This week: budget friendly beauty gifts, cellulite creams, and gentle cleansers

I am definitely splurging on my sister and getting her a Sephora train case per your suggestion, but could you suggest a few more budget-friendly items in the $10-15 dollar gift range?

There are lots of great beauty items or stocking stuffers in the $10-15 range. Luckily, many companies are keeping in mind that to be beautiful you don’t have to spend a ton of cash. Sephora makes a few items that would be perfect for the makeup lovers on your list. I know I mention Sephora a lot and am practically a walking, talking, sandwich board-wearing advertisement for them, but I just love that store, so on with the endorsement! In the Sephora Piiink (that’s right, it’s pink with three I’s) line you can find “My Funkiii Palette” or “My Clubbiiing Palette” for $10 each and it includes three shadows, cheek glow, and glitter gloss plus a double ended applicator brush. Or, “My VIIIP Lip Gloss Palette” for $12. I know the “triple i” misspelling thing is a little annoying, but these trendy items would be great for teens or young adults. If you have a fragrance lover on your hands to buy for, try Stella McCartney’s Stella Eau de Parfum roll-on for only $10! For your pals who travel frequently, try the Go-Smile Jet Set Kit for $12, which includes a toothbrush, 1 oz. AM Toothpaste and 1 oz. PM Toothpaste in a TSA-approved clear travel clutch. Designer whitening toothpaste is definitely a must-have after all that holiday cabernet! Finally, for the person who is constantly shopping at Whole Foods and adores their organic products, try the Korres Natural Products “Best of Collection” which includes all kinds of trial sizes of face and body products including the scrumptious Vanilla Cinnamon Shower Gel - it’s my personal favorite. This set does ring up at $25, but is worth the splurge! All of my Mega Magnificent budget-loving gift suggestions can be found at Sephora stores or Sephora.com.

Do cellulite creams really work?

I hate to break the bad news to you during the holiday season, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, cellulite creams do not really work. Wouldn’t it be a true Christmas miracle if they did? Cellulite is lumpy fat deposits that are mostly on the backs of thighs, stomach or butt area. The reason it gets that cottage cheese look is that the fat pushes against the connective tissue beneath a person’s skin. That’s the key word here, beneath the skin. Nothing that you apply topically is going to penetrate beneath the skin to make it go away. So sorry to have to break it to you, but if you have purchased any of the cellulite creams on the market, it’s a waste of money. If it makes you feel any better, even skinny people get cellulite, too. I have even seen some runway models with that puckering of dimply fat right beneath their little tiny rear ends. All is not lost though, there is something you can do, obviously besides diet and exercise… self tanner! This will help minimize the appearance of the cellulite by making the area more tan. On darker skin, cellulite is less obvious. So grab a tube of your favorite self tanner and don’t bother with the cellulite creams!

I have been trying to squeeze workouts into a busy schedule, so I usually do two short workouts a day. The problem is I am constantly washing my face and reapplying makeup. Is there a gentle cleanser for multiple daily use?

I totally admire that you can do two workouts in one day! I have two small children and I am lucky if I can pop in a yoga tape for five minutes. Ever try to do yoga with two little monkeys climbing all over you? But that’s beside the point. The point is your skin will be better served by having two different cleansers. After your first workout I wouldn’t recommend completely washing your face, I would try a facial cleansing wipe that you can use without water. Water tends to dry out the face, so if you can eliminate washing with water after one of your workouts that will help prevent your face from drying out and getting red and flaky. Try Neutrogena’s Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($8). These pre-moistened cloths do not require water and will gently clean skin in one easy step. It’s even gentle enough to use around the eye area. Then, after your second workout you will want to cleanse more thoroughly with a foaming cleanser. This is a more deep cleaning step and is better later in the day when more dirt, bacteria, and oil has built up on your face. Neutrogena’s Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($6) rinses clean, won’t leave any pore-clogging residue behind, and is best for normal to oily skin. This new routine will surely help your skin and you have inspired me to go workout. Or maybe I will just do a couple of sit-ups while I watch Oprah!