I know that many of you have started (and finished) your holiday shopping by now. So I apologize for the delay of this post. However, if you’re a procrastinator like me – you figure that there’s thirteen perfectly good days left to pick up what hasn’t already been snatched off the shelves. So, to the slackers of the world (you know who you are)…this one’s for you.
This is Spoiled Pretty’s Holiday Gift Guide, ’07 edition.
Fragrance is a very personal thing. Unless you know the recipient’s favorite scent (or he/she has requested something specific), fragrance can be a tricky gift. Even if you know the “notes” that the person likes, perfumes and colognes react to differently on everyone…so it could be a real hit, or a big miss. Instead, try The Sephora Scent Sampler; it includes samples of popular fragrances, plus a gift voucher of equal value that can be redeemed at any Sephora store for a full size bottle of any one of the samples included. Available
for her (includes 10 samples) and
for him (includes 8 samples).
Makeup, again, is a very personal thing. I typically don’t recommend buying cosmetics unless you really know the recipient. But even then…I mean, would you want someone just buying you some random makeup? I didn’t think so. Me neither. But if you insist on doing so, opt for a palette. Around the holidays, makeup companies flood the market with kits and gift sets in a plethora of price ranges. So it shouldn’t be hard finding one. The key, though, is to find one that includes products and colors that are universally flattering. You really can’t go wrong with
Sephora's Supermodel Kit, a glamourous gift set filled with products worn by top models at Fashion Week Live. The set includes Stila Lip Glaze, Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Smashbox O-GLOW, Dior Diorshow Mascara, and Sephora Blush Me! - all in a chic black sequined Sephora clutch. Or you could buy a lip gloss set. I love
Stila’s Gift of Glaze set because it includes two limited-edition shades (nutmeg spice, candy cane) and favorites grapefruit, apricot, vanilla, and brown sugar. What woman would balk at that? You’d be hard pressed to find one.
Now onto
bath & body products…there are so many pre-assembled gift sets out there right now – and while it’s a very sensible gift, some are just so generic and cheesy (especially those that come in a ceramic sleigh or awful wicker concoction). So look for sets with unique, pretty packaging. I absolutely adore the
Sugar Tart Gift Set from Fresh; this festive set includes Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum, Sugar Lemon Bath and Shower Gel, and Sugar Lemon Body Lotion in an elegant red, gold, and silver box. It’s a Sephora exclusive and it’s already sold out online – so visit your local store and hope you get lucky.
Finally, there’s
gift cards. They’re practical and all, but c’mon…nothing says “I don’t really know you” or “I didn’t give this munch thought” quite like a gift card. All it takes is an extra step or two to show the recipient you truly care. Try a gift card to a nail salon, along with
L’Occitane’s Lavender Hand Cream and a bottle of
Pink Quartz Nail Shimmer from Bobbi Brown. Or slip a gift card into a chic cosmetic clutch, like this festive one from
Stephanie Johnson.
These simple suggestions should help you find the gift guaranteed to spoil someone (or yourself) pretty. Happy shopping!
British designer Christopher Kane has partnered with Lancôme to launch four limited-edition lipglosses. The colors were created to compliment Kane’s Spring 2008 collection, entitled Burns Night.
Taiwanese pop sensation Chang Hui-Mei, known to her fans as A-Mei, is collaborating with MAC on a color collection – to be released this later this month. The line features both vivid and muted hues, and product packaging is inspired by the singer’s Austronesian heritage; the stitch design is based on the costumes of her native Puyuma tribe.
Alice’s Treasures includes three soaps in the shape of a heart, a key, and a pocket watch – all packaged in a baroque style collector's box, embellished with a key charm and story hand tag.
Adorably packaged in the prettiest pots, these fancy panties are one size fits all (handbags) – even the coziest clutch can easily hold all six shades. And though all of the glosses are universally flattering, Spoiled Pretty just knows that you’ll be slipping into Frilly Thong, left, over and over.
Got some extra room in your $18,000 Goyard/Lancome train case? Good news – La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream now comes in a refillable jar, be-dazzled with 2,400 handset Swarovski crystals. This dramatic firming treatment provides skin with vital nutrients, including a Caviar Firming Complex to hydrate, nourish and pamper skin. Only 610 pieces were produced worldwide – and one of those babies can be yours for the low, low price of $2,000.
Got some more disposable income – like $62,000 worth? Earlier this month, Guerlain introduced KissKiss Gold and Diamonds, a lipstick custom-designed in France, adorned with 18-carat yellow gold and paved with 199 diamonds, weighing in at 2.2 carats. Housed in a black lacquered wooden case, KissKiss Gold and Diamonds is refillable and accompanied by its own lip brush and protective black suede pouch. The gold encasing can be customized with a name or message engraving and the lipstick is available in 15 customizable shades hand selected by Guerlain’s Artistic Director, Olivier Echaudemaison.
Feel good about giving…give once to a friend, or to yourself and a second time to our world with Cake Beauty’s limited edition Mint Cashmere Cream Collection. The Mint Cashmere Cream Glistening Bath & Shower Froth envelops your skin in hydrating suds that leave behind a delectable, Peppermint Pattie-esque fragrance. The Mint Cashmere Cream Glistening Supreme Body Mousse nourishes with coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, and mango butter. Both are kissed with a shimmer of light-reflecting mica that make skin appear smooth and even…perfect for those festive holiday get-togethers!
