The Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide of 2022
35 products and sets tested and beloved by a seasoned beauty writer.
Happy belated Thanksgiving, friends! How was your weekend? I hope you were able to take some time off and share a meal with loved ones.
Alright, so, I missed a Monday.
I didn’t post immediately following the holiday weekend, but that was intentional. I promise the gift guide ball was still rolling.
I’ve been working on this baby all week.
As much as I love being a fashion writer, beauty is where it all started for me. My first internship was spent in the beauty closet of Lucky Magazine, playing with products and getting exposed to brands, from drugstore names to luxury labels. I’ve since gotten my hands on all kinds of cosmetics; to say I’m well-versed in the space would be an understatement.
That said, I’m two years shy of a decade in the industry, so I won’t call myself an expert on the subject… yet. I have a passion for it, for learning about the latest innovations and testing everything that’s so generously offered to me. I like to think that comes through in my articles.
I hope it comes through in this lengthy gift guide.
Welcome to Week Three of
The Guerra Gift Guides!
I’m your shopper, Julia Guerra, and from now through Christmas, I will be curating one gift guide per week and delivering it straight to your inbox.
Last week, I sent out a list of the best gifts for men. The week prior, I rounded up the best gifts for readers. This week, I’m tackling the best beauty gifts under the makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail categories.
Let me know in the comment section below if this was helpful, what your favorite gift was, and if there are any beauty gifts you’d recommend to me!
(**Please note, many of these items are on sale, however, I chose to include their original prices, as sales can end/change!**)
MAKEUP
Lip Lab Gift Card
from $70, liplab.com
If they’re located near any of the Lip Lab flagships, I highly recommend a gift card they can put towards the unique Lip Lab experience. Lipstick lovers can pop into any one of the brand’s shops and create either lipstick, lip balm, or both!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Natural & Polished Deluxe Brow Kit
$39, ulta.com
Anastasia Beverly Hills is still the queen of brow products in my book. I swear by the Brow Wiz, and this set not only includes that rockstar product, but also the brand’s Brow Definer and Brow Gel — and all for under $40.
Smashbox Pre-Game Primer Partners
$20, ulta.com
Smashbox is vastly underrated. Its priming products, specifically, are top-notch, so if they’re looking to add a layer of prep to their routine, opt for this dynamic duo featuring a mini Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer and mini Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence.
ColourPop Bare Necessities Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
$35, colourpop.com
ColourPop makes quality, multi-pan eyeshadow palettes (among other fantastic makeup products and gorgeous, themed value sets) that are relatively affordable. I love the Bare Necessities palette for beginners, or someone looking for an elevated basics collection they can use to create day, night, or special occasion looks. It consists of 30 wearable shades, in matte, metallic, and glitter finishes.
Jaclyn Cosmetics Poutspoken Lip Liner
$18 per liner, ulta.com
Jaclyn Hill was the first beauty influencer I watched on Youtube. She was also the first beauty influencer I ever wrote about and inspired my very first “I Tried This” post for Bustle when I was an industry baby. The mogul’s lip-liners are fantastic. They apply like butter, stay on for a solid few hours, and come in over 15 shades that slay.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Oil-Free Foundation
$69, sephora.com
Confession: I have never tried the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. However, this has been on my to-try list for years. Beauty experts are obsessed with the formula, and as someone who has acne-prone skin, an oil-free foundation sounds right up my alley. Plus, it comes in 40 shades. 40! This means there’s a much better chance of an actual color match. Armani Beauty is also just a super luxurious brand with quality cosmetics, so if you have flexibility in your budget, your lucky giftee will appreciate the splurge.
CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA
$50, nordstrom.com
If you’d rather shop for a luxury foundation I have tried and can vouch for, I am lovesick for this skin-perfecting sunscreen makeup from Chanel. It fell into my hands during my stint as an intern, and I used it up to the very last drop. It does not come in nearly as many shades as the Armani Luminous Silk, but I cannot wax poetic enough about the formula’s watery texture and how seamlessly it blends into the skin. 12/10, would recommend it.
Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick
$26, sephora.com
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better formula than Too Faced Melted Matte. The only downside to this lipstick is the fact that it only comes in 10 shades (plus the occasional limited edition hue); I want them to get on Crayola’s level and get that count up to 120. Once this formula dries, it does not move. It can feel drying, but swipe on a coat of gloss or apply a hydrating primer beforehand, and the problem is solved.
Benefit Cheek the Mail Palette
$36, ulta.com
Benefit Cosmetics, while also a brand known for its brow products, is actually my go-to for powder face products. Its holiday sets are always adorable, and the Cheek the Mail palette is no exception. It features three full-size pans of its Hoola Bronzer (a best-seller and my personal go-to), Cookie Golden Pearl Highlighter, and the brand’s new Terra golden brick-red blush. To put it into perspective: A Hoola Bronzer by itself retails for $17. This trio set is a steal.
MILK Makeup KUSH High Volumizing Mascara
$26, sephora.com
One of my best friends (hi, Ashleigh!) recently told me that this mascara was the bomb. I received a sample in PR and tried it for myself soon after and can concur: This mascara is amazing, and that’s coming from a makeup artist (Ashleigh) and a mascara connoisseur (me). The formula itself is lightweight, but between the mascara itself, and its applicator brush’s hollow heart-shaped fibers, the product builds and builds to your preference, without ever once caking up. It’s also worth noting that this baby is vegan-friendly.
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
$56, sephora.com
It’s a splurge, but if the beauty lover in your life values a smooth canvas, and you’re willing to spend that much, it does not get better than the Hourglass Primer. Texture-wise, it feels more like a skincare product than it does makeup and it’s formulated with innovative microspherical powders that are blurring, correcting, and absorbent for all my oily skin friends.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Pore Diffusing Primer
$26, sephora.com
As an affordable alternative, I love the Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer. It reminds me of the Becca Cosmetics (RIP) No Pigment Foundation (which, let’s be honest, wasn’t a foundation at all - it was a primer or a skin-correcting balm at best). A little goes a long way with this formula, but sometimes I’ll purposely put too much on my hand so I can rub the access in like a smoothing cream.
NUDESTIX Nudies Matte Lux All-Over Face Blush
$34, sephora.com
I loved these multipurpose face sticks for a quick full-face. They come in five berryful colors and the formula is safe to apply to the cheeks, lips, and eyes.
Charlotte Tilbury Mini Iconic Matte Revolution Lip Trio Set
$32, sephora.com
Charlotte Tilbury’s lipsticks are elite. I love their velvet-soft formula and the rich colors they come in. This mini trip is a great option for anyone new to the brand’s lip products. It features three berry-toned neutrals that would be pretty against every skin tone, and because they’re mini, all of them will fit in a purse or wristlet.
SKINCARE
Clinique Take It All Off Set
$47.50, clinique.com
I’m always searching for makeup removers that get the job done, and Clinique continues to come out on top in the balm category. I love the Take It All Off formula that starts solid and becomes a silky oil when wet on the skin, especially because you can use it in the shower and limit the time spent bent over a sink performing the rest of a skincare routine.
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
$35, ulta.com
I tested this self-tanner for INSIDER back in December 2020 and it’s still my favorite tan-in-a-can. It was the first 100% natural DHA self-tan body treatment on the market, and it gives my skin a beautiful bronze in just two hours. Its color guide technology also works with every skin tone, and the formula’s inclusion of Cellushape technology helps to firm the skin. Plus, according to my husband, it doesn’t stank up the apartment.
Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Bright and Radiant Whipped Mask
$16, ulta.com
I have tried so many face masks since becoming a beauty writer, and this by far is one of my favorites. First of all, it’s affordable, and second of all, it’s a whipped texture that feels like a melted marshmallow that’s been pumped with air. I also adore how this mask makes my skin feel baby-soft and look naturally glowy.
Rituals The Ritual of Karma Soothing Collection
$62.50, rituals.com
There are so many luxurious skincare collections and products to choose from on the Rituals site, but this one is my favorite. Strike that - it’s everyone’s favorite. At least between our families. We’ve gotten countless compliments on the smell of the soap, and my mother-in-law loved it so much, we gifted her a set for Christmas two years ago. The gift box features a body scrub, foaming gel, body cream, and body mist, all of which contain lotus flowers and white tea that, together, soothe and care for the skin.
TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set
$25, amazon.com
This sheet mask set from TONYMOLY contains a whopping 13 masks for under $30. It’s a K-beauty steal, as each 30-minute treatment is geared toward solving a different skin trauma (i.e. dehydration, skin dullness, acne, etc.). By the time it’s over, your lucky recipient will feel as though they’ve just gotten a spa treatment, but in the comfort of their own home (and probably in their pajamas).
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C
$24, sephora.com
Hands-down the best lip mask on the market. It comes in so many flavors, including some seasonal editions like peppermint and pumpkin spice, and it delivers such intense hydration, that their lips will be feeling supple by morning - even if they aren’t clocking in the recommended six to eight hours of shuteye.
AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Cleansing Foam
$52, sephora.com
Even if it’s not this cleanser, I strongly believe everyone deserves to experience the quality skincare that AMOREPACIFIC delivers in each of its products. I wrote a full review on the brand when I was at BestProducts. View it here and use it as a guide to finding the product that best suits your beauty-obsessed bestie or loved one and, should your budget allow, treat them to this spectacular K-beauty luxury.
Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash and Foam Bath
$14.50, bathandbodyworks.com
If the beauty lover on your list struggles to chill and be chilled as I do, then they need this aromatherapy body wash and foam bath from Bath & Body Works in their life pronto. The formula is scented with eucalyptus and spearmint, and just a few drops are enough to transform their shower or bath into a calming oasis. I find myself grabbing the bottle a few times a week, and just breathing in the scent is enough to quiet my racing thoughts. Plus, the formula makes my skin feel nice and soft. I especially enjoy using it as a shaving oil for my legs.
Carbon Theory Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Break-Out Control Facial Cleansing Bar
$9.99, ulta.com
Do bouts of acne plague their complexion on the regular? If they’re pleading for a remedy, I got you. This charcoal and tea tree facial cleansing bar from Carbon Theory works miracles. With regular use, they’ll notice a difference in just a few washes.
HANHOO Blemish Patches
from $4.05, amazon.com
A solid stocking stuffer for my acne-prone peeps is this package of blemish patches from HANHOO. They work like magic when applied overnight. By the time they wake up, their blemish will have diminished significantly thanks to hydrocolloids drawing out gunk like pus and oil (gross but oh, so satisfying).
Futurewise Slugging System
$70, futurewise.com
I’ll let you in on a secret: I did not subscribe to the slugging trend when it blew up a couple of months ago. Granted, this technique is not a new concept, people have been slugging for years. But, as someone with acne-prone skin, caking Vaseline all over my complexion before bed did not sound like a good idea. Then, former Elle beauty editor, Julie Schott (founder of Starface pimple patches) came out with a complete Slugging System, consisting of a hydration mist, moisturizing balm, and barrier-repairing slugging cream swarming with humectants, emollients, and occlusives. I gave it a try and have been sold on the skincare method ever since.
r.e.m. beauty Full Night's Sleep Cooling Blurring Undereye Balm
$22, ulta.com
For anyone skeptical of buying from celebrity-owned brands, I can vouch for Ariana Grande’s makeup and skincare label, r.e.m. Some products are definitely better than others, but I’d go as far as to say that its cooling undereye balm is the best. To be fair, I don’t use it consistently enough to say whether or not it works in regards to reducing dark circles, but I do really enjoy the cooling sensation it gives to my tired under-eyes. I’ll tack it onto my nighttime routine when I remember, and it just adds a little extra something to the pamper session.
Tatcha The Water Cream
$69, sephora.com
The Water Cream by Tatcha isn’t cheap, but it is worth every penny. I’ve drained two of these tubs in their entireties, and swear by their hydrating powers. A little goes a long way, and the lightweight formula quenches the driest of skin’s thirst.
The Outset Daily Essentials Starter Set
$50, sephora.com
Another celebrity skincare brand I support is Scarlett Johansson’s The Outset. I wrote a full review of the system for INSIDER. You can view that here and read what the hype is about. It’s a great set for anyone looking to commit to a skincare routine but doesn’t have a whole lot of time to spare, because it only consists of three hero products that work quickly and efficiently.
HAIRCARE
Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
$155, sephora.com
I do not like The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush for long hair. I do like The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush for short hair. Scratch that, I love it for short hair, and I guarantee your giftee with bobs, lobs, etc. will too. You can read all about why here.
Briogeo x Mikayla Vegan Apple Honey Deep Conditioning Hair Mask for Dry + Damaged Hair
$40, sephora.com
I’m not a big hair mask person generally, but this one from Briogeo stole my heart a long time ago and is still one I look forward to using on occasion. It’s formulated with a vegan honey-apple complex, rosehip oil, and algae extract that, together, nourish, hydrate, and revitalize dull strands. Though, fair warning, its smell is an acquired one (I like it, but Mark does not).
Slip Pure Silk 3-Pack Scrunchies
$39, nordstrom.com
Even if the styles of Y2K weren’t on-trend (again), I would probably still be using scrunchies. I use them during low-intensity workouts, and at night when I need to pull my hair out of my face to perform my skincare routine. These silk options from Slip are gentle on my strands, and they don’t cause any awkward bends in my hair, either.
OUAI Medium Hair Shampoo
$30, sephora.com
If you take this quiz on the OUAI website, it will point you in the direction of the products best suited for your bestie’s hair type. My results showed I needed Medium Hair Shampoo, and it was spot on. Not only did the shampoo make my hair look and feel clean, this shampoo smells incredible. It’s no wonder the brand makes perfumes inspired by its shampoo scents - I’ve been asked multiple times by many different people what I was wearing. Yeah, they’re that good.
NAILS
Olive and June Quick Dry Top Coat
$7.50, oliveandjune.com
I have zero patience when it comes to waiting for my nails to dry, so when Olive and June came out with their magical Quick Dry Top Coat, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. This stuff is legit, and so far, has been compatible with a few different nail polish brands. In just a few minutes time, nails dry completely, and users can go about their day with a fresh manicure.
NAILS INC. Everybody in Love Nail Polish Set With Stickers
$23, sephora.com
Got nudes? This nail set from NAILS INC. is all kinds of inclusive, celebrating both skin tone and body inclusivity through four tonal polishes and stickers in the shape of curvy silhouettes.
Lights Lacquer Nailing Nostalgia
$66, lightslacquer.com
Similarly to how closely I’ve followed Jaclyn Hill over the years, I’ve also been a loyal follower of Kathleen Fuentes, best known as Kathleen Lights to her YouTube subscribers. Kathleen is an OG beauty content creator, but she’s also a beauty mogul, and one to watch. She created Lights Lacquer in 2019, and the vegan/cruelty-free nail polish brand has taken off since. The formula is also one of the best I’ve worn; it’s long-lasting, chip-resistant, and dries quickly - almost instantly. Any set from her stock would make for a great gift, but I especially love this culmination of nostalgic shades.