Gift Guide: 10 Gifts For Her Under $25

Here’s a compilation of  lovely presents for a friend or sister, all under $25. A few are from online boutiques you may not have heard of, , sites that are worth exploring whether you’re buying for yourself or choosing holiday gifts.

ModCloth has really cute clothing at great prices (I just bought this adorable camera tee). Furbish Studio, a boutique in Raleigh owned by designer Jamie Meares, has fun home furnishings, as well as gifty gems. And, I just discovered including Waiting on Martha, an e-boutique and  blog by Mandy Kellogg Rye, who plans to open a brick and mortar outpost in Atlanta next year.

 

Gift Guide Affordable Presents For Her

S H O P P I N G

1 Chevron Cocktail Napkin Set

2 Tapas Tools

3 Ceramic Jewelry Tray

Across the Universe Nail Polish

5 Matte Mint Bud Vase

6 Hunter Gems

7 Turkish Hand Towel

Chanel Noir Perfume Print

9 Fawn Cosmetics Case

10 Colorblock Key Fob

Beauty Break: The Mascara Wars

Let me start off by saying that my husband came up behind me last night to rub my shoulders in a much appreciated spurt of affection, saw me scrolling through an endless array of waterproof mascara on a cosmetics site, and said, “Why are there so many? They all serve the same function. I don’t understand.” Needless to say, I didn’t bother to respond.

If you’re a longtime StyleCarrot reader, you might remember, that while I rarely blog about beauty, I did gush over a particular mascara a few years back. Dismayed to find my Bobbi Brown mascara had been discontinued , I took an inexpensive chance on a drugstore brand with great success. I feel like it’s time for a change, so I decided to poke around the Interwebs. These smudge and waterproof mascaras caught my eye, for one reason or another. I’ll share my non-scientific findings.

Waterproof Mascara Designer & Drugstore Brands

S H O P P I N G 

1 Tarte Lights, Camera,  Lashes 4-in-1 Waterproof Mascara, $19
Never mind that the brand name “Tarte” is alluring, look at the packaging of this beauty—deep purple snakeskin and gold anchor insignia. Reviewers claim it’s great—no smudgy racoon eyes.

2 Chanel Inimitable Waterproof, $30
I like the descriptor “Inimitable.” Obviously it’s a more pricey product, but reviewers rave about it. I like the sleek packaging, but what really pulled me in is the color selection—it comes in aqua and lime. Fun!

3 Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, $30
Love the blingy packaging (brass is back, baby). Love the electric “Majorelle” blue color even more. True, Katy Perry turned in her blue wig, but blue eyelashes still work. Most of the reviewers liked it, but one mentioned that it’s perfume-y, so, no thanks.

4 Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara, $25
I was using a dark brown Bobbi Brown mascara before it was discontinued, so obviously it made sense to have a look at this one. Plus, I like the name and the charcoal mirrored packaging. (Call me superficial, but hey, we’re discussing makeup.) Reviewers weren’t completely sold at first, but came to love it, particularly when they layered it with another mascara. Um, who has time for that? Still, it’s available in chocolate, and it’s Bobbi, so I’d try it.

5 Marc Jacobs Lash Lifter Gel Volume Mascara, $26
I didn’t even realize Marc Jacobs launched a cosmetics collection until I was in the Marc Jacobs boutique in Provincetown over Labor Day weekend. The rounded packaging is very Marc. Unfortunately, people seem to hate it.

6 CoverGirl LashBlast Water Resistant Mascara, $6.94
This is the mascara I’ve been using for several years, with great success. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t smudge, and comes off without a hassle at night. (I use Neutrogena eye makeup remover). If you want drama, this one’s not for you, but for me, it’s ideal for everyday.

7 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23
Like a true girl, I clicked through to this because of the metallic pink packaging. And, ok, because it’s called “Better Than Sex.” Not so much. Most reviewers declare it “clumpy.”

8 Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara, $19
Benefit Cosmetics opened on Newbury Street  near me. I haven’t gone in yet, but as a preview I thought I’d see about this mascara, although it’s name, “BADgal” is hardly a selling point for me. The reviews are so-so, but if you want mascara that absolutely doesn’t come off, even if you want it to, this seems to be it.

9 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $4.44
For years, models and celebs claimed that this is the mascara they used. It’s the one I grew up with, since my mother used it. I tried it once but wasn’t a fan. I suppose if you’re super preppy, the pink and green packaging is a draw. And yes, it’s very affordable.

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Beauty Break: Aesop Travel Kit

Australian beauty brand Aesop, which opened a beautiful boutique on Newbury Street last year, sent me its nifty new travel kit, Boston Jet Set (there’s a London one too). The brown bottles (four plastic and two glass), at 1.7 and .5 fl. oz., comply with international air travel restrictions. There’s pretty much everything you need for face and body, wrapped in a linen-y cloth in a sturdy, structured black nylon zip case.

I’ve already raided the Rind Concentrate Body Balm, which smells amazing, made with orange and lemon rind plus pink grapefruit. The shampoo, made with rosemary and cedarwood bark also smells wonderful, and the lavender stem and bergamot mint conditioner is lovely too. Ok, fine, all of it’s totally great. I’m not sure it’s going to last until my next trip.

aesop-travel-kit-products

C O N T E N T S
Classic Shampoo
Classic Conditioner
Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser
Rind Concentrate Body Balm
Fabulous Face  Cleanser
B & Tea Balancing Toner,
Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream
Mouthwash

aesop-travel-kit

Boston Jet Set, $75 at AESOP

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Chanel Fall 2013 Color Palette Maekusp