Gift Guide: The 17 Best Beauty Gifts

Beauty has been my job for the past decade-plus, so asking me to choose my favorite beauty gift is kind of like asking me to pick a favorite child. Especially because I literally saw hundreds of them this year! (Beauty gifts, not children...!) So, I narrowed it down to 17, which I still consider quite a feat. I really, really love the options here--and I know you will, too. Here, my favorite makeup, hair, skincare, fragrance, and candle gifts of the year. 

Sephora Favorites Beauty Unmasked: Face masks are sort of the perfect gift. They're indulgent, but also kind of practical at the same time. There are about 2 zillion different face mask gifts out there these days, but I love this set because it includes seven different masks from seven different brands like Fresh, Glamglow, Origins, and Boscia that are all best-sellers in Sephora. Fun way to try out a bunch of different products!

Sephora Collection Midnight Wishes Eyeshadow Palette: This was one of my favorite items at the Sephora holiday event and I can't even pinpoint exactly why. Maybe it's because the packaging is so pretty. Maybe it's because it comes with 16 gorgeous and--and this is key--wearable eyeshadow shades. Or maybe it's because of the price. It was a good deal when I first saw it at $24, but now it is inexplicably on sale for $16, which makes it an insanely good deal. Grab it!

Nars Hot Tryst Cheek Palette: Nars makes my favorite blushes, and this kit has four of them, plus two pretty highlighters. But let's get real: I really love this for the way it looks. (Superficial, I know.) I absolutely die for that studded case and that amazing embossed pattern on the blushes themselves. The whole thing is so rocker-ish and cool. Also love this version with red studs!

Dyson Blown-A-Ouai Noir Set: If you (or your giftee) has been eyeing this amazing blowdryer that everyone's obsessed with, now is the time to buy it. With this set, you get the dryer, plus a bonus of four cult-favorite Ouai products for free.

Nails Inc Paint Your Nails Happy Set: Nails Inc makes amazing nail polish, and with this set you get four bold and pretty-darn-awesome shades. Also, hello--who wouldn't immediately smile upon seeing this cheery rainbow packaging?!

Krisin Ess Dry Shampoo and French Hair Pin Set: For the woman who frequently rocks second-day hair, I love this duo. The set includes a great dry shampoo, and a super chic oversized gold hairpin. Her messy bun will have never looked better. 

Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum Spray: I feel like everybody has had a Chanel No. 5 moment in their life--either they've worn it, they still wear it, or they've dreamed of wearing it. For me, it came back in high school. Fashion and supermodel-obsessed, Chanel seemed like the pinnacle of luxury to me, so I was thrilled when I bought a small bottle of No. 5. I felt so fancy. This new, limited-edition bottle makes me want to live that moment again. I love the deep red glass. It's jewel-like and even a little bit subversive. It's like a big gorgeous ruby and I love it so much. 

Rebels Refinery Skull Lip Balm: A lip balm shaped like a skull. Such a cool stocking stuffer.

White Barn Fresh Balsam Candle: Show me someone who says they don't love candles, and I'll show you a liar. Everybody loves candles. This one is one of my all-time favorites, because it smells exactly like a Christmas tree, but the subtle white-and-sky-blue packaging doesn't look cheesy or overly "Holiday." 

Kiehl's Creme de Corps: One of the all-time best body creams all dressed up in the brightest, cutest holiday packaging.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix By The Dozen: Any makeup-loving woman (especially teens and especially anyone who logs hours watching Fenty YouTube tutorials) will go nuts for this collection. She'll get 12 shimmer sticks that will add color or shine to her lips, lids, and cheeks. 

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe Collection: Super luxe, not cheap, but oh so freaking fabulous, this box of drawers reveals 12 Charlotte Tilbury favorites--some full-size, some deluxe minis. You'll get Magic Cream, Wonderglow, Supermodel Body, lipsticks, mascara, and more. 

Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer: Yes, everyone loves the Dyson (and it's awesome), but this is the blowdryer I personally use, and I adore it. It's super high-powered, and since I've started using it, my hair looks way better (shinier, less frizzy) and takes much less time to dry. It's certainly not inexpensive, but even at its normal, full price of $250, that's $150 less than the Dyson. And right now, it's actually on sale at Target for $199! (FYI: If it sells out there, it's also sold here at full price.)

Burt's Bees Personalized Lip Balm: How cute is this? You can customize Burt's Bees awesome lip balms online by choosing the flavor (there are seven choices including Cucumber Mint, Vanilla Bean, and Strawberry) and then printing any name on the label. Such a good stocking stuffer for literally anyone. (And would also make great wedding favors!)

Sephora Favorites Lash Stash: I can't think of one woman who wouldn't love this. It comes with ten different best-selling mascara formulas (eight deluxe minis and two full-sized tubes) and includes some of my favorites such as Benefit Bad Gal Bang, Too Faced Better Than Sex, Dior Dior Show, and more.


Voluspa Pedestal Warm Tones Candle Gift Set: Again: Everybody. Loves. Candles. Especially pretty ones. This set has four fragrant candles, each housed in a beautiful jar that looks like colorful antique Mercury glass.

Le Labo The Discovery Set: This is the ultimate cool-girl fragrance company. (Seriously. All the cool girls smell like Santal 33. Prove me wrong.) With this set, you get a mini of every scent they sell. Kind of the ultimate (and definitely the coolest) fragrance wardrobe ever. 

That's it! Which one is your favorite?!

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