November 28, 2021
5 Beauty Brands to Wow Your Holiday Gift-Giving
Lauren Emily Whalen READ TIME: 7 MIN.
A little pampering can go a long way this holiday season. EDGE offers our five favorite beauty, skincare and makeup brands to spoil your special someone.
Organic, plant-based skincare products make the perfect stocking stuffer, party gift, or inclusion for a self-curated gift box. Vegan Skin Clinic's thoughtful formulations help combat environmentally-caused aging with powerful but gentle ingredients to cleanse, nourish, and replenish your skin. Vegan Skin Clinic's product line specializes in masks, exfoliants, and scrubs, and offers something for every skin type. Dozens of testimonials from loyal customers support the products' effectiveness.
The Sugar Apple Scrubbing Mask ($75) is a terrific go-to product without needing to know your recipient's skin type, with organic Squamosa and nutripeptides to buff away impurities and enhance collagen production. Consider gifting the Banana Pineapple Enzyme Exfoliant ($75) for dry winter months – ideal for sensitive, reactive skin types or for those who desire additional hydration.
Makeup is for everyone – regardless of orientation and gender – who wants to express themselves and have a little fun. Now that going out is semi-safe again and house parties are back in fashion, why not give the gift of sparkle this holiday season? We Are Fluide cosmetics are colorful, vegan, paraben-free, and very, very queer.
Crafted for any skin tone and identity who craves a little glitter in their lives, the Brooklyn-based brand can fill up a stocking in no time and donates profit and products to a variety of LGBTQ+ organizations.
Snap up the Pride Liner Bundle ($50) for a rainbow of eyelid and face glitter, and the Liquid Lipstick ($16) for a bright pout that's coffee- and kiss-proof.
Ryan Murphy's "Halston" series reminded us all of the power of fragrance, and Black Baccara is ready to fulfill your gift-giving needs. Founded by artist Kalliope Amorphous, the multiracial, female and LGBTQ-owned company specializes in artisan perfume oils and eau de parfums, providing a host of scents both delicious and nostalgic. Just a dab of a Black Baccara oil will sustain the wearer for an evening of recalling memories – and creating new ones.
Black Baccara's Holiday/Winter 2021 scents evoke everything from snow fairies to conifer trees to cozy village bakeries, bringing cottagecore chic to a whole new level. For a year-round femme perfume, try CWzRAM5r33U
With the world opening back up – and everyday stresses returning with a vengeance – self-care is more essential than ever. As a professional ballet dancer, Jordan Samuel Pacitti faced copious skin irritation from stage lights and intense makeup.
After retiring from performing, Pacitti founded Jordan Samuel Skin, a line of affordable products with plant-based components and active anti-aging ingredients.
Begin your skincare routine with Jordan Samuel's Matinee Cream Cleanser ($14-$28), which blends sesame oil and silt for a clean, moisturizing experience that leaves you with a fresh face for the day ahead. The After Show Body Cleanser is a perfect end-of-day treat, lightly scented and smooth over every inch. ($37)
Vogue, Glamour and InStyle agree: One Ocean Beauty is a must-have this holiday season. This skincare brand sources material from oceans worldwide and sustainably produces with the environment a number-one priority.
One Ocean Beauty boasts several gift sets at various price points, ideal for one-stop self-care shopping.
One Ocean Beauty's Let It Glow Holiday Kit ($185) allows the giftee to try a little bit of everything while providing maximum skin hydration and radiance. Packed in a gorgeous vegan leather bag, the Revitalizing Sea Serum, Replenishing Deep-Sea Moisturizer and Eye Revival Marine Cream leave the face looking and feeling its healthiest.
For an extra bit of luxury, throw in the Blue Algae Exfoliating + Detox Mask. ($78)
Founded by novelist Tanaïs (aka Tanwi Nandini Islam) and inspired by wildflowers, the newly rebranded collection celebrates the nuance and beauty of Mother Earth. "Wildflowers are my muse," reflects Tanaïs. "They grow free, wild and everywhere, lighting up coastal cliffs, highways, concrete and meadows. I've always been drawn to people who embody this freedom of spirit."
Favorite picks include the glossy, coconut oil-based lip glosses like Hawaiian Hibiscus and Plumeria Petal ($15/each). The Portals Perfume Collection also seduces with alluring scents such as Matí with notes of Ganges mitti attar, jasmine sambac, and rose petals; and Mala, showcasing clary sage, rose marac, and nag champa incense accord. A limited collection of Extrait de parfum (50ml) releases December 8.
Additional contributions by Matthew Wexler.
Lauren Emily Whalen is a writer, performer and aerialist living in Chicago. She's the author of four books for young adults. Learn more at laurenemilywrites.com.
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