Gifts for your sister

Nineteen LEDs sit behind the flat head, with three colours from 1800K to 6000K, each at five brightness levels, and it remembers the last setting. Clip it to the back cover rather than the pages and bend the metal gooseneck so the head sits just over the top edge. The lowest amber setting is enough for a paperback once your eyes adjust, and the gentlest on anyone asleep alongside.

What owners say: Owners rate it for reading at night, with brightness and colour to suit, from a softer orange to plain white, and are pleased with what it costs. It works well on a music stand too, and one has it on a desk as a mini lamp.

First to 200 points wins, in about 20 minutes. The deck holds twelve 12s, eleven 11s and fewer of each lower number, so big numbers score well but are more likely to knock you out, and action cards add twists to each round. It’s marked for ages 8 and up.

What owners say: Owners find the rules take about two minutes to explain and the pace keeps everyone involved, and like that it packs small for a holiday.

Its 325 teeth work on wet or dry hair, straight to curly, and on wigs and extensions too. In the shower it combs conditioner or a hair mask through evenly before rinsing. On long hair, grip the lengths nearer the root while brushing out a knot, so the pull stops at the hand rather than the scalp, and pick loose hairs out from between the rows every few days.

What owners say: Owners say it turns a long, tearful brush-out into a couple of minutes, copes with curls wet or dry, and gets through knots without hurting.

The seven pieces include a 100-prong whisk, a sifter, a cloth and a handbook, and the bowl holds about 530ml. For an iced latte, whisk a double scoop with a little water before pouring, and use a tall glass. TEANAGOO fires its ceramic at 1,280°C and says it is lead- and cadmium-free.

What owners say: Owners call it a beautiful set with everything needed to make matcha at home and are pleased with how it whisks; beginners find the instruction book a real help, and one notes how much difference the whisk and sieve make together.

An eau de toilette, 50ml, in the floral woody family, with jasmine in the middle and white woods, musk and vanilla underneath. Lighter than an eau de parfum, it suits daytime, and a spray on the wrists after lunch keeps it going through the afternoon.

What owners say: Owners love the scent; how long it lasts varies from one wearer to the next.

It’s ready in one to three minutes, and a fold-out stand holds it between joints. Heat-resistant rubber covers the cap around the nozzle, which helps keep fingers off the hottest part, and the switch on the gun turns it off without a trip to the wall. It takes standard 7mm sticks, and the supply in the box goes a long way on cards, decorations and small fixes.

What owners say: Owners say it works as well as bigger-name guns, heats quickly and stays hot, and is light and easy to handle, smaller hands included.

The stretch fabric has a natural latex liner, and the set comes with a bag and an exercise guide. Sit the band just higher than the knees for these moves, and push the knees out against it on every rep. Start on the lightest and move up a band once a full set feels easy.

What owners say: Owners say they’re well put together and comfortable, with thick fabric that doesn’t pinch, and say they stay put without slipping or rolling during leg work. The three strengths suit every level, Pilates included.

They cover concealer, contour, eyeshadow and liner, and each brush has its use written on the side, so there’s no guessing which is for concealer and which for shading. The short, colour-coded handles give close control round the eyes, and the whole kit is vegan.

What owners say: Owners find them as good as full-size brushes, soft and practical, and easy to tuck into a make-up bag without taking up room.

Leave the slim concentrator off while rough-drying to get the water out faster, then point it down the hair with a round brush for the last few minutes for a smoother, shinier finish. The 2.2m cord gives room to move, and there’s a loop to hang it up by rather than winding the cord round the handle. It comes with a three-year warranty.

What owners say: Owners find it light and easy to handle, say the heat and speed controls work well and that it keeps going for years, and like the rose gold finish.

It’s made by Bob and Brad, the Minnesota physical therapists who became YouTube favourites, and it works on calves and quads. It weighs 430g, with five speeds, five heads and a carry case, and switches itself off after 10 minutes. A USB-C charger you already own does the charging, as there’s no plug in the box, and very bony or sensitive spots are better left to the softer heads.

What owners say: Owners are surprised by how much power there is in something so small, and many reach for it after a run. They mention a battery that lasts, USB-C charging and a useful spread of heads.

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