Be mine Valentine! Are you ready to be known as a gifted gift giver? (say that three times fast). If you’re headed to a gal pal Valentine exchange or looking for the exactly-right-thing for your love, read on for a compiled list of gifts to inspire and empower. These are brands I’ve either tried or tested, and I would invest in them personally. Good skin care brands can be a little pricey, but kits can be a great way to find a new favorite product. Skin can always use a little self-care in the winter months. For beauty, palettes and samplers are a great way to appease that hard-to-gift-to friend. Here are my skincare and beauty picks.
Updated February 2023
Tatcha the Ritual Set
I’m a huge fan of Tatcha products. I’ve often used this brand on my beauty clients. Tatcha is a brand with minimal ingredients that work on practically all skin types. It’s a great set with which to start a new skincare regimen. Tatcha products in this kit are all travel size bottles and include a perfect combo: a wash (cleansing oil), exfoliator (polish), toner (essence) and a moisturizer (silk cream). If you happen to know who you’re gifting it to then find out their skin type because they have options for oily skin, sensitive or dry skin type as well but if not, just get the original for all skin/normal skin type. | Tatcha the Ritual Set; $78
Laneige Midnight to Morning Hydration Kit
I love Laneige’s lip mask so much. It’s a godsend for me in this weather (boy I’m not built for the cold). This product is what keeps my lips protected and hydrated. Applying a thin layer coats the lips perfectly while giving your lips a flush of glow and color. Trust me when I say it’s natural looking. My husband Binny uses the product but very sparingly to avoid the color, he won’t admit it, but he enjoys the Laneige Sleeping lip mask just as much as I do for healthy and hydrated lips. Awesome aside: these amazing products are free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. | Laneige Midnight to Morning Hydration Kit; $21 | Also Try: Sugar Advanced Lip Balm Intense Hydration Treatment
Facetory Facial Mask Set
Who doesn’t love masking? It’s a great pick-me-up for skin and soul, and an addition to your skin care regimen. I’m always on the lookout for masks and this set includes masks to individually target skincare issues: dullness, dryness, blemishes, and exfoliation. | Facetory Facial Mask Set; $15 | Also Try: U-Need Korean Sheet Mask Set
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask
Drunk Elephant is a fabulous and highly raved about skincare brand that really works as the products in the skincare line are made to be “Clean Compatible.” This skin care set is perfect for all skin types because the products are made without the Suspicious 6 (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS). I’ve used many of their products and my skin loves me for it every time. One of my favorite products that sold me on trying more of this brand was their T.L.C Sukari baby facial which is a chemical exfoliator that renews the skin’s texture (included in this starter set). | T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask; $80
Morphee x Jeffree Star Eye & Face Brush Collection
Morphe brushes are one of my favorites; the quality gives Mac brushes (the holy grail) a run for their money. Jeffree Star brushes are pretty pink made with pink and white natural and synthetic hairs. This set will have you covered to do a full face of makeup and inspire you to create different makeup looks. | Morphee x Jeffree Star Eye & Face Brush Collection; $29.99 | Also Try: Sigma Essential Travel Brush Set or IT Brushes Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Brush Set
Colour Pop Berry Punch Lip Stain Set
Some would say that a gift of lipstick is intimate, but I would love it if someone gifted me something so personal. I love this hybrid lip stain set from Colour Pop because it combines long-lasting color with a non-drying glossy finish Colour Pop Berry Punch Lip Stain Set; $21
Herbivore Jewel Box and Rose Quartz Gua Sha
This gift recommendation will require you to pair two products together, but you’ll surely win brownie points for expertise! While facial rollers have been in vogue for several years now, the Gua Sha facial tool has been around since the 17th century in China. I love the Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool; it helps with dry skin, dullness, blemishes and uneven skin texture. Pair it with the jewel box facial oils in Phoenix, Lapiz, and Emerald, all meant to improve various skin ailments. | Herbivore Facial Oi and Serum Kit; $58 and Herbivore Rose Quartz Gua Sha; $24 | Also Try: Skin Gym Jade Workout Set; $52
Slip Queen Silk Pillowcase
This gift has been on my list to get for myself for a long time. After experiencing hair loss, I was on the hunt to find at-home remedies to take better care of my hair. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase came up a few times during my search and soon I understood the hype around it. It’s both beneficial to your skin and hair causing less friction to your skin due to the silky texture of the pillowcase. In short there’s less tug of war on your skin preventing those fine lines and wrinkles from appearing sooner. Not only that but due to the texture of silk which isn’t able to absorb moisture, it keeps your skin hydrated. It also keeps your hair hydrated which means less frizz. It’s great for anyone with dry skin or scalp and keeps the hair hydrated and fizz free but don’t expect magic. | Slip Queen Silk Pillowcase; $85
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