the Elle next door: CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

Today marks the 1st of December. This means two things. It means that it's officially December (they don't call me a genius for nothing, guys) which means the festive period has officially started. It also means that yesterday was my birthday. Now, I know a lot of bloggers like to do a big birthday blog post, but that's not really me. So instead I thought I'd stick to something that's a little more me and that is using my shopping expertise - LOL, most people are experts in intelligent, useful subjects and I can tell you what to buy a girly girl to make her day #WinningAtLife [insert "no but seriously, FML!" emoji here] - to bring you the best of the gift sets, candles and makeup products for your girl's girl at Christmas this year.

Neom Tranquillity Scent to Sleep gift collection

Neom are a brand that I absolutely adore. From the gorgeously scented candles packed with amazing, natural ingredients, to the body scrubs of dreams. From their relaxing, rejuvenating mists to the luxurious and decadent oils... there just isn't one dud product in the Neom ranges. This sleep gift collection is a huge favourite of mine - hence the recommendation and the reason why I'll definitely be buying it as a gift for somebody - and one that I would absolutely love to receive myself *hint hint*.

For £54.95, you get the Tranquility travel candle - which is just the dreamiest candle in existence and I'm actually on my second 3 wick candle (which burns for 50hours so if that's not proof of how much I love it, I don't know what is) - the Intense night repair face, body and hair oil and the perfect night's sleep, both of which I absolutely adore and reviewed in my Evening routine video. And finally, an online sleep consultation with a sleep expert (worth £25 in itself) so I absolutely love this set and think it's perfect for anyone who struggles with their sleep [insert hands up emoji here] or just needs a helping hand when it comes to relaxing.

Benefit get your party on christmas gift set

Benefit Get Your Party on Gift set

Now this set is really, really special. Not only because it's worth a whopping £81 and you get it for £39.50, but also because it contains what I would describe as some of Benefit's most loved products. Including Benefit hoola (so many blogger ladies holy grail for contoured, bronzed cheeks), Benefit High beam (a personal favourite for the most incredible iridescent pink glow that just looks so pretty and glowy and definitely gives you "Oh, that's where my cheekbones have been hiding" moment!), Benefit They're real (which is just such a phenomenon that I don't think it really needs an explanation but in short, it lengthens, volumizes and lifts the lashes in an instant) and last but not least, Benefit's Gimme brow which in the space of 3 weeks has quickly become my absolute go to brow product.

A fabulous gift for the makeup lover or somebody looking to get into higher end, amazing quality makeup.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum feel good tin

On a bit more of a budget? Then the only place you need to head to is The Body Shop. TBS - we'll abbreviate that bad boy, yeah? - is such a nostalgic place for me and I remember always giving/receiving a set to/from my friends for Christmas when I was (a lot) younger. But that's what I love about TBS, they just have something for everyone, regardless of age, gender or skin type. The Frosted plum set, packaged in the most amazing plum colour, apple shaped tin, includes a shower gel, shimmer lotion, body butter and sugar scrub all of which smell absolutely stunning. A beautiful fruity plum scent that would work really well for all ages and brilliant quality products to match.

Weleda Hand cream trio

I know what you're thinking, "Elle you weirdo, why are you buying people hand cream for Christmas?" but hear me out on this one... I've spoken about the Weleda Almond hand cream a lot before (because it's dreamier than Ryan Gosling) and I genuinely feel that everybody needs one in their life. So why not have three? ;) Each scent is absolutely beautiful, and each cream is just as hydrating and nourishing as the other. The perfect set for those that love their skincare.

Becca cosmetics are a relatively recent discovery of mine - as in, actually using the products, of course I've been a secret fan girl of their shimmering skin perfectors for years - and I have to say, there isn't a single product that I'm not completely obsessed with. I was lucky enough to receive a whole bunch of their products and there will be a whole post coming soon which is why I won't go into detail too much, but in short, the Ombre rouge palette, made up of 5 absolutely dreamy neutral colours is absolutely perfect for a neutral eyeshadow lover as each shade is velvety smooth and applies like a dream. And then that blush - the mineral blush in Lantana - which let's be honest, looks absolutely petrifying in the pan - don't tell me that you wouldn't be scared of transforming into a clown with this? - but oh my sweet baby jesus, this might just be the prettiest blush I own. Swirl your brush in the pan, tap it off a lot, dab it on your hand (basically, make sure there is the tiniest amount possible on the brush as it's so extremely pigmented) and sweep on to the cheeks for the most perfect flush I think I've ever seen. [insert all the heart eye'd emoji's here].

We all know that when it comes to dreamy, (are you ready for the most gag-inducing phrase in existence?) "Instagram-worthy" makeup products, Charlotte Tilbury takes the top prize. Always... From the rose gold packaging, to the embossed patterns and letters, everything is just done so right. And I'm pleased to report the products themselves are just as stunning as the packaging. Starting with the Bronze and Glow; a palette consisting of a completely non-orange, non-ashy toned bronzer that sculpts out those ~~non-existent~~ cheek bones of mine in a second. In addition to the highlight that dreams are made of. Extremely finely milled, totally non-glittery but very pigmented, this highlight is perfect all year round but especially in the festive period. Buy this for your best - makeup loving - girlfriend and she will love you for life!

I am huge candle girl ~~and a massive saddo~~. Nothing delights me more than chilling out after a long day with a hot chocolate, Netflix series waiting and my favourite candles burning... so I have a lot of options. But - in my candle buying life (... let's just take a moment to appreciate just how sad I sound right now?) never have I been so pleasantly surprised by a candle. I'm really not into orange/cinnamon style Christmas scents, they're always just a little bit too much for me, but this is absolutely stunning. It is exactly what I usually dislike; orange, cinnamon and clove... but it's just so subtle. Each component complements each other so well without overpowering the other and you generally just get a huge waft of scent - my bug bear will forever be candles that don't give off much scent - that smells just like Christmas eve but could also work just as well as a really warm, cosy candle all year round. By far one of my all time favourites!