With colder temperatures and the holidays upon us, there have been wonderful, winter-y scarves and hats stacked up here in the 2nd Street Beauty office, where our buyer’s picks come to be sorted and tagged before being sent to one of the stores. We have all ooohhed and aaahhed over the great array of pocketbooks, clutches, and oversized wallets, as well as jewelry perfect for holiday gatherings: oversized cocktail rings, strands of faux pearls and delicate beads, and twinkly earrings to dress up a simple holiday dress.

Worth highlighting, and Nicole’s latest fave rave, are Alex & Ani’s gorgeous stackable bracelets. They are being featured all over the magazines (Lucky, in Touch Weekly, and Ali to name a few) and all over young celebrities - half a dozen CW Stars come to mind! Alex & Ani feature a special sliding piece on their jewelry instead of a traditional clasp, so each piece can be fitted and sized to your personal taste. With great silver and gold finishes, and different medallions, beads and charms, these bracelets mix and match beautifully. We are delighted to carry their Victoria Expandable Wire Bangle Set, as well as the Love & Luck bracelet, shown here.

There are also some key make up items for adding shimmer to your look; we quizzed 2nd St. Beauty’s make up expert and buyer Esmeralda to see what are the must-wear/must-have’s this season.

Too Faced made it on the list twice. Their Girls Dig Pearls lip glosses are infused with real crushed sea pearls that offer unparalleled radiance and promote cell rejuvenation for a fresh, youthful look. Peppermint oil and vitamin E soothe and moisturize, leaving your lips luscious and lovely. There are four really pretty, soft shades to choose from.

Also from Too Faced, the glittery Metal Eyed Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner is formulated to deliver the dramatic definition of liquid metal with one easy stroke. These unique water-based liners have intense color, and light-reflective properties create a maximum shimmer and really make eyes pop. The precise micro-brush ensures the perfect amount of product is dispersed for a clean, even application. Loads of holiday glamour here!

From Urban Decay comes the color-packed, super-fine Loose Pigments eyeshadow. The formula is actually mineral makeup, made from pearlized powders derived from minerals. No dyes or synthetic pigments are used. The spill-proof tube uses a special internal funnel to keep pigment inside until you’re ready to use it, so there are no messy pots or spills to deal with. You can use the super soft, built-in brush, or tap out a little color and use your own brushes.

Another shimmery product we love is Jane Iredale’s Moon Glow. One of Allure magazine’s Editor’s Choice picks, this use-anywhere bronzer uses 24 karat gold flakes to highlight and color face, eyes, and lips. It can be brushed on shoulders, neck, and decolletage to warm your skin with a golden hue. For a healthy, radiant look in more of a pink tone, try Sunbeam, the counterpart to Moonglow.

For the lips, Bare Escentuals limited edition Buxom Babe Winter Escapade set is perfect to  protect and embellish. Called the Big & Healthy Lip Polish for a reason, this gloss comes in four festive shades (holly, merry, hope & joy) and is loaded with anti-oxidants and a lip-tingling plumper. Each shade has a sweet sugar-cookie scent, and gives a high shine that isn’t sticky or tacky feeling.

With just a week before Christmas, there is still time to indulge in something special for yourself, or pick up a couple of last minute gifts for friends and family! Between accessories, jewelry, make up, and our fabulous array of hair, body and skin care lines, there is something for everyone on your list, and definitely something for you. Happy shopping! Happy holidays.