With all that shopping for other people at this time of year, sometimes you need a little something for yourself. Or, for the men reading: here’s some stuff you might like to buy for your girlfriend, wife, daughter or boss. If only you worked for me.

Lana writes: “I love buying beauty products for Christmas gifts – I think it is because I just love looking at the shiny stuff, glittering powders and glistening creams. And, as I have admitted before, I am a complete sucker for mascara.

I just know that most of my girlfriends love “pretty” as much as I do. I mean who doesn’t want to be pampered on Christmas, or New Year’s Day or weekends, or weekdays …..so I was thrilled to bits when Mia asked me to draw up a list of beauty products that I would buy for my friends and even more excited when she said to also include gifts that I would love to receive. And so without further ado…. here are my top picks and if you like them as much as I did just click on the link to buy them. Best part? You don’t even have to give them to me. You can buy them for yourself or for your friends – or even both.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – If I say I am channeling Sheena Easton would I be giving away my age?

Napoleon Perdis Mesmer-Eyes Mascara $35

Napoleon Perdis Mesmer-Eyes Mascara $35

Napoleon claims this is like a miracle bra for your lashes. I agree this mascara brush has two sides that look short and ineffectual to the untrained eye (mine) but they really do the job. The wide set brush applies product and the fine set perfects and separates even the tiniest lashes.

Click to buy

Smashbox Brow Tech $39

Smashbox Brow Tech 39.00

A defined brow can take years off your appearance and I don’t mind a year or two coming off mine. Two parts to this nifty little pan of tricks – a hair color coordinated powder to fill in and shape brows and a colorless pomade wax to groom brows on the other. I love shaped eyebrows. Really I do. Call me shallow or call me a brow lover.

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Napoleon Perdis Ultra Pearl Shadow $17.50

Napoleon Perdis Ultra Pearl Shadow $17.50

A pressed shimmer eyeshadow with an ultra pearl finish. These cool eyeshadows ares are shot through with more than one colour which makes them very easy to blend. And we all like easy to blend. Click to buy

Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colours $44

Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colours $44.00

I think I may be part magpie – because I cannot resist sparkle so I do ever so love an eye colour that has soft-sparkle effects .The deep-impact shades can be swept over eyes softly for a stunning day look, or applied with more intensity for evening glamour.

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Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust $35

Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust $35.00.

How cool is this? This pigmented powder comes in a canister that dispenses just the right amount of product each time. There is a sifter mechanism that measures out enough shadow for one application. I can be a little over exuberant so I really like this idea. Dust or pat Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust onto the eyes, cheeks or even body for brilliant shimmering highlights.

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Napoleon Perdis Lash Patrol $15

Napoleon Perdis Lash Patrol Individual Lashes $15.00

As if I could write a post without false eyelashes. Napoleon’s faux eyelashes are the ultimate in party beauty tools. When correctly applied these lashes last for hours and they can be reused. They are buildable as well so you can choose your look – dramatic, sexy or natural. Click to buy

Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfecter $45

Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfecter $45

My under eyes can be problematic especially when I am exhausted which I often am. So I like this creamy corrector that hides my dark circles and “awakens” my eyes – which is a tough job considering the rest of me is sleeping. The Mauve/Rose shade is recommended for fair to medium skin tones, while the Orange/Yellow shade was designed for olive and darker skin tones.

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MY LIPS ARE SEALED NOW – my Bananarama reference is probably not doing wonders for my illusions of youth , hopefully the lipstick will.

Laura Mercier Lip Colour $45

Laura Mercier Lip Colour $45

One swipe to enhance your lips appearance, protects them from the elements, provides hydration and cares for the lips like skincare. This lipstick also claimes to resfresh each time lips are pressed together. Could you want more?

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Jane Iredale Lip Crayons $30

Jane Iredale Lip Crayons $30

Available as singles, these gorgeous crayons line and colour your lips and can even add a blush to your cheeks. The crayon makes application easy and comfortable – just like colouring in . The botanical oils and waxes moisturise and condition the lips.

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ModelCo Lip Lights Lipstick $35

ModelCo Lip Lights Lipstick $35

How often do you need a light when you put on your lipstick? And a mirror? Personally I have never been able to apply lippy in the dark let alone without a mirror so I rather love this built in light and mirror feature that this lippy comes with . It is also a super hydrating with great colour, which is handy of course in a lipstick.

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Bloom Lip Stain $24

Bloom Lip Stain $24

Because I am a little stationery obsessed, okay a lot stationery obsessed I love a felt tip pen. Ergo I love the Bloom lip stain which is just like a felt tip pn but you don’t look like a goose if you draw on your lips with it. In fact you just look effortlessly polished Complete with a sculpted tip, Bloom’s Lip Stain makes defining and contouring lips a cinch. Click to buy

Burts Bees Lip Shimmer $12.95

Burts Bees Lip Shimmer $12.95

A kiss of colour and shine added to the most awesome lip balm. Made from natural ingredients like vitamin E, coconut and sunflower oils to moisturize and highlight your lips. You will lose this easy to apply lip colour that really softens and hydrates your lips. Only hard part is choosing the colour! Click to buy

Dr Hauschka Lipstick Novum $35

Dr Hauschka Lipstick Novum $35

Provides moisture and a transparent, shimmering hue to your lips. I love shimmer. This lippy also contains rose petal extract, Argan and Jojoba oils give the lips a velvety feel. Shea butter and plant waxes smooth and protect lips and is ideal for sensitive lips.

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WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR FACE? I am constantly amazed by foundations and mineral powders. My quest for smooth, even toned skin has made my search for the perfect foundation quite intense

i.d bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer $38.25

A preservative free foundation primer developed to combat flaky dryness, rough patches, fine lines, excess oil, enlarged pores and uneven texture, all of which I have. The i.d. bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer is mineral-infused and has a satin-finish formula