The gift of beauty: you shouldn't have, but you did! And the smile on the face of anyone who opens one of these great beauty finds makes it all worth it

Shape, Dec, 2004 by Jody Buffalo, Kate Williams

17. Vincent Longo Joi' Scape Lip Palette ($38.50; sephora.com) contains a mirror, lip brush, three opulent lip colors and two glosses, all with vitamin E and aloe vera; mix and match to create a sophisticated, provocative pout for holiday parties.

Fabulous stocking stuffers

These charming products are sure to delight when tucked into a traditional stocking--or hidden as a surprise inside a bigger gift, such as a designer bag.

18. Victoria's Secret Swivel Your Lips Glosses to Go ($33; at select Victoria's Secret stores) has two sheer glosses hidden in a rhinestone-studded clip. Attached to a purse or belt loop, it's a sexy conversation piece that's also practical.

19. Joy of the Season by Archipelago Candles ($9-$29; 800-399-4994) contain 50 percent natural soy wax; are deliciously scented with orange, cinnamon and spice; and come already gift-boxed.

20. Slatkin & Co. Kabbalah Candle in Passion ($22; slatkin.com for locations) is scented with apple, red jasmine and mahogany, and comes with a Kabbalah red string bracelet (not shown).

RELATED ARTICLE: super splurges

Sometimes you just want to spoil someone with an over-the-top gift, like these below, that will stand out from all others.

1. Susanne Lang Custom Fragrance Eau de Parfum ($250; susannelang.com for store locations) allows you to create a tailor-made, completely personal scent from 80 notes.

2. Bond No. 9 Eau de New York ($198; at Saks Fifth Avenue stores) was created to capture the energy of New York City--with notes of citrus, neroli, basil and vetiver.

3. La Mer The Lifting Face Serum and The Lifting Intensifier Kit ($285; gloss.com) contains two products that work synergistically to help maintain the appearance of youth. The key ingredient in both is blue algae.

4. Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules ($105; timetospa.com) helps to repair cells damaged by environmental factors, such as pollution, with the antioxidant moringa, an oil that contains seven times as much vitamin C as oranges.

5. Kanebo Sensai EX La Creme ($500; www.kanebo.com for retail locations) is an extravagant treat; it softens and hydrates with natural ingredients like apricot kernel.

6. Michael Kors Crystal Perfume Purse Spray ($175; at fine department stores) has a tuberose scent and comes with a Swarovski-crystalstudded bottle face and a suede carrying pouch.

RELATED ARTICLE: A GIFT FOR YOU

Kiehl's Cryste Marine ($45; kiehls.com) is an anti-aging cream that hydrates, firms and boosts cell renewal--helping skin retain its natural radiance, tone and resilience, thanks to extracts of a marine algae (rich in vitamins C and E) from the Mediterranean Sea.