Buying a gift for the beauty lover in your life can be… challenging. They’re always testing and swatching and have a vanity full of products. They’re the ones who know the exact shade of lipstick that would look perfect on you or just the face wash that’ll whip your skin into shape. Basically, these people know what’s up, so you can’t just gift them any beauty item wrapped in a pretty bow and call it a day. It most definitely has to be a tried-and-true favorite among It girls all over.
So if you’ve left gift shopping to the last-minute (2020, amirite?), you’ll be thankful to know that I tapped a crew of five super-stylish beauty-loving ladies—from makeup artists and content creators to beauty editors and YouTubers—to share the most gift-worthy products they were able to find at Walmart. No matter who you are gifting, they’ll be pleased with one (or all) of these items.
“I’m always open to trying new beauty products, but the one thing that stays unchanged within my beauty routine is my fragrance. I’ve been wearing Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy Eau De Parfum for as long as I can remember, and for good reason. With hints of jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, and berries, it is the most comforting scent. And for me, the best gift is a scent that you (or they) can relish and find comfort in every time it’s sprayed.”
“Pre-pandemic, I was all about serving a lip while running errands. Now, as I regularly wear masks, I’ve been exploring eye shadow more, and there’s not a more essential eye shadow palette or exploration or makeup mastery than Urban Decay’s Naked Heat. With every nude hue perfect for nailing bronzed and brown smokey eye looks, it’s the best gift for makeup newbies and fanatics alike who relish being both safe and serving a full look simultaneously.”
“As someone with extremely curly hair, I can attest to the fact that the best thing you can buy the coily-haired cutie on your gift list is hair products. But if you’re not sure which signature products they swear by, then I recommend SheaMoisture’s Strengthen & Restore Jamaican Black Castor Oil Holiday Gift Set. Whether they’re transitioning to their natural texture or looking to try something new, this is a product line I swear by for embracing and caring for each curl.”
“This product truly transformed my lashes and eliminated the need or want for false lashes. It makes your lashes thicker and longer.” And who doesn’t want the gift of longer lashes?
“This collection set is a great way to get introduced to this amazing Black-owned brand. I’ve been a fan, and love the lip products and range of colors.”
“This is the perfect warm and spicy scent for the wintertime!” It contains notes of orange blossom, bergamot, and jasmine sambac, but once the scent settles, it smells of musk and vanilla.
“I’ll just say it straight—if you’re after a shimmery holiday look or want to gift something festive and fun to a loved one, there’s no better glitter on the market than these iconic doe-foot wands from Stila. I’ve been collecting every hue and finish since the brand launched the product years ago, and it’s become my signature (all year round!) to tap a little bit of this one (called Diamond Dust) over my lids. The effect is so pretty and surprisingly subtle, and I love that it instantly adds something extra to my beauty look even if I only have five minutes.”
“I’m always nervous to recommend specific perfumes as gifts because fragrance is such a deeply personal thing and individual tastes vary greatly. That said, this is one of my all-time favorite bottles, and I have a perfect track record (so far!) when it comes to suggesting it to the people I love. It’s simplistic yet complex; fresh yet rich; and everyone I know fawns over the fact that it contains one singular note, cetalox, which is typically used as a warming base note to enhance enveloping, woodsy scents within the perfume industry. It’s hypoallergenic, and another fun-fact I love is that the brand’s creator, Romano Ricci, is the great-grandson of fragrance legend Nina Ricci.”
“It doesn’t get any more classic than a beautiful lipstick, and a sleek bullet like this is not only timeless but also the perfect size for stockings. Choosing a lipstick that’s too matte or too lustrous is always a bit risky if you’re gifting (both finishes can be tricky and aren’t always flattering), so the velvety satin texture of this formula from Nars couldn’t be more perfect. It keeps your pout supple and hydrated, and it will stay put longer than most lipsticks on the market. Whenever I need a boost of confidence or am going for more of a statement, I reach for the shade Mona. It’s become one of my signature reds, and surprisingly, it’s universally flattering. The brand describes it as “mahogany,” and the touch of brown makes it more neutral than a true red. I’m pretty sure it’s one of those classic shades I’ll wear and trust for the rest of my life.”
“This scent never fails to make me feel beautiful, so it’s an obvious choice to gift. It’s a lovely jasmine floral scent, and it’s long-lasting.”
“I personally don’t do much with my eye makeup, but I love that this palette comes with so many pretty glittery shadows, so when I’m in the mood, I know I can play with them. It also just feels extra festive and appropriate to gift this year.”
“If you want to treat yourself or someone you love this holiday season, look no further because this hair dryer is the perfect gift. I love how fast my hair dries and how shiny, bouncy, and frizz-free my curls look every time I use it!”
“Music is essential when I’m getting ready so a Bluetooth light up mirror is everything I could hope for. There are so many cool features and the $50 price tag is pretty unbeatable. It’s definitely a memorable gift to give.”
“I’ve tried many fragrances, and let me tell you: Bond No. 9 is a brand of perfume that actually lasts. Everyone needs a good staple perfume, and I feel like this is it. It has notes of bergamot, floral, vanilla, and dry wood, and I get endless compliments when I’m wearing it (or any of the Bond No. 9 line products). It’s such a great holiday gift!”
“I’m all about the messy ’90s waves and the Dyson Air Wrap can achieve that seamlessly. It’s definitely pricey, but it’s worth every penny and would make anyone on your list happy.”
