spending your holiday gift money

It is very unlike me not to cash in a gift certificate or gift check right away but this particular post-holiday season I have been procrastinating.  I have been exercising something I rarely exercise - caution. After all what do I really need?  Or more accurately, what do I really want?  Well!  After much deliberation I have come up with a short-list of goodies for me, and any beauty maven still holding on to holiday money, to buy.  Keep in mind we must buy something special - something we wouldn't normally spend the money on.  Gift money is all about indulgence!

I've always wanted to buy something from MOR Cosmetics.  Years ago I smelled some MOR candles that I came across in a local boutique and was enchanted.  I have been looking for more MOR (pun intended) ever since but have only ever found it online.  But so what!  I am giving you the link so that you, and I, can peruse and purchase whatever we want from their delicious website.  They have everything from body butter, to eau de toilette, to soap. And you'll see, the packaging is exquisite, the fragrances decadent, and the quality pure luxury.

Just out is Dior's Spring makeup collection and the 5 Couleur eyeshadow paletts are irresistible.  Their colors are as delicate as petals and are embossed with a faint houndstooth design.  So clever! Personally I am not going to wait for Spring to use these beauties:  The Cherie Bow Collection Rose Ballerine for day and Rose Charmeuse for night

I already have a Clairsonic - have been using it for years - but YOU must put it on your shopping list. Unless you have an extreme skin condition, it is one of the single best things you can do for your skin and absolutely worth the investment.  It will give you immediate glow and your skin will never feel cleaner - the secret is in the sonic technology.  And I'm sorry but it really is better than all those copycats out there.  My  professional recommendation to you is only use it once a day maximum.  Every other day is preferable and only once maybe twice a week for sensitive skin.  Also for sensitive skin be sure to buy a separate "delicate" brush head - it comes with a "sensitive" brush head but with Clairsonic "sensitive" is really normal, and "delicate" is really sensitive.  Use their "normal" brush head on your body - the machine is waterproof and can go in the shower!

Alterna is one of my favorite brands of haircare, everything they make is gentle, sulfate and gluten free, and very very effective.  While I have already used many of their products, I always wanted to try the Caviar Collection.  They are a little pricier than regular Alterna products but Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner actually contain Caviar Extract, Vitamin C, and UVA/UVB protection.  It is a luscious combination that is good not just for "mature" hair but for any dry, brittle, or color-treated hair.

HAPPY SHOPPING!