Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Beauty gifts land best when they're things people reach for every morning. Small picks make easy stocking stuffers: the e.
l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil is NBC Select's best budget lip oil, Peach Slices spot dots are its best pimple patch for sensitive skin, and the Tangle Teezer is its best brush overall. For makeup, Benetint is Shop TODAY's overall best lip stain and works on cheeks too, and the Rare Beauty concealer brightens under-eyes. On the skin and hair side, Round Lab's Birch Juice sunscreen was NBC Select's number one face sunscreen out of 100 reviewed, and the Kitsch satin set gives overnight curls with zero heat. The Dyson Supersonic is the splurge, NBC Select's best overall hair dryer. Every pick is already on my makeup basics, skincare starter or hair tools list with its source, from NBC Select and Shop TODAY.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they want winter skincare like hand cream and a rich moisturizer; the gifts for skincare lovers page covers that.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil | budget | under $15 | a sheer wash of color with shine | 1 outlet |
| Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots | budget | under $15 | surprise breakouts on sensitive skin | 1 outlet |
| Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush | budget | under $15 | fine hair that tangles easily | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 0.25 fl oz
Best for a sheer wash of color with shine
NBC Select's best budget lip oil: an affordable lip oil with a sheer tint and a shiny, glossy finish.
Heads up. Not as long lasting as the other lip oils NBC Select reviewed.
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget lip oil.
under $15
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budget pick · 30 patches
Best for surprise breakouts on sensitive skin
NBC Select's best pimple patch for sensitive skin: easy to put on, works quickly and doesn't cause irritation.
Heads up. Not made for cystic acne
1 outlet. NBC Select best pimple patch for sensitive skin.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Standard
Best for fine hair that tangles easily
NBC Select's best brush overall: a favorite of several NBC Select editors, with flexible bristles for wet or dry hair.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one.
1 outlet. NBC Select best brush overall.
under $15
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefit Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain | mid | $25-50 | color that lasts through coffee and lunch | 1 outlet |
| Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer | splurge | $15-25 | brightening tired under-eyes | 1 outlet |
| ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint | splurge | $25-50 | dry skin that wants a dewy glow | 1 outlet |
Top pickmid pick · Bottle with brush
Best for color that lasts through coffee and lunch
Shop TODAY's overall best lip stain: a makeup artist says its thin, liquid texture sets quickly, and it works on cheeks too.
Heads up. Can be drying.
1 outlet. Shop TODAY overall best lip stain.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Wand tube
Best for brightening tired under-eyes
NBC Select's best brightening concealer: blends well, covers blemishes and redness, and brightens under-eyes.
Heads up. Thicker consistency than the other picks.
1 outlet. NBC Select best brightening concealer.
$15-25
Shop at SephoraStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
splurge pick · Dropper bottle
Best for dry skin that wants a dewy glow
NBC Select's best tinted moisturizer for dry skin: a serum-like tint with SPF 40, and an editor says a little goes a long way.
Heads up. A makeup artist warns the finish can look wet; set it with powder if you don't love that.
1 outlet. NBC Select best tinted moisturizer for dry skin.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set | budget | $15-25 | overnight curls with zero heat | 1 outlet |
| Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 45 | mid | $25-50 | SPF that feels like skincare | 1 outlet |
| Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray | mid | $25-50 | frizz control plus heat protection | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Rod + 2 scrunchies
Best for overnight curls with zero heat
NBC Select's best overall heatless curlers: you wrap 2-inch sections around a satin tube worn like a headband, and an editor calls the satin soft and easy to use.
Heads up. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall heatless curlers.
$15-25
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mid pick · Daily SPF
Best for SPF that feels like skincare
NBC Select's number one face sunscreen out of 100 reviewed: safe for sensitive skin, no white cast, and hydrating enough to double as a moisturizer.
Heads up. Faint earthy smell
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall face sunscreen.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Spray
Best for frizz control plus heat protection
NBC Select's best overall heat protectant: a writer says it keeps frizz under control while protecting her fine, wavy hair from heat.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall heat protectant.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best hair dryersplurge pick · Full size
Best for a splurge dryer for every hair type
NBC Select's best overall hair dryer: it tops the list for fast drying that minimizes heat damage and frizz.
Heads up. Higher price point.
2 outlets agree. NBC Select best overall hair dryer. The Strategist best-in-class blow-dryer.
$300-500
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Pick something without a shade, like a lip oil, a detangling brush, heatless curlers or a heat protectant spray. Save concealer and skin tint for someone whose shade you know, and include a gift receipt.
It's the big splurge. NBC Select names the Dyson Supersonic its best overall hair dryer for fast drying that minimizes heat damage and frizz.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.