I’m a Beauty Editor—Here’s What I’d Gift With a $50, $500, and $1000 Spending Limit

Nécessaire’s Olibanum (aka frankincense) scent is, hands down, my favorite from the brand. I use the matching mandelic acid-powered deodorant every single day (one of the only aluminum-free formulas that actually works, trust me), and I’ve flown through more bottles of the body wash than I can count. If the brand bottled it into a standalone perfume, I’d buy five. Until that day comes (consider this my formal request!), I’m going to douse myself in the warm, sophisticated fragrance via this bodycare duo. There’s a full-size option too, FWIW, but the mini makes a perfect stocking stuffer, don’t you think?

Another showertime staple: the Soft Services best-selling Buffing Bar. The mineral microcrystal exfoliators make the backs of my arms and thighs baby-smooth without feeling like I’m taking sandpaper to the skin (ouch), and the indulgent scents are such a welcome bonus. This set of four really evokes unwrapping a box of chocolates, especially when you come across the two limited-edition gourmand blends, Eternal Lemon and Cocoa Delight.

Yes, Claudia Sulewski’s Cyklar really is that good. Our entire editorial team, beauty and fashion editors included, has fallen hard and fast for the elevated body washes, and even fellow celebs (hi, J.Law) have given the portable perfume oils their stamps of approval. With all that said, I don’t suspect this decadent trio will stay in stock for long.

If there’s one thing we know about Merit, it’s that the brand absolutely nails a fashion collab. (Remember the Brandon Maxwell lip color and bag? I wear both to this day.) This year, the team has linked up with British fashion house Erdem to create chic holiday bundles in bespoke product packaging, including these hand-wrapped hand soaps, which come gently scented with the Retrospect fragrance—a soft, powdery floral that settles into a musky second skin. The perfect addition to a guest bathroom, one that’s almost too beautiful to use.

Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden is a magical being. That’s all I can say after trying—and adoring—every single product she offers. Her retinol serum is gentle enough not to make my skin FTFO yet works like a charm for dark spots and fine lines, her plumping serum is just what I need to mitigate winter dryness, and her gentle gel cleanser somehow leaves my skin even more supple than before.

This might just be the most luxe cuticle oil I’ve ever tried. The sleek pen design and sponge applicator are made for on-the-go applications (it hasn’t left my work bag since I unboxed my sample), and the jojoba oil, castor oil, coconut oil, shea oil, grass-fed tallow, beeswax, and vitamin E will ensure your nails stay nourished and well-groomed. Another wonderful stocking stuffer that never feels like an afterthought!

Beauty enthusiasts know that La Bonne Brosse is the place to buy chic hair tools. The brushes are legitimate works of art (and make great holiday gifts themselves!), but I’d like to take a moment here to gush over the recently-launched silk pillowcases. Silk fabrics, as you may know, minimize friction and don’t absorb moisture from the strands like other more porous materials, and La Bonne Brosse’s version features 30-momme, 6A-grade silk—the highest tier in terms of quality. The colorful trim, inspired by those opulent hairbrushes, is the icing on the cake in terms of elegance. My eyes are on the cherry red piping.

Celisse is for the ultimate fashion person: cool, unfussy, and elevated without trying too hard. This holiday set has every tool you need to master a salon-grade at-home mani, including two, effortlessly chic new shades—Lipstick, a dark red, and Thigh High, a sheer, neutral pink.

Krigler’s Velvet Night 76 Parfum is the epitome of a ’70s Parisian disco, marked by electric, heady florals and sweet, skin-like musk. It’s easily one of my favorite scents from the Krigler portfolio (although, Extraordinaire Camelia 209 will forever have my heart), so I am recommending the candle version to practically everyone I know. Imagine burning this while hosting a glitzy holiday dinner party—just gorgeous.

Speaking of dinner-party hosting, how cute are these miniature sculptural candles for your tablescape?! I almost don’t want to burn them. The Table Guest Room Spray also sets the cozy mood with juicy blackcurrant, freesia, ivy leaf, and patchouli; I’d recommend giving your whole space a spritz before placing it in the bathroom for guests.

It’s not a holiday collection, per se, but I can’t stop thinking about Dyson’s recently-launched blow-dry brush. My wavy-curly hair requires a lot of tension with the tool to smooth out the texture, and I know this dual-bristle technology will do the trick. A bonus: It has universal voltage, so you can use it abroad (as opposed to the beloved Airwrap, which breaks my heart to leave at home every time!).

I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be over the moon to receive an Hermès orange box. Perhaps you wouldn’t shell out $186 for a lip balm duo under normal circumstances, but the holiday season is the ultimate time to treat yourself to a little luxury. After using both formulas for weeks (the lip mask as my last step before bed, the lip balm practically every 10 minutes), I can attest that they leave your lips velvety-smooth.

Fine, this isn’t exactly a beauty gift, but I can’t help but include this adorable phone stand. (I sometimes do my lip combo in my phone camera, does that justify it?) It even comes with a charging slot, so I simply need it for my WFH desk set-up. That said, I know it’ll look just as cute on my bedside table and on the edge of my bathtub. We love versatile decor!

Louis Vuitton’s entire limited-edition Monogram Rouge holiday assortment is definitely worth checking out (the stunning, berry-brown shade is constantly sold out, so the brand created an entire collection dedicated to the best-selling hue, including a selection of leather goods. My pick? This monogram satin cosmetics pouch, which you can attach to your keys or handbag for easy lipstick access.

Santal 26 fans, you’re in luck. Le Labo launched a diffuser that fills your space with the warm, sandalwood scent. It also comes with an Edison bulb that brightens as you increase the intensity, which makes it just as much a décor accessory as a home fragrance. There’s a limited quantity, though, so I’d snag it fast before it sells out. If and when it does, I’d suggest getting your Santal 26 fix with the equally exquisite Concrete Candle.

If you’re in the market for an LED mask (or are curious about upgrading to the latest technology), I cannot recommend CurrentBody’s newest launch enough. It not only offers six different wavelengths (red, near-infrared, deep near-infrared, blue, yellow, and green) but also allows you to customize where, exactly, those wavelengths go—blue light on your chin, green light on your cheeks, etc. It’s essentially a “paint by numbers” LED mask, and it’s fascinating—and well worth the $570 price tag.

I personally own and love my PEMF Pro Mat, but a part of me does wish I had the smaller version in my New York apartment. Champagne problems, I know, but this 30% off starter pack—complete with a 100% New Zealand sheep shearling cover—is inspiring me to make the swap.

Technically, this costs over $1000, but I’d be remiss not to include this gargantuan, nine-flame candle. It’ll last you way beyond the holiday season, no doubt about that, and once it does finally burns out, you can reuse the vessel as a piece of home décor—one that’s large enough to make a real statement.