chic and Portable

Sara presents the Prada Beauty Mini Three-Piece Lip Set, a sophisticated collection that includes a balmy lip balm and two monochrome hyper matte lipsticks. These products are praised for their lightweight feel and versatile shades, making them perfect for travel and everyday use. The set's elegant packaging and high quality make it an appealing gift for makeup aficionados.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [38:06]: "They make this mini three-piece lip set which includes three tiny sizes of their lip product... it's so cute and easy to travel with."

Kirbie shares her personal affinity for the set, emphasizing its practicality and the brand's reputation for excellence.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [40:14]: "I gifted myself, so I freaking am. I'm obsessed with them."

---

6. Wellness-Adjacent Gift: Maison Methodology Cookies

Sara introduces a unique, health-focused gift option: Maison Methodology Parisian-Style Protein Cookies. These cookies are designed for health-conscious individuals, offering high protein content and easy digestibility thanks to pre-industrial grains. Presented in an elegant green box resembling a high-end holiday cookie ensemble, these treats are both delicious and nutritious, catering to those who appreciate gourmet snacks without compromising on health.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [44:15]: "It's a delicious but healthy treat... it's such a beautiful gift to receive."

Kirbie agrees, highlighting their appeal to protein enthusiasts and those who value both taste and health benefits.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [44:20]: "This could be it for someone who is addicted to protein."

---

7. Sarah Creel Beauty Products: Elegant and Effective

The final recommendation comes from Sara, who showcases Sarah Creel's Beauty Products, specifically tailored for women over 40 but suitable for all ages. The gift set includes a range of products such as eyes creams, lip primers, and brightening essences, all housed in award-winning, chic packaging. Sara emphasizes the functionality and aesthetic appeal of these products, making them a sophisticated gift choice.

Notable Quote:

• Sara [47:00]: "This is a really special set that will not only surprise but delight the person that you give it to."

Kirbie highlights the versatility and high performance of Sarah Creel's products, particularly the concealers and mascaras, which offer both beauty and functionality.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [48:06]: "The whole line is truly just next level."

---

8. Conclusion and Final Recommendations

As the gift guide wraps up, Kirbie and Sara encourage listeners to explore the recommended products via their show notes, which include links to the featured items. They also express eagerness to hear from their audience about their own gift selections and successes, fostering a sense of community and shared enthusiasm for beauty and wellness.

Notable Quote:

• Kirbie [48:46]: "We would love to know what you guys are gifting people beauty wise."

Sara adds a final touch by mentioning trending deals like discounted Dyson Air Wraps, suggesting listeners take advantage of ongoing promotions to secure these coveted items.

---

Key Takeaways:

1. Investment in Quality: Both hosts emphasize the importance of investing in high-quality beauty tools and products that offer longevity and enhanced performance.
2. Aesthetic Appeal: Packaging and design are highlighted as crucial factors in selecting desirable gifts, ensuring that products are as pleasing to the eye as they are functional.
3. Personalization Options: Customizable gifts, such as the Wheezy makeup towels, provide an added personal touch, making recipients feel special.
4. Health-Conscious Choices: Maison Methodology's protein cookies represent a thoughtful blend of wellness and indulgence, catering to health-focused individuals.
5. Luxury and Exclusivity: High-end brands like Hermès and Sarah Creel are recommended for those seeking luxurious and exclusive beauty gifts.

Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan successfully curate a diverse and sophisticated holiday gift guide, blending practicality with luxury to cater to a wide range of beauty aficionados. Their insightful recommendations and personal anecdotes provide listeners with valuable guidance in selecting the perfect beauty gifts for their loved ones this holiday season.

Transcript

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[Kirby]

Glam Los Angeles.

[Sarah]

Hi, Kirby.

[Kirby]

Hi, Sarah. Welcome to Los Angeles. Ho, ho, ho. Welcome to the holiday gift guide episode. Wow. I had a frog in my throat. Santa Claus has a frog in her throat. Santa is a woman.

[Sarah]

Yes, Santa.

[Kirby]

Santa is a woman.

[Sarah]

All I can think of now, I wanted to open the episode with.

[Kirby]

Okay, literally, we have to talk about Wicked. I am not. I want to talk to Wicked.

[Sarah]

I want to. Ho, ho, ho.

[Kirby]

No, literally, this is my entire personality now. Like, I'm like, do not to speak to me unless it's about something with the wizard of Oz or Wicked. So my mom is a die hard wizard of Oz fan. Like, growing up, she always loved wizard of Oz. It's her favorite movie. Hocus Pocus, close second. But like, wizard of Oz, always her favorite. And I never. I was like, yes, it's a beautiful piece of film. Like, it changed everything and it's lovely and Judy Garland is amazing, but is it like that great? And then literally, Wicked reignited my passion for the wizard of Oz. And now I'm fucking obsessed. Like, literally, I'm like, looking up, I was like, how much are the ruby slippers? Like, how do I get a pair of those? Literally going for $1 million right now at an auction, like the originals. So there's three pairs, I believe. If you're an expert in this, please do not write in and tell me I'm wrong. Just, like, let me have this.

[Sarah]

Clayton Hawkins.

[Kirby]

Yeah, I literally was like, messaging with him, like, we have to go see part two together. But so there's three, I believe, pairs of ruby slippers. The Academy museum, I believe, has one mismatched pair. So one of the shoes from one pair is matched with a different shoe from another pair. And then this one that's being auctioned off currently with the bidding starting at $800,000 is the other mismatched pair. So, yeah. And I'm like, can y'all like just do a little switcheroo.

[Sarah]

Wouldn't you want the matching pair?

[Kirby]

But I guess it's like more iconic that they're mismatched or something.

[Sarah]

What is the. What is the mismatch about it? Like the.

[Kirby]

I think they just got. I think. No, I think they just got them mixed up. So it's like one of the shoes. It's not like it's the wrong shoe with the. It's not like two left shoes or two right shoes. It's just. They got. Something got messed up in the mix.

[Sarah]

Okay. That's so crazy. Yeah, I. Did your mom see it? Did you see it with your mom?

[Kirby]

No, but I did tell my mom my mom's a super interesting woman and that like, I have so much passion for pop culture and movies and entertainment and she does not. She does not really want to go see movies.

[Sarah]

Also, to be fair, it's a long ass movie. So there's a lot of people who, unfortunately, I'm not saying your mom, but like, don't have the attention span any longer to sit in a movie theater without their phone for that long.

[Kirby]

So I took her to see A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Arguably like one of the best films we've had in like the last decade. And she fell asleep, like halfway through, right?

[Sarah]

She for sure would fall asleep.

[Kirby]

And I was like, offended. I'm like, this is cinema.

[Sarah]

I always get offended when people fall asleep. When I'm watching movie, AKA Matt, if he falls asleep during a movie, I'm like, we're done. Pack it up. But Zoe was able to sit through the whole thing, which was incredible.

[Kirby]

Shook. I'm shook. I saw her with her little Elphaba.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Black hat on. In the movie theater.

[Sarah]

And so like, Kenzie.

[Kirby]

Was it Kenzie?

[Sarah]

Right. Which. Yes. Zoe brought Kenzie a Glinda crown that was actually from Clay, so. And he. She made Kenzie wear it for that photo. She was always getting a little antsy. It's a really long movie. Plus, like the 30 minutes of trailers. I forgot that that was like a thing.

[Kirby]

Yeah. If you have kids and you want to take them to see it, literally, like show up like the half an hour after. Yeah, yeah. If you're going to an AMC at least. I don't know about these other theaters, but the amc, literally, they're so long. I love trailers. I like to be there to see them all.

[Sarah]

But no, I enjoy it. But I also was like, oh, my God, this is an added 30 minutes for her. But she enjoyed it. Loved the popcorn. Let me tell you. Big fan, Big fan of the popcorn. And then we. I will say this, if you are bringing. Because there were, you know, some people are like, isn't she too young? Like, it's a really intense movie.

[Kirby]

I told you I would not take her.

[Sarah]

And you told me exactly when to like, leave and also like, or when she should, you know, cover her eyes. Matt was like, you're gonna pay for her therapy. If she has nightmares after this, this traumatizes her for the rest of her life. But she was. We brought her like noise canceling headphones. If it got too loud, which she put on sometimes she had her blankie with her. So she put it around her eyes. We left to go to the bathroom during the monkey scene. So I missed a little bit of Jeff Goldblum's song, which is not, it's.

[Kirby]

Not a good song. So, like, everyone in the fandom knows it's like one of the worst songs. Yeah, nobody cares. Love him. But like, nobody cares.

[Sarah]

So. But yeah, if you decide to bring them a maybe seven and under child, bring them a little bit later so they miss the trailer. Noise canceling headphones would be nice. And maybe a little security blanket in case of emergency. And then just buy the big popcorn because that's really going to hold them over for three hours.

[Kirby]

Yeah, get the mega size. If they have one of the Wicked themed popcorn buckets.

[Sarah]

Go for it, for it, go for it.

[Kirby]

Enjoy. And what Sarah's referring to is I told her because I preview previewed the film before it came out for media purposes. And I told her, she said, do you think Zoe would enjoy this? And I said, I think it's way too long for, you know, four year old.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Yes. Which is crazy that she's four. I literally almost said two. I'm an idiot for a four year old. But there's also a part. It's like the last 30 minutes of the film when they go see the Wizard. Basically after one short day and after the fun surprise happens. You need to beeline it for the bathroom with your kid. If you don't want them traumatized.

[Sarah]

Come back for Defying Gravity.

[Kirby]

Yeah, don't stay too long. But like, there's a part. I mean, even me watching it as an adult, it's fully cgi. It's like painful to see because the monkey is being transformed into a flying monkey and it's. I. This is why I think the second movie is going to be a horror because, oh, there's more transformations to come. If you don't know the lore of Wicked. Which, Sarah, you've never seen them?

[Sarah]

Oh, no, I. No. My sister's like, I can't believe you don't know what happens. She's like, I can't believe you don't know what happens in part two. And I was like, me neither.

[Kirby]

So there are more transformations that happen. One happens during the play and one happens off. Like, you don't see it. Yeah, you don't see it happening. But.

[Sarah]

But they'll show it.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

So I'm wondering if they're going to take some creative liberties. I really hope. I mean, this movie is so good, y'all. It's. It's so good that I don't know how they're going to top it with the second one. And that's why I think they need to go the complete 180 and just make it a horror film. Like, traumatizing, scariest shit.

[Sarah]

Whoa. Like, did they film it already?

[Kirby]

Body horror? Yeah, they filmed them at the same time.

[Sarah]

Okay. Okay. I didn't cry as much as everyone else, I think, did. However, I did cry due to Cynthia Erivo's just powerful voice. Like, it just made me tear up. Like, I just felt something. Because she's incredible.

[Kirby]

She is incredible. I was bawling the entire time. I think that if you have seen the original and it has touched you, like, on Broadway, then you will be. It's hard not to be emotional. Ariana Grande kicks off this film. No one mourns the Wicked, most underrated song in Wicked lore. Because she's singing at operatic levels.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Which we knew she was capable of because she's such a good singer, but not.

[Sarah]

But not really. We did it.

[Kirby]

We.

[Sarah]

We thought she could and believed in her, but she really had to, like, practice for this.

[Kirby]

I mean, it was stunning. And that song. Okay, if y'all haven't seen Wicked and you don't want to hear any spoiler, like, scroll forward, fast forward. There we go. Scroll fast forward.

[Sarah]

But I feel like everyone at this point has watched.

[Kirby]

I mean, somebody's seen something about it, but she's singing about. So the whole song is like, no one mourns the Wicked when you know the Wicked die alone. Actually, I can't say anything because you haven't seen the second. You don't know.

[Sarah]

It's okay.

[Kirby]

But it's literally such a genius, genius Broadway musical. Stephen Schwartz is an icon. Literally, everyone. If you just want to see if. Basically, like, if you thought the wizard of Oz was a cinematic piece of history, you have to go see Wicked. Because what they did with this film in 2024, it did not have to be this good. Like, it could have been so much worse. Everyone was still have loved it.

[Sarah]

John Chu really did. Did the thing.

[Kirby]

No, he killed it. He absolutely killed it.

[Sarah]

It was just. Yeah, it was so good. Jonathan Bailey, so handsome.

[Kirby]

I was crying. Literally, the first song Cynthia sang, like. Like, I was surrounded by a bunch of gay men journalists. So, like, we were.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

But I was like, my favorite song is the wizard. And I. So when she started singing it, I was like, losing my shit because she. It's so pretty. And then she just gives this powerful.

[Sarah]

And voice is like. So. Yeah, you just feel it inside. I wanted more Bow and Yang. I just wanted more.

[Kirby]

Oh, Bo after my own heart. Love him dearly. Okay, I. I'm sorry, but, like, I am so obsessed with Jonathan Bailey.

[Sarah]

I know.

[Kirby]

I am attracted to gay men.

[Sarah]

Have you.

[Kirby]

I feel like I would live a happy life with a gay man.

[Sarah]

I mean, we all would. I would be sexless, but, like, it'd be fine. I could be happy. Did you watch Bridgerton Season two? Okay, so here's here. And that's okay because I told this to my sister. Like, I wasn't. I'm not like a big Bridgeton fan. I watched the first season because everyone said too. And I. You know, and he. What's his name is really handsome and what's her name is really cute in it. I can't even remember their names. All that to say. You have to watch it so that you can watch Bridgerton Season 2. Because that is when I fell in love with Jonathan Bailey. And I literally did not know he was gay. Like, could have fooled me. Had no idea. I was just like, oh, my God, this man is so hot. And like, the chemistry between the two of them, I have goosebumps. It's just like, I want to rewatch it again just because they're just like, so beautiful together. But that is when I fell in love with him. I have not seen Fellow Travelers yet, but someone said that obviously it was incredible and that he's also very hot and charismatic in that. And then this. I'm like, what can. What can't you do?

[Kirby]

And he's taking over the new Jurassic park franchise with Scarlett Johansson. So we will be getting short Bailey. No, literally, he is short.

[Sarah]

Short King.

[Kirby]

Did you guys see the Vanity Fair? Oh, my God. I was shaking. I was like, this man. This is my Roman Empire. Is how short he actually is. Because in how short is he? He has to be five, seven, because he's not. As in Wicked.

[Sarah]

He's.

[Kirby]

He's taller than. Towering over.

[Sarah]

Because they are five foot one.

[Kirby]

They're literally.

[Sarah]

They are. On my.

[Kirby]

We.

[Sarah]

I am taller than them.

[Kirby]

I mean, they are pipsqueak people. Pipsqueak people. Sarah. Sarah and I have a whole thing about pipsqueak people being like the theme of 2024. But he's a pipsqueak person. He is. When you see him next to Josh O'Connor in the Vanity Fair thing that they do at the end of the year and they're hugging, it looks like he. It looks like Josh O'Connor is in the foreground. Jonathan Bailey is in the background, but it's like little.

[Sarah]

They are fine. No, like, who cares? Listen, please.

[Kirby]

No, no, I do not. That is not a flaw in my flaw at all. Like, literally obsessed with this man. I.

[Sarah]

Even though he's so tan in this movie.

[Kirby]

But I asked. I asked the hair and makeup designer. I'm like, can you tell me more about the tan? She's like, johnny came with his own tan and, like, winked. I'm like, okay, of course he did. And I'm like, what did y'all do to maintain it? And they were like, well, we can't talk about the brands, but we did mix in some self tanner to, you know, keep it fresh. I'm like, of course this man showed up with a fresh spray tan. That's why we love him.

[Sarah]

Yes. Oh, my God.

[Kirby]

And his little blonde highlights.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And his little. Dancing Through Life is one of the most epic songs in the musical. And I was like, he needs to have an amazing voice or I'm going to be pissed. And he killed it. He, like, he did it better than the original.

[Sarah]

I had no idea.

[Kirby]

So good.

[Sarah]

He is so talented and so hot.

[Kirby]

Deservingly so.

[Sarah]

It was really, really good. I. When does it come out to, like, stream?

[Kirby]

I heard June.

[Sarah]

Oh, my God. Jeez, We've been so long.

[Kirby]

I heard June. That could just be a rumor. That probably is a rumor, but I heard June.

[Sarah]

Well, I don't know. I mean, they're making so much money at the box office just bringing people to theaters and people are watching it multiple times.

[Kirby]

So I'm wondering if they're. Because I was thinking Barbie. It came out in July and then it went on streaming in October, I believe. Maybe I was like, so maybe it'd be the same for Wicked, but I think that they're maybe gonna prolong it so that there's more time in between because they Have a second part to promote. You know, like, they need to, like, spread it out so that people come next year, like, next November.

[Sarah]

Next November. Jeez.

[Kirby]

I know. I know. It's crazy. It's crazy. We're gonna go through this press cycle all over again.

[Sarah]

Oh, my God. And is this Ariana Grande's first, like, film?

[Kirby]

No, it's not her first film. It's her first leading role. She was in a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence called Don't Look Up.

[Sarah]

And she was in that.

[Kirby]

Yeah. And she played a pop star in it. And she. It's. She notoriously calls Leonardo DiCaprio an old. And it's so funny. Like, it's.

[Sarah]

Oh, she's just so freaking talented.

[Kirby]

Yeah, she's a genius. I'm like. She's like a little pipsqueak genius person.

[Sarah]

And just, like, made for this role. And the voice that comes out of that tiny, tiny woman.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

Incredible.

[Kirby]

You know, it's a feat.

[Sarah]

And Cynthia, both the tiniest people with tiny people, powerful voices.

[Kirby]

I don't know. They really did the damn thing. I am truly obsessed. So we're holding space with the one finger.

[Sarah]

We weren't even. We weren't even gonna talk about this for to.

[Kirby]

We weren't. But we need to. We need to. The holding of the finger.

[Sarah]

Fingernail.

[Kirby]

I'm absolutely dead. Like Bowen. So Bowen obviously has a podcast, Las Coltrissas, and he was telling Matt that when those. That press junket happened, it was the week of the election, so it was, like, very heavy.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

So that's why it kind of felt out of place.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Now because everyone's, like, holding space for the lyrics of defying gravity. Like, what are you talking about? And he was like, there was a reason why it felt so heavy in the room. And people were like, what's going on? Because it was election week.

[Sarah]

Yeah. So, yeah. I mean, my gosh.

[Kirby]

Well, shout out to that journalist. I respect.

[Sarah]

Seriously, I respect it.

[Kirby]

She became a meme in herself.

[Sarah]

Way to close out 20, 24 memes, literally. Okay, we need to talk about holiday gift guide. What are we buying? What are we recommending? This is our annual. This is our fifth one.

[Kirby]

My God. Is it? Yeah.

[Sarah]

Yeah. Wow.

[Kirby]

Here we are. So this is what we're doing this year. Usually we pick five. We decided. No, we got to curate. We got to edit this part of this back. We got to find the best of the best. These are mostly beauty. Sarah says she has, like, a wellness thing. I said, go for it. Do whatever you damn well, please, this is your podcast. So we are each going to present the gifts that we think would make great gifts with a little dissertation about why. And we're going to link everything in our shop. My, which is always in our show notes. We see y'all digging around in there, clicking and buying and all this stuff. It's good. It's a good way for us to realize, like, what are y'all actually gravitating towards? Sarah, I'm gonna let you go first. What is your first gift?

[Sarah]

Honestly, I, I've probably, I've talked about these before and I, I don't know, maybe I did it on a holiday gift guide, but I'm just going to bring it up again because it is something that I truly use all the time. And I think they are make. They make for a great gift. So Wheezy is a towel brand, a really cute towel brand. And they make these makeup towels. And they're dark, they're blue, they've got cute little eyelashes on them, embroidered in them in white. They also have a set that has the word makeup embroidered in them. And they're makeup towels so that if you are wiping your makeup off, if you're washing your face and wiping your face, after you get some foundation on your white towel, you stain the towel. Sometimes it's like really annoying to get out. You don't have to worry about that with these really cute blue towel. They're really, really soft. It's navy terry. It comes in a set of two, and it's $40. So it's, it's, you know, it's a little bit of a splurge for towels, but it makes for a really, really cute gift. And I guarantee you it's not something that you would probably buy for yourself. You know, it's like you're like, I'm going to go to home goods. I'm going to go to Target and buy myself, like, whatever affordable towel to wipe my makeup off. This is a really cute set. You can also customize it. If you want to get your friend's name, your mom's name. Maybe you want to treat yourself after hearing this. You get your name on it. You can embroider that, too. So that costs an extra $15. So I would highly recommend this for any beauty lover in your life because again, it's not something they probably would buy for themselves and it's something that we all need.

[Kirby]

Yes. Also, it feels like a hotel. I've noticed at hotels they start providing a dark colored washcloth that literally has A little note that says, please, if you're removing makeup, use this one versus these really nice white ones.

[Sarah]

We beg of you.

[Kirby]

Right? I love a good towel gift. As I think I mentioned on Black Friday, the Volo towels. And I know y'all went and looked them up because some of you bought them. We saw on the shop. My. We got some commission money, so thank you for that. But the Volo towels, they were having a deal for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I don't know if they'll have any holiday deals coming up, but their hair towels are normally $44 and they were 40 off. I bought not only another hair towel, but two body towels that came in a set and two like, face hand towels. And I just think it's a nice thing to have because I'm constantly wiping my hands. And when you wash your face, you do get the remnants like around your. The perimeter of your hairline. And you don't want to use your nice towels on stuff like that.

[Sarah]

Exactly, exactly. And there really is something so nice about investing in towels because they last.

[Kirby]

That's how we know it's. We're old.

[Sarah]

Yeah, it really is. Like, I'm like, oh, I get it now, Mother. Like why we spend money on towels. Can I shout out one more brand? Actually, just for towels? You know when you're at a really nice luxury hotel and the towels are thick and soft and huge. Okay, there is a brand and unfortunately I'm looking at their website and like a lot of the towels are sold out, but it's called Leonard Street. L E O N A R D Street. These towels are expensive. They're like $200 for a set. But these are like hotel quality towels for the set. It's like 195. You get two hand towel or two big towels. One hand towel and one bath mat. So actually that's like, that's like pretty good.

[Kirby]

Leonard Street, New York.

[Sarah]

Leonard Street, New York. 100% cotton. It's literally, it feels like I'm at a hotel and you know, again, I guess we're old. But it's just, it's something that you should invest in because when you get out of the shower, wrap yourself in the towel, close your eyes, you're like, yes, this feels like luxury. I'm taking care of myself.

[Kirby]

So it is a good, it's a good luxury if you can invest in it to have. I also learned that there's a difference between a normal bath towel and a bath. My God, what are they calling it? What is the name for it. There's a name if you want a big. Okay. So if you want. Oh, Bath sheets.

[Sarah]

Oh.

[Kirby]

So if you are looking specifically for an oversized bath towel. That's what I wanted. You don't look for a bath towel. You look for a bath sheet. That's the really giant ones that feel like a blankie and make you feel like you're five years old again, being wrapped in a towel. Yeah. So I. I invested in some bath sheets, and I'm very happy I did.

[Sarah]

Oh, yeah. And they're so I. I don't think you can go wrong with gifting towels.

[Kirby]

I agree. Especially unless it's to your mom.

[Sarah]

Yeah, maybe not to your mom. Unless your mom has the same towels she's had for the last 30 years and she deserves an upgrade. But, yeah, this is maybe for, like, your bestie.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Something super cute. And those are wheezy towels.

[Sarah]

Yes, wheezy towels. We will link it. Obviously. They also make really great ropes if you want a matching rope.

[Kirby]

Ooh, cute. Okay. Well, mine is a decadent luxury.

[Sarah]

I love a decadent luxury. Language.

[Kirby]

I went and saw Chris McMillan last month to fix my bangs and give me a trim. And Chris McMillan is an icon, if you don't know. He's besties with Jennifer Aniston. He gave her the Rachel. He did Mary Kate and Ashley for years. He did Britney Spears, my icon queen forever. I had a gay old time sitting in his chair, learning about all of the clients he used to work on. We need to have him on the podcast. He also was telling me some amazing hair tricks and tips that I had never heard of in my life, so definitely need to have them on. But then I was like, what are you obsessed with right now? He said, these hair brushes. Le Bon bras. Okay.

[Sarah]

So you can tell them the story.

[Kirby]

So Sarah and I are like lebon Brass.

[Sleep Number Advertiser]

Great.

[Kirby]

We go to Liberty in London. We are in London. Y'all will hear sooner than later. And we go to Liberty, one of the best stores, and I see these brushes. I'm like, oh, my God. They have these brushes that Chris McMillan were dead over. He said that you could only get them in London or whatever. Or maybe he said Paris. And so this would not actually track in any sense of the word, but whatever. So these brushes are stunning. The handles look like rope. Is that how you would describe it?

[Sarah]

Yeah, it's almost like. Yeah, it's like it's rope, and then there's, like, a gold little, like, emblem at the bottom.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

What is it made of?

[Kirby]

It's super lightweight. I'm looking right now, actually, to try to figure this out. So there are these beautiful hair brushes. You know, it's supposed to regenerate your scalp because it's like bristle and plastic. They make combs. They make round brushes. They make, like, a bunch of amazing things. Okay. It says the fibers of the creamy white universal hair brush are made of a keratin Offering of a keratin offering a natural care to your hair, thanks to its composition, made up 100 boar bristles. And they are placed irregularly by hand to help penetrate all hair types. And they're placed on soft rubber. Blah, blah, blah. I don't know what it's actually made of, but they're truly so beautiful. And I would say this is the new age Mason Pearson brush. If you know, you know the Mason Pearson, the OG I think this is the new one.

[Sarah]

It really. Even the design feels really modern.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

The colors feel really modern.

[Kirby]

Colors are beautiful. Okay. So Sarah and I see these, and we're like, we have to buy all of them because we don't know if we're going to be able to get them in the United States of America or when. So we go ahead and we buy. And by the way, I was off by how much we spent. Sarah, we spent $700 on these brushes.

[Sarah]

Sarah and I both are not cheap.

[Kirby]

No. We bought each a regular size one. We bought a baby.

[Sarah]

Travel size baby.

[Kirby]

A little mini travel size one, which we. We kept. And then we both bought a gift of a baby's first brush.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Kirby]

Because they were so freaking cute.

[Sarah]

An amazing gift, if you're looking for, like, a very special gift for a baby.

[Kirby]

Yes. But when we went to check out, I'm like, you are shitting me. It was. It was like 500 pounds.

[Sarah]

Listen, math is not my strong suit.

[Kirby]

I was like, wow, we've really lost the plot here. So then we get in a van with a bunch of other beauty editors, and we're talking about what we got. And they're like, babes, why don't you, A, call this into pr? Like, literally, People have probably emailed you about this, and B, you can get them easily now. And I was like, wow, in the.

[Sarah]

States, you can get them worldwide.

[Kirby]

No, literally anywhere you want, you can get these. So I felt like a major idiot. And then the next day, I told Sarah, I'm going back to Liberty and we're returning all of these except for the tiny ones, because we cannot justify this purchase. And then when I looked at our bank statement, it Was not. I was like, oh, you know, it's like a little bit more. It's probably like $600. No, it was $750 worth of these dumb hair brushes, which. They're not dumb. They're stunning.

[Sarah]

So perfect. I love using my same.

[Kirby]

So right now they're. They are doing. Oh, well, it's the last day. We're recording this on Cyber Monday. I don't think that it's gonna. They said that they're doing a 15% off. Maybe they'll do another sale. I don't know. But they have all.

[Sarah]

Maybe find like a promo code.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

You sign up for their newsletter or something.

[Kirby]

Use it. I mean, they have great reviews on their website. They have a billion colors. Sarah, did you. Did you get the red one?

[Sarah]

I did.

[Kirby]

Sarah got this beautiful red one. I opted for, like, the signature sleek black, which apparently.

[Sarah]

Oh, limited edition.

[Kirby]

So it's limited edition.

[Sarah]

Limited edition.

[Kirby]

It is. It is limited edition. Okay. So they don't usually do black. They do a bunch of colors like kelly green, cerulean blue, yellow, like a bun. I really wanted this, like, pink one, but they didn't have like, the right pink or whatever. And they have different numbers. So there's number one through, like, four, five. We. I think we're really going hard for the number two. But then, like, I, like Sarah, took the last number two, and then I was like, whatever, I'm gonna just take this one.

[Sarah]

It's.

[Kirby]

It's fine.

[Sarah]

The number two is the, like, do it all brush.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Kirby]

I've never been this obsessed with the hairbrush in my freaking life.

[Sarah]

I didn't realize that I. I needed one so badly until we saw them.

[Kirby]

And it was something in liberty that made us go crazy. So these brushes, the. The universal one is typically $168. And yes, it is a beauty investment, but that's what makes it a good gift. Because most people aren't buying this for themselves unless they are absolutely loaded. We are not saying that we are loaded. This is like a part of our job. This is a tax write off for us. But this, like, that big brush, and we also kept the small size, so it was way cheaper. But just. I'm just putting it out there. Yeah, but these brushes are beautiful. They're beautifully made, and they come in a very beautiful package as well, which I think makes it such a great gift. So it's. It's like, I would say stocking stuffer, but it's like, I don't know if. Yeah, I always found that the most expensive things for me were always in my stocking.

[Sarah]

Okay, love.

[Kirby]

You know, I feel like they need.

[Sarah]

To up the ante and offer customization.

[Kirby]

I agree. Like those?

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Kirby]

What's that French place? The place in Paris where you could get, like, soap customized or whatever. Yeah, I agree. If they added a customization element, this would take it to the next level.

[Sarah]

Yes. I just. Especially for the price point.

[Kirby]

I mean, it is bonkers. They do have a gift selection part of the site as well.

[Sarah]

You can get it at the Detox market.

[Kirby]

Huh.

[Sarah]

In la.detoxmarket.com and then, yeah, probably in store. You can't get all of the options, but you can get, I think, the big ones.

[Kirby]

Sarah. Oh, my God, look, they. For their gift sets. This is brilliant. It's the Duo constellation. Choose the ideal brush head for your hair, then your handle decorated with precious glass crystals reflecting the constellation of your zodiac sign. Each handle, carefully engraved and set by hand, stone by stone, is unique and reveals the mystical part that lies within you. And then you can get. You get it also with, like, a little brush cover. Coverlet type thing.

[Sarah]

Talk about the perfect gift.

[Kirby]

I mean, that's pretty epic in my opinion. And they have a bunch of Christmas offers, and I don't know if that means that they're gonna be available aft after the Cyber Monday sale.

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Kirby]

But they have a small brush. They have a small brush duo, which is a brush and a pouch. They have the Bon Bross Duo, which is the Bon Bross brush, and a pouch. And then they have the Trio, which is the brush, the comb, and a pouch.

[Sarah]

Okay. They also have a lifetime warranty.

[Kirby]

Oh, okay.

[Sarah]

That's great.

[Kirby]

I agree.

[Sarah]

It says if your bonne broth breaks during use, we will replace it at no cost to you.

[Kirby]

And if you change your mind, you can exchange it or receive a full refund.

[Sarah]

Seems worth it to me.

[Kirby]

I agree. They also happen to make hair serums. I know.

[Sarah]

I saw that.

[Kirby]

Is that.

[Sarah]

Is that a collaboration or is that them?

[Kirby]

It looks like them. It says the hair natural serum, the shampoo, the detangling mist, and the Christmas pouch is something that they're offering. I mean, it's. It's all beautiful stuff. It's all absolutely beautiful stuff that we're obsessed. We are clearly women obsessed. So that's my gift. That's probably.

[Sarah]

That's.

[Kirby]

No, that's not my most expensive. I mean, given it's a hairbrush, it is kind of expensive, but whatever.

[Sarah]

Well, I have a gift. It's offensively expensive, but where. Where else Am I going to talk about it? But here.

[Kirby]

Okay. Well, without further ado, I'd like to hear what. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Are you pulling out an Hermes? Oh, my God. You have lost the plot. What is in there?

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Kirby]

China.

[Sarah]

I thought that this. That they sent was, like, a PR mailer, but you can actually purchase it. So this is from Hermes. It is their pencil gift set. It's limited edition. This, I think, is equivalent to, like, the bougiest Advent calendar. Beauty Advent calendar. So it comes in this gorgeous rectangular orange box. In the top, you get 24 colorful eyeliners.

[Kirby]

My God.

[Sarah]

In addition to their liquid eyeliner, which I swatched and it stayed on my hand, like, all day after washing dishes and everything. I'm pretty. So these colorful eyeliners are made. The eye pencils are made in Germany. And then the liquid eyeliner, which is like a calligraphy pen, is made in Japan. Gorgeous. So there's, like, different. It literally comes in every single color of the rainbow.

[Kirby]

It's like the rainbow.

[Sarah]

Literally every color of the rainbow. Then the second layer is lip liners of every. Every, you know, lip color you would desire.

[Kirby]

Wow.

[Sarah]

Hold on. How many is this? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. So there's 24 eye pencils plus the eyeliners. 25. And then there's 16 lip liners. So this is gonna be, guess Kirby.

[Kirby]

$500.

[Sarah]

Okay. No, you're kidding.

[Kirby]

Is it like $1200 times two? No, Sarah, stop, stop.

[Sarah]

It's $2,000. 190. Sorry, $2,192. I can't even say, read it correctly because it's so expensive.

[Kirby]

Okay, hold on.

[Sarah]

$2,200.

[Kirby]

Is that determining based on the cost of goods inside of it?

[Sarah]

I think yes. I think so. Because the Hermes actual makeup products are very, very expensive, as we know. That is why I'm also suggesting you can compose your own pencil gift set. You can choose four, and that's $200. That's also still very expensive, but it's, you know, it's a little bit more acceptable than $2,200.

[Kirby]

Okay. That Hermet. The. The Big Kahuna one, though, is that should be on the goop list.

[Sarah]

That's.

[Kirby]

Yeah, that's, like, for the person who has everything or, like, what is it?

[Sarah]

What is it? Like, Neimans or Saks? You know how there's that one department store brand that does, like, the most insane gifts, and it's like, hang. Hang out with, you know, Kim Kardashian or something as like a gift. Anyways, this should be on that list because I don't know who's buying this. It's like, I don't want to use it because it's so beautiful.

[Kirby]

Right?

[Sarah]

But yeah, it's. If you have $2,200 and you want to treat someone, namely yourself, it. I mean, it comes in the most beautiful packaging. Obviously.

[Kirby]

This is definitely like you are a rolling in the dough and the person that you're gifting is also rolling in the dough. You know what I mean?

[Sarah]

And you love them very, very much.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

And they, they would really appreciate it. But I got, I posted it on my Instagram and I got a lot of messages and Alexander French was like, where? How do I get, how do I get that?

[Kirby]

Like, she could actually use those.

[Sarah]

She would. She would. Yeah. I was like, oh, you need to connect with them.

[Kirby]

They need to send that to her.

[Sarah]

They need to send it to her asap. The Hermes beauty products are actually so, so good. It's just hard to get past, like the price tag of it all. Obviously, that's the whole thing.

[Kirby]

It's Hermes. You know what I mean? It's like sticker shock. So, yeah, yeah. So it is gorgeous. And I am envious that you received that. That's stunning.

[Sarah]

Do I use it? Would you, Would you just display it?

[Kirby]

No, babes, I'm busting in there. I'm getting that out. I'm using it.

[Sarah]

I'm going to do the whole rainbow. Yeah, all over my face.

[Kirby]

Get in there, sister.

[Sarah]

Just circles.

[Kirby]

Get in there. Okay, let's come back down to earth.

[Sarah]

Come back down.

[Kirby]

And I have a $55 option for everybody.

[Sarah]

Love that.

[Kirby]

This, I think is a fun gift for your friends, for a co worker that you know really well for your sister. Sister in law. Like, I think everybody would be thrilled to get this. So Prada beauty product. I think Prada beauty is like one of the top contenders for my favorite beauty brand at this point. I'm obsessed with them. Their lip products are amazing. I don't really like usually wearing lipstick. I like a lip liner and a gloss. These people have gotten me to wear legit lipsticks. They feel like nothing on the lips. They're so beautiful. So they make this mini three piece lip set which includes three tiny sizes of their lip product, which I, I went and bought this myself at Sephora. It's now no longer available on Sephora because it's completely sold out, but they have it at Nordstrom and it is stunning. So it comes with their astral pink lip balm. That's the one that Sabrina Carpenter has been promoting. It's blue, and when you swipe it on, it turns pink. It's like a ph balance thing. So it's really balmy and kind of looks glossy on the lips. And then it comes with two of their. They call it the monochrome hyper matte lipstick. But when they say hyper matte, I swear it does not feel. I'm like putting. I'm like pressing my lips together right now. It does not feel matte. So the shades are mahogany and quartz, and one is more of like a pinky, and then one is more of like a. Like a deeper kind of reddish nude. They're so cute. They're so little. They're easy to travel with. I traveled with them for Thanksgiving. I loved pulling it out of my purse. They're the perfect size. And then somebody opening up a little box that says Prada on it, I think just is going to appease everyone. Oh, if you have a Sephora tween, I think they're going to freaking love these. $55.

[Sarah]

The three piece lipstick. The shape of their lipstick is even though it's like, you know, the shape of the Prada logo, it's actually very useful.

[Kirby]

It is. I line my lips with them because of that. That edge.

[Sarah]

Yeah, I know. It's genius. That's a really good gift.

[Kirby]

I agree.

[Sarah]

Who wouldn't love that?

[Kirby]

I. I gifted myself, so I freaking am. I'm obsessed with them.

[Sarah]

Another thing that I was about to. Kirby and I pretended we were on a shopping spree when we were in London.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

We were like.

[Kirby]

We went into Harrods and there's this amazing product counter, and we're like, just get it. I'm like, no, don't.

[Sarah]

Yeah. We had. Yeah.

[Kirby]

We serious.

[Sarah]

We did go to the glossier store.

[Kirby]

We did.

[Sarah]

Which was so gorgeous. And we bought stuff.

[Kirby]

We did. And I'm thrilled.

[Sarah]

It's fine.

[Kirby]

I was excited to re up my boy Barrel Arch.

[Sarah]

There were also so many, like, offers.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

Like, when you buy this, you get the bag and you was like, wow.

[Kirby]

You get this bag for $10. I'm like, we don't have room in our suitcases. That's fine. Love that. Okay, what is your final gift of the season?

[Sarah]

Okay. My final gift, like Kirby mentioned, it's not totally beauty related, but it's beauty adjacent because it's like wellness adjacent, but it's actually food. Okay. So I don't have it with me, but methodology is a food, food delivery service. It's delicious. I don't know if we've talked about it on the, on the pod yet, but it's. I absolutely am obsessed with it. I tried all of them before. I've tried Sakara, I've tried literally all of them and it's the yummiest one ever. So the founder, she actually lives part time in Paris, part time here in Southern California. But she spends a lot of time obviously in France eating their food and was really inspired by the food that she eats there, the delicious, wonderful food, specifically their like bakery, their baked goods. So she started this company, sister brand methodology called Maison Methodology and it's a cookie brand and it's basically Parisian style protein cookies. So it's still like, has the same like you know, health focus that methodology does have. But the cookies are so frickin good. And it's in this beautiful cookie box. Very similar to like if you were shopping at Harrods or Liberty and you get those like you know, holiday cookie boxes. It's like in the shape of a house and then you open it and then you pull out like the little, you know, trinkets and their food. It's exactly like that with their cookies. And so every cookie has like 17 to 20 grams of protein in it. So it's like a delicious but healthy treat. I don't know what this means, but it uses pre industrial grain. So that means apparently the grains that American cookies are using now are not the cookies that we used to or not the, the grains that we used to use. And so it's like easier to digest. Like you don't get bloated. It's good if you have like a lot of food allergies or you know, celiac disease or whatever. Like this is just like a good gift for someone who, you know, maybe they're like, you know, again. Well, anyone actually Matt like ate half the box of these and he doesn't give a crap what he's eating, but like they're just so yummy. But if you are, if you have someone on your list who's a little bit, you know, more health focused or maybe they're like a little bit bougier. I don't know, it's, it just, it's such a beautiful gift to receive. The cookie box is a hundred dollars and you get a dozen cookies and the flavors are like so, so freaking yummy. There's chocolate chip, salted caramel, dark chocolate chip, quadruple chocolate chip, pumpkin spice, blonde ganache, peanut butter and it comes in like this, like green box and then you open a slot and then it comes with two different cookies. So it's like beauty adjacent because it is really beautiful and also makes you feel good. So.

[Kirby]

So if you need your protein, if.

[Sarah]

You need your protein. Who doesn't need the protein or know.

[Kirby]

Someone who is addicted to protein and you want to gift them something for the holidays, this could be it.

[Sarah]

Yeah, I feel like, you know, you get like those Harry and David fruit baskets or you get like, you know, cookies from places and sometimes it can just feel like too much. By the way, do they have that sakara popcorn? Speaking of.

[Kirby]

My God. Yeah, you talked about that one year.

[Sarah]

I need to get that. I always have a food. I have a food item. Anyways. This is a really good. Yeah, like, if you feel good and also gorgeous cookie delivery because it's the holidays, who doesn't want something sweet? So that's my last. That's my last suggestion.

[Kirby]

Okay, love. That is very helpful for the protein people. I mean, it's hard to find things that taste great with pro, like the ham.

[Sarah]

Should I be eating more protein?

[Kirby]

Okay. My last gift is from Sarah Creel, Newish brand that launched this year. She. We talked about this with Susan Yara. She made a brand that is made for women 40 plus, but you don't have to be 40 plus to use it. And they have. Not only is the packaging so thoughtful and so gorgeous, but the products are really incredible. So Sarah's background, she is a product developer. She worked at Prescriptives back in the day. If you remember that brand rip, we miss it. She was at Victoria Beckham Beauty and she decided to go out on her own. I think the packaging. She's won design awards for her packaging, like competing against every other consumer good. So the packaging really is the real deal. And they have a bunch of amazing products. I am particularly keen about their concealer because it's thin enough that it really doesn't, you know, kick up on the face, but then it also gives a beautiful coverage. However, you don't want to give something like that for the holidays because it's just really hard to color match. So she has this gift set called I'll have what she's having. It is $235 and it includes four of the products that I think are great entry points into the brand, which is firm offer. It's their eye cream, which is refillable. The eye cream looks like a lighter, like you're going to light a cigarette. And it's. It's just so chic. She has a lipstick called Speak for Yourself in a variety of different shades. I think lipstick's a little bit easier to decide. Like, oh, I know someone likes to wear this type of color, so I'll go with that. Super creamy and looks beautiful. She also made this thing called Lip Grip line Filler. It's a peptide treatment primer for your lips. And anytime I put this on, not only does it smooth out the lines on my lips, but it keeps my lipstick in place and from moving. So I'm a really big fan of this product. It kind of just looks like a really chic lip balm. And then lastly, there's Moisture Source. It's a bi phase brightening essence. It is a little bit of oil, a little bit of water. You shake it up, you apply it to your face before your serums or your moisturizer. I truly think that this is so helpful when it comes to hydration. It really does sink into the skin. And the reason why she. The packaging looks the way it does is because it's supposed to look like a glass of water. And I think it's just absolutely. I think anybody that gets this, even if they're not familiar with Sarah, they will see the packaging and be excited to try it out. And then also when they go and look more into her, the ethos of the brand and also the names of some of these products, I think they'll start to fall in love with it and it'll be a great new way to introduce them to a new brand.

[Sarah]

Ooh, I need that lip smoother.

[Kirby]

It's so good. The whole. The whole line is truly just next level. Their mascara is my absolute fave. It's stunningly beautiful and just really delivers on the lash front. But I think that sometimes mascaras can also be super, super personal, depending on your lash type. So I thought this. But there's a variety of set. So if you are just curious, it's Sarah Creel. Obviously we're going to link it in the show notes. Go check out all of the sets that they have available. But I think that this is just like a really special set that will not only surprise but delight the person that you give it to.

[Sarah]

Great.

[Kirby]

And that's it. That's our gift guide. We would love to know what you guys are gifting people beauty wise. I know that a lot of people bought the Volo towels. They. Some people were getting those Dyson Air wraps on discount, which that for you get it, get it.