Bag lady

They say never to judge a book by its cover, but you can pretty much figure out the character of a woman from her handbag. House of Fraser has a huge range of bags to suit any budget, from designers like DKNY, Furla and Ralph Lauren to high street brands like Warehouse, Oasis and House of Fraser’s very own brand Therapy.

Skin deep

The winter weather wreaks havoc on our skin and as a result we need a little boost in the skincare department. Thankfully, all the major skincare brands put together gift packs at this time of year and you can make the most of these value-packed deals and get your friend a complete winter skincare regime. Clarins’ HydraQuench set or Lancome’s Primordial Skin Recharge set, are perfect winter skin rescues.

Make up and party

Just in time for the New Year celebrations you can indulge your BFF’s passion for beauty with a new make-up set. Urban Decay’s X11 Midnight Emergency Kit and Benefit’s I’m Glam, Therefore I Am gift set are both perfect Christmas gifts that fit in both handbags and beauty cases. These gorgeous sets include all manner of party-ready make-up like Urban Decay’s Lip Junkie lipgloss and Benefit’s BADgal Lash mascara.

Tea and a chinwag

We all love catching up with our best friends over a good brew, and with House of Fraser’s Afternoon Tea gift hamper you can make you next chit-chat extra special. This is the ideal present for domestic goddesses and those that like to entertain. It includes Mrs Bridges leaf tea, clotted cream fudge, stem ginger biscuits, Mrs Bridges Christmas marmalade, and Mrs Bridges Christmas preserve.

Maui Babe Browning Lotion: My all time favorite tanning oil is brewed by a family recipe in Hawaii. Used over SPF 30, this will give you that true brown, not orange, you crave.

Alba Botanica Coconut Dry Tanning Oil: Made with coconut oil and a substantial SPF, this all natural product protects and serves.

Clarins Sun Care Spray: With SPF 15  built in, and a non-oil base, this promises to protect from the sun and give you a natural glow.

Australian Gold Intensifier: With Colorboost(TM) maximizer made from carrot seed, banana extract and aloe, this makes and attracts color at the same time. Use over SPF 30.

No-Ad Style Dark Tanning Oil: It has an SPF 4, which is essentially nothing. But it’s non-advertising scheme keeps it cheap at around $6.50. Use over higher SPF.

Ocean Potion Xtreme Intensifier: Certainly needs SPF underneath, but it’s properties, including tea tree oil, help make you tan and hold it fast longer.

Ed Hardy Diving Dragon Spray Oil: Ed Hardy is of the GTL persuasion. But again, pairing it with an SPF will keep you looking less Jersey Shore and more like yourself, only tanner.

Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee Sunscreen: This product promises a deeper glow and a longer lasting tan. And it’s Paraben free, so you’ll at least be avoiding that kind of cancer.

Arizona Sun Tanning Oil: With an SPF of 3 and a whole host of tanning agents, this will get you brown. Again, use SPF 30 as a base so as to not burn to a crisp.

Banana Boat Protective Tanning Oil Spray: This had been a staple in my tanning ritual for many years before the time of Maui Babe. It’s got a solid SPF you can feel good about, and results that make you dark.

Disclaimer: Any oil use will attract the sun more so than just SPF alone. It can lead to more skin damage and leaves it more susceptible to the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. Sun bunnies, you’ve been warned. But we doubt this is news to you, so all we can say is tan responsibly.

Body Routine

St. Tropez Tan Optimizer Body Polish - Exfoliation is an essential step to flawless self-tanning, and this product is exceptional. Formulated to remove tired skin cells for a clean bronzing slate, this will leave your complexion golden and glowing.

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Spray - By far the best self-tanner we’ve found, this is equipped with 360 degree spray technology to assure flawless application. Infused with aloe vera, this formula is ultra-conditioning for deep, long-lasting color.

Arcona Reozone Body SPF 30 - Now that you have a safe, natural-looking glow, make sure you protect your skin in the sun. This oil-free, water-resistant sunscreen defends skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays while stimulating cell renewal with Vitamins A and C.

Borghese Splendore Brightening Body Glow - How can you get that extra glow after you self tan? This moisturizing shimmer lotion brightens skin and camouflages minor imperfections. Flattering on every skin tone, this will leave you feeling radiant and gorgeous.

Borghese Splendore All Over Body Bronzer - Like the icing on the cake, no faux tan is complete without this subtle shimmer powder. Brush over shoulders and décolletage for that extra sun-kissed touch.

Face Routine

Clarins Instant Smooth Golden Glow - If instant tan gratification is what you’re looking for, this product is perfect for that immediate caramel glow. This ulta-smoothing cream soothes and illuminates skin while delivering a subbtle, natural-looking glow.

Borghese Summer Glow SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer - Protecting the delicate skin on your face is the most important part of your beauty routine. Not only does this tinted moisturizer provide full-spectrum SPF protection, but the hint of color will even out tone to provide a radiant and flawless finish.

St. Tropez Skin Illuminators - To sharpen those golden cheekbones, these amazing illuminators add contour to the face in an instant. Whether used on eyes, lips or cheeks, there are three, easy to take along shades to choose from so you can glow on the go.

Hair Tip

Arcona Essential Nutrients Silk Leave-In Conditioner - Nothing looks sexier against a flawless bronze glow than silky, healthy hair. This leave-in vitamin and herbal enriched formula protects from sun damage and heat styling tools. Conditioning silk protein and Pro Vitamin B-5 eliminate tangles for lustrous, healthy hair.

If you’re still a bit nervous about how sunless tanner will look on your skin, getting a professional spray tan before trying it yourself is a great way to get started. The best (and only as far as we’re concerned) spray tan around comes from the experts using the B.Bronz technique and award-winning color formula. Check out the website for a tanning salon near you.

What are your self tanning tips and tricks? We would love to see your questions and comments below.

1. Lucky Brand Lazy Days Macrame Tote, $71.20 – The perfect color and texture for a day at the beach.

2. Jack Spade Leather Flask, $125 -  Just in case there’s no booze around, you can bring your own.

3. Nalgene OTF Water Bottle, $12 – Alcohol and sun WILL dehydrate you and leave your skin looking nasty. Make sure to drink plenty of water.

4. Sun & Sand Yellow Striped Straw Hat, $20 – Sun protection never looked so chic.

5. Roxy Lucille Flip Flops, $22 – Cute and functional, these beaded sandals are the perfect boho footwear.

6. Assouline American Fashion Travel, $45 – Get inspired and plan your next trip while soaking up the sun.

7. Clarins Sunscreen Soothing Cream SPF 20, $37.50 – This anti-aging, water-resistant sunscreen soothes while it protects.

8. NARS Cosmetics Multi Protect Primer SPF 30, $39 – Fortified with anti-oxidants, this primer works both on and off the beach.

9. Norma Kamali Bill Embellished Halterneck Bikini Top and High-Waisted Briefs, $450/$4oo – You will be a siren in this gorgeous vintage-inspired two-piece.

10. Converse Backstage With The Band Sunglasses, $58 – Over-sized for ultimate sun protection and fab factor.

11. CALYPSO St. Barth Kimberly Dress, $195 – The perfect frock to throw over your bikini when it’s time for lunch on the boardwalk.

12. Marimekko Unikko Pink and Red Beach Towel, $85 – You’ll never lose your place in the sand with this bright towel as your guide.

If you have any questions about the items or brands shown above, tweet at me @CrystlMeatballs.