EDGE Holiday Gift Guide :: Makeup Madness!
There’s something about cosmetic gift sets that bring out the animal in us.
Is it the fact that the products are only available for a limited time? Maybe it’s because deep down inside, in our collective memory, cosmetic gift sets reminds us of the uber large Crayola 64- crayon box we either had or coveted as kids. Remember the silver and gold crayons? How they were only used on special occasions?
Just like the Crayola crayons, these gift sets- whether you give them or receive them- will make you feel like the cool kid on the block.
Givenchy’s Couture Holiday
Something magical and glamorous happens when you say, "Givenchy." C’mon try it, say, "zhee-VAH(N)-she," "zhee-VAH(N)-she."
Whenever Geraldine and I say it, we can’t stop repeating the name and end up in giggles. Viewing their holiday offering, the Very Couture Palette ($45), you’ll start oohing, ahhing and maybe giggle a little.
The palette mimics Givenchy’s runway looks for fall; a leather case with silver grommet accents (very motorcycle chic) opens up to a collection of fashion forward, yet very feminine products that you’ll use for the holidays and beyond. You’ll get the limited edition pop gloss crystal lip gloss in Rose Couture (smells and tastes like roses...oh my), eye shadow quartet in Purple Couture, compact powder quartet in Elegant Beige, Eye Fly Mascara, and mini applicator brushes. The bag is eco-friendly, you see once you’re finished with the cosmetics, you’ve got a chic clutch bag from a chic designer.
The perfect stocking stuffer or a gift for you would be the limited edition Pop Gloss Crystal Lip Gloss ($24). The gloss comes in two shades- Plum by Night (berry plum with micro glitter) and Rose by Night (sheer light pink with micro glitter) - both smell and taste like roses and last a long time. Both lip glosses are decorated with a gold sparkly design, just a little item that brings a smile to your face.
You can find these limited edition Givenchy gifts at Sephora stores and www.sephora.com
Pixi by Petra Pretty Perky
My friend Alexandria loves to play with makeup. However, she’s got sensitive skin, wears contacts and is picky, picky, picky. For the holidays, she’s getting either the Pixi by Petra Lumi Lux Eye Palette ($38) or the Must Have Kit ($39); either way, it’s a win-win situation for her.
Pixi by Petra is a line that’s loved world-wide. The products are easy to use, contain Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, are safe for contact lens wearers, and most importantly, easy to use. The line features very high quality products with excellent ingredients, and the prices won’t bankrupt you. The Lumi Lux Eye Palette has 20 eye shadows in a sleek gold case. It’s slim enough to slip into a laptop case, and glamorous enough to leave out and show off. Shades from the palest pastels to the smokiest grays, blacks and browns are all here; making it super easy to switch from day to night in a flash.
I’m really digging the Must Have Kit, not only because the cosmetics slip out and you’ve got a great mini clutch or wallet, but you’ve got the must-have basics - eye shadows- 2, creamy lip colors- 2 (but you can combine them to make a different shade), blush -1 housed in a mirrored compact and four makeup brushes. The compacts are created for hair color; Bronze Bombshell (red), Pretty Perky (blond) and Ravishing Rosy (brunette).
You can find Pixi by Petra at Target stores nationwide or online at www.target.com
Bobbi Brown Copper Bronze
My friend Mo is a gal about town. There’s not an event that she’ll miss- heck, she’s been known to go to four or five in one night. (And then show up bright-eyed and ready for work the next day.) For the holiday, she’s so getting the Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick ($40) from the Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Collection.
The shimmer brick combines five different shades (candlelight, gold, copper, beige and sand) to create a soft warm golden copper glow. She’ll always look fresh, chic, awake and sophisticated. The glow is subtle and perfect for romantic dinners and all sorts of evening activities.
I’m thinking of either adding Bobbi Brown’s limited edition Glitter Lip Balm ($19) to her gift or keeping it for myself. The balm comes in three shades - Copper Diamond, Crystal Diamond, Pink Crystal - it moisturizes while it adds shimmer and shine.
You can find Bobbi Brown Cosmetics at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com and fine department stores nationwide.
Urban Decay for Eco-Fashionistas
Eco-Fashionistas like my friend Tanitha will love Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box ($36). The lacquered case, constructed from sustainable materials, swings open to reveal a mirror for on-the-go application; great for commuting - if driving a car- please wait for red lights! The box contains a cruelty- free brush and 10 best selling Urban Decay shadows; YDK (bronzed mocha with golden micro glitter), Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (golden beige with bronze, gold, & silver glitter), Flipside (electric teal with blue sheen), Flash (bright iridescent purple), Grifter (sheer lavender with lots of silver micro glitter), Oil Slick (black with silver glitter), Uzi (metallic silver with big iridescent sparkles), Kiddie Pool (ocean blue with iridescent glitter), Twice Baked (brownie brown with gold glitter), Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze).
This limited edition gift is available at Sephora, www.sephora.com and fine department stores nationwide.
Smashbox Rapturous Eye Shadows
One thing Rosemary likes to do is to play up her eyes. They’re her best feature; huge and expressive, so she’s going to get the super duper shadow kit from Smashbox Cosmetics. The Rapture Holiday Collection Eye shadow and Brush Collection ($59) is fantastic! It contains 16 shades that are packed into 8 shadow duos. Here’s what you get: Grace (taupe shimmer/ pale ivory pink), Gala (black with micro glitter/ cream), Enchanting (lavender shimmer/ ivory), Splendid (bronze/ champagne shimmer), Desire (silvery taupe/ peach champagne shimmer), Delightful (lime green shimmer/ pale gold shimmer), Twilight (royal blue/ iridescent golden cream) and two brushes. We’re talking hours of play time fun here.
Your friends will think you’ve spent well over $100 for such a snappy gift.
You can find this and more holiday treats from Smashbox Cosmetics at www.smashbox.com Sephora, www.sephora.com Ulta, Nordstrom and select Bloomingdale’s.
Borghese Glorious Nights
Lorna, oh well, the woman just says glamour day and night. It’s a tie between Mo and Lorna on who’s going to go to more parties in a given evening. Lorna leans more towards gallery openings and musical events. So, she’s getting the Glamorous Nights gift set ($39.50) from Borghese. Tucked inside a silk evening clutch is the shadow Milano eye shadow trio in Il Bacio Grey, mascara, 1 oz of the Splendore Brightening Makeup for Face, mini lip plumper, Mini B Gloss in Cristallino, Longevita lipstick in Red Glorioso, and black eye liner.
You can find this fab gift at www.Borghese.com Lord and Taylor and Bloomingdales.
MAC Holidays Red Red Red
Holiday cosmetic gift sets are not complete without a mention of MAC Cosmetics offerings. Each year people throng to the counter to make sure that they’re the first in line to grab these limited edition goodies. I have memories of bruises past from covering Antonia’s mad dash to the counter. I’m going to be smart this year and pick up something from their Holiday 2008 Collection. Red is the theme; "Red" She Said, The Passions of Red, Adoring Carmine, Passionately Red, Little Darlings an MAC Exclusives are the groups that make up this holiday feast.
I’m a sucker for tiny, cute objects, so I’m leaning towards the Little Darlings Collection ($30). Pick from pint sized (but powerful) eye pencils, glitter and pigments, or lip glass and luster glass gift sets done in neutral, pink, coral, cool or warm groups and you’ve got a gift that lasts all year long.
What do I love about the Passionately Red Collection? Well aside from the fact the colors are full of verve, it’s part of MAC’s VIVA GLAM master collection where every cent from a VIVA GLAM product goes to the MAC AIDS FUND. Passionately Red/VIVA GLAM 3 ($23) has two lipstick palettes- warm or cool. The warm collection has two VIVA GLAM VI and VIVA GLAM V Lipsticks, and one VIVA GLAM V Gloss. It includes a black-handled 316 SE Lip Brush.
The cool collection has two VIVA GLAM IV and VIVA GLAM II Lipsticks, and one VIVA GLAM VI Gloss. Includes a black-handled 316 SE Lip Brush.
You can view (and shop) comfortably at home at their website www.maccosmetics.com or at any MAC Cosmetics store nationwide or at fine department stores.
Paul & Joe Oooh Sexy!
Paul & Joe is not just a beautiful line of clothing created by French designer Sophie Albou; her beaute line is filled with great products that have a touch of whimsy about them. Her packaging is so pretty, you don’t want to open the box. Diana, the dreamer on the list is getting the Paul & Joe Limited Edition Red Velvet Lipstick Collection ($38).
Available in three seducing interpretations of red, this limited-edition spices up everything! The holiday trio consists of Velveteen (001) - Sheer candy-cane delight, Red Ribbon (002) - Creamy dare-to-wear red, and Red Velvet (003) - Classic matte red.
You can find this collection at www.beautyhabit.com Bergdorf Goodman 800- 558-1855, and www.thebeautycloset.com While you’re at the Beauty Closet, check out Paul & Joe’s Disney Collection - tres sweet and not for kids!
Lippmann Collection Start Me Up
We all have someone on our list who needs to slow down a bit more and take care of herself; the Lippman Collection Start Me Up ($39) which contains six 9ml bottles (cuticle remover, cuticle oil, 2second nail primer, rehydrating base coat, Baby Love -pale pink nail polish named after the Supreme’s hit song, One A Clear Day Topcoat) are housed in a cute carrying case.
Not only will your recipient achieve Zen moments by sitting still, relaxing and doing her nails, if she has to multi-task, the Start Me Up kit is prefect for travel since it meets the requirement at less than 3 oz. altogether.
You can find the Lippmann Collection at Barney’s New York, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, C.O. Bigelow and online at www.lippmanncollection.com
Rock & Republic Rocks
Who’s your rock star? Rock & Republic has entered into the beauty arena with a big bang and has a swoonerific Bronzer Highlighter compact accentuated with Swarovski crystals ($225). It’s on my wish list. The bronzer -Penthouse, Villa, and Private Jet- is paired with one of three highlighter shades- - from light to dark.
The black compact is highlighted with the Rock & Republic initials; did I mention that they’re in sparkly Swarovski crystal?? To protect it, the compact has its own pouch and a Kabuki brush.
Another yummy and statement making present would be to give (or keep)their Contrived Pressed Blush ($40). The black enamel compact with raised silver R & R initials is stunning to look and contains either a shimmer, translucent or matte blush. The blushes come in 12 wonderful shades, from subtle to wow.
You can find them and the rest of the Rock & Republic beauty line at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, or www.neimanmarcus.com
Benefit’s Beauty Uppers!
Benefit Cosmetics always makes beauty products that work, make you smile and are just fun. I love, love, love their Best of Benefit: Beauty Uppers Kit ($68). It’s re-usable canister filled with their most fav and treasured items. Inside are dandelion, the brightening face powder, benetint, rose-tinted lip & cheek stain, and you rebel lite, a defiantly different tinted moisturizer.
This is perfect for Mom, your boss, your sister, really anyone who’s a hottie-potattie (I don’t know, I just made up that word, okay?) on your list.
You can find it at www.benefitcosmetics.com and Bloomingdales.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the San Francisco area, then head on over to Benefit Boutique on Chestnut (2119 Chestnut street) on Friday, December 12, 2008. Jean Ford, the co-creator of Benefit Cosmetics will be on hand for the grand re-opening party of the boutique from 7 pm - 9 pm. This VIP party is an evening of cosmetics, cocktails, music and laughter. You’ll learn the latest tricks, tips and holiday looks from Jean.
Wanna go? Then just call 415-567-1173 to RSVP.
Whew! I’m exhausted and am going to grab some make up remover. Oh don’t mind me while I collapse on the floor with a huge box of chocolate, playing with all these amazing products were so worth the sacrifice. Now, can someone hand me the remote?
