For the one-stop shopper

Crowds terrify me, which is probably why I stay away from bazaars and megastores, especially during the Christmas rush — I have visions of suffocating in a flurry of plastic bags and wrapping paper, while maneuvering through a maze of stalls and booths.

So I try to do my shopping in early November (which doesn’t suit my procrastinating disposition at all) or I go to places big, bright and organized enough that I won’t need a GPS or have to compromise my personal space.

One-stop shops like Beauty by SM Makati are very ideal for people who claim claustrophobia come Christmas time. It used to be Watson’s but was recently revamped with a whole new look that incorporates a more spacious layout, elegant black signs and more engaging displays. Beauty by SM still carries Watson’s products though, as well as many imported brands exclusive to the store. They also have a Men’s Zone, a unique area where you can rush off to when feeling despondent at the thought of giving yet another tie to your brother. (Men just love hair products, even if they don’t admit it.)

The usual skincare and bodycare brands are here, although Beauty by SM is now hot on promoting two brands that Watson’s exclusively distributes: Tri-Aktiline, a wrinkle filler that wipes away deep lines (you see immediate results too) and Clinelle, a 100-percent-natural brand that doesn’t use artificial fragrances, artificial coloring, lanolin, mineral oil and any comodogenic ingredients in their products.

For makeup junkies, premium brand Lola, beloved by makeup artists, attracts not just with its rich pigments and triple-milled powder but with chic, sophisticated red packaging. Korean brand Ianti is also at Beauty by SM — cheap and cheerful products that are no-brainers come gift-giving time.

Fragrances, body washes and lotions are staples, but definitely not washed-out Christmas gift options. Beauty by SM has the new Givenchy fragrance Play, endorsed by Justin Timberlake and ingeniously packaged in a bottle shaped like an MP3 player. For acquaintances, a variety of shower buddies from shampoos to body scrubs to washes from Watson’s own line, Radox and Nature’s Organic are useful, inoffensive gifts.

The personal care area, however, has the most interesting gift ideas. Toothpaste can actually be quirky, particularly if it combines weight loss with dental care. White Glo Crave Away toothpaste acts as an appetite suppressant and a crave breaker. Eucryl Smoker Toothpowder is a stain remover that brushes away nicotine and tar stains from the teeth. Another unrealized necessity is Orasafe’s toothbrush sanitizer, which lasers away bacteria from your toothbrush.

Before you know it, you’re done with your list. And you didn’t even have to go through any safety hazards.