For Moms Who Need To
Encourage Hand Washing
Meow Meow Tweet Handmade Soap
What do you get for someone who loves handcrafted items? Try one of the small-batch soaps from Meow Meow Tweet, as the packaging is delightful and they smell good enough to eat. Even kids who balk at hand-washing will want to play with these.
Buy it for $10 and up at meowmeowtweet.com
Bliss Handy Candy
Bliss is famous for their Lemon + Sage Body Butter, but these hand creams as just as delicious. Try one from this set in High Intensity, Naked, Snowflake, or Peppermint (which I particularly like, as it’s soothing and sweet right before bed, and a lot less fattening than holiday cookies!).
Buy it for $25 at blissworld.com
For The Scent Junkie (HINT!)
Annick Goutal Un Matin D’Orage
It was a great loss to the fragrance world when the brilliant Annick Goutal died way too soon in 1999 when she was only 53. Her daughter Camille took over and has continued to create perfumes along with Isabelle Doyen. Un Matin D’Orage—translated as Stormy Morning–is another winner. It’s a wonderful white floral mélange of ginger, gardenia, shiso leaves, magnolia, champaca flowers, jasmine, Sicilian lemon, and sandalwood.
Buy it for $220 at annickgoutal.com
Flower Sultry
A soft oriental/floral, with top notes of plum, cranberry, and pink pepper; a middle accord of jasmine and blackberries; and a base of patchouli, vanilla, and musk, this is a great gift for a teen who wants to smell yummy (and even a bit sophisticated).
Buy it for $24.98
Sofia by Sofia Vergara Gift Set
If you want to smell as sexy as Sofia Vergara, opt for this gift set with Shimmer Body Lotion as well as a full-size and purse-size Eau de Parfum. It’s a sultry oriental with an enticing blend of Colombian rose, orchid, earthy woods, and vanilla.
But it for $55 at perfumania.com
For The Make-Up Junkie
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On
Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set
and Full Frontal Lipstick Stash
These blendable double-ended eye pencils come in a set of 4 and are perfect for the eye-liner-challenged like yours truly. Compliment your eyes with one of the 6 colors in the Lipstick Stash. What a great idea—mini lipsticks that you can easily throw in your purse or desk drawer. (I mean, really, who ever used up an entire lipstick?) The set also comes with a full-size 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Ozone, a clear shade that’s a primer and feathering-preventer.
Buy the eye pencil set for $39 or the lipstick set for $39 at urbandecay.com
Vincent Longo Baked Baby Dome Eye Shadow Trio
and Meta Gloss Lip Gloss
When all the ubiquitous red and green and starry white colors are making you dream of black and white, you can go for the non-traditional smoky-eye look with this eye shadow trio. I love Perelisa, as there are loads of ways to play around with by Shimmering White Rose, Soft Lavender, and Rich Eggplant. And then finish off your face with my favorite new lip color—these glosses are the opposite of sticky and go on (and stay on) smooth and silky. They have the best texture I’ve ever felt in a lip gloss.
Buy the eye shadows for $36 or the lip gloss for $24 at vincentlongo.com
Laura Geller Baked Gelato Lace Illuminator
Speaking of baked—which improves the texture and durability of makeup—this Illuminator is just what you need to perk up your skin for holiday festivities. No matter what your skin tone, it gives a subtle glow that is sheer and sparkly and just right.
Buy it for $27.90 at amazon.com
By Terry Baume de Rose Colour Collection
For the traveler with style, this limited edition gift set of five different travel-sized tinted lip balms inside a pink petal case will not only look chic in your carry-on, but encourage you to keep those lips hydrated when the air on the plane sucks the juice right out of you.
Buy it for $89 at beauty.com
For The Man In Your Life
Anthony The Perfect Shave Kit
He’ll thank you when his skin feels like buttah after using these great products from Anthony. And the packaging is so chic that even the most style-challenged will be tempted to display these goodies on his bathroom shelves. The kit contains a Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Shave Cream, Pre-Shave Oil, and After Shave Balm.
Buy it for $65 at Anthony.com
Paula’s Choice 4Men Dopp Kit
The perfect grooming gift for any guy on your list, this kit is particularly good for sensitive or irritated skin. It includes a wash, shave cream, moisturizer, sunscreen, and nighttime repair.
Buy it for $83.30 at PC4Men.com
For The Home Beautiful Set
Hillhouse Naturals Christmas Collection
Why not make your home smell as wonderful as you do? Forget baking those gingerbread men that never seem to look like Martha’s, and try this diffuser from Hillhouse Naturals instead. With its mixture of oranges, greens, and cinnamon, it will make any room feel as festive as the season.
Buy it for $32.80 at hillhousenaturals.com
Juniper Ridge Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray
Can’t deal with the mess of (or the thought of cutting down) a live tree? You can still get the fresh pungency of the outdoors inside your home with this marvelous Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray. It smells exactly like a mountain forest after a snowfall.
Buy it for $40 at juniperridge.com
Baiser Rose Scented Candle
I’m not normally a rose-scent kind of gal, but this candle is beyond delicious. It’s the perfect mix of rose and jasmine, to add some summer sunshine to your home when it’s cold and dark outside (and you’ve really had enough of the firs and wreaths).
Buy it for $65 at Polyvore.com
So there you go.. a few ideas for your holiday shopping. What would you add?
