The 20 best US beauty gifts for makeup and skincare lovers – curated by dewy-skinned content creators

From the skincare-obsessed tweens that took over Sephora to the busy moms who’ve mastered their no makeup-makeup look, we all know of someone who’d love a new moisturizer or lipstick as a holiday gift.

With so many blushes, bronzers and barrier creams on the market, it can be difficult to spot a product that actually works from one that’s just packaged prettily.

To find the best beauty gifts that your recipient will actually want to add to their makeup bag, we asked for suggestions from beauty and lifestyle content creators, many of whom try out cosmetics and skincare products for a living.

These creators personally used these products, and their recommendations span a range of skin types and tones, sensitivities and age groups. None of them are currently sponsored by any of the brands they’ve recommended.

The result? 20 beauty gift ideas, 19 of which you can snag for under $100. (Read on for the splurgy exception – loved by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Alix Earle, in case it matters.)

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Gift travel-friendly luxuries

Henry Rose fragrance discovery set

$28 at Sephora $28 at Credo Beauty

I’m obsessed with the scent Windows Down. The unisex scent smells clean and fresh thanks to grapefruit, bergamot and a little earl grey tea. Its perfumes are made with safe-for-the-skin ingredients the company vetted with help from research labs. Shiny Liu, beauty and lifestyle content creator, @its.shiny

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L’occitane hand cream classics set

$66 at L’occitane

Winter air is so harsh on our skin, especially our hands, which are often exposed. These creams not only hydrate and nourish my skin but smell amazing, too. I love this set of minis because I can throw one in each of my purses. (Editor’s note: This creator has worked with this brand in the past.) Noam Raiter, lifestyle content creator and family medicine resident physician, @noamraiter

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Laura Mercier three-piece vanilla body care set

$56.53 at Macy’s $95 at Revolve

Ever since I was little, Laura Mercer’s Ambre Vanille has been one of my favorite scents. This body care set includes a body cream, body wash, and honey bath all in the scent. It’s the perfect gift for anyone in your life who loves self-care and smelling like a warming mix of amber and vanilla. (Editor’s note: This creator has worked with this brand in the past.) Olivia Manni, beauty content creator, @livmanni

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Abbode personalized embroidered toiletry bag

From $78 at Abbode

The most thoughtful gift you can give is something personalized, and I absolutely love the custom embroidered toiletry bags from the small women-owned business Abbode. They’re made with soft waffle-knit cotton and can be embroidered in a color of your choice. They’re easy to wash too. Olivia Manni, beauty content creator, @livmanni

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Gift makeup staples

Refy brow tint gel

$24 at Refy $24 at Sephora

The water-based Refy brow tint eyebrow gel leaves my brows in place and boosts their color. It’s easy to use and gives my brows a polished look (bonus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free). Kara Mendelsohn, beauty content creator, @kara_a_mendelsohn

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MAC Cosmetics Fix+ spray

$28.90 at Macy’s $34 at Mac Cosmetics

The Mac Cosmetics Fix+ Spray makes your skin and makeup look so beautiful! It’s a multitasking setting spray that hydrates, primes, sets and refreshes makeup. I love how it can take a makeup look that may appear dehydrated and cakey to something more skin-like. Brianna Giscombe, beauty content creator, @bri.giscombe

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Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

$45.90 at Macy’s $54 at Sephora

This foundation is my jam! The shade range is soooo good, especially for Black and brown girlies, and the finish is full coverage but looks like my natural skin. Brianna Giscombe, beauty content creator, @bri.giscombe

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Ciele Tinted Serum SPF 50

$44 at Sephora $44 at Ciele

Ciele’s Tinted Serum is my go-to for achieving an everyday glow and providing me with lightweight coverage. It gives my skin a healthy sheen while offering serious sun protection. Claire A, aesthetic nurse, @clairealmondd

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Sarah Creal faceflex concealer

$58 at Sarah Creal Beauty $58 at Sephora

I am a huge fan of Sarah Creal and love all her products, which focus on women 40 and above. If I had to pick one, it would be the face flex concealer, which promises to stay put for 12 hours and is infused with hyaluronic acid and aloe leaf extract for better skin. It’s one of the best concealers I’ve ever used. Kara Mendelsohn, beauty content creator, @kara_a_mendelsohn

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Westman Atelier lip suede

$50 at Sephora $50 at Nordstrom

In a world of glossy lips, I love a matte one. The Westman Atelier lip suede in Je Rêve (made with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid) is a wearable blush pink and my go-to no matter what season. Kara Mendelsohn, beauty content creator, @kara_a_mendelsohn

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Gift skincare favorites

Kate Somerville EradiKate 10% sulfur spot treatment

$24.65 at Amazon $24.65 at Macy’s

The Kate Somerville EradiKate Spot Treatment is my go-to, especially for those painful, under-the-skin breakouts. It works like magic overnight and shrinks spots before they get angry and inflamed. Shiny Liu, content creator, @its.shiny

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Bobbi Brown vitamin enriched primer moisturizer

$58.65 at Macy’s $69 at Sephora

This moisturizer has a built-in primer and skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane and shea butter. It makes my skin feel so soft and hydrated, and my makeup looks so good on top. It’s complete with a citrus fragrance. Brianna Giscombe, beauty content creator, @bri.giscombe

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Clearstem Hydraglow stem cell moisturizer

$58 at Clearstem $58 at Amazon

This moisturizer is a great over-the-counter option for those looking to incorporate anti-aging ingredients into their routine. It has bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. I find it gentle but effective for smoothing texture and improving tone. Claire A, aesthetic nurse, @clairealmondd

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Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliator

$69 at Amazon $69 at Sephora

Dermalogica’s Microfoliant Exfoliator is one of the longest-standing products in my skincare routine. It has AHAs (chemical exfoliants), which are commonly used to brighten, smooth, and clear clogged pores. Not only does my skin look amazing after use, but it feels so nice to apply. It’s that little moment of self-care and pause in your day. Noam Raiter, lifestyle content creator and family medicine resident physician, @noamraiter

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Gift buzzy brands

Rhode pocket blush

$25 at Rhode $25 at Sephora

I don’t think I’ve gone a day without the Rhode pocket blush since I first tried it. They are super blendable yet pigmented, and are easy to throw in your bag for all my fellow girls on the go. I also love that they are non-comedogenic, meaning no pore-clogging ingredients, which my acne-prone skin appreciates! Noam Raiter, lifestyle content creator and family medicine resident physician @noamraiter

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Drunk Elephant marula oil

$72 at Amazon $72 at Drunk Elephant

The Drunk Elephant marula oil is great for sealing in moisture at night, especially during the colder months. I go to bed looking like a glazed donut and wake up with soft skin. It contains antioxidants too. Shiny Liu, beauty and lifestyle content creator, @its.shiny

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Merit tinted mineral sunscreen SPF 40

$38 at Merit $38 at Sephora

This is great for the days I’m too lazy to put on makeup but still want a smooth, even canvas. It’s made with fine natural powders, and evens out my skin tone. Shiny Liu, content creator, @its.shiny

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Paula’s Choice Retinaldehyde serum

$54.40 at Paula’s Choice $68 at Amazon

Paula’s Choice retinaldehyde serum promises to support the skin barrier (the skin’s outermost layer exposed to the elements) and I find it acne-safe. It leaves my skin dewy without feeling heavy. Claire A, aesthetic nurse, @clairealmondd

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Caudalie Vinoperfect serum

$82 at Amazon $82 at Sephora

The Caudalie Vinoperfect serum is the perfect gentle alternative to vitamin C for my sensitive skin. It fades dark spots without irritation. And while strong vitamin C serums break me out, this doesn’t. Shiny Liu, beauty and lifestyle content creator, @its.shiny

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Medicube booster pro

$148.45 at Amazon $220 at Ulta

When I think of the holidays, I think of investing in beauty products that are a little more high-end. One that I’ve been loving for years, which will be under the tree for my mom, is the Medicube Booster Pro wand. As it glides over your skin, it stimulates your muscles and increases blood flow and circulation, which is said to help with lymphatic drainage and absorption of your regular skincare. Olivia Manni, content creator, @livmanni