The Beauty of Gift Guides: Holiday Picks for Everyone on Your List
Nikki is a writer, former makeup artist, and Communications Specialist at Adore Beauty. She kicked off her writing career at Fashion Journal, penning beauty articles and interviewing musicians she’d still name-drop seven years later. In 2023, she made a very big and bold career leap (writing about fashion instead of beauty). Now, she’s come full circle – but still loves to think outside the box.
Decision fatigue hits extra hard this time of year. That’s why my Netflix subscription gets cancelled (and promptly renewed by early January).
Luckily, I’ve created the ultimate Adore Beauty gift guide so you don’t feel overwhelmed or underwhelmed, but positively whelmed.
My credentials? A degree in Giftology from the University of Omg Thank You, I Love It So Much.
So start crossing some people off your list, if you can. It’ll save future you extra time, stress, and cash.
Good weather on Christmas isn’t guaranteed, but there’s a 99.99% chance of these gifts making everyone’s day.
Gifts for the person who says that they don’t want anything
Like your mum, or liars.
- L'Occitane Almond Deluxe Bauble - Anything L'Occitane (and specifically L'Occitane almond) is universally loved by mums. Or aunties, or your cousin’s girlfriend who wants to opt out of the family KK. This pack is designed as an ornament for your tree and features the usual star players.
- Clinique Almost Lipstick – Black Honey - Clinique’s Almost Lipstick almost always impresses a tough crowd. It’s sheer, glossy and looks good on everyone. Truly.
- ghd Air® Hair Dryer - On the Venn diagram of People Who Have Everything and People Who Don’t Want Anything, there’s an overlap of People Who Would Appreciate An Upgrade To Tools They Use Regularly. This ghd hairdryer is just that, and then some.
Gifts for person who only replies to your messages with a thumbs-up emoji
Think outside the box of socks.
- Theragun Mini 3.0 - Black - A great gift for dads, or anyone over 30. This portable massage gun is mini but mighty, so it’s perfect for deep tension relief on the go.
- Creed Inspiration Kit 5 x 1.7ml for Him - If you’re set on gifting them a fragrance but unsure about their scent preferences, it’s best to err on the side of discovery kit. Bonus points if it reminds them of their favourite band.
- The Ordinary The Daily Set - Shopping for skincare can be a lot, so a simple three-step set like this is a good place to start.
Gifts for the person who celebrates when plans get cancelled
Home for the holidays.
- Maison Balzac J'ai Soif XL Carafe - Pink- Staying hydrated is gorgeous, chic, etc. But the experience of pouring water from a pink glass carafe is indulgent. Ergo, the perfect gift for the fancy homebody (or Taurus) in your life.
- COSRX The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch COSRX The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch - Nothing says ‘I’m staying home intentionally’ more than a serum-soaked eye mask. I personally use these to soften the blow of waking up before 8am (like medicine wrapped in cheese) or when I’m getting ready for a big event.
- Trudon Versailles Classic 270g candle - Long bath, uninterrupted reading time, big bowl of spaghetti. This candle really scents the scene.
Gifts for the person who forgets their wallet but always has six different lip products on-hand
No stress, you can pay with your phone!
- Ole Henriksen Mini Pout Preserve Trio - Three words: tiny handbag friendly. This peptide lip treatment delivers a soft wash of colour and instantly plumps your lips.
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Stellar Set - I won’t play favourites with anything on this list, but I think this Stellar Set is aptly named. See aforementioned tiny handbag claim.
- Gucci Beauty Rouge À Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick - 18 lip shades in vintage-inspired packaging. Need I say more?
Gifts for the person who can do a winged liner on the tram
Touch on, touch up.
- MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Face Essentials Palette H2 - The crème de la crème of all-in-one palettes. For beginners to pros – and everyone in between.
- Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum 50ml Limited Edition Set - Lavender and orange blossom create a cool, sexy floral. But the best part of this fragrance gift set might be the gold YSL mirror, which makes touch-ups feel more French.
- Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Bang Mascara Colours - Burgundy is the new brown.
Gifts for the person who has a yearly subscription to the Calm app
Best auto-renewal ever.
- MoveActive Ballet Non Slip Grip Socks - Classic Black - My previous note about socks doesn’t apply here. These ballet-style grippies are perfect for the friend with an active studio membership, or the friend who makes sweeping declarations about finally booking that 7am pilates class. This gift would sway me.
- AVEDA Comforting Tea Bags - - Unofficially, making tea is the sixth love language.
- L'Occitane Cocon De Serenite Relaxing Pillow Mist 100ml - If they’ve got their night routine down to a science, usually all that’s missing is a lavender pillow mist. This one’s extra dreamy.
Gifts for the person who can’t imagine splashing their face with a bit of water and calling it a day
They live in an ingredient household.
- BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask 4pk - The hype around this glow-giving sheet mask is very real. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types.
- Shhh Silk Silk Pillowcase Queen Size - Skincare isn’t really a one-size-fits-all category, but silk pillowcases usually are.
- Medik8 Radiance Wrapped - Radiance wrapped pretty much sums it up. This brightening and barrier-strengthening duo leaves skin soft, resilient and glowing. Merry Christmas.
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