2018 kicked off with a super blue moon at the end of January. Moreover, this rare astronomical activity seems to have got us all in the mood for celestial-inspired product and packaging!

Cosmic slogans, product names, illustrations, space imagery, print finishes and materials inspired by the night sky. Emphatically this trend rocks from premium to mass market. Here are the top picks we’re over the moon with. Sorry, we couldn’t resist!

‘Give the Stars’ gift campaign puts the night sky at the forefront of the Bare Minerals Christmas offering. Without a doubt, the well thought out product formats are central to the strength of the offer. Coupled with a retail communications package across digital and print, plus in-store events, this perfectly pitched seasonal story is one of our favourites. With on-point consistency, and a subtle, compelling theme that is really true to brand.

With separate gifting offerings in Boots and Superdrug for this Christmas, Zoella continues to create a strong retail offer. These ranges build on her beauty vlog success to establish a strong collection of cosmetic and lifestyle products. In essence, this is great ‘go-to’ gifting for Generation Z.

The illustrative trend for playful colours and dramatic, contrasting, bold graphics took shape in 2017. Subsequently, the style has continued this year, making its’ mark in consumer goods.

Show-stopping primaries teamed with sugar pastels, and pure brights make for a bold statement on the shelf. From beer packaging to high-end cosmetics and fine fragrance, this look has been gaining strength at retail throughout the year. Meanwhile, for Christmas, premium brands have utilised the power of colour to full effect.

Here’s what really caught our eye this season...

Kiehl's have teamed up with artist Andrew Bannecker to create a truly celebratory limited edition holiday collection. Undeniably suited to Kiehl’s signature retro styling with a combination of illustrative detail and repeat prints in bright, solid colours.

Combining celestial imagery, playful iconography and bold colours in a striking, illustrative style, L’Occitane’s Christmas is irresistibly fresh-faced. The playful appeal oozes personality whilst retaining the premium positioning.

The natural and organic sector has gained in momentum throughout 2018. With big brands and retailers focusing on their ‘clean’ cosmetic and skincare offerings; sustainable and eco-friendly packaging is an integral element.

For natural beauty brands, simplifying packaging materials, processes and waste, while retaining premium positioning and product desirability is key. Specialist stock such as parchment, kraft and textured papers, can add to the sense of occasion. Moreover, these are especially effective when teamed with embossing, single colour prints, varnishes, trims and adornments.

We’ve pulled together a few of our favourites for this season.  

Aveda have a well-established design style that is elegant and understated. Prints, finishes and flashes of colour provide a point of difference between skincare collections. Extending this approach for Christmas, Aveda combine embossed red and green textured papers with white print on kraft paper.

Rituals have the perfect brand position to create a sumptuous, sensory Christmas proposition. Their rigid gift boxes for 2018 do not disappoint. Combining textured material with gold embossed print, ribbon and medallion trim, this is packaging you’ll want to keep.

Every year we see some divine Christmas packaging structures and formats we wished we’d thought of! Here are a few we’ve spotted this season that we just had to share.

Too Faced Better Than Sex ornament – combine gorgeous covetable packaging without hiding the product.

Too Faced image source

Zoeva box sets – beautiful palettes in a collectable box format you’ll want to show off.

Zoeva image source