Gift Ideas for Beauty Junkies (Like Me!)

You need a special gift for that special beauty junkie in your life. If money were no object, you could buy her a trip to any number of spas, salons, and resorts. Of course, the rest of us need to be a little bit more creative with our gift giving in order to stick to a somewhat smaller budget. There are plenty of fun and wonderful ideas for beauty gifts that won't break the bank. Here are a few of my favorite beauty addict gift ideas.

Cult favorites. Cult favorites are those iconic makeup items that everyone loves. Try a little Maybelline mascara in the pink and green container for a perfect stocking stuffer. Or seek out OPI's "I'm Not Really a Waitress" Red nail polish. Try Nars blush, Kat Von D eye liner, or MAC eyeshadow, just to name a few. These brands are tried and true, and always popular. These are especially great if your giftee doesn't splurge on herself very often.

Limited edition items. Sephora makes great gift sets suitable for any beauty lover. Look for kits that contain your beauty lover's fav products, or colors that come in neutral shades. Giant blockbuster sets may look like overkill, so you may be better off purchasing a smaller, but more expensive, palette.

Luscious lotions. You can't go wrong with a luxurious body lotion, just be careful when choosing a scent. Vanilla and lavender are popular scents, but you may want to go with something unscented to play it safe. Add a pair of adorable mittens or a matching body wash. Just make sure to personalize the lotion with something special, or it will seem too impersonal.

Super-soft brushes. If your special someone loves makeup, a set of super-soft, uber-glam makeup brushes are a must. Go for something extra special: crystal clear handles, or funky colored tips. Throw in a great bronzer or pair of eye shadows to add a little pizzaz.

What to avoid. Don't give any gifts that 'fix' a beauty problem, or you might give your beauty junkie a beauty complex! Don't give skin care products or she may think her skin is hurting your eyes. Avoid those cute little tweezers with the light on them - you might think they're a good stocking stuffer, but she may start worrying about the need for waxing. And unless your beauty junkie has specifically asked for one, don't give her the Zeno Hot Spot.... sure it's a fabulous little beauty gadget that works wonders, but do you really want her to think you're worried about her pimples? Make sure to stick to glamorous, luxury items that your special someone might not purchase for herself.

Presentation is everything. Even if your gift is tiny, you can make it look like something special with the right wrapping. Try wrapping tiny eye shadows in a cute faux-Chinese takeout container. Or present a set of brushes like a beautiful bouquet, complete with a couple of roses mixed in. A pretty basket with loads of tissue is practical for smaller gifts as well as adorable. Or choose a wrapping paper with lots of shimmer and top it off with a lovely, luscious bow.

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