Hot Beauty Gifts for the Season

In a holiday season marred by a sketchy economy, you may be feeling more like Scrooge than Santa. Behold the power of a beauty product: You instantly perk up with a pretty pearl finish lipstick, ease stress with a sweet smelling bath salt or feel a tiny bit richer with a designer compact popping out of your makeup bag. That's why a beauty gift is the perfect antidote when you're cash-conscious and need to spread the wealth. Stumped by what to give? Follow this guide for budget-friendly beauty gifts for everyone on your list this season, and start saying Ho Ho Ho instead of Bah Humbug:

FOR YOUR GUY WHO LOVES TO STEAL YOUR SHOWER GEL:
Hydrating Shower Gel for Men by Tom Ford, $30 What he'll love: The way the moisturizing lather softens his skin. What you'll love: How great he smells from the sensual, woodsy scent that stays on long after the water is turned off.

FOR YOUR DESIGN SAVVY SISTER-IN-LAW WHO'S HAVING THE HOLIDAYS AT HER HOUSE:
Claus Porto Hand Soap Bar, Lime Basil, $10, and Seda France Clementine Pagoda Candle, $28. Both of these beautifully packaged deliciously scented goodies are so pretty, you won't need to wrap. Just give as is, and listen for the oohs and ahhs from guests and hostess alike.

FOR YOUR FASHIONISTA SINGLE SIS WHO WORSHIPS CARRIE BRADSHAW:
Chanel Les 4 Ombres De Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Smokey Eyes, $56 Not only is it the perfect palette for a date or girls night out, but who can resist whipping out a compact with those iconic double C's? You may even be a wee bit envious, so pick one up for yourself while you're at it.

FOR YOUR FRIEND WHO'S PLEDGED TO GO GREEN IN 2009:
Lavanila Laboratories Healthy Body Wash, Vanilla Coconut $20, The fresh-from-the-islands scent and healthy skin benefits (it's loaded with all natural minerals, antioxidants and pure essential oils) will make anyone, green or not, swoon.

FOR YOUR FAVORITE NIECE WHO'S ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD:
Pixi Lip Glow Kit, Perfect Rose, $28 She'll think you're super cool with this pretty lip palette from white hot makeup artist, Petra Strand. Each hue is loaded with mint oil to boost circulation, and vitamin E to hydrate, so lips appear nice and plump.

FOR YOUR FRAZZLED COLLEAGUE WHO NEEDS MORE THAN A COFFEE BREAK:
Elizabeth W Bath Pouch, $12 The soothing scented salts, available in veviter, magnolia, sweet tea, lavender or tuberose are perfect for an after-hours soak to melt away stress. Better yet, tell her to try it the shower as an invigorating scrub, the perfect pick-me-up for an AM meeting.

FOR YOUR MOM WHO WANTS NO ONE TO KNOW HER REAL AGE:
Olay Regenerist The Regenerating Collection, $17.99 and Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System, $26.99 Tell mom she can keep her secret with these super serums that help play down fine lines, deep wrinkles and erase age spots. The microdermabrasion and peel (less intensive versions of what you'd find in a doc's office) will give skin smoothing and brightening results, turning back the clock instantly.