Beauty Splurges & Steals: Insiders' Tips

Dec. 12, 2007 — -- Sure, all those ads say "give the gift of beauty this holiday season" but that's easier said than done.

Beauty products are deeply personal. Take lipstick, for instance. One person's pretty is another person's trampy. And the line between classy and trashy is pretty fine when it comes to perfume.

So, what's a poor gift-giver to do? Fear not. Beauty editors at women's magazines spend their days thinking about this stuff, and that's why we talked to the best of the best to get their take on the most fabulous sure-to-please stocking stuffers and splurge beauty gifts for the holidays.

Victoria Kirby, Beauty Editor, Allure magazine

There's no end to the number of beauty stocking stuffers you could pick out for the holidays but Allure's beauty editor, Victoria Kirby, offered a can't miss suggestion from Sephora.

The makeup emporium offers a five-brush set that comes in a faux black crocodile round hard case ($45). "I love it, because brushes can get smushed and bent, but this is a hard case, very stylish and small enough that you can just throw in your bag."

And for a splurge, try the Frederic Malle Editions de Parfum 14-piece gift set ($325). "His fragrances are beautiful and unique," said Kirby.

In the wishful-thinking-but-you-never-know" category, Kirby suggested the $18,000 hand-stitched Goyard train case stuffed full of Lancome makeup products, 36 pieces in fact, hand selected by makeup guru Gucci Westman. "There aren't going to be many people who have the guts to put this on their Christmas list." Maybe not. But you never know.

Liesa Goins, Beauty Editor, Women's Health magazine

Women's Health's Liesa Goins also liked Sephora products for a stocking stuffer.

Goins picked the Tarte Ready-to-Wear/Pret-a-Porter Dual Look Palette that comes in a hard black case with a mix of eye, cheek and lip color ($44). Victoria's Secret also offers a few stocking-size gifts. Check out the Supermodel Mini Gloss Set - a set of 4 lip gloss minis. ($19.50)

For a beauty splurge, Goins loves Spa-addicts.com. You can buy a gift certificate in any amount, good at spas all over the country so you don't have to worry about finding that perfect place. "It's a fabulous way to get a great gift with minimal effort," said Goins.

Didi Gluck, Executive Beauty Director, Shape magazine

Meetmark.com is the younger, hipper arm of Avon, and Didi Gluck at Shape said it's a terrific site to find inexpensive and fun beauty products.

Take the Flip for It Spring Color kit ($9.99) available in three different color palettes: "It's a fun-looking little package, modeled on a cell phone or PDA, and the colors are great," said Gluck.

If you're in the mood for a miracle, a beauty miracle that is, Gluck suggests you try Creme de la mer -- a 16-ounce jar will run you a cool $1,350.00.

But you can also buy a smaller, less-expensive, miracle -- the company offers a festive lip balm for the holidays ($45). "I have given this to people, and when they see the La Mer name, they flip out. But the best part is this lip balm is incredibly healing. I've had my one little container for two years -- it's way more than a lip balm," said Gluck.

Eva Chen, Beauty and Health Director, Teen Vogue magazine

Teen Vogue's Eva Chen is not at a loss for stocking stuffer ideas. "The great thing about beauty is that you can load up on a ton of stuff for not a lot of money."

First up is a Victoria's Secret lip gloss sample stuffed full of "every single lip color they have" for $60. "When I saw it my eyes nearly popped out of my head," said Chen.

And Chen picked a Sephora fragrance sampler kit ($50) as another great gift. The kit comes with 10 fragrances and a gift certificate to get a free bottle of whatever one you like the best. So, you don't have to spend hours trying to choose the perfect fragrance.

But if you do want to take the plunge and just pick one scent, Chen recommended Marc Jacobs' new fragrance, Daisy ($30). "It's a great way to give a little Marc Jacobs to someone, without spending a lot of money."

For a splurge, Chen suggested buying a loved one a massage or spa treatment but cautioned that the after effects tend to be fleeting. If you're looking for a skin gift with some staying power, she said you might want to treat your loved one to a session with a dermatologist.

Elaine D'Farley, Beauty Editor, Self magazine

The blockbuster beauty item of the season for Elaine D'Farley of Self is appropriately called the Blockbuster Palette from Sephora ($45). 64 eye shadows, 32 lip colors, seven cheek colors and brushes too. "We were all blown away," said D'Farley.

And who wouldn't want a full day at a spa for a beauty splurge? D'Farley likes the Cornelia Day Resort in Manhattan but go to Spafinder.com to find one near you.

Cristina Mueller, senior beauty editor, Lucky magazine"

Cover Girl Lash Blast is "my hands-down favorite mascara" said Mueller. And the perfect size to throw in someone's stocking.

Be sure to check out the Rosebud Lip Salve at Bigelowchemist.com. It comes in vintage-y packaging and retails for around $6.

Finally, you're guaranteed to find something special at Spacenk.com -- the online offshoot of the famous London apothecary. Or try a Prada Infusion D'Iris Scented Drawer Lining Paper. Use it as note paper or to lightly scent your lingerie drawer ($60).

Mueller's splurge comes in the form of a Tom Ford scent. Ford's private blend perfumes come in a '40's-inspired boudoir bottle ($450). There are 11 different blends, and Neroli Portofino with a hint of orange blossom is Mueller's favorite.