Christmas make-up gifts: the best beauty ideas in our buying guide

Christmas make-up gifts are among the most appreciated by beauty enthusiasts and there are so many make-up- themed gift ideas to choose from, differing in type and price range. The incredible variety of offers on the market makes shopping easier for those looking for a beauty gift to put under the tree, whether it is a gift for relatives, friends or colleagues. Between beauty gift sets , such as Christmas boxes and limited editions , and individual make-up products signed by the best brands, finding the right gift to make those we love happy is not an impossible mission, whatever the budget available.

How to choose make-up gifts

Below are the two main types of Christmas make-up gifts to focus on:

– Gift make-up sets and Christmas boxes – Christmas boxes and gift make-up sets are limited editions launched by the brands for the Christmas holidays. These are kits containing multiple products that come with attractive and refined packaging, in line with the festive mood of Christmas. The most popular are the sets dedicated to eye make-up and lip make-up .

– Never underestimate individual make-up products – Boxes and gift sets undoubtedly make an impression, also thanks to a particularly refined aesthetic, but it is good to keep in mind that purchasing a single product is not an option to be discarded a priori. However, it is better to avoid foundations as well as all those face base products with which it is easy to make mistakes (the choice of texture and color is truly subjective). Instead, it’s a good idea to buy must-have products that everyone uses like lipstick or mascara . Also generally popular gift ideas are face and eye palettes and eye shadows and glitter with which to create amazing make-up for the holidays. To complete the look down to the smallest details, there is nothing better than nail polish , for an impeccable Christmas manicure.

How much do Christmas make-up gifts cost?

When you want to buy Christmas make-up gifts for friends , colleagues, girlfriends or relatives it is important to start from a reference budget . Especially if the list of Christmas gifts to buy is quite long, in fact, it is a good idea to carefully evaluate every single purchase so as to make a careful shopping that is satisfying for those who will receive the gift and as convenient as possible for those who have decided to buy it. For convenience, we have identified three price ranges. The economical range includes products that cost less than 30 euros. The mid-range , however, includes gift ideas priced between 30 and 50 euros. Finally, the high end includes make-up gifts with a cost above 50 euros.

(Data updated as of November 2023 and subject to change over time)

Economic range (within 30 euros)

Cheap Christmas make-up gifts are ideal if you want to pay homage to someone with small but still pleasant thoughts and gifts. It may happen, in fact, that you have to give Christmas presents to people you don’t know very well – this is the case of colleagues with whom you are less familiar – or, for budget reasons, you want to save and don’t want to buy anything too expensive.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of choices to juggle. Just think of the many make-up gift ideas suggested by low cost or medium cost brands to buy in perfumeries , pharmacies and parapharmacies .

Pupa signs several make-up boxes and gift sets , containing some of its bestsellers. Babe Kit! Vamp Mascara & Mini Multiplay includes the Multiplay black pencil and the very famous Pupa Vamp!, a volumizing and lengthening mascara with excellent hold.

Euphidra focuses on the lips with Euphidra Beautiful Lips Box . Available in different color variants, it is a kit consisting of nourishing colored lip balm and matt lipstick.

Alternatively, you can opt to purchase individual products ranging from brands such as Naj Oleari and Essence . Naj Oleari Sparkling Queen Mascaliner is a gold glitter eyeliner perfect for party make-up. Essence What The Fake! Lip gloss , on the other hand, is a volumizing lip gloss with an immediate plumping effect, which has also gone viral online.

They are both economical references, but still able to make an impression especially if well presented. By creating a personalized DIY gift package, even the smallest and cheapest gift acquires value and becomes special.

Medium range (from 30 to 50 euros)

The mid-range includes more expensive products , both in terms of boxes and individual references . During the Christmas holidays, many perfumery brands offer gift sets that allow you to test the mini-sizes of their most famous products. By doing so, you purchase impactful gifts and at the same time keep costs down.

Lancôme Hypnose Drama Mascara Box contains black eye pencil, Hypnôse Drama Mascara with an instant volume effect and the Bi-Facil biphasic make-up remover.

As for individual products, with an overall limited budget it is possible to purchase references from the best brands such as a lipstick , a face highlighter or, if you prefer something more structured, an eye palette , choosing between continuous lines and limited editions .

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick Mat is the lipstick par excellence from Chanel : a lipstick with a velvety finish and very long-lasting proposed in versatile and refined shades.

Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Face Illuminator is a limited edition of the new Devotion collection by Dolce & Gabbana . It is a highlighter with a radiant finish and very fine texture enclosed in a luxurious gold-colored packaging embellished with the Sacred Heart, symbol of the entire line.

Dior Backstage Eye Palette is the perfect gift idea for nude makeup lovers. This Dior eyeshadow palette contains 8 pigments in different finishes and an eye primer to ensure long-lasting makeup.

High end (over 50 euros)

The price rises further when you approach iconic high perfumery make-up products or both make-up and skincare boxes containing full-size products .

This is the case of the Dior Skincare and Make-up Box , a truly elegant gift idea. In a chic clutch bag you will find the Dior Addict Lip Glow lip balm , which changes color based on the wearer’s pH, and the brand’s revitalizing face and body balm in couture format. In this case the packaging that accompanies the products makes the difference.

The same goes for the Estée Lauder Blockbuster Set , a box set containing the best of Estée Lauder make -up and skincare in mini-sizes and sales formats. All products are enclosed in a deluxe beauty case .

Despite not being a high-end brand, Naj Oleari also designs rather expensive make-up boxes and gift sets. Naj Oleari Cherry VIP Beauty Box is one of the most complete: it contains must-have products for makeup and skin care including a lipstick, a mascara, an eye palette and a facial cleansing mousse.

Those who prefer to buy a single high-end product can rely on TOP of the range such as the Chanel Les Beiges Palette Regard eye palette , with 6 matte and satin eyeshadows enclosed in packaging in perfect Chanel style , and references that have made the history of perfumery such as Guerlain Météorites Cipria Perle , Guerlain ‘s bestselling pearl powder that has been perfecting and sublimating the complexion for decades .

How to choose Christmas make-up gifts without making mistakes

Identifying the right gift idea is not always easy, but by keeping a few small precautions in mind, you can stay away from mistakes that can compromise shopping and ruin the Christmas atmosphere with the wrong gift . Gift boxes and make-up sets are always welcome, as are some evergreen make-up products that would please any beauty enthusiast.

Red lipstick for Christmas is a timeless gift idea

When you think of makeup to show off during the Christmas holidays, it is inevitable that your thoughts turn to a red lipstick with a vivid and intense color. Giving a lipstick as a gift is always a good idea: it allows you not to spend a lot and, furthermore, anyone who loves beauty knows that lipsticks are never enough. The ideal is to choose a long-lasting liquid lipstick , with good performance both in terms of finish on the lips and durability. The most coveted are the high perfumery lipsticks signed by brands such as Dior and Chanel , but there is no shortage of economical lipsticks that are equally valid and high-performing.

Best long-lasting liquid lipsticks:

Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick

Dior Rouge Forever Liquid Lipstick

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Fluid Lipstick

The eyeshadow palettes not to be missed

If the recipient of the gift loves eye makeup, the best gift idea is an eyeshadow palette . The color scheme should be chosen taking into consideration the personal style of the person receiving the gift. The soft and natural tones are suitable for daily make-up and are without a doubt the most versatile. For a glamorous make-up , perhaps to show off during the Christmas holidays, you can dare with a palette in brighter tones or with glitter eyeshadows .

Must have eye palette for the holidays:

Lancome Hypnôse Palette

Astra Virtual Cult Glitter Palette

Mesauda Bare Harmony 2.0 Eye Palette

Gift boxes and make-up sets: the most beautiful limited editions

Perfumery shops – whether physical stores or online – are filled with gift boxes and make-up sets close to the holidays. These make-up kits allow you not to have to choose individual references, thus putting aside any doubts, and in most cases they also lead to considerable savings, especially if you decide to opt for cheap make-up Christmas gifts designed by various low cost brands easily available in large-scale retail trade.

These are mostly limited editions , characterized by Christmas-themed or in any case particular and creative packaging. The proposals available are very varied: they range from eye make-up kits consisting of mascara and black pencil to those for lip make-up which include lip pencil and lipstick, without neglecting the more structured sets which instead include products for a complete make-up .

The most convenient gift make-up sets:

L’Oréal Urban Jungle Christmas Box

Collistar Pure Lipstick Box

Rimmel Kit Tin Box Kind & Free Eyes And Nail

The nail polishes to give as gifts at Christmas for an enviable manicure

To be given as a gift alone, to simply make a little gift, or to accompany with make-up products, nail polish is a gift idea not to be underestimated in view of the holidays. Whether it’s the classic Christmas red nail polish or other nuances, the nail polish completes the look and makes it truly impeccable. There are many long-lasting and quick-drying nail polishes to choose from, in all price ranges. For the friend or colleague who is passionate about manicure and nail art, the nail polish can be combined with a nail file decorated with a Christmas theme to create a personalized gift that will surely be appreciated.

Certainly! Here’s a tabular format guide for Christmas makeup gifts. This guide can help you organize and plan makeup gifts for your loved ones:

Remember to consider the recipient’s skin type, makeup preferences, and any specific brands or products they like when selecting the perfect makeup gifts for Christmas. Prices can vary widely based on the brand and product quality, so you can adjust the price range according to your budget.