Last year, we talked to an expert at trend-forecasting agency WGSN about the best gifts to buy ahead of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday crush. This year, following the release of Business of Fashion’s influential quarterly trend report, we’re drilling down even further by talking to forecasters in various categories to find out what will sell out for men, for tech junkies, for kids’ toys and games. We spoke with WGSN editor Marian Park yesterday about the women’s fashion gifts to buy before they sell out, and today, it’s all about beauty gifts. (If you’re nostalgic for last year’s trends, see them here.)
As far as beauty goes, what’s really interesting is that this idea of a beauty Advent-calendar has really taken off. It’s kind of crazy. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the U.K.’s Boots pharmacy, but they have this house brand called No. 7 that launched this Advent calendar, and it sold out immediately and now has a 100,000-person waiting list (though you can get it at Walgreen’s Stateside). What makes the beauty Advent calendar more special than just a gimmick is that it’s actually saving money. The Boots Advent calendar cost 40 pounds but was worth 159. Now everyone’s doing them, at every department store, every brand. They will all sell out because you’re getting more for your money. It’s really a value proposition — and with a lot of them, you’ll find the retailers limit you to one purchase. As a gift they just look special, too.
This just sold out! But the Advent calendar from Korean beauty brand Amorepacific and from Danish skin-care brand Ole Henriksen are still available.
And of course, everything Rihanna touches will be huge. The Fenty Galaxy Limited-Edition Palette, I’m surprised is not sold out already. How does it compare to Kylie Lip Kits? To be honest, we’re in an era when Gen Z is extremely digitally native, and YouTube tutorials and blogger reviews make everything very approachable. The genius of Fenty Beauty is that it’s accessible to everyone — she famously has a broader range of skin tones for women of color — whereas Kylie lip kits have this air of exclusivity that makes it harder to relate to. We’re seeing more women move away from Kylie to competitors like Fenty.
Pat McGrath’s first holiday gift set will obviously be huge for any makeup junkie. She stepped in with the gold eye shadow a while back and it all blew up. It also comes in a very fun and status-y glitter-filled pouch. This is arriving on Thursday, November 16, so set some kind of alert.
The Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick set collection will be major.
Glossier just launched its perfume, and everything about Glossier just reflects what the merchandise you want to receive should be. It’s going to go crazy.
With hair care, what’s huge now is Ouai, which is a hair-care line by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. A while ago, she Instagrammed a clear pouch that included all the Ouai items in one buyable spot, and it sold out immediately. It’s back now just in time for holiday, so you’ll want to snatch that up.
The Ouai also collaborated with Virgil Abloh of Off-White on this pill box that you can use to house her thinning-hair supplement pills, which have been a runaway success. That will go fast, and it’s just $15.
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 hair care essentials, whitening toothpaste, very black mascara, tinted lip balm, acne mask, magnifying mirror, and all-natural deodorant. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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