If you’ve been reading nonstopmama for a while, you’ll already know I’m a big fan of US make-up artist Bobbi Brown‘s product range and ‘keep it real’ beauty philosophy, which is all about making the very most of who you are, at every age and stage of life, rather than ‘wearing’ a trend. Bobbi’s seasonal colours have their finger on the fashion pulse but are always ‘doable’.

At the risk of your suspecting nonstopmama is on commission, I honestly think Bobbi’s classic Bronzing Powder (£23.50) is the best there is.

I also love Bobbi’s make-up manuals-come-coffee-table books (see the line-up here). Her latest, Beauty Rules, is targeted at teens and twentysomethings.

I love the mix of down-to-earth advice – one, typical, section is entitled ‘be comfortable in your own skin’, while Bobbi sings the praises of distinguishing features such as strong noses – and personal experience, combined with wonderfully clear, expert how-tos throughout. Read more.

You can always leave it to LUSH to come up with the best seasonal bath and body treats. As usual, they’ve dreamt up a fab array of festively-themed goodies that beg to be popped under the Christmas tree or stuffed into stockings (available at LUSH stores and online at lush.co.uk).

But why should the gift shopper be left out of the fun? While you’re stocking up on fun-shaped soaps (don’t miss the Glitterbug, £3.65, which leaves the prettiest dusting of sparkle on the skin when you step out of the bath – girls will love it) and more, why not treat yourself to a limited edition, Fizzy Figgy Pudding Bath Ballistic (£1.95)? Drop one into a well-earned soak and watch it shoot around the tub, dispersing a body and soul-soothing mix of ingredients including clove and powdered lemon peel. Just the thing after a marathon shopping session/manning the toy stall at the school Christmas fair/an evening spent shaping coathanger-and-tinsel angel wings or a non-lethal shepherd’s crook for the Sunday School Nativity (any solutions, do share!) …

I love the idea of creating ‘photo books’ online which are then delivered to your home, job done – no mess, no fuss and, hoorah, no sifting through mountains of snaps and struggling to keep them in place (why do those plastic covers always wrinkle?). Likewise, I think it’s fab that you can add your own captions and comments, without worrying about biro smudges or splodges from a leaky gel pen (grrr). Read more.