Beauty Gifts: Stocking Stuffers

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This year I have picked my favorite stocking stuffers that will bring a Christmas Day full of cheer. From the best makeup sponge – ever – perfectly packaged as a sweet treat to luxurious purse-friendly perfumes delicately decorated in metallic gold. It is all about the small gifts with big payoff.

Fill their hearts and stockings with these small treasures:

Lancome ~ Eye Lash Curler Set: $36.00

Willa Skincare ~ Smile Butter: $19.00

Jane Tran ~ Polka Dot Bobby Pin Box: $15.00

Burberry ~ Lip Glow Natural Lip Gloss Set: $65.00

TOCCA ~ Perfumo Veloce – Cleopatra: $48.00

NARS ~ Travel Brush Set: $75.00

beautyblender ~ Candy Cane Holiday Treat: $49.95

Fresh ~ Sugar Perfection Duo: $22.50

Gift Guide: Holiday Palettes

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For a beauty junkie, there are few things prettier than a palette, and the holiday season creates some of the most charming examples. This year’s crop are as lovely as can be, with ornamentation and colors to match every taste. Give as a gift or keep for yourself, they do only come but once a year. Here are a few favorites:

Lancome ~ 2012 Holiday Color Collection: Color Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette: $49.00

Dior ~ Grand Bal Lip and Eye Palette: $85.00

Laura Mercier ~ Color-To-Go Portable Palette for Eyes, Cheeks & Lips: $48.00

Aerin ~ Holiday Color Palette: $70.00

Pixi ~ Early Bird Kit: $34.00

e.l.f. ~ Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette: $10.00

Tried & Tested: Xen-Tan Dark Lotion

Xen-Tan Dark Lotion

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When purchasing a Self-Tanning Product I have 3 MUST HAVES:

1. NO SMELL

2. NO ORANGE TINT

3.  MUST FADE GRACEFULLY

Other brands tried: St.Tropez/KateSomerville/Clarins/Lancome/ModelCo/Fusion Beauty/Sevin Nyne/Neutrogena/Loreal/Jergens… 

Xen-Tan is the answer to my prayers. 

The process, although a little daunting, totally worth it! Plaster all over body – wait for 3 hours – wash off. Unlike most self-tanners you don’t have to be “as” precise with the application. The lotion is tinted which makes application tractable and the best part is the fragrance – a bouquet of almonds and vanilla!

After 3 hours… 

The first thing I noticed was the color… a perfect olive/brown-based tan.The second thing I noticed was that my skin felt extremely hydrated.  The third thing I noticed was that the tan was perfectly even – no streaks! 

So I threw on my new Current/Elliott cutoffs and walked out the door. (No color deposits on clothes)

The reason I will continue to purchase:  a couple of days later – still a nice subtle glow and Xen-Tan seemed to just fade away like magic…

Ahhhh-Mazing!