When you're getting into a Christmas mood, nothing expresses this festive state better than sparkly, shimmery, glimmery things, and when it comes to buying special gifts from the beauty realm, there is plenty of that sparkly stuff out there to choose from.

It's hard to know how to pick a product from among the huge variety on offer, though, so in today's column, along with a couple of non-shimmery but suitably festive gift ideas, we'll find out what the stand-out products are.

If you can find it -- it is so popular that it is difficult to get -- look for Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse d'Or. This was one of the original gold body shimmers, and it is still one of the best. A nonoily oil, it can be used on hair as well as skin. If you or anyone you know is going to Paris, stock up on this and other Nuxe products there (their Creme Fraiche is another fabulous one).