Bumper Christmas Gift Guide 2015: Online Shopping in Ireland (Women)

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Prices subject to change. All prices correct as of 16/11. 

Hi!

You know me, I love a bit (okay, a lot) of online shopping. I'm a huge fan of shopping for bargains at all hours of the day and night, but with the terrible exchange rates at the moment, I'm sticking to Irish websites as much as I can. I've picked my top ten favourite sites - these are the ones I use myself.

Today, I'm focusing on online shopping for gifts for women. I'll cover the men and children over the next week, PLUS I'll have a guide to my favourite Irish products and a couple of ideas for people who are hard to buy for.

Here's a guide to my 10 favourite websites that deliver within Ireland, and a little wishlist from each just to give you an idea of what's available, I've included lots of stocking fillers. Grab a cup of tea and cut your bank cards in half.

1. Brown Thomas - www.brownthomas.com 

This is your first stop if you're after high-end brands. Brown Thomas stock Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clarins, Clinique, Chanel, Dior, Jo Malone - the list is endless. They stock designer fashion, homeware, footwear, bags, accessories, jewellery, even luxury foods. I've used the site many, many times with no issues. They deliver within a day or two (it can be busier around Christmas) via Registered Post. Delivery is €3.50 per order. Here are my top ten picks from the website, click on the prices for direct links.

Clockwise from top left: Charlotte Tilbury Nocturnal Cat Eyes to Hypnotise, €35. Max Benjamin Dodici Candle, €19. Clinique Days of the Week Lipstick Set, €45. YSL Black Opium 30ml EDP €58. Molton Brown Hand Cream Set, €30. The White Company A5 Notebook, €21. Charbonnel & Walker Pink Champagne Truffles, €14.50. Dior Diorific Vernis State of Gold Polish, €26.50. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Lipstick in 'Very Victoria', €30. Jo Malone Christmas Cracker, €38.

2. Cloud 10 Beauty - www.cloudtenbeauty.com

Based in Co. Monaghan, Cloud 10 Beauty are notorious for their fast delivery and their excellent range of hard-to-find brands. If any items are out of stock, you can join a mailing list and receive an email the minute they become available again (I've done this many times). With free shipping over €15, free samples with every order, and frequent promotions, it's a site I can't stay away from. Here are my current ten favourite things from Cloud 10:

Clockwise from top left: The Balm The Manizer Sisters, €28. First Aid Beauty FAB Holiday Cheers Kit, €50. Blank Canvas Eye Perfection Collection, €59.95. Cocoa Brown Instant Tan Bronzing Gel Matte/Shimmer, €6.99 each. Crabtree & Evelyn Noel Botanical Candle, €35. Ciate Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar, €59.95. Trilogy Rosapene Beauty Collection, €36. Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in 'See You At Midnight', €13.49. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Liquid Lipstick in 'Charming', €15.50. REN Hit The Spot Clearcalm 3 Gift Set, €18.

3. Dolledup.ie - www.dolledup.ie

Dolledup.ie are based in Kildare, and are home to a huge range of Irish and foreign brands. They carry an enormous line of skincare from brands like REN and Neostrata, plus the whole line of CND Vinylux polishes. Customer service is fantastic and delivery is fast, with a flat rate of €3.49 or free when you spend over €50. Here are my current picks:

Clockwise from top left: Boyne Country Candles Take Me To Beverly Hills, €15.50. Waxperts Ingrown Hair Pads €7.95 and Beautiful Body Oil €12.99. CND Vinylux Contradictions Fall 2015 Collection, €11.95 each. AYU Complete Face/Contour Brush Set, €45. Nia Calendula & Orange Blossom Cleansing Balm, €20. Physician's Formula Argan Oil Bronzer, €17.90. Green Angel Aloe & Seaweed Eye Gel, €20. Neostrata Enlighten Combo Set, €44.95. Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Trio, €16.90. Human + Kind Deep Cleansing Cloths, €6.95.

4. Simply Foxy - www.simplyfoxy.com 

Simply Foxy are an Irish site that are relatively new on the scene. Their product selection has grown enormously over the past few months, and they have a great variety (including lots of Flormar). I've used them a few times, they're hassle-free and I've had delivery within 1-2 days via An Post. Delivery is free on orders over €25, or €5 otherwise. Earlier this year they had a massive €1 sale on Catrice and Rimmel, so they're definitely worth keeping an eye on. Here are my top ten picks from the site right now:

Clockwise from top left: Royal and Langnickel 'Love is Kindness' Travel Brush Set, €29. Katy Perry Royal Revolution 30ml edp, €18. The Wet Brush, €10. Nip + Fab Destress Body Blends Set, €13.99. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette, €43. Colab Dry Shampoo 200ml, €3.99 each. Brown/Gold Tone Costume Necklace, €10. Flormar Revolution Lipstick in 'Revolutionary Red', €6.95. W7 The Cheeky Trio, €7.99. Zoella 'Just Say Yes' Makeup Bag, €9.99.

5. Cara Pharmacy - www.carapharmacy.com 

I've written about Cara a few times - it's my favourite chemist by far. The value for money is exceptional - made even better by the regular weekend-long sales throughout the year. When you order online you have the option of home delivery or instore pick-up. Home delivery is free on orders over €50, or €5 otherwise. Instore pick-up is free. Cara have NYX, W7, Yankee, Benefit, Blank Canvas - not to mention a huge Homeware section with lots of cute and quirky gifts. Their product inventory is enormous. Here are my top ten Christmas gift ideas from Cara:

Clockwise from top left:  The Pippa Palette for Blank Canvas Cosmetics, €34.99. Bayliss and Harding Dressing Gown Set, €4.20. Radox Feel Fabulous Gift Set, €7.40. Michael Kors Rose Radiant Gold 50ml edp Gift Set, €79.  Nip+Fab Party-Prep Glycolic Set, €17.95. Yankee Candle 3 Small Jar Gift Set, €29.95. NYX Matte Lip Cream, €7.75 each. Colour Yourself Calm Colouring Book, €11.99. Busy B Weekly Planner, €10. Glamglow SuperMud, €49.

6. Hippenings.com - www.hippenings.com 

Launched earlier this year, Hippenings is the brainchild of Confetti Magazine editor and all-round good egg Laura Cunningham. Hippenings stock party supplies, gifts, and really cool stationery from ban.do and Kate Spade. Delivery is fast, customer service is excellent, and packaging is as cute as a button. Here are a couple of my picks:

Clockwise from top left: Ban.do Thermal Mug - €19.50. Ban.do Good Ideas Notebook Set - €17.50. Ban.do Florabunda Notebook - €14.50.  Ban.do Porcelain Tray, €28. Ban.do Disco/Lilac Ear Buddies - €19.50. Ban.do Florabunda Agenda - €27.50. Kate Spade Large Agenda, €46. Ban.do Girl Talk Pen Set, €17.50. Kate Spade Tackle Box, €45. Pom Pom Garland, €18.

7. Boots Ireland - www.boots.ie

The Holy Grail Chemist for many, Boots online carry a far bigger range of products than most stores including NYX, Chanel, Barry M and Smashbox - but they excel at quirky Christmas gifts. Boots offer both in-store pick-up (€2.50 or free over €25) and home delivery (€5 or free over €50). You can still collect Advantage Card points on online purchases. They do fantastic gift options, including sales and 3 for 2 promotions. Here's my Boots wishlist:

Clockwise from top left: Soap & Glory Once Upon a Lime Set, €14.50. No.7 Cracker Collection, €23. Starbucks Cocoa Duo, €24. Vintage Collection Bedroom Storage Box, €22. Festive Heart Slate Chalkboard, €11.50. Aroma Home Fox Hottie, €29. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Starter Set, €20.75. Rosies Pantry Recipe Journal, €17.50. 50/50 Colouring Pencils, €11.50.  Pantone Universe Nail Polish Set, €23.

8. Heatons - www.heatonsstores.com 

I've ordered from Heatons many, many times without any issues. They offer free in-store pick-up or home delivery costing €5 on orders under €30, or free over €30. They have regular sales and a great selection of clothes, gifts, homewares, and toys. Here are my top ten picks (lots more to come on the site before Christmas): 

Clockwise from top left: Pitch Perfect 2 DVD, €13. Text Candle Jar, €8. Faux Fur Onesie, €20. Birdhouse Calendar, €10. Vaseline Make Up Bag, €8. Taylor Swift Wonderstruck 50ml edp, €24.95. Tartan Slipper Boots, €8. Velvet Throw, €12. Gingerbread Mug, €3.50. Reindeer Lantern, €4.  

9. Kennys - www.kennys.ie

Well you didn't think I'd leave books out, did you? I do love my kindle, and I do shop at Amazon and their various subsidiaries, but I've been trying to buy all my non-kindle books in Ireland where possible. Kennys are based in Galway, and they offer competitive prices with free worldwide delivery (no minimum order amount). They have a huge used book section, they always include a little bookmark, and they're really reliable and trustworthy. Here are ten books from Kennys that I'd love to see under the tree this year: 

Clockwise from top left: Spectacles by Sue Perkins, €13.62. A Slanting of The Sun by Donal Ryan, €13.42. Fresh! by Donal Skehan, €16.20. A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler, €9.68. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, €15.56.  A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, €10.73. Keith Lemon's Big One, €16.39. The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan, €10.28. Counting My Blessings: Francis Brennan's Guide to Happiness by Francis Brennan, €15.96. Pulling The Strings by Peter Stringer, €16.79. 

10. Littlewoods Ireland - www.littlewoodsireland.ie

Littlewoods Ireland is one of my most-used websites. You can avail of 20% off your first order if you set up a new credit account, or you can keep an eye out for discount codes that crop up every so often (google is your friend). They have regular sales, and you can pay straight away - you don't have to buy on credit. I find it so handy for presents, they do a great 3 for 2 on beauty/gifts, and they were cheaper than another leading toy shop this year for the toys I wanted to buy for the lads. They offer free delivery and free returns, and even though most items are dispatched from the UK, orders are usually delivered by courier within 4-5 working days (you'll get a delivery estimate when ordering that I've always found fairly accurate). Here are my picks!

Clockwise from top left: House of Holland A5 Notebook, €14. Lipsy Rose Gold Watch, €55. Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP 100ml, €45. Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Complete Series, €47. Vero Moda Check Scarf, €15.50. Remington Curl Revolution, €64. Converse Chuck All Star Sequin Plimsolls, €68. Bombay Duck Trinket Box, €11. Fiorelli 'Luella' Grab Bag, €65.75. ICE London Lucky Charm Pen Trio, €23.

Spot anything you like?