Our Editors Have Spoken: These Are the 38 Best Holiday Beauty Gifts of 2024
There's nothing worse than watching someone feign delight after unwrapping a gift they hate . . . especially if it's from you. (Pro tip: the person in your family who geeks out over skin care and makeup probably doesn't want an air fryer.) We'll be the first to admit it: gift-giving is hard. Some people are super picky while others already have everything under the sun they could possibly want — and don't even get us started on the people who swear up an down they don't want anything at all but then show up with a Martha Stewart-approved present.
To help keep the awkward level down to a manageable two — and because it's hard to offend anyone on the other end of a fancy Nest candle or hydrating skin-care set — we've asked PS editors to share the foolproof beauty gifts they'll be giving (and also most likely keeping) this year. Regardless of your budget or giftee, we've got you covered. From small stocking stuffers and under $15 options that will please any White Elephant participant to hair tools that will impress even your cosmetology-school-attending cousin who really knows her stuff, keep scrolling for the best holiday beauty gift sets of 2024. Ahead, you'll find the best beauty sets and gifts across all categories, according to our in-house beauty experts — and make sure to check out our individual roundups, too.
Beauty Gift Guides
Best Body Wash Gift Set
Nécessaire The Body Wash Discovery Collection ($45)
"If you have someone on your list who is hard to shop for, allow me to turn you on to the Nécessaire The Body Wash Discovery Collection. It's a crowd-pleaser that you simply can't go wrong with. It contains four of the brand's best-selling body cleansers in the eucalyptus, hinoki, santal, and olibanum fragrances. Not only does it allow you to sample each of the signature scents, but at 3.4 oz each, they're also travel-friendly." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Eye Mask Gift Set
Peter Thomas Roth Eyes in the Sky 3-Piece Kit ($85)
"As they say, variety is the spice of life, and anyone who applies this motto to their skin-care routine will especially appreciate the Peter Thomas Roth Multi-Masker 3-Piece Mask Kit. It comes with three different types of eye masks (that have all been tested and vetted by yours truly) so you'll never have to worry about looking puffy ever again. Pro tip: Use them while you do your eye makeup to catch any eyeshadow fall out and help you create the perfect winged-eyeliner." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Travel Skin-Care Gift Set
Evolvetogether The Havana Experience Set ($64)
"This is very Camila Cabello-coded, but I am a sucker for anything and everything relating to Havana (na na), which is what initially drew me to this Evolvetogether gift set. I already love that it comes equipped with a hydrating hand cream, exfoliating bar soap, and natural deodorant — everything you'd need, and from an eco-conscious brand you can feel good about buying, no less — but the fact that its Havana scent strikes the balance between sexy and cozy, warm and cool, earthy and woody? Yeah, this is a gift I'm giving myself." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Felling Body-Care Gift Set
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Jet Set ($32)
"I gave this body-care set to my bridesmaids as a gift at my bachelorette party, and they all loved it. Now, I plan on gifting it as a stocking stuffer for the holidays. It contains the body cream, perfume, and body wash, all housed in a clear travel case. It smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling ultra-hydrated — a must for the wintertime." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Reusable Eye Mask Gift
Dieux Skin Forever Eye Mask ($25)
"Single-use eye masks are great, but I always feel guilty about them. So I was pretty excited when I was gifted Dieux Skin's environmentally-friendly Forever Eye Mask two years ago. The mask is reusable, helps with better absorption of your eye cream, and doesn't lose its grip on your undereye (I'm still on my first pair, so they really do last). If you know someone who likes a good at-home spa day, this could be a great addition to their stocking." — Alida Araica, newsletter manager
Best Facial Cleanser Gift Set
Garnier SkinActive Travel-Size Micellar Cleansing Water Holiday Kit ($12)
"My fellow friends plagued with sensitive skin, gather 'round: you can now stock up on travel-sized micellar waters that I — human with extremely reactive and eczema-prone skin (and editor who has tried it all) — can confirm won't tug or irritate, no matter what. It comes with three variations of the formula, but even the brightening and waterproof options are sensi-safe, which really is a gift in and of itself. For that price, you can even buy a few extra for your friends." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Festive Stocking Stuffer
Dove Spiced Chai Latte Body Scrub ($7)
"Dove's holiday scents are here and you're going to want to check them out. My favorite from the lot is the Spiced Chai Latte, which has a warm, festive scent without being too sweet (however, if you like gourmands, there are options for you, too). The body scrub makes for a great stocking stuffer or White Elephant present. Whoever you gift it to will be blessed with the softest skin ever this winter." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Celebrity-Owned Gift Set
Fenty Skin Lil Butta Dropz Mini Whipped Oil Body Cream Trio ($59)
"These body creams are the perfect stocking stuffers but also the perfect gift for yourself if you want to try them without committing to the full size just yet. (But once you try them, you'll be buying the full size in no time.) I'm hooked and use these creams year-round. The OG body cream, Fenty Fresh, is my go-to. Tip: use these when you're traveling; they're the perfect size." — Shari Straker, social content producer
Best Drugstore Lip Gift Set
Eos 24H Moisture Super Balm Minis ($10)
"If you're in need of stocking stuffers or have a gift exchange at work or with friends that you need to shop for, the Eos 24H Moisture Super Balm Minis is the perfect thing. At just $10, this gift set fits into a tight spending limit while still impressing the giftee. Inside are three ultra-hydrating lip butters perfect for winter, in the scents Speculoos Cookie Butter, Vanilla Cake Batter, and Iced Gingerbread." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Skin-Care Gift For the SPF-Obsessed
Naked Sundays BeautyScreen Peptide Foundation Tint ($38)
"I live in the desert, which means my sunscreen is also half of my makeup routine. This makeup-meets-SPF hybrid is one of the best I've tried for dry skin, providing a noticeable tint while still looking glowy on the skin. I would highly recommend gifting this to your favorite desert-dweller with the coordinating SPF BFF brush. (Did I mention how cute the packaging is?)" — Chandler Plante, assistant editor, health and fitness
Best Gift With Purchase
Drunk Elephant Trunk 8.0 ($595)
"Every holiday season, I look forward to Drunk Elephant's limited-edition trunk gift like a giddy 13-year-old girl, and this year's might be the most squeal-inducing yet. Not only is it brimming with 10 full-size skin-care goodies — shout out to my all-time favorites, the Protini Cream, C-Firma Fresh Serum, and D-Bronzi drops — but it also comes housed in a cool-as-hell suitcase." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Body-Cream Gift Set
NatureWell Body Cream Golden Glow Pack Gift Set ($20)
"This body cream set from NatureWell includes four different products: the Cheeky Firming Body Cream, Dreamy Radiating Body Cream, Bouncy Plumping Body Cream, and Beamy Brightening Body Cream. Each tub is three ounces, which makes them perfect for holiday travel. Take my word for it: in the wintertime, you can never have too many moisturizers on hand." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Dual-Purpose Git Set
Burt's Bees Comfy Tips & Toes Set ($35)
"I know, I know: socks aren't exactly the sexiest holiday gift. But pair a cute wool set with head-to-toe hydrators from Burt's Bees — including its coconut foot cream, classic hand salve, lemon cuticle cream, beeswax lip balm, and more — and you've got the coziest, most practical present out there." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Luxury Skin-Care Gift
Lyma Laser Device ($2,695)
"This isn't something I've personally tried, but it's been on my wish list for months. A contributor recently reviewed it and showed off her amazing results — skin that was less inflamed and red — and that only upped my need for it. It's the first hand-held medical-grade device that you can use at home for in-office results. This product has a steep price tag, but considering the cost of an actual in-office treatment, in my opinion, it's worth it. Now I just have to convince Santa Claus. . . . " — Renee Rodriguez, writer and social producer
Best Face-Mask Gift Set
Sephora Collection Holy Sheet Mask Set ($50)
"Something like two or three years into my job as a beauty editor, I inadvertently decided to take on the job of holiday elf every Christmas. Each year, I'd lug home a suitcase packed to the brim with carefully selected beauty minis to fill my entire family's stockings. (I know, I know: best gift-giver award, right?) Then, as it goes, my mom got pickier, my five siblings got partners, and my stocking stuffer count all but quadrupled. Recently, I decided to pare it back — I could blame at least three gray hairs a year on this venture — and now, I wait for Sephora's perfect all-in-one gift set that I can divvy up into dozens of mini gifts. Enter the Sephora Collection Holy Sheet Holiday Set, a sheet-mask masterpiece with 18 curated options for the face, eyes, hands, and feet that I know they'll appreciate . . . without all the stress." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Brightening Skin-Care Gift Set
Sunday Riley Morning Buzz Vitamin C Trio Kit ($98)
"Here's the thing: everyone should be using vitamin C in their skin-care routine. If you (or someone you're shopping for) don't know where to start when building out the proper lineup, the Sunday Riley Morning Buzz Vitamin C Trio Kit makes it so easy. Inside are minis of the Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream, the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, and the C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, which will all help brighten, protect, and plump your skin." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Hydrating Skin-Care Gift
Tatcha Plumping Dewy Skin Trio ($87)
"I like to live by the motto 'whatever Meghan Markle does for her skin to look so royally good, I want to do that.' That's why I'd stock up on the Markle-approved brand Tatcha's Dewy Skin Trio Set — which includes its cult moisturizer, serum, and cleanser — while you can for this price. (I'm not even going to pretend that you should gift it. It's too good.)" — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Trendy Beauty Gift
Carolina Herrera Sheer Lipstick Customizable Set ($92)
"Bag charms are very trendy right now, but why gift someone a regular old charm when you can get this incredible, customizable lipstick-and-bag-charm-combo from Carolina Herrera? You can buy this set from Macy's or pick your own lipstick shade, decorative cap, and charm at Nordstrom and the brand's website. I have mine clipped on my purse and get so many compliments on it." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Mascara Gift Set
Benefit Wild Caught Lashes Kit ($40)
"There's no bigger trend in food right now than tinned fish, and, for me, there's no better category in beauty than mascara. Benefit Cosmetics managed to squeeze the best of both worlds into one cutest-ever holiday set with this Wild Caught Lashes Kit. It includes two of its bestselling formulas — Fan Fest (my personal favorite) and Bad Gal Bang — so the giftee of your choice can "mascara cocktail" to their heart's desire." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Lip Gloss Stocking Stuffer
Saie Glossybounce High-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil ($22)
"For a little extra sparkle, Saie Lip Gloss Oil with a shimmer finish makes its way into my purse. It's a great gift that will be used in heavy rotation between the holidays and new year." — Genevieve Farrell, director of fitness and wellness video
Best Eyeshadow Gift
Kulfi Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadow ($30)
"I love sporting a bold, shimmery eyeshadow look, and rather than packing on shades and switching palettes for a mesmerizing glam look, I use Kulfi's Zari Eyes. With just one swipe, you get a pigmented, long-wearing formula that makes your eye look multi-dimensional. It comes in seven metallic and shimmer shades, but I personally love Bronze Brocade and Sona Sona for the holiday season." — Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, shopping
Best Lip Gloss and Oil Gift Set
Tarte Best of Maracuja Juicy Lips Set ($45)
"If you know the person you're shopping for is makeup-obsessed, you really can't go wrong with a lippe gift set — especially one containing Tarte's best-selling Maracuja Juicy Lip collection. Inside this four-pack are two shades of the Lip Plump, a Plumping Lip Oil, and a Lip Vinyl, which all give you a glossy, voluptuous pout. The hydrating formulas and right color payoff are seriously addictive to apply." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Read the full review.
Best Tester Gift Set
Sephora Favorites Makeup Must Have Set ($69)
"Sephora is one of my favorite places to shop for gifts around the holidays because they always have the cutest sets. The Makeup Must Haves Set is a 12-piece set filled with makeup and skin-care bestsellers. There are five full-size products, four minis, and three deluxe-sized products, including some of my favorite items ever. This is going to be my go-to gift for all of my girlfriends this year." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Eyeshadow-Stick Gift Set
Bobbi Brown Mini Party Prep Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick Duo ($25)
"The Bobbi Brown Mini Party Prep Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick Duo is exactly the type of stocking stuffer I want to receive. You get two mini-size cream eyeshadow sticks in shades Moonstone and Golden Bronze. They're perfect for travel or keeping in your purse for that post-work, pre-happy-hour touch-up. Cream sticks make applying a fun eye-makeup look so easy — you can't mess it up." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Eyeliner and Lip Liner Mini Gift Set
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Magic Minis ($39)
"I've been obsessed with the Make Up For Ever lip liners in the shades wherever walnut and anywhere caffeine for the last few months, and this set has been screaming my name ever since I first saw it online. The pencils are mini (which is fine because it takes me years to go through an entire lip pencil), and they come with all of the shades I love for my lips, plus a couple I can even use on my eyes. I love this set as a stocking stuffer or for someone who is on the go a lot and loves having minis of everything." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Flavored Lip Gift Set
InnBeauty Project Glaze For Days 4-Piece Lip Oil Set ($49)
"InnBeauty Project makes some of my favorite lip oils, and with this set, you get to try four different shades. Inside is Candy Apple, a bright red; Merlot, a deep wine; Vanilla Mint, a shimmery clear; and Cinnamon Bun, a spiced pink. Each smells and tastes exactly as you'd expect. The formula is so juicy (but never sticky) and provides your lips with long-lasting hydration. I find myself reapplying hourly just because I can't get enough." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Hair-Tool Gift
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete ($599)
"If I've said it once, I've said it a million times -- I'm obsessed with my Dyson Airwrap. I genuinely don't leave home without it (when I had to be without it in Europe both my hair and my heart suffered) because it's my go-to styling tool for absolutely any look. It's a splurge, but I've had mine for over four years without a single issue." — Renee Rodriguez, writer and social producer
Read our full Dyson Airwrap review here for more.
Best Hairstyling Gift Set
Dae Social Butterfly Hairstyling Trio Value Set ($48)
"Buying someone hair products can be hard unless you know their hair type and preferences. That said, the Dae Social Butterfly Hairstyling Trio Value Set is pretty versatile and allows the giftee to test out a handful of hero products from a TikTok-viral brand. Inside this gift set is a full-size styling cream, which can be used in a myriad of ways (to hydrate curls, slick back a bun, smooth frizz in a blowout), dry shampoo, and a dual-edge brush." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Candle Trio
Vacation Home Resort Three Candle Set ($96)
"Everybody has a different personality on vacation. Mine is a hybrid of boat bum-meets-wreckless thrill seeker, but maybe you're more of a beach lounger or museum-goer. This candle set from Vacation — the best-smelling brand out there — has a little something for everyone: Well-Tipped Pool Boy is for the beach-goer who only stops sitting their piña coladas to take a dip in the ocean; High Ceiling Resort Lobby is for the fancy friend who refuses to stay anywhere but an all-inclusive and dumps someone if they don't show up to the date with flowers; and Partial Ocean View Suite is a clean, crisp scent for anyone who has turned the tenniscore aesthetic into a lifestyle. Gift one to everyone on your list, or keep them all for yourself." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Candle Ornament Gift
NEST Mini Ornament Holiday Candle ($20)
"Candles are always a great gift idea (I say this as the proud owner of a candle cabinet). The Nest New York Mini Ornament Holiday Candle is the cutest stocking stuffer and white elephant present — it's small but feels luxe. With notes of pomegranate, pine, and cloves, it's a great holiday scent without being too Christmas-y, and the glass jar it comes in is so cute that they'll want to reuse it for little things around the house. Plus, it's $20, so you can't beat it." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Diffuser Gift
Jo Malone London Fresh Fig & Cassis Reed Diffuser ($215)
"Yes, this reed diffuser is on the pricier side, but if there is even one person in your life you love and want to impress, it is worth every penny. The ivory, cement-like vessel looks like it belongs in Kim Kardashian's Tadao Ando–designed home, and yet somehow the scent — a refreshing blend of ripe fig and herby greens — is even more immaculate." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Home Fragrance Gift Set
Homecourt Aircare Duo ($98)
"My obsession with anything balsam-scented runs so deep. From around November until the end of January, I want my entire apartment to be enveloped in it. The HomeCourt Balsam Fireplace Aircare Duo makes that dream a reality. The set contains the brand's sleek and sophisticated candle and the matching room spray — both of which transport me to a Christmas tree farm." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Hand Sanitizer Set
Touchland Power Mist Limited Edition Luscious 5-Set ($45)
"Pre-pandemic, I never envisioned 'hand sanitizer' in the same sentence as 'chic.' Now? Touchland has made it so spritzing away germs and bacteria feels like a full-blown experience, and something you'd gladly do out in the open. (Plus, the glycerin ensures your hands never feel dry like old sanitizers, and thank god for that.) Personally, I love every scent in the Touchland-sphere, but this Power Mist Luscious 5-Set offers a little something for everyone: Berry Bliss for fans of the saccharine sweet; Mango Passion for a tropical vibe; Vanilla Blossom for those who love gourmand flavor profiles; Pure Lavender for the zen folks in your life; and Wild Watermelon for a refreshing spritz." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
Best Nail Gift Set
Olive & June 25 Days of Mani Magic Calendar ($75)
"Advent calendars are really a gift that keeps on giving. The Olive & June 25 Days of Mani Magic Calendar contains 25 days of treats inside and everything you need to perfect your at-home manicure. Behind the pink doors are mini polishes, top coats, nail stickers, and a variety of must-have tools. And, the house-shaped box itself doubles as festive decor." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Discovery Perfume Set
Sephora Perfume Sampler ($95)
"I've only recently started getting into fragrance, and I already have a few scents I'm obsessed with (Kayali Lovefest, anyone?). I love perfumes in sample sizes because, yes, they're great for testing out a bunch of different scents, but they're also perfect for carrying in my purse when I'm out. This sample set from Sephora is one of my favorite perfume sets for woemn because it gets you a bunch of minis to test out, and you get to pick out a full-sized fragrance once you find a favorite." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Floral Perfume Gift Set
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Eau de Parfum Duo Set ($35)
"I wore the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum on my wedding day, so it has a special place in my heart. This gift set contains that scent, plus the Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum. The Gardenia perfume smells of white gardenia and Jasmine, and the second has a scent of vanilla and ozonic accord. At only $35, it allows you to gift two luxury fragrances for under $50." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Candle and Perfume Gift Set
Malin and Goetz That's the Spirit Holiday Set ($98)
"The Malin and Goetz That's the Spirit Holiday Set is going at the top of my holiday wishlist as a giver and a receiver. It comes with a Dark Rum scented candle as well as a Dark Rum Eau de Parfum, and both — as I'm sure you can guess — smell delicious. It's a perfectly packaged present for anyone who wants to have a 'signature scent.' Whether you decide to gift it to someone you love or keep it for yourself, you won't be disappointed." — Renee Rodriguez, writer and social producer
Best Travel-Friendly Perfume Set
Prada Mini Paradoxe Eau de Parfum Set ($39)
"I get the most compliments (ever) when I'm wearing the Paradoxe Eau de Parfum by Prada. Seriously — I was once stopped on the subway in NYC by a woman who needed to know what fragrance I was wearing, and people on the subway rarely speak to each other. That makes this gift set, which contains a mini size of the perfume in the signature triangle-shaped glass bottle and a travel size for on-the-go, a great gift to just about anyone. At under $50, the price tag is also refreshing for a luxury gift." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
— Additional reporting by Kelsey Castañon
Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the senior editor of PS Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than eight years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.
Kelsey Castañon (she/her) is an ASME Award-nominated writer, editor, and content strategist with enough years of experience to warrant a retinol prescription. She is currently the senior content director at PS, where she oversees the Beauty, Health, Fitness, and Balance verticals while simultaneously stockpiling (and reporting on) everything from skin care to wine.