The Pros Have Spoken: These Are the Best Holiday Beauty Gifts of 2022

"Something like two or three years into my job as a beauty editor, I inadvertently decided to take on the job of holiday elf every Christmas. Each year, I'd lug home a suitcase packed to the brim with carefully selected beauty minis to fill my entire family's stockings (I know, I know: best gift-giver award, right?). Then, as it goes, my mom got pickier, my five siblings got partners, and my stocking stuffer count all but quadrupled. Recently, I decided to pare it back — I could blame at least three gray hairs a year on this venture — and now, I wait for Sephora's perfect all-in-one gift set that I can divvy up into dozens of mini gifts. Enter: the Sephora Collection Holy Sheet Holiday Set ($50), a sheet-mask masterpiece with 18 curated options for the face, eyes, hands, and feet that I know they'll appreciate . . . without all the stress." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director

"This collection is a skin-care-lover's dream and feels like self-care in a box. It comes with 18 masks and two cleansing wipes that are perfect to split up for stocking stuffers or just use to restock your own skin-care cabinets." — Ariel Baker, assistant beauty editor

"The Pétrissage Massage Beauty Roller ($75) is small enough to travel with but heavy and sturdy enough to use every day. The grip created by the angled dual rollers emulates a lymphatic drainage massage for ultimate depuffing. Plus, the grip helps release tension in the jaw and neck. It's a perfect gift for fans of skin-care gadgets." — Emily Oldenquist, assistant weekend editor

"In need of a skin reset? This four-step InnBeauty Project The Healthy Skin Edit Bestsellers Kit ($36) comes with everything you need: the Keep It Clean Hydrating Gel Cleanser to remove makeup and impurities, the Slushy Serum for a boost of hydration, Green Machine for vitamin C and superfood protection, and the 10+10 Moisturizer to lock it all in. Hydrating, plumping, and brightening: this magic set does it all." — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, assistant managing beauty editor, Vox Media

"For the beauty-obsessed person who doesn't skimp on their skin-care routine, this Banila Co Clean it Zero Pink Wonderland Cleansing Balm Mini Set ($16) is the perfect travel companion. I use my Banila Co balm to double-cleanse nightly and don't know what I'd do without it." — Yerin Kim, editor, trending and viral features

"Divvying up a good gift set and giving it to multiple people is the name of my holiday game. This Drunk Elephant The Littles Skincare Travel Set ($74) is the perfect example: it's got all the minis anyone would actually want to have in their carry-on bag, but then you get to tailor it to each person's person's individual needs. The one who's always at the beach gets the Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30, whereas your fanciest friend gets the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. As for the cute jelly bag? I'll be keeping that for myself." — KC

"In my opinion, there's no better beauty gift than the mask set, and the Peter Thomas Roth Multi-Masker 4-Piece Mask Kit ($58) is absolute perfection. It comes with four of the brand's most iconic masks: the Cucumber Gel Mask, Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask, Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, and 24K Gold Mask. These babies are each a pretty good size (no skimping on product here!), and the kit covers a lot of ground in terms of skin concerns — your giftee should be set for a while." — Aviel Kanter, branded content director, Vox Media

"I tell everyone who will listen that Supergoop makes my all-time favorite sunscreens. This holiday season, I'm going to be getting the Supergoop Everyday Superstars SPF Discovery Kit ($25) for people on my list because 1. most people who think they don't like wearing sunscreen just haven't found the right product, and 2. it's important to wear every day, year-round. The set features three top sellers: the Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, the Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30, and the Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50." — JH

"I like to live by the motto of: whatever Meghan Markle does for her skin to look so royally good, I want to do that. That's why I'd stock up on the Markle-approved brand Tatcha's Dewy Skin Essentials Set ($82) — which includes its cult moisturizer, serum, and cleanser — while you can for this price. (I'm not even going to pretend that you should gift it. It's too good.)" — KC

"To battle winter's effects on my skin, sheet masks are a must. The Tonymoly All You Need Mask Set ($25) is a bright addition to any makeup bag, and with such an affordable price tag, it makes for a great Secret Santa gift." — Jada Gomez, executive editor

"In the wintertime, most of us could use a little extra hydration. The Tula Skincare Let It Glow Essential Hydration Trio ($54) is a simple, three-step skin-care routine wrapped up into one convenient box. It contains the brand's Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream, Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser, and Eye Recharge + Replenish Pro-Ferm Overnight Eye Cream. What's so great about this set is the products are safe for all skin types, meaning you can gift it to anyone." — JH

"For anyone who's not familiar with cryo therapy, allow me to introduce you. It uses freezing temperatures to boost the skin's radiance and help increase collagen production. To get these benefits at home, the 111Skin Cryo De-Puffing Edit ($135) contains a set of Cryo Sculpting Tools (which makes this gift set worth the money alone in my book), plus the brand's depuffing sheet mask, eye mask, and eye cream." — JH

"The Drunk Elephant Trunk 6.0 ($450) is next level. Packed with 10 full-size products, it features some well-known favorites like the Protini Polypeptide Cream and the Babyfacial, as well some staples like the B-Hydra Intensive Serum. Whether you're a superfan of the brand already or you're looking to try it out for the first time, this is a luxurious gift that will make any skin-care fanatic happy this holiday season." — AB

"I've waxed poetic in the past about how much I love the Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil ($72), and I'm here to do it again. It's the best facial oil I've ever used (and that's coming from someone who doesn't like oils) — and I've even converted friends and family to the power of the plum. That actually includes my boyfriend as well, who can't get enough of it for his beard. Spoiler alert: everyone I know will be getting a bottle this holiday season." — AK

"Nothing beats this sweet-smelling Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Beats Body Care Set ($68) (yes, pun intended), which includes a travel-size shower gel, travel-size Bum Bum Body Scrub, the Cheirosa '62 Perfume Mist, plus a full-size Bum Bum Cream. The shower cream-gel has moisturizing cupuaçu butter and coconut oil, while the scrub is infused with cupuaçu seeds to ensure your silkiest, most revitalized skin yet. Not to mention, the mist and Bum Bum Cream scents are simply decadent, with notes of salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla. You'll smell (and look) like a buttery, walking pastry in the best way, and I'm not sure who wouldn't want that." — AMK

"I am a stickler for clean hands, so I always have hand sanitizer on me. Over the years, the Touchland sanitizers have emerged as my clear favorite — and the Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Value Set ($40) with five full-size bottles is a great value for the germaphobe in your life (even if it's you)." — AB

"This Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Body Care Gift Set ($48) has so much going for it: it is fancy yet approachable; smells spicy in the best way with pepper, coriander, and vetiver; and is inherently useful. I'd call it the perfect "dad" gift, but it really is the perfect "anyone" gift." — DD

"The cold weather is brutal on my hands, and I've been guilty of letting my hands dry out until the skin cracks on more than one occasion. As someone who's often on the go and needs a reminder to apply lotion in between regular hand-washing and applying hand sanitizer, this Chanel La Crème Main ($50) would be the perfect gift. It's stylish and small, which means it's perfect for storing in my purse or backpack, and it's designed to absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a sticky residue — one of my pet peeves with many hand lotions. This is definitely going straight to the top of my beauty wishlist." — Chanel Vargas, assistant editor, trending and viral features

"The Flamingo Estate The Three Brothers Candle Set ($120, originally $150), featuring three full-size candles, contains the best scents I've ever experienced, and I don't say that lightly. Each one of the three is distinctly gorgeous — the Euphoria candle has notes of Ionian bergamot, the Clarity candle is like walking through a dewy forest of fir trees, and the Olive Tree candle smells like it came straight out of an Italian 'White Lotus' vacation. Anyone who receives this trio will be stoked, trust me." — AK

"If you know someone with a serious candle obsession (hi, Mom), then get them something that falls in line with their core values but isn't the same boring gift everyone else will also be giving them — like a Lafco New York Wick Trimmer & Snuffer ($28). Thoughtful and inventive." — KC

"I discovered the candle brand Voluspa a few weeks ago, and the Voluspa Baltic Amber ($32) is what has turned me into its ultimate fan. Amber resin and vanilla orchid are some of the absolutely delicious notes, and it only uses a coconut wax blend, which I've learned may be safer for my pets. Since it's not safe for me to eat this candle, I will settle for burning it constantly." — AB

"The Tarte Maracuja Juicy Squad Lip Balm ($39) was practically made to slip right into a stocking. It features four products: two Maracuja Juicy Lip Balms in the shade Ginger (a warm nude) and Cranberry (a cranberry red), a Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump in Cherry Blossom (a pale pink), and Maracuja Lip Lipstick in Rose (a soft pink beige). The formulas are all ultrahydrating and leave your lips covered in a glossy wash of color." — JH

"One of my favorite things about blush palettes is being able to mix and match shades that I would've never thought of before. So when I spotted my favorite shade of Pat McGrath blush in the Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush + Glow Face Palette ($62) alongside three others I hadn't previously tried, I immediately had to get it. The color combinations I've already come up with are stunning, and the highlighter feels like butter on my skin. This would be perfect for any makeup-lover." — AB

"If there's one product I use every day, it's the Saie Glowy Super Gel — it gives the perfect no-makeup-makeup healthy sheen. I adore both shades; I use the Starglow shade for when I want a subtle all-over highlight and the Warmglow when I want a little extra bronze. Luckily, both come in the Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Highlighter Set ($22), so your giftee can have access to whatever glow they need." — AK

"If you have a beauty-lover on your list, chances are they are in need of a refresh of their brush sets. I love the Real Techniques Limited Edition Frost Your Face Set ($45) because of its compact carrying case and fun fuschia color, which also makes this set so perfect for jet setting." — JG

"If you're a makeup-lover, this Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Glossy Posse Lip Gloss Bomb Trio ($38) is the perfect present. For one, I don't know that I've ever fully finished a tube of lip gloss except for these, and I love how these adorable mini tubes will fit in any purse. Plus, the formula is awesome, and the colors are gorgeous. Everyone will be in love with this set of mini lip glosses." — India Yaffe, assistant commerce editor

"The Tom Ford Shade And Illuminate Cream Contour Duo ($89) in shade 2 blew me away. The formula is creamy and pigmented but not so much so as to where it becomes off-putting. The highlighter adds a glossy sheen to my cheeks that looks incredible in photos. Grab this if you want to shine in your holiday family photos this year." — AB

"Vapour Beauty is one of the OGs in natural and clean makeup, and the pigment payoff in each of its products make it a standout in my book. I'll be giving the Vapour Mystic Holiday Set ($85, originally $108) — which has all the classics you'd need for an everyday look: lipstick (you can choose your favorite shade, but I like red), a swipe of highlighter, and a bronzer stick — to all my makeup-loving friends." — KC

"The entire One/Size x Disney Fantasia collection is adorable, but I need them to come out with a full size of this One/Size Lip Snatcher Velvet Flex Cream & Cushion Gloss Lip Duo ($26) immediately for all my stocking-stuffer gifts. Both shades are stunning on their own but even better together. If I only had one holiday wish left, I would absolutely use it to have an endless supply of this lip product." — AB

"Buying someone a designer handbag may not be in the cards this year (or for the majority of years, if you're me), but gifting something fancy-shmancy doesn't have to cost a fortune. Take the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia ($149), for example: one spritz, and it will instantly transport them to drinking mimosas in a Parisian garden. As such, never has giving a Gucci gift felt more practical." — KC

"As a recent adopter of roll-on perfume, I can't get enough of the Burberry Her Eau de Parfum Rollerball ($31). The scent is both fruity and floral without being too overpowering, and the bottle is compact enough to fit in my bag without taking up too much space. If you have a friend who's always on the go from day to night, this affordable gift is right up their alley." — Victoria Messina, editor, trending and viral features

"Since moving in with my girlfriend, and like most couples these last few years, we have spent a lot of time together lately. I've grown used to many of her 'isms' — her unexplainable sweet tooth, how she twirls her hair when concentrating, and, perhaps my favorite, her scent. I want to buy it in every form — which makes this Maison Louis Marie No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Luxury Perfume Gift Set ($114) with its perfume oil, candle, and fragrance such a steal — because every time I smell it, I can't help but think of her." — KC

"Everyone has someone on their list who only accepts the best of the best of everything — the detail-oriented boss, the immaculately put-together cousin, the friend who always preaches the value in investment pieces. That's who this Balmain Hair Couture Limited Edition Pouch ($220) is for; not only does it come with the brand's popular salt spray, leave-in conditioner, and styling cream, but it's also housed in a painfully chic green travel pouch with Balmain gold details. It even includes the most delicious mini candle (but I highly recommend you keep that part for yourself)." — KC

"Breathe life back into your hair for the new year thanks to this Amika Good Vibes Only Hydration and Repair Hair Mask Set ($39) that includes some of the brand's bestselling products. The Dream Routine Overnight Hydration Treatment gives your hair a boost of hydration overnight with hyaluronic acid, while the Soulfood Nourishing Mask softens texture and keeps frizz at bay. Finish it all off with the Kure Intense Bond Repair Mask that works to repair any damage so your 2023 hair vibes are strong." — AMK

"I simply have not stopped using the BaBylissPRO Studio Design Series Root Reacher ($110) since first trying it. The flat iron's teardrop design makes reaching the roots of my hair incredibly easy, and with it heating up to 450°F, you only need one pass for silky-straight hair. I haven't picked up any of my other flat irons in months." — AB

"This Olaplex Healthy Hair Essentials Kit ($62) is really a treat for anyone who has dyed their hair a lot (like me). Without my regular trimming this year, my ends were looking pretty ragged, but the No. 3 in this kit helps add back loads of hydration. The shampoo and conditioner smell great and do a great job cleaning your hair and scalp. The whole system is a great way to take a little time for yourself." — Lauren Hendrickson, head of commerce

"Take it from someone who's tried (just about) it all: there's no better hair-oil treatment than the cult-favorite formula from Moroccanoil, which makes the Moroccanoil Treatment & Hydrating Styling Cream Hair Set ($49) — that includes the full-size version, plus the brand's styling cream to boot — a no-brainer gift for the person in need of some hair TLC this year." — KC

"I used to love a cluttered shower. Having endless shampoo and conditioner combinations gave me a silent thrill during my wash, rinse, and repeat routine every morning. That being said, I'm now officially in the camp of 'less is more' and think nothing is as luxurious as a giant set of my favorite shampoo and conditioner sitting on my shower shelf. That's what you get with the jumbo-size Oribe Gold Lust Liter Set ($295). While I would like to say this is the perfect gift for any person in your life, the reality is I will probably buy this for myself." — Amanda Murray, branded content director

"Anyone who thinks a toothbrush can't make for a sexy holiday gift clearly hasn't laid eyes on the Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush With 4 Brush Heads ($300, originally $330). It's got all the bells and whistles — a smart display that lets you choose your brush mode, pressure, and light color, plus AI technology that tells you when you're brushing too hard — but it looks all sleek on my bathroom shelf with its minimalist design and magnetic quick-charging station." — KC

"Even before TikTok's red-nails theory started circulating, rouge nail polish has always been one of my power shades. Whether I'm planning to wear a matching outfit or I just want to add a pop of color to my hands for the week, maroon, cherry, and crimson never fail to make me feel a little more confident. Hermès describes its Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel, Rouge Piment ($45) as an 'infusion of summer in winter,' and I will definitely be using it as such all season long." — CV