Holiday 2011: A Few of My Favorite Things

It's that time of year again, for giving, receiving and treating yourself.  Though it seems like yesterday, literally, that we were clinking glasses toasting the end of summer at a Labor Day party, come turkey day, we have officially turned the corner into the "Holiday Season". All I did was blink.

One of the things I love most about the season, are the gorgeous Holiday Gift Sets that are created quite successfully, to tempt us.  The best marry gorgeous neutrals in pretty packaging, that offer so much value it makes no sense to leave them behind.  They truly do make beautiful gifts and take the guilt out of my favorite holiday shopping maxim,"one for you and one for me".

Here is a round up of some of my favorites that I have spied and tried:

Too Faced Sweet Dreams Collection:

This sweet girly box, made my inner seven year old smile.
Its jam packed with goodies; 15 shadows, a full sized eye shadow primer, two blushes, a bronzer and a highlighter.  This is the best value of my picks...$186 worth of product for $52.
Sweet indeed!  Available at Sephora, 5 star rated.

Shiseido Bio- Performance Super Restoring Set

Description:

Bio-Performance Super Restoring Cream brings a revolutionary solution to wrinkles and age-related deficiences in the skin.

This limited-edition set, includes time-fighting formulas in a holiday gift box:

Bio-Performance Super Restoring Cream Full Size, 50mL/1.7 oz.
Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam Travel Size, 50mL/1.7 oz.
Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Balancing Softener Enriched Travel Size, 75mL/2.5 oz.
Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum Deluxe Sample, 9mL/.32 oz.
Bio-Performance Super Restoring Cream Deluxe Sample, 7mL/.24 oz.
Perfect Rouge Replica Sample, 2.5g/.08 oz.
Facial Service Gift Certificate

I am just starting to appreciate the wonders of Shiseido Skin Care.  This amazing set will get you started with their anti-aging superstars.  This $187 value is smartly priced at $102. Treat thy self!

Trish McEvoy Portable Beauty Collection Romance:

Beauty Emergency™ Card Romance is packed with 4 universally flattering eye colors for everything from brightening to contouring and defining the eye plus the perfect all-the-time bronzer. Colors include: Eye Shadows Shell, Glaze Romance and Antique Rose, Eye Definer Deep Aubergine, and Bronzer Golden. $75 at Trish McEvoy

Also includes:
• Instant Eye Lift under-eye brightener and line filler, deluxe travel size (I use this and it's excellent).
• Beauty Booster Lip Gloss SPF 15 Sexy Petal, deluxe travel size (ditto).
• Dual Ended Eye Brush featuring two of Trish’s most iconic eye-enhancing brushes on opposing ends: Brush 50 Angled Eye Lining and Brush 23 Angled Crease Contour (I have Trish brushes that have lasted for over 10 years)!
• Brush 48 Blending: The perfect face color application and blending brush

Benefit Project Flawless:








* Beautifully gift-wrapped and ready-to-give.

Just plain pretty.  This smartly priced, adorably packaged gift set includes a full sized highlighter, Bad Gal Black Mascara, Lip Gloss and Bella Bamba blush. Another Sephora special, this $74 value retails for $32. 5 star rated.

Smashbox Behind the Lens Prime and Set Kit:

Are you ready for your close-up???  If you want to look your best in Holiday photos, as well as everyday, this is a fabulous primer.  It feels a little slippery, but it will leave your skin looking like velvet after you apply foundation.  The white powder is so finely milled that it glides on, never settling in creases or fine lines. I love this stuff!





Edward Bess Neutral Palette:

My friend CharlestonGirl, writes one of my favorite blogs the Best Things In Beauty.  She has a penchant for writing about the really good stuff, like Le Metier de Beaute, Cle de Peau and yes,
Edward Bess.  Though a mere lipstick costs $32, (a bargain next to Tom Ford's), I though this elegant palette (also available in Berry), which includes a cheek and lip stain, highlighter, eye shadow quad and a lip gloss for $75, really is a bargain.

For those of you, like me, who have been dying to try this cult favorite, here's a great opportunity.  Read more by clicking above.

Laura Mercier Limited Edition Mini Lip Glace Kit:





How do I love these lip glosses?  Let me count the ways: 1) They plump. 2) They have mega-watt shine
3) They are not sticky 4) They taste like creme brulee.
Luscious!

I love gift to give, get or break apart and use for stocking stuffers. $48.

Bobbi Brown Classic to Go Palette:

This is sweetly priced and packaged to slip into a pocket or clutch.  It is also available in a "Party to Go" palette, that can make going from day to night a cinch.  Bobbi nicely has several great gift suggestions under $55 for you to choose from.

These are my fave so far...I'll be sure to share others if they inspire as much as these did.  Don't hesitate to share your finds too!  Party season awaits...

xox,
DD