Luxury Beauty Gifts for Holiday 2010

Though "less is more" is often an understatement, sometimes more is more. One area where this is particularly true is within the realm of high-end beauty products. Mass-produced items can't compete with handmade quality, even at their low, low prices. If you have to buy the same inexpensive item 10 times to make it last as long as a luxury item, it's just not worth the cost. If you're planning to give beauty gifts this holiday season, consider buying the best. Luxury beauty gifts are the kind that keep on giving, offering years of quality and beautiful results. Here are a few luxury beauty gift ideas for the 2010 holiday season.

Luxury Beauty Gits for Holiday 2010

Clarisonic Skincare Brush - Sephora, $149-$225

The Clarisonic is a motorized skincare brush designed to provide a deeper clean to your beauty routine. It gently exfoliates while it cleanses, removing build-up and dead skin cells for a smooth finish. The product claims to be up to 6 times more effective at removing makeup than regular washing, and acts as an assistant to your regular soaps and cleansers.

Using soft bristles similar to those found on baby hairbrushes, the brush is gentle enough for everyday use. For people suffering from acne, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, this brush can also make a big difference in your skin's condition. Clarisonic comes highly recommended, having won beauty awards from Allure and other magazines.

There are a few different Clarisonic brushes available. The classic Clarisonic costs $195, is wireless and comes with a recharging dock. The more entry-level Clarisonic Mia is $50 cheaper, but must be plugged into an electrical socket to use. Though Clarisonic beauty brushes can be purchased from a number of retailers, Sephora has some special offers and gift sets available for the holidays.

If you're thinking of buying a Clarisonic for yourself as well as for someone else, head over to Clarisonic's website. Throughout the holiday season, they're offering a discount if you purchase 2 brushes at once. When you buy direct, you'll also have the opportunity to engrave your Clarisonic skincare brush for an extra personal touch.

Luxury Beauty Gits for Holiday 2010

GHD Hair Straightener - Sephora, $165-$240

If someone on your shopping list is a fan of heat styling, wish them a happy holiday with a GHD hair straightener. Though it's not much more expensive than the hair straightening irons offered by brands like CHI, the GHD straightener but is considered to be a vastly superior styling tool. With a slim design capable of adding curls and flicks in addition to smooth styling and plates that won't break or tangle hair, this iron offers spectacular results.

The GHD hair straightener is also capable of heating faster than most other models, with a maximum temperature of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It makes an audible beep to let you know when it's ready to use, and shuts itself off after 30 minutes.

The standard 1" GHD hair straightener typically costs $165, with the latest models fetching $230 at Sephora. Through the holiday season, Sephora is also offering a GHD gift set priced at $240, featuring a 1" straightener, 1875-watt travel hair dryer and heat resistant carrying case. Considering the GHD hair dryers are considered to be on par with T3 and other professional brands, this makes an outstanding gift for the right recipient.

Luxury Beauty Gits for Holiday 2010

Hakuhodo Makeup Brushes - Hakuhodo, $20-$369

Hakuhodo is a Japanese company, specializing in brushes for calligraphy and a number of other arts in addition to producing makeup brushes. These are considered by some to be the best makeup brushes on the planet, due to their natural hairs and handmade craftsmanship. Unlike most makeup brush manufacturers, Hakuhodo do not cut their brushes according to shape. Instead, they hand-pick hairs and arrange them by shape and color. These brushes are favorites of professional makeup artists and other beauty tastemakers such as YouTube gurus.

Though individual Hakuhodo makeup brushes can be purchased for as low as $20 each, the company offers a few different series that turn their products into a luxury beauty gift. Their S100 series is considered the top of the line, featuring vermillion red wooden handles and 24-karat gold ferrules. A set of Hakuhodo S100 series makeup brushes is available for $369, including 8 basic brushes and a folding brush roll.

Those who prefer not to use animal products should note that most Hakuhodo brushes are created from natural animal hairs. Goat, squirrel, weasel and horse hairs are among those used to craft their brushes. They do offer some synthetic brushes, but there is a marked difference between using natural and synthetic brushes. Natural brushes are softer, provide more natural makeup application, and can better handle washing.

Luxury Beauty Gits for Holiday 2010

Mason Pearson Hairbrushes - Folica, $50-$215

While we're on the subject of brushes, another great way to give luxury this holiday season is with a Mason Pearson brush. Often considered the "holy grail" of hairbrushes, Mason Pearson brushes have been used since the 19^th century. Like Hakuhodo, Mason Pearson specialize in handmade brushes, designed to stand the test of time. Many people report using the same brush for 20 years or more before needing a replacement. They are also endorsed by everyone from celebrity stylists to beauty and style magazines.

Mason Pearson hairbrushes come in several sizes designed for both children and adults, and in 3 different bristle types (boar bristle, nylon, and a combination between the two). Depending on the size and type, these range in price from $50 to over $200. Mason Pearson also offer combs starting around $20, made from natural wood. If you're hoping to save on one of these brushes, shop around. Since they come so highly recommended, Mason Pearson hairbrushes are sold at a number of beauty retailers and department stores.

Though luxury gifts cost more than their low-priced counterparts, they can be considered smart beauty investments. Buying one high quality, effective product will often pay for itself many times over when weighed against replacing cheaper or less useful items. These make outstanding holiday gifts for your favorite people, since they can enjoy the beauty benefits for years to come. The holidays are also a great time to buy yourself a little something nice, since you can take advantage of free shipping and other holiday shopping offers.