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So you want to gift your loved one a luxury beauty item this holiday season? We subscribe to the belief that the best gifts are ones that a person would be happy to have, but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. If you’re not a beauty expert or zillionaire, you may not have much experience with the pricier beauty buys, and it can be hard to know which are worth your coin and which are just well-packaged snake oil.
What’s considered “luxury” is widely subjective, but what separates most prestige products from the rest are the high-quality, science-backed ingredients and exquisitely produced packaging. Sure, you can search TikTok and easily find a dupe in the drugstore or on Amazon, but oftentimes with beauty budget shopping you can’t beat the true quality of the spendier product, which constitutes the high price point. So we tested a ton and are sharing our favorites so that you can shop with confidence.
SO, WHAT ARE the best luxury beauty gifts?
➼ Skin Care
➼ Body Care
➼ Makeup
➼ Wellness
➼ Candles
➼ Hair Care
➼ Fragrance
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Luxury Skin Care
Chanel’s firming eye-revitalizer patches restore the firmness of the under eye while reducing dark circles and puffiness and also look incredibly chic in a selfie. To top off the experience, the anti-wrinkles roll-on serum comes with a set of ten hydro-gel patches that are adorned with Chanel all over them. Basking in luxury and treating stubborn under-eye bags is a great gift.
La Prairie’s Skin Caviar collection infuses caviar extract into each product. Talk about the ultimate luxury. This velvety cream retextures my skin while reducing fine lines. It’s worth the price tag. While using it, I saw my complexion transform from dull and dry to nourished and smooth.
If the cream is too pricey, its skin mist is a great alternative. It’s all the hydration from the Skin Caviar line bottled up into a light mist. I like to use it after cleansing or throughout the day for some added hydration. It’s a savior for anyone you know with dry skin.
Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson are some of the celebrities you can see walking out of Joanna Czech’s esthetician practice with a more toned and lifted face. Czech transforms skin with her special lifting and massaging techniques. This facial collection of masks and a massager combines she and 111Skin’s Dr. Yannis’s skin-care philosophies to provide at-home results.
Augustinus Bader uses stem-cell research to repair skin with unique, innovative formulas that are proven to really work. Yes, we know this price is a lot for a mask, but I noticed my skin was still hydrated and glowy days after using it. I usually smooth it on postflight or pre–big event, and it’s worth every penny.
Sisley’s Black Rose Line is legendary among skin-care lovers and celebrities for a reason: The products are efficacious, enjoyable to apply (thanks to the luxurious-feeling creamy textures), and packed with nourishing ingredients. The most famous product in this set is unequivocally the Black Rose Cream Mask, the ultimate glow-up in a tube that only takes ten minutes to do the job. The star ingredient throughout the line, Black Rose, hydrates, plumps, and brightens the skin.
We’re all searching for the secret to increasing the collagen in our skin. Products that speed up its cellular production, such as this Vitality Mask, are ideal for skin that has lost definition or has increased sagging. The 24K gold-infused mask is packed with antioxidants to reverse the look of stressed skin. While using it, I see it visibly lift and brighten my skin, and it’s perfect for a selfie moment because the mask is literally gold.
In the 1970s, SK-II scientists discovered Pitera in Japan, a unique naturally derived ingredient credited for what the brand coins “crystal clear skin.” SK-II has been a household name in Asian skin care since the 1980s with its most notable product, the Facial Treatment Essence. Introduce a loved one in your life to this set, complete with a toner, face mask, and essence.
Do you have someone in your life who can never make it to the spa? Relieve their stress by giving them this indulgent face mask. The Switzerland-born beauty brand has been a staple in spas worldwide for years thanks to the creamy, rich texture made up of shea butter and other hydrating ingredients. After each use, you can expect super-smooth, supple skin.
The texture of this lightweight, watery oil may confuse you, but the results won’t. It’s as rich as a regular oil but as light as a serum that lusciously drips down the skin.
I’ve used this lightweight serum, which hydrates my skin and leaves it smooth, radiant, and even. It’s the one you gift to the person trying to find their stride in skin care because it effectively addresses multiple concerns at once.
This mask is the one I turn to when I have intensely clogged skin. The yeast-extract, cucumber, and witch-hazel ingredients work together to soothe my skin while purifying it. (Yes, it does have a bit of a smell, but trust us, it’s worth it.) Aestheticians like Rescue Spa’s Danuta Mieloch agree.
Renowned Brooklyn plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton is known for innovations in the key ingredient of growth factor. This serum promises to repair the skin while increasing collagen density. After using it, I can attest that it keeps its promises.
Eye creams can be tricky because the eye area has many targeted concerns, including puffiness and dark circles. Element Eight’s caffeine-packed serum is made using a special technology that delivers oxygen deep into the skin. In layman’s terms: It stimulates blood flow to intensely hydrate the under eye while reducing puffiness and evening out skin tone.
Auteur formulas are science backed and usually extremely restorative. This lip-renewal treatment isn’t your average lip plumper — with peptide technology and a lip sculpt complex, it locks in moisture to restore lips and firms them diminishing the appearance of fine lines.
La Mer’s treatment lotion made with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth is a go-to for the most plump and glowy skin. These masks, drenched in the treatment lotion to give the skin the same glow, are perfect for traveling or a girls night.
Have you ever met a lightweight gel moisturizer that nourishes the skin as deeply as some of your favorite heavy creams? Now you have. RéVive’s hydrogel moisturizer uses peptides and 4-D hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and fight signs of aging.
Clinique is a classic gift, one that anyone will love. This balm-to-oil cleanser gently dissolves all your makeup or any excess oils from the day while leaving the skin nourished.
This serum and oil duo is the greatest gift you could give to a beauty-obsessed and hemp-lover friend. While they may like sativa or indica in a joint or edible form, these products are hemp-infused to restore the vitality of the skin, protect the barrier, calm the skin, and more. The oil has been a nighttime savior for me.
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Luxury Body Care
For the holidays, give the gift of a viral scent: the amber-and-floral-blended Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance comes in a gold shimmering body oil. The glistening oil is a mix of apricot, macadamia, and argan oils finished off with 24-karat gold powder so it’ll have the skin lusciously shining like gold while nourishing it, too.
Mutha’s body butter is an intense whipped blend of shea, cocoa, and mango butters. Yes, it smells like a citrus dream, but the rich butters melt into the skin for a hydration that lasts for days. Women also rave about how good it is for stretch marks while pregnant.
Bond No. 9 is known for its distinct New York City–inspired perfumes sold in its signature star-shaped bottle. Little-known fact: Each fragrance also comes in a scented Body Silk. The velvety-smooth cream soothes my skin and leaves it smelling heavenly. If you don’t want to splurge on a bottle but still want to gift the scent of Bond, a Body Silk is a great option.
This body hydrator is a must-have product for dehydrated skin. With hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and peptides, it quickly absorbs into my skin for really good hydration. It’s like a serum for your entire body.
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Luxury Makeup
Prada Beauty launched in the U.S. this year and it has really pigmented lipsticks reminiscent of the bold reds we see on Prada runways. This set is a favorite of mine not only because of all the lipsticks but also because of the clutch that doubles as the perfect going-out bag — and it has a mirror inside to reapply your lip throughout the night. And let’s be honest, when would you ever find a regular Prada clutch at this price point?
It’s almost been five years since Dior Beauty launched its first lip oil, and it’s still everyone’s favorite. The Lip Maximizer Gloss instantly plumps lips while delivering immediate hydration. It’s the best stocking-stuffer idea.
For the person who needs an easier approach to eyeshadow palettes, this YSL Beauty quad collects seamlessly blendable shades for you. It includes one of each finish: a satin, a matte, a metallic, and a shimmer. They’re highly pigmented and show up on all skin tones for all-day comfortable wear sans smearing.
Makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench has worked with everyone from Rihanna to Bella Hadid. She knows what it takes to make the perfect creamy lipstick. This lipstick is a nourishing bold red in Isamaya’s signature penis packaging. Yes, penis packaging. It’s playful and a conversation starter for sure.
Our shopping writer Chinea Rodriguez hasn’t stopped talking about this blush. “It’s one of my go-to blushes because of how easy it is to blend out and how natural it looks. I can build coverage with just a few dots of the formula and it doesn’t move or ruin the rest of my makeup. I love to mix a few different shades for an ombré look,” she says.
Valentino’s gel eyeliner is rich in pigment and easy to apply. It comes in an array of colors from matte black for everyday makeup to shimmering standout shades like blue and purple. It’s an eyeliner that never leaves my makeup bag.
Hourglass brushes are simply the best. Curated with soft bristles with a custom design, they make me feel like a pro when doing my makeup.
Pat McGrath palettes have everything you need whether it’s warm mattes for an everyday look or metallic shadows for a festive look. The velvet-like texture goes on smooth making it easy to use whether you’re a pro like Pat or just love playing in makeup.
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Luxury Wellness
If they love a bath, this addition will completely elevate their tub time. The salt is sustainably sourced from the Amazon (fancy) and combines mineral sea and epsom salts, Brazilian white clay, vetiver oil, and more. Plus: It smells great and leaves your skin feeling smooth. Deputy style editor Joanna Nikas swears by it.
No sauna at the gym or your go-to workout or wellness spot? No problem. This at-home sauna blanket heats up to between 68 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit and has all the benefits of a traditional sauna. I’ve used it and can say it definitely relaxes my body after the gym.
Gua sha, but make it fashion. The gua sha, which is one of the best wellness tools, improves circulation, detoxifies, reduces inflammation, and more. This year Celine launched beauty and one of the tools is a luxurious black gua sha set complete with gold all-caps CELINE signage. It’s probably the most luxury gua sha you can gift, and it’s not only for face but for body, too.
Want a more sculpting tool with effects on the skin? Dior Prestige’s massage tool is complete with 21 ceramic pearls to stimulate the skin. It not only sculpts but also has a cooling effect on the face and neck. I love using it with Dior’s rose activated serum for the plumpest skin.
The friend who keeps their nails done likely has a collection of nail polish and it’s not complete without Hermès polish, a formula with a high concentration of pigment and a long-lasting shine. It’s the mini orange gift box they’d love to open.
The popular LYMA laser uses low-level laser therapy to treat a number of concerns from acne scars and hyperpigmentation to inflammation. It has to be used consistently to see results, our team loves using it as a part of our nighttime routine.
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Luxury Candles
Candle lovers will appreciate the unexpected warm and fresh notes of raspberry, oud, and palo santo, created to evoke the aroma of a cozy fireplace. Rather than the overwhelming and heady fragrant winter candle you might expect, this slow-burner has a more subtle, soft scent.
This set is inspired by the Aman hotels, which, if you’ve ever walked into one, radiate peace and tranquility. Why not bring their aromatherapy spa experience to your home?
This Loewe kit is the ultimate luxury: The brass chains attach a candle trimmer, a snuffer, and a dipper to a signature charm.
Or just gift them a Loewe candle, equally as fancy. This fresh, aquatic aroma invites a blissful and airy aroma to any space, whether it’s lit or not, that’s how powerful it is.
Love Baccarat Rouge 540? Join the club. Baccarat is leaning more into scent starting with candles poured into bold crystal vessels. Blended with vetiver and cumin, it’s a spicy candle that instantly invites a sense of comfort to any environment where it’s lit.
Trudon candles are rich and usually unexpected scents. Their Giambattista Valli rose candle has the fish ness of roses, but the spice of black pepper, and warmth from sandalwood and amber. It’s an aroma fit for a scent-obsessed person.
When you can’t gift an island vacation to a friend gift the closest thing to it, a candle that transports them there. This mixes sugarcane and rum for a sweet and spicy blend that’ll have you imagining you’re on a beach.
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Luxury Hair Care
One of TikTok’s luxury-on-a-budget hacks is buying scents in the form of a hair mist because it’s a fraction of the price. The Delina scent from Parfum de Marly is a best seller and beloved amongst the fragrance community for its rosy aroma. It’s a powerful yet feminine blend that your fragrance-obsessed friend would love.
This limited-edition Dyson will definitely help you win Gift Giver of the Year. It’s arguably the most TikTok-viral hair tool of the year and worth every coin. For the holidays, the brand released this royal-blue colorway that not only has the sexiest shelf appeal but will also be an absolute game-changer in their hair-care routine. It’s highly engineered, made with heat technology and several speed functions to ensure the fasting drying time for all hair types.
Give the gift of sleek, straight hair to a loved one who has thick and/or curly hair that can take hours to straighten. This wide-plate flat iron gets the job done quickly and leaves hair with a luster so they can skip an influx of oils or sheen products. This limited-edition Icy Blue shade is a dreamy addition to any beauty lovers bathroom.
Our deputy style editor, Joanna Nikas, has not stopped raving about this shampoo. “My hair has gotten noticeably shinier and softer. The creamy formula smells great, without weighting down my hair or making it too fragrant,” she said. You can never go wrong giving the gift of shinier and softer hair.
If you have a friend who’s prioritizing their hair care journey in 2025, then this Nutrafol bundle is the perfect gift.
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Luxury Fragrance
Mojave Ghost’s musky yet sweet floral is a tried-and-true favorite of mine for a reason. While fragrance is hard to gift because of each recipient’s personal taste, we can confidently say Mojave Ghost is a crowd-pleaser. For the holiday season, there’s a limited-edition 250-milliliter size, 200 more than the traditional bottle, so it will last longer.
If sitting by the fireplace is their ideal setting, this set will help friends and family feel comforted by the notes of vanilla and chestnut accords. This fragrance is long-lasting and will linger on the skin throughout the day.
Burberry’s latest is a layerable, long-lasting vanilla-based fragrance. This gourmand scent comes in a gold bottle that’s a great addition to a perfume collection.
With notes of mandarin and ambrette, this Louis Vuitton scent will metaphorically teleport you to your favorite place to watch the sunset. Plus, the bottle can be engraved for perfect gift personalization.
Or if you don’t know the type of scents they like, Louis Vuitton has a set of miniatures so they can discover their favorites. This collector’s set is complete with five icon fragrances. It’s an ideal gift for the man in your life.
Mind Games fragrances are all inspired by chess. Sound strange? We agree, but this plays off the complexity of the game — and the scents are like nothing you’ve ever experienced. J’Adoube includes notes of patchouli and mandarin oils and vintage leather. While it’s very woody, it’s also slightly fruity.
The first whiff of this may remind you of mangoes, but with longer wear, you’ll detect black pepper, jasmine, and vanilla. Maybe even a whiff of patchouli. It’s an excellent gift for the person who loves exploring a fragrance’s complexities.
While this scent is very rosy, it’s not your traditional floral. The feminine fragrance blends multiple rose ingredients with musk for a graceful finish.
Bottega launched fragrances this year and the bottles are just as detailed as their clothing. This warm yet spicy scent with patchouli oil and vanilla-bourbon extract is a complex blend that’ll be beloved by any fragrance lover, especially if they’re a big Bottega fan.
For the person who is obsessed with their car smelling brand new, gift them this diffuser so their car always smells good. Pura diffusers are reliable and have an array of scent options.
More Holiday Gifting
- The Best Secret Santa Gifts Under $25 (That You Can Buy on Amazon)
- The Luxury Fashion Gifts We Can’t Stop Thinking About
- The Ultimate Luxury Home-Gift Guide