It’s time to get into a holiday state of mind: Hide your BlackBerry (unless, of course, you win the new Torch in our
Holiday Giveaway and want to show it off), stop making to-do lists and unplug from your crazy sched to spend time with people you care about. We asked a few of our favourite people—Marc Jacobs’ go-to makeup artist, a top model, a nail trendsetter, a celeb hairstylist and a famous French perfumer—to reveal their gift wish lists and holiday traditions.

1. FRANÇOIS NARS, photographer and makeup artist

Wish list “A lifetime membership at the Museum of Modern Art, anything from Hermès and a trip to Istanbul.”

Favourite memory “In Tahiti, preparing New Year’s Eve dinner with my family and friends.”

Best gift ever “A beautiful old photograph of 1920s Tahitian beauties by photographer Lucien Gauthier.”

Holiday plans “I’ll be with my parents in Rome.”

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY: FROM FRANÇOIS TO YOU

While we may pay lip service to the importance of giving rather than receiving, there are exceptions. Exhibit A: This limited-edition NARS Bento Box (narscosmetics.com). The set, which comes with a handmade lip brush and two porcelain kabuki cups filled with highly pigmented pink and red lipstick, was a 10-year labour of love for the famed French makeup artist. Nars, who has always been fascinated with Japanese culture and kabuki makeup, transformed the models at the Marc Jacobs spring/summer 2010 show into high-fashion geishas. Envy factor: There are only 1,000 available in North America.
Total value $140

Click here to enter to win our Holiday Giveaway!

2. DOUTZEN KROES, model

Wish list “An iPad, a limited-edition Victoria’s Secret Swarovski Miraculous push-up bra and a pair of Christian Louboutins.” Friends and fam, take note: Kroes has her eye on Christian Louboutin’s Canon 140, a ruched metallic silk-chiffon peep-toed bootie.

Shopping list “Candy from Papabubble,
The September Issue on DVD and the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. I always love to recommend a great book to friends, and Stieg Larsson is my favourite author.”

Best gift ever “A doll that my mom bought for me when I was four years old. I named her Janneke. I dressed her in different outfits and took her everywhere with me.”

Gift idea Now that Victoria’s Secret has arrived in Canada, giving beauty products, like an Angel-endorsed fragrance, won’t require a cross-border holiday shopping trip.

What’s on the wish list for a nail trendsetter, a celeb hairstylist and a famous French perfumer? Find out on the next page…

3. NONIE CREME, manicurist

Wish list “A bottle of CREED Original Vetiver for men. This scent was custom made for JFK—it’s sex in a bottle! And Latisse—it has changed my beauty life. My once-stumpy, prickly lashes are now so long and thick, they have to be trimmed. Oh, and a piece of ‘claw’ jewellery from Pamela Love NYC.”

Favourite memory “My baby’s first Christmas in 2008. We banned all family and were snowed in at our Seattle bungalow. It was heaven on earth! Great wine, great food and the perfect excuse to watch
Elf and
The Holiday all day, every day, on rotation.”

Vacation plans “We are going to spend three weeks in London. It’s positively alive with excitement during the holidays, and we walk the city for hours, just soaking it up. I plan to switch off my phone, ignore my email and focus on my family.”

Gift idea Ask Santa for a few bottles of Creme’s own Butter LONDON nail polish—the perfect thing to stuff in a lacquer lover’s stocking.

4. HARRY JOSH, celebrity hairstylist

Wish list “For someone to tell me I’ve inspired them; for my fitness trainer to make me very flexible; and love!”

Favourite memory “As a kid, I remember wishing that we had more presents under the tree, so I started wrapping juice boxes and soda cans in paper to make it look like there was more to open.”

Best gift ever “My cousins made a donation to the local food bank in my name. The gift came as a framed collage with about a dozen pictures that documented the whole process, from shopping for the groceries to shaking the hand of the recipient. It took them all day to create that gift. I was so touched.”

Holiday coordinates “I’ll be visiting family back home in Vancouver.”

Gift idea As the international consultant for John Frieda, Josh recommends the brand’s Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum and the smoothing shampoo and conditioner combo to help kick off 2011 frizz-free.

5. FRÉDÉRIC MALLE, perfumer

Wish list “Quality time with someone special and a nice, heartfelt surprise.”

Favourite memory “Spending New Year’s Eve with my closest friends and family at a huge camp in Patagonia. It’s 787,000 square kilometres of uninhabited mountains. It’s the most peaceful place I have ever seen. I felt invited by God himself!”

Vacation plans “I often travel with my wife and four children to unknown places. We have also spent a lot of Christmases at our house in the Basque country. This year, we’re going to tour Peru.”

Gift idea If someone you care about loves Malle fragrances, pop one of the brand’s scented candles— now available in Canada—under the tree.

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Looking for more great holiday ideas? For recipes, decorating tips and gift guides, visit our
holiday centre!