Beauty: Smashing set pieces

Pure Fiji Island Bliss Gift Set. Photo / Supplied

Sets are like the gift-with-purchase of Christmas, a great way to get extra items for little extra outlay. Buy the perfume in a boxed set and get the body lotion or a handbag-sized spray. Pick up some favourite skincare with a few extra trial-sized products or seek out a shampoo set with styling products as bonus extras.

Scope out sets in department stores, salons and pharmacies ... and then hint heavily.

This year, we've looked beyond the expected gift boxes - though, certainly, don't overlook them for your Christmas list or a personal treat - to find some other eye-catching combinations.

15 Pure Fiji Island Bliss Gift Set $65

I'm a big fan of Pure Fiji products and think this pineapple set is a lovely introduction to the range. It contains a room mist, a body lotion, a travel candle and a soap. Also in white gingerlily (my favourite), mango, frangipani, starfruit and coconut.
(From spas and salons. For stockists, ph 0800 7873 3454.)

18 Essie Smoothies Hand and Body Lotion Trio $34.50

Three fruity little mixes of coconut and pineapple, pomegranate and mango and blueberry and banana. The healthy twist extends to adding anti-ageing AHAs to the skin soothers.
(From selected salon stockists. Ph 0508 776 232.)

13 Smashbox Try Me Kit $120

The most amazing value, albeit smaller sizes than standard, but not too skimpy to be irritating. This kit of Smashbox's most popular products comes in a black nylon fold-out toilet bag with its own stand-up mirror and will have you going back for more. Contents include two mascaras, an eye pencil, two lip glosses, a cheek colour, a mini primer, a travel sized bronzer and an eye palette.
(Exclusive to selected Life Pharmacies. See www.smashboxcosmetics.co.nz for stockists.)

16 La Mer The Signature Collection $550

May not sound like a bargain, but for those who happily shell out for La Mer, this is what they'd call an investment purchase, with boxed travel sizes of the Creme de la Mer, the Facelifting Serum and the Eye Concentrate.
(From Smith & Caughey's.)

23 M.A.C Love Divine Lash Kit $110

Buy for Christmas and be ready for New Year, with everything needed to create night-time eye drama in this silver kit containing lashes, mascara, eyeliner and transparent teal glitter.
(Exclusive to the M.A.C counter at Smith & Caughey's stores and Kirkcaldies & Stains, Wellington.)

22 Off Brow Kit $165

Everything needed to groom your brows into an awesome arch from speciality brow bar, Off. The weighty kit has its own mirror.
(From Off Wax and Brow Bars, Newmarket and Takapuna. www.offwaxbar.co.nz.)

17 O.P.I Mini Merries $39.95 and Orly Mani Minis La Petite French $34.99

Two cute kits, the O.P.I in berry nice limited edition shades and Orly's with the essentials of a French manicure.
(O.P.I stockists include Life Pharmacies, Farmers and Smith & Caughey's or ph 0800 144 562 and Orly at Farmers and selected pharmacies and salons, ph 0800 883434)

21 American Crew Travel gift set $90

Men seem to consistently pick American Crew as a favoured styling product; so why not give them a set so they can look smooth.
(For salon stockists, ph 09 525 1075.)

20 Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit $49.95

There's a buzz about this extensive American natural range which has come up with some cool introductory kits. This one is chock full of mini products to try, including lemon butter cuticle cream, and body lotions.
(From Smith & Caughey's, Urban Loft and selected pharmacies and health food stores. Freephone 0508 734 466.)