December 6th is celebrated as Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas Day in Belgium and the Netherlands, and this holiday kicks off the winter festivities. In the olden days, children used to receive gifts on this day, rather than Christmas Eve, and according to legend, if children had been naughty, one of the Sinterklaas’s helpers would stuff them in a sack and take them to Spain. Apparently, Sinterklaas spends most of his time in Spain, with only a brief visit to the northern lands. As I look at the grey skies outside, the idea of a Spanish sojourn doesn’t sound all that bad. On the other hand, the glittering decorations in the streets of Brussels are so beautiful that I’m willing to put up with some rain and snow.
In the spirit of the holidays, I will play Santa Claus today and bring you some gift ideas. (I’m sorry to say that even if you have been very naughty this year, I can’t whisk you away to Spain.) I already shared with you the perfume sets that caught my eye. Today, inspired by the impressive array of holiday gifts at the stores in Brussels, I want to talk about other treats that feel special and luxurious, either because of their scents or colors. I’ve enjoyed using these products myself, so I recommend them without reservation.
Belgian Eggwhite Soap
Belgian Eggwhite Soap is produced with pure eggwhite, chamomile, and lecithin. While it’s intended for use on your face, I prefer to use it on my body, since it leaves my skin silky and moisturized. Eggwhite soap has a delicate chamomile scent, and it lathers into a whipped cream like softness. 6 x 53 g soaps ($19), a single 53 g soap ($5). Available at Beautyhabit.
Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Soap
A morning shower with Orange Sanguine soap is a perfect start to any day, especially a cold, grey one. The scent of sweet orange accented with geranium is exhilarating, while the shea butter enriched soap is perfect for dry skin. All Atelier Cologne soaps are excellent, and the scents are strong and true to the perfumes. Elegantly packaged. 7.05oz, $18. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Aedes, Luckyscent, and directly from Atelier Cologne.
Cinq Mondes Aromatic Shower & Bath Oil Kyoto
Cinq Mondes is a French spa that offers interesting bath products inspired by traditional beauty rituals. Their Kyoto shower and bath oil smells like spicy rose petals, cedarwood and ginger, and it cleanses and perfumes the skin. 200 ml, $42. Available at Beautyhabit.
Cinq Mondes Savon Noir Beldi Black Soap
Another favorite Cinq Mondes product. Inspired by a Moroccan soap recipe, Savon Noir Beldi is made with 100% virgin olive oil. It has a warm fragrance of cinnamon dusted cedarwood, and it’s perfect for dry skin. Apply it on moist skin and leave for 5 minutes before scrubbing it off with a washcloth. A great idea for pampering. 200 ml, $65.00. Available at Beautyhabit.
Santa Maria Novella Pasta Di Mandorle Almond Paste Hand Cream
Guerlain Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder Spray
I reviewed Vol de Nuit Shimmer Powder last year, and Liu is another great option. It’s a golden loose powder that gives a beautiful iridescent sheen to the face, body and hair. It’s perfumed with Liu’s scent of champagne soaked roses. Beautiful packaging and striking presentation. $88. Available at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and other retailers with Guerlain counters.
Dior Diorific Le Grand Bal Collection Diorling Lipstick
Rouge Bunny Rouge Shimmering Lip Balm
By Terry Rose de Rose Sheer Liquid Blush
Rose de Rose smells like freshly picked rose petals and makes your skin look luminous without any sparkle or glitter. I usually avoid any scent in my skincare, but the delicate rosewater fragrance of this liquid blush evaporates almost instantly. I use No 1 Fresh Rose for a rose flush on my cheeks, but there are also two other shades, No 2 Corail Rose and No 3 Amber Rose. It’s certainly pricey for a blush, but By Terry’s makeup quality is so impressive that the price is worth it. Plus, a little goes a long way. $58. Available at Barney’s, SpaceNK.
The Art of Shaving Carry On Kit
These soft, candy colored powder puffs are irresistible. They also work really well for loose powder, leaving a thin, even layer on skin. The puff accessory is made out of goose down, which Caron, with some poetic license, calls cygnet (baby swan.) If you want more information on this beautiful accessory, please see my review. The cygnet down puff intended for the face is $65 (the sharkskin box as in the photo above is not included). Available from Caron boutiques (the NYC location is 715 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street).
Photography (top image) by Bois de Jasmin
82 Comments
Anne: Oh thank you for this Victoria! Very inspiring and I needed some inspiration! Beautiful photo (As always), snowy roof tops are so Xmassy!!!! You made me feel very festive! Thank you! Of to burn some cinamon sticks! Hugs. December 6, 2012 at 9:09am
Victoria: The snow keeps melting, but while it lasts, the city looks especially beautiful. And if there is a bit of sunshine too, it’s like a Christmas postcard. December 6, 2012 at 10:34am
Lucas: Hi Victoria! Happy Saint Nicolas Day to you!
These are some another great gift ideas you mentioned. I didn’t try them yet but I’m especially curious about Atelier Cologne Soaps. I fell in love with Rose Anonyme perfume and would love to have a Rose Anonyme soap too! December 6, 2012 at 9:15am
Victoria: Happy Saint Nicolas Day to you too, Lucas! I also tried this soap in Bois Blonds, and it was very true to the perfume. I imagine that Rose Anonyme soap would be amazing. December 6, 2012 at 10:35am
Ksenija: OMG! This is so tempting! I want them all! December 6, 2012 at 9:18am
Victoria: 🙂 I admit that I purchased Diorling lipstick for myself too. December 6, 2012 at 10:36am
Andrea: My son happened to see 2 packages that I had wrapped and upon which I had written “To Mom, from Santa”. As his “Santa” presents are hidden, he indignantly said “Hey! How come Santa is giving YOU the most gifts?”. Perhaps mom wanted to be sure that Santa knew to bring a Diptyque candle and Eaudemoiselle gift set! Then there are the Lorac lipgloss stocking stuffers… I guess you and I were very good this year, V! Can we help it if Santa gives us luxurious gifts? December 8, 2012 at 2:45pm
Victoria: You were very good this year! Lovely presents! 🙂 December 9, 2012 at 5:53am
Ferris: I might have to try that Atelier soap, sounds very interesting. There is nothing like having very clean skin that’s both moisturized and fragranced at the same time. I love that! December 6, 2012 at 9:35am
Victoria: The best combination! I have sensitive skin, and many soaps dry it out, so I’m always looking for something mild. December 6, 2012 at 10:38am
Lynne Marie: Oh! What beautiful gift ideas. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m supposed to be shopping for others at this time of year. I’m seriously coveting the Caron Down Powder Puff – it’s like a little girl’s fantasy come true. Thanks Victoria! December 6, 2012 at 9:36am
Victoria: It really is! The hardest part is to pick a color, because these powder puffs come in lots of different shades–white, yellow, hot pink, lilac, green, blue, red and black. December 6, 2012 at 10:39am
Ferris: These are some nice gift suggestions V. Although I have never seen or heard of soap made from egg whites. December 6, 2012 at 9:42am
Victoria: Happy to share! The eggwhite soap was new to me too, but I ended up really liking it. December 6, 2012 at 10:41am
OperaFan: I am glad Caron is still making the powder puffs. Maybe someday I will make an indulgence purchase!
I want to put in a plug for the Art of Shaving set. It’s a great way to get your man started on the road to traditional shaving with the brush. I bought the full size kit (with the bigger badger brush) for my husband 5 years ago, along with a shave soap. He has not looked back since! December 6, 2012 at 10:32am
Victoria: The only thing is that they keep increasing the price. I bought my puff several years ago for something around $30.
All of my male friends who’ve used the Art of Shaving products swear by them. I’ve only touched that brush, but I loved the way the bristles felt and its quality overall was impressive. December 6, 2012 at 10:47am
Annikky: It almost feels like a betrayal of my feminist principles, but I want that Caron puff! Probably in lavender. With the maching box. December 6, 2012 at 10:35am
Victoria: I gave a lavender colored powder puff to my mom last Christmas. But Annikky, how does a powder puff undermine your feminist principles? 🙂 December 6, 2012 at 10:48am
Annikky: I don’t know! But it looks so lovely that surely it has some sort of secret, evil agenda? But I kid, actually, I shall be known as A Feminist with a Lavender Powder Puff and inspire a book and/or painting of the same name. December 6, 2012 at 11:01am
Victoria: Sounds a plan to implement!
And despite its frou-frou looks, this powder puff is actually quite utilitarian. It spreads powder so well, and if you like a sheer layer of powder, it’s perfect. December 6, 2012 at 2:24pm
Elizabeth: Annikky, if it makes you feel any better, many of the societies that have been most restrictive to women (think of the Taliban) have restricted, vilified, or outright banned makeup and other instruments of beautification. So there is nothing anti-feminist about a powder puff. Quite the opposite! December 6, 2012 at 11:20am
Annikky: I like your reasoning, Elizabeth 🙂 And I do agree, of course. I am simply surprised to fall for something pastel and fluffy, usually it’s the red lipstick. December 6, 2012 at 11:59am
Diane: What a beautiful selection of products! I am the proud possessor of a fuchsia Caron powder puff and thy really are a wonderfully glamorous indulgence. I have been eyeing the new By Terry products but have to keep reminding myself I am buying for other people, not for me.
Happy Sinterklaas Day to you! December 6, 2012 at 11:01am
Victoria: Same to you, Diane!
I’m usually wary of overly expensive makeup, but the quality of By Terry products is outstanding. I only wish she had more colors in her range. December 6, 2012 at 2:28pm
Elizabeth: Such a lovely, well-chosen list! I have that Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine soap and it is wonderful. The scent lasts as long as the soap does, not fading quickly as many others do.
I would also love to have the Pasta di Mandorle hand cream and the Guerlain Shimmer Powder (though I would prefer it scented with Shalimar. Maybe next year?). December 6, 2012 at 11:25am
Victoria: Oh, I would love a Shalimar scented powder (even though I probably don’t need it, since my Vol de Nuit powder will last me for years and years). But the idea sounds great. December 6, 2012 at 2:29pm
fleurdelys: Hmm, sounds like it’s the bad kids who are rewarded, by being whisked off to sunny Spain during the chilly and damp northern European winter! Maybe it’s worthwhile to be naughty…
I’d love one of each from your list. I’m a fan of Caron’s powder – I have the Venitienne shade – and especially like the pretty box and powder puff. They represent old-fashioned glamour to me. December 6, 2012 at 11:28am
Victoria: Perhaps, in those days Spain didn’t have such an alluring image? But Saint Nicholas is originally from Greece, so I’m not sure why he moved to Spain (according to the folklore, at least). 🙂 December 6, 2012 at 2:31pm
Mer: If the liquid blush is anything like the Guerlain terracotta ones I am very tempted! that’s my favouritest blush ever. I have never seen this brand before though.
The powder puffs are too cute! on to read your review.
PS: I spent 28 years in Spain and never heard of this Saint Nicholas guy. Oh, I lie. My mother heard of him from some Austrians 😉 December 6, 2012 at 11:35am
Victoria: I’ve never used Guerlain’s terracotta liquid blush, but by Terry is a gel that is very easy to apply. I usually wear sunscreen, and it’s hard to apply powder blush over it. A gel blush, on the other hand, is a perfect solution. December 6, 2012 at 2:33pm
Mer: Do you bother with sunscreen in the Belgian winter? I admit I can’t get bothered, what with it being still nearly dark when I go out in the morning and same thing in the evening… and a little sun is a rare thing in any case.
Gel blush goes well over it indeed, but it is good on its own as well! looks so natural. December 7, 2012 at 6:30am
Victoria: I wear sunscreen all year round, even if I’m indoors. It is now a habit. Plus, a good sunscreen with antioxidants replaces a moisturiser for me.
Gel blushes really look the most natural. I can’t believe it took me so long to discover them. Another thing that I love about by Terry is that I don’t need to rub it in all that intensively. Just a few pats and it’s done. December 7, 2012 at 12:00pm
Austenfan: Lovely list, I never knew such a thing as Eiwitzeep existed.
Actually though the Belgians celebrate Sinterklaas today the Dutch did so yesterday. I have no idea why, because in all other respects the tradition is the same.
In Holland we actually have the Sinterklaas news, which is broadcast daily with all the latest on St.Nic and all his helpers. I do not often watch it, but when I visit friends who have children I often see little bits of it. It is quite well done and fun.
Wonderful, wonderful picture of Brussels. Aren’t old cities amazing in the snow. Some real snow is announced for tomorrow I believe so you can make even more wintry photos. December 6, 2012 at 11:58am
Mer: I had a friend from the US over last week, and she was truly stupefied when she saw a Zwarte Piet in the Grote Markt. I bet you’ve witnessed similar reactions in the NL. December 6, 2012 at 12:12pm
Austenfan: There has been some debate about the political correctness of Zwarte Piet. Especially since Holland had a very bad reputation as far as the slave trade was concerned. I really don’t have an opinion on it.
I remember Sinterklaas very fondly from when I was a child but haven’t celebrated it in years. December 6, 2012 at 12:59pm
Victoria: When I was growing up in what used to the Soviet Union, the Christmas traditions were secularized and transferred onto the New Year’s Eve. We had a Father Frost (he looks pretty much like Sinterklaas) and he had a pretty young girl as helper, Snow Maiden.
I believe that these characters were based on the traditional Russian folklore. There is a fairy tale, in which an elderly couple wishing to have a child made a little girl out of snow, and the girl came alive. The story doesn’t have a happy end (the girl falls in love and then literally melts), but the character is very much loved. There is a beautiful Snow Maiden ballet staged by Marius Petipa for the Imperial Russian Ballet and also an opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. December 6, 2012 at 2:50pm
Mer: Have you heard of BPAL’s The Snow Maiden perfume? it didn’t work out for me but it is such a beautiful concept. December 7, 2012 at 6:31am
Victoria: I haven’t tried it, but what a great concept! December 7, 2012 at 12:00pm
Mer: They have loads of fairytale stuff 🙂 one I like and wear is Ivanushka (hope I didn’t misspell that). December 7, 2012 at 12:02pm
Anna Minis: Hi Austenfan! This is the Dutch tradition: The evening of 5 december is for the presents, “Pakjesavond” and 6 december is Sinterklaasdag, the birthday of Sinterklaas. December 6, 2012 at 12:19pm
Austenfan: I know! ( I am Dutch) I have just always wondered why the Belgians have all their Sinterklaas celebrations on the 6th while we do so on the 5th. December 6, 2012 at 12:57pm
Victoria: How fun! An official Sinterklass channel. In the US, the news stations do a “Santa Claus” tracking report on Christmas Eve. It’s fun to watch, especially with kids who become really worried about Santa Claus if the weather forecast is not too good.
Thank you! The light dusting of snow gives such a charming look to the old buildings. If there is some real snow, I’m taking my camera to the Grand Place! Now, that’s quite a sight.
By the way, I was about to email you yesterday, because I was trying to find an online store selling molds for speculaas and I couldn’t figure out the mold’s name in Dutch. At the last moment, it hit me–speculaasplank. December 6, 2012 at 2:41pm
Austenfan: I can only imagine how beautiful the Grote Markt covered with snow must be.
Speculaasplank it is. You know that I have never made any? I love baking but as I have to eat most of my produce myself I limit myself to birthdays and other special occasions. Have you tried the Gevulde Speculaas? It consists of 2 layers of slightly softer speculaas filled with almond paste. It is wonderful. December 6, 2012 at 3:28pm
Marieke: My favourite speculaas! As a child I was known to eat several of them in one sitting. December 6, 2012 at 3:36pm
Victoria: I can see why! It’s so good. 🙂 December 7, 2012 at 6:10am
Victoria: Yes, I’ve tried it, and it’s so delicious. I’ve been planning to make this speculaas.
My speculaasplank has arrived this morning, so I need to make speculaas this weekend. I have a collection of different molds, so I will be experimenting. December 7, 2012 at 6:09am
Mer: Oh, I should read through all comments before I post 😀 have fun with it! December 7, 2012 at 6:12am
Victoria: I was actually looking for a cookware shop in Brussels. I’ve been going to Van Eyck in Leuven, which is fantastic, but I would prefer something closer. December 7, 2012 at 6:18am
Mer: Oh, that’s a fancy one ;D December 7, 2012 at 6:27am
Victoria: We used to live around the corner from Van Eyck, so I got to know it well. I can’t say that I purchased all that many things there, but I brought my knives to be sharpened, replaced some molds, etc. December 8, 2012 at 5:13am
Mer: I live 3 minutes away from there 🙂
I didn’t know they sharpened knives (whould you happen to know if they sharpen scissors as well?), this is very useful information! December 8, 2012 at 5:17am
Victoria: Oh, wow! We might have been neighbors. 🙂
They said that they sharpen knives only if the quality of the metal is good. I would assume that scissors should be fine, as long as the same applies. Worth bringing them in. If they don’t sharpen them for you for some reason, they can sell you a water stone and explain how you can do it yourself. December 8, 2012 at 5:23am
Mer: Can’t reply to your latest comment, perhaps the thread is getting too thin 😉
Oh, scissors are very challenging. I dare to sharpen knives, but not scissors 😀 or let’s say I have tried and failed miserably 😉 I won’t be caught ruining another pair.
Full disclosure: I am a jeweller and my father a butcher. I still failed miserably, haha. December 8, 2012 at 5:34am
Victoria: I’ve never sharpened scissors, so I can’t even imagine how tricky it might be. But yes, that’s the kind of job (knife sharpening too) that I prefer to leave to the pros. 🙂 December 8, 2012 at 9:40am
Illdone: There’s also a chain called Dille & Kamille that has al sorts of kitchen supplies. A very relaxed athmosphere and some hard to find ustensils. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had chocolate-molds. There must be one in Brussels (Jan Stassstraat I think) December 7, 2012 at 1:18pm
Victoria: Thank you very much, Illdone! Another place on my list to visit over the weekend. I’ve checked their website, and it does look like they carry an interesting selection of cookware and molds. December 8, 2012 at 5:14am
Mer: If you are just looking online, I don’t know, but they sell these planks in a cooking tool store in Brussels just next to the Munt (the narrower street to the left of it). December 7, 2012 at 6:11am
Victoria: Thank you! I will check. I need something other cooking tools, so it would be useful. Do you remember the store’s name, by any chance? December 7, 2012 at 6:13am
Mer: Oh, you’ll have fun here! they had a huge amount of shiny silicon chocolate molds that I am still craving (for cupcakes actually) and a huge selection of tools. I could not exactly recall name or location but Google maps came to the rescue 😀 it is apparently called “Home of Cooking” and I was slightly mistaken about the location:
Location
I hope the link works. Should be a full view of the shop. December 7, 2012 at 6:25am
Victoria: Thank you very much! I’m going there next week then. My baking sheets from the US don’t fit into the oven here, so I need to find something else. December 7, 2012 at 11:55am
Jessica: What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it, and the lovely gift ideas. December 6, 2012 at 3:36pm
Victoria: My pleasure, Jessica! Glad that you liked it. December 7, 2012 at 6:10am
Marieke: Thank you very much for this great post. If I could pick several gifts from this list, I would include: Caron powder puff, Liu shimmer powder, and Cinq Mondes Kyoto oil. I should send this list to my boyfriend.
Is Diorling a very dark red? December 6, 2012 at 3:59pm
Victoria: That’s a good idea! Give him a not so subtle hint. 🙂
Diorling isn’t very dark. More like a deep cherry red. December 7, 2012 at 6:14am
Claire: What a lovely photography of Brussel, Victoria! The Mandarle paste and By Terry Rose de Rose will be on my list for Sinterklaas. December 7, 2012 at 1:55am
Victoria: Thank you, Claire! I’ve been a big fan of Pasta di Mandorle for many years; by Terry was a more recent discovery, but both are excellent products, whether for yourself or for gifts. December 7, 2012 at 6:15am
Leonie: What great photo!
I am ever so happy to see Diorific’s lipstick line expanded. Those are the only lipsticks I love, I don’t know what I would do if they discontinue it. Now if only they would bring back this lovely inky slightly oily Diorific mascara, I would start to believe in St Nikolaus in whichever form he comes! December 7, 2012 at 6:40am
Victoria: I know what you mean. I don’t understand why they keep discontinuing their products. I still miss the Beige Massai palette. The lipsticks are great, aren’t they! December 7, 2012 at 12:04pm
Leonie: Yes, exactly, Beige Masai had this particular shade of brown eyeshadow with those tiny reddish flecks that I never ever ever could find anywhere else, it made green eyes shine like nothing else.
Ah well it seems we are missing the same things 🙂 December 7, 2012 at 3:32pm
Victoria: Yes, that’s the same color I miss! I have green eyes too, and it was the most flattering shade. I heard that Beige Massai was going to be relaunched under another name, but I can’t figure out when it might be. And why change the name?! December 8, 2012 at 9:43am
Andrea: Must be the Ukranian in me; I, too, look for eye makeup with reddish tint to bring out my green eyes. The best liner I have found is Origins called Timber (although it, too, may be discontinued). I have had luck finding similar colors in eyebrow pencils, which I simply use as liner. You do need to be careful that it doesn’t have too much red, though, or instead of admiring your green eyes, people will be concerned that you have been crying/have pink eye!
I’m going to search out the By Terry blush. As I have mentioned before, I adore the Baum de Rose. Nothing is better at healing chapped lips! December 8, 2012 at 3:03pm
Daisy: I love the Baume de Rose too. Ridiculously expensive for the little pot, but nothing does the job like it does! December 8, 2012 at 8:15pm
Victoria: You’re right about too much red! I also liked Chanel’s bronze shade (I don’t remember the name, it comes as a single), which is warm, but not too red. I’m going to look for Timber next time. December 9, 2012 at 5:57am
Rowanhill: I swear by Pasta di Mandorle. There are other good creams out there, faster absorbing, but for heavy duty moisturizing this is the one. Two jars at home at all times.
The Caron powder puffs look divine. In Lille at the Printemps they have the powders but not the puffs. As a consolation price the kind SA gave me a little brush type version of the puff, very cute with a pink tassle of down at the end of it. Unfortunately I forgot it on a table and one of my cats took it for a bird – there was only a stump left at the end of the handle when I found it and pink down on the floor. Both cats looked guilty so no idea which one to blame. December 7, 2012 at 7:05am
Victoria: Oh, no! Sounds like something my mom’s cats would do. What can you do though, they are too cute to leave you angry for long. December 7, 2012 at 12:07pm
Daisy: I have always wondered what that egg white soap was like . . . now I am encouraged to try it.
I love the entire By Terry line. It’s so expensive, but I really think the quality is worth it. My signature blush is their Erotic Pink — which I always end up mumbling to the SA because I always feel a little awkward to say it out loud! December 7, 2012 at 3:50pm
Victoria: Try it, Daisy! It’s perfect for sensitive skin. I would also check at the New London Pharmacy, because they often have these kind of interesting products.
I’m cracking up over your story. By Terry names struck me as quite staid, I missed this one. December 8, 2012 at 9:46am
Andrea: Thanks to your recommendation, my mom and I will be visiting New London early next week! I can’t wait! I may have to pack an empty bag… December 8, 2012 at 3:05pm
Victoria: New London Pharmacy also has excellent White Lilac soaps (I don’t remember the brand, but you can’t miss the beautiful purple box packed with 3 soaps). They smell heavenly.
Oh, since you love makeup, you should check out Anna Sui makeup at her boutique. The colors and textures are very impressive. This line is sold mostly in Japan, but NYC boutique is one of the few places in the US where you can sample the products. My friend Jessica recently wrote about the new collection of lipsticks, so you might be just in time to check them out:
http://tinselcreation.com/2012/12/04/preview-anna-sui-spring-2013-beauty-collection-drama-queen/ December 9, 2012 at 6:01am
Andrea: The lipstick cases are lovely! I like the pinky/browns, too… Every time I bring home a new lipstick (weekly, it seems, I can’t resist!) they all end up being the same color! I’m curious about the Lutens lipsticks, too… I looked into them; is the booklet for sale or is it something for sampling (ie free!)?
Off to pack! December 9, 2012 at 11:30pm
Victoria: Have a fun trip, Andrea, and please let me know how it goes. December 10, 2012 at 3:29pm
Maureen: I got a lovely box of the Belgian Eggwhite soap from my husband for Christmas. I love it! Thanks for the ideas, Victoria! December 26, 2012 at 10:22pm