Perfect Gift Ideas for The Beauty-Obsessed
From beard oil to snail mucin, we've got all the beauty products you need to leave everyone aglow this holiday season.
It may be the most wonderful time of year — but all the festivities could have you feeling less than merry. Braving the cold weather, late nights at holiday parties, and indulgent meals with friends and family can wreak havoc on your skin and leave you feeling more no-no-no than ho-ho-ho. Fear not: We’ve rounded up the best beauty and skin-care gifts on the market to help you and your loved ones glow brighter than any festive lights display.
Here, you’ll find gift ideas for everyone — from the sister who’s VIB Rouge at Sephora to the boyfriend you wish would try using a moisturizer (just once!). We’ve included skin care, makeup, and even a gadget or two — all designed to get you looking and feeling your best. From stocking stuffer to showstopper, there’s a beauty gift here for all price points. You might even come across something you want for yourself, to which we say: ‘tis the season for a little self-care.
Charlotte Tilbury: The Gift of Pillow Talk Lips
Get it for: anyone who loves a classic and effortless makeup look.
Cruelty-free and universally flattering, Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Pillow Talk lipstick is guaranteed to please every makeup lover on your list. (Hey, it even made an appearance at Amal Clooney’s wedding!) This kit is high in value — while the lipstick alone retails for $34, buying this duo means you’re getting the perfectly matched travel-sized lip liner for a dollar. Plus, it comes in a gorgeous gift box, to ensure gift wrapping is an absolute cinch.
Charlotte Tilbury: The Gift of Pillow Talk Lips, $35, CharlotteTilbury.com
COSRX: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Get it for: anyone who wants a quick and easy glow-up.
COSRX: Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence, $18, Amazon.com
TONYMOLY: I’m Real Hydrating Mask Sheet
Get it for: the friend who keeps suggesting a spa night.
If you’re not quite ready to try snail slime on your face but still want to give the gift of K-beauty this Christmas, this collection of sheet masks from popular K-beauty brand TONYMOLY are a fun and inexpensive way to try out new skin- care products. And with over two dozen options to choose from — including green tea, seaweed, and even red wine — you’ll have everyone on your list covered (literally!).
TONYMOLY: I’m Real Hydrating Mask Sheet, starting at $3, Amazon.com
L’Occitane: Shea Honey Harvest Collection
Get it for: the lady in your life who loves a little luxury.
Harsh winter climates can leave skin feeling dry and uncomfortable — humidity levels drop in cold weather, and cranking up the thermostat can dry the air out even further. Luckily, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that adding a cream with shea butter can help alleviate dry skin, so this gift set by L’Occitance is sure to go down well no matter whom you gift it to. Packed with a body cream, a hand cream, a lip balm, and a soap bar, it contains products made with shea butter to keep things smooth all winter long. You can also pick up this Hand Cream Bouquet and split it up between everyone’s stockings.
Trader Joe’s Beauty Gift Sets
Get it for: the friend who loves a bargain but won’t compromise on quality.
You already love Trader Joe’s for its delicious dark chocolate almonds and its Everything But the Bagel seasoning, but you might not have realized that it has some great gift sets at extremely budget-friendly prices. We love this Body Butter Trio ($7.99), which contains shea butter and coconut oil for maximum moisture — pair it with this Lip Treatment Duo ($3.99), and you have an instant two-step routine to keep skin and lips soft and smooth all winter long. Bonus: The lip duo contains an SPF 15 lip balm (yes, you should still be using SPF during the winter!). (Note that availability may vary based upon your location.)
Trader Joe’s Beauty gift sets, starting at $3.99, available at select store locations
Huda Beauty: Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette
Get it for: the one whose makeup is always on point.
Keep things merry and bright with these gorgeous palettes from cult makeup brand Huda Beauty. These compact eye shadow palettes are perfectly sized for travel, but with Huda’s reputation for blendable shadows and intense pigmentation, they’re sure to pack a major punch. And with nine different color schemes to choose from, you’ll find something for everyone, no matter their signature look. We love the Mauve and Topaz palettes for a selection of universally flattering shades, while the Amethyst and Sapphire palettes are sure to make a statement.
Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette, $27, ShopHudaBeauty.com
Fenty Beauty: Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set
Get it for: the one who loves a statement lip.
This gift set from Rihanna’s wildly popular Fenty Beauty contains five travel- sized Gloss Bombs in a variety of vibrant colors. Ranging from subtle nude shades to pops of color, these glosses will flatter every skin tone and add a touch of shimmer to any holiday occasion. And unlike liquid lipsticks, which can be drying and difficult to reapply, these glosses are totally foolproof — just slick them on over your favorite lipstick or lip balm, and get ready to kiss dry lips goodbye. Oh, and did we mention Fenty Beauty is cruelty-free?
Nécessaire: The Body Collection
Get it for: the one who’s always on-trend.
Nécessaire: The Body Collection, $80, Necessaire.com
Briogeo: Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Get it for: the one who deserves a good hair day.
The ingredients list for this deep-conditioning mask ticks all the boxes when it comes to nourishing your hair: vitamin B5, biotin, algae, rose hip, sweet almond, argan oil, and more. Suitable for straight, curly, or natural hair, this mask is a once-weekly treatment that’ll have your hair in tip-top shape. Bonus: It’s 98 percent naturally derived and has a delightfully soft almond-and-rose scent that will leave your locks smelling absolutely lovely.
Briogeo: Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $36, Briogeo.com
Jack Black: All Jacked Up 3 Piece Gift Set
Get it for: the low-maintenance man in your life.
Axe gift sets are a thing of Christmas past. This year, get him a present that’ll get him into good habits for holidays yet to come. This set from Jack Black (not to be confused with the School of Rock star) is a great introduction to men’s skin care — it comes with a facial cleanser, an oil-free moisturizer, and a cleanser for hair and body. Plus, all the products here are travel-sized, so it’s the perfect way to experiment with a new skin-care regime.
Viking Revolution: Beard Oil Conditioner
Get it for: the one who has everything (and a beard).
Is there someone in your life whose beard could rival Santa’s? Then they’ll probably appreciate this trio of beard oils from Viking Revolution. Made with organic argan and jojoba oils, this gift set will keep beards soft and shiny, while helping to prevent dry skin and beard dandruff. Each beard oil is lightly scented with a different fragrance (clary sage, cedar pine, or sandalwood), so they can be switched up depending on your mood or combined for a customized blend.
Viking Revolution: Beard Oil Conditioner 3 Pack, $19.88, Amazon.com
Harry’s: Travel Gift Set With Toiletry Bag
Get it for: the jet-setter.
For a men’s gift that’s as practical as it is stylish, look no further than this handy limited-edition travel set from Harry’s. Included are a water-resistant travel bag, a Holiday Winston handle with a travel cover, a soothing post-shave balm, and your choice of body wash scent (flight tickets tucked into the front pocket: optional). You can even have the razor engraved with the recipient’s initials for a personal touch. Plus, you can feel extra good about your purchase knowing that Harry’s donates 1 percent of sales to various charitable organizations working to promote mental healthcare for men, including Headstrong and The Trevor Project.
5 Common Hygiene Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
Do you need to shower every day? Wash your hands with scalding-hot water? Here's the dirt, according to health experts.
Which Collagen Sources Should You Try?
From powders and gummies to foods and topicals, here’s a list of collagen sources ranked from best to worst.
Potentially Toxic Chemicals Called PFAS Are Common in Cosmetics, Study Finds
Lab tests suggest that more than half of cosmetics sold in the United States and Canada may contain high levels of the chemical. U.S. legislators recently...
6 Places You're Missing When You Apply Sunscreen
No matter how thorough your SPF routine, these are the spots experts say are often overlooked.
Ask a Castle Connolly Top Doctor: How Aging and Gravity Affect Your Skin
A renowned plastic surgeon, recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, discusses the factors that affect our skin’s appearance, and how patients can ...
California Bans 24 Toxic Chemicals From Personal-Care Products: What to Know
A bellwether state for federal efforts, California just became the first in the nation to ban certain chemicals from cosmetics and personal-care ingredients...
What Are the Benefits of Fish Oil for Your Hair?
Eating more whole fish with omega-3 fatty acids may help strengthen your tresses, but there’s limited evidence that fish oil pills will do the same.
Read more on: beauty