Stocking thrillers

They say the best things come in small packages. Forget the nuts and tangerines and make your special someone’s stocking more beautiful…

• Reward angelic behaviour with Mavala’s Nail Polish Angels, available in three celestial shades, £4.10 each, exclusive to John Lewis stores.
• Twinkle, twinkle! Deliver the gift of festive calm with this Aromatherapy Associates Little Star, a star tree decoration housing Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil, £10 (020 8569 7030/www.aromatherapyassociates.com).
• Brush up her act for New Year parties with Bobbi Brown’s limited edition silver Party Collection Mini Brush Set, £55 (0870 034 2566).
• Moisturising mavens will go barking mad for SteamCream’s festive tin designs, including this Ni-Ni perfectly groomed poodle, £10.50 or £24.95 for set of three (Boots).

Under-tree treats

Everyone loves a box to unwrap on Christmas morning. These include not one but multiple beauty gifts in one package.

• Dreaming of a white Christmas? Be a weather goddess with Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Fragrance Gift Set – the scene comes to life with a flurry of snow when two buttons on both sides of the box are pressed, £50 (Boots).
• Origins fans will think all their Christmases have come at once with the Famous Favourites box set containing six warming treats like Ginger Souffle Whipped body cream, £62, saving £50.17 on individual buys (0800 731 4039/www.origins.co.uk).
• Ensure she’s practically sparkling with radiance over the festive season with bareMinerals And Away We Glow nine-piece make-up collection, £45 (0800 028 7187/www.bareminerals.co.uk).
• Help her on the way to beautiful skin with Elemis’s Rejuvenating Stars containing five products presented in a luxury charcoal vanity case for travelling in style, £65 (0117 316 1888/www.timetospa.co.uk).

Beauty bling

Indulge sparkle magpies with a gift that glimmers. These limited editions are sure to make her eyes light up on Christmas morning.

• Undecided between jewellery or perfume? Get both with this Thierry Mugler Christmas limited edition Angel EDP with bracelet, from £51.50 for 25ml, nationwide (020 7307 6700).
• As if the Swarovski crystal evening bag isn’t enough, Estee Lauder have made big nights out complete by including the Pure Color make-up collection, £45 (www.esteelauder.com).
• When a plain old lipgloss tube just won’t do, dazzle her with this Aura by Swarovski Crystal Gloss for Lips Make-up Jewel, £48, nationwide (020 7307 6700).
• For serious skincare addicts only. Bling up her bathroom shelf with Shiseido’s limited edition Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum adorned with Swarovski elements, £100 (www.harrods.com).

Girly goodies

Mini beauty addicts-in-training who want to be as pretty as mummy won’t want to be left out of the action. These festive cuties should deliver.

• Mary Christmas has got competition with this Harajuku Lovers Jingle G fragrance. The collectable mini Santa contains 10ml eau de toilette, £12.50 (www.theperfumeshop.com).
• Sparkle, spice and everything nice. These are the ingredients that have gone into Philosophy’s deliciously good Gingerbread Girl duo with bubble bath and body lotion, £18 (John Lewis).
• If your little darling is more likely to have her head in a make-up bag than a book, indulge her beautifying ways with a 17 Mini Nail Library, £10 (Boots).
• Fuchsia obsessives will blush with delight at this Pink Inc Gold limited edition fragrance and body coffret, £11.99 (Superdrug).

Tried & tested

Show your paws some love in the cold snap season with a soothing moisturiser. Our testers slather on three intensive hand creams:

• Johnson’s 24hour Moisture Radiance Hand Cream, £2.09 (nationwide)

5/5

• Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream for dry hands, £3.67 (nationwide)

4/5

• This Works Perfect Hands Intense Moisture, £18 (0208 543 3544/www.thisworks.com)

3/5

Buy it now

Go Gaga over the MAC Viva Glam Melt Your Heart Lip Bag. The red-hot case includes two limited edition Lady Gaga shades of Viva Glam Lipstick and the full RRP (less VAT) from the sale of your purchase goes toward the MAC aids fund, £29.50 (0870 034 2676/www.maccosmetics.co.uk).

Beauty bulletin

• Mums united

• Recessionista alert