A few weeks ago I had the end all, be all of tragic hair debacles: I burned my hair. Not just the daily heat damage we all deal with and dread, but actual smoke and the toxic smell of shriveled up locks. My flat iron was too hot and I foolishly didn’t use any heat-protecting product. I know, I know, rookie mistake. Since then, I’ve been on the search for products that will sooth, smooth, and tame my abused locks. There is a silver lining to my crispy mane: This accident has provided a crash course in smoothers, frizz busters, and moisturizers. Check out my arsenal of damage control products as well as some popular products from the community.

And take it from this burn victim: Exercise flat iron safety and always use a heat primer before styling your hair.

Here’s one product that has me scratching my head saying, “What’ll they think of next?” The Makeup Player ($69.90) is essentially a train case with two built-in speakers and a portal to which you can connect most media players and smart phones. The idea is for you to download instructional makeup tutorials on Stila’s site and play them on your iPhone so you can watch and do at the same time. The cool thing about the case is that it comes with a handful of fab Stila products like Lip Glaze, Convertible Color for Cheeks and Lips, Eye Shadow Trio and #7 Eye Shadow Brush, and the new One Step Makeup Foundation. I could do without this gadgety beauty box, but I like that Stila’s not stingy on the contents thrown in.
 
What do you think—too gimmicky or great idea? Tell us your thoughts!

He saved Christmas one foggy night long, long ago with that beautiful shiner of his. And now he’s here to save your lips from looking dull and parched with his Blinking Lip Gloss ($8). This red cherry-flavored lippie is a darling addition to anyone's winter beauty arsenal and makes great stocking stuffers for friends and fam. Plus red is such a great color on that most famous reindeer of all—chances are it’ll look just as great on you! Yippee!

What are your favorite holiday lip glosses?

Do you want to accent your eyes but would rather not have the high drama of thick black liner or smoky shadow? Try black’s softer, more demure cousin, purple. Eggplant and plum hues are always in for fall and they work just as well to brighten and highlight the eyes. You can smudge the liner close to the lash line for a barely-there look or create a thicker line for more depth. Urban Decay’s new Ink for Eyes in Eggplant and Smashbox’s Cream Eyeliner in Midnight Purple are applied with a brush and have the creamy consistency of liquid eyeliner, but the more forgiving nature of pencil.

What hues are your eyes sporting?

‘Tis the season of giving, and my favorite gifts to both give and receive are gag gifts. Lucky for you, the Kaboodle editors have picked nearly 40 gag gifts sure to get the whole fam busting up! If you’re looking for a riotous way to ring in the holidays just take a look at this slideshow—which happens to include the coloring kit for your hair…down there (shown above, $20)!

Spotted some slap-stick gifts? Do share!