Pro tip: The end of the holiday season is, by far, the best time to find beauty gifts at smart prices (and we know there’s a good chance you’ll still be giving presents well into the New Year). December comes and goes in a flurry, often resulting in a missed opportunity for a heartfelt gift or two, but who said holiday shopping should be stressful or challenging? Sometimes, the best finds come when you least expect them.
With the help of my fellow beauty editors, I’ve compiled a list of the 25 best makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products to consider gifting a loved one with across a wide range of different price points. We’ve even provided customer reviews to ease your decision-making process. Keep scrolling for a look at the gift-able beauty finds, from luxurious L’Occitane bodycare to high-tech NuFace tools Who What Wear’s beauty editors can’t stop raving about to anyone who will listen.
It’s no secret that investing in a fragrance discovery set is one of the easiest ways to experience the best scents a brand has to offer for less. Here’s one that offers fragrances specifically formulated to lift your well-being, mindfulness, and confidence with each spritz. The set includes Thé Vanille, Rose Parade, Coco Fleur, La Forêt, and Opening Night (my personal favorite). Customer Review: “This set is everything! I don’t leave the house without a perfume on my purse anymore. It’s also great for traveling—now I can bring different perfumes with me at all times! The fragrances are amazing, unique and it holds really well, I got so many compliments.”
Out of all the hand creams I’ve tested, this is the one I always come back to. The fast-absorbing formula is enriched with nourishing shea butter, coconut oil, honey, and marshmallow root extracts to deliver and lock in moisture in seconds. The mini travel-size version of the hand cream is perfect for tucking into a hand bag or a carry-on. Customer Review: “My absolute favorite hand cream. Makes my hands soft and feel protected without feeling greasy at all. I always carry one in my purse!”
Emi Jay has been trending all year thanks to its ultra-feminine accessories. While snagging one of its oversize, bedazzled claw clips is an absolute must, its Camelia scrunchies would also make the perfect gift for a lover of eye-catching floral details. I want one in every color! Customer Review: “[It’s] very nice to wear and the rose looks stunning.”
I’m all for gifting aesthetic skincare tools, and Kitsch’s has been on my shopping list for some time. Crafted from stainless steel, the gua sha can be used to promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage for healthy and radiant skin. It’s the perfect way to soothe tired muscles since the tool can also relieve stress and tension by stimulating pressure points. Customer Review: “Incredibly, easy to use and velvety smooth to the touch on the skin. The airy and ever-breezy feel, from my gua sha it sensational, and the results are immaculate. I am enjoying this product very much.”
I can’t sing enough praises for Typology’s concentrated hand and nail serum. Rich in plant-based keratin and hyaluronic acid, it works to soften and nourish cuticles while strengthening brittle nails. I love following up with a hand balm for an easy and luxurious hand treatment. The minimalist aesthetic of the bottle alone is to die for. Customer Review: “After years of using semi-permanent nail polish on my nails, they are completely dry and damaged. I wanted to test this product and I now apply it regularly on my nails. I have noticed that they are revitalized and strengthened again! The plus: the format… it is so cute. I carry it around in my bag every day.”
“This blush went viral for giving people the most naturally rosy glow. It’s an ideal gift for anyone who’s up on TikTok trends or just loves their makeup to look as airbrushed and pretty as possible.” — Katie Berohn, beauty editor. Customer Review: “First off, I’m a sucker for packaging! This blush was so luxe and really fancy. As for the blush itself, the color payoff is amazing, easy to blend, vibrant without being too ‘look at me’ and looked absolutely gorgeous! I’m buying all colors for my makeup collection.”
“Laneige lip masks are a staple product for absolutely anyone. I keep one on my nightstand at all times, and most of my friends do the same. This is the kind of gift set you could give to anyone and they would be happy with.” — Berohn. Customer Review: “This product has soothed my dry lips plaguing me since Covid! The selection allowed me to try new scents which I Love. I use this product every single day and am now a loyal Laneige user!”
“This is another skincare product that can work in pretty much any routine. This serum adds an ethereal glow and works so well under makeup, so I would gift this to a friend who loves a glowy makeup look.” — Berohn. Customer Review: “I have been using this product for a few months now and can honestly say that I love it! The serum makes my skin feel soft and gives me that perfect summer glow, even during the winter months. I will definitely be repurchasing this item. It did not disappoint!”
“Drunk Elephant’s F Balm is like a Liquid IV for your skin. You can layer it on over your nightly skincare for an extra jolt of hydration and barrier repair—since it seamlessly fits into any routine, it’s a skincare product I feel comfortable gifting.” — Berohn. Customer Review: “I originally received this as a deluxe sample with another purchase. After my first use it was immediately noticeable how soft this makes my skin! I have since purchased a full sized product and I’m not sure I can live without this as a part of my skincare routine.”
“The rollerball version of Glossier’s Iconic You perfume is the perfect stocking stuffer. I’m normally against gifting perfume—you never know what fragrance preferences someone has—but Glossier You is a safe bet since it’s a skin scent that smells good on virtually everyone.” — Berohn. Customer Review: “Clean, bright, and peppery scent. This is my everyday scent and lasts all day on me. I get so many compliments when I wear this.”
“This $8 lip oil is such a gem. It adds a gorgeous pop of color on the lips and is really hydrating to boot. The budget-friendly price tag also doesn’t hurt if you’re planning to give it as a gift—you could buy a friend a set of three for that price.” — Shawna Hudson, associate beauty editor. Customer Review: “Best lip oil I have tried for the price. It is not sticky at all and you don’t feel it on. Gives a really nice gloss and subtle color. Also cooling and minty feeling at first which brings out your natural lip color and compliments you really well.”
“My skin gets pretty dehydrated during the winter since I live in a dry climate. I spritz this on my face throughout the day and it’s so refreshing on the skin. I always keep a bottle handy with me to add a boost of hydration and I think everyone else should too!” — Hudson. Customer Review: “I love this facial mist. It’s so calming after a workout or spending time in the hot sun. I really love spraying it on a clean dry face before my serums to add a little bit extra to my skincare routine.”
“This is hands down the best oil-free moisturizer I have ever used. I wax poetic often about Darden’s Cleansing Serum, but this cream deserves just as much attention! It’s the only oil-free moisturizer I’ve found that’s great for sensitive, acne-prone skin that provides enough hydration without causing congestion.” — Hudson. Customer Review: “I have very acne prone skin. Sometimes, I feel like everything breaks me out—but not this moisturizer! It doesn’t clog my pores or feel heavy, and I feel nice and hydrated. Best moisturizer ever!”
“Real Techniques offers my favorite budget-friendly makeup brushes. This is the perfect set to give to a makeup beginner or someone who just needs a reliable set of brushes for daily use.” — Hudson. Customer Review: “I’ve had these brushes for a few years, and they still look brand new! If you’re looking for awesome brushes at reasonable prices, grab them!”
“I don’t mind splurging a little on skincare as long as it works. Skinbetter Science is SUCH an incredible brand. It combines innovative ingredients yet is gentle on sensitive skin types. My skin can be super sensitive if I use too many active ingredients at once, but this do-it-all night serum is perfect for anyone who wants to address multiple concerns without sending your skin into a frenzy. It clears breakouts, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and helps fade dark spots. I’d buy this for anyone with a similar skin type who struggles to find a serum that truly works for acne-prone skin.” — Hudson. Customer Review: “Obsessed with this serum! It’s helped my acne and skin texture so much. I have very sensitive skin and this is the only retinol that hasn’t irritated my skin. Also I use it every single night and am still on the same bottle I started five months ago so the price is definitely worth it.”
“Not only am I heavily obsessed with shimmering, chocolate-hued lips this season (so unexpectedly flattering!), but I’m also in the business of gifting people with great skin. U Beauty’s best-selling Resurfacing Compound and The Super Hydrator are easily tolerated and exceptionally transformative. I’d be willing to bet money that whomever you gift with this set will be buying full-size counterparts as soon as they run out.” — Erin Jahns, beauty director. Customer Review: “I never write reviews but am blown away by both of these products. I am been using them for approximately two weeks and my skin has never been more dewy, hydrated and clear. Absolute game changer.”
“Y2K’s influence on current hair accessory trends has a forecast of longevity. Claws, clips, and headbands will continue to be big, but I already know hair sticks (especially if they’re handmade and beautiful) are next on the horizon.” — Jahns. Customer Review: “I have been buying Tidal Hair sticks for a number of years. I have many sets. Love them! They are great to deal and the workmanship is excellent.”
“I love the idea of gifting someone with a ritual that has multiple benefits—physically and mentally. The act of regular dry-brushing has truly changed my life, and Mutha’s body oil has changed my skin. Et voilà! The perfect combo for an epic beauty gift.” — Jahns
“Twenty twenty-four will be the year of bare, elegantly refined nails, but perfecting the aesthetic at home can be tricky. Not only is this manicure kit impossibly chic, but it also contains easy-to-use essentials for a quick, beautifully shiny and understated result.” Customer Review: “Absolutely in love with this product. It’s the exact kind of self care moment I was hoping for. Comes in gorgeous packaging. The leather carrier is lovely. The cuticle oil is amazing. The file and case are incredibly chic. The Polisher has a bit of a learning curve but the videos help tremendously and by my second manicure, I’ve gotten the hang of it!”
“If I had to wear one fragrance brand exclusively for the rest of my life, it would be Perfumehead. (If you’re going to invest in one signature scent this year, let it be one of the brand’s eight!) My personal favorites are Canadian Tuxedo and Cosmic Cowboy—they’re even better layered—but it’s a treat to sample and play with the line in its entirety.” — Jahns
“During a recent red-eye flight, I was reminded of how grateful I am to own this silk eye mask. I think it’s the perfect gift for anyone regardless of how often they fly. It blocks light out, fits snugly around my head, and I can wear it for hours without getting those pesky lines pressed into my skin. The silk creates less friction on the skin, so I feel better using this than I do using cotton or polyester eye masks.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor. Customer Review: “I adore this sleep mask. The fabric is so comfortable and it stays on my head the whole night, which is a problem I’ve had with other masks in the past. I’ve had no issues blocking out light. This is a really nice face mask and I find it incredibly comfortable.”
“I was never big on cream or liquid blush until I tried these. They’re highly pigmented yet easy to blend. Plus, they have the prettiest, most flattering shade range of any blushes I’ve ever seen. I love that this little gift set includes three mini sizes (and one is a limited-edition shade!).” — McLintock. Customer Review: “I absolutely love these mini dew blushes! The formula is chefs kiss you only need a little product and the way these melt into the skin and blend like a dream! They are hydrating and look flawless even on my maturing skin! I highly recommend.”
“I love skin devices, and the NuFace has been a standard part of my skincare collection for years for the way it lifts and sculpts the contours of the face. This one is small and perfectly packable yet works just as well as the original. I think it’d be the perfect gift for anyone who wants to level up their skincare routine.” — McLintock. Customer Review: “I have been using my NuFace for a week now. I already see a difference in the definition of my face, and hydration of my skin! It’s easy to use and has become an enjoyable part of my nightly routine.”
“Not only are these little perfume bottles adorable, but they contain four of Ellis Brooklyn’s best-selling fragrances, which just so happen to be some of my personal favorites. There’s Myth, which smells warm and woody; Salt, which smells like a vacation in a bottle; Sun Fruit, which is a fruity floral; and finally, Vanilla Milk, which is the most delicious classic vanilla scent. There’s something for everyone.” — McLintock. Customer Review: “This is the best sampler fragrance bundle ever! I loved every scent. They’re all so different, and will work perfectly year-round. There is a perfect scent for every season. They’re light, strong, and easy to use. i got this complimentary from Ellis Brooklyn.”
“I’m also a big believer in the brand’s silk pillowcases. Since silk creates less friction than cotton or polyester, it keeps my hair smooth and soft despite constant tossing and turning. The difference might seem small, but trust me, once you use it, you’ll never go back. It gives new meaning to the term beauty sleep.” — McLintock. Customer Review: “These are so soft and cozy, perfect edition to your bed! Leaves my hair and skin a lot softer than regular pillow cases. You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping… might as well be comfortable.”
