If you’re still trying to find a gift for Mother’s Day this Sunday, we’ve got the top 10 gifts that won’t break the bank.

1. Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers EDP, $17.95 at Amcal
Love this floral fragrance. I went through a phase of wearing it daily.

2. “Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult, $19.95 at BIG W, Angus & Robertson and Borders
Save $13 on this new bestseller.

3. Kambrook rice cooker, $19.98 at Betta Electrical
If, like me, you manage to ruin rice each time you cook it, a rice cooker is the easy way to get it right.

4. Remington Big Shot hair dryer, $29.98 at Betta Electrical
I’ve always found Remington products to be reliable and $30 is a good price for a hair dryer.

5. Lavender cubic zirconia ring, $39 at Michael Hill Jeweller
This is a gorgeous looking cocktail ring.

6. Rose Bouquet gift set, $9.95 at Terry White Chemists
The set contains rose-scented hand and body lotion, body scrub and soap petals.

7. Georgia dinnerware pieces, $2.39 at Target
The separates include a side plate, mug, milk jug or bowl - you could buy a couple and put together a set.

8. Homedics Bubble Spa footbath, $39.94 at Tandy
After a rare day of wearing high heels today, this footspa is looking pretty good to me right now.

9. Snooze Zone pyjama set, $39.99 at Best & Less
$40 for PJ pants and top and a nightie? Bargain.

10. “Comfort Food” by Kate Jacobs, $21.44 at Target
Not actually a cookbook, but a fun new girly novel.

By Caroline Warnes

Although not officially part of the Fashion Week program, Gail Sorronda launched her upcoming Spring/Summer collection just up the road from the main Fashion Week venue.

Sorronda, who designed a collection for Designers For Target towards the end of last year, showed a collection of pieces in her favoured black-and-white - in fact there wasn’t a drop of colour amongst the lot.

Obviously this is a collection you buy as separates and mix-and-match with the rest of your wardrobe.

The collection had a very distinct “1940s Bette Davis in the boudoir” feel to it, complete with longline mesh robes with feathered trim and shoes that were reminiscent of those fluffy high-heeled slippers you see most cinematic sex kittens of Old Hollywood wear (and after all, isn’t that the look we’re all going for, especially for work. Nah, just kidding. I prefer a longer ballgown effect for work).

Gail Sorronda’s off-site event was hosted in conjunction with hair care company Terax, who gave every guest a 200ml tube of its cult conditioner, Original Crema. This fantastic product is scented with rice flower, shea, bergamot, and juniper and is the ultimate treatment for stressed hair. I picked up two tubes of Terax Original Crema, valued at $29.95 each, and am giving them away to the first two readers who email me and tell me in 25 words or less why their hair needs help.

By Caroline Warnes

These days one of the most sought-after looks for going out hair is the big, bouncy supermodel look made famous my the likes of Gisele Bundchen (she truly has great hair, non?).

Also known as bed head, the look has lots of volume and movement but not too much structure - it should literally look like you just got out of bed.

Unfortunately, achieving this look isn’t as easy as, well, getting out of bed. Many of us have to contend with lack of volume, frizziness and poker-straight hair.

The video below shows you how to achieve this look at home using only a curling iron (find offers near you) and styling wax (Priceline is having 20% off the Fudge styling range - details here).

(Photo courtesy of Gisele Bundchen’s official site)

By Caroline Warnes

I have always suffered from the common affliction of dry hair and am always on the lookout for new moisturising hair treatments.

The problem is that I gave up traditional shampoos, conditioners and hair products a year ago - these days, I wash with warm water and apple cider vinegar alone - so am looking for the perfect natural hair treatment.

I was in my local health food store last week when I picked up a leaflet extolling the virtues of coconut oil (also known as coconut butter as it is actually solid at room temperature).

Apparently coconut oil is the latest wonder product for use on your skin, hair and even for your general health by taking several tablespoons daily.

I don’t think I’m quite ready to start swallowing copious amounts of pure coconut oil just yet, however I was interested in trying it as a hair treatment. And at just $7.90 a jar, why not?

One night over the weekend I combed a small amount through my hair, concentrating it on the dry ends, then tied it up and left it overnight (you’ll need to put an old towel over your pillow for this). The next morning, wash it out with your regular shampoo and conditioner as normal.

The results were nothing short of amazing! The coconut oil left my dry hair feeling soft and moisturised and it even looked much shinier. I’ll definitely be using this on a weekly basis going forward.

Two words of warning - don’t use too much as it will make your hair greasy and only use virgin coconut oil as the hydrolysed version can contain products that are not so good for your hair.

By Caroline Warnes

The Remington Salon Pro Wet2Straight hair straightener has been hailed as a breakthrough for time-poor women everywhere.

It’s designed to straighten wet hair, so unlike traditional hair straighteners, you don’t have to blow- or air-dry your hair first.

The first thing you should look for in a hair straightener is what the plates are coated in and the Remington Wet2Straight does well - it’s ceramic, tourmaline ionic and Teflon coated. This is a vital consideration in protecting against heat damage.

It’s incredibly easy to set up and use - simply plug the device in, set it to the lowest heat and let it heat up until the LED starts to flash - this takes approximately 30 seconds. You should towel dry and detangle your hair before straightening, then you’re ready to go. You simply clamp sections of hair between the plates and pull downwards. The Wet2Straight straightens well and doesn’t leave hair with much frizz or damage.

When you’re finished, you can store the unit in the provided heat-resistant pouch - you don’t even have to wait for it to cool down, which is a nice touch.

Although Remington claims that the Salon Pro Wet2Straight protects against hair damage, you should be aware that any hair straightener used excessively will cause permanent damage to your hair, making it brittle and dry. To avoid this damage, you should limit use of a straightener to a couple of times a week and always use a product to protect against damage prior to straightening.

Click here to find offers on Remington products near you.

By Caroline Warnes

If you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute, don’t panic - you’ve still got time! Here’s the best gift ideas I’ve seen this week…

For her

* Oroton has released the Lucky necklace (pictured here), which is a reinterpretation of the label’s iconic mesh purses. The original mesh purses are a collector’s item with vintage fans - I bought a 1960s version from a second-hand shop in Sydney’s Castlereagh Street several years ago and it was one of the finds of the year for me! Priced at $195, the Lucky necklace comes in antique gold, silver or gunmental.

* If you’re shopping for someone with wavy or curly hair, she’ll love the Curl-ease towel. Curly hair is notoriously tricky to wash and dry without ending up with a mountain of frizz. The Curl-ease towel is completely flat, so no strands can get caught and frizz up. It retails for $19.99.

* Hollywood Fashion Tape makes a great stocking filler for most girls, especially in the party season. It’s double-sided tape that sticks to both clothing and skin, so you can avoid any potential waldrobe malfunctions, particularly with skimpy tops and dresses on New Year’s Eve. You can find it at a range of boutiques, specialty stores, spas and beauty salons.

* Target has 20 percent off fragrance gift packs until Christmas Eve. I don’t recommend buying perfume for anyone unless you’re fairly confident you know what they like - fragrance is a very individual thing and what smells good on one woman may end up smelling like toilet cleaner on another.

For him

* The iconic Aussie Stubbies have been reinvented - and you’ll hardly recognise them. No longer restricted to those sporting the so-called trasdesman’s crack, they now come in a range of vintage prints and styles. Check them out at your local Myer stores in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. (They also make Stubbies for women, and they are oh-so-comfy…)

* If the man in question has some metrosexual tendencies - or just looks after his skin - Nivea For Men recently released some new products, including a Moisturising Body Lotion and Extreme Comfort shaving gel and balm. While I can’t vouch for the effectiveness of the men’s products myself, for obvious reasons, they have received good feedback from my male friends and I do love the women’s products, (the Nivea Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Repair Night Cream is one of the best supermarket night moisturisers I’ve used).

* For adventure-seekers, the Oregon Scientific Action Cam is one of the coolest new gadgets around. Its maker claims it’s the world’s first amateur waterproof and shock-resistant hands-free digital vide camera - you can mount it on helmets, handlebars or even on your arm to capture all the action when you’re surfing, mountain biking or generally getting up to antics in the great outdoors. You can pick it up for under $200 from camera shops, including Camera House and Ted’s Cameras.

* For photography nuts, the Lowepro Flipside Camera Backpack is a great gift idea. It’s designed for carrying a dSLR camera with lens attached as well as extra lenses and accessories.

For kids and babies

* The Bonds Easysuit is one of the best products for babies to hit the market in recent times. There are no press studs, buttons, velcro or zips - it’s a three-step suit so mums and dads alike will have an easier time of changing baby.

* Little Tots is a brand new site that offers Australian-made clothing for sizes ranging from 1 to 5.

* If you’re shopping for a little girl who loves Dora the Explorer, how about the fragrance? It’s a bargain at only $14.95.

For your office Kris Kringle

* If your Kris Kringle at work thrives on stress, the new book Flip the Switch (available at major bookshops) offers tips for dealing with workplace stress and improving your quality of life.

* The Lloyds Christmas Chocolate Lovers gift box from Target is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

* The holidays are a great time for BBQs, so the BBQ Sauce Triple Pack makes a nice office gift - for only $12.99.

By Caroline Warnes

Many people seem to be have the idea that the more expensive the beauty product, the better results wil be on your skin.

This is something of a controversial issue, and one to which there is no right or wrong answer. I’ve tried many products, right through from the very expensive (Creme de la Mer) right through to your cheap and cheerful options that you can find at your local supermarket. The results from all of them have been mixed, and naturally it all depends on an individual’s skin.

But I can honestly say that some of the best beauty treatments I’ve tried have been ones I’ve whipped up at home, proving that sometimes, the simple things in life can be the best. These can also be a godsend when you’re down to your last few dollars and payday is still a way off.

Apple cider vinegar

If I had to be stuck on a desert island with just one thing, it would most likely be a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Well, maybe not quite, but I seriously use this stuff for just about everything. You can make it into a solution to clean floors, to freshen cut flowers, kill weeds and more. According to the Internet, you can also use it to remove skunk odour from a dog, which is always handy to know.

But my all-time favourite use for apple cider vinegar is on my hair. It’s a fantastic method of removing product build-up from your hair and adding shine. It’s also good for any flaky skin on the scalp.

Once a week, I make up a solution of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of warm water in a bowl. Don’t be too heavy-handed with the vinegar, or else you’ll smell like a salad is growing on your head. After wetting your hair, you dip the ends of your hair into the solution for a few seconds, then pour it over the rest of your hair, avoiding your eyes. Leave it on for a few more seconds, then rinse it off. I promise, your hair will be the shiniest it’s ever been.

I gave up shampoo and conditioner long ago in favour of natural cleansing agents, but you could also try mixing a little bit in with your bottle of conditioner for easier use.

Asprin mask

Another el cheapo beauty remedy of mine is an asprin mask for your face. This is a tried-and-true mask for exfoliating your face.

You simply take three or four asprins (note, this must be asprin, not Panadol or anything else!) and grind them up into a powder with the back of a spoon. Add a few drops of water, then a tablespoon of honey (which is a natural moisturiser) to make into a creamy mask. Apply to your face, leave for 10 minutes then rinse. This leaves your skin feeling so smooth.

Egg

If you’re looking for a deeply moisturising mask, you can’t go past the humble egg (raw, of course).

Simply separate the yolk and the white of the egg. Apply the white to your face and neck, then leave it for around 15 minutes while it dries on your face. Wash it off with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Next, stir the yolk with a fork and apply that to your face and neck. This provides the moisture to your face, so leave it for as long as you possibly can - at least 15 minutes. Wash the egg yolk off and dry your skin. It should feel soft and deeply moisturised.

Note: try to avoid doing this one in front of housemates as you can look rather stupid.

There are plenty of websites out there that have heaps of suggestions for other at-home beauty treatments. I like Make Your Cosmetics. And don’t forget if you’re having a specific skin condition that’s causing you trouble, you should seek advice from a dermatologist or other skincare professional.

By Caroline Warnes

Hot rollers help you achieve that big, bouncy hair full of volume and body that you often see on celebrities without having to visit a hair salon.

The Vidal Sassoon Hot Sticks are a fantastic alternative to traditional hot rollers. They’re easier to use and allow you to manipulate the curls and waves in your hair to a greater extent.

The VS Hot Sticks come in a handy storage box that also doubles as the heating unit. You simply plug the unit in and within minutes you’re ready for hair styling.

When the sticks are hot, you simply wind a section of hair around the rubber sticks then bend the stick through its own loop to hold in place. Repeat this for wherever you want curls or waves then leave the Hot Sticks until they’ve cooled down. Next you carefully remove the Vidal Sassoon Hot Sticks and like magic you’ll have a head of professional-looking curls or waves. Finish with hair spray to hold your style in place and you’re ready to hit the town.

The Vidal Sassoon set comes with 20 Hot Sticks - 12 in the large size for bigger curls and loose waves and eight in the small size for tighter curls.

Click here to find offers on Vidal Sassoon styling products near you.

By Caroline Warnes

It’s hard to believe it’s almost the end of the year again. The end of the year means several things, most of them good, including holidays, lots of sun and, of course, Christmas parties.

In all honesty, I don’t get invited to that many parties. Perhaps that makes me lucky because then I don’t have to struggle through the next day as often. When I attend functions with an open bar, I usually make the mistake of deciding it would be uneconomical of me not to overindulge. This makes it hard to do an honest day’s work the following day.

However over the fast few years I’ve found a few tricks that make the next day that much easier.

1. Berocca is a great way to replenish those essential B-vitamins that alcohol seems to suck out of you. I have one before I go to bed and when I get up, washed down with lots and lots of water. Vegemite is also fantastic for this purpose.

2. If you wake up late and don’t have time to give your hair a full wash, your best option is a dry shampoo for a quick freshen up. The best on the market is Klorane - simply spray it in your hair, comb through and you’re ready to go.

3. If you’re like me and you suffer from dark circles under your eyes when you are tired or dehydrated, a good concealer is a must. I love the Yves Saint Laurent Anti-Cerne concealer stick. You could also try the YSL Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch), which is actually a highlighter but does a fantastic job of freshening up your face.

4. To avoid that wan pallor of death look you can get when you’re tired and dehydrated, make sure you always have a facial bronzer on hand. I like the Natio Bronze Shimmer Palette. Best of all, it’s priced at under $20.

5. Sunglasses are a good idea for the day after a big night. The ones from the Cancer Council have all been designed to offer the required level of UV protection. This is important - fashion sunglasses don’t always offer the maximum protection.

Happy party season!

By Caroline Warnes

Several years ago, I had what I thought was an ingenious product idea: a cordless hair straightener. I was inspired by the fact that I had been frustrated countless times by the cord on my own hair straightener.

If I wanted to wander around while I was doing my hair, I couldn’t; and the cord gets tangled in anything and everything, including chair legs and sometimes even around your limbs.

Little did I know that several manufacturers were already working on the idea, including Vidal Sasson, which came out with the VS Sassoon Total Freedom 230.

The Total Freedom 230 features a salon-standard ceramic heating system (you MUST use a ceramic straightener if you want to do the least amount of damage to your hair when styling it with heat) and comes with a docking station, so you can use it either with the cord or without.

The VS Sassoon Total Freedom 230 heats to 230 degrees, which is important - you want your hair straightener to get very hot so you’ll only have to go over your hair once or twice with a high heat than several times with a lower one.

Last but not least, the Total Freedom 230’s plates are also coated in tourmaline, which generates ionic conditioner to make your hair smooth and shiny.

Click here to find offers on the VS Total Freedom 230 near you.

By Caroline Warnes