I’m sure it’s colder where you are then where I am in Los Angeles but the air out here still has a nip in it most nights! So make sure you adjust your skin care products during these colder months as you want to make sure it has the right level of moisture. Give your skin a one-two punch with two from the LIZ EARLE line. 

Superskin Concentrate ($70/1.6oz) – is comprised of 100% pure plant oils including argan oil, which is known as the ‘gold of Morocco.’ Use this one under your moisturizer at night on the face, neck and decolletage.

Superskin Moisturizer ($60.1.6oz) – contains natural plant oils including cranberry seed oil, which is high in Omega-3, 6 and 9, borage seed oil and rosehip oil. Wow. This duo is a big recommendation. Both @ birchbox.com.

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Like Italy and all things Italian? Then TOVA’s Ambre D’Oro Eau de Parfum might just be fore you. We're in love with her signature scent and this is the latest addition to her line and it's her fifth. It’s inspired by Italy and all things … bella! This is described as a musky-floral and since most perfume lovers need the exact notes to know if they will mix with a scent, here they are:

Top: Sicilian lemon, Peony Peregrina mixed with Asiatic Lily and Plum Blossom.

Middle: Italian Jasmine and Mimosa, Wild Gladiola and Florentine Iris

Base: Amber Musk, Heliotrope, Patchouli, Sandalwood

The scent is a little heavy so I would recommend this one for evening wear. $36/1.7oz @ beautybytova.com.

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Many moons ago, I thought all hairsprays were the same. Wrong! I’ve come across some icky ones that not only left residue behind but either faded quickly or worked too well at holding. Here’s a few that get high marks from us. From L to R:

• SEBASTIAN Shaper Zero Gravity ($11.95/10.6oz @ ulta.com)
• WHITE SANDS Infinity Finishing Spray ($21/10oz @ amazon.com)
• KEN PAVES Shaping Finishing Spray ($24/9.7oz @ beauty.com)
• SUDZZ FX Airplay ($18.98/10oz @ sudzzfx.com)

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We were going to include MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Aqua Eyes Collection ($35 @ makeupforever.com) in our gift picks but I really don’t think these colors are for the novice. Or maybe we should have recommended it for the makeup pro in your life. Either way, we love each of these colors and even I was a little intimidated by them at first sight. Here’s what the set includes:

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Mat Black #0L (black)
Iridescent Navy Blue #3L (navy blue sheen)
Turquoise #7L (light turquiose sheen)
Bronze #10L (metallic bronze)
Purple #11L (metallic purple)

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So line one on your lids and just be sure to smudge the line a little so you don’t get too much of a pop and end up looking a little clownish. But act quick because it sets in 30 seconds. And like the name says, their waterproof, so have yerself a good cry or go splash around in an indoor pool.

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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.

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

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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 @ nordstrom.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.

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 from ON10 ($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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Part of the holiday season that I love are the scents like pine and peppermint. It just makes me want to grab Lucy (the cat) and go snuggle in a big blanket! So when DIONIS’ Ginger Mint Collection flew onto my desk, I was delighted to try them out. It’s totally on with any of these:

Sugar Scrub ($5.99/8oz), Hand Cream ($8.99/4oz), Three-In-One Shampoo/Body Wash/Bubble Bath ($12/99/16oz), Body Lotion ($9.99/8oz) and Lip Gloss ($4.99/.5oz tube).

This collection is limited edition so get it while it’s hot! All @ dionisgmskincare.com.

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Stain on teeth = bad. Stain on lips = good. And COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain = really good! There’s a certain stain out there that comes in a nail polish type bottle and the brush that applies the stain is thin and in my opinion, useless. While the brush is the right size for nails, it’s hard to have control over it to apply to lips and cheeks. I totally cannot understand why this has such a cult following. While I’ve always been a fan of stains, most of them just, well, suck. And marker ones like these seem to give you the best control but the ones I have tried in the past all always seemed dried out. Not these. The tips are simply wet with color! I am a fan of the bare lip feel so these are right up my alley. Out of the 10 shades, the darker ones seem to be more to my liking. Plum Pout, Coy Coral and Wild Berry Wink have been adorning my lips all week.

Even though these won’t hit stores until January, you can get one today, December 12 through 14 at select Bebe stores nationwide. Just spend $100 and you’ll get one of these coolio stains for free. See bebe.com for participating stores. $7.29 @ target.com.

I’m always hot to trot in trying out a new face powder, especially if it’s of the mineral kind. HOURGLASS COSMETICS Oxygen Foundation Powder ($46 @ spacenk.com) is my latest find and it’s fine, fine, fine. The powder, the coverage, and the compact it comes in has a mirror that moves in all directions, not just open and close. How does this one differ from your other mineral foundation powders? In addition to vitamin E, it contains a unique oxygen delivering ingredient. This one is also free of talc and oils.

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