Happy Monday, everyone!
Time really flew by. Thanksgiving feels like just a week ago, and now the holidays are only a few days away!
If it isn't already obvious, I'm very Type A. I study restaurants' menus before going, and expectedly, I finish my Christmas shopping on Black Friday. But I know most of you are probably normal, which is why this week's blog will come into play for you.
Yes, I promised a blog on cortisone injections (it's coming, just wait!), but I felt it'd be more timely to round up some affordable, fun and thoughtful stocking stuffers to show how much you care— within a budget, of course. Whether it's for your skincare fanatic mom or a friend who insists they "don't know what they want," this beauty-related gift guide, all under $50, is sure to impress any skin type or age demographic.
Most of these products have the Jenna stamp of approval, meaning I've tried, bought and loved them myself. Others have been recommended to me (AKA I want these for Christmas, wink wink).
So for all you last-second holiday shoppers — or even those who procrastinated their own Christmas wish lists — here are some gift ideas that everyone will appreciate this season.
Tatcha: The Serum Stick ($48)
Personally, Tatcha is too expensive for me. I've heard amazing things, but I know if I love it, I'll be splurging monthly for all their products— and frankly I can't afford to do that right now. However, my dear friend Pam brought this specific product to my attention. I know serum sticks are popular in K-beauty, and this one just looks so regal and boujee. I think it'd be a great option, especially for your mom who likely hasn't tried something like this before.
I've actually been using this for almost a year after seeing Kim Kardashian's hair stylist, Chris Appleton, using it on TikTok. For how small the bottle is — and how many sprays are required in one use— it's kind of a splurge, and you go through it quickly. With that being said, however, this truly is a high-quality heat protectant spray that can transform any blowout from home.
I haven't tried this one since it's pricey, but it's something I've always wanted. For the most part, Caudalíe, albeit expensive, is worth the money, and this seems like a luxury clay mask to detox from home (especially for travel lovers, this would make for a great post-flight mask).
Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her ($35 for mini size)
I received a sample of this perfume, and I am in love with the scent. So is my mom— and she's very picky when it comes to designer perfumes. If I had to describe it, it gives off warm, feminine florals. It isn't overwhelmingly strong either, which is why it's such a soft yet sophisticated option.
For anyone in your life struggling with dry skin or eczema this winter, get them this body wash and lotion bundle! As I've mentioned before, I am a big fan of Susan Yara's brand Naturium. It's affordable, scientifically-backed and beginner friendly. These products do exactly what they're supposed to: hydrate, nourish and replenish— without overly irritating fragrances or a hefty price tag.
I just bought this one for my younger sister. As the name implies, it's a pen that comes with lip liner, black eyeliner, brow pencil and highlighter— all in one! It's a very convenient and creative way to touch up your makeup throughout the night, and easy to bring along in your purse or for overnight trips.
Mario Dedivanovic is the best of the best makeup artists, having glammed up Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen and many more. So when he came out with the ultimate lip gloss, I bought it in every shade: Apricot Glow, Mocha Glow, Bare Glow, you name it. Let me tell you: I love these. It melts on beautifully and lasts the whole night. And unlike other lip plumpers, this one doesn't tingle, nor does it burn. It's more of a cooling sensation that leaves your lips feeling luscious and hydrated.
My personal go-to shade is Bronze Glow, but I've wanted to try their newer shades, like Petal Glow and Nude Glow.
Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty's Bowe Glowe ($35 for mini)
This is a great option for any "skin cycling" lover. If you don't already know, Dr. Whitney Bowe is the dermatologist who introduced this now-viral skincare trend on TikTok. I am probably the biggest advocate of skin cycling (read my review here), and would love to incorporate her scientifically-backed cream into my routine. The lavender purple, glass packaging adds a "luxury" feel to the traditional moisturizer for "glowy" results, but because I'm too broke to buy it for myself, I recommend you gift it to any skincare connoisseur in your life.
I won't lie: I used to be an Olaplex hater. Some of their products really dried my hair out or didn't mesh well with my hair type and porosity. But Olaplex No. 3 is a LIFE CHANGER.
After one use, my hair was healthier and softer than ever. The best way to reap its benefits is to wash your hair with clarifying shampoo first. Then once your hair is damp, apply the product and leave it in for ~15 minutes. Wash it out, and BAM: Frizz disappears. Split ends, gone. Hair silkier than ever.
I've seen others with different hair types and textures on TikTok rave about this Olaplex product too, so it seems like a safe option for any of your friends. You can also purchase Olaplex gift kits for a discounted price if you're feeling extra nice this season.
There's nothing more annoying than getting water on your hair while washing your face. Of course, you can get a headband or some clips, but consider spicing it up with an adorably fun spa headband! There are a bunch of different options to choose from, but this animal pack from Amazon is my favorite. You can also match with your roomies for a cute spa night-in.
Christmas or not— everyone needs to try at least one Biossance product. I personally love their Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum ($68, a little overpriced for my liking). However, this gift set is the perfect introduction to this clean, sustainable brand. It includes a face mask, eye gel, dark spot serum and rose oil – all of which have no comedogenic or fungal acne-triggering ingredients. So for anyone whose skin type or needs you're unsure of, it's great to play it safe with this bundle.
Claw clips are a chic, trendy and fashionable way to transform any lazy updo. While you can get a pack on Amazon, I've also been impressed with finding really cute and unique ones on Etsy (which take a bit longer to ship, but are totally worth it).
Krave Kale-Lalu-yAHA ($25)
Have a friend who's new to skincare? Gift them this gentle exfoliator! Unlike my favorite COSRX one, this Krave exfoliator is a great gift option because it's packaged beautifully. It's a fun, kale-green color, gentle enough for beginners with sensitive skin. I got this one from my lovely friend Jenny, who works at Krave, and would recommend it for anyone trying to level up their skincare routine without damaging their moisture barrier.
According to my wise source of TikTok, handheld scalp brushes are crucial for hair growth: They apparently stimulate blood flow around your scalp to promote hair growth and strengthening. I'm not sure how well it actually works, but these trendy brushes are an easy and useful gadget for anyone to at least try out. You can find these on Amazon, Ulta or Sephora, depending on how much you want to spend, and incorporate these scalp massages into your hair care routine. Feel free to also throw in a hair oil, such as the Mielle Organics Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil.
Everyone talks about the Rare Beauty blush, but y'all are sleeping on saie's liquid blush. I love this one because there are no comedogenic or fungal acne-triggering ingredients, so it won't make you break out. A little also goes a long way. My favorite shade is "Spicy" (shown here), because it adds a subtle, sun-kissed tint to any makeup look. I learned that tip from Emily Ratajkowski's makeup tutorial :)
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($16 for sample size)
If you want to give your friend a luxury skincare gift but don't want to risk splurging ~$70 on one product, Dermalogica's sample sizes make for great stocking stuffers. A little goes a long way for this cleanser, and it's important not to use it daily. I've used this microfoliant cleanser a few times since buying it last week, and it's done a great job so far in reducing the appearance of my pores and blackheads— especially on my nose.
For those who don't like the potency of perfume, get them this mist instead. My sister has No. 40, which exudes a light yet sweet, floral-like smell. For those who don't like fruity scents, however, No. 62 is a more "savory" option, reminiscent of fresh caramel popcorn (in the best way possible). I'd recommend getting the larger size ($35), as it's more bang for your buck compared to the mini ($20).
It's annoying to shove all your makeup and skincare products haphazardly into a bag while you're traveling. That's why a cosmetic organizer is a perfect and useful gift for any beauty lover. There are plenty of great options on Amazon— depending on the how big or small you want the bag,
Nothing says body care like a whipped body butter— especially a rainbow one! I got one of these during the pandemic, and it smells exactly what you'd expect "unicorn fruit" to be. It almost makes me want to eat it! But the fun aesthetic of Truly makes it a unique present, especially for teenagers or high-schoolers.
Who isn't always losing their hair ties? Ditch the elastic ones in favor of silk or satin scrunchies, which are designed to prevent breakage, split ends and frizz. If you know your friend's color palette, you can peruse Amazon or Bed, Bath & Beyond for different colors and patterns too.
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Sunscreen ($39)
Whether it's for anti-aging or fading scars, sunscreen is a MUST when it comes to good skincare. I've mentioned this sunscreen before (as did Hailey Bieber), because it's a great, lightweight option that most people love. It isn't too sticky (unlike what some say about sunscreen sticks), nor is it drying. No white cast either, and it's great for all skin types.
OUAI Matte Pomade ($24)
No "clean girl" look is complete without a good pomade. This thick, paste-like product allows you to slick back your hair and tame unruly flyaways, lasting the entire night! It's also a step up from hair gel, which I find to be greasy and slimy, or hair spray, which seems to damage my hair.
Foundation Spatula ($7)
Forget the beauty blender: "It" girls are now putting on their makeup with a foundation spatula. I know it sounds weird, so I included this TikTok video that shows you how to master the latest K-beauty hack. The spatula is supposed to be more sanitary than a beauty blender (or using your fingers), and is a great gift for any makeup lover looking for a new trend to hop on. There's also plenty of different options on Amazon, but I included the cheapest one here.
Finding a good self-tanner for your face is hard. Tanning drops end up being uneven and splotchy, and mousses tend to cling onto dry patches. I've heard great things about face mists (like from St Tropez or Isle of Paradise), but I opted for this one from Coco & Eve, because I love their bronzing mousse: It's the only one that doesn't smell weird, nor does it leave an orange tint. This mist is supposed to be packed with antioxidants too to hydrate and boost collagen, so I'm excited to try when it comes!
Well, that's it for my roundup! Am I missing anything from this list? What are your beauty gift recommendations that I should try out? As always, feel free to email me any feedback, suggestions or general comments!
I hope you all have happy and healthy holidays with your loved ones. Next week, I'll be keeping my promise of covering cortisone injections: Are these actually miracle workers for eliminating your breakouts overnight?
Thanks again for reading this far— and see you next Monday!
Jenna
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