November 2011 -

Holidays are a great time to give beauty gadgets and higher end tech items as gifts. Technological advances in beauty have been huge the past few years, resulting in many interesting and unique items that many women would love to have, but might forgo buying for themselves because the items seem like a splurge. Thus, beauty gadgets make perfect gifts-they are interesting, unique, fun and make you, as the gift giver, stand out from the crowd.

Here are our top beauty gadgets for gifts this holiday season. Or, if you simply want to know our opinion on the best beauty gadgets to consider buying this list is for you!

(1) Tria Laser: Home laser hair removal costs a small fortune at the salon, but is now very affordable at home. For women who are best suited for it (people with lighter skin and darker hair) it also is highly effective. I know so many women who want a Tria that you really can’t go wrong with this one. One important caution. Laser hair removal cannot be performed on medium or darker skin tones. If your recipient has medium or dark skin, look to the eGlide further down on this list instead. Want to know more? Read our full guide: Home Laser Hair Removal.

(2) Ott Lite Makeup Mirror: This is the best makeup mirror a woman can have. The lighted mirror provides the perfect type of light for makeup application and is highly adjustable. The OttLite also has an attractive and unique appearance, making it much preferable over other lighted mirrors on the market. Trust me, any woman would love this mirror! Learn more here: Ott Lite Makeup Mirror Review.

(3) Clarisonic: Sonic skin cleansing does wonders for the complexion and is great for overall exfoliation. The Clarisonic is the most popular tool of choice in sonic cleansing and is adored by women who own one. Looking to save money? The Skinsonic is a more affordable similar product for those on a budget. Want to learn more? Read our guide: Home Microdermabrasion.

(4) Baby Quasar: Baby Quasar is the leader in LED skin therapy devices. For women with oily skin or acne, a blue light device can be an incredible skin saving gift. For the spa loving woman with anti-aging concerns a red light will be a welcome item. To learn more, see our previous article on Home Light Therapy.

(5) Whitening Lightening Tooth Lightening Pen: This unique new tooth whitening product is a compact, easy to use pen that whitens teeth without the mess of using strips or trays and without causing sensitivity. It also freshens breath. Just paint on the lightener and go! Definitely a neat and interesting gift.

(6) Lasertron Hair Growth System: Laser combs and brushes are some of the most interesting new developments in hair growth, especially for thickening hair. This system offers a brush over a comb, which makes it particularly nice for women, but men will love this one too.

(7) Verseo eGlide: The eGlide offers permanent hair removal without the use of lasers, making it perfect for those who cannot use a laser because they have darker skin. Unlike a laser, the eGlide can also be used on facial hair. However, for those with lighter skin and for use on the legs, we prefer the Tria Laser, number one in our list. For more on the eGlide, see our Verseo eGlide review.

(8) Personal Microderm: The personal microderm provides home microdermabrasion at a fraction of the cost of similar spa services. the device is easy to use and leave skin feeling soft and looking fresh. Perfect for women who love to their own home facials. Want to learn more? See our at home microdermabrasion guide linked above.

(9) Glo Brilliant Tooth Whitening System: The Glo tooth whitening device lightens teeth without messy gels and promises to do so without sensitivity. To learn more, read our Glo Brilliant Tooth Whitening Review.

(10) Pressure Leg Massager: This compression leg massager feels incredible and provides a great way to improve circulation and get a relaxing leg massage at home. Buy two for the most comfort and spa-like experience! Conveniently, they often are offered at half price for that purpose.

Disclosures: Beauty and Fashion Tech at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Pruess Coulter

If you’re dreaming of gorgeous, thick, long tresses reminiscent of those belonging to a model in a Pantene Pro-V commercial…you might want to stop before you dish out the dollars for the most expensive hair care products on the market. The secret to beautiful hair may not be what you put on your strands, but rather what you put into your body.

Because hair is a fast-growing tissue and it’s likely to make demands, eating a well-balanced diet is crucial. Crash diets or fads that have you eliminating food groups and nutrients can lead to dull, dry hair or even bald spots. So to achieve hair that would leave Paul Mitchell drooling, you need to consume a mixture of protein, complex carbs, along with foods packed with certain vitamins and minerals.

Check out the ten best superfoods that will nourish your hair from the inside out:

#1: Salmon. Good hair nutrition begins here. When looking for foods filled with ingredients to not only keep you healthy, but to keep you beautiful, it’s hard to beat salmon. This protein rich fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamins B-12 and iron…the mixings for supporting scalp health.

#2: Dark green veggies. Now that you know how awesome vegetables are for your hair, you’ll think twice before scraping them to the side of your plate. Vegetables of the dark green variety (spinach, Swiss chard and broccoli) are chalk-full of vitamins A and C, along with iron and calcium which your bod needs to produce sebum—the oily substance secreted by your hair follicles to naturally condition the locks.

#3: Beans. If you’re trying to revamp your hair and are shopping for items to step up your hair-care diet, beans are a necessity. So be sure to throw some kidney beans and lentils into the shopping cart—not only do they provide you with much needed protein, but you’ll also get ample doses of zinc, iron and biotin.

#4: Nuts. If thick, shiny hair is your goal, it’s time to get nutty. Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium…an essential mineral for maintaining a healthy scalp and thus hair. Walnuts, cashews, pecans and almonds will also do the trick. These nuts are full of zinc; without zinc in your life, you run the risk of some serious shedding.

#5: Poultry. If it hasn’t been made clear yet…protein is very important for maintaining the health of your hair. Without the suggested amount of protein in your diet, one can experience weak, brittle hair as well as the loss of hair color. To avoid such a tragedy, make sure that chicken and turkey are a part of your routine. Your hair will be sure to thank you.

#6: Eggs. It doesn’t matter if you like them scrambled, over-easy or hardboiled—when taking care of your hair, you mustn’t forget the eggs. Of course rich in protein, eggs are also rich in biotin and vitamin-B12…more nutrients needed for amazing tresses.

#7: Whole grains. Feed your mane with some hearty whole-grained goodies. Order up your favorite sandwich on whole-wheat bread or go for a fortified whole-grain cereal. Not only are whole grain treats great go-to foods when you have zero energy halfway through the day, but the zinc, iron and B vitamins found in such foods will take care of your hair and make you the envy of women everywhere.

#8: Oysters. Not only are these shelled little friends of ours reputable for being an aphrodisiac, but they can also provide you with the hair for which you’ve always longed. The key to their hair-boosting success is the powerful antioxidant, zinc. However, if you’re not a big oyster fan, not to fret…in addition to getting zinc from whole grains, you can also get it from lamb and beef.

#9: Low-fat dairy products. Got milk? If not and healthy, beautiful hair is what you desire, think about adding it to your beauty regime. Low-fat products like skim milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are excellent sources of calcium…a mineral that is required for hair growth.

#10: Carrots. These orange little snacks aren’t only great for promoting healthy eyes…they are also something your scalp is begging for. Considering that a healthy scalp is the source of shiny, well-conditioned hair, be sure to throw some carrots into your diet.

Amy Reynolds brings to us her ideas on a healthy-hair diet. She is also the author of other articles about online dating for Best Free Dating Sites.