15 Gift Ideas For the Makeup Lover in Your Life
Courtesy/InStyle
With the holidays just around the corner, we're giving you a head start on your shopping list with 15 stellar gifts for the makeup aficionado in your life. And you know exactly who we're talking about.
You know that friend who has watched every YouTube video on contouring? The one who knows when a product is launching before it hits the shelves? The self-taught makeup pro who can apply a smokey eye and fake lashes in under five minutes?
If that sounds like someone you know, someone you'd love to treat with a gift, then keep on reading.
From blush palettes and 14-piece brush sets, to makeup tools and books on beauty, here's a list of everything a true makeup fan will want this holiday season.
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1. For the Rom-Com Fan
- 45 Available at Ulta
Capture the joy of French beauty with this limited edition eyeshadow palette in collaboration with Emily in Paris. The 12 shades are divided into three groups — Born in France, Parisian at Heart, and Paris A La Folie — to help them take their beauty look from day to night. Oui, oui.
2. For the Animal Activist:
- 52 Available at Nordstrom
Infused with pure-pearl particles, this light-catching eyeshadow brings life to the eyes and provides a multi-dimensional shimmer. Choose from six metallic shades, each created to pay tribute and benefit two endangered African species: the grey crowned crane and the zebra.
3. For the Luxury Lipstick Lover:
- 85 Available at Nordstrom
Finding the perfect red shade has never been so easy thanks to this handy palette. Each color is highly pigmented, and we love that they can be worn alone or mixed together for a customized look. Simply dab, layer, and diffuse.
4. For the Flush-Chaser:
- 39 Available at Tarte Cosmetics
A few swipes of one of these award-winning blushes will give cheeks that natural-looking flush you get when you see your crush (or just had a great workout). This set of four blushes comes with a limited edition highlighter to complete that lit-from-within glow.
5. For the Beauty Insider:
- 24 Available at Sephora
IYKYK — this lip oil is bomb. It doesn't feel tacky, lasts forever, and looks elegant on the lips. Buy it in one of eight shades to experience this game-changing formula.
VIDEO: Everything You Need To Know About Applying Makeup For Your Eye Shape
6. For the Person On-The-Go:
- 55 Available at Saks Fifth Avenue
This pretty pink cheek palette is inspired by the French Ballet Theatre in Paris and features a blush, bronzer, and illuminator. Create a subtle yet elegant cheek look with this trio of sheen light coral, matte rose pink, and sheen red coral, aptly named Audition, Matinèe, and Curtain Call.
7. For the One Who Has It All:
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue
For an IRL filter effect, swipe a makeup brush in this finishing powder and dust it over the skin. Not only will it help makeup last longer, but it'll make you look infinitely more luminous. It's the beauty product you never knew you needed.
8. For the Makeup Guru:
- 20 Available at Ulta
Beautyblender changed the makeup game when it launched its blending sponge years ago, and it's still the best one on the market. It's best to change these out every few months, so a new one is always going to be a welcome gift.
9. For the Dedicated Mask-Wearer:
- 30 Available at Mented Cosmetics
When the eyes are their best weapon, gift them a palette that adds the perfect complement to any makeup look. Five gorgeous shimmers and five blendable mattes enhance the eyes, as the simplest way to bring the glamour.
10. For the TikTok Star:
- 37.50 Available at NYX
These drugstore lip glosses went viral on TikTok for their lasting power, infinite shine, and affordable price. We know we're not playing Pokémon, but you gotta catch 'em all — all 14.
9. For the Tattoo-Curious:
Available at Amazon
Getting permanent ink is a big decision, but even those who don't want to commit can join in on the fun with these temporary tattoo markers. This set comes with six stencils, but the sky is the limit for all the designs you can create.
10. For the Aspiring MUA:
- 49.99 Available at Ulta
Makeup application is an art, and every artists needs their tools. This set comes with 12 makeup brushes and two blending sponges. A major upgrade to anyone's set.
11. For WOC:
Available at Amazon
This book is a coffee table must-have for any makeup lover. Not only does it feature beautiful illustrations, but it also includes a carefully curated guide to over 150 inclusive makeup, skincare, and haircare products that every Black woman should have on her radar.
12. For the Baker:
- 39.99 Available at Ulta
This set is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Apart from coming in an adorable dollhouse-looking package, each creamy bronzer smells like one of the following four scents: cake, coffee, cookies, and donuts. If that weren't enough to persuade you, know that proceeds from this set go to the Earth Day Network and its climate literacy campaign to educate kids around the world.
13. For the Lip Maximalist:
- 60 Available at The Lip Bar
These ultra-pigmented lip liners are ready to zhuzh up any lip look. The set includes seven shades to define your pout or blend in with your favorite lippie for an ombré effect that wows.
14. For the Perfectionist:
Available at Amazon
Achieve expert brow shaping and seamless lash curling with this special edition set, featuring the award-winning Slant Tweezer and Classic Eyelash Curler in a seductive midnight blue.
15. For the Cult-Beauty Follower:
- 50 Available at Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury's "pillow talk" lipstick shade is so popular it's developed a cult following, and the brand created more lip products in the same shade. In this set, you get three pillow talk lippies plus the brand's best-selling volumizing mascara.
