On a Budget: What to Gift the Beauty Lover on Your List!

So, my day-job involves a lot of waiting in offices.  And when I say "a lot" I mean anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and a half.  And inevitably, someone always attempts to strike up a conversation with me.  Today, despite my best attempt to appear super-busy, a stranger started chatting me up.  Under normal circumstances I'd end the conversation asap, but we got on the topic of Christmas gifts and, being Gifted, I took the road less traveled and continued the conversation.

She shared with me that she has yet to begin her gift shopping and that she's on a super-tight budget this year.  While last minute shopping is literally panic-inducing for me, I completely understand the importance of sticking to your planned budget.  With a $25-$30 max allowance, these are the items I suggested:

1. Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo Hair Mask  - this product rivals Kiehl's in my opinion and is only $6.50
2. St. Ives Apricot Scrub - every year this scrub makes every beauty must-have list!  $5.00
3. Wet & Wild lipgloss in Bronze Berry - this color is a duplicate (or as I like to say "dupe") for the Chanel Glossimer in Blizzard and is $2.00
4. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Navy Baby or Wine Not - the best long lasting formula for the DIY mani/pedi; these colors are good for any skin tone and are only $6.00
5. Fun cosmetic bag - this will also serve as the wrapping for the gift, let's maximize this budget! $10.00

All of these products are available at drugstore.com and qualify for free shipping!  This woman literally wrote everything down and thanked me a million times, which made me feel really good.  Hopefully, her friend feels the same when she opens, or rather, unzips her gift!