Are you one of the lucky (or annoyingly rich) people who will be running rampant through the shops this Christmas in a no-expense-spared present buying spree? If so, I suggest you close the screen now. There's nothing here for you today.
If, however, you're one of the millions on a belt-tightening mission as a result of the biggest market crash we're likely to see in our lifetime, this one's for you.
A recent survey by Westpac revealed Australian consumers are indeed dreaming of a tight Christmas.
But considering we need to purchase an average of 12 gifts every festive season, it can be a hard task to keep costs down without looking, well...tightarse-ish.
With a predicted 2009 national spend of about $2.5billion on Christmas gifts, I want to try do my bit to reduce a few credit card bills, so I've scoured the shops to determine the three best value (and most attractively packaged) little makeup gifts - all for under $40.
And not a showergel-set (yawn) in sight!
TOO FACED: NEW LIMITED EDITION GLAMOUR TO GO III ($32.95AUD)
The marketing people at Too Faced might have done their sums incorrectly because this really should be retailing for about $70. Eight quality eye shadows in very wearable colours, 4 lip glosses in neutral shades to suit most lips and a blush. But not just any blush - the perfect shade of peachy pink to flatter almost everyone. Manages to be sleek and kitsch at the same time - not unlike Too Faced celeb ambassador Katy Perry.
NP SET "JET SET" ($35AUD)
The Napoleon spin-off (available at Tar-jay) has come up trumps with the ultimate all-in-one package of fabulousness. 18 eye shadows (all great shades and many with a subtle hint of shimmer), 4 bronze-based cheek colours and 4 lip glosses, encased in a portable and sleek white clutch that would look at home in the travel bag of a Bond girl. Ridiculously attractive and extremely good value.
BENEFIT BIG BEAUTIFUL EYES PALETTE ($39.95AUD)
I've had borderline religious experiences at the Benefit Counter, and this product is my mecca. Everything you need to create beautiful eye makeup in a few easy steps. Contains boi-ing (the industrial-strength concealer), an alabaster pink base shadow, a cocoa shimmer contour shadow, a rich chocolate brown liner shadow, two brushes for easy application and an illustrated, step-by-step professional makeup lesson. The perfect gift idea for the eye makeup novice or expert.
Tip!
If you're lucky enough to have a vacation (or a staycation) in the US or France, put Sephora on your hitlist for a mind-boggling array of makeup gifts at low prices.
Visiting the Sephora flagship store in New York City, I felt like Dorothy entering Oz. But sadly we're still in Kansas and must live in hope that Australia gets with the program and opens a Sephora store - soon.
Happy Christmas shopping!
~rosiex
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