C.O. Bigelow

Along with the holiday gift guides I've been putting together, I thought it would be fun to come up with a few inexpensive stocking stuffers. This set from C.O. Bigelow is my pick because it's cute, retro, and affordable. The Soda Fountain Mini Mentha Lip Shine Trio ($10) contains three milkshake-flavored lip shines in Vanilla Malt, Double Chocolate and Strawberry Shake. (Double Chocolate smells the best.) They're a little tingly, and they moisturize while adding sheer shine. On its own, it's already a budget buy—but if you divvy up the three lip shines, it's downright cheap.

So that's my suggestion for a beauty stocking stuffer that costs less than a ten-spot. I'm sure you have tons of ideas, too. So for this week's Beauty Mark It challenge, let's all band together to come up with cheap, cool stocking stuffer that costs $10 or less. Share your favorites by tagging your choices with the phrase "under 10." I'll feature the readers' favorites on BellaSugar next Tuesday, December 5.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and to see how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

I just ran across this velvet tote bag from Goldie, and as cute as it is on the outside, what's inside is even better. It's packed with 15 travel-sized beauty samples from Bath and Body Works, so you can try new treats. I'm squinting to see what's in there, but it looks like (among other things) you'll get aromatherapy body lotion, C.O. Bigelow Mentha body wash, Sea Island Cotton body lotion, foot lotion, and lip balm. But I've saved the best for last: Regularly $50, this made-in-the-USA tote is now just twenty bucks. Not a bad price for two accessories and a haul of beauty booty! Want more bargains? Check out deals and steals at InStyle.com.

Okay, so we may not all be able to have Brad on our arm like Angelina, but her plump pout is completely attainable. I asked all of you to share your favorite lip plumpers, and the results are in!

Lintilla raves about C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine. She says that even though it isn't technically a lip plumper per se, the peppermint oil in it it "tingles just enough to increase the circulation to my lips and do the job." And Tnkrbelli loves Philosophy Chicken Lips. "I always get turned off by plumping glosses because they are so sticky," she says. "But these are extremely natural-looking and natural-feeling glosses."

Want more? Check out everyone's choices below, and for an added effect, cue up Big Mouth Strikes Again by the Smiths.

One of C.O. Bigelow's most popular products is its Mentha Lip Shine (and since Fab is a fan, you know it's good stuff). This week, the apothecary is introducing Mentha Body, a collection of mint-infused soaps, creams and lotions. I got a sneak peek at the products and I like them quite a bit. The fresh, invigorating scent is reminiscent of a candy cane, but it's not so overwhelming that you'll walk around smelling like one of Santa's little helpers. For a rundown of my favorite products, and to find out why guys will like them too, read more

As both a lip balm addict and a lip gloss lover, I have a hard time deciding which gooey stuff should go on my lips at any given moment. Even if I want a nude look for my lips, plain old lip balm doesn't give me the polished look I need. For that reason, I am currently obsessed with C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine, made by the Greenwich Village apothecary brand that's sold at Bath & Body Works. I love this stuff for so many reasons, starting with the super-high-gloss finish that makes even nude lips look nicely made up. Better yet, the moisturizing shine feels more like lip balm than lip gloss (note: kissing partners will appreciate this), and the tingly, minty flavor (advertised as a breath freshener) doesn’t conflict with my gum. You can buy it here for $7.50.