31 beauty gifts worth wishlisting, giving and getting this holiday season
With a foolproof gifting formula that fits almost everyone
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Yes, it’s yet another gift guide. Even I’m fatigued by the endless assault of gifting options that are flooding my inbox, yet here we are. I wanted to do my own because A) exactly one person asked me to, B) withholding opinions is far too foreign a concept, and C) holiday beauty releases are the most fun of all holiday releases.
By December – even as a beauty editor that’s weathered a torrential torrent of new products all year – there’s something about the holiday launches that never fails to intoxicate (that might also be due to all the Xmas parties, but who’s to say).
If it’s for myself, silly season rules demand end-of-year personal accolades in the form of a little treat. When it comes to buying for another, however, I tend to follow a simple formula – I invest only in presents that pair elements of practicality with something that still feels precious, as they tend to be the most memorable and treasured.
So whether you’re shopping for a loved one, stocking up yourself or simply dropping some thinly veiled hints, scroll on for my edit of the best beauty gifts this holiday season.
Fragrance
There is no holiday season without Diptyque, we both know it. I’m obsessed with this fragrance, which lovers of second-skin scents such as the original Glossier You will absolutely love. This hand cream lives beside my bed, and the hair perfume can be found in my bag.
You could get them another Byredo fragrance, or you could opt for this super-chic incense set for less than the price of a 50ml.
I love this local fragrance house, particularly the scents Undone (fig, amber, wood) and Sunkissed (lemon, fig… am I just really into fig?!). The blends are all-natural, made from sugar-cane derived alcohol, and they were created by former beauty editor Nedahl Stelio so you know they’re top-shelf.
Glasshouse has become as much a Christmas tradition as the inevitable cornering from a well-meaning relative, 'So… seeing anyone yet?’. Sigh. If you’re going to a holiday gathering with disparate hosts and attendees and don’t know what to gift, just show up with this – trust me.
Even the most dire of motor vehicles (my rusty Mazda 2) smells expensive with these (car scents that double as luxe wardrobe or laundry fresheners).
If the aforementioned OG You fragrance is a fave of your friend, they’ll love this creamier, fruitier take on the classic.
Makeup
I don’t think a year has passed that I haven’t gifted some Tilbury to a loved one, and 2024 will be no different. I chose this crowd-pleasing set as it features some of Charlotte’s greatest hits, which will satisfy anyone who has ever been on the right side of #beautytok.
There is nothing (nothing!) that is more sophisticated than a lipstick case…except for a Dries Van Noten lipstick case, obviously. You get to choose the case and the lipstick to be housed within it, which comes in a range of matte, satin, sheer and balm finishes that you can tailor to suit the extremely lucky receiver.
How cute is this festive set? There are full-sized products in here, which is excellent value, and the creamy blush, base and eyeshadow formulas will suit almost any skin type or texture, from teen to mature.
There is definitely someone you know that has neglected their brushes enough to warrant a whole new set (it’s… me). If your loved one can’t part with their mouldy makeup sponge, bestow this solid edit of essentials as an intervention.
It’s a Swiss Army knife, but for your makeup – which means no more overweight baggage fees that cost more than your entire entry-level Jetstar fare.
Imagine delicately opening this vintage-inspired, heavily weighted compact to discover one of the most finely-milled, beautifully pigmented powder blushes you’ve ever laid eyes on – or don’t imagine it, by buying and wearing this deliciously rich matte-red shade on eyes and cheeks forever.
Skin
Sunscreen is the only gift that legit keeps on giving. If you’re tired of trying to convince your boyfriend or bestie to preserve their precious skin, this duo is the most lightweight and effective gate-way to daily use.
The Francophile in your life will trust this French pharmacy stalwart, which is excellent at combatting pigmentation and brightening the skin (read: it will be on high rotation throughout summer).
I don’t know what Lanolips are putting in their latest lip releases, but I have never been so addicted to the taste and scent of a lip balm – I’ve reapplied multiple times in the last hour on that basis alone, so it’s truly bordering on sick. The new Banoffee Cream Pie iteration is a very close second to this glazed donut delicacy, and both make incredible stocking stuffers.
I love each product in this hydrating trio equally, and have repurchased multiple times. Come for the viral cleansing balm and stay for the refreshing gel water cream, with the bonus addition of the brand’s Vitamin B serum to balance all skin types.
If you’ve succumbed to the cult of Advanced Night Repair, you’ll know that running out is a mistake that’s only made once. This set is your skin’s insurance policy, with one full-sized serum backed up by three travel minis. If it’s for a gift, you’re saving the uninitiated from the same fate.
Having water trickle down your arms when you’re cleansing is really f*cking annoying. Getting it in your face-framing fringe is equally annoying. Did you know that it doesn’t have to be, with cleansing bands on your wrists and a headband? Now you do, so spread the gospel.
Body
If I was as out-of-touch as this $180 soap inclusion might suggest, I wouldn’t be telling you this: even when completely unused and untouched by water, these soaps work just as well as a room spray to scent a space. I’ve used two, but the last one will remain strictly for display until I can convince a merciful family member to gift me another set.
Dry body brushing is the most relaxing ritual I’ve introduced into my routine this year, and I’ve turned any final hold-outs in my friendship group onto it too. With both wet and dry bristles, this brush is the best I’ve used and the cleansing shower oil is like a deep inhale, only decanted.
I really hate that this mini deodorant set is limited edition, as I know I’d be repurchasing it over and over. These deodorant sit at the elusive intersection of high-end scent and effective sweat protection, and as far as ‘potentially controversial gifts’ go, this is the only acceptable one.
I was once an Aesop devotee, but my expensive bi-monthly habit meant I was often sprung googling which Sydney bars had unguarded Aesop hand wash in their bathrooms. I’ve since replaced it with this heavenly blend which is similarly priced tbh, but it’s nice to have something a different.
It smells suspiciously similar to Baccarat Rouge, and Sol de Janeiro’s best-selling scent now comes in multiple travel-size, layer-ready body care favourites. Literally everyone will love it.
If you’ve tried the Almond Shower Oil, this collection will indulge your appetite across all available limbs.
Hair
This is such an underrated and relatively affordable haircare brand, with effective formulas that also smell incredible. With seven travel minis that will cater to your every holiday hair conundrum (a mask! hairspray! a primer!), what’s not to love?
This one came highly recommended from my friend with curls, who swears by BREAD’s wash-day system for keeping her hair hydrated and smooth. This travel set contains the whole routine, but the baby cosmetic purse is honestly enough of a sell on its own.
Silk scrunchies are vital for avoiding needless breakage and awkward elastic dints, as they cushion and contain your hair as softly as possible. Slip also cater to all hair colours (the one pictured is the auburn), so they can camouflage their scrunchie according to their hair shade.
I’ve already banged on about this scalp scrub, so I’ll just reiterate that it’s one of the best products I’ve tried in the last decade. This set contains the entire purifying and volumising system, which will instantly convert almost anyone into a devotee like me.
I’ve also spoken about my love for this growth serum, that has been neatly packaged into a three-month supply to demonstrate the results of daily use. Applied each day, hair will look thicker, healthier and fuller which is surely something that everyone on earth would want.
Definitely a splurge, but well-worth the investment if it’s within your budget. My hair is always so much shinier and softer after I use it, and it cuts my styling time down significantly as it dries and straightens at the same time. The auto-pause feature is a game-changer, it’s so easy to use and you can also get it personalised with chosen initials at a Dyson store, which feels extra special for a gift.
Treatments
I wrote about my visit to MECCA Aesthetica’s Highpoint location for GRAZIA a while back (read more on that here) but I didn’t know that you could actually use a MECCA gift card for an appointment at this stand-alone, clinical-grade space. We’re talking serious skin treatments, including LED and peels, and collaborative skin experiences with exclusive brands such as Biologique Recherche, Augustinus Bader and Dr Dennis Gross.
There’s even an in-depth skin consultation appointment that’s $60 and fully redeemable on your first skin service. Currently only available across two locations in Melbourne and Sydney, I’ve recommended it to everyone within a 50km radius.
Best beauty gift guide I've seen so far. No notes.