My Beauty Gift Guide: Part 1!
17 holiday gifts I'd be happy to give (or get) this season
Every year, I aspire to be one of those extremely organized gift-givers who shops during Black Friday sales. Well, this year might be the one. I have so many ideas for you that I’m breaking this edition into two parts. Part 2 will come later this week! Let’s get into it….
NuFace Mini Starter Kit
$187.50 [Black Friday deal]
As I mentioned in my post on skin care tools, I’m a big fan of microcurrent. I’ve been using the NuFace on and off for about six years! This mini starter kit is a great way to help that special person on your list test the waters.
Salt & Stone Grapefruit & Hinoki Candle
$37
Candles, of course, are a classic gift. They feel luxe and weighty, and this one is pretty reasonably priced, compared to some of the designer fragrance house ones. The Homecourt Balsam Fireplace Candle ($65) is also an excellent cozy winter candle; and for something fun, the Mala Cereal Candle ($32) smells just like Froot Loops, in a good way.
Mount Lai Gua Sha Tool plus Kora Organics Noni Glow Mini Face Oil
$30 and $28
Yes, it’s easy to buy ready-made kits and sets but I love the idea of putting your own simple sets together sometimes too. Skin care tools don’t always have to be high-tech or expensive. Consider pairing a gua sha tool with a nice face oil.
Hanni Weighted Razor Kit
$42
I’m obsessed with this chic weighted razor. The heft elevates it way beyond the usual plastic disposable ones. The kit comes with the razor, a silicone cover and a 5-pack of blades.
Super Satin Scrunchie
$12
An oversized silky scrunchie can take an everyday ponytail to the next level. The giant size of this one makes it really stand out.
Sigma Beauty Complete Makeup Brush Set
$49
I have way more Sigma brushes than I need. They’re such great quality. For the friend who’s either just getting into makeup or looking to level up their game, this 4-piece set is a gem.
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer Brush
$53.99
I know, this dryer brush has been around for a while but I included it because it’s always a crowd pleaser. And it’s such a great, useful just-over-$50 gift.
T3 Switch Kit Curling Iron with 3 Barrels
$224.99
I’m a T3 fanatic. I have several of their curling irons and wands; and they make my hair look so shiny and bouncy. I just got this Switch Kit which has changeable heads. A luxe but worth-it gift for someone you’re looking to really impress.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer and Dyson Airstrait
$299.99 and $499.99
And speaking of impress: the Dyson hair tools are certainly luxe but if you have someone on your list who dries and/or styles their hair often, these are tools that will serve them well for many years.
Saie Mini Dew Blush Trio
$30
I have a hard time finishing a full-size blush—and I imagine I’m not the only one. These mini water-based liquid blushes are the perfect size and give a pretty wash of translucent color.
Paintbox Twosome Press-On Nails
$28
If you’ve followed me on Instagram for a while, you’d know that the Paintbox look is totally me (minimalist geometric designs with negative-space). I’m so excited they’re making reusable press-ons now since I can’t get to their NYC salon. This Wavy Baby Chillhouse design ($15.99) is another favorite.
Poppy King Original Sin Lipstick
$31
Poppy King, the goddess of lipstick, is back. And she’s only launched one shade so far…a gorgeous, perfect jewel-toned red. For the lipstick fan in your life, this is a special gift that feels like a collector’s item.
Stocking Stuffers
Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm
$9.99
Tinted lip balm is so hot right now. I’ve been using this one for many years. It imparts just enough color and is such a great drugstore price. My go-to shade is Summer Melon.
Nécessaire Body Wash Mini
$10
I love all of the Nécessaire products I’ve tried but my absolute favorite is the body wash. The regular size is a shower must-have. But I love that it comes in this mini size too. It makes your bathroom instantly feel like a very chic boutique hotel.
Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
$10
We love a useful gift in our household. While stuffing stockings with little bottles of Purell might feel too utilitarian, these Touchland hand sanitizers (which come in a variety of nice scents) feel more giftable.
Last-Minute Gift Idea!
The Sill E-Gift Card
While this isn’t technically a beauty gift, plants are adjacent to beauty in my opinion, since they’re about wellness…and they make people happy. I personally love a gift card but I do debate whether to give them sometimes because I know that some people can find them impersonal. Giving the gift of a living, growing thing feels more special and, hopefully, long-lasting.
Obsessed with this story Are Veneers the New Boobs? by Val Monroe in The Cut.
I had a Moxi laser treatment earlier this week. I’m on day four of healing and I’m starting to molt like a snake. Will detail the whole process in an upcoming edition.
Loved Allure’s feature on egg freezing. I did IVF for my third pregnancy and it made me instantly realize how much I don’t know about fertility. So glad more women are talking about it now.
That’s it for this week. Stay tuned for part 2 of the gift guide coming soon!
Had no idea Paintbox made press ons. They look so good! Thanks for the tip.