The holidays are approaching rapidly and you're wondering: what do I buy her? Debbi Hartley-Triesch, Nordstrom's national beauty director, presents some beauty gift ideas, ranging from stocking stuffer bargains to classic scents for the special women in your life.
Stocking Stuffers ($25 or less)We all know that good things come in small packages and special beauty items make perfect stocking stuffer gifts. So fill your holiday with tradition and your stockings with these tiny treasures.
Kneipp Sparkling Herbal Bath, $3.50These are individual effervescent tablets, when activated by warm water turn your bath into your own private spa. This is my secret “get-a-way from it all” beauty item. These special treats release aromatic essential oils to help renew your mind, body and soul. Who doesn’t need that, especially during the holidays?
Jaqua Hand Cream, $8This travel-size hand cream comes in yummy dessert-inspired scents Pink Buttercream Frosting and Peach Parfait. I love the way they smell. It’s my guilt-free treat without any calories! Everyone needs a hand cream and these are just tiny enough to fill up the smallest of stockings.
Philosophy 3-in-1 Bath & Shower Gel in Sugar Plum Fairy, $16Infused with a delectable sugar plum scent and a beautiful hint of shimmer, the sugar plum fairy is sure to make all your holiday wishes come true. Add a touch of pure joy to your daily cleansing routine with this sweet, fun delicious smell. I always have a Philosophy Bath & Shower Gel in my tub. Not only do my kids love them, but they foam up with such a rich lather, they’re great for shaving, too.
Too Faced Glamour To Go, $18.50This pocket-sized beauty kit is packed solid with six glimmering, glassy glosses and four shimmering, silky shadows in shades of pearly pinks to sugary caramels for easy touch-ups on the go. A little shimmer, a little shine ... that’s all I need to take my make-up from the office to a festive holiday party.
Laura Mercier Micro Mini Eye and Lip Paints, $25I always have a few extra gifts set aside for those unexpected holiday moments or a last-minute party invite. These palettes are perfect for that! The palm-sized compacts feature trios of universally flattering shades, making them the ideal beauty gift to give.
Classic scents
Our sense of smell is most connected to memory, and what speaks to great memories more than the holidays. In many families, giving a gift of their loved one’s favorite fragrance has become a tradition. Here are new spins on old favorites:
Estée Lauder Youth-Dew Bath Oil, $30In 1953, Estée Lauder introduced Youth Dew-scented bath oil that doubles as a perfume. Pour a few drops into your bath for a relaxing treat, or simply wear it on your pulse points. This is one of my favorite wintertime fragrances. As the weather cools down I tend to wear spicier scents and Youth Dew is a warm, sexy fragrance. And because it’s a rich oil, the fragrance seems to last all day.
Chanel No 5 Sensual Elixir, $59.50In 1921, Coco Chanel was the first fashion designer to produce a fragrance which started a trend we still see today. Now Chanel No. 5 is one of the most famous fragrances in the world. Just like texture in fashion we see new textures in fragrance which keeps a classic scent fresh and modern. This peach-colored fluid gel intensifies your fragrance. It can be worn alone or layered with other favorites from Chanel No. 5.
Shalimar Limited Edition Eau de Parfum, $104I remember my mother had a bottle of Shalimar on her vanity and I used to sneak in and put it on to smell just like her. I loved it then and still love it today. That’s exactly what classic scents are all about, bringing back great memories. Created in 1925, Shalimar has become the signature scent for many women with daring, sensual notes of bergamot, vanilla, amber and an exotic mixed of florals.
Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, $63.50Many classic fragrances create limited-edition collector’s bottles to mix it up year after year. It’s like the latest fashions — it’s current, modern and fresh yet it keeps the legendary rich and spicy oriental fragrance we’ve all come to adore. I think this is so sexy for that femme fatale on your list.
Joy by Jean Patou Parfum, $200When someone receives a signature scent as a holiday gift, it really sends a message that you put a little extra thought into it and that you truly know that person. Joy's essence lies in its exquisite original formula, which combines the delicate sensuality of over 10,000 jasmine flowers and the rich elegance of 28 dozen Bulgarian roses to make just one ounce of Joy perfume.
Beauty bling
Everything sparkles during the holidays and so can your beauty products. Be on the lookout for unique items from lip gloss bracelets to crystal-encrusted compacts to add a little shine and a big smile into your beauty regime.
Bobbi Brown Glitter Tube Tints, $28I’m a gloss girl — instantly I feel better with a little shine on my lips and these glitter lip glosses have just the right amount of sparkle! Ideal for the holidays, these shades can be worn over lipstick or alone to give lips a hint of shimmer. It’s a great gift to give or buy for yourself.
Tarte Limited Edition The Good Life, $30Tarte Cheek stains are amazing and give the perfect pick-me-up for anyone’s skin. What I love most is the little bling-bling bag that can dress up any holiday outfit as a cute, festive little clutch. Throw in my favorite cheek stain, a lip gloss and my ID and I have all the necessities for a night out on the town.
Dior Pretty Charm, $70This beauty accessory is a couture-inspired, heart-shaped locket charm bracelet with a dazzle of crystal pearl drops. Inside, one shade of lipstick and a glittery gloss for your own little secret touch-ups, literally at your fingertips. I’m always on the look out for great fashion accessories and great makeup. The fact that I can get my make-up and accessories in one makes this gift one of my favorites!
MB Designs Crystal Mirror Compact, $130-190 in a variety of styles I love everything that sparkles, I even jeweled my phone! These jewel-encrusted compacts let me touch up my make-up in style. With hundreds of tiny handset crystals that sparkle like diamonds, you’ll find yourself reaching for this sparkly treasure no matter how perfect your make-up was 15 minutes ago.
Tom Ford Estée Lauder Collection Amber Nude: The Minaudiere, $550The ultimate in beauty bling and for the girl that has everything — The Minaudiere Limited Edition comes with The Face and The Lip Polish. Real gold in the make-up gives it a gilded, glamorous edge. I especially love to add a little touch of gold into my make-up during the holidays, adds the perfect shimmering glow to my pale winter skin.