Christmas is a lot of things, and expensive can absolutely be one of them. But thankfully, beauty is a relatively democratic space, and it’s easy to wrap up something wonderful that won’t burn a hole through your wallet. The trick is knowing where to look. That’s where we come in. Here, GRAZIA’s team of international editors round up their favorite cheap and cheerful beauty gifts (all of which come in at under $50). Perfect for neighbors, cousins, secret Santas… you get the gist.
Keep scrolling to shop.
Dior Diorific Vernis in red wonders, $29, shop now
“I’d ask Santa for this polish just to stare at the packaging alone. But with that being said, the shiny, firetruck red hue inside is pretty special. It’s part of the exclusive Dior Golden Nights Holiday 2020 collection, a rock ‘n’ roll take on the festive season as dreamt up by Creative and Image Director Peter Philips. Two coats is all you (or your Secret Santa) need.” – Emily Algar, contributing beauty editor
The beauty chef collagen inner beauty boost, $50, shop now
2020 was the year I fully committed to the many supplements in my possession. I’d dabbled before – sticking to consistent use for a few weeks or months here and there – but would always inevitably fall out of routine and forget about the many concoctions I’d committed to. But this year left little distraction, with my abandoned supplements shelf sitting accusingly alongside my coffee machine as I re-caffeinated throughout the day. Now that we were all WFH, it was much easier to recommit and stay on track. The Beauty Chef’s Collagen Inner Beauty Boost quickly became a delicious desk-side ritual, which I would serve chilled and mixed with sparkling water for a refreshing sip that’s also said to support collagen production. Cute glassware not essential, but absolutely encouraged. – Kate Lancaster, contributing Beauty Editor
Gucci Bloom profumo di fiori rollerball, $34, shop now
“In 2020, the majority of us traded our favorite luxe fragrances for cozy candles and chic essential oil diffusers. But while we were lighting our one-hundredth candle, Gucci was unveiling the newest fragrance in the Gucci Bloom collection: Profumo Di Fiori. If you’re new to the line, it’s meant to evoke the floral scents of the Italian countryside. Its latest launch, housed inside a honey-yellow bottle, contains notes of tuberose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. The scent is fresh, floral, and earthy, a necessary reminder of what beauty waits for us outdoors as we fight to end the coronavirus pandemic. Perfect for the world-traveler who’s unimpressed with her daily journey to the living room and back, the Gucci Bloom fragrance is the next-best escape. Slip the Di Fiori Eau de Parfum Rollerball into her stocking so she can wear it now and when she eventually books her much-needed flight to the Italian Riviera…eventually.” – Marisa Petrarca, US style and beauty editor
SUMMER FRIDAYS, JET LEG MASK, $25, shop now
“This time of year is festive, sure, but it’s also wildly busy and for some, a little stressful. Give the gift of a restored complexion with this buttery face mask from Summer Fridays. It’s full of ceramides, vitamins, antioxidants and a gentle exfoliant in the form of chestnut extract to nourish the skin, leaving it brighter and more radiant. The texture is also perfect – rich, dewy and supremely hydrating. You can use it as a quick treatment or a leave-on moisturiser. If you’ve got a friend/sister/colleague who needs some R&R this holiday season, consider this the perfect gift.” – Emily Algar, contributing beauty editor
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, $27. SHOP NOW
“Lip gloss was the coolest makeup product when I was in sixth grade. I remember slathering my pout with sticky gloss, after thoughtfully choosing one flavor out of the obscure amount that I collected. My hair would get stuck on my lips from the faintest gust of wind. Over the years, I’m happy to report that I’ve refined my makeup routine, and the lip gloss category has majorly improved as a whole, too. Together, we’ve grown up and lip gloss has expanded into a whole new realm of possibility with the launch of oil and butter-infused formulas that double as a lip treatment. Instead of being sticky, they’re juicy, and by that, I mean rich, hydrating, and smooth. My favorite formula is from the cool-and-clean beauty brand of the moment: Kosas. These lip glosses may not look particularly revolutionary, but for the person who used to smear glue-like gloss onto their lips, as I did, it certainly is.” – Marisa Petrarca, US style and beauty editor
L’Occitane Almond Christmas ornament, $14, shop now
“It’s all about the little things this year, which coincidentally seems to be the philosophy behind this super-cute festive set. L’Occitane is the undisputed champion when it comes to luxe shower accoutrements, and their Almond Christmas Ornament provides all their heavenly almond-scented best sellers in an eye-catching bauble that doubles as extra adornment for your tree. It offers charming mini versions of the brand’s Almond Shower Oil, Almond Milk Concentrate and Almond Hand Cream for a complete home-spa experience, or to take with you on domestic explorations in the new year. After stealing mine from in-flight amenities or hotel toiletry packs to stow in my travel beauty bag for years (shhhhhh!), I’ll be gifting – and hopefully getting gifted – this sweet little stocking filler.” – Kate Lancaster, contributing beauty editor
Necessaire the hand cream, $20, shop now
“Take it from a hand cream hoarder: This fragrance-free, ‘gram-friendly formula is worth the hype, and it’s the perfect stocking stuffer to end a year defined by hand sanitizer and Lysol. I admit that I wasn’t sold when it first started popping up on every lifestyle influencer’s Instagram feed. I assumed it was just another product with really good packaging perfect for a flat lay for the feed. But then, I tried The Hand Cream, and it became a bedside essential. It may be social media famous for its minimalist chicness, but it’s also industry famous for the way it gets the job done. Its do-it-all peptide and vitamin-infused formula hydrates, protects and moisturizes. The best part? A bottle is cheaper than your last Seamless order.” – Marisa Petrarca, US style and beauty editor
Ole Henriksen Glow2OH dark spot toner, $16, shop now
“I’m someone who likes to feel like my skincare is actually doing something. This Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner from Ole Henriksen is really potent and one that you can feel is really getting to work on your skin post-cleanser. Its powerful blend of glycolic and lactic acids (AHAs) targets dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and really brightens my skin. After applying with a cotton pad morning and night, my skin gets that tingly, tightened feeling – and I love it! There’s a real zesty scent to it as well, which wakes you up and makes you feel ready for the day. If you’re looking for a toner, it’s this powerhouse one for me.” – Jessica Bailey, editorial director
Chanel coco mademoiselle fresh bath soap, $26, shop now
“It’s not easy to snap up Chanel for less that $50, but this impossibly chic cake soap is a designer dream for less. There’s also just something special about a high fashion take on an everyday beauty item. The scent in particular is the fresh, feminine calling card of Coco Mademoiselle: Vibrant orange, sweet rose and powdery patchouli. Gift it to your label-loving friend.” – Emily Algar, contributing beauty editor
Aesop rind concentrate body balm, $35, shop now
“Aesop is a chic gifting option no matter the occasion, and the spritely orange hue of this body balm tube feels extra festive. It’s a thick cream that works wonders on limbs that have had too much sun and salt, plus it smells like a stack of freshly-squeezed oranges. Most beauty buffs would be thrilled to open this come Christmas day.” – Emily Algar, contributing beauty editor
