Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Beauty lovers already have the basics, so the best stocking stuffers are small treats they'd skip buying for themselves.
For lips, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is BestReviews' best of the best and comes with its own applicator, the CARENEL 3-pack is its best bang for the buck, and the NYX Fat Oil is NBC Select's best glossy finish lip oil. For scrubs, the e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator comes in a no-mess lipstick tube, and the Hanalei is made with Maui sugar, kukui oil and shea butter. For nails, Olive & June press-ons are Reviewed's best overall, and the Teenitor kit has striping tape, stickers and rhinestones. The Hiuzar brush organizer is easy to travel with, and the BAGSMART bag is NBC Select's best makeup organizer for travel. The splurge is the Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil, NBC Select's best overall lip oil, which doubles as blush. Every pick is on one of my lists with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want one bigger beauty gift; the beauty gifts page goes up to a Dyson hair dryer.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - Berry | mid | $15-25 | the cult-favorite overnight mask | 1 outlet |
| CARENEL Korean Cosmetics Lip Sleeping Mask | budget | under $15 | trying a lip mask without spending much | 1 outlet |
| NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Oil | budget | under $15 | max gloss on a small budget | 1 outlet |
| e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator | budget | under $15 | a no-mess scrub to keep in a bag | 1 outlet |
| Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub | mid | $15-25 | a treat-yourself scrub | 1 outlet |
Top pickmid pick · Jar
Best for the cult-favorite overnight mask
BestReviews' best of the best lip sleeping mask: it adds moisture to make lips soft and supple, and it comes with its own applicator.
Heads up. The smell is a bit too sweet compared with other options
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the best lip sleeping mask.
$15-25
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budget pick · 3-pack
Best for trying a lip mask without spending much
BestReviews' best bang for the buck lip sleeping mask: a 3-pack in three scents that leaves lips plump and well hydrated without feeling sticky.
Heads up. Dries quicker on lips than competing products
1 outlet. BestReviews best bang for the buck lip sleeping mask.
under $15
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budget pick · Tube
Best for max gloss on a small budget
NBC Select's best glossy finish lip oil: a shiny, glossy-yet-hydrating oil that comes in over a dozen tints.
Heads up. Slightly sticky, so hair can catch on it
1 outlet. NBC Select best glossy finish lip oil.
under $15
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budget pick · 2-pack
Best for a no-mess scrub to keep in a bag
A BestReviews top pick lip exfoliator: a two-pack in a no-mess lipstick tube with very fine grains that are gentle on lips.
Heads up. Can feel too dry, so use it on slightly wet lips
1 outlet. BestReviews top pick lip exfoliator.
under $15
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mid pick · Jar
Best for a treat-yourself scrub
BestReviews' best of the best lip exfoliator: a luxurious scrub made in the USA with Maui sugar, kukui oil and shea butter.
Heads up. Not as thick or as full of granules as other scrubs
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the best lip exfoliator.
$15-25
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Top pickmid pick · Set
Best for a no-lamp mani that looks done
Reviewed's best overall press-on nails: they fit well, were easy to file and looked good after application.
Heads up. Reviewed found no drawback for these, so check the shape and length on the listing
1 outlet. Reviewed best overall press-on nails.
$15-25
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budget pick · Kit
Best for trying lines, dots and gems for the first time
BestReviews' great starter set for nail art: striping tape, 3D stickers, rhinestones and over a dozen brushes and tools.
Heads up. Glue is sold separately
1 outlet. BestReviews top pick nail art kit.
under $15
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Top pickbudget pick · Roll-up pouch
Best for taking makeup brushes on trips
NBC Select's best makeup organizer for brushes: the writer calls it one of their favorite purchases of the past year and says it's easy to travel with.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. NBC Select best makeup organizer for brushes.
under $15
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budget pick · Hanging bag
Best for weekend trips and gym bags
NBC Select's best makeup organizer for travel: an editor loves that it has so many big and small compartments.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. NBC Select best makeup organizer for travel.
$15-25
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Best lip oilsplurge pick · Tube
Best for one product for lips and cheeks
NBC Select's best overall lip oil: a tinted oil in flattering shades that lasts a long time and doubles as blush.
Heads up. Expensive
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall lip oil.
$25-50
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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
Small lip and nail treats. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is BestReviews' best of the best lip sleeping mask, the NYX Fat Oil is NBC Select's best glossy finish lip oil, and Olive & June press-ons are Reviewed's best overall press-on nails.
An organizer. The Hiuzar is NBC Select's best makeup organizer for brushes and easy to travel with, and the BAGSMART toiletry bag is its best makeup organizer for travel, with lots of big and small compartments.
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.