Nicky Kinnaird

Eat, drink, and be merry. It seems like that's the mantra on everyone's mind these days.

So, when I met up with Space NK founder Nicky Kinnaird at her store within a store at the SF Bloomie's, I asked her which festively spirited products are on her radar. Here are three of her wintery wonderland suggestions:

• Overdid it at the after-work happy hour party? Detox with Natura Bissé Oxygen Finishing Mask (approximately $33 at most department stores), which clarifies and purifies the skin. Kinnaird also recommends products from Space NK's Seaweed Collection. Try Spa Seaweed Body Polish ($32), which helps stimulate the lymphatic system.
• Looking for a people-stop-and-ask kind of fragrance? Kinnaird is all about Champaca Eau de Toilette ($30 to $70), "an amazing, super indulgent fragrance," she says. A feminine floral with cardamom, spices, myrrh, woods, vanilla musk, and amber crystals, this blend is the perfect winter aroma.
• No fireplace? No problem. These creative, warm, and toasty Candles by Dayna Decker ($32) have a wooden wick that crackles when lit. How very cozy.

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A few weeks ago, I met up with Space NK founder Nicky Kinnaird for a tour of the company's new store within a store at the San Francisco Bloomingdale's. Seeing that Kinnaird has been in the biz since the early 1990s, you could say she's in the know.

So, when it comes to this anemic economy, I asked the product expert where to splurge and where to save when it comes to shopping beauty.

When to splurge:
"Spend the money on buying the best possible moisturizer you can," she said. "Not on foundation?" I asked. "Foundation is a natural extension of skin care," she added. "If you take care of your skin, very often you can get away with a tinted moisturizer — you want your skin to shine through."

Where to save:
"People love the idea of going to the day spa," Kinnaird said. And while a trip to the day spa would be nice, it's not always affordable. Take a little time off for yourself by recreating the spa at home. "Head to the bathtub," she recommends. It's a lot cheaper, and you'll still reap the therapeutic benefits. Kinnaird suggests products from Aromatherapy Associates, a top blender of essential oils.

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If you haven't heard about Space NK yet, you probably soon will. The British retailer of all things beauty launched its first US store in New York City last year, and most recently they've added stores within stores at various Bloomingdale's. Look for Space NK to launch in all Bloomie's locations by 2010.

Last week at the San Francisco store, I had the pleasure of meeting up with the company's founder, Nicky Kinnaird (hence the "NK"), and I asked her what kinds of beauty products she could recommend for the holiday season. Her suggestions? Party glam all the way:

• Sexy eye duo — Go for a smoky eye with the multitasking Jemma Kidd Crushed Jewel Creme Duo in Black Diamond ($36). One side is a pot of eyeliner and the other allows you to intensify your look with glitter and sparkle. "You can make it classic and simple as you want or you can really build it with glamour," Kinnaird said. Note: Space NK currently doesn't ship Jemma Kidd products to the US, but you can find them at Bloomingdale's or other stores. Prices may vary.

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