Best Makeup products & gifts 2024

Best Makeup Products & Gifts: Treat Your Beauty-Loving Besties this holiday season!

Ah, Christmas—the season of joy, twinkling lights, and of course, finding the perfect gifts to make your loved ones’ eyes light up. If you have makeup lovers on your list, you know they’re always on the lookout for the next holy grail product. This year, let’s skip the generic bath sets and dive into the world of makeup that sparkles as bright as the Christmas tree. Ready to become the ultimate gifter? Let’s unwrap the best makeup products & gifts so you can be the best present giver.

Glowy Goddess‘

Nothing says “I’ve been kissed by the holiday magic” quite like a radiant glow. Whether your friend is all about that dewy skin or loves a highlight so bright it could guide Santa’s sleigh, these picks are the perfect treats.

1. Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow This luminous mist is a must-have for any makeup enthusiast who adores the glass-skin look. It’s a multi-tasker—use it to prime the skin before makeup, set a full face, or refresh a look throughout the day. The shimmer is subtle yet effective, making it perfect for selfies under the mistletoe.

2. Iconic London Highlighter When it comes to a highlighter that beams, the Iconic London Highlighter delivers. Its liquid formula blends seamlessly, leaving a dazzling finish that’s perfect for holiday parties.

3. Benefit Cookie Highlighter & Benefit High Beam The Benefit Cookie Highlighter is like dessert for your cheekbones. With its silky-smooth formula and blinding glow, this highlighter is a fan favorite for a reason. It’ll leave your glowy goddess feeling radiant all season long.

Bronzy Besties

Know someone who dreams of bronzed perfection even in the depths of winter? Help them channel sun-kissed vibes with these bronzer essentials.

1. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer This luxe bronzer is a cult favourite, known for its smooth application and buildable colour. It’s perfect for contouring or adding warmth, making it an ideal addition to any makeup lover’s collection. Its long lasting on the skin and long lasting in the palette – this is super popular for a reason!

2. NARS Laguna Bronzer The iconic Laguna Bronzer is a classic for a reason. Its universally flattering shade creates a natural-looking bronze that’s perfect for all skin tones. It undoubtably gives you that sun-kissed glow like you’ve just walked off the beach after a day of tanning.

3. Clinique Chubby Stick – If you don’t have a chubby stick , go and get yourself one now! The whole chubby stick range is such a go-to, so understandably this is a great product- and ill tell you why. Its super creamy and melts into the skin, its easy to blend , the coverage is insane and the shades are beautiful.

4.Made By Mitchel – Curve Case This palette is always Tik-Tok trending and for a good reason. Firstly its a multi-use palette consisting of 4 contour/bronzing shades and 4 blush shades – making it perfect for any occasion! The shades are definitely beautiful and even better, the shade range is super diverse.

5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer This is a staple bronzer – its colour, consistency, application and shade range are absolutely gorgeous! A little goes long way and it perfectly brings warmth to the face. This is highly recommended by many and definitely worth the money.

Blushing Babes

A little blush goes a long way to brighten up the complexion. These blushes are guaranteed to put a rosy smile on their face.

1. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty line has been making waves, and this liquid blush is a standout. It’s pigmented, easy to blend, and leaves a stunning flush that lasts all day. I haven’t used this yet but i’m dying to try it out.

2. Mac Glow Play Blush These blushes are like magic in a compact. They have a beautiful creamy texture which a sheer to medium coverage thats definitely buildable and also “supposedly” are non comedogenic and don’t trigger breakouts. so if your acne prone i would for sure try these out! They have an amazing array of gorgeous shades too.

3. Benefit Blushes & Benetint For a multitasking marvel, you can’t go wrong with Benetint. It’s a blush and lip tint in one, perfect for no-makeup makeup days. But I am obsessed with their powder blushes also! I would even say they are the best ones i’ve used – If you’ve seen my 2024 makeup must haves, you’ll know that they are super long-lasting (even maybe too much haha) and their shades are to die for!

4. Patrick Ta blush duo This duo took over the internet with its controversial technique (cream over powder) but in fact proved to be a gorgeous surprise. When I first bought mine I wasn’t sure on which shade they all looked so good but I went with the shade “shes that girl” and its the most perfect pink. I still need to brave the cream over powder technique but this blush is very luxurious with a pigment that cant be beat!

5. Blursh Balm These are a great option for those looking for something more affordable but lovely and pigmented. They have a unique liquid to powder formula allowing for application to be either under or over makeup! They are also a multi use blush as they can also be used for the lips.

Lip Lovers

Lip products are the ultimate stocking stuffer, and these picks will make any pout pop this holiday.

1. Rimmel Lip Liners If you know me already, you’ll know i’m a sucker for a Rimmel lip liner… in particular the shade cappuccino ( Its the perfect neutral nude ). All their liners give the most perfect application, they’re just the right amount of creamy with a fast dry down that minimises transfer, and the longevity also lives up to its name. Not to mention they are one of the most affordable lip liners on the market… are for that quality you just cant beat it.

2. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs Give the gift of luscious lips with the Gloss Bomb. Its non-sticky formula and high-shine finish are sure to be a hit. I got the fenty HEAT for my birthday recently and i can’t stop using it. Its super lightweight on the lips and I just love the shininess it gives without being sticky and on top of that the plumping effect it has is addictive!

3. Mac Lip Liners & Lipsticks Mac has always been that girl when it comes to makeup but the luxe lip lover will know that its lip products are magic – whirl, cork and soar are all fan faves and I dont think that’ll change anytime soon… and lets not forget the classic velvet teddy. Its true their velvety texture and bold pigment make them the ultimate gift for a lipstick connoisseur.

4. e.l.f Lip Products – Recently, e.l.f has been killing it. And their lip products for sure have proven this. Duping the DIOR lip oil is a big responsibility but they showed up and showed out. Most recently, i came across their Lip Shine Hydrating Core and wow. If your looking for the most hydrating lip nourishing but shiny lip without the sticky mess youre in for a treat. This is my new obsession!

5. Too Faced Lip Injection If your desperate for that lip filler effect , just know that Too Faced Lip Injection will be the girl to give that to you! With a plumping effect that lasts it adds a lovely shine to your lips! and not to mention the added glitter is perfect to achieve the cold winter makeup look!

Brow Buddies

Eyebrows frame the face, and these brow products will help your besties keep their arches on point.

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills A staple in every makeup bag, especially back in 2016 when their brow pomade was as iconic as Drakes Views album. Anastasia are known for their perfect brow products and this for sure includes their brow wiz pencil – it is perfect for creating natural, hair-like strokes as unlike most other brow pencils its super thin so if your after a natural brow definitely consider this!

2. MaxFactor This brow pencil is one I have consistently been using for years and years after a friend introduced it to me. I have never known a drugstore brow product to be so good – its basically a good dupe for the Anastasia brow wiz – its super thin and gives natural hair like strokes.

3. e.l.f Brow Lift This has been my go-to recently. For me , my brows are very untamed and I like them to be fully fixed in a certain position. I find a lot of brow gels are very light and dont really hold down your brows but this has been my recent saviour. I can rely on this to make sure my brows will be stuck to my face and unmovable… so if that is what your after then this is definitely a great option plus its super affordable! Personally, I like the clear gel version but they have a shade range too.

Lash Lovelies

Whether they love a dramatic lash or a natural flutter, these lash products will elevate their eye game.

1. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara This best-selling mascara adds insane volume and length, making it a gift any lash lover will appreciate.

2. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara A more upmarket mascara that definitely doesn’t skimp on quality, not only is it super lightweight but it is known for its unbelievable lengthening and separating skills. It really makes your lashes super long without the clump or spider-look affect as it gives you that super full lash effect with its volume.

3. UKLASH If your after LONGG lashes and I mean like lashes to brows, to the point where you might even need to trim them, then UKlash is what you need! I used this after my lashes were ruined from extensions and omg i couldn’t believe how fast and how long my lashes grew , and it made me fall back in love with my lashes without eye makeup! The only thing you want to be aware of is that it does contain prostaglandins which has been shown to be irritating especially for those with sensitive eyes. Additionally there are potential side effects, so do your research before. UKLASH do have a prostaglandin free version so if your sensitive this is perfect. If you want more detail check out my beauty hacks blog, where I go into more about lash serums like these.

4. L’oreal Telescopic I never imagined I could achieve perfectly separated lashes that look individually coated, super long, and flawless. Looking back, I didn’t even realise how clumpy my lashes used to be. Strays would stick out in random directions, and honestly, I had no clue what was happening!That all changed when I discovered telescopic. It completely transformed my lash game. Gone were the days of clumps and chaos—now I have long, beautifully defined lashes that look stunningly natural.

Flawless foundation Fanatics

Help your friends and family achieve a flawless base with these complexion-perfecting heroes.

1. Clinique Even Better This long-wearing foundation provides a buildable coverage with a natural finish, perfect for those who want their makeup to last all day and night. This is a product that actually does what it says on the bottle. Firstly this applies insanely well it just glides onto your skin and seamlessly blends out without any effort needed. Furthermore the way this really does enhance your skin is amazing – it literally is like a second layer of your skin but just more flawless as it covers blemishes and pores.

2. Armarni Luminous Silk Foundation There isn’t much I cant say about this foundation and i’m sure most of you will know how good this is and why the hype around it hasn’t ever died down since it first came out. I know this is commonly used for wedding makeup and is definitely the most used foundation in most makeup artists’ bags. This award winning foundation provides a satin finish leaving you with long wearing radiance and minimal pores. It is super hydrating and lightweight although it offers a medium buildable coverage.

3. HAUS LABS  Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation This foundation has been newly recognised and has quickly become a holy grail for many with people vowing to never use anything else again. I haven’t tried this yet but i’m super excited to get my hands on it… hopefully with some spare Chrismas money I can test this out! It has said to be long wearing and gives a medium coverage that makes the skin brighter, healthier and more even due to its serum like texture that is super lightweight.

4. Rimmel Lasting Radiance Foundation This foundation is a budget-friendly gem for achieving a flawless complexion that lasts all day. I remember this was my first ever foundation I used and after that I had forgot about it until recently when I got gifted it by a friend. Straight away I fell in love.. its super lightweight but has amazing coverage but the best bit is how it makes your skin look so perfect honestly it gives such a seamless appearance, leaving the most beautiful “glow from within” effect with an amazing lasting power! Writing this reminds me I will buy this the next timeI need to purchase another foundation!

skin tint

1. ilia true skin serum This luxurious primer creates a smooth canvas for makeup, blurring imperfections and extending the wear of foundation. It is celebrated for its lightweight, silky texture that seamlessly blends into the skin, offering buildable light to medium coverage with a radiant finish. As it is less hydrating , users have suggested it may be better for oilier skin types.

2. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream A fan-favourite, this multitasking product combines full coverage, SPF, and skincare benefits, making it a perfect gift for anyone who loves an effortless beauty routine. This was all over my social media and I know why. It offers buildable, medium to full coverage with a natural, skin-like finish, effectively concealing discolouration and redness. Although this is a bit of a heavier consistency, it has an SPF50 which is amazing.

3. L’Oréal Paris True Match Plumping Tinted Serum Personally I am not the biggest fan of the foundation version i find its super heavy very patchy and not easily blendable .. however this serum version is a whole different ball game. It has a sheer to light coverage, ideal for those seeking a natural, dewy finish and due to the added hyaluronic acid, it provides hydration and a plumping effect, enhancing the skin’s appearance by evening out skin tone. this is probably most suitable for nromal to dry skin types.

4. Saie Slip Skin Tint This skin tint has recently been receiving lots of love due to it blending skincare with makeup. It has been praised its ability to provide a luminous, natural finish while offering sun protection (SPF35) and hydration, aligning with the preferences of those who favour a minimalist and effective beauty approach.

For My Powdery Princess‘

For those who adore a matte, poreless finish, these powder products will be their go-to treasures.

1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder If you’ve ever dreamed of flawless, airbrushed skin that stays fresh all day, Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder is the answer. This cult-favorite product is nothing short of iconic, and for good reason.The powder is incredibly lightweight, blending seamlessly into the skin without settling into fine lines or looking cakey. It sets your makeup with a soft-focus finish that’s both natural and stunning. Whether you prefer a minimal makeup look or a full-glam face, this powder works its magic to lock everything in place while keeping shine at bay.

2. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder Loved by makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike, this finely-milled pressed powder delivers a soft-focus, blurred finish that makes pores and imperfections virtually disappear. The formula feels weightless, gliding effortlessly onto the skin for a natural, luminous matte look. Unlike many powders that can leave the skin dry or cakey, this one is infused with nourishing rose wax and almond oil to ensure your skin stays hydrated and radiant. It’s perfect for setting your makeup or for quick touch-ups throughout the day. Although this is very high priced, it is big and lasts forever so you will definitely get lots of use out of it.

3. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder For an affordable option that delivers high-end results, this powder is a winner. It minimises pores and keeps skin looking matte all day long. This is designed to control shine and blur pores, giving your skin a smooth, natural matte finish. What sets it apart is its micro-powders, which adapt to your skin tone and texture, ensuring a seamless, breathable finish that feels like second skin. It’s perfect for oily or combination skin but works beautifully on all skin types, keeping your makeup in place for hours without feeling heavy or drying.

4.Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder If you want to look like you have a filter on your face, this is what you need. Often in competition with the Laura Mercier Powder, this combines luxury, performance, and Instagram-worthy results, Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder is your go-to. Designed for baking but versatile enough for everyday use, this powder locks in your makeup while giving your skin a smooth, radiant finish.Its ultra-fine formula ensures a flawless application, effortlessly blurring fine lines, pores, and imperfections.

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Lets not forget about makeup tools!

• Beauty blender – The two i swear by are the Beauty Blender Sponge and Real Techniques Sponge.
• Brushes – A staple and affordable option are Real Techniques Brushes but for a luxury gift I love Zoeva Brushes , they are to die for!
• Powder puff – For perfect powder application , I love the WONDERSKIN Puff as its super soft.
• Eyelash curler – my favourite is the Shisheido eyelash curler

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FAQ: What Makes a Great Makeup Gift?

Q: I’m not sure about someone’s exact shade or preference. How do I choose? A: Stick to universally flattering products like highlighters, neutral lipsticks, or eye palettes with a mix of shades. Gift sets are also a fantastic option, offering variety in one package.

What’s the one makeup product you can’t live without during the holidays?

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This season, make your makeup-loving besties feel seen, loved, and extra glamorous. Whether they’re all about a radiant glow, bold lips, or fluttery lashes, these gifts are sure to be their new favourites. Don’t forget to wrap them with a bow and add a heartfelt note. After all, the best gift of all is love—and maybe a little glitter!

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