Our beauty editor’s favorite makeup, skincare and hair gift ideas
Out of everything to purchase ahead of the holiday season — from gifts for the one-year-old you know to gifts for your boyfriend — beauty gifts are ones we’re most excited about.
There’s just something about unwrapping a quality skin care set your giftee wouldn’t normally purchase themselves, or taking out a freshly minted Revlon Blow-Dryer Brush out of its packaging.
We’ve been monitoring the latest drops from top online destinations like Amazon, Nordstrom and Sephora, along with our beauty editor’s top picks to make your shopping experience a snap.
RELATED: Best skincare brands we reviewed
So, we pulled the most *glamorous* and coveted beauty gifts and sets to give for this year, or pick up an item or two for yourself (they’re that good this year!)
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Gifts Under $25 | Gifts Under $100 | Splurge-Worthy Gifts | Gifts for Men
Best Gifts Under $25
Best for Anyone: ChapStick 12 Days of Holiday Advent Calendar Lip Balm Set
Whether you’re five years old or fifty, the ChapStick 12 Days of Holiday Advent Calendar Lip Balm Set hails from an iconic brand that’s a nostalgic hallmark for anyone. Inside, you’ll find one Classic Original Skin Protectant, one Classic Strawberry Skin Protectant and 10 cosmetic lip balms to enjoy.
Best Stocking Stuffer: e.l.f. Cosmetics The All Day, Every Day Kit
After reviewing e.l.f. Cosmetics, we can attest the e.l.f. Cosmetics The All Day, Every Day Kit is one of the best gifts to purchase for any beauty lover that’s less than $25. It’s a miniature buffet of the brand, complete with its iconic concealer, lip gloss, mascara, primer and sponge.
One of our favorite under-eye masks is yours for the taking this holiday season. Pick up the grace & stella Illuminating Eye Masks (48-Pack) that we seriously can’t stop glossing over. They’re a staple in our Sunday self-care routines and also come in other variations based on skin type.
Best Gifts Under $100
Editor-Loved: Revlon One-Step Volumizer Blow Dryer Brush
We reviewed the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Blow Dryer Brush and it’s one of our favorites for a quick blowout every time. You can’t go wrong with giving this gift to anyone on your list, especially because it’s less than $50 and will have your recipient skipping the salon on most days.
Most Practical Upgrade: Oral-B Pro 5000 Smartseries Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Though it doesn’t feel like a glamorous gift, the Oral-B Pro 5000 Smartseries Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is a Post Wanted readers’ favorite and helps achieve a brighter and whiter smile. Plus, it’s ranked as one of the best dentist-approved electric toothbrushes we reviewed.
Best Makeup Set: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Hollywood Superstar Glow Kit
Each year, Charlotte Tilbury’s gold-packaged gift sets are one of the most anticipated. Alas, we’ve arrived at the crowd-favorite beauty brand’s newly minted Charlotte’s Hollywood Superstar Glow Kit. If you love the look of glowy, movie star-looking glam, nothing compares to this duo.
For more options, check out our full Charlotte Tilbury review.
Best Fragrance: ABBOTT Papaya Isla Perfume
We haven’t stopped wearing the ABBOTT Papaya Isla Perfume since we first picked it up a few years ago and, each time, we receive a boatload of compliments on its fresh, alluring scent. It’s also a clean fragrance, making us feel good each time it’s refreshingly spritzed on.
Best Advent Calendar: Anthropologie Holiday Collection Beauty Advent Calendar
Both stunning and filled to the brim with goodies, the Anthropologie Holiday Collection Beauty Advent Calendar is one of our favorite gift ideas on this list. Not only is it wrapped to perfection but it comes with treats from Phlur, ELEMIS, Sunday Riley and more. Did we mention it’s also *wonderfully* packaged to give straight to your recipient? Yeah, we’re pretty obsessed.
Best for the TikTok Queen: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Jet Set
For the gal who lives on TikTok, she’ll certainly appreciate the Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Jet Set. This travel-ready trio is complete with the oh-so-hydrating Beija Flor Skin-Renewing Body Wash, Brazilian Crush Cheriosa 68 Jasmine & Pink Dragonfruit Perfume Mist and Beija Flor Elasti-Cream that all smell amazing.
Best for the Traveler: CALPAK Luka Hanging Toiletry Bag
One of our favorite organizers to pack with us when traveling is the CALPAK Luka Hanging Toiletry Bag that comes in a wealth of shades to choose from for any recipient. It fits all of our beauty essentials and, best of all, hangs onto a hook in a hotel bathroom for easy access.
Best Hair Essential: Slip Pure Silk 6-Pack Skinny Scrunchies
Our favorite hair ties are the Slip Pure Silk 6-Pack Skinny Scrunchies because of how thin, satiny and crease-free they are. This is a kit that anyone will appreciate (because we’re all losing them, let’s be honest) and a bit of a splurge that they may not treat themselves to.
Best Candle: Voluspa Sparkling Cuvée Jar Candle
Ever since we’ve burned through the Voluspa Sparkling Cuvée Jar Candle, we can’t stop thinking about its pleasing, elegant scent. This is a candle anyone can appreciate, whether placed on a coffee table or by a calming bubble bath.
Best Clean Beauty Set: Alpyn Beauty Plump Perfectors For Face & Lip
We’ll go to the grave and say that Alpyn Beauty is one of the best skincare brands (just read our full review for proof), and its Plump Perfectors For Face & Lip is a match made in heaven. Its new Barrier Repair Cream is one our skin likes to drink up, while its Plumping Lip Mask offers the perfect amount of hydration.
Best for the Shower: Kopari Coconut Vanilla Body Bliss Set
Thoughtfully made and with a luxe feel, Kopari’s premium body formulations are like whipped butter to the touch. Now, you can snag the brand’s Coconut Vanilla Body Bliss Set that’s complete with the Kaanapali Coast Hair & Body Fragrance Mist and the Ultra Restore Body Butter in Kaanapali Coast scent, housed in a limited-edition travel case.
Best Face Mask: Naturopathica White Tea Antioxidant Mask
If you’re tired of the same drab face masks, add the Naturopathica White Tea Antioxidant Mask to your online shopping cart as as treat for yourself and your loved one this holiday season. Aside from its self-care-abounding name, the creamy, nutrient-rich mask blends antioxidant-rich white tea, nourishing Borage Seed Oil and skin-soothing Aloe Vera that’s the ultimate trifecta.
Best Splurge-Worthy Gifts
Best Splurge Overall: Dyson Airwrap
Ah, the touted Dyson Airwrap. Naturally, it’s deserving of a spot on our curated gift guide as it’s one of the most versatile hair styling systems that allows you to personalized your finished hair look. Encased in a quality box to fit all of its goodies, it’s a high-ticketed item that’s worth treating your loved one to.
Best for Hair Removal: Braun IPL Long-Lasting Hair Removal Device
To streamline your gift recipient’s hair removal routine, pick up the Braun IPL Long-Lasting Hair Removal Device that’s ranked as one of the best IPL devices you can buy. With more than 300 Amazon shoppers flocking to it each month, it’s said to be the fastest device on the market, offering a full-body treatment in only 10 minutes a week.
Best Gift Set: Jenny Patinkin Sustainable Luxury 6-Piece Makeup Brush Set
Makeup brushes are one of those beauty purchases that not everyone wants to replace every few months, so treat your loved one to the Jenny Patinkin Sustainable Luxury 6-Piece Makeup Brush Set that’s one of our favorite bundles. Oh, and Oprah’s.
For the Bride-to-Be: REVOLVE Beauty Here Comes the Bride Set
OK, our editors are about to head to the chapel next year, so we’re all about the REVOLVE Beauty Here Comes the Bride Set. Carrying the essentials, including the 111skin sheet mask we’re obsessed with, it’s a kit your bridal makeup artist would be proud of.
Best Value for Trying New Brands: Bloomingdale’s Beauty Travel Essentials Gift Set
We consider the Bloomingdale’s Beauty Travel Essentials Gift Set to be a smorgasbord for beauty lovers because it’s an invitation to try some of the hottest brands on the market. Complete with 23 travel-ready size and minis, the complete set includes OSEA Malibu, Alo Yoga, Bobbi Brown, Augustinus Bader, Lancôme and more.
Best Luxury Getting-Ready Essential: Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Robe
This list isn’t limited to only beauty products. The Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Robe is one of our top-recommended beauty essentials for stepping out of the bath or shower and for getting-ready in. It holds up well in the wash, is breathable and is one of the best robes you can gift and wear with glee.
Best Hair Upgrade: Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Part-beauty gift, part-home improvement gift, the Jolie Filtered Showerhead is a bathroom investment we’ve installed in our shower and have loved ever since. Not only does it look great but it helps improve our overall hair health because you’ll be receiving clean, filtered water. With a quality shampoo, this is the golden gift.
Editor-Favorite Brand: Benefit Cosmetics The Gorgeous Grocer Beauty Advent Calendar
If there was an award for the most chic grocery bag, it would go to the Benefit Cosmetics The Gorgeous Grocer Beauty Advent Calendar. Our jaws nearly dropped to the floor when we came across this full-throttle set. Inside, there’s the cult-favorite POREfessional Primer, Hoola Bronzer and more from the brand.
Best Skincare Set: Sunday Riley Superstars 4-Piece Kit
Always on our counter, Sunday Riley holds a special place in our hearts. Before the holidays, you can pick up the brand’s Superstars 4-Piece Kit that comes with the cosmetically elegant Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Serum, C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum (that’s one of the best vitamin C serums we reviewed, BTW), the A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum and the Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream, the latter ranked as the overall best eye cream we tested.
Best Variety: ILIA The Hero Set
Shop the ILIA The Hero Set if you’re a clean beauty lover as it comes with a rich variety of both skincare and makeup. Though a splurge, it comes with full-size, premium beauty items including The Base Face Milk, Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, Multi-Stick and Limitless Lash Mascara.
Best Reviewed Hair Tool: Moroccanoil 4-in-1 Blow Dryer Brush
We can’t rave about the Moroccanoil 4-in-1 Blow Dryer Brush enough. Not only is it the best blow dryer brush we reviewed but it offers an impressively smooth end result and takes only 10 minutes to achieve a full, bouncy blowout.
Best Gifts for Men
Best Grooming Kit: 18.21 Man Made Men’s Book of Grooming Gift Set
Shop the 18.21 Man Made Men’s Book of Grooming Gift Set that’s already in supreme packaging to put right underneath the Christmas tree. It’s a wonderful less-than-$50 gift idea and is sure to be a *manly* bath and shower item he’ll love to use.
Best Shave Kit: Harry’s Shave Travel Kit
The Harry’s Shave Travel Kit is the crème de la crème of shaving tools for men. For only $30, this bundle includes the TSA-friendly Truman handle with its ergonomic, no-slip grip and weighted core, as well as a travel-size Shave Gel and a travel color to protect your blades. All in all, it has the Post Wanted seal of approval.
Best for His Travel: Leatherology Hanging Toiletry Kit
Gift the man in your life an out-of-the-box beauty gift with the Leatherology Hanging Toiletry Kit. Its smooth-embossed exterior, coupled with its ability to be personalized if you so choose, makes it an iconic and quality gift to present to anyone on your list this year.
Best if He Wants a New Scent: Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set
We’ve previously gifted the Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set to the men in our lives and, we must say, the 2024 edition is pretty snazzy. Your gift recipient will have the opportunity to try a plethora of top brands and, the best part? There’s a coupon to redeem a full size of his choice once he decides on his favorite.
Best for His Stocking Stuffer: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Duo
Great value alert. The Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Duo is a great two-piece set to steal because you can drop one into two different stockings this year. Multiple men to shop for? No problem.
Best Electric Razor: Philips Norelco Shaver 2400 Rechargeable Cordless Electric Shaver
One of the most requested gifts among the men in our lives is a new electric razor. For that reason, we recommend the Philips Norelco Shaver 2400 Rechargeable Cordless Electric Shaver that has a whopping 30,000 shoppers on Amazon alone buying it monthly. For its close, clean shave, it’s unmatched.
Best for His Bath: Salt & Stone Santal Set
For the man who’s invested in premium beauty items, the Salt & Stone Santal Set is the three-piece bundle he’ll love to open. The brand’s Body Wash is both effective and soothing, pairing perfectly with the Extra Strength Deodorant and Body Lotion to complete his routine.
Best for His Self-Care: Peter Thomas Roth Hello, Mask Obsession!
The Peter Thomas Roth Hello, Mask Obsession! is difficult not to love. Not only are some of the formulations some of our all-time faves, but you’ll be snagging all full sizes for less than $50. Check yes, Juliet.
Best for Acne: Geologie Adult Acne Routine
Ever since we’ve gifted the men in our lives the Geologie Adult Acne Routine, they’ve been hooked. Its effective, gentle formulations are some of the best for men, especially its Moisturizing Morning Cream with SPF 15 to offer some sun protection.
Editor-Given: Dr. Squatch All Natural Bar Soap (5-Pack)
There’s a difference when the Dr. Squatch All Natural Bar Soap is used, and you can bless your man with a five-pack of some of the very best shower bars. Trust us on this one — they won’t be going back.
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include reviewing the viral Korean beauty brand, Cosrx, and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
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