I remember a time when Christmas was a rather tacky affair; naff one-pound advent calendars and cheap foil crackers were all the range, the joy of the festive season being linked to figuring out exactly what that bit of plastic that fell out with your hat actually was. How things have changed in such a short period of time. Now as soon as there's even a whiff of Christmas in the air, brands are capitalising on our love of beauty by squeezing it into every product imaginable - advent calendars, baubles, stocking fillers and now crackers. Although they are an extravagance, I would much rather pull a cracker on Christmas day and reveal something I'm actually going to use (i.e. a lipgloss) as opposed to something I'm not (i.e. a plastic screwdriver.) Brands are understanding the potential of these fun, practical and beautiful treats - and I've no doubt they're going to be the next big thing. There are already a vast number to choose from, so here are some of my favourites and the ones I'm considering laying across the table on the 25th December.
Latest In Beauty (£17.95 for three)
The contents of these are kept a surprise, but they do include a combination of cult classics and undiscovered favourites - and up to three individual products in each cracker. Mine included two mini Amie skincare samples and a L'Oreal nail polish, but who knows what you could find! These make a great gift, thanks to their box-style packaging, or simply look great popped on your tree.
No7 (£16.00 for six)
Great value considering each cracker contains either a lipgloss or nail polish, these will look great on your table come Christmas day. I love the fact they look like a traditional cracker (with an understated pink twist) while offering up something that actually will be a delight rather than a disappointment.
Nails Inc (£42.00 for six)
A great one for nail polish lovers, these six crackers each contain a full size best-selling Nails Inc polish. Shades include a Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, Regents Park, Hampstead Grove, Whitechapel Snowflake, Winter Mews Crushed Diamons and Swan Street - all very seasonally appopriate. At £7.00 each, it's a great saving on the usual retail price of their nail polish too.
Jo Malone (£32.00 each)
Including three minis to 'delight and surprise' your guests, the Jo Malone Christmas crackers are the ultimate indulgence. Tied with mistletoe green ribbon to set the table with style, each cracker contains juicy Blackberry & Bay Cologne, a reviving Lime Basil & Mandarin Body Wash, plus an opulent Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème. Maybe just keep this one for yourself.
Roger & Gallet (£6.00 each)
These individual crackers contain a delicious hand cream that soothes tired palms, while leaving a beautiful scent. Mini in size, these make great stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts - or simply provide home decoration that you can enjoy when you take it down! What's even better is these are also '3 for 2', meaning you can nab three for only £12.00. Bargain.
Soap & Glory (£6.00 each)
Featuring the 'super-moisturising’ Sexy Mother Pucker lipgloss in a mini handbag-hero size, these would be great as token gifts for all your girl mates. Although quite expensive for what you get (the full size is only £7.00,) these are fun and quirky - plus everyone loves a bit of Soap & Glory.
Champneys (£10.00 for four)
The Champneys Cracker Collection contains four bodycare products to leave you feeling relaxed and reinvigorated - which is exactly what you need after a busy December. Including two shower gels, in Citrus Blush and Summer Dream fragrance varieties, a Citrus Blush Body Lotion, and Heavenly Days Shower Cream these are incredibly affordable - if not quite festive in their design!
Clarins (£49.00 for six)
My all time favourite, this year the Clarins' Christmas crackers are exclusive to Selfridges. The perfect gift for a Clarins fan or a girly table treat, they contain a selection of all-time favourite Clarins products (including a Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Miniature Rouge Eclat Lipstick, Miniature Wonder Perfect Mascara, Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream, Beauty Flash Balm and Eau des Jardins Treatment Fragrance) that won't disappoint.
What do you think about beauty Christmas crackers? Will you be swapping your supermarket bought boxes for something a bit more luxurious? Or do you delight in the rubbish jokes and paper hats?
Clik here to view.![]()
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Latest In Beauty (£17.95 for three)
The contents of these are kept a surprise, but they do include a combination of cult classics and undiscovered favourites - and up to three individual products in each cracker. Mine included two mini Amie skincare samples and a L'Oreal nail polish, but who knows what you could find! These make a great gift, thanks to their box-style packaging, or simply look great popped on your tree.
No7 (£16.00 for six)
Great value considering each cracker contains either a lipgloss or nail polish, these will look great on your table come Christmas day. I love the fact they look like a traditional cracker (with an understated pink twist) while offering up something that actually will be a delight rather than a disappointment.
Nails Inc (£42.00 for six)
A great one for nail polish lovers, these six crackers each contain a full size best-selling Nails Inc polish. Shades include a Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, Regents Park, Hampstead Grove, Whitechapel Snowflake, Winter Mews Crushed Diamons and Swan Street - all very seasonally appopriate. At £7.00 each, it's a great saving on the usual retail price of their nail polish too.
Jo Malone (£32.00 each)
Including three minis to 'delight and surprise' your guests, the Jo Malone Christmas crackers are the ultimate indulgence. Tied with mistletoe green ribbon to set the table with style, each cracker contains juicy Blackberry & Bay Cologne, a reviving Lime Basil & Mandarin Body Wash, plus an opulent Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème. Maybe just keep this one for yourself.
Roger & Gallet (£6.00 each)
These individual crackers contain a delicious hand cream that soothes tired palms, while leaving a beautiful scent. Mini in size, these make great stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts - or simply provide home decoration that you can enjoy when you take it down! What's even better is these are also '3 for 2', meaning you can nab three for only £12.00. Bargain.
Soap & Glory (£6.00 each)
Featuring the 'super-moisturising’ Sexy Mother Pucker lipgloss in a mini handbag-hero size, these would be great as token gifts for all your girl mates. Although quite expensive for what you get (the full size is only £7.00,) these are fun and quirky - plus everyone loves a bit of Soap & Glory.
Champneys (£10.00 for four)
The Champneys Cracker Collection contains four bodycare products to leave you feeling relaxed and reinvigorated - which is exactly what you need after a busy December. Including two shower gels, in Citrus Blush and Summer Dream fragrance varieties, a Citrus Blush Body Lotion, and Heavenly Days Shower Cream these are incredibly affordable - if not quite festive in their design!
Clarins (£49.00 for six)
My all time favourite, this year the Clarins' Christmas crackers are exclusive to Selfridges. The perfect gift for a Clarins fan or a girly table treat, they contain a selection of all-time favourite Clarins products (including a Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Miniature Rouge Eclat Lipstick, Miniature Wonder Perfect Mascara, Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream, Beauty Flash Balm and Eau des Jardins Treatment Fragrance) that won't disappoint.
What do you think about beauty Christmas crackers? Will you be swapping your supermarket bought boxes for something a bit more luxurious? Or do you delight in the rubbish jokes and paper hats?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
Clik here to view.
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