Head to toe: The Bulletin's guide to buying Christmas beauty gifts

COSMETICARY
For fans of international luxury cosmetic brands, Cosmeticary needs no introduction. The shop is packed with high-end skincare and make-up brands such as Rodial, Laura Mercier, Christophe Robin and Glam Glow. You’ll find everything from a fragrant block of soap to a dragon’s blood facial mask. Pop into the stores in Brussels or Antwerp for made-to-measure skincare advice and makeup tips. If you already know what you’re after, there’s an online shop too.

HAIRDIS
When stepping out of the hair salon, your tresses feel at their best. That’s because hairdressers have the right products and tools. You can pick up some of the most famous brands at Hairdis, a wholesaler for professionals and individuals, with outlets in and around Brussels. The staff are trained hairdressers or aestheticians and will help you find the right stuff, whether you’re after a new hairdryer, extensions, shampoo or dye. Brands include Mason Pearson, Wella Professional, Parlux and Babyliss Pro.

LA FEUILLE
If you like to pamper yourself but swear by organic skincare, La Feuille near Place Brugmann in Ixelles is the place to go. From ecological nail polish from France to a miraculous serum from Iceland, soft lip balm from the US to liquid soap from Germany, the owner has searched high and low for the most effective skincare. Everything is organic, with no need to compromise. There’s no website or Facebook page, but La Feuille does have a small beauty parlour where you can get a facial or massage.

AURIGA
The French are famous for their pharmacy beauty brands (think Vichy and Bioderma), but there are some Belgian treasures to be found at your local pharmacy, too. Auriga, for instance, whose popular anti-ageing Flavo-C products have been around since 1999. The day creams, masks, serums and tonics are packed with vitamin C, antioxidants and ginkgo biloba and are a firm favourite with many women in Belgium and in the more than 60 countries where Auriga is sold.

DEAUTY
Have you heard of a Deauty box? It’s a black box containing a mix of new products, lotions that aren’t available in Belgium yet and cult classics. There’s a new box every month with up to six discoveries, always priced at €16.95. You never know in advance what you’re going to get, but with brands such as Kiehls, Dermalogica, L’Oreal and Redken involved, you know you’re in for a treat. The products come in full and sample size.

This article was first published in the Bulletin’s Newcomer autumn 2015 magazine