Beauty

The Best Beauty Gift Sets For Every Single Person On Your List

As curated by a beauty editor who’s tried everything.

by Rachel Lapidos
Ariela Basson/Bustle; Getty Images, r.e.m. beauty, Rhode, Le Labo
We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

I’ll be frank: I would be pissed to receive anything beauty related for Christmas. That’s because, as a beauty editor, I receive boxes upon boxes of skin care, hair care, makeup, nail products, fragrance (etc. etc.) all year long. My overcrowded medicine cabinet would make most people scream with shock and envy — and that’s only a small fraction of my entire beauty product collection.

I’m aware that the majority of people would be delighted to regularly receive beauty packages. The next best thing? Buy them a beauty gift set for the holidays. And that’s why I’m here — I’m sharing my years of learning and swatching and swiping with you so that shopping for the perfect beauty gift for every person on your list is a breeze.

Whether it’s your sister, Gen Z cousin, colleague, or your mom, there’s something out there on the shelves that would put you in their good graces. Actually, the following very carefully curated items would surely put you at their top ranking. Keep scrolling for the ideal beauty gift set for everyone you’ve got to shop for, straight from yours truly — a beauty editor who’s tried everything.

For Your Beloved Mom

Trust — nothing says I love you and thank you for everything you’ve done for me my entire life like a gift set from SkinMedica. This is the priciest gift here, but, as a new mom, I know firsthand that she is the most important person on your list.

It comes with four of the clinical-grade skin care line’s staples, including a hydrating hyaluronic acid-based serum, a retinol, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Most importantly, it features the brand’s highly coveted TNS Advanced+ Serum — the gold standard of skin-smoothing formulas thanks to its growth factor blend that works magic on fine lines.

For The Gen Z-er In Your Life

I’ve learned a lot of things from my Gen Z niece. One such factoid? Rhode is *the* beauty brand to shop. So make the youth in your life happy with this gift set, which features two fan faves from Hailey Bieber’s beloved line: the impossibly cute Pocket Blush, and the viral Peptide Lip Tint. Choose your desired shades and prepare to become the cool aunt.

For Your Sister

The foundation of any beauty look is, well, a good foundation, so your sis will be grateful for one of the best ones out there. Saie’s Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation is a favorite of mine, as its creamy, nourishing formula truly provides the prettiest dewy skin-like finish. She’ll also receive the Base Brush for easy application — which, FYI, is super soft and does the job like magic.

For Your Bougie Friend

If your bestie is bougie, there’s a high likelihood they have an extensive skin care routine. Level it up with the buzzy Solawave facial tool, a multi-beneficial beauty device co-signed by celebs like Sydney Sweeney and Doja Cat. The wand delivers red light therapy, vibration, warmth, and facial massage — all at once — for a glow-up. And this kit comes with the activating serum they’ll need for their at-home facial sesh.

For Your Makeup-Loving BFF

Any makeup lover would be thrilled to receive this gift set. It has everything one would need to create the perfect French-girl beauty look (and not only because it’s from the veritable French beauty girl herself, Violette) — an ultra-pigmented liquid eyeshadow (which doubles as eyeliner), a matte cream blush, and, my personal fave, the cult beloved Bisou Balm, a lipstick that gives you the chicest blurred flush.

For Your Mother-In-Law

An upgraded shower routine is always welcome, and your mother-in-law definitely deserves some nice self-care time. Solidify your standing as her fave daughter-in-law with this body care duo from Homecourt. It comes with a body wash and decadent body butter, both in the most divine coconut, fig, and cedarwood scent. She just may never want to leave her bathroom again.

For Your Boss

Everyone’s hands could use some extra TLC this time of year — especially your boss’s, since you know they’re TCB. This product duo makes hand care a fancy, sensory delight thanks to the gently sloughing exfoliant-meets-cleanser and fast-absorbing (non-sticky!) serum, both of which have luxe, gorgeous scents.

For Your Significant Other

This might not be the case with you, but my husband *always* steals (and over-uses) my body wash. Once that runs out, he’ll use my favorite shampoo as a replacement. To problem solve here — in the name of love, of course — gift him this shower set from penultimate Guy Brand, Le Labo. He won’t even know it’s actually benefitting you more. (Plus, he’ll smell really nice.)

For Your Work Wife

Glossier is a crowd-pleaser. This set is extra cool since it comes with a cute baseball cap (you can pick Glossier pink or denim) and two of the brand’s bestsellers — Cloud Paint, a cult-beloved cream blush, and Futuredew, an oil-slash-serum that doubles as a gorgeous highlighter.

For The Homebody In Your Life

For some folks, nothing’s more appealing than canceling plans, ordering takeout, and streaming their favorite show. The homebody on your list will have the perfect setup once they unwrap this gift set from The Maker, featuring three decadently gourmand candles inspired by the boutique hotel’s bakery: Pistachio Croissant, Cherry Apricot Jam, and Café, the latter of which smells like coffee and chocolate. Their binge-watching sessions just got cozier.

For The Pop Culture Devotee

Nothing’s bigger in the pop culture zeitgeist right now than Wicked. Whether your always-in-the-celebrity-know friend is a Glinda or Elphaba, they’ll swoon over this limited edition eyeshadow palette from Ariana Grande’s r.e.m. beauty. Besides having beautiful (and on-theme) packaging, it comes with 12 Ozdust Ballroom-inspired shades with a mix of duochrome, matte, and metallic finishes.

For The Name Brand Aficionado

Some people just can’t resist a name brand. I get it. If you have a label lover on your list, be sure to gift them one of the most highly coveted designers of all: Chanel. This two-piece set comes with the Parisian brand’s iconic lipstick and a black volumizing mascara. Just as exciting as those two makeup products? The fact that they come housed in a shimmery white Chanel pouch.

For Your Astrology-Obsessed Friend

That friend who always knows when Mercury is about to be out of retrograde? Yeah, this one’s for them. Pick their zodiac sign and snag this trio of horoscope-inspired treats — a travel-sized perfume, a hair perfume-slash-dry body oil, and a body lotion. It also comes with an intention card to really sweeten the astrology theme.

For Your White Elephant Party

Let’s be honest — beauty products usually win most coveted at white elephant gift swaps. Trust that your offering will be fought over when you bring this lip trio from Naturium. The tubes have gone viral on TikTok for good reason: They’re ultra-hydrating, non-sticky, and come in the most gorgeous, flattering shades. (This one comes with a clear option for pure moisture, too.)

For Your Wellness-Loving Pal

Every wellness aficionado knows Tracy Anderson. The celebrity fitness trainer (who’s worked with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow) has a devoted following to her dance-centric sculpting workouts, and now has a line of feel-good fragrances under her brand umbrella. Your always-in-activewear BFF will appreciate this product duo, which allows them to experience the rose, lemongrass, lavender, patchouli, and vanilla-spiked scent in both perfume and candle form.