Buying Beauty

No, this is not about me railing against plastic surgery and it's addictive nature - I will do that w/my New Year's resolutions. This year I've decided to add some for a few other people, since obviously they don't think of them. Yes, it's bitchy, but...

Today, we need to discuss how to buy gifts of beauty for a loved one as a holiday present. There are a few simple rules, and a few not so simple, but really important ones.

What NOT to do:

1. Never buy foundation, concealer or powder as a gift. These things are so personal with regard to matching the color and finding a compatible texture, etc, that you will never get it right. Do not be guilty of saying "Well, this looks like her color". Unless you want a lackluster response to your gift. Or tears. Or both.

2. Don't buy anything that says "wrinkle". Ever. We all know we have them, but do you want to be bitch-slapped with that fact on Christmas morning? I don't (of course, I have no wrinkles - do I hear giggling?). More tears are on the way!

3. Beware of gift sets. They may look like a bargain, but invariably 60 % of the set won't be right for the skin tone/coloring of the intended recipient and if all she ( or he) can use is 40% of it, was it such a deal, after all? Plus, in the midst of the few somewhat wearable things are some of the most god-awful, hideous colors (things that would never sell alone) on earth. And cheaply made brushes - we've discussed that before. Bigger is not better - at least not in this case.

4. If the person you are buying for always wears red lips, why would you buy her a different color? Picking out colors is hard enough for the person themselves, much less for someone else to try and do for them. Like foundations, lips are an area where women get in a comfort zone and don't want to be forced out by you. Or anyone else. REMEMBER: no matter how much you hate the bright pink lip gloss someone wears, she wouldn't be wearing it if she didn't like it.

OK, now for some help in how to make this successful:

1. Gift Certificates and Gift Cards are always the right color and texture. But, please find out where she likes to shop and buy accordingly. If she is a die-hard Saks fan, don't give her a GC from Dillard's. For the most part, they sell the same things, but it can be a totally different experience. A GC from her favorite salon, makeup artist or spa is always a good choice. She will be able to get whatever she wants from a place she already knows.

2. If you don't want to do the GC thing, scope out her makeup bag and write down the names (brand name and color name - if there is a number, write it, too) of some things you see her use all the time. This is a much safer way to go. Plus, she will think that you pay such good attention to her that you even know what makeup she wears. She doesn't have to know.

3. Stay with things that are not so specific - makeup bags and brush holders, clear lip gloss ( unless she always wears a matte lip - pay attention), facial sprays, bath gels/body scrubs (always good paired with a big sea sponge for a "spa"feel). Also smaller, travel sizes can be added to the bag, etc to customize the gift.

4. There is not a woman on earth who wouldn't love a new set of brushes, paired with a makeup lesson, so that she can learn how to use them. Just make sure you get the regular brushes, not the "holiday set" ( I didn't capitalize that, because it doesn't deserve it - I can't tell you how much I hate the machine-made ones. And 99% of the holiday ones are cheap and machine-made, despite what they may want you to believe). Add brush cleanser to this and you've got a great gift.

5. This last one is possibly my favorite ( at least tied with the "buy a GC from a makeup artist one. Holla!). Arrange for the 2 of you to have massages in your home. Always look for a Licensed Massage Therapist (we are not talking about the other kind of "massage") who has a table and does outcall services. You will pay more for them to come to you, but it is worth it. While she is having her massage, use some of that bath gel to run her a hot bath, so she can go from the massage table to the bathtub. Then she can feel like she is having her own private spa day. Who wouldn't love this?

OK, I hope that is at least a small help to those of you who are thinking of buying this type of gift. If you make a great choice, she will tell her best friends. If your choice sucks big-time, she will tell the story every time the subject of holiday gifts comes up. Bank on it.