Beauty gifts sure to be on her holiday wish list
Need a beauty gift that will light up her face on Christmas morning? Don’t confound her with bath and perfume products that have the aroma of foods she’d rather eat than smell like. And sidestep the generic, yet expensive, eye shadow quad whose choices are so limited that selecting the wrong palette could mean it sits in her makeup drawer unused. Instead, make her merry this holiday season with beauty gifts she’ll love.
The Spa Lover
Best of Bliss set 2009, $45, www.blissworld.com
Bring the spa experience into her everyday routine. This paraben- and sulfate-free set includes the brand’s popular Lemon Sage Body Butter, Lemon Sage Soapy Suds body wash and bubble bath,Triple Oxygen face mask, foaming face wash and SPF 15 daily moisturizer.
The Scentualist
Chanel Fragrance Wardrobe,
$105, www.saksfifthavenue.com
Just one gift from classic Chanel is bound to make any woman feel cherished. With the several gifts contained in this Chanel all-in-one set, you’ve hit a home run. Or instead of the Chanel set, go for her favorite perfume and find a set with multiple products in the same fragrance so she can have a body lotion that doesn’t clash with her perfume.
The Nester
Apothia Wave Aromatic Diffuser, $78; Wave Candle, $46, www.fredsegal.com
You may not have a home by the ocean (yet), but close your eyes and the Apothia diffuser and candle will transport you to your own personal beachfront property. Looking for something a bit darker and more sensual? Joya’s candles and diffusers in black or white faceted porcelain in scents such as “Blue Lotus and Wild Grass” are narcotic, $48 to $76 at www.barneys.com.
The Bath and Body Beauty
Kiehl’s Limited Holiday Edition KAWS Creme de Corps, $44.50, www.kiehls .com
Designed by graffiti artist Brian Donnelly (a.k.a. KAWS), this is a feel-good gift in more ways than one since sales proceeds go to RxArt, a nonprofit organization that brings art to pediatric hospitals. Kiehl’s Deluxe Grapefruit Set for $60 is a nice choice if she likes to be invigorated in the shower. Philosophy’s Silent Night Lavender all-in-one high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath is perfect if she prefers a relaxing scent, $16 at the Philosophy Store at 1329 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. (310) 395-6500. If she lives life on the sweeter side, Fresh’s Brown Sugar Gift Set for $75 at fresh.com is a delicious treat.
The Green Goddess
Korres Never Too Many Gift Set,
$39.50, www.sephora.com
Gift the naturalist on your list with a cornucopia of shower gels without paraben, synthetic dyes or petrochemicals in scents such as jasmine, clementine and mint.
The Mane Attraction
T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight
Professional Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer,
$200, www.sephora.com
A smooth choice. The T3 dries hair up to 70% faster than other dryers and the technology causes less damage.
The Loyalist
Lancôme Limited Edition Holiday Beauty Box, special price $52 with a $36 purchase, www.nordstrom.com
Not only does this Lancôme set provide her with skin and make-up products, but it comes in a chic black leather carrying case as well. But only give a full set if you know she loves everything in the line. You could also break up the set to give as separate stocking gifts. Need help deciding what should be your $36 purchase? Try the Lancôme Holiday Juicy Tubes gloss set for $39.50 -- a fun gift for teenagers and grown-ups alike.
The Lingerie Lover
Santa Maria Novella Rosewater, at the boutique on Melrose Place or at www .lafcony.com, $50
At the chic apothecary in the fashionable enclave of Melrose Place, the Rosewater is infused with rose petals from the Florentine Hills using a recipe hundreds of years old. It can be used in the wash or sprayed directly on delicates or linens.
The Genius
Sonicare toothbrush, starting at $49.99, with travel and sanitizer elements about $125, at www.sonicare.com or Target
Smart girls know that beauty starts from the inside out. It’s not just about a sparkling smile; now there’s data that the cleanliness of your teeth is linked to heart health.
The Beauty Aficionado
One, two or a basketful of favorites
She knows the bestsellers and why they work so well. Present her with a gift basket of these gorgeous goodies or buy one of them as a stocking stuffer: Bobbi Brown Holiday Goldstone Lone-Wear Eye Palette, $40, www.bloomingdales.com; Nars Multiple Coffret, $40, www.sephora.com; Smashbox WISH for a Flawless Complexion Foundation Primer, $39, www.nordstrom.com; Dior Show Lash Essentials Set, $29, sephora.com; Mac 5 Frisky Business Bright Mini Lip Glass/Lustre Glass, $29.50, and Do-the-Trick Buff and Line Brushes, $49.50, both at www.mac.com.
The Last Minute No-Fail Beauty Gift
A spa gift certificate and beauty gift card
Just thinking about a massage and the beauty bounty she can buy with your gift card will put a smile on her face. Ole Henriksen on Sunset attracts Hollywood A-listers with its facials and lovely massages [(310) 854-7700], or check out your local day spa. You can choose from among more than 5,000 spas worldwide listed at www.spafinder.com. And a gift card from Sephora affords your recipient innumerable choices.
The Fashionista/Glamour Girl
Sephora’s Ultimate Blockbuster Limited Collector’s Edition Palette, $48, sephora.com; Smashbox Party Perfect Beauty Kit, $36, smashbox.com
There’s never a dull moment with the Ultimate palette, which boasts 84 eye shadows, three blushes, 60 lip glosses, two lip liners, three eye liners, six cream eye liners, six matte eye shadows, six sparkling eye shadows, a double-ended eye shadow applicator/eyeliner brush, double-ended sponge-tipped applicator, lip brush, powder brush and an 18-page how-to booklet with seven step-by-step looks to keep things interesting, artistic and up to date. The Smashbox Party Perfect Beauty Kit keeps the party mobile, with lip gloss, mascara and blush inside a chic black clutch.
