In a month that epitomizes opulence and indulgence, it isn’t hard to find lust-worthy items to gift for the holidays. Finding something just outside of the mainstream, however, is a different challenge entirely.

Here are three finds that any beauty lover would be pleasantly surprised to receive (but would never see coming).

For the skincare lover: STEAMCREAM ($20 USD)

STEAMCREAM first landed on my radar two years ago, when Lisa Eldridge declared it a “Lisa Loves” product. The brand is designed around what I find to be a really interesting concept: the cream itself never changes, but the tins are all limited edition (excluding Original and, in the UK, Freedom & Discipline). Steamcream is made to be both a skincare staple and a collector’s item — something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before.

Made with ingredients that are as fresh as possible, Steamcream uses a unique, steam-based process to fuse its ingredients together in a loose emulsion. The idea behind this is that, when applied, the product will sink deep into your skin almost immediately, making it lightweight enough for oily skintypes but hydrating enough for dry ones. (I haven’t yet figured out if this is true, but I’ll keep you updated!)

STEAMCREAM Light from Space & Silent Night

Steamcream can be used on the face, body, hands, and hair, and is handmade in the UK and Japan. It’s both vegan and cruelty-free, and if you see a tin that you love, or that someone you know might love — well, you might want to snap it up now, because there likely won’t ever be a second run. I’m smitten with the Light from Space and Silent Night tins, the latter of which has just the most charming design on its side!

Drop down the STEAMCREAM ingredients by clicking here

For the candle lover: Rodial x Mary Katrantzou ($44 CAD)

Rodial Skincare x Mary Katrantzou Scented Candle

Rodial isn’t a company that I would have expected to see a candle from, and (to be totally honest), I wouldn’t have expected for it to be so beautifully packaged, either. But, well, it happened — and aren’t you ridiculously glad?

Developed with fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, this limited edition candle is wrapped in the almost painfully breathtaking Babel print from her Nature vs Nurture collection. And, oh — it is beautiful. I find most cosmetic/fashion collaborations to be tolerable, but this? Rodial: we need this to happen every year. 

Another view of the candle, from Space.NK

The Babel print may no longer be available as a textile, but this lust-worthy statement candle is available through Murale (Canada) and Space.NK (UK). It features a citrus opening (orange, lemon) and a fruity-floral base (pineapple, orange blossom).

I can’t quite wrap my head around how these two shots of the candle are so different, but I’m — fairly certain that it’s the same candle? Pretty certain. Maybe certain. Only time will tell.

For the fragrance lover: L’Occitane La Collection de Grasse ($75 CAD)

What’s that, you ask? Since when did L’Occitane make perfumes that looked that — sharp?

La Collection de Grasse launched earlier this year, and before you ask: yes, all of the fragrances come in the same wonderful square-cut glass flacon. There is something to be said for such basic (but beautiful) design, and of the two scents I’ve had a chance to try so far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. They’re not game-changers, but they are really lovely, and I think they’ll have good pull for those who are a little more conservative with their fragrance choices.

Created by in-house perfumer Karine Dubreuil, L’Occitane’s holiday collections this year feature Fleur d’Oranger & Acacia (for her) and Cèdre & Oranger (for him).

Unlike the regular range’s glossy black hardware, the women’s and men’s holiday scents feature brushed gold and silver details, respectively. It’s just a small change, but it has a surprising impact — the gold on Fleur d’Oranger & Acacia makes it feel infinitely more luxe and festive than my bottle of Vanille & Narcisse.

What lust-worthy items are on your wishlist this year?