Sports Calendar

Mid-range: Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream. The frankincense oil is from Somalia, the cream smells festive but not so much so that it can’t be used all year, £18.50 for 50g, www.nealsyardremedies.com

Blowout: Dior Night Diamond compact is bejewelled and contains ‘all over diamond dust’, which has had beauty bloggers across the land rushing to add it to their wish lists, £48, www.dior.com

For a Body in Need of Love

Budget: Phil Smith Heat Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, £3.99 each, are sold at Sainsbury’s but are among the best hair products we’ve tried. www.sainsburys.com

Mid-range: Clinique’s Superbalm Moisturising Glosses are a new addition to the Clinique repertoire and the company are labelling them as “lipbalm with a colourful twist”. What’s certain is that they add a hint of glamour to the grind of conditioning. £15 for four. www.clinique.co.uk

Blowout: For some serious luxury, Chanel’s Body Excellence Firming and Rejuvenating Cream, does everything you would expect from a £54 product. It smells lovely, with jasmine and lily of the valley and sinks in very quickly. The only question is whether it will really firm and rejuvenate your recipient’s body. www.chanel.com

For the Natural Beauty Fan

Budget: Dr Hauschka’s Bath Oils can be mixed and matched to create the perfect aromatic effect so ideally you'd buy a few to allow your recipient to mix them together for the calming bath of their choice, £15.66, www.drhauschka.co.uk

Mid-range: The retro packaging almost makes the product inside irrelevant for the Figs and Rouge Rambling Rose Organic Cleanser. But it also gently removes make-up whilst soothing the skin £15.99 www.figsandrouge.co.uk

Blowout: Eve Lom’s cleanser was once described as ‘the best cleanser in the world’ by Vogue. Her simple products are recommended to be used with a muslin cloth and facial-style massaging techniques. Each cleanser comes with a instruction leaflet for use. This year’s Christmas gift costs £100, www.evelom.co.uk

For the Catch-alls

Budget: These Greek-made products look great on any bathroom shelf and the Korres White Tea Facial Fluid Cleanser is a great stocking-filler at £13, www.shop.com

Mid-range: MAC have created a ruby compact that would rival Dorothy’s slippers for their Christmas collection. The compact, with a giant red jewel looks set to add sparkle to any make-up bag. Try the 6 Classic Eyes compact for £23.36, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Blowout: This Steeped in Smoothness gift set is the ultimate in hair pampering, £38, www.aveda.co.uk

For the Wannabe Make-up Artist

Make-up artists swear by brushes to achieve a flawless finish and colour-drenched looks, making them an ideal gift for make-up junkies.

Budget: No.7 Mini Brush Set slips into a handbag £7.83, www.boots.com

Mid-range: Mac 5 Basic Brushes come in a bright-red make-up bag and each have this season’s bright red handles: £40, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Blowout: Bobbi Brown is known for her beautiful makeup in shades real women can wear. Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Deluxe Brush Set has professional-quality brush heads and a soft zip case. £140 www.bobbibrown.co.uk

Times recommends

• The Boxing Day tsunami: five years on
• What took place in 2010...
• Can you really cure a hangover?