Physically Small Things/Gift Guide 3
some may call them stocking stuffers
Hello from Japan!
It’s a land of endlessly cute and giftable physically small things. Today we stopped by one of the giant capsule toy stores, where you can find hundreds of vending machines filled with miniature versions of literally everything under the sun. Alex got a mini wifi router and video games and I came out with teeeeny tiny skincare, a funky scrunchie and a seal in the sauna figurine from the “animals in sauna” collection. It has a tiny towel on its head and I love it. But these are not the types of physically small items I am recommending today. They are better (if you can believe it).
Taking into account that not everyone celebrates with stockings and the fact that people need small gifts for all sorts of reasons (white elephants, easy travel in a carry-on, to reach shipping minimums etc.), below you can find an assortment of physically small gifts of small-to-medium value that could easily be right at home in a stocking or wrapped.
I wrote most of this on the Bullet Train to Kyoto, which I thought would give me a few good hours of writing time, but turns out going as fast as an F1 car makes typing a little shaky, so apologies for any typos. I’ve tried to keep this list up to date with sales and discount codes and will try to add anything new as I see it. If anything isn’t working, feel free to shoot me an email.
Before we dive in:
Freda Salvador’s Black Friday sale has started, which means my beloved Brooke Boots are 25% off. This is the cheapest they get, but I have paid full price before, which is a testament to how good they are. Described as a rain or shine Chelsea boot, they are water-resistant, light as air and extremely walkable. I only brought them and a pair of sneakers with me on this trip and they’ve carried me through multiple days of 15k+ steps. They might seem a tad stiff at first, but they’ll mold to your feet. Did I mention how lightweight they are? The brand’s Elba Loafers are another fan-favorite and the only pair of loafers I own.
Deciem’s Slowvember Sale (The Ordinary, NIOD and Loopha) is ongoing for the whole month with 23% off, with some items 50% off. If you’re new to NIOD, I suggest starting with CAIS or CAIL. Grab Modulating Glucosides if you have red, sensitive skin or use a lot of actives–it soothes irritation and has a compound to reverse chemical-induced irritation almost instantly.
Reminder, the best deals you’ll find on these products until next year, valid on both CurrentBody site and ZIIP’s direct site. If you are buying both the mask and ZIIP from CurrentBody, you should be able to just use JOLIECB.
ZIIP HALO: 20% off with code ZIIPJOLIE
Christmas Superior Gift Set: 10% off already, plus an additional 20% off with code ZIIPJOLIE
CurrentBody Series 2 LED Mask (and all other CB products): 20% off with code JOLIECB
Anything with an asterisk (*) is currently on sale! Either automatically in cart should be prominently displayed on homepage or banner at the top of the page.
Liquilinks LiquiBands Silicone Bands for Face Washing*. I have been so excited to talk about these because I haven’t seen them anywhere other than the Instagram ad I was served, which is how I discovered them. Water dripping down your arms has got to be one of the worst physical sensations, which is why I’ve been a huge proponent of using sweat bands to catch water and make washing your face less messy and more tolerable. I, and many of you, have used them for years. But my biggest issue has always been drying them. Sweatbands are intended to be washed after each use, so these microfiber wristbands aren’t exactly designed to dry quickly. Frankly, they get pretty gross easily, resulting in me having developed quite a collection to rotate through. Still, despite this shortcoming, it’s been the best solution I’ve known…until now. These absolutely brilliant silicone face washing bands were, of course, the brainchild of a mom, who created her first prototype by cutting up the food-grade silicone plastic bibs her kids wore to eat. Slide them on with the spout pointing towards your pinkies and the water will simply drip into your sink. They dry in seconds and are easily cleaned. I’ve been using them all around Japan! I genuinely think this might be the life-changing small gift of the season. (Also available at Anthropologie*)
ASYSTEM Radical Relief Gel Roll On*. A big-time hit amongst my gift recipients last year. The proprietary blend is both cooling and warm, dispensed by a cryo roller ball and so good at soothing sore muscles and relieving all sorts of pain, including period cramps. Over the summer, my 93 year-old grandma with chronic back pain said this was better than her prescription meds and stole it from my mom to take home.
Flawless Facial Hair Remover.* This bullet lipstick shaped device was born to be stuffed in a stocking or added as a Flawless Finishing Touch to any gift ;) This is for people with restraint. It’s basically an electric peach fuzz razor meant to be used before makeup. I use it on my upper lip. It’s incredibly simple and immediately addicting. Do not, I repeat, do not overdo it. You will irritate your skin and destroy your barrier. Click here to learn why it’s different from other methods. (Also available at Target.)
Londontown KUR Illuminating Nail Concealer*. Nails looking a little haggard, but too tired or impatient to do a good job painting them yourself? Enter: nail concealer. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Face concealer is about the same color as your skin, masking imperfections without making it obvious you’re wearing makeup. It’s that concept, but for nails! I gave this to my sister-in-law (an occupational therapist with little time or interest in nail care) last year and she looked at me like I was crazy. She texted me a few weeks later telling me that I was right and she’s obsessed with it. It’s available in 5 neutral shades, but I recommend the original or pink. (Also available at Ulta.)
Eadem Le ChouChou Lip Treatment*. I know, I know, you’ve heard me sing the praises of this product many times before. It’s a lip product that delivers on its promises and is a delight to use (so much so that I used it to touch-up my lips throughout my wedding). It hydrates, exfoliates, plumps and leaves a high-shine finish, which, thanks to a unique polymer technology, keeps the gloss within your lip line. The metal applicator deposits pigmented but buildable shades, inspired by street foods. Fig Sauce, my favorite, looks and feels like you’ve just bitten into a ripe, juicy fig. Burnt Malai is my next most used, followed by Boba Bounce. Regrettably, I do not have Bissap Glaze…yet. Just in time for the holidays, the brand just released a limited edition set* with all 5 shades, which basically comes out to 1 shade for free. (Use JOLIE15 for 15% off on their site, does not apply to sets sadly. Also available at Sephora.)
I have the clear as well and it’s scrumptious, but the colors—long lasting for a gloss and leave a beautiful stain—are what make these balms over the top good. So if you were only eyeing that one, I’d consider Experiment Beauty’s Software* for a clear option (and/or if you’re seeking a less glossy finish or a brand with a totally different and equally charming vibe that’s more science nerd.Hourglass Phantom Glossy Volumizing Lip Balm*. Outside of Eadem, my other most worn lip product. Over the past year or so, I’ve really doubled down on my commitment to glossy balms, but why wouldn’t I? They’re the best! Buildable, juicy and forgiving. A product I can easily apply on the go without a mirror earns instant bonus points for me. If Eadem is a lip balm that doubles as a color cosmetic, Hourglass is a color cosmetic with balm-like qualities. I don’t reach for Hourglass when I need nourishment for my lips, but I do reach for it for a night out, or when I want something that leans more makeup than skin. The slender gold pen is chic and portable. It’s creamy, plumping (without being uncomfortably tingly) and buildable, with more sophisticated depth of color than a balm imo. Plus, it comes in so many colors, with new ones released semi-regularly. My long-time favorites are Trace, Mist and Slip. This year they released a duo* (which I purchased) with Trace and limited edition Mystic, which is a sort of coral with shimmer.
Prequel Hand Wrap Shielding Lotion* and/or Nécessarie The Hand Cream*. The GOATs of no-frills, just-what-you-need hand creams. Size-wise, a slender tube is the best you could ask for and it has pretty universal utility, as anyone with hands can benefit from a good hand cream. With peptides, ceramides and vitamins, The Hand Cream has been a staple on all of my gift guides since its launch in 2020 and is one of my most-gifted items. Launched earlier this year by one of the only Instagram dermatologists I still respect (read: doesn’t make daily dancing reels), Prequel’s Hand Wrap has become another staple. Between Alex and myself, we’ve gone through at least 4 tubes. Once applied, it creates a water-resistant flexible film barrier that withstands hand washing and helps to trap moisture for up to 24 hours. The third hand cream* in my personal triumvirate is not the right size for this list, so I won’t go into detail, but don’t worry you’ll be hearing all about her soon. (25% off at Nécessarie, it’s also at Credo, where you can get 20% off with code JOLIE20.)
Mini Daily Brush Cleaner: You may remember this from my Top 5 Sephora Sale buys. It’s a great little gift for anyone you know who uses makeup brushes. I guarantee they don’t wash them regularly. I don’t even do it enough. But this daily spray makes it more likely since you just spritz, buff and it dries in minutes. I still recommend doing a more thorough deep cleanse semi-regularly, depending on how much you’re using the brushes. Cinema Secrets is great for this, and could be a welcome addition to this gift. Perhaps complete the gift with this brush set.
Luna Mini Daily Spray. I’d never heard of this before, but it seemed worth risking $20 to find out if it was legit so I decided to grab the mini for my trip. It’s the same size and shape as Noshinku Hand Sanitizer (I love the scents Limon and Eucaplyptus), but instead of sanitizing hands, it refreshes your whole body and is a convenient way to feel clean when you otherwise can’t. Filled with pre-biotics and vitamins, it’s soothing and hydrating. You can spritz and go or use a tissue to create a makeshift wipe. Truthfully, I don’t really know how best to assess the actual cleansing abilities, but I’ve enjoyed having it with me. What really solidified its spot on this list though was seeing a post about it from disability advocate Heather Tomko (The Heather Report). I think it can make a really thoughtful gift for a lot of people. (Currently out of stock at Sephora, but available on their official Amazon storefront.)
Socks. Listen, socks were a boring gift as a kid, but then you grow up and realize how expensive good socks are and reluctantly acknowledge that good socks are worth it. Our parents were on to something by including them in every stocking. They understood that socks wear out faster than we pay attention to and that no one under the age of 25 is replacing any pairs until at least 2 piggies are out. I don’t know when exactly I made the shift in mentality, but my feet are better off for it. And sure, you can find a perfectly decent 5-pack at Target and I am a true fan of gold-toe, but remember, decent doesn’t make the cut here. Bombas* are a classic in this category for a reason. They are very very good, above average socks in terms of fit, function and performance. Alex and I both wore their compression socks on our flight and I just re-upped my ragg socks for winter. I’m currently eyeing their gripper house socks––I feel like they keep releasing socks just for me. I’ve had a pair of Falke shiny socks* for years and they hold up well. Calzedonia has lots of good options, or you can really knock their socks off and introduce them to cashmere socks*. For novelty options they almost certainly haven’t seen before, Sock Candy* is the answer.
Armani Beauty Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow*. The first eyeshadow I’ve purchased in years. It’s truly long-lasting and does! not! crease! Looked flawless for my entire wedding. Liquid eyeshadows can be intimidating to work with, but these stay creamy for long enough to thoroughly blend before setting. Start with a single swipe, blend and add more to build color if needed. I like Beige as a base and/or crease color and Cold Copper for lids. If you’re looking for something that’s more sparkly, the Danessa Myricks Twin Flames are perfect. A dab goes a very long way. I like Soulmate and Sweetheart. They’re called Twin Flames because they have a dual-chrome pigments that shift between two colors.
Crest Whitestrips Professional Kit with LED. This might be better classified as a gift for yourself, but the right person won’t be offended. He will read this and correct me if I’m wrong, but I gave it to my dad for his birthday and he liked it. It is actually turning out to be one of my top-performing products this year. Everyone wants white teeth! I went to get my teeth whitened at Tend before my wedding and the hygienist told me that she didn’t think it would be worth the price for me and instead to get this specific kit and use it every other day for 3 weeks. She was right and I saved a few hundred dollars! I don’t know why she said this one over the others, but she was clear on that point. Crest makes a few kits like this, but I linked the one to get. You wear the strips for an hour and then put in an LED mouthpiece for 5 minutes, which obviously piqued my interest. Because they’re on for an hour instead of the typical 30 minutes, I think they’re less intense? I could be wrong but I haven’t experienced any sensitivity nor heard about it from anyone else.
Deborah Pagani Hair Pin*. Beyond being extremely chic, hair pins prevent creasing and allow you to lean back. They instantly make you look more put together than even the fanciest claw clip can (which, don’t get me wrong, I love a claw clip). Many fans, myself included, will tell you that they inevitably wasted money by trying the more affordable versions before accepting there was a reason for this one’s price tag. Others bend and warp easily, making hairstyles less sturdy, plus they aren’t made of stainless steel. It will take a little practice to perfect the technique, but once you do, you’ll be obsessed (just ask my mom!) They come in a few different styles, and two sizes. My favorite is the large hammered gold, but I’ll use the small for a half-up/half-down style.
Rapid Fire Recs/Train is Pulling In Soon Edition
Dior Abricot Cuticle Cream (basically a lifetime supply as tiny dab is all you need)
Sleepy Tie* (for anyone that wants to preserve a blowout)
Shiseido SPF Stick* (the best of all-time and the best deal I’ve ever seen! A best-seller in Japan as well)
Bioeffect Eye Serum* (my top rec for anti-aging eye serum or try this cream)
Crown Affair The Towel* (can be rolled up!)
Therabody Depuffer (small, portable, but logistically too heavy for a stocking. More here.)
Have a great weekend!
xx,
Jolie