2015 Beauty Gift Guide

The holiday madness is literally days away—are you ready for it? The following gift ideas will make any beauty lover in your life smile with delight (you can thank us later!).

True Nature Botanicals is offering a limited edition collection of Dead Sea Salts. These luxurious and highly fragrant bath salts contain a potent amount of minerals and essential oils to heal and relax the senses. Available in three scents: Bliss, Tranquility and Vitality. $48; tnbotanicals.com.

Eminence has two fabulous options to start your holidays in style. The Must Have Minis Gift Set contains travel-size versions of Eminence bestsellers (Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer, Bamboo Firming Fluid, etc.) while the Tropical Body Bliss Gift Set features the luscious Coconut Sugar Scrub and Coconut Firming Body Lotion. $40-$79; eminenceorganics.com.

The label.m Diamond Dust collection proves that diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend. Conflict-free black and white diamond dust (sourced from Belgium), Champagne extract, white rose oil and pearl powder are infused into their shampoo, conditioner and body lotion for optimum nourishment. $24.99-$36; labelm-usa.com.

Orlane lets you perfect your pout with the Magnificent Lip Balm. Micronized hyaluronic acid plumps and redefines the lips while alaria esculanta (brown algae) nourishes and protects the delicate skin. $45; www.orlane.com.

Skin & Co. Roma has curated a myriad of Mediterranean-themed body care gift sets, including the Dolce Winter Skin Set and the Beautiful Hands set. With each purchase Skin & Co. Roma will make a $1 donation to Citymeals on Wheels during the holiday season. $30-$45; www.skinandcoroma.com.

Votre Vu's popular Bebe Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Creme duo is back with a new and zesty grapefruit (pamplemousse) scent. And, the vanilla lip balm smells amazing. The small size is great for stocking stuffers! $18; www.votrevu.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Galison Stationery Gifts

Designed for the stationery lover, Galison has a new fall lineup that would be great for stocking stuffers. These Sticky Notes ($10.99) by Lena Corwin and Fawnsberg will brighten up any office desk. Each portfolio contains 480 stickers. 

Don't forget the pens. These black ballpoint Pen Sets ($9.99) by Cooper Hewitt and Fawnsberg make a colorful splash in any setting. Plus, they're totally budget-friendly. 

The hardcover Clothbound Journals ($12.99) are well-made. Available in three styles, each one contains 160 lined pages.

Available at www.galison.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Ascona Chocolat Suisse

My chocolate karma must be high as I recently stumbled across Ascona Chocolat Suisse in Madison Valley. Owner Hans Riechsteiner features the renowned Laderach truffles, which are flown in each week for optimal freshness. 

You'll get to choose from about two dozen flavors. I just love the Hazelnut Crunch Praline, Raspberry Heart Praline, Caramelized Nut Praline, Lemon, and Passion Fruit Truffle. Hans also carries baking chocolate chips from Felchlin. I never leave the shop without a bag. 

Perfect for the holiday season, you can call in your gift box orders in advance. Local shoppers can even use curbside service via the FlyBuy app.

To order online: asconachocolates.com.

Aftelier Vanilla Smoke Perfume

As commercial fragrances often use synthetic vanilla in their formulations, I've never liked anything made with it. However, the new Vanilla Smoke from Aftelier Perfumes totally changed my mind about the inclusion of this precious spice.

The unisex fragrance opens with the bold smokiness of lapsang souchong, but it soon tempers down to offer up the lusicious Madagascan vanilla. A seductive invitation in itself, the masterful addition of Siam wood, yellow mandarin, saffron and ambergris balance it out, resulting in a sexy perfume like no other. Like a true love affair, the more I indulge in it, the more I fall in love with it. All in all, another thoughtful and elegant creation from the amazing Mandy Aftel. 

Available in Liquid Perfume (1/4 oz, $180), Eau de Parfum (1 oz, $180) and Miniature Perfume (2 ml, $50) at www.aftelier.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

SK-II Power Brightening Specialist

SK-II skincare devotees will be interested in the new Power Brightening Specialist. It's designed to suppress melanin that's both visible and underneath the skin surface. Along with their signature Pitera essence, this serum includes a proprietary combo of YPC, oats and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to prevent future age spot formation. Brightening agents De-melano P3C® and inositol are also included to break up stubborn existing melanin areas. 

The non-tacky lotion goes under your preferred day cream perfectly. As I have mild pigmentation, I feel one dropper is enough even though the instructions say to use two. Used day and night, I'm sure my complexion will be extra gorgeous in no time.

Available in 1 oz and 1.7 oz sizes ($140-$205) at www.sk-ii.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Seven Beef

Seven Beef, the newest restaurant from Sophie and Eric Banh, opened last month with great fanfare. The gorgeous steakhouse specializes in dry-aged beef from local producer Heritage Meats as well as a modern version of Bò 7 Món, a Vietnamese seven-course beef dinner ($35/person). 

Image credits: Geoffrey Smith

Steak is the main star but the seafood dishes are worth a try. The oysters with green apple foam ($12) is a light and refreshing way to start the evening. Depending on what's available, you'll get select Penn Cove or Kussi oysters. In fact, if you like seafood the majority of the appetizer selection is geared towards the fruits of the sea.

Steamed clams with turmeric, coconut milk, galangal, chorizo ($12).

Large parties can partake in the 48-ounce Côte de Boeuf ($120) or the 38-ounce Porterhouse ($99). The menu also features a Seven Seas Stew ($24) and Grilled Half Chicken ($21) if you're not in the mood for red meat.

Burnt acorn squash with goat cheese, mint and arugula ($12).

Definitely make room for dessert. The signature Valrhona 72% dark chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting will tempt your sweet tooth, as well as an assortment of French macarons (special order only, $2-3 each). We tasted the foie gras, nutella and caramel flavors and all are equally divine.

For reservations and more info, go to www.sevenbeef.com.

For editorial consideration, a press visit was provided by the restaurant.