.:: CybeleSays ::.

When in doubt, go SEPHORA. Everyone knows it and they have some really great quality products. Take this Apple Pomegranate collection. I mean, take this apple pomegranate collection, please! Take each of the products to your home pronto! Picture juicy McIntosh apples mixed with pomegranate and you’ve got a winning combination and it comes in many different forms: Dry Body Oil ($16/5oz), Body Butter ($16/6.7oz), Body Scrub ($16/6.7oz), Body Wash ($12/10oz) or Bubble Bath ($16/10oz). Or give them a few of the products in this Apple Pomegranate Gift Set ($10). It contains the Body Wash (2.5oz) and a lush Body Butter (3.4oz). Such a bargain way to try some products out. Get them all @ sephora.com.

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Ok, let’s just say that this holiday season, money no object and let’s just say that you still have not gotten that one friend of yours a kick-ass present. You have no idea what to get her but you for sure need to wow or you’ll be in the dog house for all of 2009. Some of these will break the bank for most but what a pleasure it would be to give this and see the reaction from your friend!

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For the finicky female …
LA MER Luxury Essentials ($630 @ neimanmarcus.com) – includes Crème de la Mer (2oz), The Lifting Face Serum (1oz) and The Eye Concentrate (.5oz) all packed in a limited edition mother of pearl round box.

Here’s a category I never thought of giving a gift in – hair care. Us females, and more and more men, are really particular about what we put in our hair. So if you have one of those on your list, how about a one of the great gift sets out there like this HAMADI Honey EcoPac ($30 @ hamadibeauty.com). You know how much we love honey so how could we not recommend this set? It’s 2oz’s of their Honey Soymilk Hairwash, Shea Rice Milk Conditioner and the Healing Serum and they're all tucked in a useful washcloth.

Ok, you find yourself in a unique gifting situation (it happens). You don’t know what their favorite color is; if they are sober so it’s good to stay neutral in this kind of situation. One occasion coming up besides Christmas is New Years. What do you get the host of the party? Instead of regifting the bottle of wine that you got, opt for something citrus-y. I mean, who doesn’t like citrus? While I have not conducted a formal study, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say they don’t like it so here are a few suggestions for host gifts.

REN’s Hand Duo ($50/10.2oz each @ bluemercury.com) - Citrus Limonum Hand Wash (10.2oz), Citrus Limonum Prebiotic Hand Cream (10.2oz) 

ORiGINS Blue Skies Ahead ($35 @ origins.com) – Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle (4oz), Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Wash and Bubble Bath (3.4oz) and Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser (3.4oz)

The holidays are a great time to try a new candle lines and scents. You’ll be expecting company and can seem totally in the know on the candle front so mix it up by burning one with a unique scent. Here are a few recommendations.

NEST in Periwinkle Hyacinth ($32/8.1oz = 50 hours @ neimanmarcus) – periwinkle, hyacinth and lilac combined with green leaves and cloves.

TOCCA Holiday Candela – Cortina ($46/11oz = 60 hours @ tocca.com) - Elemi Wood and crisp Pine spiked with wood.

Show someone you really care. Care about their wellbeing and most imporantantly, holding onto their youthful look. We’ve always been fans of the OSMOTICS line and they have a collection that’s perfect for this time of year. The 3 products in the Age Defense 24/7 Luxury Collection ($98 @ osmotics.com) contain their patented BRT ingredient (Barrier Repair Technology) that is proven to restore and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. This kit contains full sizes of the following: Age Defense Barrier Body Silk (3.4oz), which is a brand product in the line, Cream Extreme Barrier Repair (1oz), Anti-Radical Age Defense (1oz) and a DVD that explains the products. This is a $178 value so take advantage of the system and pick yourself one up too.

What part of a makeup palette doesn’t make a great gift? Here are a few this season that make great gifts for the color lover in your life.

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TARTE’s The Vanity ($52 @ sephora.com) – this one packs a lot under one roof and is a $494 value! Here’s what you get: 16 new eye shadow colors, 16 new lip gloss colors, mascara, mineral powder bronzer, luminizer, 4 powder blushes, deluxe eye shadow and 2 eyelining brushes.

SEPHORA Ultimate Blockbuster – Collector’s Edition ($48 @ sephora.com) is the biggest one out of all three of these and has a $320 value. Here’s what is inside: 71 eye shadows, 13 cream eye shadows, 5 blushes, 1 face powder, 60 lip glosses, lip liner, eyeliner, 4 different brushes, and 3 sponge-tipped applicators.

HOURGLASS COSMETICS Color Link Palette in Landscape ($75 @ hourglasscosmetics.com) is 8 universally flattering colors. It contains 6 eye shadows and 2 blushes.

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A gift doesn't have to cost a lot to let someone know you were thinking about them. Here are some on the small side items we are loving for stocking stuffers or a main gift.

1. LUSH Christmascake Soap ($6.95/3.5oz @ lush.com)

2. NAPOLEON PERDIS NP Set Show Loose Dust Duo in South Africa ($26 @ target.com)

3. Wrigley’s Doublemint Lip Balm fromON10 ($9 @ sephora.com)

4. LUSH Chocolate Santa Bath Bomb ($6.95/7oz @ lush.com)

5. PIXI Pixi by Petra Energy Blush in No. 2 Pick-Me-Up Pink ($21 @ pixibeauty.com)

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Had enough? Ready to throw in the towel this holiday season? Reach for DERMALOGICA’s Stress Relief Set ($53 @ dermstore.com) first. The scent of the products is the perfect mix of the following essentials oils to put you in another state of mind: Tea Tree, Lavender (normally not a fan of but mixed with the others, it works!), Lemon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Sandalwood. Each box contains Hydro-Active Mineral Salts (10oz), Stress Relief Treatment Oil (3.4oz), and a Stress Relief Candle Votive. So just relax … we’re almost there!

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How fun are EMILIO PUCCI prints? So colorful and vibrant! Here’s another way to take that colorfulness with you and in a fragrance form and for a great price. Vivara Eau de Parfum Roll On ($25/.3oz @ sephora.com) originally came out back in 1966 and they’ve updated the scent and made it for on-the-go! This floral contains notes of Italian Bergamot, Sambac Jasmine and Indonesian Patchouli, to name a few. Stick this one in a few stockings this season.