I am sure you know that cellulite and body toning creams are targeting that dreaded dimply orange peel skin and fatty rolls but did you know that they are also formulated to reduce toxins and water retention? So you must know that toxins get flushed out... when you pee... or number 2. Rui Branco from REN offered that last little glamorous tidbit of info when I was invited down to Escentials for a tip-toe through the REN line. Makes sense.

Spanx Undie-tectable High-Waisted Panties $48.00 USD at Neiman Marcus (great casting - obviously a model here that benefits from Spanx)

I try not to wear my Spanx on days where I am lathered up to the tits nines with cellulite cream because let me tell you - not sure if its the power of suggestion or the fact that I am 42 and the mother of 3 vaginally birthed children - but I truly feel this to be true. [Spanx is certainly not made from materials that can easily slide up and down in a non-humid climate so add Singapore's humidity and Harry Houdini himself couldn't do this with ease.]

Do cellulite and toning creams work?

I am going to go with yes on this one - but don't be delusional about it. You can't gorge on McDonald's and then dip yourself into an anti-cellulite cream. As a beauty pro who has yet to take any invasive measures I have lathered and serum-ed my face and neck religiously since 2004 and cellulite cream for over a year now. I can confidently say I do notice a difference when I skip my body lotions and potions for a few days - my skin doesn't feel as firm and moist. True story. Not lying to ya. No kickbacks here.

 I do have cellulite but according to my way younger BFF who wouldn't lie to me - I can still rock a mini and besides, my dimples are mainly visible when I cross my legs... Mainly. Sigh. Why the hell is that cute on babies but not us?? I guess if someone deemed it unsightly for babies we would have cellulite cream for infants... Give it time - some crazy will market that.

 My fave cellulite creams tried and tested:

REN Anti-Cellulite Gel $48.00 USD at Bloomingdale's

Nip + Fab Cellulite Fix   $17.99 USD at Ulta

Size Zero  $68.00 USD at DERMSTORE

Both NIP+Fab and Rodial have various targeted treatments:

Nip + Fab Bust Fix  $15.99 USD at Ulta

Bum Lift  $55.00 USD by Rodial at DERMSTORE A lifting gel treatment that firms, tones and tightens the butt.

*Rodial is NIP+Fab's big sister and has 3-5 active ingredients vs the 1-2 that little sis has - conclusion: Rodial is better for us aging rockstars.

Monique Péan Rose Cut Diamond Necklace $117,915.00 at Barneys New York From the Monique Pean Atelier collection, recycled 18k white gold necklace set with 29.64ct antique white rose cut diamonds.

Or if that's a buck or two out of your budget, try these:

Mini Body Gift Set by REN A great stocking stuffer featuring four travel size bottles of REN's best-selling body products, including the zesty and uplifting neroli and the relaxing and luxurious rose . Features - Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash 50ml - Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream 50ml - Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash 50ml - Neroli and Grapefruit Body Cream 50ml 

For that shoe addicted friend of yours Heels Diva are shoes accessories jazzing up simple heels. Shop online here. [Great stocking stuffers too!]

Tangerine Vert Eau de Parfum 100ml, Miller Harris £90.00 - Sicilian green tangerines share a fragrant basket with grapefruit and lemon, seductively muted with herby marjoram, geranium and orange. A base of cedar, moss and sweet musk ensure equal appeal to both sexes.

Now I used to think that fragrance was a useless gift. How do you know what scent to buy someone?? Ok - sure - if you know what they wear then fine, easy peonesey BUT then what? I met up with the ladies at Escentials and picked up a few tips on buying perfume for others:

• Do they have favourite everyday scents? If your wife/GF/sister is cutting a lemon does she express how much she loves lemons? Note that!
• Whatever she enjoys doing could have a say in scent. Is she active? Love the outdoors? Fresh cut grass? Note that!
• Is she a clean freak? Always cleaning - likes things fresh? Believe it or not - note that!

Escentially take note of any possible hint at what she loves to smell or even taste as these can be the making of a fine scent.

Bobbi Brown 'Extreme Party' Eye Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)  $75.00 USD at Nordstrom or $129.00 SGD at Tangs. Tangs has an estore but not everything is available from their site which they don't seem to tell you... this palette is available in the stores.

*If you are buying for a makeup junkie then the holiday palettes are a great gift idea. There are so many and they do have different price ranges. FYI, holiday palettes are usually seasonal so she is guaranteed not to have it... unless she is a shopaholic.

You can give the gift of a two hour makeup lesson with a makeup artist or a wardrobe revamp with a fashion stylist but this I caution you: MAKE SURE SHE WANTS IT. No woman wants to be told by way of a gift that she needs a makeover - save that to submit her to be on a makeover show!

On the topic of education - why not gift a class?

Image source

You can learn to ReStyle your furniture by DIY'ing some furniture updates.

Learn how to do basic manis & pedis for fun or for a side business.

Cooking vacations!?! Sure I'd love to learn how to make pasta... IN ITALY!  [HB... hint] of course you can check locally if a flight to Italy isn't in the budget after that schwanky necklace purchase (see above). Many local restaurants are offering hands-on experiences with their chefs.

Whole Foods offers workshops too - for those lucky enough to have Whole Foods in their city.

NM Virtual Gift Card, $1,000 at Neiman Marcus of course there is always the gift card [cop-out] option in which case the dollar amount shows how much you really care... Available in other amounts.

I have so many ideas for us gals so this will be a bit of a series. Stay tuned for part 2!

Have a guy to buy for? Check out my gifts for him