As the air gets frostier and twinkling lights pop up in windows and along streets, our minds start to ponder what gifts to give to our closest friends and family.
We might be biased here, but beauty products are perfect gifts for under the tree or as stocking stuffers.
Whether for a man or a woman, for your beauty-obsessed bestie, or for a cousin you see once a year, this little gift of self-care gives any recipient an opportunity to indulge in new scents, colors, or products. From hydrating lotions to sparkling eye palettes and punchy, bright lipsticks to nourishing serums — beauty products are often gifts that keep on giving.
So, we wanted to know: Where in Canada are beauty products the most trending Christmas gifts, and which beauty products are dominating online searches (and potentially the most coveted) in each province during the holiday season?
Using Google Trends data, and our expert beauty intel, we’ve uncovered which provinces are lusting for beauty products during the holiday season and which prefer painting festive nails, pampering their (likely winter-dry) skin with luscious face cream, and more. (Scroll down to see our methodology section.)
When it comes to Alberta and Ontario, we just can’t stop picturing the natural landscapes overflowing with breathtaking beauty. Lush forests, lakes, and mountains adorn Alberta’s landscape, while dramatic waterfalls and beautiful lakes grace the province of Ontario.
Those living here must be inspired by the natural beauty, right?
Starting with Alberta in the number one spot, their affinity for beautifying may not be that shocking. Having more sunshine year round than any other Canadian province, Albertans get to show off their beautiful skin and makeup more than anyone. Beautiful scenery and the most sunshine? Come on Alberta, leave some for the rest of Canada!
Alberta is also home to the biggest shopping mall in North America. With over 800 stores and services, it covers a surface area of about 48 city blocks. Can you imagine how huge this mall is? Wouldn’t want to get lost in there. Having such an immensely large mall, we aren’t surprised that Albertans are the ones who shop online the most for beauty products!
Now, for runner-up Ontario: the province known for its amazing waterfall, and that famous CN Tower. Did you know that you can walk on the edge of the 356 meter-high tower? Our stomachs turn upside down just thinking about it. Needless to say, Ontarians are here for a good time, not a long time. This might explain why they are such big fans of beauty products and skincare. They want to look and feel their best while they’re here, as they should! Toronto is also known for its great street-style, which adds to the idea that Ontarians love to look good and feel good, whether that be by using skincare and beauty products, or expressing themselves through their personal style.
Other provinces popping up with a sizable interest in beauty gifts include Quebec and British Columbia.
The tried and true perfume gift set (basket, bundle, etc) is popular in British Columbia. But don’t give a set to those in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia - they keep it super simple for Santa and are just looking for body lotion.
And hardly last on the list, but maybe the most important and essential product featured is face cream. Fun fact - whether you have dry, combination, or oily skin, face cream is key to having healthy skin. Make sure to pick one according to your skin type for optimal results. The province clamoring for some cream for hydrated skin this holiday season is Quebec.
Perhaps the creme of the crop for all of these beauty Christmas gift ideas is a beauty Advent Calendar. Many beauty brands like Yves Rocher feature Advent Calendars that offer an entire collection of gifts so you don’t have to choose just one to give. This is a sure-fire way to score extra points with the beauty lover in your life.