Holiday Gifts that Make Beautiful Sense

Sephora has been a leading source of fabulous cosmetics in Europe for a long time. The company was founded in France in 1969 and acquired by Paris-based LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury products group, in 1997. Sephora basically revolutionized the global beauty industry with its unique retail concept based on a very savvy combination of brand and product assortment, distinctive store design and the beauty expertise of its sales consultants.

Sephora has been celebrating their 10th Anniversary in America this year. (The company operates more than 220 stores in the United States and Canada, and the world’s top beauty website, Sephora.com. In Europe Sephora has more than 500 stores within 12 countries and has established 30 locations in China.)

With choices of more than 200 classic and emerging beauty brands across a broad range of product categories including skincare, makeup, fragrance, bath & body, hair care, smile care and tools, as well as the company’s own private label, it should be easy to find a holiday gift.

One idea might be a lip gloss set from Kat Von D that looks like very Hedwig in the tube but appears almost conservative—but still fun-- when applied. The Lightening Lipglosses Mini Set of 5 is $26. Shades include Gunshine, Stormy, Fierce Red, Bam and Saint.

This would be a perfect present for a more reserved friend you think could use a slight edgy touch. It is wild in the tube but a little bit more tame on the lips.

Another choice for a special yet practical gift and a great buy is Sephora’s selection of palettes— such as the 360˚ Palette ($38) – or the 360˚ Palette Beauty Insider Exclusive ($30) – Both are ideal for those who want to streamline their beauty routine or are just starting out in makeup.

Or there is the Body Butter Sampler ($22) – Sephora’s luxurious body butters all in one package. Choose from Home for the Holidays (Cinnamon Nutmeg, Chocolate Espresso and Apple Dumpling) and Island Holiday (Guava Passion, Coconut Cream and Tropical Jasmine).

Or perhaps a Super Shimmer Lip Gloss Set ($28)

There are also a great selection of clutches, starting at around $16. –some holiday sparkly and others a bit more subdued, but all perfect to give or to use. They work as make-up bags or evening bags.

Between the down-to-earth prices and the heavenly products it might be difficult to decide what to keep and what to give.

The Fragrance of Memory

The description of the newest scent from Jo Malone, the British fragrance house, is tantalizing enough: “The Thai-influenced notes of Sweet Lime & Cedar form a balanced and harmonious fragrance, as sweet lime combines with delicate hints of jasmine and ylang ylang, coconut, and the vanilla-like tonka bean.” Just the name, Sweet Lime & Cedar conjures up visions or memories of a cooling breeze wafting through a sultry rain forest

And the actual scent fulfills the promise and zeros right to the pleasure points of dreams and memory. To say this scent in intoxicating is an understatement. As the fragrance house says, the perfume is “inspired by the diverse flavours of Thai cuisine... this exotic scent balances zesty citrus fruits with aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, fragrance spices and nutty woods.”

This is a scent of heady contradictions that can be worn with ease by a man or a woman. It is at once seductive and fresh, crisp and heady, pungent and sweet.

The composition of Sweet Lime & Cedar :

Top Notes of Kaffir Lime, Blood Orange, Pink Pepper ( to name a few)

Middle Notes of Clary Sage, Coriander, Lavender and

Base Notes include Cedarwood, Amber and Tamarind

Another nice thing about any of the fragrances from Jo Malone-- Sweet Lime & Cedar, Blue Agava & Cacao, Wild Fig & Cassis, Pomengranate Noir, to name only a few-- is that the different scents can be layered like fine silk. Just anoint yourself with one, perhaps Nutmeg and Ginger Body Crème, then after a few minutes, spray on, say, Lime Basil and Mandarin. Deliciously breathtaking.

And if you are looking for an elegant and yet charming gift, Jo Malone offers a Gift Concierge to help you with your choice from among selections such as a Candle Trousseau (a leather jewel box filled with a suite of fragrant candles), or a Cologne Trousseau ( twelve colognes, selected by you or representative, presented in a stately box) or the Pine & Eucalyptus Collection that includes Luxury candles, bath oils and soaps and fragrance. Breathtaking gifts for a wedding party or holiday festivities.

Look to their fine Corporate Gift Services to assist with presenting clients or colleagues with the perfect gift at your convenience.

Sweet Lime & Cedar...........Is it a dream? .................Or a memory? ................Both.

http://www.jomalone.com/