Color Crush Holiday Gift Guide Part 1 — Get Ready For These Red-Hot Gifts!

It’s officially holiday shopping time and, as usual, we’ll be offering plenty of suggestions via our ongoing gift guide series, which we will roll out in themed installments. This year, we’ve chosen a color crush theme for our gift guide, so that each installment will center on items in one particular hue. To kick off the fun, we’ve amassed some goodies that explore the red spectrum — from deep Merlot to vibrant scarlet and fiery vermilion. Get red-y!

Elemis Wonders of Frangipani Gift Set, $114.50. Available at Elemis.com

The Elemis Frangipani collection is a perfect example of how scent can prove transcendent, how it can facilitate a mental journey to a faraway and exotic locale. Each product combines the sweet floral scent of frangipani (otherwise known as plumeria) with the aroma of monoi, a Tahitian essence produced by steeping locally grown gardenia flowers (known as tiare blossoms) in coconut oil. The scent is distinctly tropical, and it transports you to Polynesia, so that each shower feels like an exotic getaway. By giving someone the Elemis Wonders of Frangipani Gift Set, then, you’re giving them the power to transform their bathroom into a magical portal of sorts, their showers into a Narnia-like wardrobe.

But the smell is only part of this collection’s charm. Each bath and body product hydrates, softens, replenishes, soothes, and protects the skin. The Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, for instance, hydrates even the most parched skin  and it also adds a youthful glow to dull, lackluster skin, plus it’s absorbed surprisingly fast so that it never feels heavy or greasy. The Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream, meanwhile, has an indulgent and pampering texture, and it gently cleanses the skin while nourishing and moisturizing it thanks to the coconut oil and sesame seed oil in the formula.

The next best thing to a months-long trip to Tahiti, the Elemis Wonders of Frangipani Gift Set includes full-sized versions of the Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream, the Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow, the Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, the Frangipani Monoi Body Cream, and the Frangipani Monoi Hand & Nail Cream.

Rag & Bone Sandra T-Neck Sweater, $595. Available at Rag-Bone.com

Yes, we’ve all secretly groaned when beholding a chunky sweater made by a family member had just taken up knitting and, more often than not, needed to chuck the needles and yarn and search for a more suitable hobby. This Rag & Bone sweater, however, would elicit a much different reaction. The chunky marled wool and viscose blend piece features a cropped fit and a long turtleneck that can be unbuttoned for a more relaxed feel. It’s the type of piece you can throw on and instantly give your outfit a laid-back ease, an effortless coolness.

Oscar de la Renta Bordeaux Large Impatiens Flower Drop Earrings, $425. Available at OscardelaRenta.com

After kicking off a major trend with its stunning collection of whimsical beaded tassel earrings, Oscar de la Renta decided to tinker with the notion of adding blossom elements to its long beaded designs. The resulting collection includes shoulder-grazing, sculptural but delightfully ethereal and fluid designs like the one shown here. Each of these 4.75″-long earrings features a glass beaded clip-on post resembling a knot that leads to three long strands of glass beads, each culminating in a teardrop-shaped crystal tip. These beaded strands are woven through viscose georgette petals cast in a burgundy hue so that, together, they create the illusion of trumpet-shaped blossoms.

Style Setter Stemless Goblets, $39 for Set of 4. Available at BedBathandBeyond.com

Whether you’re shopping a gift for a Tami Taylor type (remember how her wine glasses seemed to get bigger with each passing season of Friday Night Lights?) or for a hostess with a meticulous eye for party décor, this set of stemless wine goblets will lead to a celebratory toast. Each glass holds 17 oz. of liquid and features a slightly different pattern — a detail that will prove rather helpful when guests start asking, “Wait, is that my glass or yours?”

Karen Millen Feminine Tie Belt Coat, $575. Available at KarenMillen.com

NEST Holiday Votive Candle, $16. Available at BeautyKind.us

Like the twinkling of string lights on a Christmas tree or the crackle of logs burning in a fireplace, there’s something about the NEST Holiday votive candle that captures the warmth and magic of the season. Packaged in an elegant red velvet box with metallic gold designs, the 2 oz. scented candle itself comes in a glass jar with gold vertical stripes that feels sophisticated but also minimalist. The candle’s aroma, meanwhile, is a captivating blend of pomegranate, Madarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinammon, with just a touch of vanilla and amber. The pine note is, of course, the most prominent within the aromatic blend, but the spiciness from the clove and cinammon give it an unexpected kick.

PUMA Basket Platform Metallic Sneakers, $100. Available at US.Puma.com

Even if you have an abyssmal free throw record and questionable dribbling skills, you’ll have game off the court with these PUMA Basket sneakers. Originally introduced in the ’60s and pomoted as an ideal shoe for basketball warm-ups, the PUMa Basket kicks have long since transitioned into the street style realm. Now, the sneakers have risen to new heights — literally — thanks to the addition of creeper-inspired, thick, ridged platform soles and edgy metallic faux leather uppers with foil detailing along the stitched side stripes.

Kendra Scott Berniece Gold Collar Necklace in Burgundy Illusion, $150. Available at KendraScott.com

You can practically wear a burlap bag and still turn heads if this magical necklace is gracing our neck! Kendra Scott’s new Berniece necklace features eleven angular stones strung together in a collar silhouette, creating a 9″-long bib. Part of what’s fascinating about the design is the play on symmetry and asymmetry — while each prong-set stone features an almost diamond-like form, the shape is slightly askew, so that the top surface is flat rather than coming to the expected pointy tip and the sides of the stone don’t match up evenly. This, in turn, gives the necklace a bit of edge, as does the iridescent red color of the stones.

Lush 12 Days of Christmas Gift Set, $99.95. Available at LushUSA.com

Do you really know anyone who covets a partridge in a pear tree? Three French hens? Six geese a-laying? Probably not. Instead, you can gift them a special handmade, fresh, vegan beauty treat for each of the 12 days leading to Christmas with this riff on an advent calendar from eco-friendly brand Lush. This pre-packaged gift set features the numbers 1 through 12 along the top surface of the red octagon-shaped box, with the symbols associated with each day in the “12 Days of Christmas” carol placed next to their corresponding digits (golden rings next to the “5,” ladies dancing next to the “9,” and so on). But, of course, there are no geese or swans inside this box! Instead, there’s a treasure trove of festive bath and body care goodies. Bath lovers will be delighted by all of the fun options in this set: from the Butterbear Bath Bomb — a white, bear-shaped, vanilla-scented bath bomb that quickly dissolves in the water to yield an indulgent soak that leaves skin silky soft thanks to the cocoa butter in the product’s formula — to the Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb, a spherical blue bath bomb with glittery gold stars that turns the water a fun blue color and gives it a zesty orange arom. Other goodies that will make anyone want to pull a Trumbo and set up office in the tub include the Luxury Lush Pud, which calms the senses thanks to its lavender oil and tonka oil content; the Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, a cognac-scented fizzer shaped like a wrapped present and featuring a surprise at its core in the form of golden luster and turquoise glitter; and the Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, which will fill the tub with fluffy suds as the sweet scent of vanilla and bubble gum wafts through the air. Prefer showers? Then you’ll love the lavender-scented Twilight Shower Gel, a gift exclusive!

Kotur Espey Crinkle Maroon Clutch, $550. Available at KoturLTD.com

Ted Baker London Cadyee High Neck Embellished Midi Dress, $315. Available at TedBaker.com

Forget an LBD — what a woman really needs to spruce up her closet is a little red dress that will make heads turn when she enters a room (and for all the right reasons!). The Ted Baker Cadyee midi dress features a fitted silhouette that hugs the body in all the right places and a bejeweled high neckline that exudes glamour. Without any deep V-shaped necklines to flaunt one’s cleavage, sheer panels that show off skin, or frisky cut-outs, this dress manages to radiate sensuality but in a composed, poised, and chic manner.

Loeffler Randall Nicolette High Heel Sandals, $450. Available at LoefflerRandall.com

Your toes will feel toastier than roasted chestnuts in these playful Loeffler Randall sandals, which feature soft, fuzzy, Bordeaux-hued fox fur adorning the front suede strap and a 3.5″ heel.

Jurlique Rose Body Oil Limited Edition, $72. Available at Jurlique.com

You’ll smell like you’ve been laying on a bed of roses after you apply the iconic Jurlique Rose Body Oil to your damp, clean skin post-shower. This luxurious body oil deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it smooth, soft, radiant and supple, all while leaving behind a delicate and feminine rose fragrance that’s never overpowering but seems to just hover over the body like an ethereal aromatic halo. The product naturally contains rose oil (in fact, it features oils from both the Rosa damascena, otherwise known as the Damask rose, and the Rosa centifolia, otherwise known as the Provence rose or cabbage rose), but it also boasts: safflower seed oil, which is rich in linoleic acid (it accounts for 78% of its composition), and which is known to facilitate cellular regeneration and to help bestow a radiant glow upon the skin;  jojoba seed oil, which greatly improves the skin’s texture, eliminating any roughness and bumpiness; lavender extract, which soothes any irritation and inflammation; horse chestnut seed extract; macadamia seed oil, which contains palmitoleic, oleic, and lineoleic acids and which has a chemical composition akin to that of the human sebum and hence is rather rapidly absorbed by the skin; rosemary leaf extract, a natural antiseptic with ample antioxidant properties; horse chestnut seed extract, which is said to boost circulation and hence minimize the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins; and birch leaf extract, which is rich in vitamin C and is known to have wound-healing benefits. The Holiday 2016 limited edition edition of the Jurlique Rose Body Oil is packaged in a festive red box bearing the words, “Give Nature. Bring Joy.”

Magritte: Lock Plate, $12. Available at Store.Moma.org

Art enthusiasts will marvel at this stunning melamine plate, which features a reproduction of René Magritte’s 1966 painting Le Sourire du Diable (The Smile of the Devil).

Lulu Guinness Red Chloe Clutch, $400. Available at LuluGuinness.com

Perfect for the woman whose signature look involves a sexy red pout, this whimsical box-shaped clutch is made of bright red Perspex and features a red lipstick clasp for a cheeky touch. Measuring 5.1″ in height, 5.1″ in width, and 2″ in depth, it’s perfect for holding essentials like keys, credit cards, cell phones — and, of course, lipstick.

Venessa Arizaga Miyako Necklace, $350. Available at VenessaArizaga.com

Lose the thread? Not if Venessa Arizaga has anything to say about it! The jewelry designer specializes in handmade pieces that incorporate detailed threadwork and crochet elements. The Miyako necklace, for instance, features red thread woven through a gunmetal-plated brass chain to create a colorful and dynamic contrast. The lower edge of the necklace, meanwhile, is adorned with hand-painted Swarovski crystals in round and almond shapes for a bit of razzle dazzle.

Oasis Ruffle Tee, $36. Available at Oasis-Stores.com

Pair this Merlot-colored lace top with a black skirt and a faux fur jacket for a dinner date or holidya party. Tuck it into your most polished trousers and add a tailored blazer for a work-appropriate look. Reach for your favorite skinny jeans and strappy sandals and rock it for a night out with the girls. Whatever your destination, this top will add the requisite “wow” factor thanks to its high ruffled neckline.

evo The Reincarnator Repair Tree Hanger, $11.90. Available at evohair.com

Charlotte Olympia Emma Sandals, $595. Available at US.CharlotteOlympia.com

These charming Charlotte Olympia sandals are inspired by ladybugs, the beloved spotted insects believed to bring good luck. The peep-toe sandals feature red suede ankle straps and covered block heels, as well as sheer white vamps with black polka dot detailing and red suede piping.

Cynthia Rowley Hudson Mini Satchel, $95. Available at CynthiaRowley.com

Made of red vegan leather and red cow suede, this structured satchel commands attention thanks to its wide velvet buckled strap, which combines a deep navy blue with a center stripe in an electric violet shade.  Measuring 10″ in length, 3″ in width, and 7.5″ in height, this bag features a sturdy top handle as well as a detachable, striped shoulder strap featuring the same color scheme as the one shown on the bag’s front.

Michael Kors Audrina Burgundy Acetate and Rose-Gold Tone Watch, $192.50. Available at MichaelKors.com

Leather watch straps and silver-toned, rose gold, or yellow gold chain-link bracelets all seem so expected, so ordinary. To adorn your wrist in a truly distinctive way, try this groovy Michael Kors watch, featuring a unique strap made of a Merlot-toned tortoise shell acetate, a 41.5 mm case, and a wine-colored face with gold markings and hands.

Click n Curl Small Blowout Brush Set with Detachable Barrels, $39.99. Available at ClickNCurl.com

Salon professionals make it look easy, but any woman who styles her hair routinely knows it’s quite the tricky and time-consuming ordeal. Even a standard blowout is a juggling act: you’re holding a blowdryer in one hand while wielding a round brush in the other hand, then rolling sections of hair around the brush’s barrel before unfurling the brush, trying not to snap any strands. And if you want to add more voluminous curls, well, you’ll have to dry your hair and then reach for a curling iron, adding yet another set of steps to the process. One clever gal, however, has simplified the styling process. Kim Nimsgern, the founder of Click N Curl, set out to create a brush with detachable barrels that would essentially function as rollers, creating and setting  flowing curls — without the hassle of using traditional rollers and seating under an overhead dryer for 30 or 40 minutes or, for that matter, of blowing out hair, then reaching for a curling iron.  Each full Click n Curl set is available in four sizes — Extra Small (1″ barrel), Small (1.25″ barrel), Medium (1.75″ barrels), and Large (2.125″ barrels) — and comes with six brush heads and a universal handle. The process of styling your hair with the Click N Curl is similar to an ordinary blowout, but there’s a key difference: after you finish with each section, you make sure the barrel is set in place tightly against the scalp and then detach the handle from the barrel, inserting another brush barrel and moving on to the next section. As you dry your hair, then, you’re leaving each section rolled around one of the detachable barrels so that it will better hold the loose curls you created.  Prepare for Veronica Lake-worthy waves!

Donatienne Franny Hat Box, $695. Available at DonatienneHandbags.com

Packing a floppy Eugenia Kim hat in a cramped suitcase never ends well — neither does stuffing a wool fedora into a plastic bin when storing away your winter wardrobe. Crushed crowns, misshaped brims, and damaged feather or ribbon bands can now be a thing of the past thanks to the Donatienne Franny hat box, made of 100% custom Italian calf leather and featuring a 100% synthetic suede interior. This dapper hat box measures 19.5″ in diameter and 7.75″ in depth so that it can accommodate even the most oversize straw hat or wide-brimmed wool topper.

Matrix Total Results So Long Damage Holiday Kit, $22. Visit Matrix.com for local salon retailers.

What’s better than the gift of healthy hair? This Matrix gift set features the dynamic duo to replenish distressed strands: the Total Results So Long Damage Shampoo and the Total Results So Long Damage Conditioner. Both products are formulated with ceramides, lipids that are naturally found in the hair cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair and the one that protects strands from protein and moisture loss). By replenishing some of the ceramides lost due to heat styling and color processing, these products help to strengthen the hair, reducing breakage, and even taming frizz. This special pre-packaged gift set also comes with a free mini version of the new Total Results Miracle Creator, a multi-tasking leave-in treatment designed to hydrate hair, control fly-aways, provide thermal protection, prime hair for styling, and more.