My Top Five Beauty Holiday Gifts 2013 - Family Friendly!

Here are the most awesome items that came through the NuyBeauty office this year that made me happy because they worked well (either on set, on me, my kid, or my pro-skater boyfriend - haha!) and were all-around terrific items. There's something here for moms, kids, men -- everyone is represented, so I hope this helps you in your holiday shopping!

1) YogaToes Premium Gift Set : UNISEX/Great for a couples gift too!

My boyfriend and I discovered this wonderful tool at our fabulous pedicurist, Erica Marton's. It helps stretch out your toes, yoga style, and if you buy the whole gift-kit, it comes with these crazy massagers that uber-circulate your feet. You will be falling asleep and/or in full-body relaxation time minutes. Great for overall circulation, which in turn helps with great skin, period.

I recommend the Premium YogaToes gift set that comes with the massager, purifying spray, and hand & foot salve ($55)

2) Klorane Leave-in Spray with Citrus Pulp: WOMEN/KIDS

Klorane's Leave-in Spray with Citrus Pulp: The Citron, a citrus fruit originally cultivated in the Mediterranean, is traditionally used for its toning and purifying properties. The pulp of this fruit is extracted to create anti-oxidant properties and combined with and white vinegar to create a weight-free detangler hair and toner. $14.

A great, paraben-free detangling and shine spray for all hair types, in my professional book, it's also a great pre-blow dry treatment and its citrus aroma awakens the senses.You can use this on wet or dry hair and if you want one spray product to prep your hair and your kid's for any hairstyle, this is the one.

You can also find this at your local Duane Reade if you're in NYC. Awesome.

3) Honey Girl Organics Face and Eye Creme Extra Sensitive: WOMEN/ ORGANIC

Wonderful for those who have allergies and skin sensitives. Honey Girl Face & Eye Creme Extra Sensitive ($33) is made only from organic extra virgin olive oil, purified water, Beeswax with pollen & propolis,
Raw Pupukea Honey, Royal Jelly, and Vitamin E.Additionally the beehive ingredients are harvested from only holistically managed beehives.

 A shout out to my home island of Oahu, this super rich cream has raw Pupukea honey harvested from the North Shore of Hawaii and will adjust to the most sensitive of skins. Super moisturizing and awesome for the extreme dry weather we've got going in mainland winters. Give a gift of aloha to someone you love, with a little bit of locally harvested honey. And it really smells like local honey.

4) Magic Pads: UNISEX/MEN

These Magic Pads ($20) helped my boyfriend's acne so much, he asked to take them to his skateboarding tour to Brazil! (It also helps they're in a manly enough black container ;-))

Have acne? Want something for helping with anti-aging, exfoliation, and treating your acne, all in one convenient small wipe? My boyfriend Danny and I love Magic Pads. They're pre-soaked makeup pads are filled with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, aloe and vitamin E.


5) Milkseed Oil Skincare Seasonal Blend (UNISEX & NATURAL) ($58)

Caterpillars spend 12 days on milkweed plants before they transform into monarch butterflies.  Milkseed Skincare oil is wild harvested twice a year, after the caterpillars have become monarchs. Milkweed is the only plant these caterpillars can consume to complete their change. This oil is domestically harvested.

A new favorite of mine to carry in my beauty bag. This Milkseed oil is a natural anti-aging treatment (the milkseed oil, which has antioxidant qualities and helps to calm redness, soothe lines and boost your skin's sun protection). The Milkseed Skincare Fall Blend ($58) has the added benefit of Rose Hip oil to assist in restoring the skin's natural elasticity.

Pro Tip: Apply on top of makeup to create a natural, but non-sparkly glow, as blush and a highlighter; That's how I love it. It's great for sensitive skin.

AND JUST FOR KICKS:

Need a cool gift item for a teacher, or friend? I came across this pretty candle with a surprise inside and thought it was just perfect for the holidays. Not quite beauty, but beautiful:

6) Bella j. Candles:

Gold or silver plated, dyed quartz, and real diamond charms on bracelets or necklaces are inside these candles, which are only $25, at www.bellaj.com

I love that there is a hidden charm (worth from   $10 to $450, with a a few lucky ones who will find a jewel with an estimated value of $10,000) in every yummy scented candle. My pick? The Surfshack candle of course -- a scent mixed with fresh air, sweet citrus accords, white florals, leafy greens, and honeydew melon. C'mon, I'm from Hawaii! Aloha :-).

--N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.