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TBR’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide!

Posted on December 9, 2023December 9, 2023 by Maddie

The holiday season is once again upon us! We’ve assembled our annual gift guide to help you find something for everyone on your list…and maybe one or two things for yourself, too. Read on to find out more about our top picks!


{TBR’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide}

Disclaimer: Many of the products listed below were provided to me at no cost for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

Before we get into our gift ideas, we want to acknowledge that money continues to be tight for many. Folks are scaling back on their spending due to the cost of living crisis, and non-essential purchases are not feasible for everyone right now. We’ve therefore included suggestions for items & experiences at a range of price points. After all, a gift is nice, but the holiday season is truly about spending time together and letting loved ones know that you’re thinking of them.

If you are looking to purchase a gift, here are some of our fave ideas and spaces. To help you shop according to your personal philosophy, we’ve labelled our suggestions with some special interest areas in mind:

  • BIPOC indicates that the business or product is run/created by a person of color
  • CAN indicates that the business or product is Canadian
  • CF indicates that the product is cruelty-free
  • ECO indicates that the business or product is eco-friendly or has sustainable elements
  • GTA indicates that the business or product is located or made in the Greater Toronto Area
  • W indicates that the business is owned or operated by women

Some of our favourite places to find unique and ethical gifts. Images sourced from the stores’ social media or websites.


Shops We Love

  • Good Intentions (1434 Danforth Ave, Toronto)
    • Good Intentions is chock full of unique goods from female-owned businesses. From jewelry to art, candles, clothes, journals and more – there are so many treasures to be found here.
    • BIPOC, CAN, ECO, GTA, W
  • Juxtapose Annex / Juxtapose Home (430 Bloor St W, Toronto /  616 Bloor St W, Toronto)
    • These stores are my absolute go-to for any gift. The Annex location has bags, body care products, books, puzzles, and more. The Home location has stunning glassware, linens, kitchen and bathroom items, and even a pet corner!
    • BIPOC, CAN, ECO, GTA, W
  • Socco Annex / Socco Living (474 Bloor St W, Toronto / 1020 Queen St W, Toronto)
    • With a curated selection of fabulously chic items, Socco is the perfect place to pick up a gift for a design-loving friend or family member.  Prints, vases, glassware, décor, bedding, furniture items and more – all sourced from artisans worldwide.
    • CAN, ECO, GTA, W
  • Marigold Market (20383 Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Road 2, South Lancaster)
    • If you’re not in the GTA but are looking for luxe and eco-friendly gift ideas, check out Marigold Market. They have a gorgeous collection of jewelry, home, and lifestyle products sourced from Canadian small businesses. Heads up, folks in the Ottawa region: Marigold Market will be moving your way in January!
    • CAN, ECO, W
  • GoodMinds (188 Mohawk St, Brantford)
    • Looking for books by Indigenous authors and illustrators? Check out GoodMinds, an Indigenous family-owned store. They have an amazing selection of books for any age.
    • BIPOC, CAN, GTA, W
  • Crying Out Loud (Online only)
    • Crying Out Loud has now moved exclusively to e-commerce, but their collection of unique & thoughtful wellness products continues to be a favourite of mine. Their selection of care packages with various themes makes gifting a breeze!
    • BIPOC, CAN, ECO, GTA, W


Gifts of Time, Experience & Donations

  • Donations to local organizations: A donation to a cause your gift recipient is passionate about is a beautiful way to mark the holiday season without scrambling to purchase an item just to have something to give them. The CanadaHelps platform makes it easy to search for charitable organizations in your area, and to donate whatever amount you may be comfortable with. Some of the charities we personally support include:
    • Socks4Souls
    • Across Boundaries Mental Health
    • Good Foot Delivery & Support Services
    • Feed Ontario
  • Board Game Café: Looking for a gift idea for someone local? Why not treat them to an afternoon of games at a board game café? My personal favourite is Snakes & Lattes: admission is $10 per person, but after that, you can play any game in their extensive library for free! Add in some food and drinks, and you’ve got memories that will last a lifetime.
    • CAN, GTA
  • Coupons
    • Let’s bring back this childhood classic! Gifts of time and service are a beautiful way to show your recipient how important they are to you. Does your giftee have a chore or errand they dread? Offer to complete it for them! Have trouble finding time to connect? Set up a weekly FaceTime. With a just a few pieces of paper, you can show your gift recipient that you plan on being there for them long after the holiday season has ended.
  • Adventure Day: My husband and I started planning “Adventure Days” for each other years ago in lieu of celebrating Valentine’s Day. Our rule is that the day must have a theme and include at least two different activities and one meal that goes with the theme. We go all out – themed playlists, itineraries, the whole shebang! Adventure Days have become one of our most cherished traditions, and are such a beautiful way to spend time with your loved one. The best part is that this is totally customizable depending on your budget and preferences. Over the years, we’ve had Ron Swanson Day, Childhood Favourites Day, Detective Day, Book Day, Around the World Day….the options are endless!
Left: A selection of Betterfelt products; Right: Me wearing the Rue shirt and Kendal pant from Lezé the Label


Home, Fashion & Lifestyle Gift Ideas

  • Lezé the Label: I love this clothing line so much that my friends tease me about it! Lezé is all about sustainable clothing that is incredibly chic but also comfortable. I have a ton of their pieces, and will gush to anyone near me about how soft the fabrics are and how cool it is that the textiles are made from recycled fishing nets or corn! Their clothing is an investment, but so very worth it. Check out their sale section for some major deals.
    • BIPOC, CAN, CF, ECO, W
  • Betterfelt: If you’re looking for a cozy gift idea, look no further than Danish company Betterfelt. Their wool slippers ($99) are pure heaven, and they’ve recently expanded their collection to include trivets, baskets, cat caves, and more ($30-$80)! All their products are Fair Trade certified and handmade by female artisans in Nepal using wool from New Zealand.
    • CF, ECO, W
  • Salted Company: The perfect host gift for all those holiday soirées? Elevated snack blends from Salted Company ($15). These definitely aren’t your everyday nuts: ingredients like smoked tea salt, spicy chili, heirloom peanuts, truffle, and candied rosemary bring luxury and sophistication to these blends. They even come with cocktail pairing suggestions!
    • GTA

  • Dr Teal’s: Bring the spa to your gift recipient’s home with a time-honoured classic. Dr Teal’s Melatonin Bath set ($10) includes epsom salts and a foaming bath solution infused with melatonin, lavender, and chamomile – the ideal way to help your giftee wind down after the holiday rush.


Beauty, Haircare & Skincare Gift Ideas

  • Stoic Beauty: This skincare brand is all about the powerhouse combination of efficacy and ecological responsibility. Founded by a mother-daughter duo (one is a chemist and one is an environmental activist!), Stoic Beauty’s line of skincare products delivers excellent results and feels luxurious, while still being water-safe. Stoic’s Hydration Duo ($60) is the perfect introduction to the brand, and would make an excellent gift for the skincare lover on your list. *Psst: Use my affiliate code MADDIE10 at checkout to get 10% off your order!
    • CAN, CF, ECO, GTA, W
  • Province Apothecary: No TBR gift guide would be complete without a nod to Province Apothecary! While any of their products would make a fabulous gift, their Holiday Beauty Tools Gift Set (on sale for $89) is basically a readymade collection of PA’s greatest hits. And if your gift recipient is local, a PA facial at the Detox Market ($85-$140) may be just the post-holiday pampering they’re dreaming of!
    • CAN, CF, ECO, GTA, W
  • Olaplex: Stress, pollution, & weather changes are three major sources of hair damage, so if your gift recipient is literally any modern human, chances are their hair could use some love. Olaplex has you covered! Their adorable gift sets start at just $18, and are filled with high-performance haircare products that will help your giftee start off 2024 feeling truly fabulous.
    • CF, ECO
  • Elate Cosmetics: Got a makeup lover on your list? Treat them to a gift from Elate Cosmetics. The products themselves are beautiful – high-performance, gorgeous pigments, infused with skincare ingredients – and the packaging is all sustainable and refillable. Elate is B-Corp certified, and pushes back against the consumerism and waste that are so unfortunately common in the beauty industry. An Elate Cosmetics product is something your gift recipient can use, love, and refill to their heart’s content! Individual products start at $14, and their essentials sets range from $50-$94.
    • CAN, CF, ECO, W
  • KJH.brand: In the makeup world, the name Katie Jane Hughes is spoken in hushed, reverent tones. KJH is a celebrity makeup artist who truly wants to empower beauty lovers to make their own rules. To wit: she and her team have spent years developing an innovative system they call the Hyper Shine High Lite Kit ($98). This ground-breaking set includes a brush, a pot of pigment, and a serum that allows the user to completely customize the product’s texture and opacity. (Can you tell I’m obsessed?) A gift that would make any makeup nerd squeal with glee.
    • CF, W

That’s a wrap on our 2023 Gift Guide! Happy Gifting!

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Welcome!

Welcome to Toronto Beauty Reviews!

TBR is a space for us to share reviews of beauty products we love, easy makeup tips, and insights into our personal wellness journeys.

We believe that beauty and wellness are for people of all genders, all skin tones, hair types, backgrounds, and ways of being.

We hope you’ll find something here that helps you feel beautiful, inside and out!

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About Maddie | Toronto Beauty Reviews
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Maddie Monroe (TBR)

torontobeautyreviews

Editor of #TorontoBeautyReviews.
Sharing our beauty & wellness faves ✨
📍Toronto, ON
maddie@torontobeautyreviews.com

Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷 Wearin Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷

Wearing @colourpopcosmetics Ultra Matte lip in Jellies and @annabellecosmetics Free Spirit eyeliner in Black*

*gifted 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #bluelipstick #boldmakeup #tbrcontributors #beautyforeveryone #colourpopme
Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that show off every hue of you? Check out @annabellecosmetics new Big Show Multi-Use Eyeshadow Pen! 🎨

✨ Canadian 🇨🇦
✨ Cruelty-free
✨ 12+ hr wear
✨ affordable ($10!!)

#ad #Annabellecosmetics, #AnnabelleUGCTeam #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #natapr #canadianmakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #easymakeup
Looking to pamper yourself with something unique? Looking to pamper yourself with something unique? ✨ Swing by @touchmassagebar for a seated massage!

Here’s a quick peek into my experience with the « I Want it All » foot, hand, neck, and shoulders massage with the « Free Your Mind » scalp massage add-on. Heaven! 😍

#torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #massagetoronto #footmassage #scalpmassage #touchmassagebar #treatyoself
Putting these on the grid so I can look at them lo Putting these on the grid so I can look at them long after they’ve gone 🥰💐 

@wellingtonfleur did an amazing job creating this custom bouquet! (And @adam__malek did an exceptional job picking things out!)
💙🩵🩶 Wearing: @hauslabs Triclone skin te 💙🩵🩶 

Wearing:
@hauslabs Triclone skin tech concealer in 03
@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted 
@annabellecosmetics kohl eyeliner in black* + Sky Limit mascara*
@tower28beauty GetSet powder + OneLiner in Paint My Number (as blush)
@rarebeauty lifting brow gel 
@lysbeautyofficial bronzer in motivate 
#QuoBeauty Love Is Love palette
@patmcgrathreal Celestial Nirvana palette 

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #boldmakeup #blueeyeshadow #makeupinspo #drugstoremakeup #beautyforeveryone #canadianbrand
Little pop of color to brighten the grey day 💚🖤

Wearing:
@annabellecosmetics Kohl eyeliner in Balsam Green*+ Sky Limit mascara* + Perfect Fit setting spray*
@colourpopcosmetics Just My Luck palette
@hauslabs Triclone Skin Tech concealer in 03
@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted + cooling water jelly tint in Splash 
@rarebeauty lifting brow gel
@tower28beauty GetSet powder in translucent + Oneliner in Paint My Number 
@kjh.brand Hyper Shine Highlight kit in Lite Pink 

*gifted products 
#mytbrfave #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #beautyforeveryone #greeneyeshadow #easymakeup #makeupinspo
Life (and lack of shipping options) get in the way Life (and lack of shipping options) get in the way of your holiday shopping? 😬 Not to fear - TBR’s elves have got you covered! 🙌🏼

Check out our last-minute holiday gift guide highlighting local stores where you can get amazing presents for everyone on your list! ✅🎁

Featuring: @thedetoxmarketcanada @aaniin.hello @goodintentions.to @soccoliving @juxtaposeannex @shoppersdrugmart @canadiantire @wildcraftcare @sharkbeauty @sodastreamcanada @annabellecosmetics @marcellecosmetics (and a pro tip from @calenmikenzie!) 

*some products were gifted for editorial consideration 

#lastminutegifts #holidaygiftguide #torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #shoplocalcanada #torontobusiness
🐛🍎🍐🍓🍉🧀🥓🍭🍰🦋 Hallowee 🐛🍎🍐🍓🍉🧀🥓🍭🍰🦋

Halloween as a librarian who used to be an MUA 🙃

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #halloween2024 #theveryhungrycaterpillar #makeupinspo #easycostume #bookstagram
Happy Autumn, from me & the books 📚 🍁🍂 # Happy Autumn, from me & the books 📚 🍁🍂

#torontobeautyreviews #librarian #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #dailymakeup
Looking to shift your skincare routine as the weat Looking to shift your skincare routine as the weather changes? Learn more about why LoLa loves @byoma - and why you should definitely check out this drugstore powerhouse - in her latest piece for the blog. 

🔗 in bio! 🙌🏼

*products kindly gifted

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #byoma #villabrill #brillcom #lexpr #shoppersbeauty #drugstoreskincare
Prague! 🇨🇿 1 - Charles Bridge 2 - St Vitus Prague! 🇨🇿

1 - Charles Bridge
2 - St Vitus Cathedral (took 600 yrs to build; I cried because it was so stunning in person)
3 - Cute lil gargoyle 
4 - Palace gardens
5 - Beer Spa + beer chocolates in Tycho Brahe’s former home! (Check out my recent reel for more on this)
6 - Truffle gnocchi in champagne foam @cafeimperial_praha 🤤
7 - Klementinum Baroque library 
8 - from the top of the Astronomical Tower! 
9 - Astronomical Clock 
10 - Wunderkammer at Strahov Monastery 
11 - Philosophical Hall at Strahov Monastery
12 - c. 1800 Dendrological Library at Strahov (books carved from trees, covered in their bark and lichen & filled with their leaves and seeds!)
13 - 800 yr old natural sandstone water spring underneath Strahov Monastery, now housed in what they call “Hell” restaurant. 😂 @napekle 
14 - Travel friends! @kendranh 
15 - *Immediately* losing at pinball at @joystick_bar_prague 👾
16 - Getting *very* into the all-you-can-drink wine bar (!) @nasklenicku 🍷
17 - obligatory trashy snacks after the wine bar 
18 - peacock chilling on the hotel grounds @hotelupava 
19 - Fun restaurant where you pay by the skewer (sooo tasty) @bistrospejle 
20 - the views were ok, I guess 🙃

#torontobeautyreviews #prague #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #praha #europetrip #visitprague
Throwback to the incredible @arianaandtherose show Throwback to the incredible @arianaandtherose show in July ✨❤️ The Lonely Hearts Club tour was an absolute banger. CANNOT WAIT for the next album! Get your glitter ready, friends. 🙃

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #lonelyheartsclub #lonelyheartsclubtour #arianaandtherose #torontoevents #synthpop #indieartist
Venice! 🇮🇹 1 - gelato 2 - stunning architec Venice! 🇮🇹

1 - gelato
2 - stunning architecture everywhere 
3 - snacks 
4 - the original horses from St Mark’s Basilica
5 - Ponte dell’Accademia 
6 - 🍝
7 - the staircase of books at the Libreria Acqua Alta 
8 & 9 - canals 
10 - Torcello
11 - Burano 
12 - 1300 yr old church 
13 - casual ceiling in Doge’s Palace
14 - glass art from Murano
15 - St Mark’s
16 - tiramisu cannoli. Italian food turducken!
17 - Vivaldi concert w orchestra in Baroque costumes
18 - 🍕

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #venice #italytrip #summertravel
Come with me to pick up the art piece created from Come with me to pick up the art piece created from the flowers in my bridal bouquet! 🥹❤️

Getting my flowers preserved and turned into this incredible piece was one of the best decisions I made during my wedding planning. ✨

Amanda and her team are extraordinary artists (and wonderful humans!) who give your flowers a new life and preserve memories. Every time I walk past this piece on my wall, my heart glows with flashbacks of my wedding day. 

If you have an important event that includes flowers, do yourself a favor and book with Parched to get them preserved. They accept flowers from across Canada, and have worked on blooms marking all occasions of life, from graduations, baby showers, weddings, and memorials. They can even create pendants using flower remnants! 

Bouquet: @coolgreenandshady 
Wedding photographer: @alexa.studios 
Wedding planner: @karinalemkeweddings 
Preservation artists: @parchedfloral 

#torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #smallbusinesssupport #floralpreservation #torontowedding #weddinginspo #parchedfloral #weddingflorals
Come visit a Beer Spa with us in Prague! 🤯🍻🛁

This was definitely a unique and fun experience during our vacation. And our skin felt soooooo soft after! 😍

#Beer #torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #prague #europetrip #tripideas #spaday 

Would you try this?
Recent looks 💁‍♀️💋 I just came back fr Recent looks 💁‍♀️💋 I just came back from a trip and challenged myself to switch up my makeup throughout. From pops of color to a more neutral look to a glam evening, I definitely had lots of fun. 😊

Hero products include: 
@annabellecosmetiques skinny mascara* & kohl eyeliners in Balsam Green* + Wood Charcoal*
@tower28beauty swipe concealer in BU
@milkmakeup cooling water jelly tint in splash 
@lysbeautyofficial bronzer in motivate
@kjh.brand hyper shine highlight in lite pink

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #easymakeup #beautyforeveryone #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave
If you’ve followed me for any length of time (or If you’ve followed me for any length of time (or met me in person for like 5 mins!), you’ve heard about my love for @lezethelabel 🤩

This brand is phenomenal. I love every piece of theirs that I own and wear a Lezé item almost every day. 

@lezethelabel is:

✅ WOC founded 
✅ Canadian
✅ Ethically produced 
✅ Sustainably made using innovative fabrics (like 🌽 or material made from recycled fishing nets!) 
✅ THE COMFIEST 
✅ Designed for real bodies! (Big pockets, lots of stretch, extended sizing)

The humans in charge are also incredibly kind and generous. ❤️

➡️ Since it can be hard to figure out sizing when purchasing online, I put together this little lookbook for you. Basically, I wear a L in their items made from their recycled fishing net fabric, but an XL in the corn, since they’re a little closer to the body and I like a baggier fit in that fabric. I typically wear a size 14. 

If you’re interested, check them out! And feel free to use my discount code (TORONTOBEAUTYREVIEWS15) for 15% off! 🔗 in bio. 😊

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #sustainablefashion #canadian #canadianfashion #comfycrew #lezethelabel
Dark circles? I don’t know her. 🙃 If you’r Dark circles? I don’t know her. 🙃

If you’re in the market for a new eye cream, I highly recommend checking out @sahajanskincare’s Golden Glow Eye Balm. ✨ It’s formulated with ghee (!) and feels sooooo silky and gorgeous. This powerhouse ingredient has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, and for good reason! This eye balm is mega hydrating but feels light and melts right into your skin 🤩 

In addition to ghee, it also includes rose oil and eyebright - these high-performance ingredients work together to reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles. 

This Canadian brand is WOC-founded, and products are cruelty-free as well as eco-friendly. 🇨🇦🐇🌍

Have you tried @sahajanskincare yet? 

 *Gifted @1milk2sugarspr 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #ghee #canadianbrand #cleanskincare
I loved my long hair, but I was ready for a change I loved my long hair, but I was ready for a change. 💇‍♀️ @leeoc_hair at @thecellarsalon is the only person I would trust when chopping off this much! (I think it was around 10”!) If you’re looking for a hairstylist who is knowledgeable, talented, and the absolute sweetest, give her a call! ❤️

This bob is going to take some getting used to after my messy mane of long hair, but I already feel sooooo much lighter ✨

What do you think of the new look? 🙃👩🏻‍🦰

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #torontohair #bobhaircut #hairtransformation #thecellarsalonto
If you know me IRL, you know I’m a cleaning frea If you know me IRL, you know I’m a cleaning freak. 🙈🧼But, since I’m allergic to everything (fragrance, harsh chemicals, etc 😖) and also care about the environment, I try to find options that are natural as well as effective. 🌍🫧 That way, they’re gentle on my skin and the world, but tough on germs and dirt!

We’ve been using @nelliesclean dish sticks, stain stick, laundry soda for the past few months and LOVING them. ❤️ I even purchased Nellie’s Oxygen brightener recently, which is a bleach alternative that boosts color and keeps whites white. They WORK. (And look very retro chic!)

If you’re looking for effective, naturally-derived cleaning products from a Canadian company, I highly recommend that you check out @nelliesclean! 🇨🇦

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #cleaninghacks #naturalcleaning #cleaningproducts #nelliesclean #lucidpr
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