The art of gift giving is tricky, which is why many people end up wrapping a set of sparkly nail polishes or giving their [insert loved one here] a gift card to a spa as a failsafe option. After all, who wouldn't want that as a holiday treat? But in the midst of over-consumption, everyone is searching out gifts that are not only memorable but also something people actually want this holiday season.
“A great gift isn't really about the gift—it shows you understand this person in a way they didn't realize,” says Jessica Matlin, director of beauty and home at Moda Operandi and host of the Fat Mascara podcast. "You get their habits, sense of humor, funny rituals, favorite spaces, nostalgic leanings, and so on.”
The coolest people in beauty all agree: the best gifts are personal. If you want your gift to have a meaningful impact, consider the person you’re giving it to. “It doesn’t have to be extravagant—it just needs to show that you’ve thought about the person,” says Violette, makeup artist and founder of Violette_FR. “Maybe it’s a perfume that reminds you of a place or moment you’ve shared. I also love when gifts are thoughtful in a practical way—like for a new mother, something that saves time but still feels indulgent. It’s that mix of meaning and utility that makes it special.”
With those words of wisdom in mind, consider this your ultimate beauty gift guide. I asked 15 of the coolest, chicest people I know in the beauty industry about the skincare, makeup, fragrance, haircare, and treatments that they have on their wishlists this holiday season.
Jenna Perry, Celebrity Hair Colorist and Founder of Jenna Perry Salon
The Product She's Eyeing
“I’ve heard such amazing things about the LYMA from clients in the salon. Everyone who uses it swears by it [and] many of them credit the laser for their sculpted skin!”
The Treatment She Needs
"The Odyssey Body Treatment at Ricari Studio at WSA resets your entire nervous system and lymphatic system. It’s two hours of pure bliss.”
Aya Tariq, Celebrity Makeup Artist
The Product She's Eyeing
"I love the color story they have for the gray palette and the blue one, it’s easy to use, and the compact is beautiful! [Plus], I love supporting women-owned brands."
The Treatment She Needs
“[I would love] a nice Sofie Pavitt Spa Facial with Sofie," she says. "I’ve seen how she has delivered incredible results for her clients with acne-prone skin. While I don’t get severe acne, I do get it on my chin, and I’m curious what advice she’d have for me."
Asia Milia Ware, Beauty Editor at The Cut
The Product She's Eyeing
“It's a microcurrent body sculptor inspired by professional body treatments, and it works like one, too. I use it a few times a week for body sculpting along with the activator gel and magnesium spray. It's $400, but a sculpting massage can be between $300 and $400, so technically, this is the gift that keeps on giving. It takes a bit of learning, but once you've got it, it's a great tool. A massage lasts an hour, but having this at the palm of your hand every day? That's a gift.”
The Treatment She Needs
“I love getting a sculpting massage at The Body Lab Customized Body Sculpt + EMS Zero because they also do a radiofrequency treatment for skin tightening, something I'm adamant about on my body. They have an EMS Zero Machine, a non-invasive contouring device that stimulates deep muscle contractions. As a gym girlie, it's one of my favorite treatments to really help my results show.”
The Body Lab treatment.
Margaux Anbouba, Senior Beauty and Wellness Editor at Vogue
The Product She's Eyeing
“I keep a jar of this Josie Maran Body Butter in Whipped Fig at both of my houses and at my desk—and I don't want to be sparing when I put it on because my skin feels that good after I use it. It makes my skin feel so dewy and soft. Plus, the scent is lovely and light, so it layers perfectly with any fragrance.”
The Treatment She Needs
“I'm pretending this is my Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gift moment. I recently had a Botox and filler appointment with Dr. Gregory Nikolaidis of Austin's Westlake Dermatology, and I'm a convert. He wore jewelry loops during the entire experience—and used a tongue depressor to help shape his work! I want a lifetime subscription to going to his office. Is that a thing?”
Erin Parsons, Beauty Historian
The Product She's Eyeing
"The Dior Rouge Premier Haute Couture Lipstick is a work of art. Refillable and a piece to hand down, it’s what we’ve been missing in luxury beauty. The formula is velvety matte yet hydrating while infused with 24k gold. It’s the ultimate beauty gift.”
The Treatment She Needs
"Kristyn can completely transform your skin, and she does it gently. She has this incredible high-tech red light therapy that you can fall asleep under after any extractions or massage. Your skin looks beyond radiant at the end. She’s just incredibly skilled and therapeutic. She’s the only esthetician I see."
Jessica Matlin, Director of Beauty and Home at Moda Operandi
The Product She's Eyeing
“I love anything Liberty of London—the prints, the history, the physical shop. It's so romantic. I introduced the brand's fragrance range to Moda Operandi this winter, and Zephirine is my favorite scent. It has incense, rose, and vetiver—it reminds me of being on Hampstead Heath as the sun sets. A total experience.”
The Treatment She Needs
“We hold so much tension in our faces without even realizing it; Looking at our phones, thinking through problems, writing an email, even trying to fall asleep—our faces carry it all. The Joanna Czech Face Modeling Treatment helps smooth away all of the scrunching. It’s also excellent if you get tension headaches like I do.”
Blake Newby, Media Personality and Editor
The Product She's Eyeing
“I’ve been seeing rave reviews about this one. I’ve been so obsessed with light therapy for my skin lately, and it’s been a serious beauty game-changer. (Plus, it has that Instagram-worthy vibe that makes it super postable). Did I mention it has an under-eye cooling feature? That really makes it a step above the rest."
The Treatment She Needs
“I got Dr. Glen’s Stem Cell Facial a few months back and was a little skeptical for two reasons: the use of exosomes—particularly umbilical cords—as the means of repairing and rejuvenating the skin, and the hefty price tag ($3600). However, after experiencing it and seeing the profound way that my skin transformed, I can say in confidence that it is worth every single penny. Never in my life has my skin felt so soft and looked so glowy—and I say that as a girl who has tried just about every skincare treatment under the sun.”
Violette, Makeup Artist and Founder of Violette_FR
The Product She's Eyeing
“Anything from Officine Universelle Buly; their products are so beautifully crafted and feel like true treasures. And they have a great range—you can find something sweet and personal, like an engraved hair comb, or something universal, like one of their marble-encased candles. Everything feels timeless, elevated, and full of intention.”
The Treatment She Needs
“A Kobido Facial at Barbara Sand from Barbara Sand in Paris would be a dream gift. She uses a traditional Japanese technique called Kobido, which tones the facial muscles and stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins. It’s a true luxury.”
Dianna Singh, Features Director at Allure and Founder of Dianna Singh
The Product She's Eyeing
“Never have I ever turned down a fancy hand wash [like] Byredo Vetyver Handwash. The hallmark of a great beauty gift is that it’s something someone might not buy for themselves—not because they wouldn’t love it, but because maybe it’s a little splurgy or indulgent. Now is not the time for practicality.”
“Never have I ever turned down a fancy hand wash. The hallmark of a great beauty gift is that it’s something someone might not buy for themselves—not because they wouldn’t love it, but because maybe it’s a little splurgy or indulgent."
The Treatment She Needs
“If you’re looking to really treat someone, send them to the Ocean & Harvest Spa at Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. I just spent a beautiful autumn weekend there and can confirm both the space—including a post-treatment relaxation area with an ocean view—and services are top-notch.”
Sean Garrette, Celebrity Aesthetician and Founder of Sean Garrette Skin
The Product He's Eyeing
“I'm going to be honest, the last thing I need is more beauty products (haha!). However, I'm a fragrance lover and collector, so I love when I'm gifted fragrances. I've had Heaven Can Wait by Frederic Malle on my wish list for quite some time now.”
The Treatment He Needs
“I would love to be gifted a spa day at the Aman Spa in NYC—specifically the Full-Day Hammam Spa Day at Aman NYC. This is a 9-hour treatment that includes a body scrub and steam bath experience, a 90-minute full body massage, 30 30-minute customized facial, and a dip into the gorgeous Aman spa pool.”
Daise Bedolla, Beauty Editor at Into The Gloss
The Product She's Eyeing
“Unlike other face masks that target specific skin concerns—making them tricky to gift when you don’t know someone’s exact needs—this one truly works for everyone. It’s 100 percent raw mānuka honey, so it’s hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and helps promote healthy, glowing skin. It’s even great for acne-prone skin since honey is naturally antibacterial. A tube (or a few) would be thrilling.”
The Treatment She Needs
“I’m all about massages these days, and my favorite one is at the Hotel Chelsea. I always see Donald—he has the strongest hands. Each session starts with a quick foot soak (with Sangre de Fruta products, no less!) before you hop onto the heated bed and get oiled up. I feel instantly better the moment I walk in. The spa is beautiful and serene, with an incredible scent (like Muse, the Hotel Chelsea x Sidia collaboration candle), and even features a terrace with stunning views of the Empire State Building. There’s also a cedarwood sauna and aromatic steam rooms to extend your stay—I always do.”
Tynan Sinks, Co-Host of “Smell Ya Later”
The Product He's Eyeing
“I'm not usually a face palette guy because I'm so picky about my shades and formulas, but this one is so gorgeous, I can't stop thinking about it. All the shades are perfect for me (pink) and will work across many skin tones because they're so vibrant and buildable. All those matte and shimmery pinks? I mean, I'll be using that all year.”
The Treatment He Needs
“I want to say some stunty celebrity facialist, but you want to know what I'd really get excited over? A manicure at Primp & Polish in Brooklyn. I go there religiously, but this would still feel like a gift because it is consistently the best manicure in New York. Don't debate me; I don't care. They have four locations, and I've visited all of them. It's consistently the most professional, clean, meticulous, and kind manicure I've received. I've been to all those Instagram salons that all the editors pretend to like, and they've all fucked up my nails. Every time I cheat on [Primp & Polish] with a new salon, I regret it and come running back. I love them and would love to receive them as a gift.”
Maya Allen, Beauty Editor and Expert
“[This] is the gold standard [and] a brand beloved by editors and experts alike. It's proven to deliver real, long-term skin restoration by boosting collagen, calming inflammation, and enhancing your glow. The five modes cover it all: targeting acne, wrinkles, hair growth, body contouring, and pain relief. To me, this is a worthy skinvestment.”
The Treatment She Needs
“Amid the hustle and bustle of midtown, stepping into the Aman New York spa feels like a hidden oasis; everything slows down and I savor the moment. It's peak quiet luxury; so serene you could probably hear a pin drop. Each time I indulge in the Holistic Customised Body Massage, I think about it for months after. The practitioners are deeply experienced, the Aman Essentials skincare products are thoughtfully curated, and the entire experience is unmatched.”
Paige Stables, Creative Consultant and Beauty Editor
The Product She's Eyeing
“There’s a reason the brand’s proprietary elixir is called Miracle Broth™; my skin has a glow like no other when this silky cream is the final step in my routine."
The Treatment She Needs
"I always love the Sacred Signature Facial at The Hotel Chelsea’s Spa. It’s a stunning escape in the heart of the city—the kind of place to slow down, reset, and experience indulgence at its chicest."
Sable Yong, Author of “Die Hot With a Vengeance"
The Product She's Eyeing
"I want those fancy, vintage-y, nostalgic,unicorn-horn-looking hair brushes from Le Bonne Brosse. The Round Blow-dry brush is also so beautiful. They're keepsakes that are useful for as long as you take care of them! I love when beauty things are also something that lasts beyond trends.”
The Treatment She Needs
“Gifting someone a pass pack to a Korean bathhouse like Wi Spa is the move. Regularly visiting the bathhouse is such a mental and physical reset for me—I evangelize it to everyone! And this is something a person can keep up with if they, too, discover how life-changing it can be.”
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