The Advice Sisters

HOLIDAY BEAUTY & GIFT REVIEW, 2001

The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in dazzling products and gifts to update and glamorize your image, and lift your spirits. In this review you'll find suggestions for the newest colors,

cleverest kits, and best gifts, for budgets of all sizes. Most items can be purchased online or through toll-free numbers, so you can avoid the holiday shopping crush.

A simple change of color can make a big change. PLUM is the new red. METALLIC takes the place of matte earth tones, PEARL and SHINE are pretty alternatives to glitter (still wearable in daylight), and GLITTER gets into every imaginable product! The trend in GIFT GIVING is select products that give back to worthwhile charities. You'll find them in this review, along with beauty helpers, gifts under $15.00 and more luxe, "gotta have it" gifts for everyone on your list.

EYES: The first thing most people notice (after your smile) is your eyes. Make yours memorable with just a few stokes of a sponge or brush:

La Bella Donna Compressed Mineral Eye Shadow ($19.00) slides on like a luxurious, silky, cream, but quickly dries like a sheer powder. Adventurous types will like the brilliant turquoise "Cielo" and soft, grey-black "Nero" (for the latest, smoky eye). Traditionalists will want to add the pretty light lavender "Lavanda" and golden "Corsica" to their eye shadow wardrobes.

We're not usually fans of liquid liners, but Tony & Tina's herbal liquid liner ($18.00) in "Truth" is an exception. The bullet-shaped silver package is reason enough to love it, but the light blue-almost silver eye liner inside won our attention and affection. We liked it every way we tried it: with a nude shadow for evening, in a thick line, or layered over glitter shadow for all-out glitz.

Aveda's Eye Shadow Plus Vitamins ($10.00) look and feel great, and have just a hint of sparkle (not all-out glitter) so you can wear them day or evening. We particularly liked Aveda Eye Shadow in "Silver Patina" a glistening, elegant gray that flatters everyone and goes with everything. Ditto gold-speckled beige called "Shard" To line eyes with powder, try the midnight blue "Blue Smoke" or a gold-flecked deep grey "Verdigris." Eye liner pencil fans will love Aveda's Eyeliner Minus Petro Waxes ($11.00) in "Oxide" (black/deep green with gold glints) and "Raw Garnet" (black/garnet).

Clinique's hypo-allergenic products are beloved by women with sensitive skin, but it's the beautiful colors that make them favorites. To update your shadow collection this season, pick one of the Clinique High Impact Eye Shadow Duos ($16.50) such as "Midnight Star," a slightly glittery royal plum coupled with a soft, pearly nude highlight, or "Rose Wine" with a mauve/brown and a light pearly pink highlight.

Eye pencil fans have a new reason to rejoice! MAC's Eye Kohl Pencil ($12.00) in "Foxy Lady" is a dramatic but wearable dark metallic garnet - an an inexpensive way to easily update your eyes. Shadow-as-liner is gaining in popularity as the best way to accent eyes. MAC Eye Shadows ($12.50) shadows offer lots of options for lids and liners. From their Black Tie Collection we suggest Mac's silver-flecked "Black Tie" in deepest black, and "Night Owl" a midnight-blue-with--blue sparkles. "Beauty Marked" blackened-metallic plum goes is a sensational way to update eyes.

Maybelline's Expert Eyes ($2.99) don't have fancy packaging or applicators, but if what you want is an inexpensive, single, eye shadow in more than 24 gorgeous colors, this is the brand for you! We like the soft and subtle "Chambray Blue" sparked up with a bit of glitter as a pretty, ladylike for evening eyes.

Prestige Cosmetics have always been one of our favorite picks for the budget-conscious woman and for women who love to love trendy, without breaking the bank. We like the new packaging or their Eye Shadow ($3.95) in singular, silvery spheres.There are so many great colors it's hard to pick - we finally relented and picked the sensational, sparkly soft-bronze "Champagne."

Trend-setters will love the Duo Eye Shadows from Too Faced ($15.00) We think the most glamorous is the glittery "Lovey Dovey" duo' a glitter-infused chocolate brown paired with a pearly neutral beige, and "Boy Toy" coupling a super-pearly, light, pink with a hot pink shadow.

FACE: Put away the bronzers of summer and warm up to PLUM for the holidays. Unlike the artificial, maroon "war-paint" of the 70's, today's plums look natural on fair skin, but can be layered for more intensity to flatter darker complexions. If you pick wear plums, choose other products in complimentary shades (oranges and peaches definitely clash with plum).

Using high-quality, luxurious cosmetics like La Bella Donna's mineral-based, allergen free makeup line makes applying makeup a special experience. Foundation can make fair complexions look chalky, especially in Winter, but La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation ($45.00) in "Nicoletta" has just enough warmth to it to warm pale skin and still look natural. The foundation glides on like a silky cream, then dries to stay true and non-greasy, for hours! Applyit with a high-quality, silvery-handled powder brush from La Bella Donna Custom Mineral Brush Collection ($16.00-$45.00). Warm up your cheeks with subtle, sophisticated colors from La Bella Donna Mineral Cream to Blush ($30) that glide on sheer, so you can layer as little or as much color as you like. Pick a plum like "Rosetta," or warm up a deeper complexion (great with metallics) with rust-colored "Terra Cotta."

Another new, luxurious, makeup line we admire is Defile, (French for "runway"), with fashion-inspired colors and high attention to detail. The simple, matte black cases are a fashion accessory in themselves! Using these products makes you feel -in a word- elegant. Defile's Silk Reflect Face Powder ($30.00) comes in eight colors for light to dark skin. The super-fine powders contain Vitamin A, Vitamin E, (plus anti-oxidants) and light-reflecting elements to cover flaws. Quality does make a difference: we loved the results! Defile Cheek Glow ($25.00) has the same quality feel and ingredients as the powder. We tried the medium-peachy "Jet Set" but you have fourteen chic shades (so far) to choose from.

MAC Cream Color Base Blush ($14.00) in "Premeditated" looked so fire-engine red in the compact that we were almost afraid to try it, but the sheer, sincerely-festive and clear red rouge looked great on virtually everyone. Use it sparingly if you're fair or freckled, more liberally on olive or darker complexions.

We can't have IMAN's dramatic beauty, but at least we can wear her stunning, IMAN MAKEUP line! One standout this season is a festive, "fire engine" red sheer creme Blush ($20.00) simply called "#07." Don't be put off by the intense color -- just apply sparingly, adding more as you like. Ditto for IMAN Blush #02 - a sheer, subtly-shimmering bronze-brown.

A pretty alternative to the cool-toned purple blushes is Aveda's Filament Blush Minus Mineral Oil ($13.00) in a pretty, rosy-brown called "Filament." Keeping with the plum theme, "Shattered," is a great choice. Aveda cosmetics are great quality and we like the simple way they're packaged so you can pop them into cutomized color compacts.

Maybelline's Express Makeup 3-in-one (under $7.00) is just right for toting in purse or pocket for quick holiday touchups. The silky foundation comes in a dozen shades, best for normal-to-dry skin. It's truly 3-in-one: handy makeup stick; sunscreen with SPF 15; and even as a concealer or eye highlighter!

A new slant on a beauty staple is Physician's Formula Aqua Powder ($11.95). It looks like an ordinary loose powder, but it's high concentration of water produced a refreshing, "cooling" effect when we brushes it on! "Highlighting" and "Translucent" brightened our skin, gave us a soft glow and actually did make our skin better. Physicians Formula Planet Blush($9.95) "Highlight 'n' Blush" is a fanciful duo that looks like a little spaceship, with the brush in the middle! The pearlescent pink highlighter warmed up our cheeks. The matte earth-tone blush is a nifty contour.

LIPS: A new lipstick is an easy way to boost your spirits, but keeping your lips covered also protects against flaking and cracking. The trend on everyone's lips is "SHINE!" Gloss, shimmer, glitter, pearl, sheer, from light-to-dark, this season's hottest products will add a sparkle to your lips. Wear them "as-is" or increase your options by layering a new product over one you already own.

We went wild for Too Faced lipstick ($15.00) in "Sex Kitten" that lives up to it's name, and flatters nearly every woman! The shimmery, silvery plum lipstick looked different, but flattering, on us all. It felt like silk, and has conditioners, too. It would look even more glamorous with additional gloss or glitter. "That Girl", an intense metallic bronze, completes a special event look for deeper complexions.

Tony & Tina's Herbal Aromatherapy Lipgloss ($14.00) smells good, looks great! They have more nearly two dozen beautiful colors to choose from (including six sensational ones with glitter). For the holidays we suggest "Priestess," a natural beige shine for an natural, polished look or "Nixie," a natural pink shimmer. For a dramatic look (on it's own, or over a lipstick) we've picked the glittered sheer plum "Cosmic Deva," and the beautiful bronze "Cosmic Nymph."

We didn't have eight weeks see if Beauti Control's Regeneration Gold Volumizing Lip Color ($15.00) actually does produce noticeably fuller lips, but we absolutely loved all of their sheer, jewel-toned colors. "Frost Orange Spice," is of the few orange lipsticks we have ever tried that isn't your grandmother's orange--this one looks modern and natural! Beauti Control's Color ON Lip Color (18.50) is great for anyone who hates to re-apply lipstick. "Forever Fuschia" is a bright, sheer, hot pink that compliments this season's plum colors. Add layers for more intensity, or gloss it up with a clear gloss like Beauti Control's Color ON ($10.00) gloss. Our reviews all said that this lipstick lasted a long time, even when eating and drinking. Remove it with a lot of scrubbing, or use Beauti-Control' Color OF ($10.00).

Mac Lipglass ($12.50) comes in gorgeous colors, but "Tux-de-luxe" is the most astounding! It's black in the tube, but looked surprisingly natural applied on our lips, giving them a glittery but subtle, rainbow sparkle! We're fond of Mac lipsticks ($14.00), not just because we love their black, bullet-shaped cases that close with such an elegant "click!" but also because of their huge variety of cutting-edge colors. Our reviewers picked "Merry Mistress" as their favorite - a clear, holly-berry-red to wear alone in the daytime and slick with gloss or glitter for true evening glamour. Another fave is "Velvet Teen" a deep fuschia that flatters deeper complexions. Natural look fans will love Uncorked" a dainty, light pink, and the soft beige "Fondle." If your budget allows for just one new lipstick, either neutral can be glammed up for evening with a bright lip gloss or a dusting of glitter.

Aveda is known for wonderful, aromatherapy products, and Aveda's lip satin lipstick ($14.00) in "Vermillion" is a holiday red that will make you feel as festive as you look! An invigorating, spicy aroma hits your senses before you even apply the rich, blue-red which best flatters cool-toned skin. For warmer complexions Aveda's Lip Sheer ($14.00) in "Burnished," a warm, metallic plum, will update your lips, instantly.

Prestige's line of lip products offer holiday glamour for budget-minded fashionistas. Prestige's Aromatherapy Lip Gloss ($3.25) arrives for the holidays in a newly-designed, crystal clear compact with pull up center for easy application. The clear gloss is super-shiny without feeling sticky. Vinylwear ($3.95) has a more traditional tube-with-wand. "Disco" is a deep, ultra-shiny brown that we think works particularly well for medium-to darker complexions. Wear it alone for color plus shine and sparkle, or over another lipstick. Prestige Jetstream1($6.95) debuts in December, featuring a long lasting, high shine lipstick/gloss in a cutting-edge tube-with brush, popular with the high-end products. There are 12 shades to choose from and they're all gorgeous!

Maybelline Wet Shine Wet Look Lip Color (approx $6.00) gives you a glossy shine in lipstick form. What's great about these lipsticks is that they're silky and they condition, too. We liked the super-pearly. glossy and girlish "Pink Pout," and "Chocolate Icing." Alone they look festive without being too "out there," but they'd also look equally good layered over another lipstick.

You're not alone if you can't decide whether you love La Bella Donna's Lip Sheer($20.00) because of how smooth your lips feel after you use it, or because the lush lip glosses in silvery and gold tubes are so beautiful. Choose from a dozen great colors. We warmed up a neutral lipstick with peachy/brown "Mandarino Shine," and slicked on the plum "Rosetta Shine" which beautifully coordinate with the La Bella Donna Blush by the same name.

Too Faced S.W.A.K. (aka. sealed with a kiss) Laquer Lipgloss ($17.50) comes in a clever gloss pen that makes it easy to apply, and we love the fact that each pretty shade is infused with lip-soothing essential oils. A ladylike shade that will work well for young and old is the girly, light pink lilac with opal shimmer "French Kiss" with the added, yummy allure of the flavor and scent of vanilla frosting!

Makeup artists and women who know quality and style prize (and praise) Shu Uemura products. "Tastemaker" is what we'd call Shu Uemura Lipstick ($15.00) "N185" if it were up to us. The classic red flatters nearly everyone, and strongly evokes the trend-setting-but-classy spirit of Diana Vreeland, Gloria Vanderbilt, and the Dutchess of Windsor. We also loved Shu Uemura's matte lipstick "M916" in medium-rose to wear alone, or glossed with Shu Uemura's lip gloss ($20.00) in a bright fuschia called: "Rose/Framboise."

ALL-OUT GLAMOUR: The days may be short and dark, but a little glitz and glamour can light up your life (and your face) in an instant! These products work well on their own, or over ones you already own. Products in dramatic colors, or that contain shimmer, pearl, metallic, or glitter, easily transform a daytime look into special event makeup.

Make a "ho-hum" face festive. Just dust on a bit of TOO FACED AfterGlow Glitter Powder $15.00 in "Revenge," a light violet with white shimmer that compliments the plum theme and actually stays on your skin (instead of flaking off like "glitter dandruff"). Spark up your eyes with TOO FACED Sparklers ($17.50) , great eye pencils with glitter built right in to line and spark up your eyes in one, easy stroke! We especially liked "Fire Cracker" a gold pencil with gold glitter (good as a lip liner, too).

Bobbi Brown's "ShimmerBrick Compact" ($35.00) for eyes and face add instant glamour to day or evening events, without going overboard. It's hard to choose just which one of the five super-pearly earth-tone powders you'll want for your eyes. Can't choose? Sweep a blush brush across all five colors and add a dusting of glamour to your face.

Metallics are a great alternative to glitter for a dressy, party look. IMAN MAKEUP eye shadow duo #3 ($25.00) gives you a super-metallic bronze creme, coupled with a shimmery gold powder (packaged with two cute and useable shadow brushes). Use a little to accent your eyes during the day, or lavish your lids with both colors for a party! Another pretty and versatile metallic is IMAN MAKEUP Shimmer Powder ($25.00) #05 - a sheer, sparkling bronze that puts a warm glimmer anywhere you dust it. We particularly appreciate the replaceable cap that covers the "sifter" so the powder doesn't spill out. For the woman who has (almost) everything IMAN MAKEUP offers a complete set of gold nails ($20.00) that sparkle like the real thing! These would be great for a stocking stuffer, or to make a major statement! The less bold might wear just one at a time on a pinky or thumb.

Defile's Luxury Lipstick ($21.00) in "Stiletto" (not the color shown) is so right-off-the-runway, undeniably glamorous, we are including it in our glamour category. The color is dark (it looked nearly black on very pale skin), but more dark-grey/plum on others. If you are adventurous and want to make a statement, all you need is this lipstick, worn with a Defile Waterproof Lip Liner ($18.00) and attitude. If you're not known for "cutting-edge," Defile's Luxury Lipstick is available in forty-eight other beautiful shades, each with SPF 15.

Make your hands a piece of art (or get the gold nail looks without the press-ons) by usingTony & Tina's Chakra Nail Pen ($15.00) in "Wonder." Cover your entire nail, or just paint a design.

BEAUTY RX: When holiday cause stress or you're burning the candle at both ends, it shows. Here are some little helpers to make your life easier, more fun, and more beautiful through the holidays....and beyond:

LORAC's cute, tote-able "emergency kit" LORAC QUICK FIX ($25.00) is a small, clear compact with a mirror in the bottom containing a light pink cream eye shadow, vitamin E stick, C3 cover-up (concealer) and a pretty red-brown link/cheek tint. It's all you need to tote to fix up your face, and lighten your load!

If standing in stilettos has made your feet ache, fix them fast with the Archipelago Botanicals Holiday Milk Collection Foot Set ($40.00). Full sized samples of luxurious foot soak, foot scrub, and foot balm make a good gift for men, too. Archipelago also has a very nice Milk Shampoo and Milk Conditioner ($9.50 each) for all hair types, to counter the effects of dirt, smoke, wind and party-stressed hair.

"Rudolph," might have a "very shiny nose" but you don't want one! Shu Uemura Face Paper (30 sheets $12.00) is a slim packet of rice papers that lift the oily shine off your face without disturbing your makeup. Pop a pack in your evening bag or makeup kit. For the kind of glow you do want, try a Shu Uemura Luminizer ($20.00) with it's light, pearly finish. there are five to choose from. "Yellow Pearl" gave us a pretty, sheer glow on bare skin, and over our foundation. We also thought it made a nifty eye shadow and shadow base.

If you love "low cut" but don't want to expose more than you want to, get Beauti Control's BODY GLUE- $25.00. This roll-on adhesive is for all skin types, washes off easily and really kept clothing where we wanted it. Are dark circles and puffy eyes making you look tired? Beauti Control's Nourishing Eye Pads ($15.00) will reduce the evidence and you'll look refreshed. If stress or rich food makes you break out, conceal and dry blemishes with Beauti Control's Regeneration Blemish Duo ($14.50) One side of the wand has a blemish gel for which there's a refill ($9.00) and the other has a concealer. Buff wintery, dry flakes off your skin with Beauti Control's Sugar Body Scrub ($18.00) which feels great and smells great! Beauti Control's Lip Apeal ($18.00) gets flakes off lips, and it's coupled with an effective lip balm to smooth and soothe.

TOTE-ABLE MAKEUP-BEAUTY GIFTS: Everyone has a friend, family member, or co-worker whose makeup collection is huge, but she still can't get enough. The best gift you can give a beauty product fan is more of what she craves! Here are some of what we think are the best of the holiday season. We warn you: you'll have a hard time giving these away....better get some for yourself, too!

We love mini-sized products. This season's best "gotta get it" item is Trish McEvoy's Petite Brush Set ($75.00). Four natural bristle brushes (blush, eye lining, shadow, and crease) with clear lucite handles come in an adorable, hot pink faux leather pouch. Trish McEvoy products are the highest quality, and a top choice of makeup artists and discerning women. Splurge on someone special (and on yourself, too)! The best things really do come in small packages! Wow lipstick lovers young and old with Trish McEvoy's Maxed Out With Gloss ($18.00), a mirrored, ultra-thin, credit-card sized black case featuring ten gorgeous lip glosses in a wide range of beautiful colors (including glitter) and a tiny, lucite-handled lip brush that really works well.

What'stops on our "wish list" this holiday season? Definitely the MAC Face Palette ($100.00) available exclusively at Nordstrom/ The Bay department stores. This collection consists completely of ultra-sophisticated, superb, subtle earth tones, some sparked with pearl or a hint of glitter (we wish we had a photo to show you). A sleek, super-thin compact contains "party essentials" that would flatter just about any woman. You get two light blushes, two sheer shimmer powders, three pots of lipstick (gorgeous brown, brick and plum), and three really wearable and pretty eye shadows in deepening tones from beige to bronze, complimented with a coordinating mini eye and lip pencil. If you want a gift that will truly impress, the Mac face palette does the trick!

For an impressive gift at a lesser price tag, we suggest two "mini-sized"sets with maxi appeal from Prescriptives. Lipstick lovers will go crazy for Prescriptives "Kissmas" ($20.00) with six cute mini lipsticks in lavish holiday colors, coupled with a pearly, medium-pink lip gloss and a black mini-mascara. The Prescriptives "Artbox" focuses on the eyes, with two mini eyeliner pencils in brown and black, a black mini-mascara, a medium-pink lipgloss, and a mini- eyebrow brush. Both gift sets packaged in cute, clear lucite boxes that are sure to find other uses on a desk or drawer. More mini items we love from Prescriptives are the " All You Need To Go" and "Radiance to Go Vibrant Travel Treatment Sets" ($30.00) four, travel-sized products in a cute plastic pyramid to treat dull, over-stressed skin with. Get the sets as gifts, and treat yourself to the full-sized items.

LORAC's Holiday CD ($48.00) makes it easy to get a sophisticated, modern look with subtle, wearable, downright pretty colors that will flatter nearly everyone, housed in a cute, clear plastic compact that looks like a compact disk. We tried CD#1 containing four earth-toned shadows (some with subtle sparkle), a sumptuous powder liner, a subtle, medium-pink blush, a red-brown lip/cheek tint, and a shiny lipgloss "pewter" that adds just a hint of beige-y color and tons of shine.

We really admire the high quality of FACE Stockholm's products in cool, exciting colors. This season they're featuring a collection of two of the hottest trends: metallic, and plum. Buy the products separately (for yourself), or package them in FACE Stockholm's cute mini-makeup bag ($5.00) as a special gift. The collection we suggest has: nail enamel ($10.00) #88 in metallic plum, a brown/plum lip gloss ($13.00) in "trusting" and matching lip pencil ($11.00) "Marie P." Finish the look with a sheer plum creamy highlighter/blush ($16.00) with the wonderful name "prosperity"

Banana Republic is well loved for it's chic, casual clothes, but they also offer some awesome gift items. One that works equally well for men and women is Banana Republic's NUTRIENTS Body Care Kit ($24.00) - three travel-sized tubes of cleanser, scrub, and moisturizer. Their luxurious blend of essential oils and botanical extracts will pamper your skin, wherever you may roam.

We love the look, quality and performance of Laura Mercier's makeup line - it's one we really want for ourselves! Pamper a special friend (or yourself) with a one of the Laura Mercier Lip Paints sets ($50.00) ten Laura Mercier lip colors in a silver compact with a great lip brush. We liked "#3" for it's year-round light-to-dark sheers in wearable colors that will flatter everyone.

Bobbi Brown's Shadow Drama ($40.00) features a duo of classic, high-quality basics that work forday as well as evening. Three eye shadows and two mini-brushes are housed in a portable, shiny black case that makes it easy to do holiday eyes with a minimum of fuss and a maximum appeal. We especially liked the rose-gold shadow which is natural enough to wear during the day, but glitters in evening light.

Everyone would love the chic, "modern classic" colors in is Bobbi Brown's Deep Lip Palette ($35.00) - a wonderful gift for a lipstick-loving special friend, or to spiff up your own lips for the holidays. Five plum-to-brown lipsticks and a clever lip liner in "raisin" (complete with built-in lip brush) makes easy to apply and blend colors.

Can't afford a day spa for yourself or a favorite friend? The affordable, luxurious, woodsy-scented spa products from BeautiControl are the next best thing. The Moisturizing Mineral Lotion ($15.00) instantly made our flaky and dry hands look smooth and silk Ditto the rest of our body, when we used the Mineral Rich Body Wash ($15.00) and the Therapeutic Bath Minerals ($18.00). The simple packaging and subtle fragrance will appeal to men as well as women. Present one of more of these products in a basket with a loofa or candle, and you'll have a perfect gift for everyone!

Stila's All Over Shimmer Powder ($30.00) in "#9" comes in a festive blue compact covered with silvery stars. Open the lid and find a stunning, opalescent shimmer that gives just a hint of subtle sparkle to skin (makes an awesome eye shadow or accent, too). For a glamorous gift, package it with the Stila All Over Shimmer Brush #19 ($24.00)m an amazingly full, ultra-soft powder/blush brush, in a cute, lipstick-sized blue metallic tube..

GIFTS UNDER $15.00: They say: It's the thought that counts." Here are a few suggestions to bring impress and delight -- even if you're on a budget:

Unless you've just awakened after a century-long snooze, you've heard about Mary Kay, but you might not know that they offer more than 200 different products, sold by 750,000 Mary Kay Beauty Consultants in 37 countries. The Lip Lollies Lip Kit ($15.00) is an adorable gift for a young woman, a co-worker, or as a stocking stuffer. Six nearly-clear lip glosses in lucious flavors/scents (orange, grape, coal, bubble gum, watermelon, and punch) that really moisturized our lips, are coupled with a good, glitter-filled lucite-handled lip brush. For the older set, we suggest Mary Kay Shimmering Body Gel "Simply Glowing" ($14.00) that moisturized our skin leaving a trace (not a truckload) of gold glimmer. We're impressed with Mary Kay - you will be, too.

The Healing Garden has a wide variety of fragrances and aromatherapy gifts for mind, body and spirit that make gift-giving easy and inexpensive. One we like is the Jasminetherapy Sensual Starter Kit ($13.95) with travel sizes of five sweetly-scented products.

We just adore Rocket City's pint-sized products for the young, and the young-at-heart! Brighten a friend's holiday (or your own) with Rocket City's Sparkle Powder ($13.50) - beautiful shades of glitter in the cutest little shaker jar! We also like Shimmer Powder ($14.50) in "Star Light Star Bright"- a silvery mini-compact with a cute little puff, containing a peachy blush swirled with golden glitter. Get the effect of light on a fresh snowfall with a Glitter Powder called "Twinkle Twinkle." For a trendy lip gloss lover, get Rocket City's lip gloss ($8.00) in "Atom" a fabulous, fruit-scented,metallic plum.

Beauti Control's "Sheer Rain" collection has a pleasing, slightly sweet, slightly spicy fragrance and sleek, grey and white packaging that will appeal to men and women. The Bath Bar ($11.00), and Body Polish ($15.00) make a nice gift together or get the spray "Skin Scent" (3.04 oz. $24.00). Beauti Control's "Positively Home" Hand Wash ($10.00) and Room Spray ($12.00) in "Cinnamon Spice," "Vanilla Creme" and "Apple Orchard" (the latter reminds us of the pungent smell of freshly-picked apples). They're a nice"little something" for a neighbor or co-worker. A set of the pump-soap and spray scent makes a thoughtful hostess gift.

Physicians Formula Mood Swirls Moisturizer ($8.95) with a great moisturizer and candy-striped blue, yellow or red "swirls" of aromatheraphy scent makes the chore of daily moisturizing, fun and is a cute stocking stuffer.

Rouge De Paris Lipstick/Glitter by Physicians Formula ($5.95) debuts this holiday season as a glamorous stocking stuffer (and you can afford one for yourself, too)! You get an incredibly intense, deep red or maroon super-glossy lipstick in a wand, crowned with the cutest mini shaker filled with glitter. Friends will thank you!

AVON is the largest corporate sponsor of the breast cancer cause. Their goal is to raise $250 million by the end of 2002. You can help by purchasing Avon's "Pink Ribbon" products. We think the cuddly "Pink Ribbon Bear" ($3.00) is cute for a young child or teen. The "Pink Ribbon Pen" ($3.00) and the "Pink Ribbon Pin" accented with rhinestones ($3.00 each) in silver or gold, would make a nice choice for the office grab-bag, or as stocking stuffers. Ditto, the pretty "Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Candle" ($3.50) scented with a light fragrance nestled in a glass tumbler silkscreened with pink ribbons and roses.

The Lippman Collection line of nail polishes by celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippman has pretty colors named after songs. From now until January 31, 2002, all profits from online sales of her pure white polish ($15.00) called "Amazing Grace" (super for French manicures) will be donated to the American Red Cross for relief and aid in New York City.

FRAGRANCE & FRAGRANCE GIFTS: Perfume and aromatherapy products boost your spirits , give you confidence, and add the finishing touch to a holiday outfit. Fragrance makes a classic gift, but remember: what smells great in the bottle (or on you) might not appeal to someone else. The safest way to give a gift of fragrance is to select something you already know the recipient likes or wears (or pick something similar).

Laura Mercier wins our raves for her sensational makeup products and beautiful makeup tools. Now, Ms. Mercier has created a sensational fragrance: L'Heure Magique ($60.00 1.7 oz) "magic hour." It has the feel of a classic French perfume, without some of the stuffiness. A complex combination of florals and spices with a hint of vanilla , it's a fragrance light enough for daytime, sensual enough for evening and special occasions. Then there's the outstanding bottle: heavy, elegant, beveled glass topped with a weighty, organically-inspired pewter top that clicks luxuriously into place. L'Heure Magique will dress up your makeup table, as well as it does, you!

Candles are universally appreciated gifts, and Trish McEvoy's candle collection ($42.00 one large and $35.00 four small) are brand new and definitely ones to covet! Housed in sophisticated, frosted, white glass containers, the large burns for a whopping 50 hours, the smaller, for 5 hours. The box is part of the gift--ultra-elegant, navy-blue squares with silver lettering. Figue De Provence (fresh, fruit tinged with herb) is crowned with a luxurious poof of silk ribbon in pink and rose, Bamboo Flower (sweet but delicate floral) decorated with two shades of peach. All you need to add is a gift card.

For an impressive gift for a special woman (or for yourself). the fresh, bright scent of Prescriptives Potion Sparkling Set ($55.00) would be a brilliant choice! You get a 1.7 oz fragrance spray, 3.4 oz body moisture, and a 3.4 oz bath and shower gel, all beautifully packaged in a sleek, silvery and blue box. Just add a ribbon and you're done!

The Banana Republic holiday scent is called "Winter"-- light and clear, evoking a weekend in a winter cabin (We detected just a touch of fire tree and firelight). It comes nicely boxed as a large, 7.5 oz candle ($19.50) in a frosted, etched glass container or two cute 2 oz clear glass votives ($16.50). Banana Republic also presents this scent in a beautiful, complete- with-pinecones Potpourri (18.50) and Room Spray ($9.50) which can also be used to refresh the potpourri.

AVON has just introduced a new fragrance called "Little Black Dress (1.7 oz. $22.50). The scent is appropriate for women of all personalities, especially those who like a "floriental" fragrance (sweet floral mixed with musk and sandalwood) for a decidedly-sophisticated feel. It comes in an elegant clear glass cube with black and gold spray. Our reviewers loved the fragrance and reported that it lasted and stayed true, for hours!

For that hard-to-please sister-in-law, your child's teacher, or as a special "thank you" give The Healing Garden's "Waters" Gift Set ($22.50) a new scent with a nice, clean, soothing fragrance, packaged with a CD of calming music. Another great gift for the over-stressed is The Healing Garden's "ZZZtherapy Gift Set" ($22.50) cleverly packaged with (sleep-encouraging) room spray, milk bath, body lotion, and chamomile tea (for drinking), in a clear, blue velvet-trimmed tote which would make a great travel bag for cosmetics, later on.

There's nothing more relaxing than soaking in a hot, fragrant bath, and the Japanese bring bathing to a high art. Shu Uemura Pleasure of Japanese Bath ($20.00) "Sakura" has the delicious, fresh, and slightly tart scent of cherry preserves. The scent will appeal to both men and women. Package it with a CD of romantic music, or a pretty candle, for a special couple, a favorite friend, or a special shower gift.

JUST FOR MEN: We've focused on beauty products for women, but there is one fragrance gift we've singled out for MEN, this season. Clinique Happy for Men (1.07 oz cologne spray $27.50) is an exceptional, citrus-y fragrance that we think will appeal to virtually every man. It's a new classic. Reviewers called it "clean, cool, crisp and fresh." We think the it's also modern and also "uplifting." Add the Clinique Happy for Men Antiperspirant/Deodorant Stick (($12.00) for a great gift he won't return or recycle!

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK: This year, people are celebrating the season by lending a helping hand. We urge you to look good and feel good and do good. Volunteer, make donations to charity, and purchase the following products for yourself and as gifts! We applaud these cosmetics companies that donate a portion of their sales from these products, to charity.

Tony &Tina have an exceptional line of products and we are personal fans of all their aromatherapy lip glosses. Now they've introduced pretty-in-pink "Cura" lipgloss ($14.00), named after the Roman goddess of healing. Better still, 50% of your purchase price for Cura goes directly to the programs funded by New York Fashion Cares, a non-profit organization whose 2001 focus is breast cancer prevention programs that provide screenings and treatment to medically-underserved communities.

Mac Cosmetics are known for their "Viva Glam" Lipsticks ($14.00) Viva Glam I & II (stunning shades of dark plum) and Viva Glam III (a pretty mauvey-rose). Every penny of the selling price goes towards the M-A-C- Aids Fund which helps men, women & children affected by HIV and AIDS. Since 1984, sales of Viva Glam have contributed more than $19million to the M-A-C aids fund. MAC holiday greeting cards ($6.00) called "Kids Helping Kids" are adorable and designed by children living with HIV/AIDS to help raise money for other children living with HIV/AIDS. The cards are available at all M-A-C stores, online, and in select, upscale department stores. 100% of the selling price goes to pediatric HIV/AIDS organizations.

FACE Stockholm offers the "Caring Kit," ($48.00) a collection of cosmetics items in universally-flattering earth-tones. Tucked inside a FACE Stockholm signature mini-makeup bag you'll find: a peach eye shadow "milkshake" (great as a blush); a Trinity (eye-lip-cheek creme) in "caring," a super-sheer beige lipstick/gloss in "Natural Veil" that make our lips look even better than bare, and an eye-catching, metallic bronze nail polish "#128" This gift (sold at selected FACE Stockholm stores in the United States and around the world), is made even better, since 100% of the sales will be donated to the World Trade Center Relief Fund to assist the victims and families of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

BUYING GUIDE:

Aveda: get information about products and locate a salon or store near you. http://www.aveda.com

AVON: This site loads quickly and provides a shopping experience that is efficient, easy, and pleasant to use. The site also features weekly specials http://www.avon.com

Banana Republic: nicely-designed web site features clothing and gift products http://www.bananarepublic.com/home.htm or 1-800-BRSTYLE

Beauti Control: get product information, buy online, find a Beauti Control representative to serve you http://www.beauticontrol.com/

Bobbi Brown: Site offers product and store information, shop online and beauty tips http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/

Clinque: get lots of product information online and shop (U.S. orders only) http://www.clinique.com

Defile: Buy at Henri Bendel (NYC), Harrods (London,) Face (Houston, TX) Addies (Encinitas, CA) or call: 1-800-423-6335

FACE Stockholm: www.facestockholm.com/ store locations, view products or call: 1-888-334-FACE

The Healing Garden: www.healinggarden.com/ well designed web site offers information, online shopping, even free postcards, screen savers and samples.

IMAN Makeup: find stores, products, beauty tips: http://www.i-iman.com/i-imanmakeup/

La Bella Donna: http://www.labelladonna.com or buy at Bergdorf Goodman, spas, speciality stores or toll-free:l 800-74-BELLA

LORAC: product information, links to shopping online http://www.loraccosmetics.com/ or call 1-800-0705

MAC Cosmetics: http://www.maccosmetics.com

internationally-oriented web site offers product descriptions, news, charity information and online shopping

Laura Mercier: product information and shop online http://www.lauramercier.com/site/shoponline/index.htm

Maybelline: visit http://www.maybelline.com/ for online shopping and other makeup tools, or buy in drugs stores and supermarkets.

Mary Kay: visit the web site at: http://www.marykay.com or call 1-800-MARY-KAY for the nearest representative.

Physicians Formula: new web site offers tips, purchasing locations, online catalogue, and product information http://www.physiciansformula.com/

Prescriptives: Buy products in upscale retail outlets on and off-line.

Prestige: Buy products in drug stores, mass volume retailers, and supermarkets or order some products on their web site http://www.prestigecosmetics.net/

Rocket City Cosmetics: Unusual, animated site lists sales locations, products, links, other fun stuff! http://www.rocketcitycosmetics.com/

Shu Uemura No web site yet. Buy at fine retail and department stores on and off-line.

Stila: Buy Stila products in fine retail and department stores nationwide or call 1-888-999-9039 or visit their web site (links to buy products): http://www.stilacosmetics.com

The Healing Garden: mass volume retailers and drug stores or by online through the web site: http://www.healinggarden.com/home.html

The Lippman Collection: Shop online, store locator, manicure tips, news, http://www.lippmanncollection.com

Tony & Tina: Great web site with a wealth of product information and shopping, online http://www.tonytina.com/intro.shtml

Too Faced: visit their cute web site at http://www.toofaced.com or buy at upscale department stores and select beauty web sites online.

Trish McEvoy: no web site, but products are available upscale department stores and some beauty-oriented web sites.

NOTE: Selecting makeup, skincare, and fragrance is a very personal decision. We feature products we feel will work well for the majority of readers, but not every product will perform equally well for each skin type or skin tone. We suggest you read the ingredients, and request samples, especially if you are prone to breakouts, allergies, or you have sensitive skin. Don't be afraid to ask questions. SHOP WISELY!