Home

Get Our Columns

Get Personal, Private Advice  

Get Advice Sister Alison

Find Lasting Love

Make New Connections!

New Features

Current Double-Take Q&A

Advice Sisters
Double-Take Q&A archives

WHAT WORKS Columns

ARTICLES- Wit- and Wisdom

Archives

Ask Alison Career Advice!

Clubhouse

Advertise/Link

Great Links

Privacy Policy

CONTACT US

GREAT GIFTS: Good things come in little packages -- big ones, too!  In our picks for holiday gifts you'll find something special for everyone on your list, whether your budget is big or small.  Find your favorites and avoid the holiday crowds by accessing the links on our Exclusive Buying Guide on PAGE 3

The Everything Dating Book 2nd. Edition (Adams Media, 2005) by Alison Blackman Dunham (aka. "Advice Sister Alison") is the Advice Sisters' newest relationship book!  New to dating?Re-entering the "meet market?" Hoping to improve your "game?" This important, new book has everything to make a dating journey, swift, successful, safe, and satisfying! It is a gift that keeps on giving.  The Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition will be in bookstores, December 2005 but you can PRE-ORDER YOUR COPIES NOW through the Advice Sisters: Email with your request:  advicesisters1@yahoo.com (please put "Everything Dating" in the subject line) and we will advise you about price and shipping and payment. BONUS - for pre-orders Advice Sister Alison will personally autograph your book (s) at no charge. Don't be alone unless you want to be! For GIFT ORDERS Alison will arrange a gift-card notifying each recipient of your special gift, on the date you choose. If you wish, she will also sign and gift wrap each copy --all at  no additional charge.

We could have placed the Charmed Lip Gloss Bracelet $16.00 by Hard Candy in our LIPS Section on PAGE 2, but it really belongs here, in gifts, because it is so much more than lip gloss. It's a bracelet for animal lovers, a fashion accessory, and a novel way to wear lip gloss (literally)!  A cute, re-useable box with magnetic closure, decorated with cheery hearts and stripes, has a peek-a-boo window that showcases the charming, dog/cat-collar-type, coated ribbon bracelet with snap closure. It's studded with silvery, heart charms featuring a cat or a dog  (depending upon which version you choose) and two adorable, mini-egg-shaped vials of shimmery, Hard Candy lip gloss that clip off to apply (the mini applicator wand is in the tiny cap), then re-attach for safekeeping! The glosses are shimmery, silky and smell like yummy creme brulee. "Sky"features a blue bracelet with dog charm, and warm nude and glittering watermelon glosses. "Pussy Kat" has a pink bracelet with a kitty cat charm, and sheer grape and shimmery peach glosses. Stock up--they'll be flying off the shelves!

When we think of Trish McEvoy we usually associate her name with chic, high-quality cosmetics. But Trish McEvoy also has an exceptional line of fragrance, bath & body items. Eight different fragrances combining fruits, flowers and spices have distinctive and luxurious scents. See additional reviews in our Fragrance and Bath & Body Sections on PAGE 3 . The "#9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk+ Luxury Soaps $22.00 are listed here because they are such wonderful and universally appropriate gifts for men and women on your list. You get two generously-sized, ivory bath soaps housed in an ivory cardboard gift box with simple Trish McEvoy logo and tied with a large, black, grosgrain blow. The soaps are a treat -- generously scented with a sexy, warm,   vanilla mixed with  bright, fruity, sweet blackberry, warmed with a bit of white musk--a season-spanning scent sure to please!

Everyone loves scented lip balms, but one that really lives up to it's name is Totally Delicious $3.95 by Prestige. This is a soft balm swirled with a bit of pearly color, and infused with one of four, strong, irresistible, dessert-oriented scents:  Strawberries & Cream, Lemon Meringue, Marble Cake or (our fave) rich Vanilla Almond. The slim compact fits easily into a purse or pocket. The balm feels silky and (trust us) your special someone will feel compelled to get closer to you--perhaps without knowing quite why (we'll just keep it our little secret). !

Look good, feel good and do good by purchasing Alex and Ani's special edition St. Christopher Bangle $16.00. This special piece is Russian gold plated over a brass etched wire and includes an embossed double sided metal coin of St. Christopher. The medallion, which symbolizes protection, is in scripted with the words: "Saint Christopher Protect Us." All proceeds benefit Project USA With the money raised from purchases of this bracelet, Project USA plans to adopt real families that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina by donating money directly to them. The bangle looks great alone, or coupled with other Alex and Ani bangles. It is a memorable, inexpensive and powerful gift.

After a long day or a hard workout, there's nothing more relaxing than pampering tired feet with soft, fluffy socks. Spa Sport Socks $5.99 by Sof Sole are super-soft, cuddly-as-a-bunny socks that cover your feet in soothing comfort. They're made out of 67% polyester and 3% spandex is a "loopy" weave that feels amazing on your feet and look cute in ice-cream colors of lime, marine blue, and ivory (among others). These make a genuinely great "stocking" stuffer (pun intended) that your lucky recipients will love, all year.  At this price, you can afford to treat yourself, too!

75% of the proceeds from the sale of RAMY's Hint of Cure…in a Pot! $25.00 goes to benefit the Young Survival Coalition,a non-profit dedicated to the concerns and issues unique to young women with breast cancer. The hot pink cream is a sheer gel blush for eyes, cheeks and lips to liven them up all season long. TIP: this blue-based pink will look fabulous with a deep tan, faux tan, of course! The Lipstick Gift Set $75.00 is a set of five sexy lipsticks in a chocolate-style box with heart-shaped interior design. The lipsticks are smooth and luxurious. Lucky recipients of this special set will covet the fashionable and flattering colors: (mauve, wine, berry, shimmery brown, and deep plum).The high-quality formula has lip conditioners including avocado oil, vitamin E, and a sunscreen. 20% of every gift set will be donated to CancerCare, an organization dedicated to providing support services to those affected by cancer. 50% of the sales of RAMY's Rise & Shine Lip Plumping Lip Gloss $19.00 in Shut Up & Kiss me! - a gloss in the a warmed, shimmery rosed brown  also goes to CancerCare.  Give these special gifts to the ones you love and do good, while making others feel good.

The Ring of Roses Buttercream $7.25 by LUSH (photo) may look good enough to eat, but this little treat is forbath time, only! Natural, organic, safe synthetics are added to this rose pink Butter Cream with real rose absolute,  to moisturize dry and maturing skin. Glycerine and cocoa butter moisturize while toning lemon and orange essential oils add to the intoxicating, floral scent with fragrant larkspur, honeysuckle, marigold and cornflower.  There are several different version for varying skin types.   Lemslip $6.35 is yellow, with fresh lemon juice and essential oils of lime and sweet, wild, orange blossom and Irish moss seaweed to soften, and tone, while cleansing and balancing oily skin--and, it smells like lemon sorbet. There are also Jellies $4.95-6.35. These jiggly cleansers lather up and melt under warm water, moisturizing as you enjoy their aromatherapy scents. Pop them into the freezer for a bracing surprise in the shower.  we liked "Sweetie Pie," a deep purple hunk of jello-like fun with starry glitter and a blended scent of coconut infusion, cassis absolute, cheery infusion, and essential oils such as cypress and bergamot and blue "Whoosh," an energizing blend of fresh, organic grapefruit, lemon and line juices, rosemary and refreshing geranium to get you moving.

1154 Lill Studio is a unique handbag concept. You can shop online for one of their designs (the Makeup Bags run $29.00-$36.00) , or choose from their fabric, shape and closure type and Create your Own (prices begin at $32.00). Handbags run $92.00 and up. Forget baking cookies with your "buds" this year and have a handbag get-together instead. In select cities you can bring friends to the 1154 Lill facilities and make your special creations right there, or a representative will help you arrange a handbag party in your home. You and "the girls" can mix and match from over 20 styles of handbags and accessories and hundreds of beautiful fabrics - selecting the exterior, interior, straps, accents, and more to design your own one-of-a-kind LILL bags! Organizers will also get a free LILL Bag!

The red, beaded, Silk & Leather Mules $40.00 from the RUSH Gallery are the modern (and hip) equivalent of Dorothy's iconic, ruby slippers. Shimmery, ruby-red beads and gold thread make these sparkling shoes, magical. They were hand-made by skilled artisans in India, funded through a UN project. They're guaranteed to dress up all your holiday outfits. Wear these when you are going out somewhere special, or you just want to add a bit of "bling" to your at-home outfit. These are not flimsy flats--they're beautifully stitched and finished in leather, and they even have rubber "stopples" in the shape of a flower on the bottom to keep you from slipping! They are also available in black, white, lime green, pink and, turquoise blue in full sizes 6-9. There's a Mule with a Kitten-type heel $32.00 version available in lime green and light pink. These make a gorgeous gift. Another festive, fashionable treat yourself are a set of six, lacquered Bangle Bracelets $20.00 in an organza storage pouch. These shimmery, jewel-toned bangles are set with tiny mirrors that sparkle with your every move. According to RUSH Gallery's Shveta Srivastava Geddam, the bangles become so popular (in India) that an entire area of streets lined with small shops and started selling these bangles in area now called the "Bangle Bazaar." TIP: As a bonus for the holidays you will get an additional set of bangles (in a surprise color and design). Keep one set for yourself, give the other to a friend, or wear all dozen and sparkle, aplenty!

Do you need an inexpensive but impressive gift for the office grab bag, a stocking stuffer, or just to have on hand in case you need a quick present for someone? The Sally Hansen LaCross Salon Foot Care Kit $10.00 is a super idea. Inside a clear, re-useable plastic snap bag is all you need for pampered feet:  a pair of pedicure sandals with a cheerful pattern of flowers or stripes;  a loofah; a foot paddle; and a nail brush to cleanse and exfoliate dry, dead skin. Finish the pampering treatment with pair of nice toe spacers, emery boards, and orange sticks, to help you do a neat pedicure. Another value is the Nail Glam Party Pack $9.99 (a $40.00 value). You get 13 nail treats to help fingers and toes look their best, all year long. The large, clear plastic presentation box is ready for gift-wrapping with 6 holiday shades of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Nylon polishes (white, pink, mauve, plum, berry and red). You also get:  Double Duty Base & Top Coat;  Maximum Growth Treatment; Nail Clipper, Sapphire Nail File, Cuticle Pusher, Scissors, and a final, adorable touch -- a set of toe spacers with glittery daisies on each partition!  Better get a bunch of BOTH of these gift sets, because you'll find r tons of girls of all ages on your gift list who will love them.

At Call-2-Recycle's environmental event at Olympus Fall Fashion Week we feel in love with  environmentally-conscious, Passchal Handbags. What distinguishes these trendy totes is that they are made entirely from used truck and tractor inner tubes that would otherwise pollute landfills. Instead the inner tubes are collected from tire centers and cleaned using an environmentally friendly process, using hand dyed leathers for the trm and to add a touch of color. Each bag and tote is unique, some (Eg. the 'New York Tote") even feature inside mini-lights so you can find what you want, even in the dark. These make a fashion statement and a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.    

On GOOGLE and ALEXA, The ADVICE SISTERS® are #1 for "Beauty Review Column" your ad should be here!

Tea makes a great gift, as well as a little splurge for yourself. It's especially festive, restorative, and social to "take tea" with a friend during the holidays. Zhena's Gypsy Tea 2.5 oz $8.99 comes in eye-catching, re-useable tins with cute graphics and even little lessons about gypsy palm reading!   Choose loose leaf or round tea bags, and gift sets. The tea is 100% certified organic, and it is grown in fair trade gardens in Sri Lanka, India, and China. There are more than a dozen different types and all are delicious. "Grand Green," for example, is a high quality Green Tea in its raw form, Camellia Sinensis, very high in vitamins and antioxidants. A generous helping of mint makes this refreshing iced as well as hot. There are also caffeine-free teas, black teas, fruit teas, chai teas, and lovely mixtures that tempt all your senses. For a nice gift-able touch, add a Gypsy Teabag Squeezer $2.99, a little tongs that gets all the goodness out of your teabag. Keep several on hand for unwinding and socializing, and for gifts.

EYES (continued ):

Maybelline Ultra Liner $6.54  is a waterproof liquid liner with a tapered brush to make lining easier. It lasts for up to 8 hours, and is safe for sensitive eyes and even for contact lens wearers. Not just your blah, basic black, the limited edition "Black Lacquer puts a sexy, "patent-leather" look line right where you want it! We didn't review it, but there's also a "Green Tea Lacquer." Light up your eyes, have fun, and do it for just a few dollars! Just fabulous!

Another spectacular lash product is Lancôme Extreme Extensions Lengthening Mascara $22.00. The first thing to notice is the unusual, graceful case which looks amazingly sensuous just on it's own, in shiny black with gold Lancôme lettering and rose logo.  But it's what's inside that really counts: a few flicks of the mascara wand and your lashes will grow up to 60% longer..right in front of your eyes! The secret are supple fibers that attach to every eyelash for an instant lash extension effect, but all you'll care about is how lush and long they look! This one comes in black and brown. It works, and it is worth every penny!

*Magic Eye Shadow Effects $25.00 by Prescriptives are some of the shimmery-est, party-perfect shadows this season, but their real appeal is as an overlay1 The sheer, high sparkle shades not only reflect light and add dramatic glimmer to your eyes, they also magically transform the look of any eye shadow you choose to wear beneath them. So versatile, too! Use  these dry for sheer gleam or gold or silver glint or to enhance the look of other shadows, or for more drama, use them wet and intensify the color!  Two silvery rounds of  Magic are all you need for a nearly endless wardrobe of color options. Get "Cool Shimmer" (silvery white lightens and cools with blue tone) and "Warm Shimmer" (shimmery gold brightens and warms up colors). It really is magic --well worth the cost, and a whole lot of fun! For even more drama, line lids with Moonbeam Reflective Eyeliner $17.50. These pencils glide on easily thanks to a soft, moist formula with jojoba oil to protect and vitamin E and cottonseed oil to nourish and condition.When you line your lids with this long-lasting color it stays water resistant, and smudge-proof all day upon application. There is a high pearlescence in these pencils that give your eyes a holiday-ready, metallic line, but the four colors are subdued enough to wear them in daylight if you wish: Beaming Plum (soft deep plum), Beaming Silver, Beaming Brown and (our favorite) the festive soft green "Beaming Forest."

NARS holiday collection, called "Stargazer," is shimmering and romantic.   "Jezebel" is a NARS Duo Eyeshadow $30.00 that you will not want to be without for day and evening eyes.  A shimmery lavender is coupled with a shimmery, coppery brown.  We liked the brown as a liner and a lid color, and the lavender as a highlighter, lid color and even layered over the brown for a look you make your own!  The compact is a chic, matte black with simple NARS logo in white. These are pricey,  but a little goes a long way. When you use NARS products you will not only feel pampered, you will know you look great!

Trish McEvoy Eye Shadow $15.00 comes in fashionable colors that are flattering and long lasting. For the holidays, two new shades from the Simply Glamorous collection will work with everything you wear, day and evening.   "Café Latte" is a medium, soft, creamy brown with just the merest hint of shimmer. "Sable Bronze" is a shimmery, golden bronze that is party-perfect but not overwhelmingly metallic. Tuck them into a Small Beauty Charger $7.50, a refillable, plastic compact with space for two square Trish color pans that lets you take just what you want with you and not make a bulge in your makeup bag.

I met Debbie Bondar, creator and CEO of Face Atelier, during Fashion Week, and was immediately captivated not only but this vivacious Canadian, but also her makeup line, which is hip, but user-friendly and wearable.  Her Shimmer Powders $16.00 come in 13 different shades in two color collections. Use them on eyes, or mix them with your favorite body moisturizer or a clear lip gloss to create a shimmery, overall glow. They are non-creasing and long lasting. "Khaki Glaze" (a smoky, iridescent green) and "Snake Eyes" (deep, warm, iridescent brown) look particularly sexy on eyes, but you've got 13 earthy, subtle shades to choose from!

For drama, nothing beats a deep, smoldering eye look. Face Stockholm's High Liter $19.00 in "Freedom" (an awesome navy with a hint of glitter) and "Felicity" (grey with silvery shimmer) make short work of your evening eye look, and make your lids, works of art! TIP: If the intensity of these deep, creamy colors is too much for you, apply just a tiny bit and smudge well with brush or cotton swab-you'll create a deep, sexy sheer in a flash!

After years of tracking down a contact, we are delighted to welcome Christian Dior to our reviews! 2-Color Eyeshadow $30.00. "#075" is a sleek, shiny, navy blue compact with a raised oval containing the word "Dior" in gold. Press on the gold clasp and a mirror, a well containing two sponge-tipped applicators, and two generously sliced crescents of powder shadow are revealed. This collection is both trendy and timeless -- depending upon how you apply the colors. You get a stark white shadow with just a touch of pearl, and a deep charcoal grey.  The grey is deep but sheer enough to create a flattering, grey lid color. Add more, and it smolders! You can also use it as a great powder eye liner. The white shadow is also versatile. Use it as a highlighter, a fashion-forward lid color (we love the look of opaque white lids with colored liners for evening),  or mix it with the grey shadow to soften it. The colors are silky, smooth, and long lasting. For flattering, eye-framing lashes, Dior Backstage Mascara $18.00 lengthens, thickens and curves lashes with a sweep of the large, luxurious mascara wand. The waterproof formula will not flake (we tested it). "Chestnut," is a  ruddy brown just perfect for now, or choose Black and Azure Blue.We loved this mascara--why not--it's DIOR!   TIP:  Brown is the new black in mascara trends as well as fashion.

The new, Eyelights Palette $30.00 from Bobbi Brown has four exclusive shades of creamy, pearlized eye shadows in soft, cashmere-sweater-colored shades to add glamour day or evening. You can apply these crease-resistant shadows with a brush or a fingertip if you're on the go. We loved the new colors "Pale Steel" (silver) and "Pale Champagne" (light gold) along with a pale, peachy-pink and soft white with subtle gold shimmer. They are ladylike but sexy, and you can layer them for infinite effects if you feel like being playful. This kit also makes a great gift for someone who loves makeup or wants an easy and foolproof holiday look! 

There's nothing better than a sexy six pack of glamour from  M·A·C Cosmetics. Case in point (pun intended) is the new Delights $34.00, a stunning, limited edition, moc-croc hard sided compact holding six squares of shimmery shadow, along with a matching, lacquer-stained, wood handled mini shadow brush. "Trend" features an olive green faux croc compact with oriental flower motif ad a very large, interior mirror. We loved the jewel-toned shadows: Gorgeous Gold, Satin Taupe, Gingersoft, Pearl of the Earth, Cinders, Tease ‘n’ Teal. There are two other collections:  "Eye Cool" (cool toned shadows) and "Eye Warm" (warm toned shadows). This is a kit you'll definitely covet!

Another version of black & white shadow combo we really like is the Aveda Eye Color Duo $15.00 in "Jasmine/Black Tulip." A soft-as-silk, high-quality, long-lasting shadow in pearly white combines with a black shadow to make your eyes sizzle.  Use the white as a highlighter, a lid shadow, or over/under the black shadow to soften it to a pearly grey. The black shadow also makes a great, powder liner.The metal pan fits into any magnetized, Aveda charger, so you can change your color choices any time you want.

Treat yourself or gift a special friend to the limited edition, Might White Eye Mania Shadow Palette $55.00 by Giorgio Armani. Inside the chic, mirrored, matte black, round compact devoid of decoration except for a subtle, "Giorgio Armani" name in black letters around the upper rim are four pearly, whisper-soft eye shadows meant to be layered for infinite looks--an homage to white! There is a subtle but gleaming gold, a gold-tinged ivory, a soft silvery white, and a matte white. These nearly-white, pearly colors look fresh and modern on lids, make very attractive highlighters, and come alive with metallic attitude, when moistened with a bit of water and applied with a liner brush. If you are seeking a festive eye look without too much over-the-top glitter or color and a wide range of possibilities, this is the collection you must have!

LIPS: A new lipstick color or a sexy, shimmery gloss can add allure and change the emphasis of your outfit, instantly. There are great new products and colors to make your lips (and the holidays), merry and beautiful, whether your budget is  sky's the limit ot truly tiny!

Face Atelier's lipsticks come in ordinary black cases and in 27 shades, but there is nothing ordinary about the product. For holiday glamour, deep browns and burgundies take their place next to classic red, this year. "Revenge," is a deep burgundy lip stain that will look eye-catchingly sexy on deeper complexions, and shockingly naughty on pale skin. The long-lasting,  highly-pigmented lipstick will leave a hint of color on your lips as it fades you so won't have to re-apply often. TIP: If you are very pale, dark colors tend to look "ghoulish," not glam.  For an intense color that doesn't look Halloween-ish, apply, then blot to take the color down just a notch. Follow with a touch of gloss.

Tired of the same old-same old? Treat yourself to a new quartet of Limited Edition Tube Tints $25.00 by Bobbi Brown. These mini-sized squeeze tubes of popular, shiny, Bobbi Brown color are tiny enough to carry in an evening bag or pocket, large enough to take you through the holidays , beautifully.  They have a gel-based formula that makes them lightweight on your lips, and with SPF 15, they protect as they beautify! You get "Cherry Tint" (clear, deep red), "Blossom Tint" (clear pink), "Glow Shimmer," (shimmery nude) and a new, exclusive color: "Brown Sugar Shimmer Tint" (luxe, shimmery, honeyed brown). TIP: Strapped for stocking stuffers? Sets like this make a great gift on their own or a little splurge for yourself, but if your'e on a budget, pop one or two of these fabulous mini-glosses into a new makeup bag and you've got several great gifts in one! For more great Bobbi Brown gifts, go to the

Love the look of red but can't quite figure out what tone is right for you when you are standing at the makeup counter?  Modernista LipColor $20.00 by Prescriptives makes it easy, with colors arranged by yellow/orange, red/orange, red, and blue/red tones to suit varying complexions. Reviewers loved the velvety, satin finish that feels moist and lightweight, but lasts a long time. Vitamin E and anti-oxidants moisturize and protect. We also like the modern, asymmetrical take on the traditional, shiny silver Prescriptives lipstick tube. For the holidays, pick from two intense reds sure to flatter:  "Joyous" (red orange-warm) and "Social" (blue/red - cool). For more shine and intense color in a tube, dazzle your lips with intense color, multi-dimensional shine and shimmer with Moonbeam Extreme Chromatic Lip Color $17.50 in a bright, daring color such as hot pink "Super Sonic" (there are eight colors new for the holidays in nudes, plums, and pinks). Reviewers liked the wand-brush that delivers the luxe, slightly caramel-y-scented, light and silky color to lips. Not just pretty to look at, there are also hydrating elements of wild mango butter and Vitamins E and C also help keep lips better than bare!

Face Stockholm Lipstick $18.00 in "Fame" is a sheer, shimmery peach that adds just a touch of glamour to lips, without going overboard. The shiny, silver tube is holiday perfect, and the lipstick is soft and luxe. It's a nice (and festive) change from deep and intense colors, this season and can be worn day or evening.

Aveda Lip Color Concentrate SPF 15 $14.00 is not only beautiful, it's good for your lips (photo). These lipsticks are soothing, filled with plant and food antioxidants to nourish and protect your lips (especially during the cooler months) and SPF 15 as well!  We love the refreshing, herbally-mint scent, too.  For the holidays, nothing beats a rose red. The newest is "Pasque," a clear, vibrant red softened with rose,that leaves your lips with sexy, vibrant, most color without an overly "Vampira" look! Plum lovers will want "Ruby Glow," a deep, slightly browned plum that will look great on virtually everyone all Winter long. If you just want a hint of color, Lip Tint SPF 15 $11.00 coats lips with shimmery color and protects them from the sun's harmful rays (they're around in the Winter, too). "Frosted Tulipa" (see photo) is the latest color from the Holiday collection--a flattering, shimmery pink that is perfect day or evening.

Be "in the pink" all Winter long with the Limited Edition North Pole Lip Gloss Quad $24.00 by Cargo.  Large triangles of Cargo's award winning glosses are housed in a cute, lightweight, portable tin. Four shimmery, sheer, festive shades work with all your holiday outfits:  light pink, medium pink, rose, and wine. The glosses are silky, shiny, non-sticky and long lasting. This quad will suit women of all ages and only proves the addage: "good things come in small packages!"

Maybelline's holiday collection "Crimson Blaze" heats up your holidays with an exotic, Asian influence and Hollywood glam.  Keep lips soft, moist and pampered with Moisture Extreme Lipstick  $7.00 in four red-inspired colors. Reviewers loved "Red Dawn," a moist, cinnamon-y red and "Real Raisin," an intense, spiced red that are a welcome change from the rich, ruby reds of the season.   Cooler complexions will glow with red-inspired glam with "Royal Red," a rich, bright, blue-based red, and  "Sweet Honey," a flattering shimmery deep rosed-pink. 

The Anna Sui Lip Color Duo $25.00 is a treat for the holidays, and beyond. Two strips of super sheer, shimmery lip gloss add sparkle and just a bit of color to your lips. A mini lip brush is also included, as in an oval, interior, mirror. We tried "01," (photo, left) a great for everyone combo of raspberry and melon glosses, shot through with teeny bits of parti-colored glimmer. The consistency is substantial, not greasy or slimy. These are gorgeous -- and the black, Anna Sui compact is so pretty you'll want to fix your lipstick in public!

A seriously glorious, superb lip gloss is Gorgeous Pink Shimmer Gloss $20.00 by Trish McEvoy. Update a pink or peach lipstick with a slick of this super-shiny and shimmery, silky, simply glorious gloss in soft, medium pink. It is universally flattering and a chic way to stuff a stocking or add a "little something" to a new makeup bag. Get one for yourself and you'll wear it over bare lips or other lip products all season long.

For evening glamour, Giorgio Armani's new holiday collection of Midnight Lip Shimmers $26.00 will give you the instant, sexy, shiny and shimmer your crave with beautiful, jewel-toned color. There are six shades: "#1" is an awesome, sheer light pink with holographic shimmer that makes you lips look wet, full and super-sexy. "#2" is a rich, pearly apricot pink that will warm your lips with bits of pink shimmer. "#3" is a shiny, semi-sheer, rich raspberry with holographic shimmer. "#4" is an even deeper raspberry-red with a bit more color and a hint of golden shimmer, "#5" is an eye-catching, medium pink with pink shimmer (particularly pretty as a daytime gloss), #6," is an awesome, mauve sheer with holographic shimmer that makes you lips shine invitingly. These gorgeous glosses are a party-in-a-tube. The only problem you will have is picking your favorite--you may find yourself splurging on them all.

NARS luxe products make great gifts and make you look fabulous, as well.  For the holidays, try something new and sexy in a lipstick that will make him want to kiss you, mistletoe or not! "Vera Cruz" is a sheer cinnamon Lipstick $22.50 that is not too red, brown or orange. It's sexy and universally flattering. Reviewers loved the chic, slightly squat matte black lipstick compact with NARS logo emblazoned around the bottom, too.

Most places, a mixed drink will cost you upwards of $10.00, but you can take your favorite cocktail with you in a gloss that leaves your lips soft and shiny, for about the same price!  Not Soap Radio Cocktail Party Lip Gloss $10.00 is a collection of high shine, shimmery, lip glosses inspired by popular mixed drinks. We tried the raspberry colored "Cosmopolitan" which left our lips soft, shiny and shimmery and with a pleasant suggestion of sweetness. Also try sheer and shimmery "Pink Champagne" -pink,  "Mojito"-lime, "Pina Colada"-buttery clear, "Margarita" - blush, and "Amaretto" - gold. The ice-cube  shaped, clear compacts with tiny mirror are fun to use. The glosses are super-sheer, shiny and very soft. There is no alcohol in the glosses whatsoever, but they will remind you of "happy hour" and make all your hours, happy! These are affordable little somethings for friends, or a stocking stuffer (or pair one with a new makeup bag for a lip-lovers delight).

Try Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss $23.00 and you'll quickly become addicted with a habit you don't want to break! The gloss comes in an elegant, clear, squared tube with a chic, black and gold top. Inside is a gloss so shiny, silky and sexy you won't want to stop applying it!   "Silver #108" may be the only lip product you need to make your holidays shine. This is a clear and super-shiny lip gloss, infused with tiny bits of rainbow colored, holographic glitter. Unlike other glitter glosses, somehow Dior has managed to create a formula where the glitter stays put on your lips, but there is absolutely no gritty feel! You'll want to wear this sexy gloss by itself, or use it over another lip color (deep red would be our choice) and your lips will catch the light--and attention--like a thousand stars. For less bling but lots of shine and color, try DiorKiss $19.00, a generously-sized tube of lip- plumping gloss that gives you lips long-lasting, sheer shine without stickiness. Our lips looked full, shiny and sexier than we ever thought possible, and they felt so great, too!  "#318 Praline" is a soft browned rose that looked fantastic on everyone. Hurry or you'll miss one of the lip prizes of the season - the DiorPlay $50.00! This gorgeous, limited edition lip compact looks like a shiny, silvery dice cube, with the "numbers" created in silvery rhinestones and a glittery "DIOR" spelled out in tiny, sparkling crystals. A black, velvety ribbon, with a tiny, dangling, silvery "D" is attached. Inside the cube is one of two best- selling Dior Ultra Gloss shades. Our had "Bet on Pink #171," a shimmering, sheer, pearly pink with holographic shine that made our pout, perfect! The other   has"Gamble on Beige #151." This is the gift sure to impress a lipcolor lover. TIP: for a festive, fashion-forward touch, tie the DiorPlay to a belt loop, or on a long, silky ribbon dangling around your neck.

There's something just so "girly" and romantic about the Anna Sui packaging! The Eye Shadow Duos $25.00 come in these shiny, black, plastic ovals are ringed with an embossed floral pattern -- and there is a single, raised rose featured in the center.   Inside, there are two long strips of silky, blendable, intense eye shadow in coordinated combos. Nestled in the middle is a nice, mini brush! "01" features a shimmery, browned mauve lid color paired with a slightly pearly, soft mauve which could be used for lid or highlight. "02" pairs a gorgeous, shimmery bronze with a silvery shadow also good for highlight or lid. "03" mates a trendy, hot pink with a very pale pink. TIP: If a lid color is a bit too dark or cutting edge for your taste, soften it by mixing it with a lighter shadow.

Plumping Lip Gloss $18.00 by EI Solutions naturally boosts your lip volume without stinging or burning, as it protects and moisturizes with Vitamins C & E. The shimmery, sheer colors flatter everyone, especially women with lips that are not well defined or less than perfect, due to aging and the elements. "Soft Kisses" is a shimmery, shiny raspberry that will brighten your smile solo, or add a new dimension to another color. TIP:  a slick of pearly gloss can soften a too-harsh color, and make it sexy with shine.

Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick $14.00 couldn't be any better!  These great lipsticks (13 colors) arrive in shiny, silvery, bamboo-like cases for a perfect public presentation (if you must apply in company) or as a luxe stocking stuffer. The lip color is luxe and novel, too. It is created from a new polymeric liquid that boosts luster and shine. Special waxes and gellants are designed to melt at body temperature so they keep the lipstick solid until you apply it, and then your lips get a smooth, butter-like, super-soft and lightweight treat!  Packed into the silvery tube are three moisturizers to keep lips soft, and long-lasting, silicone-treated pigments that comes in a variety of color intensities from moderate to full-coverage.  We tried "#414 Fresh Watermelon," a semi-opaque rosed pink with a hint of shimmer and lots of shine. These also non-staining, fragrance free, and fabulous, festive, and perfect for the holidays.

For monthly beauty, fashion & advice tips, subscribe to the new, free, quarterly, Advice Sisters® Enews *please fill out the form, completely or your subscription won't be entered: CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE 

On the budget end of the spectrum, Apt. 5 Lip Gloss Quads $5.50 have four large pots of eye-catching, sophisticated color with glittery overlays that make the clear, plastic compacts (with mini lip brush) look like display cases! We sampled three sets:   "LQX1" features pink, copper, taupe and rose. "LQX2" has berry, wine, copper and rose/ "LXQ3" has an eye catching clear shimmer, two deep berries, and a medium rose. All are beautiful to look at, long-lasting (and moist) on lips, and a very pretty and welcome little gift for yourself or a friend. These will get you noticed. 

DON'T STOP......THERE'S MORE PAGE 2 features Clever Beauty finds, Holiday Home Enhancers, Body Bling, Foundation & Blush, Lip products, and Great Sets & Kits! PAGE 3 features Fantastic Fragrances, Holiday Hair Helpers, Beautiful Bath & Body Products, and Gift Suggestions especially for Men, along with our extensive, exclusive Buying Guide!