It’s the season of giving, so V has compiled a selection of beauty products to cover everyone on your list, be it your beauty-obsessed teen sister, your frugal best friend, or your mother-in-law who already has everything.
From up-and-coming brands to heritage labels, this guide boasts contemporary picks like Glossier’s new candle alongside classics like Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair serum.
Looking for something special on a budget? Check out our fragrance section, which offers tips on how to get luxury for less. Or if you’re shopping for a big-ticket item, see our skin picks and consider the Droplette—skin care’s new “it” technology.
While gifts surely aren’t the most important part of the holidays, treating a loved one to something that you truly considered in relation to who they are shows attention and care, regardless of whether you’re picking up an $8 stocking stuffer or a lavish hot tool.
From make-up and hair to fragrance and body, we hope that V’s selection will make your gifting life easier—and maybe even more special—this holiday season.
Lips:
Lip Treatment Oil by AMI COLÉ
Ami Colé—a modern beauty brand that specializes in melanin-rich skin—has a well-deserved cult following. Their Lip Treatment Oil, which comes in three shades, tops our list.
Ami Colé
$20, www.amicole.com
LUST: Gloss by PAT McGRATH LABS
This gloss by legendary make-up artist Pat McGrath is the perfect warm, shimmery glaze to compliment any holiday blouse. EmRata approves, too.
PAT McGRATH LABS
$29, www.sephora.com
Sweet Dream Trio by LANEIGE
From Gigi Hadid’s Prada bag to your teen sister’s nightstand, the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask is ubiquitous and for good reason; arguably, it’s the best lip balm on the market. This trio—which includes their classic “Berry” mask alongside two holiday scents, “Peppermint” and “Pumpkin Spice”—makes for easy gifting.
LANEIGE
$24, www.sephora.com
Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain by Fenty Beauty
Fenty’s award winning lip stain is the ideal gift for anyone in your life who wants a wash of color without forgoing moisture.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
$24, www.sephora.com
Eyes:
GrowPotion Fluffy Brow and Lash Boosting Serum by Kosas
Kosas is one of the most innovative beauty brands of the moment. Their new brow and lash growth serum is a fun and functional gift for beauty junkies and minimalists alike.
Kosas
$48, www.sephora.com
Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara by Maybelline
There’s a reason this mascara went viral on TikTok. And better yet? The price is right, making it a practical stocking stuffer.
Maybelline
Eye Color Quad by Tom Ford
Treat a loved one to a sophisticated, smokey eyeshadow palette they’d never buy for themselves.
Tom Ford
Lashes by LoveSeen
Whether for daytime or a late night holiday party, Jenna Lyons’ new brand, LoveSeen, makes lashes for every eye shape and occasion. Unsure which set is best for you? Take their quiz.
LoveSeen
$22, www.loveseen.com
Base:
Vanish Airbrush Primer by Hourglass
Celebrity make-up artist Mary Phillips favors this primer for her clients (Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez included). This is a luxurious, yet subtle gift for the woman in your life who has everything.
Hourglass
$56, www.sephora.com
Hue Stick by Live Tinted
Deepica Mutyala, who began her career in beauty as an influencer before becoming Live Tinted’s founder and CEO, launched her brand with ambitions of making products designed specifically for South Asian women. Now, Live Tinted’s bestselling Hue Stick has been named in Allure’s Best of Beauty Hall of Fame.
Live Tinted
$24, www.ultabeauty.com
BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm by TOWER28
A blush so sheer that it works for everyone—a perfect addition for Secret Santa.
Tower28
Prep and Prime Fix+ by MAC Cosmetics
Despite the ever-growing number of setting sprays on the market, MAC’s Fix+ remains one of the best. Gift it to the 90’s baby in your life for a high school throwback.
MAC Cosmetics
Skin:
Droplette by droplette
Another Mary Phillips favorite: the Droplette. This new face tool uses micro-mist technology to penetrate the skin barrier with hero ingredients like collagen and retinol. Purchase a starter set that includes a curated selection of capsules along with the tool or customize a set for the lucky recipient you’re shopping for (it’s okay if that’s you).
droplette
$299, www.droplette.io
Peptide Glazing Fluid by Rhode Skin
Hailey Bieber’s new skin care line, Rhode, has been selling out consistently since it launched in June. If you can get your hands on it, gift the Peptide Glazing Fluid to your friend who’s addicted to beauty TikTok.
Rhode Skin
$29, www.rhodeskin.com
Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Tool by Pink Moon
Gua sha stones are equal parts beautiful and utilitarian. With an increasing number of brands selling these tools of traditional Chinese medicine, try to buy yours from an AAPI-owned business like Pink Moon.
Pink Moon
$35, www.pinkmoon.com
Advanced Night Repair Serum by Estée Lauder
With hyaluronic acid as its key ingredient, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair line is beloved across generations. You can’t go wrong with gifting this iconic serum.
Estée Lauder
$79-$215, www.sephora.com
Body:
Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment by Soft Services
Upon releasing their new Theraplush hand cream, NYC-based body skin brand Soft Services quickly sold out. Pre-order this rich retinol formula that doubles as bedside decor.
Soft Services
$58, www.softservices.com
Petrichor Mineral Mud Bath by Flamingo Estate
Nestled on top of sunny Los Angeles hills, Flamingo Estate is an orchard-turned-beauty brand that the health-conscious person in your life will surely be obsessed with.
Flamingo Estate
$60, www.flamingoestate.com
SOAK Bath Salts by Mirror Water
Founded by London-based entrepreneur Estée Lalonde, Mirror Water launched in the United Kingdom this year. SOAK is a naturally-derived blend of bathing salts designed for relaxation—a gift made for those slow days between Christmas and the new year.
Mirror Water
$48, www.mirrorwater.earth
Shea Body Butter by Hanahana Beauty
This ethically sourced shea butter supports Hanahana Beauty’s equitable sustainability initiatives and comes in a variety of scents, each one serene and deeply nourishing.
Hanahana Beauty
$28, www.hanahanabeauty.com
Hair:
Edge Tool by Pattern Beauty
A stocking stuffer that will come in handy for styling a sleek New Year’s Eve look.
Pattern Beauty
$12, www.sephora.com
Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt by Christophe Robin
Ideal for sensitive and oily scalps, this treatment shampoo is a holy grail product for beauty lovers (and can be spotted in Glossier founder Emily Weiss’ hair care lineup).
Christophe Robin
$19-53, www.dermstore.com
Hair Repair Treatment Set by Olaplex
Stylists everywhere recommend Olaplex for dry and damaged hair. It really works.
Olaplex
$62, www.sephora.com
Airwrap™ Multi-Styler Complete Long by Dyson
Say less.
Dyson
$599, www.sephora.com
Fragrance:
Broken Rosary by Boy Smells
Gender-neutral fragrance brand Boy Smells has already sold out of this candle once this holiday season. Grab it before it’s gone again or try one of their year-round scents (full disclosure: Cashmere Kush, which comes in a candle, rollerball, and full-size perfume, is my favorite).
Boy Smells
$44, www.boysmells.com
Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her Rollerball by Gucci
Rollerballs make it easy to gift luxury fragrance without breaking the bank. Not only does Gucci Bloom smell great, but it comes in a gorgeous floral box—perfect for under your bestie’s tree.
Gucci
$35, www.sephora.com
Orange Blossom Neroli Candle by Glossier
After years of anticipation among fans of the brand, Glossier finally launched a candle. In fact, they launched two! This one, Orange Blossom Neroli, is the scent used in the brand’s beloved Body Hero line.
Glossier
$45, www.glossier.com
COCO Eau de Toilette by Chanel
For Mom, you can’t go wrong with Chanel. If you’re on a budget, opt for an Eau de Toilette Spray as opposed to the Eau de Parfum.
Chanel
$95, www.sephora.com
