If you have a sister, a friend or a mother who is tough to shop for, beauty and skincare products make a great gift.  You can find a quality gift in almost any price point, and it gives you the opportunity top treat someone to a gift that they might actually use but that’s also easy to return if they don’t.  Because let’s face it, if you can’t find something to buy at Sephora or Nordstrom, you need help.

1. Bobbi Brown Mini-Brights Palette ($70)

Most women own a lot of neutral eye-shadows, and while browns, greys and golds are great for everyday, sometimes you just want a little color.  Or maybe a lot of color!

This palette contains 20 gorgeous shades that you can layer and wear year round.  It would be a most welcome holiday gift indeed.

2.  Claro Acne Clearing Device (Nordstrom, $195)

As many of you know, I have problem skin.  So I was intrigued by the Claro device which uses pulsating light and heat to kill bacteria. Just zap a forming or newly formed blemish and it heals much faster than it would with chemical intervention alone.  If I woke up Christmas morning to find this little beauty under the tree, I would be thrilled (HINT, HINT).

3.  Laura Mercier Body Souffle Sampler (BlueMercury, $50)

Last week, I stopped into Blue Mercury to pick up a nail polish and decided to try the Laura Mercier Body Souffles.  I mean with names like Fresh Fig, Almond Coconut Milk, Creme Brulee and Pistachio, how can you resist?  They smell amazing and they were so silky, that I just wanted to take them all home.  Especially during these dry winters, these deeply moisturizing creams make a great gift.

4.  Kate Sommerville Discovery Kit ($125)

For the past week, I’ve been using Kate Sommerville’s Quench hydrating serum to keep the dry weather from wreaking havoc on my skin.  This kit contains all of Kate’s best products in generous trial sizes.  So if you’ve been looking to try any of Kate’s products, this is a great way to test them out.

5.  Prestige Brush Set (Sephora, $125)

I own several different brands of brushes: MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Sephora.  But, surprisingly, my favorite brand is Sephora. 

This set contains every brush you could ever need (powder, blush) and some more exotic ones that you might want to try (fan, angled liner).  The brushes are a mix of synthetic and natural and come with the carrying case.  So if you’re looking for some great basic brushes with a few extras, this is the set for you.

1. Tarte Mini-Gloss Set (Sephora, $29)

I almost never wear lip gloss, but when I do, I really love Tarte glosses.  They smell awesome, aren’t too sticky and wear well.  And with a set this expansive, you can find the perfect shade for you.

2.  Mineral Brush Set (Sephora, $19)

If you’re looking for a smaller brush set, or you love mineral makeup, this four brush set is a great buy.  It contains all of the brushes that you’ll need to create the perfect canvas, and the case also has a pocket to hold your makeup.  A good gift for the Bare Minerals lover in your life.

3.  Too Faced Glamour 2 Go (Sephora, $20)

If you’re looking for a less expensive palette than the Bobbi Brown, this Too Faced Palette is a good choice.  With eight shadows, four lip glosses and a peachy blush, this is a palette that will look good on almost anyone. 

4. Ole Henriksen Three Little Miracles ($35)

If you have a skincare buff or a person who loves organic beauty products on your list, look no further than this set.  Truth Serum is a great collagen product to help heal and plump thinning skin.  The moisturizer is hydrating without being greasy, and the gel helps smooth skin and keep acne at bay.  They really are three little miracle products.

5.  Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19)

My co-worker, Virginia, swears by this eyelash curler.  But at $19, it’s not something that most women would buy for themselves, so it makes a great stocking stuffer.

6.  Deborah Lippman ‘Layer Cake’ Trio (Nordstrom, $25)

How great are these colors?  They’re perfect for the winter and holiday seasons with their deep shades and touches of shimmer and sparkle.  I love the swirling lavender color Wicked Game so much that I may need to swing by Nordie’s tonight and pick one up before the J.Crew event.