We’ve all been there – the last-minute panic, the frantic scramble to find gifts for friends, family and loved ones. In the past, this often meant settling for something generic or mainstream – good enough, but not exactly exciting or personal.
Today’s beauty landscape, however, has totally stepped up its game. From luxurious formulations to the most aesthetically pleasing packaging you’ve ever seen, there’s a wide range of “ooh”-inducing gifts sure to please even the most discerning beauty lover.
If you find yourself making a last-minute dash, don’t worry. I’ve put together a list of six standout beauty buys – ranging from indulgent eyeliners to fragrance discovery sets, glow-enhancing skincare, and more. Ready, set, gift!
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Jewel Liner Collection
Take gifting to the next level with Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Jewel Liner Collection (€194 from Brown Thomas). The set includes four of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s bestselling Kajal liners – one of which is the brand-new Silver Glaze, a chrome silver pencil with a shimmering silver sparkle. It also includes Vast Lash Mascara and a handy pencil sharpener, all beautifully packaged in a sleek, eggshell-white case. An impeccable gift for the beauty connoisseur in your life (or a well-deserved treat for yourself).
Glow Recipe Dewy Skin Dazzlers
A sweet gift for skincare enthusiasts and make-up lovers alike, Glow Recipe Dewy Skin Dazzlers (€32 from Cult Beauty) includes three of the brand’s popular Watermelon Glow products: Niacinamide Dew Drops, a glow-boosting hydrating serum; Niacinamide Hue Drops, a tinted version with light-reflecting pigments for a buildable bronzed glow; and Ultra-Fine Mist, a refreshing spray ideal for use before or after make-up. Fun, practical, and sure to be a hit with the younger beauty lovers in your life, too.
Vieve Trinket Tin Gift Set
I recently received the Vieve Trinket Tin Gift Set myself (€37 from Brown Thomas) and absolutely loved it – so much so that it had to make this list. This palm-sized treasure includes a small, gold collectible keepsake tin that holds two shades of Vieve’s bestselling Lip Dew, a lip gloss-lip oil hybrid – the much-loved original shade as well as the new, highly coveted Strawbs. The small but perfectly formed size also makes it an ideal stocking filler.
Maison Margiela Replica Discovery Set
Struggling to pick a scent for the fragrance fan in your life? Why not gift them a mini fragrance wardrobe instead? It’s a more affordable choice that lets them experience several scents at once – and they’re always visually pleasing to receive. Maison Margiela Replica Discovery Set (€77 from Brown Thomas) is my go-to recommendation for this, as it includes three of the brand’s bestselling scents: By the Fireplace, Autumn Vibes, and Jazz Club. It’s also the perfect way to introduce someone to Maison Margiela’s iconic perfumes for the very first time.
Rituals The Alchemy Gift Set Collection
Considering the amount of gorgeous products inside, Rituals The Alchemy Gift Set Collection is quite reasonably priced (€66 from Rituals). The elegant, gold-embossed gift box includes four luxurious offerings from the brand’s bestselling The Alchemy collection: foaming shower gel, hand wash, body cream and a scented candle – and they all smell utterly exquisite. This set ticks all the right boxes and will appeal to luxury lovers, Rituals fans, or anyone you’d like to treat to a true self-care moment.
Hair by Sam McKnight Super Stylers Gift Set
I always think haircare gifts should be stylish and fun to use. While repair kits and treatments are useful, let’s be honest, they’re not the most exciting. Hair by Sam McKnight’s annual festive offerings, however, always fall into the exciting gift category. Creator of the Cool Girl Hair styling range and arguably one of the most legendary hair stylists ever, McKnight knocks it out of the park every year. One standout option this year is the Super Styler Gift Set (€48 from dylandbradshaw.com) – big, voluminous hair in a fabulously festive box. The set includes the brand’s famous Cool Girl Texture Mist, Super Lift Volumising Spray, and Happy Endings Nourishing Balm.
This week I’m loving ... Burst Teeth Whitening Breath Strips
I’m not sure “loving” is the right word here – obsession is probably more fitting. Burst Teeth Whitening Breath Strips (€6.99 from mccauley.ie) are something of a revelation. Unlike other options on the market, they dissolve while on your teeth, so there’s no fuss with removal or leftover residue. They visibly whiten your teeth in just one use and instantly freshen your breath – and they’re affordable, too. I’m expecting these to sell out fast.
