Editors On The Best Beauty Gifts To Give (And Receive) In 2026
There’s an inherent magic surrounding the holidays, from the twinkling lights strung across the city illuminating the winter days to the clink of champagne glasses toasting to the end of the year. It’s a time of food, drink and merriment indulgence – and you need not let the question of gifting cloud the jubilation.
’s top beauty gifts at a glance:
The giving season can come with a degree of stress. The ever-pressing question of what to wrap up for your family and friends gets more anxiety-inducing as the days get nearer to December 25. There are gifts for him, her and teens to consider – and the shopping experts have you covered for all. But for the beauty lover in your life, you have come to the right place with beauty gifts galore.
This year’s beauty gift edit comes directly from the desks of the beauty editors. We have spent the last few months squeezing, spritzing and spraying to showcase a selection of hair, skin, body, make-up, wellness and fragrance goodies sure to charm your giftee.
Our recommendations lean away from landfill-destined stocking fillers to prioritise moments of treat-worthy indulgence. Think high-tech gadgets to supercharge their skincare routine, buzzy K-beauty brand discoveries that will transform their bathroom cabinet and cult classic cosmetics collections that spotlight a holy grail and throw in some additional products to try for good measure and even better value.
See below for the edit of the best presents to place under the tree that are as coveted as they are thoughtful.
CryoGlow Clinic Face + Body
- Why it’s -approved: The Shark CryoGlow Clinic is more powerful than the original CryoGlow. The face mask alone has 510 LED bulbs (versus the previous 480), and these are tactically placed around the crow’s feet and nasolabial folds, which are common areas of concern. In the same well-fitting hardshell design, the brand has layered the LEDs so that there is seamless coverage across the face (which is not always possible with a silicone mask). The brand says there is higher radiance too, which delivers faster results. Importantly, the wavelengths remain the same, as they are clinically proven.
- Where this device stands out when compared to its predecessor is greater power and thus faster results, the addition of heat to the cooling eye pads for contrast therapy and, most excitingly of all, the brand’s first foray into a neck LED mask. But this is no ordinary LED neck mask. This is a multitasking LED mini panel that doubles up as an LED hand mask, and after over a decade of gel manicures, I am thrilled to add this to my red light therapy routine. Yes, I have a red light therapy routine.
- Shark has teamed up with an army of dermatologists and skin scientists to create a gadget that is designed to minimise visible signs of ageing, firm the skin, stimulate collagen production, boost elasticity and combat sagging. Clinical testing from the brand has reported an improvement in the appearance of fine lines on the forehead, lips, neck, chest and hands, as well as crow’s feet and frown lines – and all this through just one device.
- There are three programs: Wrinkle Repair, Balance & Clear and Skin Sustain, which are offered on both masks. Wrinkle Repair is a six-minute treatment that harnesses red and infrared light and is designed to be used daily for eight weeks. Balance & Clear is the spot-fighting option with blue light as the star and, according to the brand, can help clear blemishes in just a month of usage. Skin Sustain is to keep up the results of the previous treatments. These can be paired with either Under-Eye Revive, which, much like the original CryoGlow, uses soothing InstaChill Technology to depuff or the Dual-Temp Restore contrast technology mentioned above. You can mix and match any of the above treatments; for example, I use Balance and Clear on my face but Wrinkle Repair on the neck at the same time. Helpfully, everything is controlled via the remote, so there is no need for any storage-filling companion apps.
- Key specs:
- Red (633nm), near infra red (830nm), deep near infra red (1072nm), blue (415nm)
- Device type: Face mask
- Target area: Face, hands and neck
- Best for: Being consistent with a programme
- Full coverage LEDs
- Face, neck and hands in one device
- Easy to be consistent with the programmes
- Needs regular charging
Why it’s -approved: Dyson released an array of new hair tools this year, one of which is the Airsmooth, a dedicated hot air brush and a first for the tech label. And spoiler, it’s really good. Tested on thick, long hair, it was speedy to use. I dried my hair to around 80 per cent dry and then employed the Airsmooth to finish the job. The tool made the task effortless, leaving my locks with impressive volume as well as a silky smooth, sleek feel. My only downside was that my hair did snag a little during styling, but I would say the professional-looking finish rivals that of the Airwrap.
- Why it’s -approved: When it comes to the Dyson CameraJet, you are getting a lot of tech for the price. That includes the powerful sonic motor and sonic oscillation, which are both said to remove more plaque, but the most impressive features take oral health up a few notches. There is both a built-in camera and water flosser. The former is very revealing, as you can see where you are missing likely for the first time during your own brushing process. The flossing function is more than just a gimmick too, even if it’s fun to use. It does take a minute to get used to the brush positioning to make sure you are not treating your bathroom to a mouthwash shower. I used a manual toothpick flosser after brushing, and while there was some plaque still, it was much better than without its use at all and a great solution if you find manual flossing mundane.
- Sonic motor: Oscillates 245 times a second
- Cleaning modes: Three
- Battery life: 10 days
- Charging type: USB-C
Why it’s -approved: Ghd has unveiled a new cashmere colourway for the gift-giving season, and you will find a range of its high-performance devices in the soft beige hue. The heated tools specialist has also paired up its most coveted tools, which, in the case of the Deluxe Gift Set, are all about speedy styling. The set includes the latest hairdryer, the Speed, which lives up to its name with its fast-drying functionality, as well as the Chronos, a hair straightener that will cut down your styling time with the need for just one pass.
- Why it’s -approved: A step up from red light in terms of the depth its beams penetrate, Lyma’s device combines low-level cold laser therapy with NIR to rejuvenate skin from the inside out. This handheld tool can treat fine lines everywhere on the face and body – from the crow’s feet to hands and lips – and offers impressive results for deep-set concerns like pigmentation and scarring. What’s more, it fits inside your handbag and is still effective when used over your SPF or make-up. Great for the jet setter who needs on-the-go treatments, it’s no wonder this device is beloved by the celebrity set.
- Device type: Handheld
- Best for: deep-down skin rejuvenation. Tightening lax skin, renewing dull skin and remodelling skin with scars. Several users praise the non-invasive device for its anti-inflammatory effects on conditions like psoriasis.
- Target area: Face, body, neck and hands
- : Three plus minutes daily
- Good to know: As well as whole face rejuvenation, try using it for five minutes on targeted areas like acne scarring and persistent sun spots.
- Ease to use
- Results in a short amount of time
- Covers a small surface area at a time
Why it’s -approved: Harsh water not only strips colour from hair and degrades hair quality, but also compromises the skin barrier. So, if, like me, either concerns you, a filtered shower head is an essential – and Hello Klean has just launched the Shower Head+. The new and improved Shower Head+ is available to buy in three brushed finishes (Brushed Chrome, Brushed Bronze and Brushed Brass), and this clever finish resists fingerprints and repels water, meaning no unwanted residue post shower, and less maintenance.
A newbie to the Hello Klean world, I was so impressed with the ease of installing the shower head. It really is as simple as screwing it onto your existing shower fittings and switching the water on. End of. After just one wash, sticking to my usual roster of products, my hair feels notably softer, with an almost featherweight quality.
Arguably, the most impressive and groundbreaking addition to this new model is its smart nature. The first of its kind, the Shower Head+ is complete with a chip hidden deep inside the head that works behind the scenes to track your filter status, water usage and temperature. Once synced (by hovering your phone with the app open next to the shower head, taking no more than two seconds), all data is transmitted to the app, giving you more insight into your showers than ever before.
- Best for: Excellent return on investment
- Release date: Available now
- Number of products: 27
- Number of days: 25
- What’s inside? Medik8 Total Moisture Cleanser, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator and LANEIGE Vanilla Lip Glowy Balm
- Why it’s To create its three advent calendars for 2026, beauty retailer Lookfantastic has taken an interesting approach. It has reached out to 25 beauty experts – from big beauty names to its own buying team – each of whom has selected an inclusion. These include the likes of hairstylist Sam McKnight and Dom Seeley, and creators Ash Holme and Gary Thompson. In The Beauty Advent Calendar, there are 27 products with a value of £665 and brands like Medik8, Clinique, Laura Mercier and Elemis. The edit leans on cult buys like Medik8 Total Moisture Cleanser, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Night Cream and Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, as well as hyped heroes like Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 40 Perfume Mist and Color Wow’s Kale Cocktail.
- The Fragrance Advent Calendar, which sold out in three days last year, has a reported worth of £530 and costs £150. The brands to know include Jo Malone, YSL and Rabanne. Enduring bestselling aromas include Jo Malone London’s Pomegranate Noir Cologne, Issey Miyake’s L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Parfum and Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume.
- Last but the most value-packed of all, The Grooming Advent Calendar costs £90 and has £469 worth of products inside, according to the retailer.
- Best for: High-end minis
- Release date: Available now
- Number of products: 25
- Number of days: 25
- What’s inside? Color Wow Texas Hold’Em Big Hold Hairspray, Medik8 C Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum and Clé de Peau Beauté Correcting Cream Veil
- Why it’s Harrods has unveiled three advent calendars as part of its 2026 seasonal offering. The largest and flagship is the 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar (£270) which contains 25 products in which the Color Wow Texas Hold’Em Big Hold Hairspray (worth £30), Medik8 C Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum (worth £72), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium (worth £29.50) and Clé de Peau Beauté Correcting Cream Veil (worth £61) are full sized (total £192.50). This is without mentioning the Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Skin Balm (£21) and Otis Batterbee eyelash curler and brush (est £26). Hyped-about heroes are stashed within, from the By Terry Tea To Tan Face & Body to the Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, and if you’ve been eyeing up the CurrentBody devices but have yet to make the plunge, there is a voucher inside with £75 off your purchase. For travelling, there are helpful minis inside, including Philip Kingsley shampoo and conditioner, La Prairie Foam Cleanser, RéVive Renewal Moisturizing Night Cream and Moncho Moreno One Minute Wonder Hair Mask so you can fill your washbag with high-performance formulas even when you’re away from home.
- The Harrods 12 Days of Fragrance Advent Calendar is, as the name suggests, a fragrance-based calendar. There are sample-sized scents but also large sizes of Parfums de Marly’s TikTok favourite Delina aroma (in 30ml, worth £180), Floraiku Gong Eau De Parfum with an incredibly beautiful bottle (30ml, est worth £177) and Memo Paris Omnia Omnibus Ubique Eau de Parfum (30ml, worth £140). That’s £497, and you are getting regiftable fragrances, should they not be your preference. There is both a limited-edition and exclusive aroma in the form of Golden Milk by BORNTOSTANDOUT and, on the flipside, a bestseller from Jo Malone with English Pear & Freesia that comes in the handbag-ready 30ml. Honourable mention goes to the exclusive Ex Nihilo
Brompton Immortals Extrait de Parfum (50ml, worth £212.50). - Most uniquely of all is The Harrods 12 Days of Hair & Body Advent Calendar 2026, an unexpected combination of two bestselling categories. Brands include Sol De Janeiro, Chāmpo (including the bestselling Pitta Growth Serum and Flyaway Fix) and Philip Kingsley (and its fan-favourite Elasticizer). The selection is as practical as it is luxurious, with pampering treats like the Starskin VIP The Gold Mask and Rehab Retreat Bath & Shower Milk.