1. Beauty basket

   In today’s economy, many of us don’t have the funds to finance big-budget gifts. Whether it’s a present for your mom, best friend or significant other, you can create a basket filled with goodies for under $40.

   To fill up your basket, simply choose any combination of these products. Or, just select one as your present.

   • Lips

     • Rich in shea butter and vitamin E, BORBA Cashmere Fiber Lip Kix ($10.50) nourishes and moisturizes the lips.

     • Philosophy provides a variety of lip products to perfect your pout, including lip shine ($12) and lip gloss ($15).

     • Juice Beauty SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers($15) contains three products that protect and hydrate dry lips with emollient plant oils, vitamins and honey.

   • Eyes

     • Each DuWop Eye Duet ($17) includes two stunning eye shadow shades. Choose from an array of colors to pick her favorite.

     • Illuminare Eye Liner/Brow Brush ($10) transforms eye shadow into liner and helps define both the eyes and brows.

   • Nail polish

     • SpaRitual ($9) offers an amazing array of nail polish with reds and magentas, browns and maroons, beiges and pinks and violets and cool neutrals.

   • Skincare essentials

     • With soy and salicylic acid, Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar ($3) helps prevent blemishes without drying the skin.

     • An ultra-rich hand cream, Philosophy Handmade ($10) includes a variety of soothing, hydrating butters, such as shea and cocoa.

     • Sunscreen is the best weapon in anyone’s anti-aging arsenal. Voted Allure’s Editors Choice, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.50) offers broad-spectrum protection without the greasy look and feel.

2. Gift card

   Does she love to shop? Is she extra picky? Or is V-Day just several days away? Give her a gift card, so she can conveniently shop online for whatever she needs. These gift cards are great for every budget, ranging from $15 to $200, and immediately arrive in your inbox.

3. Makeup sets

   Every woman loves a coordinating beauty kit, because it makes getting ready super simple and super swift.

   • Stila Night Flower Deluxe Palette – Blu Orchid ($18) is a limited edition comprehensive collection with four eye shadows, cheek color, lip color and lip glaze.

   • For a natural look, Stila Front Cover Look 2 ($18) is a warm, golden, peachy palette with three eye shadows, cheek color and lip gloss.

   • Whether she has blue or brown eyes, a light or dark complexion or she’s 20 or 45, smoky eyes look stunning on everyone. The Stila Smoky Eye Palette Original ($40) includes four beautiful shades that make it easy to create striking smoky eyes in minutes. Plus, the product literally talks you through the application process.

   • The bareMinerals Get Started Eyes Cheeks Lips ($49) includes various application brushes, eye shadow, lip polish and blush.

   • The bareMinerals Get Started Kit ($60) provides all the tools she’ll need for a flawless face, including two foundations, mineral veil, warmth all-over face color, three makeup brushes, the skin rev-er upper to rejuvenate the face and a how-to DVD. All you need to do is select her skin tone.

4. Skincare splurge

   Spoil your loved one with a spectacular skincare product that she’d never buy herself. Even though these are splurges, they’re still affordable at $45 and under.

   • L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Cream Bath($32) creates a soothing spa experience with its nourishing and hydrating benefits.

   • L’Occitane Honey and Lemon Delightful Cream ($36) is an ultra-rich moisturizer that can be used on all parts of the body.

   • Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Serum ($38) revitalizes aging skin, defends against free radical damage and hydrates and firms the skin.

   • Elizabeth Arden Intervene Eye Pause and Effect Moisture Eye Cream ($42) diminishes dark circles, reduces the appearance of fine lines and firms and tightens the skin.

   • Dermelect Beauton Enlightening Facial Brightener Serum ($45) addresses age spots, uneven skin tone and discoloration.

   • Dr. Michelle Copeland AHA Face Cream ($45) rejuvenates the skin, creating a smoother, softer and younger-looking complexion.

5. The spa treatment

   Pamper her with lavish products, inspired by spa-like luxury. Or, create a special spa-day on V-Day. Here’s how to start:

   • If you’d like to draw a bath for her, invest in a sumptuous shower gel or bath bubbles, such as Philosophy Red Velvet Cake Shower Gel ($16).

   • Or, bring the spa home with this comprehensive collection: AHAVA Getaway Gift Set ($28) includes four products, infused with uplifting mandarin cedarwood and relaxing syringa green apple.

   • Following the bath, give her an antioxidant-rich lotion to nourish and hydrate her skin: Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough Omega 369 Replenishing Body Lotion ($35).

   • Foot creams are a staple at any spa. Recreate the luxury with Philosophy Soul Owner ($14), which provides plenty of relaxation by soothing and smoothing tired, dry feet.

   • Dim the lights and add candles to the tranquil ambiance. Go for ones that float on water, like L’Occitane Green Tea with Jasmine ($20), or visit your local drugstore for lower-priced options.

   • Scatter rose petals — or petals from her favorite flowers — on the floor of your at-home spa retreat or in the bath tub.

   • For the last touch, turn on her favorite music.

6. Fragrance

   You can never go wrong with fragrance — a thoughtful, personal present. From sweet scents and feminine fragrance to sensual musks and clean aromas, these perfumes are perfect for every taste.

   • Philosophy Pure Grace Fragrance ($40): With a crisp, clean, fresh fragrance, Pure Grace has universal appeal.

   • L’Occitane Jasmine Eau de Parfum Gift Set ($40): Inspired by the Mediterranean, this is a floral, intense scent.

   • Harajuku Lovers Fragrance ($45): A collection of fun and flirty fragrances, Harajuku Lovers have everything from fruity florals to powdery musks.

   • Philosophy The Fragrance ($48.75): A light, clean scent that energizes the senses.

   • Philosophy Falling In Love Gift Set ($50): Includes fragrance and shower gel. Designed for the hopeless romantic, this set is both sexy and feminine.

   • Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely ($52): This timeless, soft fragrance combines such scents as exotic patchouli, white amber and lavender.

   • Calvin Klein Secret Obsession ($55): An ultra-sensual perfume, Secret Obsession includes ingredients like exotic plum, Egyptian jasmine and spicy orchid.

7. Skincare sets

   Give her a collection of skincare goodies that pamper from head to toe.

• Let your loved one treat herself daily with the deeply hydrating L’Occitane Hand Cream Trio ($25) — perfect for combating cool temperatures. She’ll enjoy three special creams, including honey and lemon, rose and cherry blossom.

• A collection of products to smooth, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, the AHAVA Perfection Kit ($20) includes hand cream, body lotion, foot cream, smoothing moisturizer and a complexion mirror.

• L’Occitane Savons De Provence ($22) is a luxurious set with four shea butter soaps with fantastic fragrances, including milk, lavender, verbena and cinnamon orange.

• A kit with six travel-size products, Bliss Lemon and Sage Sinkside Six Pack ($25) lets her sample a variety of skincare goodies, including body butter, face wash, shampoo, conditioning rinse, shower gel and soap.

• Bliss Scent-tral Park ($25) contains three rich creams that saturate the skin in moisture, including lemon and sage, vanilla and bergamot and naked body butter. Perfect to revive the skin during this cold wintry season.
• Juice Beauty Organics To Go ($29) is a five-piece organic kit that contains cleansing milk, antioxidant serum, oil free moisturizer, hydrating mist and a sample size of the green apple peel.
• A natural collection, The Whish Three Whishes Gift Set ($38) is infused with pomegranate essential oil, organic aloe, organic raspberry butter and organic shea butter. It boasts products for the entire bathing experience, including body wash, sugar scrub and body butter.

8. A pair of presents

   If you’re looking for something special to accompany other gifts, make it a theme. Here’s what we mean:

   • Taking your significant other on a tropical getaway or a weekend retreat? Give her Philosophy’s Let’s Cruise ($30) collection, which contains three, three-in-one cocktail scented products: melon daiquiri, kiwi martini and blue hawaiian.

   • Buying her a beautiful bouquet of roses? Continue the theme with rose-inspired products.

   • Korres Wild Rose Regimen Kit ($39.50) features five skincare products, including a wild rose moisturizer, wild rose vitamin C mask, wild rose face and eye serum, white tea facial cleanser and evening primrose eye cream.

   • DuWop Eye Palettes – Rose Eyes ($32) contains five shades of rose and an application brush to create an eye-catching look.

   • SpaRitual Nail Lacquer Days of Wine and Roses ($9) is a stunning deep plum shimmer.

   • Getting her a box of chocolates? Complement the delectable treats with a chocolate-themed product.

   • The color of rich cocoa, Colorescience Lip Polish Wand – Chocolate Kiss ($17.50) is a long-lasting lip product that plumps and hydrates the pout.

   • Philip B Chocolate Milk Body Wash and Bubble Bath ($35) brings back childhood memories with its yummy sweet scent and leaves the body feeling fresh, clean and soft.

9. Beauty bookworm

   If she loves learning about skincare and beauty, give her a best-seller.

   • Written by renowned dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., The Skin Type Solution ($12) helps individuals identify their skin type and learn which products are best for their specific skin.
   • Another best-seller, Change Your Looks, Change Your Life ($14.95) is a thorough, realistic guide on the latest cosmetic surgery options, written by prominent biochemist and plastic surgeon Michelle Copeland, M.D.

Additional tips

Here are more tips on getting a special gift without spending your entire salary.

1. Try travel-size.

   If you’re looking for a luxurious gift, then buy it in a smaller size. Your sweetie will still appreciate the luxe products but you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg.

2. Think quality over quantity.

   Though you might want her to open many presents, choose one high-quality gift that she’d never treat herself to.

3. DIY.

   Can’t afford to give her a spa getaway, a salon day or tropical trip? Then, recreate the ambiance at home with spa skincare sets (like the ones above).

   Or, visit your local drugstore to get all the supplies you’ll need, including candles, lotion and bath bubbles. You can also find recipes online for various bath concoctions, facials and other spa treatments. And it never hurts to give your sweetie a relaxing massage.

4. Check out bargains.

   This might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: peruse your favorite Web sites for the latest deals and coupons.

5. Put pen to coupon book.

   Create a coupon book filled with IOUs. Your loved one will appreciate the attention and have fun selecting from the collection of coupons. Some ideas for coupons: massage, pedicure, dinner, dancing, picnic and a stroll through the park.

6. Be charitable.

   Does she have a favorite charity? Donate some money to a worthwhile cause in her name. No matter the amount, this is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

7. Create beauty notes.

   Women can be really tough on themselves and their appearance. So, what better way to show your loved one how you feel about her inner and outer beauty than by writing it down. Just like a coupon book, record little sayings that she can read every day. Use a combination of quotes from writers, lyrics from a special song and your own words.

Learn everything you need to know about budget skincare in our Beauty on a Budget Handbook.