Holiday gifting can be challenging — but it doesn’t have to be. When in doubt, beauty gifts are the answer. Even the woman who seems to have everything loves a gorgeous candle or luxurious hand cream. And beauty gifts are available at every price point, so you can shop for your office secret Santa and overly picky sister using one handy gift guide.
While there are countless gift sets out there, certain brands set the bar when it comes to holiday gifts. Year after year, they offer stunning packaging, limited-edition accessories or special customization options. And that’s what makes these the ultimate cult beauty gifts. Sure, any pretty candle makes a great gift, but these are the gifts that will sell out fast and everyone on your list will be coveting. It’s your cheat sheet to holiday shopping success.
Cult Beauty Gifts for the Holidays (Nordstrom)
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The Holidays Get Lit
The only thing better than getting a diptyque Paris candle as a gift? Getting three diptyque Paris candles. This trio contains three holiday scents (pine, vanilla spice and gingerbread) in a box that's too pretty to wrap.
diptyque Paris 3 Holiday Mini Candles Set, $100 at Barneys
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Crowd-Pleasing Scent
With more than 30 million bottles sold every year, Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom takes the top prize as the best-selling fragrance in America. And it shouldn't be that surprising: It's a serious crowd-pleaser. So if you're looking for an affordable gift for someone you don't know very well, this is a guaranteed home run.
Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Wrapped With a Bow Gift Set, $27 at Bath & Body Works
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All That Shimmers
There isn't a makeup lover out there who doesn't covet MAC Mineralize. The powders have just the right amount of shimmer and the lipsticks and glosses come in the prettiest modern shades. This set has all the makings of a Mineralize enthusiast's perfect gift: a neutral lipstick, ultra shiny Lipglass and a perfect-for-travel version of Mineralize Skinfinish tucked inside a festive embroidered makeup bag she'll use for years to come.
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Mineralize Kit, $49.50 at Nordstrom
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'Tis a Gift to Be Simple
There isn't a soul alive who doesn't love a Fresh Oval Soap. The wrapping is beautiful, the scents are subtle yet super pretty and the formula is moisturizing, so it doesn't dry out skin. Plus, Fresh lets you customize your own gift set and wrapping is free. It doesn't get much simpler.
Fresh Oval Soap, $15 each at Fresh
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Great Hair on the Go
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray has a cult following like no other hair product. And that's because it creates effortless texture, smells delicious (the scent is so good it's also available as a perfume) and comes in a wildly chic bottle. This set gives you a full-size bottle and a mini in Art Deco-inspired packaging. Order one for every woman you know who loves a blowout or a braid.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Set, $55 at Oribe
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Personalize It
A Clarisonic skin cleansing brush is a splurge and that means it's something many people won't buy for themselves. But you can pick up the most affordable model (and even have it engraved!) for less than the price of a cashmere sweater. Just prepare yourself for a recipient freak-out (in the best imaginable way).
Clarisonic Mia 1, $129 at Clarisonic
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Rose Gold FTW
Rose gold is everywhere in the accessory world and now it's taking over beauty as well. The iconic Tweezerman tweezers and lash curler are available in this pinkish hue and the little pouch is so fantastic, it can double as a (very on-trend) clutch.
Tweezerman Rose Gold Love Story Gift Set, $42 at Tweezerman
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Glitters Like Gold
A great brush set can set you back hundreds of dollars. One with elaborately adorned handles can cost even more. But this massive 10-piece brush set is less than $40 and it's a knockout. Whether the recipient is a seasoned makeup pro or a teen just getting started, she's sure to flip over these brushes.
Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition 10-Piece Brush Set, $39.99 at Target
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Body Wash Bauble
Use this sparkling gold bauble of shower gel as a stocking stuffer or hang it on your tree. The scent is rich, warm and unique — perfect for men and women alike — and it's infused with gold flakes for added seasonal cheer.
Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Festive Shower Gel Bauble, $15 at Molton Brown
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Give Her a Hand
There are the gifts you want and then there are the gifts you need. This trio of hand creams happens to be both. Thanks to shea butter, the formulas are incredibly moisturizing (a wintertime necessity) yet they sink in fast. And while the boxed set makes an ideal present, you can easily split it up for mini gifts. The teacher, dog walker and mail carrier are now covered.
L'Occitane Hand Indulgences Trio, $28 at L'Occitane
