Gifting for your teen or 20-something can be a big change for parents, family, and friends. Going into the holiday season, your ideas for their needs and interests doesn’t come as naturally as they used to when they were little, belting out Frozen songs every day of Christmas break.
So, I’ve searched the trends and my own wish lists past and present for beauty gift ideas I think your 20-something loved one will love, and probably really need, as they’re making their way through the world.
Here is my ultimate list of skincare and beauty buys this season!
Mario Badescu: On-the-go Must Haves
Mario Badescu is a cult-classic brand that makes products I’ve been lusting after since I was a pre-teen. Their rose facial spray and drying lotion are staple products for teens, but as a 20-something my skincare needs have changed along with my lifestyle.
One Mario product you’ll find me using day-to-day at the moment is the simple oil free SPF 30 Moisturiser, a no-fuss dual use product that helps me skip a step in my morning routine. Year-round sun protection is where anyone’s skincare journey should be starting, so if you’re shopping for a skincare-curious teen or a practical on-the-go lady, this is a solid place to start.
The other product I love to have on hand is the back and body clarifying spray, which chips away at the ever-present barriers to staying active in the cold season. Whether I’ve given it my all in yoga or made it out for a midday run, this is a must to make sure workouts don’t end in breakouts. I’m not saying this is the gift for a random second-cousin with bacne — but if you’ve got a close loved one who you know is an athlete, a specific and helpful gift like this is a solid recognition of their interests. Plus, it provides something they probably don’t already have five of.
The Ordinary: The Essential Starter Retinoid
The Ordinary is a total no-nonsense skincare brand which has taken the beauty industry by storm with simple, transparent ingredient lists and products that speak for themselves. Beauty experts rave about their classic squalane cleanser and serums like hyaluronic acid or caffeine solution which punch well above their weight in terms of cost and quality, and their line include gentle products like a squalene cleanser that can be a tween’s perfect first skincare product or a staple in a seasoned skincare lover’s routine.
For older teens and adults, one star product that goes completely under the radar is their retinal 0.2% emulsion. This is a gentle ‘starter’ retinoid that refreshes the skin through regular use, paired with a daily sunscreen. For 20-somethings and beyond, retinoids are one of the best ‘investments’ in your skin — although this product is so affordable it hardly feels like one!
I’ve used it bi-weekly for about a year now and definitely feel and see the subtle differences in skin texture and pigmentation. Plus, getting in early with a retinoid product is proven to make a long-term difference in your skin. If you’re gifting for someone skincare-curious, this is a case of bang for your buck.
Dr Althea: The 145 Barrier Cream
If you’re looking for the next step to a retinoid, or just going hard on the self-care necessities, the Dr Althea 145 Barrier Cream is a big recommendation from me. It feels like putting a thick layer of hydration on, and has been the perfect companion to dry skin or any harsher products. When I feel like my skin just needs a soak, this product is where I always turn.
Byoma: Bright-Eyed, Busy Tailed!
Whether it’s you or your 20-something who’s been putting in all-nighters recently, under-eye discolouration can kill self-confidence and tell the world way too much about the shift you’ve been putting in. Frankly, I’m tired of hearing it — and fortunately Byoma has been my solution. I have to recommend the Byoma De-Puff and Brighten Eye Gel as a mother-daughter gift purchase, because I tried my mom’s and got immediately hooked. This is now part of my waking-up routine because it quite literally helps me look alive the morning.
Byoma is another great brand for the skincare-curious overall, because it opts for pretty gentle formulations and adorable packaging that makes it a real treat-yourself moment to use the eye gel. Come on, how could you not love this product!
Rare Beauty: The Soft Pinch Line
I’m always one to focus on skincare, but I just had to mention this blush as a first step into makeup! The whole soft pinch line from Rare Beauty seems to go viral about once a month, and it’s easy to see why. These products are supremely wearable — in fact, the name ‘soft pinch’ is the perfect descriptor of their natural effect.
The special thing about these nude all-rounder products, though, is that Rare puts their focus on maximum pigment, a philosophy which rubs against the grain of most natural-look products. Their message is: use a tiny dot of something like the super pigmented viral liquid blush, blend it in, and you’ll have a look that’s never cakey, and a product that lasts forever. I’ve been a daily wearer of the soft pinch matte bouncy blush for a more classic blush look for upwards of six months now, and yet the pan looks almost untouched. If someone in your life is getting into makeup or trying new styles, a blush is the perfect gift that accentuates natural beauty.
