Hair's the Scoop

Brands

First up on our Holiday Gift Guide, that much-loved-yet-awkward-to-give anti-aging aid. Though even pre-teens are now slathering themselves in the latest formulations, there's nothing more deflating than receiving a present boldly marked with words like "crow's feet," "age spots" or "sagging skin" — especially from a loved one or co-worker.

7 discreetly packaged, must-try miracle workers that are sure to please:

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Beloved by fresh-faced stars like Cate Blanchett, this powerful potion has been the brand's best-selling SKU for over 20 years. Suitable for all skin types. ($100-$195, SK-II.com.)

Kerastase Elixir Ultime
This lightweight treatment oil delivers a powerful cocktail of emollient and anti-oxidant active ingredients for ultimate shine and suppleness, whilst also promoting cellular renewal. ($50, Kerastase-Usa.com.)

Guerlain Midnight Star Collect'or Extraordinary Radiance Treatment
Contained in convenient, single-dose capsules, this potent pearlescent gel dispels the signs of fatigue and stress, to reveal a fresh, radiant complexion. ($73, Sephora.com.)

Fresh Brown Sugar Escape
Includes Kate Hudson's beloved Brown Sugar Body Polish, a purse-friendly tube of Brown Sugar Body Cream and the brand's ultra-nourishing Brown Sugar Oval Soap. ($96 value for $75, Fresh.com. BONUS: Spend $75+ before 12/25, and you'll receive a complimentary Brown Sugar Body Lotion with code GIVEMORE75.)

Lip Fusion Objects of Desire Micro-Collagen Lip Plump
Creates fuller, smoother, perfectly plumped and moisturized lips in seconds, with results lasting up to 48 hours. Available in four shades. ($29, FusionBeauty.com.)

Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight
A luxurious lip therapy that works on contact to soften roughness and soothe dry lips, and also reduce the look of fine lines for a more youthful-looking pout. ($20, Philosophy.com.)

Bliss Make Over Your Mani
This dual-action hand treatment set combines Bliss' gel-lined Glamour Gloves and High Intensity Hand Cream to transform winter-worn paws from parched to petal-soft in minutes. ($66 value for $48, BlissWorld.com.)

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To help you find the best in beauty and grooming for everyone on your list — from your nearest & dearest to the office lush — Hair's the Scoop will be highlighting top products, promotions and exclusive offers daily, throughout the holiday season.

But no matter how A-list-adored or expert-endorsed, the best recommendations are often those of our friends and family, so please be sure to add your personal picks, opinions and questions in the comment section of each post for the benefit of our ever-growing All the Looks community. (Plus, in doing so, you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win this luxurious Kanebo Sensai prize package!)

Happy holidays! x

Brand

In classic Kiehl's style, the brand has bucked holiday's overdone, use-until-December 26-then-what packaging trend, opting instead to lift our spirits with the bright, beautiful art of Jeff Koons. For a limited time only, the artist's "Tulip" print will encase Kiehl's beloved Creme de Corps body moisturizer and new (highly addictive) whipped body butter, with 100% of the net proceeds from each to benefit The Koons Family Institute.

Jeff Koons for Kiehl's Creme de Corps body care collection, $27- $70. Available online at Kiehls.com.

AKM IMAGES/Splash News

Rushing to find a list full of holiday gifts? No need to stress. Simply use the guide below to target the season's best beauty offerings, in three stops— or less!

Department Store Must-Haves
From Saks and Bloomis to Nordstrom and Neimans, you're sure to find something for everyone at the beauty counters of your favorite department store. (Have a Barneys or a Fred Segal near you? B-line straight to their exclusive niche brand/product offerings, as they're typically well-edited and sold in limited quantities.)

For the Hostess—
Annick Goutal Noel Votive Candle Set ($52). A deliciously-scented set of candles cased in elegant glass votives finished with gold accents.

For the Co-Worker—
Fresh Oval Soaps ($14 ea). Available in an array of seasonally-inspired fragrances, each of these twice-milled, shea butter-enhanced soaps comes beautifully packaged in patterned, heavy-weight paper finished with a semi-precious gemstone.

For the Oh-So-Glamorous—
Empreinte de CHANEL Radiant Glow Highlighting Powder ($65). Subtly shimmering shades of rosewood, beige and brown, warm and brighten the cheek and brownbone. A unique beveled brush allows for perfect contouring. Limited Edition.

For the Eco-Chic—
Diptyque Huiles Precieuses Precious Oils For Body ($78). A medley of refined, organic oils: sweet almond oil to soothe, argan oil to nourish, and macadamia nut oil to soften.

For the Tech-Savvy—
Clarisonic Skincare System ($195). Uses patented sonic technology to gently yet deeply rid pores of environmental toxins, makeup and bacteria up to 6x more than superficial cleansing, without abrasion or harsh chemicals, and actually increases product absorption (up to 61%).

For the Product-Phobic—
Jo Malone Cologne Collection ($95). Six harmonious scents that will surely convert even the most fragrance-phobic of friends or loved ones.

For the Boys—
Shiseido Men Total Skin & Shave Set ($62). Includes full sizes of Cleansing Foam and Moisturizing Emulsion, travel sizes of Shaving Cream and Deep Cleansing Scrub, samples of Total Revitalizer and the Zen for Men Fragrance and a facial-service gift certificate, all in a sleek travel bag.

In-Store at Sephora
From grooming essentials for the men in your life— like Peter Thomas Roth's Age Defense Kit ($45) or The Art of Shaving Power Shave Set ($150)— to a sampling of the season's top fragrances, Sephora remains the ultimate one-stop-shop for all things beauty.

For the Hostess—
Tocca Bagno da Viaggio ($38). A luxurious trio of Bagno Profumato (an ultra luxurious foaming bath gel), Crema Da Corpo (a nourishing all-over body cream), and Candelina (a travel-sized candle), all in a Tocca signature gift box.

For the Co-Worker—
Philosophy The Winter Escape ($19). A trio of fireside-inspired luxuries. Includes: Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Marshmallow Body Soufflé and Marshmallow Flavored Lip Shine.

For the Oh-So-Glamorous—
Too Faced Glamour Revolution ($39.50). A limited-edition makeup book that includes everything a glamour queen needs to overthrow an old beauty routine.

For the Eco-Chic—
NUDE Supermodels ($58). A six-piece set to get any complexion in catwalk-worthy condition. Includes: Cleansing Facial Oil, Moisturising Body Cream, Advanced Eye Complex, Age Defence Moisturiser, Replenishing Night Oil and Miracle Mask.

For the Tech-Savvy—
Tanda Regenerate Anti-Aging Starter Kit or Clear Acne Light Therapy Kit ($275 ea). A light therapy device combining proven light therapy and botanically based, light-optimized topicals to provide natural, non-invasive, scientifically proven solutions for common unwanted skin conditions.

For the Product-Phobic—
Bliss Softening Socks and/or Glamour Gloves ($48 ea). Self-activated, polymer-gel lining force feeds dry skin with essential softening agents— grape seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and vitamin E.

For the Boys—
Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Gift Set ($70). Charismatic and seductive, this complex fragrance comes compliments of preeminent perfumer Olivier Polge. His masterpiece is a sensual, spicy, oriental blend developed on the harmony of tobacco with refined base notes of cardamom, ginger, cedarwood, and citrus spice accord.

Drugstore Finds
Whether you're in need essential stocking stuffers— like Burt's Bees Hand Salve ($8.99) or OPI Nail Lacquer in Shim-Merry Chic ($8)— or pre-packaged gift sets, your local drugstore houses loads of budget-friendly beauty buys.

For the Hostess—
Bath Bakery Bon Bons Bath Fizzies Gift Set ($29.99). Designed to relax, soften, and soothe, these decadent bath treats are 100% hand made using natural ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil, Natural Sugar, Beeswax, Canola Oil, and Dead Sea Salts

For the Co-Worker—
Yes To Carrots Smooth Over Complete Body Spa Kit ($19.99). This nourishing body care set includes: Carrot Rich Moisturizing Body Scrub, Deliciously Rich Body Butter, Dead Sea Bath Salts, and a special exfoliating glove to leave skin smooth and soft.

For the Oh-So-Glamorous—
HoMedics Style Spa Deluxe with Built-In Nail Dryer ($24.99). A 15-piece mani/pedi kit that provides salon-worthy results. Comes complete with a touch-activated dryer, grooming set for shaping, filing and polishing nails, hand softner and nail strengthener, and a rechargeable cord-cordless base.

For the Eco-Chic—
Kiss My Face Kisses On Trial Gift Set ($12.99). Includes: Whenever Conditioner, Whenever Shampoo, Upper Management Styling Gel, Anti-Stress Shower Gel, Lavender Shave, Honey and Calendula Moisturizer, Olive and Green Tea Bar Soap, Lavender and Shea Moisturizer, and Whitening Toothpaste.

For the Tech-Savvy—
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator ($38.99). A fabulous starter kit that includes everything they'll need to revitalize a tired, lackluster complexion. Helps to firm, fade age spots and wrinkles, and "shrink" pores.

For the Product-Phobic—
Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol ($68). A brilliant introduction to Olay's latest anti-aging skincare collection. Includes: Age Repair Lotion, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, and Eye Restoration Complex.

For the Boys—
Pangea Organics This Box Grows a Spruce Tree! Gift Set ($35). Comes complete with Canadian Pine with White Sage Bar Soap, Egyptian Basil & Mint Shower Gel, and Chilean Red Clover with Geranium & Grapefruit Hand & Body Lotion.

This holiday, get that special woman in your life the gift of her dreams (within the budget of yours) with these stylish women’s holiday gifts, each under $100.

Plus, leave a comment anywhere in this gift guide to be entered to win the entire U by Ungaro Color Collection exclusively for Avon!

This Sephora-exclusive Carol's Daughter kit is a wonderful way to spoil a loved one this holiday season. From a gentle cleanser to a nourishing leave-in, this herb-infused, all natural trio helps heal the effects of heat styling, chemical processing, and harsh weather, leaving your beloved beauty junkie with healthy-looking tresses for the new year.

Included in Recipe For Great Hair:
- Tui Herbal Shampoo
-
Tui Hair Smoothie
-
Tui Hair Oil

Carol's Daughter Recipe For Great Hair is available at Sephora.com, $35.