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Gifts for mom don’t always have to include personalized gifts, photo frames, and gift cards. Instead, if you have a beauty-loving mom on your list, spoil her with the best beauty gifts for any occasion. Whether you just started shopping for Mother’s Day or want to spoil a new mom friend who just had a baby, beauty gifts are the most practical and wished-for, according to our team of moms. Not sure what to wrap up? Let us help! We curated a list of the best beauty gifts for moms that help her get ready in a flash and feel her best, whether she’s a new or veteran mom.
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Best Beauty Gifts for Moms at a Glance
Best Haircare Set: Amika Frizz Fighters Set, $63
Best SPF Gift: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50, $69
Best Drugstore Pick: Monday Exfoliating Body Scrub, Vanilla Glaze, $10
Best Treatment Spray: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, $12
Best for Slickback Hair: Crown Affair The Slick Back Trio, $156 (originally $184)
Best Face Mask Gift: Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Single Sheet Mask, $12
Best Tinted Moisturizer: Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, $49
Best Makeup Routine: Merit Beauty Five Minute Morning Collection, $179 (originally $210)
Best Body Wash: Grown Alchemist Resurfacing Targeted Body Cleanser, $40
Best Lip Product: YSL Lovenude Lip Blusher Soft Blurring Lip Color, $43
Best Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Blue Jasmine Eau de Parfum Perfume Gel, $59
The best beauty gifts are ones she will actually use: think hair products that help create a slickback in minutes, skincare that revives tired-looking skin, or body care that helps her take a few minutes to care for herself after a hectic day. Here, you will find ideas that aren’t just gift sets and limited-edition picks; instead, shop new beauty releases you can wrap or compile into a versatile beauty gift basket. Some of our favorites include a Slick Back Trio from Crown Affair, YSE’s new peptide plumping serum, and a unique Perfume Gel she can toss in her bag.
Keep reading to gather gift ideas and to shop 30 picks across haircare, skincare, fragrances, and more.
Hair Gifts
Best Haircare Set
Amika Frizz Fighters Set
The Amika Frizz Fighters Set makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. The set includes three of Amika’s frizz-fighting products — an anti-frizz shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. Together, the systems work to keep strands hydrated, which keeps frizz at bay for up to 72 hours.
Best Treatment Spray
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
The Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is an excellent pick if you’re spoiling a mom with a beauty-themed gift basket for a birthday, holiday, or special occasion. The spray treatment is crafted to keep blowouts sleek and smooth, even through humidity.
Here’s how it works: The heat-activated polymer technology is heated, then forms an invisible, hydrophobic matrix that turns strands into a sleek, silky, supple shape and leaves them with a “raincoat” that repels moisture. The result? A weightless, non-greasy finish that lasts through three to four hair washes.
Monday Exfoliating Body Scrub, Vanilla Glaze
Order it online or pick it up in stores—CVS secretly has the best drugstore beauty picks, and one of my favorites that not enough people are talking about is this Monday exfoliating scrub that smells like a cupcake. Not only does it leave your battered winter skin smooth and soft, but the vanilla fragrance actually stays put after rinsing off.
Best for Slickback Hair
Crown Affair The Slick Back Trio
$156
$184
15% off
$Prices Vary
Every mom’s “uniform” looks so sleek with a slick-backed hairstyle; it’s my signature look 98% of the week. I turn to the Crown Affair The Slick Back Trio, and gift it to all my friends as part of a postpartum gift. The set includes Crown Affair’s The Finishing Gel, which effortlessly slicks hair back without leaving a hard finish behind. There is also The Brush No. 003, crafted with boar bristles, and The Scrunchie No. 001, which contains three scrunchies to keep hair in place.
You can only get the trio at Crown Affair, but you can shop each piece separately at Sephora.
Emi Jay Big Effing Clip in Pistachio
As a beauty writer with thick hair, I’ve tested handfuls of hair clips, and the Emi Jay Big Effing Clip is one of the few that actually keep hair in place. I stocked up on a few when I had my daughter in December, and it’s been a lifesaver for keeping my hair out of the way while holding the baby and when I’m overstimulated. Decorate a bag for mom and make sure to showcase the clip-on handle for an extra special touch!
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
It’s no secret that moms are always rushing around, so help her get ready and stock her up on one of the best dry shampoos. This Oribe pick instantly absorbs product buildup, grime, and excess oils thanks to its formula, which features a translucent starch blend that gives the hair a just-washed feel.
There is also the Oribe Signature Complex, made with watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts, that protects hair from oxidative stress and photoaging. There is also bamboo and rice silks that leave hair silky and smooth, and a fragrance-retention technology that keeps the memorable scent locked in your strands all day.
Chris McMillan The Lightweight Glassy Hair Oil Mist
Let’s be honest, postpartum brings a laundry list of hair changes, including a lack of shine. That’s where the new Chris McMillan The Lightweight Glassy Hair Oil Mist comes in to help. The product dispenses as a fine oil mist, which delivers a perfect dose of shine with every spritz. The formula is composed of wheat oil, which protects against heat up to 450°F, an HS3 Complex that nourishes strands and adds hydration and shine, and moringa oil to tame frizz and add softness.
Shoppers also praise the airy fragrance, which boasts notes of bergamot and baie rose, paired with vanilla orchid, orange blossom, and jasmine, and exudes a warm scent that lingers in the hair all day.
Ceremonia Guava Gloss Drops
When your hair needs some TLC, reach for these new gloss drops. The new launch from Ceremonia works to tame frizz, repair split ends, and add instant shine with just a few drops. The hair product is crafted with 98% naturally derived ingredients, such as Guava, cacay, and Aloe Vera, which help defy frizz and lock moisture into every strand. The scent is also worth noting. It boasts Ceremonia’s signature Guava scent, which creates a sensory escape.
Skincare Gifts
Best SPF Gift
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
It takes diligence to remember to apply SPF every single day; that’s why there’s no better gift than Colorscience’s Brush-On Shield SPF 50. The on-the-go application is packed with an easy-to-use powder crafted with titanium dioxide (22.5%) and zinc oxide (22.5%) to protect the skin. The powder also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and promote a smooth finish without a greasy appearance.
Best Face Mask
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Single Sheet Mask
$12
$60 (5 sheets)
$60 (5 sheets)
This biodegradable sheet mask addresses signs of aging and dullness in just one step. The mask is made with paper mulberry and is packed with Sulwhasoo’s Master Complex, a blend of herbal ingredients and ginseng that strengthens the skin’s barrier. There is also approximately three weeks’ worth of the iconic First Care Activating Serum VI, known for its hyaluronic acid and leaving a youthful-looking complexion.
Rhode The Rhode Kit
For the moms who love skincare, make sure she has the Rhode Kit. The kit includes four of our team’s favorite full-sized products, like the Pineapple Refresh, Glazing Milk, Peptide Glazing Fluid, and Barrier Restore Cream, all housed in the brand’s coveted Bubble bag. The products help build a comprehensive morning and evening skincare routine that delivers a dewy, plump complexion.
YSE Beauty Xtreme Glow Dewy Peptide Plumping Serum
YSE Beauty was founded by Molly Sims and is known for its dermatologist-tested skincare that yields visible results for all skin types. I make sure my postpartum skincare routine is stocked with the Your Favorite Ex Barrier-Friendly Exfoliating Pads.
I just discovered this plumping serum, which is packed with peptides, and it’s a must-add to any mom’s routine. The serum is also crafted with a brightening active that’s “four times more powerful than vitamin C,” per the brand. Together, the ingredients leave skin bright, smooth, and bouncy.
Dieux Forever Eye Mask Reusable 100% Silicone Patches
If a mom on your list doesn’t own these reusable eye patches, then wrap a pair up. The eye masks are made from 100% medical-grade silicone, which feels cool and soothing on the skin. Made to hold serums and creams under the eyes, these masks stay in place and help products to fully absorb into the skin.
Noshinku Pocket Hand Sanitizer
The Noshinku Pocket Hand Sanitizer is one of my favorite products ot have as a mom on the go. It keeps germs at bay with ease thanks to its simple-to-spray design. Each spritz feels super hydrating on the hands and never leaves them feeling dry. Plus, the scents are so divine that even kids want a second spritz. They also fit anywhere — in a handbag or diaper bag — and even in your car’s cup holder for easy access.
Makeup Gifts
Best Tinted Moisturizer
Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
The Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer was one of my best finds this year while on maternity leave. It’s a hydrating moisturizer that adds just the right amount of tint to the skin when you want to feel together sans a heavy foundation. I appreciate the seamless, creamy application that glides onto the skin effortlessly and absorbs immediately.
The results are found in the formulation, which features non-nano zinc oxide for protection from harmful UV rays, black currant seed oil, peony root extract, and vitamin C for brightening the complexion.
Best maKEUP cOLLECTION
Merit Beauty Five Minute Morning Collection
Merit Beauty’s Five Minute Morning Collection lets moms get ready in a flash. I put the collection to the test last year, and it actually takes less than five minutes to apply all of the products. The set includes The Minimalist, a perfecting complexion stick, a Flush Balm that adds a natural flush to the cheeks, a Shade Slick for the lips, a Brush No. 1 to blend the products, a Day Glow for highlighting, the Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara, and the Brow 1980, a volumizing pomade.
Best Lip Product
YSL Lovenude Lip Blusher Soft Blurring Lip Color
YSL does it again with another covetable lip product. The Lip Blusher delivers a “just kissed” look with a matte finish. The texture is balmy and lightweight, keeping lips hydrated for up to 24 hours thanks to squalane and hyaluronic acid. The lip color comes with a stunning applicator that glides across your pout.
TIRTIR Mood Glider Lip and Blush Stick
The TIRTIR Mood Glider Lip and Blush Stick adds a natural flush to the lips and cheeks in a few swipes. The multitasking product offers a melt-in texture that blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving no greasy or heavy finish. The color payoff is impressive; not only does it look “perfect” application according to shoppers, but it also adds a glass skin appearance.
Gucci Baume Nourrisant Universel Multi-Use Balm
This multi-use balm packs Gucci’s fragrance-free formula into a high-end compact that is perfect for on-the-go. The balm is crafted with shea butter and black rose oil and is suitable for hydrating lips, smoothing cuticles, or applying to dry skin.
Body Care
Grown Alchemist Resurfacing Targeted Body Cleanser
This body cleanser goes above and beyond just cleansing. The wash is also designed to slough away dead skin cells, smooth bumps, calm keratosis pilaris (KP), and clear pores. A few pumps work into a generous lather that cleanses the skin and leaves it hydrated and soft.
The body wash features a blend of glycolic acid (AHA), lactic acid (BHA), and salicylic acid (BHA) that act as natural exfoliants. Additionally, there is aloe vera, glycerin, lavender, and orange peel oil for hydration and a light scent.
Esker Beauty Dry Brush
This dry brush has been a part of my beauty routine for over five years. Here’s why. Esker’s dry brush is crafted with every detail in mind needed to perform an energizing lymphatic ritual. The bristlers are soft and work to stimulate circulation and reduce puffiness, while prepping the skin to absorb oils and other skincare products more effectively.
It only takes a few minutes to use the brush — “Starting at the feet, use short, quick strokes moving upwards towards the heart,” Esker suggests. Don’t forget to snag the brand’s Firming Body Oil.
L’Occitane Almond Beauty Trio
L’Occitane is known for its natural skincare products, with its Almond collection a constant bestseller. If you’re looking for a gift for a mom in your life, snag the L’Occitane Almond Beauty Trio, which includes an Almond Shower Oil that works into a creamy, cleansing lotion, an Almond Milk Concentrate that moisturizes, and the Almond Supple Skin Oil for additional hydration, all in the brand’s signature almond fragrance.
Salt & Stone Body Care Ritual Set
This body care set helps any mom establish a relaxing, nourishing ritual. The set features four full-sized products: one deodorant, a body wash, body lotion, and a body fragrance mist with notes of Italian bergamot, grapefruit, hinoki, vetiver, eucalyptus, amber, and orange blossoms.
Kate McLeod Tangerine & Vanilla Deep Moisturizing Lotion Bar
The new Tangerine & Vanilla Deep Moisturizing Lotion Bar from Kate McLeod makes caring for your skin daily an enjoyable experience. The bars are made with gentle ingredients, such as pure cocoa butter and botanical oils, which quickly absorb into the skin. The lotion bar leaves skin hydrated for up to 72 hours and comes packaged in recyclable paper boxes. The best feature? It doesn’t leave a greasy finish behind.
Fragrances
Best Fragrance
Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Blue Jasmine Eau de Parfum Perfume Gel
This fragrance is unlike any other pick Mom has in her collection. The new Dolce & Gabbana scent comes in a gel that glides across the skin via a cooling applicator. The gel features hyaluronic acid to prevent the formula from drying the skin. It’s also filled with notes of Sicilian blue fig, jasmine sambac, and cedarwood, for a fruity, floral fragrance. The Perfume Gel is travel-friendly, so it fits in any bag for touch-ups.
Polo Earth Austral Sandalwood
The Polo Earth Austral Sandalwood is a unisex fragrance that adds a light and airy signature scent. The fragrance is woody and aromatic, with notes of cardamom, bergamot, and black pepper. There is also a touch of eucalyptus, sage, and lavender that creates a warm and creamy blend to finish off the fragrance.
DedCool Mineral Milk Eau de Parfum
For those who prefer scents that aren’t heavy, give DedCool Mineral Milk Eau de Parfum a try. The fragrance is crafted with organic ingredients, including green tea, cucumber, and aloe leaf extract, which are gentle on the skin. Reviewers praise the fresh scent that reads like a “seaside breeze.” The perfume showcases notes of nectar, lavender, and amber milk.
PHLUR Berry Matcha Latte Duo
The PHLUR Berry Matcha Latte Duo features two “scrumptious” scents. One bottle has a classic Matcha Milk fragrance, and the other has a Berry Cream fragrance, both of which can be worn as hair or body mist. The duo, when layered together, smells like a berry matcha latte that lasts all day.
Other Gifts to Consider
Tata Harper Sculpting Body Stone
Tata Harper’s Sculpting Body Stone helps achieve a full-body lift wiht no invasive procedures or downtime. Instead, the spa-grade sculpting tool revitalizes skin by using thermal conductivity to “ease tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and tone the body for a sculpted, lifted look,” Tata Harper said. The tool is crafted from 100% Feng Cheng Jade, which symbolizes tranquility and purity, making this a calming ritual.
Higherdose Red Light Face Mask
The Higherdose Red Light Face Mask is a splurge, but it’s worth every penny. The mask has a medical-grade silicone design that is flexible and gentle on the skin. It features a combination of red and near-infrared cmibianiton, including 630nm red light and 830nm near-infrared light (132 total LEDs).
The LED lights help reduce signs of aging, calm inflammation, and treat acne. Each session takes about 10-20 minutes, plus it’s hands-free, so moms can get other things done while wearing the mask.
Slip Pure Silk Queen Pillowcase with Scalloped Edges
Slip’s pillowcases are useful for the hair and are not jsut another overly hyped up beauty trend. Silk helps reduce split ends and frizz, which contribute to dull, damaged strands. It also helps reduce frizz and seal in moisture.
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