Christmas gift guide using 'girl math' – if you want to splurge on yourself or someone special
Been eyeing that expensive item throughout the year for yourself – or have someone you think deserves something really, really special? Time to do some mental calisthenics with that year-end bonus.

CNA Lifestyle's Christmas gift guide based on girl math. (Art: Jasper Loh)
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
Christmas and presents are unequivocally linked. Shopping for someone more than often feels like a tall task, especially with a short lead time. On the other hand, shopping for yourself or the precious inner circle who are basically sisters from another mother comes a lot easier.
While we all have to manage our budget, the horizon becomes completely open if you shift your considerations dramatically from numbers crunching to emotional appeal. What has she been hankering after all year? Will her face light up when she sees it? That’s when girl math comes in particularly handy.
Girl math is essentially the investment value of the commodities that goes towards one’s happiness, calculated based on the number of times a product will be used. Used mostly by women – hence the moniker – girl math is the, ahem, cognitive justification of why we spend on big ticket items. This game of mental gymnastics breaks down cost-per-wear to assess true affordability and if the stakes are worth the while.
CNA Lifestyle handpicks star gifts that have “you’re worth it!” written all over them. And yes, if you're thinking of gifting yourself as well thanks to that bonus that has just come in, it works too. Happy Christmas, darlings!
EST.LAB VITALIFT A+ SMARTSCULPT BUDDY

Price tag: S$298
Girl math: This handy device using EMS or Electronic Muscle Stimulation strengthens and sculpts muscles in a matter of minutes, so that's already a lot of time saved. Plus, costs a mere 82 cents per use if used daily for the next 12 months. Way cheaper than going for any aesthetic treatments.
Available at estlab.shop.
RAY-BAN AVIATOR REVERSE SUNGLASSES

Price tag: From S$280
Girl math: These aren't your regular sunglasses – thanks to the 'reverse' innovation, which reduce refection and glare by up to 70 per cent, you're getting two for the price of one. And by putting money down for a good pair of sunnies that actually helps you see better, you save up on buying eye cream to banish wrinkles around the eyes caused by squinting behind sunglasses that don't do what they're supposed to do and maybe even a costly trip to the ophthalmologist.
Available at Ray-ban boutiques.
LULULEMON WUNDERMOST ULTRA-SOFT NULU MOCKNECK SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT

Price tag: S$128
Girl math: The all-new Wundermost collection is made from Ultra Soft Nulu, making this bodysuit arguably gentler than an infant's onesies, so you never, ever have to worry about chafing. And if you wear it daily, that only amounts to under S$5 per wear. That's cheaper than having a cup of bubble tea every day, which also means you're avoiding piling all those calories.
Available at Lululemon boutiques.
L’ARTISAN PARFUMER ADVENT CALENDAR

Price tag: S$690
Girl math: Inspired by the winter herbarium, this box set houses 24 different scents, from house icons to newer creations, which you can wear on their own or layer to create a unique sillage. Since each L’Artisan Parfumer scent starts from S$295 per bottle and this nearly S$700 set has 24, paying S$28.75 each is a steal.
Available at L’Artisan Parfumer at Ngee Ann City.
GHD DUET STYLE

Price tag: S$640
Girl math: No doubt, S$640 is a small fortune but if you break it down to cost per use, you'll see why this tool beloved by hairstylists is a sound investment. Use this tool once daily for the entire year and the cost per use works out to about S$1.75. Then compare that to blow-outs at the salon that cost upwards of S$50 a pop. Daily salon blow-outs for a year will set you back by S$1,500. Congrats, that's S$860 in savings.
Available at Sephora and select GHD partner salons.
LA PRAIRIE PLATINUM RARE HAUTE-REJUVENATION MASK

Price tag: S$2,590 for 12 vials of Ultra-Potent Concentrate and 1 Ultra-Sensorial Cream
Girl math: Sure, the eye-watering price tag may put some off but hear us out. Let's begin with quality: The Swiss beauty giant is so confident of its latest breakthrough in the field of haute-rejuvenation that it promises instant results with this set.
More importantly, it's cheaper than most non-invasive rejuvenation procedures that range from S$3,500 to S$6,000. And most of these procedures require several months before results are visible. So you spend less and get instant results. Take our money now!
Available at La Prairie ION Orchard.
POLENE EROZ CHAIN EDITION 24 CARAT GOLD GILDED EDITION

Price tag: US$350/S$469
Girl math: Gold costs about S$86.95 per gram right now. Therefore, a simple 16-inch gold chain hovers around the region of S$1,000, depending on its weight in gold. This is under S$500.
And to make it even more enticing, this 24-carat gold galvanised chain necklace is handmade by artisans in Florence, Italy, fashioned from interlacing shell-shaped nuggets. So it's half the price of a regular gold chain and a work of art, a combo that's practically unheard of. Run, don’t walk to snag yours.
Available at Polene.
GUERLAIN ROUGE G CUSTOMIZABLE LIPSTICK

Price tag: From S$32 for a lipstick case
Girl math: A brand new lipstick costs S$54 but not all new colours are flattering. Rather than be stuck with shopper’s regret, you’re better off shopping for a new lipstick case for your favourite shade to make whipping out your lipstick feel like a brand new experience. At just S$32 for a lipstick case, that’s 40 per cent off buying a new S$54 lipstick and you’ll never suffer the anguish of wasting money.
Available at Guerlain boutiques and counters.
DIOR LADY DIOR PHONE POUCH

Price tag: S$2,550
Girl math: This mini sac has all the bells and whistles you can possibly ask for in a Dior bag – Cannage lambskin, Dior charms and even a single pearl on the removable chain. This phone pouch acts like a wallet on chain but cost only half the price of a S$5,800 Miss Dior top handle bag and is a fraction of a S$9,300 small Lady Dior bag, making it one of the most affordable Dior sacs you can get.
Available at Dior boutiques.
CHANEL PREMIERE EDITIONAL ORIGINALE

Price tag: S$8,850
Girl math: According to the principles of girl math, anything you pay in cash is technically free. So if you have a spare chunk of cash, consider putting it towards building an enviable Chanel collection, which often appreciates on the resale market.
Available at Chanel boutiques.
SKIMS BUTT ENHANCING OPEN BUST BODYSUIT

Price tag: From S$120
Girl math: Every woman needs a body shaper. Take a cue from Kim Kardashian who trusts this bodysuit for a perfect silhouette – it even throws in a butt “enhancing” effect for good measure. But if you disagree with Kim, return it – which according to girl math, is considered making a profit.
Available at Skims.
CARTIER LOVE BRACELET

Price tag: S$10,500 (in yellow gold)
Girl math cost: Like real estate, the prices of these bracelets have been going up, up and away. The sooner you buy it, the more you’ll save. With GST climbing up to 9 per cent come 2024, you'll effectively be saving S$105 simply by acting ahead of the hike.
Available at Cartier boutiques.
& OTHER STORIES TULLE TOP AND TULLE SKIRT

Price tag: Top S$149 and skirt, S$189
Girl math: You could buy that S$4,232 Prada Re-Edition 1995 organza halter dress or you can enjoy this similarly cute ensemble that only costs S$338. Instant savings of S$3,894.
Available at & Other Stories boutiques at ION Orchard and Raffles City.
HERMES PET COLLAR

Price tag: S$2,150
Girl math: The money you saved not splurging on a pedigree can go towards grooming Milo the rescue. This high fashion collar can easily pass off as an ode to the late great Karl Lagerfeld. Think of all the envious stares you and your precious pooch will be getting at the dog park. As a result, if Milo scores a part in a dog TV commercial, the collar will be paid for, with change to spare.
Available at Hermes boutiques.
LOUIS VUITTON CABIN LUGGAGE

Price tag: S$4,550
Girl math: Want to be prioritised for an upgrade when travelling? Then you need to look the part. Designer cabin luggage is a good place to start. There’s something old-money yet oh-so hip-hop chic about this bourgeois option. Score just one free upgrade on Singapore Airlines and this cabin bag is practically free.
Available at Louis Vuitton boutiques.
LE LABO CANDLE DISCOVERY SET

Price tag: S$120
Girl math: So, you love the scent of Le Labo's cult favourite Santal 33. Instead of spritzing it everywhere at home – a 50ml bottle of Santal 33 costs S$325 after all – scent the home with a Santal 33 scent candle instead. One candle for S$40 will get you 60 hours of burn time. Then gift the two remaining candles. How's that for luxury gifting on a budget?
Available at Le Labo boutiques.
CELINE MEDIUM TRIOMPHE BELT IN TAURILLON LEATHER

Price tag: S$990
Girl math: Go figure but this leather belt is going for nearly its retail price on the resale market. Which means you get to wear the belt for free till you hawk it off on the secondhand realm!
Available at Celine boutiques.
LOEWE CROPPED ANAGRAM COTTON TANK TOP

Price tag: S$650
Girl math: If you wear this top once a week, it'll only cost S$12.50 per wear. The Loewe paper bag on Carousell costs more than that.
Available at Loewe boutiques.
DYSON AIRWRAP MULTI-STYLER

Price tag: S$755
Girl math: Among the most affordable item endorsed by Blackpink's Jisoo, pick up this multi-styler so you can finally say "I'll have what she's having". That it actually gives you good hair is a major boon. If you share it with your mum and sis to defray the cost even further, it's basically S$251.
Available at Dyson outlets
HERMES SILK SCARF

Price tag: S$810
Girl math: Instead of buying art, get your pal an Hermes silk scarf. Framed up on the wall, it’ll look as classy as a Monet except it only costs a fraction of a Monet. For perspective, a Monet painting went under the hammer for US$74 million (S$98.24 million) just last month. And that doesn't even include shipping cost and insurance.
Available at Hermes boutiques.
MONICA VINADER DIAMOND ESSENTIAL STUD EARRINGS

Price tag: From S$315
Girl math: Got a S$100 gift card from Monica Vinader? Then, these city girl essential diamond studs are really just S$215. You should also know that these earrings are backed by sustainable initiatives that include traceable designs using stones that are traced from mine to market, as well as recycled silver and gold to promote a circular economy. Yes, sustainable, meaning you're giving back to Mother Earth.
Available at Monica Vinader boutiques.
ORIBE GOLD LUST LITRE SET

Price tag: S$428
Girl math: For less than a fixed menu dinner at Zen (S$580++), you score stronger and longer hair – to be exact, hair becomes 133 per cent stronger and 2.9 times more elastic. That's solid results you won't flush down the toilet anytime soon.
Available at Oribe partner hair salons: Shunji Matsuo, Chez Vous Hair Salon, Backstage Hair Salon and Evolve Salon.
CHANEL N°5 SET WITH EAU DE PARFUM AND SPRAY BODY OIL

Price tag: S$317
Girl math: Girl math dictates that money spent at your favourite brand doesn't count as spending. Especially if it involves getting a blink-and-you-miss-it special. Then, it becomes a necessity. Being in the same league as Marion Cotillard, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicole Kidman is a happy coincidence. You're building cultural capital.
Available at Chanel boutiques and beauty counters.
UNIQLO 3D KNIT CASHMERE LONG SLEEVE CREW NECK SWEATER

Price tag: From S$79.90
Girl math: Marked down from S$149.90, you save S$70 without even trying. Pick her favourite colour to personalise the gift.
Available at Uniqlo.