It’s the most wonderful time of year.

I just can’t help but love this time of year. Homes get cozier, the food is full of comfort, and people are nicer. We’re officially in the season of giving and loving others generously, and what better way to show how much you care for your loved ones than thoughtful, unique gifts they’ll cherish.

I know what you’re thinking. “Cathy, every blogger in the world has a million gift guides out right now.” While there may already a million gift guides out there already, I was super surprised to see that there weren’t hardly any gift guides for the bride-to-be! ‘Engagement season’ (as we call it in the wedding industry) is upon us, and I’m sure you’re already starting to see your friends on social media flashing some new bling on their little ring finger. So, if you’re finding your bestie becoming a bride this holiday season, here’s a little gift guide to make the announcement of their engagement just a little bit sweeter. (Spoiler alert: You may just be their favorite after gifting these!)

The Perfect Gifts For Your Bride-to-Be Bestie This Christmas

Praline Rose Lipsense // Kate Spade Tumbler // Bride Tunic // Mrs. Earrings // Kate Spade Sparkle Keds // Totes Engaged Tote // Bridal Planner // Bride Card Set // Wifey Mug // The Mrs. Box

How darling are these gifts for your bride-to-be bestie? I’m not exactly surprised that four out of ten picks on this list are from Kate Spade. But, how could you say no to those Kate Spade Sparkle Keds and minimal Mrs. earrings? So many brides are opting for a more comfortable option when it comes to wedding shoes, and I couldn’t be more for it. Not only are they super cute and stylish, but your feet aren’t going to hate you at the end of your best-day-ever.

As a huge planner addict and stationary lover, I also couldn’t help but love the Kate Spade bridal planner. How perfect would that be together with the Totes Engaged bag? I had a bag similar to that one when I got engaged, and I took it everywhere! It was the perfect accessory to hold all my bridal show swag and wedding planning binders / files. (Yes, I was that bride. I told you – you can call me Monica Geller!)

Besides the staple gifts of wifey coffee mugs and bride tunics, there are also great options to splurge for the bride in your life. The Mrs. Box is definitely a high-quality ring box that will make any bride’s wedding detail photos swoon-worthy and serve as a great home to her precious cargo for years to come on that bedside table.

But, y’all. Can we talk about Lipsense?

Let’s be real. The only thing sweeter than that Christmas hot cocoa is the gift on this guide I haven’t mentioned yet. My number one pick for brides in every season is Lipsense. If you are living under a rock and haven’t heard of Lipsense before, it’s hottest new liquid lipstick that can last up to 18 hours with just one application. I’ve actually even seen people put swatches on their hands and it stays for days! It’s a Part 2 system where you apply the Lipsense color of your choice followed by their wide variety of glosses. (Can you imagine the combinations!) Together, you have a kiss-proof, smudge-proof, everything-proof that won’t dry out your lips. Not to mention, it won’t come off until you take it off!

To be honest, I have known about Lipsense for a while now but never took the leap to give it a try. I’m definitely one of those people who sticks to what they know in terms of make-up, so I typically use the same products forever until something is discontinued and I’m forced to make a switch. Especially in the wedding industry, I’ve heard so much hype about Lipsense being the best option for brides because of its kiss-proof, smudge-proof, and everything-proof qualities it has. But, I guess you could say I was a little skeptical. It seemed impossible for a quality lip color to last all day without completely drying out my lips and losing its color.

The Ultimate Test

But, I knew when Courtney reached out to be with the opportunity to finally try out Lipsense for myself that I couldn’t resist. As a girl who loves pinky nudes, I decided to go with Praline Rose and Sheer Berry. (These are also among the super popular bridal colors!) As you may have saw on my Instagram stories after I tried it, I was immediately hooked. I don’t want to ever use a different lipstick ever again.

However, I decided to take my trial to the next level by putting it to the ultimate test. Not only did I want to try out Lipsense for myself to see if it could hold up to a wedding day for the typical bride. But, I also wanted to try it out by seeing how it stood up to running a half-marathon in hot and humid Orlando, Florida. If it could stay perfect through running a half-marathon, it could last through a wedding day. Right?

Meanwhile, I took a poll on my Instagram stories on which color I’d be wearing during the run, and Praline Rose was the big winner. I applied three light coats of color like Courtney recommended followed by the glossy gloss about an hour and a half before the race. The photo on the left below is Rob and I about an hour before the race with my lip color looking super fresh. I also found that, although I was completely terrified to run my first half-marathon, I was feeling super confident from having the Lipsense on.

You know what they say. All a girl needs is an awesome lipstick to feel like she can conquer the world! 

The Results

By the end of running 13.1 miles, I honestly had completely forgotten about my lips. (Let’s just say, I was concentrating on breathing, drinking water, and trying to stay alive – HA!) I didn’t even think about it until we met back up with Rob’s co-workers that we traveled with and one of the girls said,

“Oh my God, are you wearing lipstick?! How is it still perfect?!”

I almost wish I was making that up because it was so perfect. The only person that knew I was running with Lipsense on was my following and my husband (talk about that awkward conversation applying it in the truck when we arrived to the race – He definitely thought I was crazy!) So, I was actually way too excited when she noticed and said something. Sure enough, I looked in the mirror back at the hotel and looked back at the photo we took post-race above on the right, and my Lipsense still looked perfect! Regardless of how de-hydrated my body was, my lips weren’t one bit. It was almost as if I has just applied it. I could have definitely just added another layer of glossy gloss and kept on going. Needless to say, my mind was blown in the best way possible.

I’m hooked.

I was immediately hooked on Lipsense even before our half-marathon ultimate test. But, after seeing it last through the sweat, tears, face wipes, and drinks that came with running 13.1 miles in hot and humid Orlando, Florida, there’s no doubt in my mind that it could survive the longest of wedding days. Let’s face it, you’re not going to want to worry about re-applying your lipstick on your wedding day. Not to mention, you’re not going to want to worry about how it looks in your photos throughout the night. (It’s a real worry that brides have!) I’m super confident to say that I’ve found the secret to solve all those deep-down worries and lead to a truly stress-free wedding day.

But really y’all, I don’t think I could be even more hooked than I already am.

Now I can’t help but think of what color I need to invest in next.

Check out Courtney and Lipsense Below! 

Courtney is such a doll, and I couldn’t be more thankful for her introducing me to my new favorite make-up bag staple. If you want a lipstick to last all day without the worry of having to re-apply, your search stops here. Go check out Courtney’s small business below, follow along, and tell her I sent you! I can’t wait for you to try Lipsense for yourself or treat the bride in your life this holiday season! (You know you’re all going to love it!) What color are you dying to try?

• Facebook: Beauty by C
• Instagram: @lipcolorbyc
• Email: lipcolorbyc@gmail.com

Have you ever tried Lipsense? What bride-to-be gifts are you loving this Christmas?