This week: Beauty gift ideas, expensive makeup, and flat irons.

What are some beauty gift ideas that aren’t your standard, boring makeup gift sets?

Beauty gifts are my favorite! It’s very simple to find something for all the makeup mavens out there, but you have to think outside the gloss a bit.  I’ll call it the “Mother Magnetism Mega Magnificent Gift Guide”!

For the intellectual beauty addicts, a hardback book about everything and anything you can think of about beauty is a perfect choice. Linda Wells’ Confessions of a Beauty Editor ($25) is brand new, and you can find it at most major book retailers. This is by the Editor in Chief of Allure magazine, which just happens to be the best beauty magazine around. And I am not just saying that either, even if I did have a tiny little feature in Allure back in June. So maybe I’m a little biased, but regardless, pick up a copy of the book and add on a gift subscription for at least two years of Allure. Don’t be cheap and get a one-year subscription, two-years is trés chic! 

The “true artist” you know would love a train case from Sephora. The Midnight Train Case in black or the Metro Train Case in Silver ($90) will hold all of their beauty essentials. This is a popular choice for that makeup-adoring teen, too. It even has a lock on it to keep pesky younger siblings away from all that beauty booty! There is also a smaller version called the Tool Box for $35. All cases are available at Sephora stores or at Sephora.com.

The makeup diva who has everything would appreciate a little jewelry in the form of a Lipstick Charm by Juicy Couture ($50). This adorable pink enamel charm has pavé rhinestones, gold hardware with the words “Gloss” and “Couture” engraved in it. So cute! I am putting it on my list to Santa right now! And why stop at just one charm? How about a Juicy Hair Dryer Charm ($50)? It has gold hardware with silver metal trim and their crown logo on the front, and is an excellent choice for that friend who always has just the right buttery blonde highlights.

Last but not least, how about something for that person who doesn’t like to finish last? The competitive beauty buff will appreciate the new Sephora Monopoly Game ($45). It’s just like the regular version, but the tokens are items like a mascara wand, powder brush, etc. The houses and hotels are Sephora’s signature black bags, and Sephora stores. Instead of Community Chest, it’s a beauty dare card and you compete to buy such places as Lipstick Lane, and Blow-Out Boulevard. Dare to build your own beauty empire! I just kicked my husband’s you-know-what when we played my own copy of Sephora Monopoly last night.

And speaking of men, how about something beauty centric for all those metro-males in your life? I would look into getting the Sharps Usual Suspects Gift Set ($45) at Blissspa.com. This macho male box set includes trial sizes of soap, deodorant, shave gel, after-shave gel, 2-in-1 conditioning shampoo and hair sculpting paste. The best part of the set though is the retro-hip packaging. It’s very masculine and cool, even if your guy isn’t!

Is expensive makeup worth it?

It all depends, but I know I’m coveting a Giorgio Armani Cosmetics holiday lip color called Black Gem Shine Lipstick for $35.Yes, $35 for a tube of lipstick. I know it’s crazy, but it’s just so sleek and pretty. It’s also limited edition, embellished with 15 black Swarovski crystals, and has a black lacquer floral design. Perfection! Can I have it Santa, please? Pretty please???

I am still using an old round metal brush and blow dryer to blow my hair out straight. Should I get a flat-iron instead?

Egads! It is very interesting to hear that people still use these to blow out their hair. Do you churn your own butter, too? Or do you just like doing things the hard way? Just kidding, but a flat iron is very worth it if you want to save some time and energy getting your hair to be straight. I got my Hai Ceramic Flat Iron a couple of years ago on Folica.com, and while it was a little pricey, it has been worth every penny. Now it only takes me five minutes to straighten my hair, as opposed to 25 minutes blowing it out. I love my flat iron so much that I want to hug it and squeeze it and call it George! Put one on your Christmas list pronto!