We’re all about little joys with big payoff, which is why we think stocking stuffers are some of the most fun gifts to shop for. This year, we’ve scoured the beauty landscape and consulted makeup artists, hairstylists and more experts to find the absolute best beauty stocking stuffer ideas. From cult-favorite lip balms that fit perfectly into a pocket to makeup minis that’ll make packing for your holiday getaway a breeze, ahead, you’ll find a treasure trove of pint-sized beauty gifts across skin care, makeup, hair care and more. The best part? Most are under $50, but feel special and luxe.
And if you still haven’t crossed everyone off your holiday shopping list, check out our favorite gift ideas for women, gift ideas for men and other thoughtful gift ideas.
Skin care stocking stuffers
Laneige’s reader-favorite lip masks are a tiny joy that’ll keep your lips happy and hydrated. For the holidays, you can get this special set that includes the bestselling berry flavor, along with seasonal exclusives caramel apple and mango. “These are wildly popular, last forever and are so incredibly hydrating, especially in the winter,”?Jen Reed, influencer, shopping expert and founder of?Life in Lilac, says.
“Okay, this is one of my favorite beauty finds of the year and under $10,” Reed says. “These little [scrunchies] are so simple and save your clothes and arms from getting wet when you wash your face. I’m obsessed with these, and they are a no-brainer!”
These reusable eye masks can be worn on top of your favorite eye cream or serum for a customized and eco-friendly treatment. Pop them in the fridge like hairstylist?Nikki Providence for a cooling effect. “I really try to avoid disposable anything,” she says. “These are amazing for chilling out my under-eyes when I’ve had a rough night, and they’re reusable so you just pair them with your favorite serum!”
“This lotion is a wonderful introduction to the line and the richness of Caswell-Massey’s products,” celebrity groomer?Laila Hayani explains. “You can layer it with other scents and it lasts throughout the day,” she says of this delicious-smelling, nourishing body lotion. It’s a luxe upgrade to an everyday essential.
Celebrity groomer KC Fee loves this under-$6 stocking stuffer multi-purpose balm. “This is a must-have staple in my kit,” Fee says. “I primarily use it as a lip balm; it’s super hydrating and healing.”
For when you need a break from an everything shower, Lush’s bath bombs provide plenty of relaxation with their fizzy fragrances and fun colors. This duo features two bestselling bath bombs, the lavender-tonka-scented Twilight and romantic jasmine Sex Bomb.
Like a gua sha, this double-sided stone tool is great for promoting lymphatic drainage, and celebrity hairstylist Aviva Jansen Perea calls it a “beautiful way to calm stress.” The expert says, “You can really pinpoint the lymphatic drainage spots in your face helping to de-puff and increase circulation. It can be paired with any skin care, which makes this product such a gorgeous everyday, versatile tool.”
“This lip balm is the ultimate gift for anyone,” Hayani says. “It delivers the best hydration and leaves a nice sheen to the lips.”
A great gift for teens, this just-dropped collaboration brings together two buzzy beauty brands for a set of limited-edition pimple patches. Grab the super-cute pink compact case from Glossier, which comes with 32 pimple stickers in fun designs like rainbows, hearts and smileys.
“This is the perfect gift for those in need of a skin pick-me-up for the holiday season,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby says. “It is an invigorating and luxurious serum that uses hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin and messenger peptides to support collagen and elastin for firmer and more refreshed skin.”
Makeup stocking stuffers
“The perfect way to try multiple items at once, this set includes bestselling products, all in travel sizes,” Reed shares. It features Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm, Maneater Mascara and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. She says it’s “perfect for anyone on the go, and the best way to try out products before committing to purchasing full-size!”
Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director, says she’ll be gifting this trio of blush minis this year. It comes with three liquid blush shades that deliver a buildable, blendable glow.
A $49 value that’s currently on sale for only $25, this set that West loves has three minis for an effortless eye look. It comes with two shades of the creamy Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks, plus a Smokey Eye Mascara.
“My newest lip obsession is this super-creamy but long-wearing lip liner, especially in the shade Renae, which mimics my natural lip color,” Jansen Perea shares. “I can apply this and a little lip balm for a perfect barely-there color or build it up and layer with lipstick for a statement lip.”
Ulta beauty pro team member Mat Wulff recommends this full-sized lash primer and mascara duo. He says they have “amazing payoff” (even the primer is tinted), and he loves that they add volume and length.
Beautyblenders are the not-so-secret weapon for soft and smooth makeup application. This set includes the cult-favorite makeup sponge, along with a gummy-bear-shaped cleansing soap to keep your Beautyblender squeaky clean.
“Morphe brushes are a must for any makeup lover,” celebrity hairstylist and Ulta beauty pro team member Danielle Keasling says. “These brushes are high-quality and versatile, perfect for creating a variety of makeup looks. They’re also cruelty-free and vegan, making them a great choice for anyone who prefers ethical beauty products.”
“This beautiful creamy, matte lipstick is the ideal stocking stuffer,” Libby says. “It also has hydrating lip oils to keep lip skin moisturized, which is especially important during these drier, cold winter months.”
Hair care stocking stuffers
"Tidal Hair Sticks are cute, super useful and they are so on-trend,” Providence says. The Y2K-inspired styling accessories are topped with a variety of gems and jewels, making them a fun addition to your buns, twists or updos. “My favorite is the Freedom — I love a peace sign; I wear my heart on my sleeve!” the hairstylist shares.
Ulta beauty pro team member Sean Godard says this heat protectant is an essential. “It provides heat protection and style memory, and it also speeds up the blow-drying process,” he says. “Pro tip: Save the bottle and refill it from the full-size retail version. This non-aerosol twist-off top allows you to be green while always having your must-have product in a more portable size.”
This little scalp massager is one of those things you don’t know you need until you try it. The top of the pod can be filled with the scalp serum or oil of your choice and then you simply comb it across your scalp to deposit the product and massage it in. It feels super relaxing and delivers hair care benefits all at once.
Speaking of scalp serums, this product from Act+Acre is a favorite for soothing the scalp and promoting hair growth. The award-winning formula features a 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex that improves hair density, thickness and strength for a difference that you’ll actually notice.
“Anytime you can customize a gift they feel instantly more special,” Jansen Perea, the founder of Day Rate Beauty, says. “These Hero Pins come in 10 real shades that match hair colors making the recipient feel like they are getting something super special, and the packaging helps you retain the product, eliminating single use.?The size and the price make them perfect for a stocking!”
A present so cute you can hang it on your Christmas tree, this ornament is filled with four of Slip’s silk skinny scrunchies that prevent creasing and breakage. Plus, they look nicer on the wrist than the typical hair tie.
A practical gift they’re sure to use, the Wet Brush easily detangles hair without pulling or tugging at knots. It comes in a bunch of colors, and if you’re ordering them for a whole family or group of friends, you can even customize them with your choice of color, logo, image and text.
Pro hairstylist and founder of Burgeon Laini Reeves loves this versatile and luxe flat iron. The cordless design means it’s great for travel and super easy to maneuver as you style your hair. Plus, the curved edges help create wavy and curled looks too.
From Reeves’ own brand, this styling duo adds an elegant touch to your hair care routine. Made from sandalwood, the comb and hair fork help detangle and style the hair.
Bond repair treatments are all the rage in the world of hair care, and for good reason. They restore smoothness and shine, as well as support overall hair health. Celebrity hair stylist and Kerasilk ambassador Harry Josh recommends this protein-based leave-in product that will have hair looking silky. Bonus: It smells great too.
Fragrance stocking stuffers
Featuring two bestselling Yves Saint Laurent fragrances, this perfume set includes Mon Paris Eau de Parfum and Black Opium Eau de Parfum in super-cute mini bottles.
“Who can forget when this landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list? It remains forever a classic,”?Michelle O’Connor, pro hairstylist and Ulta beauty pro team member, says. This mini duo includes a shower gel and rollerball of the cult favorite fragrance.
This travel-sized gift set includes an eau de toilette spray, shower gel and body lotion, all boasting notes of pink pepper, ginger and patchouli. The festive gift is sure to add some spice to your bathing ritual.
Nail polish stocking stuffers
This gift box filled with four mini nail polishes is perfectly sized for a stocking stuffer. It contains four holiday shades, including a festive red and frosty sparkle.
Keasling loves the clean look of these effortless press-ons. “These press-on nails are easy to apply and remove, and they come in a chic, neutral shade that's perfect for any occasion,” she says. “Plus, they’re reusable, making them a sustainable choice.”
They also come in tons of colors and designs, so you can totally customize your manicure at home.
Step up your at-home mani game with this convenient nail care set. A glass nail file, cuticle pusher, mini clippers and mini cuticle nipper are endlessly reusable, so you’ll always have everything you need to keep your nails in tip-top shape.
Uuuuu.’s gel polish strips make it possible to achieve luxe nail art at home. From artist-created designs to fun embellishments, there are tons of options to choose from. This pink French tip set comes with pearls you can add for an even more customized look. All you need is an LED light to cure the polish strips.
Grooming stocking stuffers
A sheet mask designed specifically for guys, Fee says this makes for “a great stocking stuffer to introduce pampering to your man.” Each mask comes in two pieces, allowing for easy application for those with facial hair. Plus, it’s “a super-hydrating, calming mask that also reduces the appearance of fine lines,” according to Fee.
This celebrity-loved body oil has a dry feel so it sinks right in. Gift it alongside Hume’s equally fresh-smelling aluminum-free deodorant for a self-care pairing.
Get his grooming routine covered with this set of body wash, 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner and deodorant, all in Every Man Jack’s fan-favorite sandalwood scent.
A splurge stocking stuffer, Josh recommends this aromatic hand wash that takes an everyday essential and turns it into a moment of luxury.
“These are fantastic eye patches under $25,” Fee says. “Ladies, buy them for your men and steal them for yourselves. They have vitamin C, caffeine and peptides in them to brighten and reduce puffiness and fine lines.”
One of Josh’s picks, this cult-favorite body lotion is amazing for dry skin. The squalane and cocoa butter-rich formula delivers lasting hydration that’ll get you through the holidays and beyond.