17 Last-Minute Luxury Gifts You Won't Regret Purchasing
Although we all know this season isn’t about the material things, it’s nice to splurge on the ones we love most, when we can. We can all agree that unboxing something truly special is momentous, especially when given by someone you love. This list of last-minute luxury gift ideas is hand-selected to ensure you find the best gift without wastefully spending your hard-earned coin.
For the fashionista, for the homebody, for the bookworm, and the corporate powerhouse, there’s something on this list for everyone.
It’s Giving Luxury Beauty…
La Mer The Energize & Replenish Set
La Mer
Give the gift of renewal and relaxation with the La Mer Energize and Replenish Set for $195.
Jenny Patinkin Cryo Glow Globes
Jenny Patinkin
For anyone who tackles early mornings on the regular, these Cryo Glow Globes will do the trick. For around $60, you can’t find a better gift for a woman on the go!
SLIP Tie-Dyed Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask
SLIP
We’re all looking for a great night’s sleep and a silk sleep mask can aid in that. This one from SLIP is crafted from the highest-grade mulberry silk and designed to block out all light without irritating your skin.
T3 Lucea ID Styling Tool
T3
Awarded Allure’s Best Of Breakthrough in 2020, the T3 Lucea ID is the latest version of the three-in-one styler. Equipped with a smart-touch interface and HeatID technology, T3 Lucea ID intelligently adjusts heat to your unique profile, based on your hair texture, length, and color treatments.
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray
Victor&Rolf
One of the hottest perfume brands on the market, Victor&Rolf Flowerbomb is a delicious and iconic floral women's perfume infused with a flower bouquet of cattleyas, jasmine, freesia, and millions of rose petals.
Dr. Dennis Gross Merry Smooth & Bright Kit
Dr. Dennis Gross
There are limited skincare brands we’d recommend for Christmas, and Dr. Dennis Gross is one of them. The holiday Merry Smooth + Bright Skin Kit includes the coveted DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro, the Correction Eye Serum, the Texture Renewal Serum, and a 5 of the Daily Peel packets.
It’s Giving Luxury Living…
Jonathan Adler Marseilles Coasters
Jonathan Adler
These minimalist coasters from Jonathan Adler can add character to any room. It’s the perfect stocking-stuffer for your work BFF, in-laws, or (let’s be honest) yourself! If coasters aren’t your thing, Adler has a bevy of other beautiful homeware pieces to pick from.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS by Virgil Abloh
Virgil Abloh
An often overlooked gift is a beautiful coffee table book. Whether it’s for your interior designing bestie or your stylish guy friend - the Virgil Abloh ICONS book hits the mark. ICONS traces Abloh’s investigative, creative process through documentation of the prototypes, original text messages from Abloh to Nike designers, and treasures from the Nike archives.
Soho Home Barwell Ice Bucket
Soho Home
Who doesn’t like a bit of drama while hosting a party? This crystal ice Bucket from Soho Home screams drama and glamour; perfect for the friend who also hosts girls' night.
Dr. Vranjes Firenze Scented Candle and Diffuser Gift Set - Ambra
Dr. Vranjes Firenze
Dr. Vranjes Firenze is hand-crafted in Florence and by far one of the best fragrance brands globally. The gift set includes a scented candle and their iconic diffuser in the scent Ambra, which is a blend of amber, patchouli, and sandalwood.
Assouline Capri Dolce Vita by Cesare Cunaccia
Assouline
You’ve probably seen these books in the background of your favorite TikToker, and for good reason. Assouline specializes in hand-crafted luxury books, across a range of subjects and industries. Their recent collection of travel books, written and curated by globally renowned artists, make the perfect gift for a friend who can’t stay still.
Anissa Kermiche Best Friend Vase
Anissa Kermiche
One positive thing that came out of multiple stay-at-home orders in 2020 was the resurgence of unique and creative home decor. This 'Breast Friend' ceramic vase playfully depicts a curvaceous bust and can be a stand-alone piece or filled with beautiful seasonal florals.
It’s Giving Luxury Fashion…
Fendi First Small
Fendi
Guaranteed to be on the Christmas list of any fashion addict, the Fendi First bag will be 2022’s IT bag. Available in a myriad of colors and sizes, you can’t go wrong with this under the tree.
MACH & MACH Double Bow 110MM Pumps
MACH & MACH
Be prepared to make anyone’s Christmas with the shoes of the season: the Mach and Mach Double Bow 100MM shoes. The lustful shoes reached cult status (thanks, TikTok!) and that energy doesn’t seem to be diminishing anytime soon.
VLogo Signature Earrings in Metal and Swarovski Crystals
Valentino
Give the gift of ultimate glam with these Swarovski crystal earrings from Valentino. The VLogo signature earrings are perfect for any glam girl on your list.
Olivia von Halle Queenie Printed Silk-Satin Robe
Oliva Von Halle
The past two years have taught of the importance of luxury at home, and the Olivia von Halle robe is just that. Featured in a variety of silk-satin patterns, this robe is designed in London and is a favorite amongst fashion IT girls.
Etoile Isabel Marant Dilys Belted Puffer Jacket
Neiman Marcus
This gift is reserved for the trendiest person in your friend group. It’s a great long-wear coat as it encapsulates the après-ski trendiest perfectly, but the silhouette keeps you going back for years to come.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Courtney is a contributing writer, based in Puerto Rico by way of Tennessee. Interested in the intersection of fashion and culture, she has an affinity for fashion, empowerment, and really good tacos. Keep up with her on Instagram (@hautecourtxo).
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Scalp Detoxes, ACV Rinses, And More Things That Will Help Your Hair Thrive In Spring
Can y’all believe it? Spring is here! And if there’s one thing that a lot of folks tend to do around this time, it’s some sort of thorough cleaning of their home; sometimes even their life (I’ll be penning on some of that in the weeks to come) — and what that is called is “spring cleaning.”
I think that term caught on because there’s something about the spring season that feels fresh and new, even more than New Year's Day does. And when we’re in that kind of head and heart space, it gives us the energy and focus to want to make everything in our life as immaculate as possible.
In honor of all that, why not use the following few months (spring ends on June 20, 2024, by the way) to get your house and relationships right and use this as an opportunity to “spring clean” your hair? If you’re totally down and would like a few tips, I’ve got 12 that will have your tresses totally ready for what the spring season has in store for you. Guaranteed.
1. Toss (Most of) What You Haven’t Used Since This Time Last Year
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A few years back, I wrote an article for the platform entitled, “When Should You Replace Underwear, Make-Up, Bedding, Washcloths & Towels?” Something that I actually didn’t mention was hair products; however, believe it or not, they have a shelf life too. While items that haven’t been opened may last up to three years, a safe rule is if you have used something, after about 12-18 months, you should probably toss it — unless there is an expiration date that says otherwise (yep, some hair items actually come with those). Chile, this one rule alone can keep you from becoming (or remaining) a product junkie (check out “Resolving To Kick Your Product Junkie Habit? Here's Your Game Plan.”), if that is indeed something that you struggle with.
2. Up Your Vitamin B7 Intake
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Yeah, don’t get me started on how Westernized medicine will push pharma down our throats while, at the same time, saying that many vitamin supplements don’t work. That’s literally what many folks claim when it comes to hair nutrients. Personally, since I’ve been taking my own hair growth vitamins, I’ve noticed that my hair is much stronger — but hey, that’s just me. And what is the main nutrient in my own product? Biotin.
Long story short, since hair is mostly made up of the protein keratin and biotin (which is another name for vitamin B7) helps with the production of keratin, I’m sure you can see why it’s so essential, especially if you’re looking to prevent hair loss. For the record, foods that are a solid source of biotin include spinach, almonds, sweet potatoes, salmon, and bananas.
3. Detox Your Scalp
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It can’t be said enough that your scalp is the foundation of your hair, so it needs to be handled with extreme care. One way to do that is by detoxing it (check out “Treat Your Scalp To A Little Bit Of Detoxing This Weekend”). Since dead skin cells, dandruff, sweat, hair products, and all kinds of other gunk can pile up and (potentially) clog your hair follicles, you want to make sure to keep your scalp as clean, clear, and healthy as possible.
You can do this by purchasing a scalp exfoliant product, going the DIY route with some salt or sugar, or you can use something like a hair product that’s specifically made to care for your scalp, like Taraji P. Henson’s Master Cleanse scalp treatment. I purchased it on the fly one day and have been sold on it ever since. Listen, the tingling feeling that it provides alone had me sold. Anyway, if you’re wondering how often you should do some scalp detoxing, eh — once every three washes or so should do the trick.
4. Massage Your Scalp with an Essential Oil Blend
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Speaking of your hair’s foundation, aside from the fact that a scalp massage can perform miracles when it comes to reducing your stress levels because it helps to draw blood to your hair follicles (which ultimately gives them the nutrients that they need), applying the tip of your fingers or a scalp massager to your head can also promote hair growth. My two cents would be to apply essential oil to a carrier oil like sweet almond (a hydrator), avocado (it’s a good source of biotin), or grapeseed (it’s filled with vitamin E), warm the combo up and get to massaging.
Why an essential oil? Well, for example, lavender contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, ylang-ylang soothes a dry scalp, and thyme stimulates the scalp while promoting hair growth.
5. Infuse Hibiscus Flowers to Soothe Dandruff
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Although hibiscus flowers typically are known to be early-June flowers, since that is technically still the spring season, I had to shout them out in this piece for one main reason. Did you know that there are some hair experts who are sold on the fact that if you turn the flowers into a type of hair paste, they can help to bring relief to dandruff flakes and irritation? Since it also helps with hair growth as well as preventing hair loss, definitely infuse some of your own hibiscus petals once June rolls around. In the meantime, hibiscus oil can get you some pretty good results too.
6. Use Coconut Milk to Hydrate Your Hair
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As far as milk alternatives go, personally, I’m an oat milk kind of girl; however, I’ve tried coconut milk before and it’s cool. Health benefits wise, it’s full of protein, low in sugar, and it can help to keep your cholesterol levels down while giving you a boost of energy (especially if you like to work out). As far as your tresses go, not only is it basically a mega-vitamin for it, but your hair will also benefit from its fatty acids, protein, and ability to deeply hydrate your hair. Since coconut milk also contains anti-inflammatory properties, consider applying it as a conditioning treatment or hair rinse if you’ve got some sort of scalp irritation going on.
7. Try a DIY Deep Moisturizing Hair Mask
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Something that I must admit I don’t do nearly as much as I should, is apply a hair mask to my hair. I really need to get on that this spring, though, because there are all kinds of benefits that come with adding this extra step. Since a hair mask is basically seen as a deep conditioning type of hair treatment and our hair is naturally drier (due to our curlier hair texture and it being more challenging for our natural sebum to cover our tresses from root to tip), hair masks are able to do everything from deeply moisturize and stimulate hair growth to reduce frizz and help to prevent split ends. This is another one of those products that you can get pre-made. Still, if you’d prefer to make one yourself, Byrdie has 17 recipes you can try here, while Self has 12 recipes you can check out here.
8. Don’t Forget About an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
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As far as this list goes, while I can vouch for pretty much all of them, one that I’m a big fan of is using apple cider vinegar as a hair clarifier. Meaning, that if you’ve got some build-up on your locks and you want your hair to feel super clean without being dried out from the sulfates of shampoo, after washing your hair, rinse it off with some apple cider vinegar. Not only will it deeply cleanse your hair, apple cider vinegar will bring relief to an itchy scalp, add shine to your tresses, and it can keep the pH balance of your hair where it needs to be as well.
Simply add around three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a 16-ounce glass of water and run it over your hair after washing it. Let it sit for a minute or two, and then rinse again. Some people say to do it after conditioning your hair as well. I prefer to do it in between shampooing and conditioning, though. To each their own.
9. Dust Your Ends. Then Seal Them with Cranberry Seed Oil.
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I can’t tell you the last time that I’ve seen a professional stylist. Not that I’m endorsing not seeing one or anything; it’s just that, one of the gifts God gave me was the natural ability to do hair. So much, in fact, that the last stylist I had used to recommend me to naturalistas for a trim or cut. And so, yes, I trim my own hair. That way, I don’t have to worry about too much being “accidentally” (it’s in quotes because y’all already know how some stylists do) removing more hair than what was necessary. To tell you the truth, most times, what I do doesn’t even qualify as a trim; it’s more like “end dusting” which is something you can (probably) do for yourself with a bit of patience, some sharp shears and a bit of practice.
Dusting is all about simply removing fairy knots or taking off as little of your ends as possible so that you can maintain length retention while still keeping your hair healthy. Once you’re done doing that, treat your ends by sealing them with some cranberry seed oil. Since it’s also loaded with fatty acids as well as Vitamin E, it will help to keep your ends smooth, soft, and resilient when it comes to avoiding breakage.
10. Grow Your Locks with Citrus Essential Oils
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Since citrus fruit is in season during the spring, I definitely had to shout out the ways that they can benefit your hair. Thanks to the antibiotics and vitamin C that’s in them, your scalp will remain healthy. Grapefruit oil, specifically, has a reputation for combating dandruff. Lemon oil can keep your sebum levels in balance so that your hair doesn’t appear frizzy. Some say that orange oil can help to strengthen your hair. And listen, since citrus oils are also proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels — how can you go wrong by adding them to your hair care regimen?
11. Look for Products That Contain Polymers to Reduce Frizz
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As the weather begins to warm up and it takes longer for the sun to set, the “pro” is your hair is able to get more vitamin D (which means that your hair follicles will remain in good condition); the “con” is more humidity creates more frizz. Frizz is problematic because it can be a sign of dryness or damage, it can affect your curl definition (if you rock natural hair) and create tangles that make it hard to style it — and that could ultimately cause breakage.
Something that helps to keep frizz down to a minimum is hair products that contain polymers. I don’t want to keep y’all in a mini-science class, so I’ll just say that one of the main purposes of polymers is they help the cuticles of your hair to lie flat. Off top, a type of product that would be considered a polymer is silicone. If you decide to use or try it, just remember to take the “less is more” approach. A little is bomb; a lot can cause hair dryness in its own way.
12. Add a “Spring Scent” to Your Hair
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One of the biggest “mistakes” that I think a lot of women make when it comes to their hair is not being intentional about making sure that it smells divine on a daily basis. Something that can make that happen is finding an essential oil (I think it’s wiser than perfume because the alcohol in perfume can dry your hair out), in a scent that you like, putting a few drops into your hands, rubbing them together and then smoothing your hair with the oil before heading out for the day. If you want to stick with a spring theme, some fragrances to consider include sweet orange, rosemary, bergamot, lemon, lime, lavender, and peppermint.
BONUS: If You Plan to Go Up a Shade (or Two), Read This
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It’s not uncommon for people to want to darken their hair during fall and winter and then lighten them up in the spring and summertime. Keeping that in mind, if this is the spring season when you want to follow hair color trends and go the kind of blonde that looks almost white or something softer like ginger or caramel — please make sure that you see a professional. Listen, I used to dye my hair almost as much as I changed my clothes, and while it was super short, it was all good.
Whenever I decided to grow it out? On some levels, even to this day, parts of my hair and scalp are still recovering. SMDH. For those of you who aren’t gonna listen to me, at least go to the 90th degree on the deep conditioning tip. There is no way that your hair can be permanently colored and not experience dryness, and that can lead to breakage at one point. I would just hate for you to have bomb ass color and not much length to show for it. Feel me?
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There you have it: 12 ways to spring clean your hair. So, before hitting that kitchen or your bedroom with some white vinegar (the real ones know), get into your locks first. Everything seems easier when our hair is in good shape. Then treat yourself to some tulips, peonies, or lilacs (all spring flowers) and officially enjoy the beginnings of spring!
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Featured image by Carlos Barquero/Getty Images