As a beauty editor who loves to give gifts (specifically, super-thoughtful, personalized presents that the receiver will actually use), I take curating a guide to the best beauty gifts very seriously. So, what are my criteria for gift ideas, you may ask? Well, I’m a fan of presents that have a customizable component, balance practicality and value and, as a cherry on top, look attractive too. I’m looking for products that will make the receiver light up when they open it — and that they’ll sincerely be excited to try. Unexpected gifts that add an element of surprise are a major plus as well.
This year, I’ve researched and tested a number of amazing gift sets, beauty tools and products that I think make the cut. From viral faves like the Dyson Airwrap to customizable makeup sets to engravable perfume, here are my picks for the most thoughtful and worth-it beauty gifts.
Makeup gifts
Featuring four of Merit’s makeup bestsellers, this beauty kit contains the editor-approved, multiuse Flush Balm, satin finish lipstick, hydrating tinted lip oil and glowy-but-not-sparkly highlighter. You can pick the shade of each product so it can be tailored to the receiver. It’s a great set for anyone who loves simple, uncomplicated makeup.
A stunning gift — and a splurge, for sure — this elegant clutch is actually a lipstick case that houses a Rouge Dior lipstick and three refill shades. The best part, though, is that it also comes with a chain strap so you can use it as an evening bag. It’s an accessory and a beauty gift all in one. No wonder it sells out every year!
The Gloss Bomb lip gloss has become one of the hero products of Rihanna’s beauty brand. This set includes the cream, shimmer and heat formulas, each of which gives incredible shine and impressive wear time. Along with two favorite shades (Fenty Glow and Glass Slipper Heat), you also get one special shade (Pink Dragonfly) that’s exclusive to the set.
This face and eye palette is stunning straight out of the box. Two blushes and nine eyeshadows (in matte, metallic and shimmer finishes) in jewel-inspired tones give you plenty to play with. It comes in two colorways, both chock full of high-glam shades and impressive color payoff.
Jones Road became an Underscored favorite after we tested a handful of its bestsellers this year. This customizable set comes with the Miracle Balm, two Face Pencils and the ultra-volumizing mascara. The everyday basics are great for a five-minute face, and you can choose the desired shades of the Miracle Balm and Face Pencils. The flexibility of having two shades of the latter means you can choose one for concealing and another either for brightening (go a shade or two lighter) or bronzing (go a few shades darker).
Charlotte Tilbury comes out with tons of stunning beauty gifts for the holidays, so it’s hard to pick just one. You can’t go wrong with the viral, glowy Beauty Light Wands, though, which is why I love this mini set that would make a perfect stocking stuffer. It includes two bestselling, universal shades (Spotlight and Pinkgasm) for only $32, which is $10 less than the full-size product.
As someone who asked for Urban Decay’s new Naked palette every year as a teenager (which still makes a great gift, by the way), this super-versatile palette is an amazing alternative. Danessa Myricks is a Black-owned beauty brand founded by a pro-makeup artist who has developed some truly innovative products and formulas. This multiuse palette can be used for contouring, filling in your brows, creating smoky eye looks and tons more. Each of the ten shades comes in two formulas — a pomade that works alone or as a primer and a velvety-soft and buildable powder — so you have flexibility in your application.
Skin care gifts
Glow Recipe’s fruit-forward formulas make a fun skin care gift, especially in these adorable trial sizes. This six-piece set is a cute introduction to the brand and is stocked with an avocado cleanser, watermelon exfoliating toner, watermelon niacinamide serum, strawberry salicylic serum, plum moisturizer and guava vitamin C eye cream.
Makeup remover might not be the most fun present, but it’s high up there in terms of practicality. Let your loved one save some coin and get them a beauty routine essential that they’ll appreciate when it’s time to take their makeup off at the end of the day.
Farmacy’s Green Clean cleansing balm has been in my skin care rotation for years, and I love that the brand comes out with a limited-edition trio of flavors for the holidays. This year’s batch comes with tea-inspired flavors that effortlessly melt away makeup.
For the K-beauty lover, Sulwhasoo’s products offer an elegant upgrade. Both the Anti-Aging First Care Activating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream are expert and editor favorites that target signs of aging. While pricey, this set has amazing value since a 1-ounce jar of the moisturizer alone is $145. The orange cosmetic bag is a cherry on top.
As a dermatologist-founded skin care brand, Dr Loretta makes super-effective formulas that I’ve fallen in love with over the years. This set is a kickstart to a daily skin care regimen, with essentials like a mini hydrating cleanser and full sizes of the Tightening Eye Gel, Intense Replenishing Serum (a must-have for winter!) and Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen.
Laneige’s yummy lip masks are an internet favorite, but the K-beauty brand has lots of great skin care to offer. This set comes with minis of the Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry, Cream Skin toner and Water Bank Cream Moisturizer for a dose of hydration for your whole face.
Augustinus Bader is a celebrity-loved, expert-approved luxury brand that’s Rich Cream has reached cult status. This set features three high-performing products — a cleanser, facial essence and the iconic Rich Cream — in travel-friendly yet still ample 1-ounce sizes. The best part? You’re scoring the cleanser and essence for $5 since a 1-ounce bottle of The Rich Cream goes for $180 on its own.
One of my favorite beauty tools of the year, the new TheraFace Mask is an ultra-relaxing LED mask that also features vibration therapy. LED light therapy helps boost collagen and, thus, reduce fine lines, wrinkles and signs of aging when done consistently. Combined with the gentle vibrations to promote relaxation, it’s a great gift for anyone who takes their self-care routine seriously.
Hair care gifts
It's no secret that the Dyson Airwrap is the do-it-all hair styling tool that's expensive but totally worth it. The sleek design and high functionality make it an ideal gift for those that regularly style their hair at home. Luckily, it's currently on sale in the Blue Blush colorway, as well as the limited-edition Color Pop.
A more affordable alternative to the Airwrap, this expert-loved blow-dryer brush now comes in a gift set with five Drybar styling favorites and accessories. It includes the full-size Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler, along with travel sizes of the Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray, Detox Original Dry Shampoo and Final Call Frizz & Static Control Mist, plus two hair clips to boot.
Elevate your hair game — and shine — with this luxurious trio of shower essentials in limited-edition travel sizes. The set includes Ouai’s Detox Shampoo, Scalp & Body Scrub St. Barts and Hair Oil. As an added bonus, each product smells amazing too.
This limited-edition gift set of Oribe’s bestselling Gold Lust collection brings a touch of luxury to your standard wash day. With full sizes of the Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner, plus a 2.5-ounce bottle of the hair oil, it’ll bring serious health and shine to lackluster locks.
Olaplex is viral for a reason — the whole line is stacked with bond-repairing hair care that actually works. For noticeably smoother, softer hair that you’ll see and feel almost immediately, its cult faves like the No. 3 Hair Perfector and No. 7 Bonding Oil are a must-try. This set of minis offers an easy way to try those, along with the No. 6 Bond Smoother and No. 9 Bond Protector.
A $134 value for under $100, this set features a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, plus a smoothing cream and dry shampoo. Made for dry, dehydrated hair, these products offer tailored TLC. The generous sizes and metallic bag make it a standout.
Bath and body gifts
I’ll certainly be gifting Osea’s bath and body products this year. They’re deliciously scented, feel great to apply and leave skin feeling soft and hydrated. This set includes four bestsellers in travel-friendly sizes: the Undaria Algae Body Oil, Anti-Aging Body Balm, Salts of the Earth Body Scrub and Undaria Algae Body Butter. The latter is my absolute favorite of the bunch, and if there’s one product that I’d recommend gifting a full-size jar of, it’s that one.
A hit that I gift every year, Malin+Goetz’s body lotion and wash set feels as amazing as it smells. The rum scent is sweet and a little sultry, making it a great choice for a husband or partner. (My boyfriend asked for a restock after finishing up the lotion last year.) I’m all about elevated essentials, and this set delivers just that.
This botanical-powered bath and body set has an invigorating, wintry scent. The beautiful gift box is filled with a body wash, exfoliating soap brick and body oil that was handpicked by founder Richard Christiansen to create a reviving bathing ritual.
Cleanse and hydrate the skin with this clean-ingredient body care duo. The rose-infused products have 100% natural fragrances that’ll leave your skin with a subtle spa-like aroma. The lotion contains glycerin, shea butter and rose hip seed oil for plenty of hydration.
Glossier’s cool-girl lineup of makeup and skin care is super popular for a reason: The products are truly fantastic. While any beauty enthusiast has no doubt tried its fan favorites, another tube of Balm Dotcom can never hurt. I love the idea of this Nightstand Duo that pairs your choice of the lip balm flavor with the lovely hand cream.
Fragrance gifts
The beautiful gift box provides the finishing touch to this perfume and body oil Chanel gift set. The full-sized products boast the fresh and floral Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, which features notes of orange, jasmine and rose.
A stunning gift set with great value, this duo includes a full-size Valentino Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum (which retails for $156 alone), as well as a 1-ounce coffret. Notes of Italian bergamot, jasmine, black currant and vanilla give the fragrance a sweet and delicious warmth. It’s a thoughtful gift for mom, and you just might be able to persuade her to let you keep the mini for yourself.
The new men’s fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent now comes in a gift-ready set accompanied by a scented cleansing bar for the face, beard and body. The sultry, woody and floral fragrance is a charmer for sure.
I’m a firm believer in having a fragrance wardrobe with plenty of options to spritz and layer. This set was designed to do just that, featuring a full-size Milk Layering + Enhancer Fragrance — a mesmerizing musk that smells great on everyone — and two travel-sized sprays of your choice. Gourmand Taunt and fresh Spring are two personal favorites.
Guerlain’s gorgeous fragrances make a thoughtful custom gift. Whether shopping for him or her, you’re bound to find an enchanting choice from the storied fragrance house. Once you’ve made your pick, you can get the bottle engraved. Depending on the fragrance you choose, there are other personalizations you can make too.
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme is a citrus-forward woody cologne with notes of lemon, orange, lavender, pink pepper, patchouli, sandalwood and cedar. This set features the popular scent in a 3-ounce bottle of the eau de toilette, a travel spray and a deodorant stick.
Nail polish gifts
Nail polish is one of my favorite gifts to give and receive, because it really is a little luxury. (Stocking up on bottles of polish adds up quick!) Sundays makes nontoxic, salon-quality polish that is always a pretty gift. This customizable set means you get to hand select shades you know your loved one will wear.
One of my favorite nail products that I tried this year, these press-on gel polish strips are easy to apply and cure under the included LED lamp for a salon-quality manicure that lasts for weeks. I love that the polish comes in fun effects so you can achieve trends like glazed donut nails or festive nail art at home. And at $15, you can’t beat the value.
Another gel nail kit I’ve tried and loved, the Mini Macaron system comes with easy-to-use gel polish and a super-cute macaron-shaped curing light. It’s perfect for a bit of pampering. And if you’re looking to spend a little less, the mini kits are just as good.