If somebody you know or love is constantly complaining about their dry skin or latent acne, then they’re easier to shop for than you may have realized. Blemishes or other dermatological issues can make it easy to please them, in some cases with just a stocking stuffer. These hand-selected beauty and personal care gifts will put a smile on any face, whether pimply or perfectly primped.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
It’s possible that this miracle in a bottle is currently the most coveted skincare product in the industry. Beauty junkies and skincare novices alike have all clamored for our reaction to this buzziest of buzzed about products, and the answer is, yes, it’s everything you’ve heard it is and more. An elixir of 22 botanicals and essential oils, Active Botanical Serum corrects, refines, renews, detoxes, clarifies, replenishes, hydrates, restores, smooths, protects, nourishes, brightens, and clears. Even better—results can be seen as soon as the first application. Now that’s a gift.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Who knew that a hair dryer could be so sexy? The company behind the world’s best vacuums now makes what might be the world’s most alluring hair styling product. This lightweight dryer protects your hair from the effects of heat by measuring air temperature 20 times per second, protecting your natural shine. Ideal for any gender, the air stream is focused, precise, and even, and feels featherweight in your hand. Dyson Supersonic is so attractive that you may wind up mounting it on your wall rather than stashing it in a drawer.
Anything and Everything from Drunk Elephant
Literally anything. The trendiest, cleanest skincare brand on the market is also the most fun (and the most Instagrammable). Whether you’re shopping for the casual beautyista or the die-hard skincare monster in your life, the gift of Drunk Elephant will spur shrieks and maybe even a few tears. Its iconic 10-piece trunk is the best value ($592 worth of products for $425), but the smaller options are equally thrilling. I like the $28 midi-sized Babyfacial and the $90 set of eight small-size, travel-friendly products.
Borghese Mini Mask Ornaments
I don’t think that the Dig has used the word “darling” too many times before, but are these not just the most darling thing? Borghese’s iconic Fango mud masks are available in mini mask ornaments exclusively from Macy’s for the holidays. Five masks in total that brighten, calm, hydrate, purify, and illuminate skin are the perfect stocking stuffer for the vain. If you want all five, they’re available in a chic gift box, sans the darling ornaments.
Mario Badescu Gift Sets
While we’re on the topic of darling little things, we love this $12 Rosewater Facial Spray and Lip Balm set from Mario Badescu, Martha Stewart’s go-to skincare brand. It’s also got a great holiday set of their cult favorite facial sprays, as well as a bevy of other affordable, results-driven sets of its beloved formulas. If it’s good enough for Martha, it’s good enough for me.
Molton Brown Holiday Fragrances
Molton Brown products are the ultimate luxury home and bath companion. Still expertly blended in England from exotic ingredients, the brand’s newest holiday fragrance—Muddled Plum—gives new meaning to festive fragrance and delivers a decadent shower experience. The range includes a gorgeous scented candle, as well as a seductive Eau de Toilette and the requisite body wash and lotion. The festive bauble comes filled with one of seven different scents, as well as the hand wash and lotion sets (Frankincense & Allspice is to die for). Fun enough for all ages but refined enough to impress that hard-to-please person.
Aera Smart Diffuser
This first-of-its-kind home fragrance system Aera is an effortless way to envelope your home in sophisticated scents, all without messy wall plugs or overpowering candles. The Smart Diffuser can be controlled from your phone: You can change the strength and even set a fragrance schedule so that you can walk into a beautifully smelling home every time. The perfect gift for so many kinds of people, Aera is a marvel of technological innovation and effortless style.
Clarins Double Serum & Multi-Active Collection
There’s no two ways about it, Clarins famous Double Serum works, and it works fast, for people of all ages, genders, and skin types. Twenty-one plant extracts work together to smooth lines, even skin tone, and give your skin the kind of glow that Clarins is world-renowned for. This gift set is one hell of a holiday threesome, combining the Double Serum with a Multi-Active Day Cream and an unbeatably good Multi-Active Night Cream. Despite the feminine packaging, all three work wonders for men, too.
Kiehl’s Smooth Skin Delights Hand Cream Set
Kiehl’s hand creams are among the best on the market, especially for those of us who despise the greasy mess left behind by most. We’re sad that Coriander was left out of this year’s trio, but in its place is the original Ultimate Strength Hand Salve with its delicious eucalyptus scent. Joining it are grapefruit (which doesn’t smell too citrusy) and lavender, which is great for slathering on before bed. And this is a gift you can feel good about giving: 100 percent of the net proceeds go to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
Theater critic for TheaterMania & WBUR’s TheArtery | Theater Editor for DigBoston | film and music critic for EDGE Media | Boston Theater Critics Association.
