Gifts for goddesses

Just like socks and novelty jumpers, toiletries have always received bad press in the festive gift department.

But with the nation cutting back on life's little luxuries a stocking bulging with beauty goodies is sure to go down a storm this Christmas. Free pampering ahoy!

From green queens to no-fuss females, whoever you're shopping for this Christmas, it's all about choosing the right gift for their inner goddess.

Spread a little gorgeous good cheer this Christmas and bestow the gift of beauty.

LUXURY GODDESS

She never steps out of the house looking anything less than immaculate, from her snazzy haircut to manicured toes. The luxury goddess' idea of casual is going lip-gloss free. She covets designer labels and limited editions and is always one step ahead (in Jimmy Choos) of the latest catwalk trends.

SHE'LL LOVE: Michael Kors limited edition Glamorous Set, £40 (0870 034 2566); Bobbi Brown limited edition Copper Diamond Beauty Trunk, £100 (150 Euros) (www.bobbibrown.co.uk); Superdrug Boudoir gold cosmetic bag, £5.99.

ULTIMATE LUXURY GIFT: Perfect talons guaranteed. With the Nails Inc Flirty Dozen package, £260, she'll receive a year's worth of manicures (www.nailsinc.com).

GIRLY GODDESS

Shopping, champagne and chums are on the Girly Goddess' list of favourite things. She adores cupcakes, flowers and all things pink. Her dressing table is her pride and joy - the main feature of her girly boudoir - brimming with make-up, sweet scents and snaps of friends.

SHE'LL LOVE: Normandie The Weekend Away, £18 at Tesco; Vivienne Westwood Boudoir Collection, £49 (75 Euros) (0845 688 3343); Benefit Peace, Love & Glossiness Lip Gloss Set, £19.50 (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk).

ULTIMATE GIRLY GIFT: Spa time with pals will be her idea of heaven. Try The Sanctuary's Girl's Delight package, £310 for two people (01442 430 330/www.thesanctuary.co.uk).

PRACTICAL GODDESS

She can be out of bed and dashing out the door in five minutes flat. The Practical Goddess has a no nonsense approach to beauty, craving sophisticated minimalism and time-saving devices. Mum, career woman and socialite rolled into one, her idea of pamper time is exfoliating in the shower.

SHE'LL LOVE: FCUK patent Weekender Bag, £40 at Boots; e.l.f Beauty Encyclopaedia cosmetics set, £15 (www.eyeslipsface.co.uk); Nude Travel Set for face, £75 (0844 557 6031/www.beautyexpert.co.uk).

ULTIMATE PRACTICAL GIFT: The perfect hands-on present. She can create her own bespoke scent with Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir Tasting Kit, £72 (117 Euros) (0870 034 2411/www.jomalone.co.uk).

GREEN GODDESS

Back to nature is the beauty ethos of the Green Goddess, even if that means sacrificing her favourite face cream. She's a well-travelled and well-educated eco chick who demands the contents of her beauty cabinet are nothing but organic and natural. Stella McCartney is her chic but eco-savvy heroine.

SHE'LL LOVE: Origins Earthly Calm set, £40 (www.origins.co.uk); The Organic Pharmacy Skin Essentials Gift Box, £85 (0844 800 8399/www.theorganicpharmacy.com); Naturally Gorgeous book by Green People founder Charlotte Vohtz, £4.99 (01403 740 350/www.greenpeople.co.uk).

ULTIMATE GREEN GIFT: Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare offer the Cleanse and Polish monthly beauty subscription delivered to her door, £147 for one year (www.lizearle.com).

HOMME GOD

He loves spending time in the bathroom... but won't admit it. The Homme God checks out your beauty products with a hint of the green-eyed monster but laughs in the face of make-up for men. He's got to grips with the man moisturiser but wants all his 'bathroom essentials' to look more George Clooney than Lily Savage.

HE'LL LOVE: Clinique Guy Guide cologne set, £35 (52 Euros) (0870 034 2566/www.cliniqueformen.co.uk); Wahl Grooming Gear pack, £15 at ASOS.com; Elemis Shave & Protect gift set, £25 (www.timetospa.co.uk).

ULTIMATE HOMME GIFT: M LAB Travel Collection, £125, featuring the complete range of man-friendly anti-ageing skincare for the guy on the go (www.harrods.com).

TRIED & TESTED

Verlocke Zip&Go extensions, from £100 for added volume (from £350 full head). Call 0141 889 7960 or visit www.verlocke.co.uk.

Cheryl Cole's voluminous locks have got everybody craving big hair for the party season. If you don't like the idea of bonded extensions, try out Verlocke's Zip&Go extensions, which use tiny colour-matched compression rings which require no heat or chemicals. The application process is remarkably quick and pain-free with a full set of extensions applied in an hour and a half. As for the colour and texture, I can barely tell the difference between the extensions and my own hair. Feeling like tiny beads near your scalp, sleeping on the rings can feel strange at first and hair washing isn't quite as swift, but overall it's an amazing damage-free method of achieving fuller locks.

BUY IT NOW

Brush your knots into submission with Tangle Teezer's limited edition purple glitter brush, £10.99. Perfect for de-tangling party locks. Visit www.tangleteezer.com.

BEAUTY BULLETIN

STYLE SCHOOL

Look out Delia, Trevor Sorbie's in town. The hairdresser has created ingenious how-to hair recipe cards to create the hottest catwalk looks at home. You'll find the step-by-step instructions along with a list of products needed at www.trevorsorbie.com and clicking onto 'Get The Look'. For party transformations, take your favourite look into any Trevor Sorbie Salon in London, Manchester or Brighton to have your tresses styled while receiving a tutorial for £35.

BOTTLE BATTLE

The fight is on amongst celebrities to be crowned the most popular Christmas scent. Four star fragrances are amongst the top 10 sellers at retail chain Savers, including scents by the Beckhams, Kylie and Britney. Over £600m is spent on women's fragrance in the UK, with over 40% being spent on celebrity perfumes, according to the survey.

UPCOMING

Dec 5: BEAUTY Rescue: Disguise those tell-tale signs of the morning after the night before with beauty essentials. With pictures.

Dec 12: BEAUTY Metallics: Go for gold with this season's metallic look. With pictures.

Dec 19: BEAUTY Star Products: Find out what beauty goodies celebrities have requested from Santa Claus. With pictures.