I’m a big fan of winter. Huge. I’m also very into shopping, and since the colder months can impact my mood, I’m doing some premature damage control and indulging in some innocent retail therapy from one of my fave spots, Nordstrom. I won’t lie: My beauty situation is pretty expansive. After a decade of working in the industry, I have my skin and makeup essentials sorted. In other words, I know my nonnegotiable products, so at this point, I’m just in the market to play.
What can I say? I’m feeling festive. I love finding products that will make me (and others!) feel happier and more confident, so have at it! Keep scrolling for 31 wonderful beauty finds that also make really solid gifts.
I first got my hands on this fragrance a few months ago, and it’s a favorite now. It boasts notes of black cherry, tonka bean, and almond. It’s sexy and mysterious, and I can’t stop wearing it. The fact that it comes in an all over body spray has made all my holiday wishes come true.
This might not be the sexiest item on this list, but honestly, it’s the most essential, especially in the winter when lips get parched. Unlike sticky waxes, these lip balms quickly absorb, and SPF 25 offers sun protection while guarding against windburn and extreme temperatures. I don’t know about you, but I can’t resist this cute little trio.
If you only buy one thing today, make it this. It’s powered by patented Viniferine to help visibly even skin. A lot of people aren’t familiar with Viniferine, but it’s like 60% more effective at brightening your complexion than vitamin C. Do yourself a favor, and just get this.
Holidays or not, who doesn’t want to glow?
Any fashion person will appreciate this Ganni and Boy Smells collab. It helps that the candle actually smells amazing with notes of ginger, fig, sage, tonka bean and sandalwood.
If you want to change your skin for the better, become BFFs with any sort of retexturizing product like this luxe cream. It’s formulated with a unique trio of flowers that help address the first signs of aging, revive complexion luminosity, and reactivate natural cell renewal.
Bring the Kate Somerville clinic to you. This little tube of magic contains gold-standard anti-aging ingredients retinol, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E. This powerful combo works together to reveal clear, smooth, soft skin overnight.
This was gifted to me, and I give it a 10 out of 10. No, it doesn’t smell like cannabis. But it does smell oaky and spicy, which gives cozy vibes.
This is the most luxurious hand lotion.
The crème de la crème of face creams.
Act fast—this limited-edition set comes with some of Nécessaire’s wildly popular products: The Body Wash, The Body Lotion, and The Body Serum. Your future skin will thank you.
I’ve had these in my makeup bag for years. Whenever I run out, I always restock because they’re just that good. This trio comes with three versatile shades, all within the pink-beige family. They apply easily and are extremely buildable. Be warned: Once they dry on your lid, they will not budge.
This time of year, we all could use an extra dose of vitamin C. This gel-cream moisturizer will help brighten, visibly firm, and strengthen skin.
The holidays are the time to stock up on skin gadgets. This micro-current tool is a favorite of mine: It tones facial muscles while improving contour and skin tone and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Plus, this limited-edition set also comes with a brush, brightening face creme, and peptide booster—for the price of the device. It’s the perfect set.
Perfect for traveling or using when you need an instant skin pick-me-up, this single-use mask is infused with powerful ingredients that help target spots and discoloration and soothe damaged skin.
Can we talk about how cute this little at-home gel-manicure set is? It features everything you need to create the ultimate salon-level mani in the comfort of your home. The macaron-shaped LED lamp is fast and powerful—only 30 seconds for cured nails. The gel polish is a three-in-one formula that combines a base coat, color, and top coat in one.
The deep treatment hair mask you didn’t know you needed. This stuff is luxe, you guys. It’s super moisturizing because it’s made with coconut and almond oils. It will quench thirsty locks, prevent breakage, and repair damage.
I’ve gifted this to so many people over the years, and it’s always a hit. It’s a portable mirror with three brightness levels so you can do your makeup perfectly no matter the time of day.
Most people don’t even think about their cuticles, but come winter, it’s hard for me not to notice mine. Keeping this on my nightstand reminds me to apply some at night to help loosen and remove dead or dry skin in the cuticle area.
Glitter is very needed during the holidays.
This dreamy eye-shadow palette comes with 14 rich shades in a mix of finishes from matte and frost to shimmer, metallic, and glitter. I love that it also comes with a double-ended brush for easy application on the go.
I will not tolerate frizzy hair—end of discussion. This nutrient-rich blend of rose-hip, argan, and coconut oils helps restore a silky sheen and seals split ends.
This is your chance to be one step closer to having the voluminous hair of your dreams. Once your hair is about 80% dry, whip this hot-air brush out, and it’ll take your hairstyle from sleek to bouncy in minutes.
Trust me when I say these little eye patches actually work. They’re the perfect thing to throw on while you’re doing other things around the house. Take ’em off to reveal a brighter, more hydrated eye area.
Nothing says “love” more than giving the gift of tan skin in the dead of winter. This is one of my go-to formulas for a natural, subtle glow.
I remember smelling this for the first time when I was in high school and falling head over heels in love with it. It’s heavenly. The lightly whipped formula feels rich and is infused with vitamins A, C, and E derivatives. Grape-seed and rice-bran oil condition the skin while vanilla extract and honey offer soothing benefits.
2020 was the year I became obsessed with this device. When I couldn’t go get facials, I had to do what I could at home, and I still can’t get enough of it. It basically offers the same benefits as in-office microdermabrasion treatments. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, and enlarged pores. It’s a game changer.
This is arguably the best lip set ever created. It comes with three iconic Charlotte Tilbury lip favorites: a balmy lipstick, matte lipstick, and lip liner.
This mascara is actually inspired by hair rollers, so the formula is practically made with curling and lifting superpowers. My lashes never look droopy or sad at the end of the day. They almost always look as perky as they did first thing. Trust me—it’s a curling and lifting formula that defies the odds.
What they say is true: You have to wear SPF every single day, rain or shine. What I love most about this sunscreen is that it comes in stick form, so it’s incredibly easy to apply, especially on the go. With this on hand, you have no reason not to slather your skin with it.
