As a beauty editor, I can start feeling jaded from all of the different product launches and deals that come through my inbox. Sometimes there are so many that I have no idea where to start—and beauty is my job. I know how overwhelming it is to try to sort through an already oversaturated market, and throw in Black Friday deals and holiday shopping? Forget about it.
When I feel overwhelmed by beauty products, I turn to the experts. I realize not everyone has access to people in the beauty industry the same way I do, but I’m feeling festive, so I decided to share the wealth this year.
I reached out to nine of the coolest people I know in the beauty industry and had them tell me what’s on the top of their lists for the holidays this year. Some gifts are on every die-hard beauty enthusiast’s list (like the Droplette, which is perhaps the best investment skincare tool of the year), while others are pleasantly surprising and would make the most thoughtful, unique gifts (a fragrance specifically for your sheets, anyone?). See below for their holiday wish lists, and be sure to snag their picks for Black Friday shopping since they’re more than worth it.
Dani Kimiko Vincent, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of Kimiko
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“I have my eye on this Droplette misting skincare device. I test everything that goes into my makeup kit, and I love the concept of creating deeply hydrated skin before application. I’m also curious about the glycolic capsules to help with my maskne.” — Vincent
Krupa Koestline, Clean Cosmetic Chemist and Founder of KKT Consultants
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“I think the Westman Atelier Lip Suede is such a genius product! It’s clean, sustainable, and replaces four products in my makeup bag. It’s versatile and can help customize the perfect red for any event. Five stars and a definite line item on my holiday list!” — Koestline
Brittney Boyce, Celebrity Nail Artist and Founder of Nails of LA
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“I probably have a more intense routine for my hands than I have for my face. This set is so luxurious and something I actually need in my kit, as I have to constantly sanitize my hands and keep them moisturized.” — Boyce
Hang Nguyen, Nail Artist
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“A random gift I’d like to have for the holidays is Patchouli 24 from Le labo. I go through waves being into certain scents at different times of the year. This scent has been on my mind lately for some reason I can’t explain. Perhaps the cold English weather makes me want to wear something earthy woodsy and warm.” — Nguyen
Isabelle Ikpeme, Content Creator
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“The lights on this mirror are amazing, super bright, and long-lasting because they are LED. Also, it comes with Bluetooth, so I can play all my fave songs while I am in the zone doing my makeup!” — Ikpeme
Cassandra Cadwell, Content Creator
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“Though I’m typically the type of girl to rotate a few signature scents (warm roses, always), I have forever wanted to add the classic Chanel No. 5 to my fragrance wardrobe. The limited-edition bottle for the perfume’s 100th anniversary is a stunning nod to the history behind the fragrance and the house of Chanel itself. This is at the top of my list.” — Cadwell
“There is nothing more luxurious than a signature scent for your sheets by Frédéric Malle. I have been lusting after this from the moment I learned of it±—a rose-scented linen spray, created in collaboration with Bruno Jovanovic, which transforms your bed into a dreamy and inviting sanctuary. Never underestimate the power of scent for a good night’s sleep… or other.” — Cadwell
Jessica Richards, Founder of Shen Beauty
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“I would love to get the new Vyrao I Am Verdant fragrance as a gift. It’s not too sweet, not too woodsy, and just the perfect scent. It seems to work well on everyone who tries it, and it is just the most beautiful bottle.” — Richards
Betina Goldstein, Celebrity Nail Artist
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“I have adored their products for many years and I am dying to try their new hair products. Everything they make is a home-run.” —Goldstein
“It’s feminine and fresh, and the packing is great for travel. Wonderful stocking stuffer!” —Goldstein
Sarah Brown, Executive Director, Violet Lab at Violet Grey
“I was somehow late to the Costa Brazil party, but now that I am at the party, I am… a little bit obsessed. At the center of my fixation is the Vela Jungle Candle. It is everything. It burns for 60 hours (so two and a half days straight, if you were on a Vela bender), and I am nervously rationing mine like the precious thing it is, burning it for only a little bit each day—just enough time to fill my living room with sultry wafts of the cypress root/Brazilian vetiver/mysterious Amazonian flora Francisco Costa whipped together for its spicy yet somehow sweet, scent. So, yes, I think I need another.” — Brown
Julie Kandalec, Celebrity Nail Artist and Founder of Julie K Nail Artelier
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“For me, I am very into beauty tech. Droplette was founded by two female MIT-trained Ph.D.s, Madhavi Gavini and Rathi Srinivas. It’s a skincare device that turns derm-tested, vegan, and cruelty-free serums (10% collagen, 8% glycolic acid, and 0.15% retinol) into tiny droplets that penetrate the skin 20 times deeper. NASA-backed, female-founded, and beauty tech? Sounds like the perfect holiday gift for me.” — Kandalec
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