A version of this story originally appeared on the Strategist US.
Shopping at a beauty brick-and-mortar at any time of year is stress-inducing enough (all those sample-wielding sales associates!), so it’s understandable that walking into a packed store during the holidays and trying to make sense of the hundreds of products as an aggressively loud soundtrack of Christmas music plays can feel particularly brutal. Especially if you’re not fluent in all things beauty. Which is why I’m here to help! Below, I’ve curated a list of the most giftable products for every type of beauty lover in your life, from your Gen-Z sister, to your fanciest friend.
For the brow-obsessed friend
If you know someone who’s fussed about their brows, I can guarantee they’ll adore this kit of all-star products from the Eyebrow Queen herself, Anastasia Soare. It comes with the company’s cult-favorite, waxy Brow Wiz pencil (beloved by Kim Kardashian West and Megan Markle), a travel-sized Clear Brow Gel (my favorite for grooming and keeping hairs in place all day), and its Brow Dip (which Victoria Beckham apparently won’t leave the house without putting on).
For the highlight-loving younger cousin
I recently purchased this highlighter during a Sephora sale after seeing makeup artist and highlight queen Nam Vo rave about it on her Instagram Stories. I love it: it’s dewy, but not too glittery or sparkly, so you can wear it during the day. And it’s easy to build layers with if you want a more intense look for nighttime. Plus, its balmy consistency makes it great for on-the-go finger application.
For the environmentally conscious older sister
The Australian brand Fluff is all about recyclable and sustainably-packaged beauty. This bronzer and travel friendly brush are incredible — they give the skin an amazing, natural, sun-kissed warmth, and will not make you look weird and orange no matter how much you pile on. And the packaging is so beautiful! [Editor’s note: The price doesn’t include shipping fees.]
For the roommate who likes a spa night
If you tend to have dark circles under your eyes, the cold, dehydrating winter months can make them look extra sunken. These eye patches from Squish are not only soaked in aloe vera and lavender oil (which cool, depuff, and nourish the skin) — they’re also insanely adorable. And since they’re so big, they give your cheeks some treatment too. Perfect for anyone with raccoon eyes, and anyone who likes pampering themselves while watching TV.
For the no-makeup makeup mum
This do-it-all palette is a no-brainer for the mum (or friend) who loves their makeup clean, natural, and barely there. It comes with two shades of RMS’s lip2cheek (a creamy, multi-use product that can be applied both as a blush or lip tint): Beloved (a bright cherry red which I’ve raved about before) and Demure (a pretty, coral-y pink). This palette also includes RMS’ cult-favorite Living Luminizer highlighter — a blendable, pearlescent highlighter beloved Miranda Kerr and Candice Swanepoel that gives the skin a natural lit-from-within glow — as well as its Buriti Bronzer, an equally blendable cream bronzer. To top it off, there’s a vanilla-flavored, nourishing lip balm that can be used to hydrate the lips or to add an extra-balmy sheen to the eyes or cheeks.
For the mum that prefers a bold red lip
My sister is red lip connoisseur. I used to wear her go-tos: M.A.C’s Ruby Woo and Nars’ Red Dragon, both of which I had to quit when I went cruelty-free. That’s when I started using these lipsticks from Huda Beauty, which were my saviours. I originally heard about them on Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s YouTube channel — she raved about their flattering high-pigment and ultra-matte-yet-not-drying formula. And she was absolutely right: Huda’s lipsticks give you that perfect, bold red lip, and have allowed me to stop mourning my Red Dragon and Ruby Woo. I love the shade Promotion Day, which is a cool-toned red (perfect for the holidays). If you like a warmer red, check out the shade Cinco De Mayo.
For the aunt who loves crystals
Any crystal lover will be over the moon to receive this palette, as it’s literally infused with diamonds, amber, sapphire, topaz, amethyst and tourmaline —all of which will make you super glow-y and (allegedly) “promote spiritual healing,” if you believe that kind of stuff.
For your younger Gen-Z sister
A set of all the Balm Dot Coms Glossier has to offer would be an incredible gift for your Gen-Z sister … or anyone really! The tinted shades like Blackberry (a lovely jammy colour), Cherry (a subtle red flush), and Rose (a soft pink tint), are perfect for everyday when you want just a little touch of colour and hydration on the lips. But the set also comes with Mango, Mint, and Coconut, three colourless balms that taste amazing. I’m elated anytime I receive just one Balm Dot Com, so the whole set would be a dream. [Editor’s note: The All Balms set is currently out of stock, but you can mix and match with this trio.]
For the best friend who’s also a ’90s nostalgist
We can all agree that Victoria Beckham was one of the pioneers of the iconic ’90s brown lip. So I was delighted when she launched a brownish lip tint, as well as a six shades of nude lip liners. Worn together, the duo creates the perfect, wearable ’90s lip. And the packaging, of course, is amazing — Beckham’s products have that weight to them that makes them feel expensive, and their beautiful black and tortoise-shell cases will look very nice in your makeup bag.
For the wife who prefers the finer things
This cream is, incredibly, upsettingly expensive, but apparently has a magical, actually science-based (the company claims it activates regeneration of the body’s own stem cells) ability to promote skin healing (this includes everything from burns, to irritation, to signs of aging). Every celebrity, from Kim Kardashian West to Carla Bruni, swears by it. If you can afford it, this is an gift that will 100-percent delight any skin-care lover, or lady of luxury.
For the tween who loves Kylie (or any Kardashian)
I recently wrote about how surprised I was to adore this highly pigmented, long-lasting, pretty blush from Kylie Cosmetics. If you’re buying for someone who loves the Kardashians, you might as well buy them something from Kylie’s line that’s actually good and they can wear every day. In other words: this blush. [Editor’s note: This price doesn’t include shipping.]
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.