It’s the most wonderful – yet sometimes stressful – time of the year.
So much to do, so many celebrations to be had, and yes, gifts to buy!
Don’t get us wrong, there’s lots to be excited about, but ticking off everyone on the present list can be a time-consuming task when you want to find something that will spark joy for your recipient.
Never fear. Whether you have a beauty enthusiast or someone that just likes the occasional beauty treat to buy for, we’re here to help.
We’ve narrowed down the season’s best little beauty treats, that all come in at $50 or less. We’ve even spotted a few bits for half of that, that make a good choice for the office or friend group secret Santa or Kris Kringle.
There are also plenty of iconic, top-selling beauty products in mini, stocking-stuffer sizes that means if you’re looking to try a pricey product, you can do so without spending as much.
- Prices may vary by retailer and location across New Zealand and Australia
Eve Lom The Iconic Cleanse Ornament, $40
A perfectly packaged little bit of luxe, this mini gift set contains the famous balm cleanser and a muslin cleansing cloth from high-end UK skincare brand Eve Lom. Created by renown facialist Lom, the balm cleanser is spread on dry skin and massaged in, before being removed with the muslin cloth soaked in warm water and provides a deep cleanse and gentle exfoliation.
Ashley & Co Twice As Lippy Set, $25
This duo of nourishing and natural tinted lip balms from Kiwi brand Ashley & Co could just be the best secret Santa gift this year. The lip products leave a dewy and hydrating hint of colour on the lips and are made from buttery beeswax and natural colours including radish and pink beet pigments.
Holy Moly Skincare Bath Bomb duos, $9.50 a set
Teens are notoriously tricky to buy for, with fairly specific interests and tastes. However we reckon they’ll be unlikely to turn their nose up at these delicious-smelling bath bombs from natural teen skincare brand Holy Moly. In fact, they might just be the perfect bath-time treat for recipients of any age and come handily packaged in a cardboard sleeve.
Ultra Violette Glow & Go Trio Set, $45
If they love their skin (and skincare), there’s no better gift than a beautiful, user-friendly sunscreen. This trio delivers the Aussie sunscreen brand’s hero products in travel sizes, along with a full-size protective lip tint that delivers a juicy-looking berry gloss.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream 75ml, $37
A cult product, there aren’t many beauty fans who haven’t tried the famous Brazillian body cream. (Fun fact, it’s pronounced boom-boom cream) But if they’re yet to try, this travel-sized tub is the perfect introduction to the sweetly-scented cream infused with guaraná, which contains 5x the amount of caffeine than coffee, as well as cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil.
Dermalogica Powder Exfoliant Duo, $50
Perfect for packing, this set offers both of Dermalogica’s popular powdered exfoliants in travel size. Daily Microfoliant uses salicylic acid, papain and rice enzymes to sweep away dead skin cells for a radiant glow, while Daily Superfoliant has activated Binchotan charcoal, niacinamide, red algae and tara fruit extract to detoxify and help guard against the damaging effects of pollution.
kit: Body Nutrition Lotion, $40
With a chic metal tube containing a rich, nourishing body cream, this little number is perfect for those planning a beach getaway this summer. It’ll quickly soften and moisturise skin dried out from salt and sand exposure but is easy to throw in a suitcase.
Dior Backstage Eyelash Curler, $50
Eyelash curlers are one of things you never want to spend money on yourself, but once you have, you can’t believe you ever went without. Great quality ones make all the difference, so we’d be chuffed to receive this luxe tool.
Stila Be Kind, Be Cool Smudge Stick & Liquid Eye Liner Set, $43
Two full-size, high-performing eyeliners in classic black deliver stunning eye looks for day or night and come in beautifully festive packaging. There’s a Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray, a precise liner that doubles as a smudgy shadow, as well as Stila’s iconic Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black.
Pure Fiji Luxury Bodycare Cracker, $24
This bodycare brand, made in Fiji, always has beautiful affordable minis, sets and Christmas crackers. We love this one, with body products that are useful to pack on a summer break contained within crackers that make great decorations.
Clarins Beautiful Lips Collection, $50
Glossy, shiny lips and sheer lip tints are perfectly on trend. Clarins combines the two in its nourishing, tinted lip oils that come in a selection of the most popular shades in this gorgeous set.
Revlon 60 Second Mani set, $25.95
Meet the perfect summer pedicure in a box. These polishes are easy to apply and last well, drying quickly. This set comes with shades She’s On Fire and Think Pink.
Slip’s 100% silk scrunchies really can’t be underrated. They are kind to your strands and won’t pull and snap hair like regular elastics, which is particularly useful if your hair is dry or damaged. We love the larger size for a casual bun but can’t go past the packaging of this cute tree ornament containing four skinny scrunchies.
Nudestix Roses ‘N Honey Makeup Kit Mini, $50
Fantastic creamy colour makeup sticks for eyes, cheeks and lips that glide onto skin and blend well with fingers. This set will create a bronzed and bright summer look in a flash.
