ESTEE LAUDER

This set, complete with a fashionable bow-adorned clutch, is incredible value with not one, but two eyeshadow and cheek compacts to complement both warm and cool skin tones. Tip: Pick the right compact for yourself then give the other to a friend.

Good As Gold make-up set includes Pure Color Eyeshadow in six warm shades and one Signature Silky Powder Blush compact; Pure Color Eyeshadow in six cool shades with one Signature Silky Powder Blush compact; Artist's Lip Pencil; Artist's Eye Pencil; Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara; Pure Color Crystal Lipstick; and black satin evening bag with bow; $99 (worth $200), from Estee Lauder, Tangs Orchard and VivoCity

LA MER

Here's a fab bargain: a full-sized jar of Creme de la Mer plus a selection of travel-friendly items including a cleanser, serum and eye cream.

Miraculous Beginnings set includes Creme de la Mer (30ml), Moisturising Lotion (30ml), Cleansing Lotion (100ml), Tonic (100ml), The Eye Concentrate (5ml), Lifting Face Serum (9ml), Lifting Intensifier (3ml) and travel pouch; $630 (worth $815), from La Mer, Tangs Orchard and Robinsons The Centrepoint

SK-II

Opt for SK-II's hot-sellers - now bundled in six top-value sets - which promise to even out skin tone and reduce dark spots.

SK-II Pitera Radiance set includes Facial Treatment Essence (150ml), Whitening Source DermDefinition (30ml), Facial Treatment Cleanser (20g), Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (40ml), Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel (15g) and Whitening Source Derm-Revival Mask (three sheets); $305 (worth $417), from SK-II, Isetan Scotts and Robinsons The Centrepoint

SHU UEMURA

Here's a great chance to try Shu Uemura's bestsellers without breaking the bank. This set contains the brand's star products, including its much-loved cleansing oil that gently removes make-up and grime.

Shu Loves You Star Product Set includes High Performance Cleansing Oil Fresh (150ml), Eyebrow Pencil Hard Formula 9 in Seal Brown, UV Underbase Mousse (30g), WR EX+ Activating Whitening Cream (13ml) and a limited-edition Mika Ninagawa cosmetic pouch; $99 (worth $177), from Shu Uemura, Tangs Orchard and Metro Paragon

ORIGINS

All after-tax profits from sales of this popular anti-ageing gift set go to the Weil Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports training, education and research in integrative medicine, which combines conventional medicine with traditional healing practices.

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Be Weil Collection includes Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser (50ml), Face Serum (30ml), Face Cream (30ml), Body Cream (125ml) and Conditioning Lip Balm with Turmeric (4g); $179 (worth $287), from Origins, Robinsons Raffles City and Metro Paragon

SHISEIDO

Customise your gift set with two choices of lip palettes and about 10 shades of nail polish, while stocks last. Each set also comes with two skincare products.

Dazzling Christmas set includes Maquillage Crystallizing Lip Palette; Maquillage Nail Colour; Shiseido The Skincare Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam (30ml); Shiseido The Skincare Instant Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (30ml); and a silver toiletry bag, $75 (worth $104), from Shiseido, Tangs Orchard, Isetan Scotts and Takashimaya Department Store

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Dec 12, 2008.