pruduct review

Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl Blush Eau de Parfum is a fresh and sophisticated scent. A warm-floral fragrance, it features notes of mandarin, ylang-ylang, and creamy vanilla. Dressed in the brand’s iconic stiletto-shaped bottle, this new, limited-edition perfume is topped with a delicate pink bow and a matching jewel. It’s a joy-inducing gift for anyone who A) wishes to expand their fragrance wardrobe or B) considers themselves a stylish, fashion-forward person.

Dior’s Backstage Glow Palettes are found in makeup artist’s pro kits and beauty editor’s makeup bags everywhere (mine included). The multiuse highlighting palettes contain ultrafine pearlescent pigments that provide an ethereal glow to the skin. This new, limited-edition colorway, called Frosted Opal Glow, is at the top of my gift-giving list. The combination of four cool-toned shades—light pink, icy white, and frosty blue—are stunning. I know so many people who would delight in receiving this designer makeup palette during the holidays.

This is my top pick for a host gift. Whether you’re staying with family or attending a holiday dinner at a friend’s house, you can’t go wrong by gifting them with a chic, coffee table–ready candle—especially if it’s a candle set (the more scent options, the better). This Diptyque set includes five of the French brand’s chicest, most seasonal scents, including Baies, Roses, Amber, Narguilé, and 34 Boulevard Saint Germain.

If Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl Blush Eau de Parfum is made for people who embrace a coquette-ish, traditionally feminine aesthetic, then this Good Girl Bowtastic Eau de Parfum is made for people who embrace a darker, sleeker, and more mysterious aesthetic. Tuberose (my favorite fragrance note!), jasmine, cocoa, and tonka bean create a warm, creamy, and deep floral fragrance that’s unforgettable. It’s perfect for stolen glances across a dark velvet-seated bar, long and sumptuous dinners that extend well into the night, and flickering city lights that dot the horizon. It’s midnight, bottled.

Is there anything chicer than a personalized lipstick case? It feels so sophisticated, nostalgic, and special. And I can guarantee you no one else will gift anything remotely like it. This is something your friend or family member will cherish forever. Simply choose from nine finishes, including tortoiseshell, leopard print, marble, and art deco–inspired gold. Then, purchase the perfect shade of Guerlain’s Rouge G Lipstick (sold separately) to put inside it.

Here’s another chic French gift to give to your friends and family members. L’Occitane’s rich and buttery hand creams keep dry, chapped skin at bay, while adding a little luxury to one’s handbag or bedside table. This set includes five mini versions of the brand’s most iconic formulas: Shea Butter, Almond Delicious, Cherry Blossom, Lavender, and a Cooling Hand Cream.

If you know someone who appreciates the finer things in life and loves to collect beautiful little trinkets, I beg you to consider gifting them with one of three shades of this stunning Lorchidée Highlighter Blush. It’s infused with micronized pearls that scatter and reflect light for a candlelit kind of glow. I’m telling you right now: If someone gave this to me, I’d stare at it in awe for hours. It’s almost too pretty to use… almost.

I wish I could gift my friends Prada bags and shoes, but unfortunately, my budget won’t allow for it. So, this Mini Lip Balm Set is the next best thing. It includes two shades—Universal (a clear, matte finish) and Astral Pink (a pH-activated customized pink color). There’s no need to wrap it; let the chic, festive-printed box shine.

What’s the mark of a good gift? When you’re a beauty editor, you have access to hundreds if not thousands of products, and you’d still be delighted to receive said gift. That’s the case with this gift set, which I think is the epitome of chic. You can customize it with any four eye and lip pencils from the Trait d’Hermès collection. In this way, you create a bespoke beauty box in iconic Hermès orange.

Oh, you thought you couldn’t give the gift of Chanel? Think again! This gift set includes the high fashion house’s Rouge Coco Baume Satin in 912 Dreamy White, which is a moisturizing lip balm with a shiny finish. There’s also La Crème Main Texture Rich Hand and Nail Cream and Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in the iconic light-pink shade, 111 Ballerina. Elegant, isn’t it?

I think this Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Mini Lip Trio is so effing fun. I love the kitschy-cool, lip-shaped packaging, but I love what’s inside even more. The limited-edition set includes three mini shades of Tilbury’s Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipsticks. There’s Rose to Fame, which is a rosy-mauve; ’90s Pink, a warm rosy-pink; and Icon Baby, which is a warm rosy-nude. It’s such a good gift for that one friend who always has their lip combo on lock.

La Mer is another luxury beauty brand that can feel inaccessible for anyone who has to stick to a budget, but not when it comes to this holiday kit! It includes a travel-size hand cream and lip balm. The $80 kit is valued at a whopping $116.

Okay, I promise this is the last Chanel gift set that I’ll talk about (for now). It contains three Rouge Coco lip glosses in a limited-edition pouch. There’s 119 Bourgeoisie, which is a true rose shade; 712 Melted Honey, which is a rich gold color; and 726 Icing, which is a pretty light pink. Each one has a moisturizing formula that cushions the lips and provides a luxurious, high-shine finish.

Beauty editors love Hourglass’s complexion products, and this limited-edition face palette is no exception. There are three iterations: Deer, Fox, and Swan. Each one has a different combination of shades and colors. Regardless of which one you choose, you’ll get a selection of the brand’s signature radiant blush, highlighter, bronzer, and finishing powders. The palette itself features artwork created by Ukrainian tattoo artist Sasha Unisex, who draws inspiration from nature and is known for geometric, watercolor tattoos.

I can’t skip this Dior gift set. This lovely little kit includes the brand’s iconic and TikTok-viral Addict Lip Glow Oil in the shade 001 Pink. There’s also the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in 090 Black and the Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in 001 Pink (a favorite of celebrities like Kylie Jenner). Don’t forget the starry, sparkly bag.