From cult skincare to seriously posh soap: Sali Hughes’s best beauty gifts for Christmas 2026

Whether its bargain stocking fillers or a lipstick worth splashing out on, our beauty editor reveals what she’d love to give – and receive

The best Christmas gifts for mums, grannies, aunties and friends

I like this entire collaboration between fashion and interiors designer Bella Freud and Boots, but I think this duo of substantial, refillable pumps of fragrant hand care makes the perfect pressie. They’ll look stylish in any bathroom or guest loo.

The most effective and attractive of the natural (ie aluminium-free) deodorants. Created by West End musical performers and developed and tested on chorus line dancers and athletes, this cream gives hardcore protection to even active users. Add on the metal tube key for an extra treat.

For more, read our guide to the best natural deodorants

Back by popular demand, this palm-oil-free, bubble gum-scented, glittery shower gel is perfect for the maximalist in your life, or as a Secret Santa gift for the office’s po-faced quiet luxury snob.

Cheerful, fun brushes that make great stocking fillers for the whole family.

I would barely stay hydrated if I didn’t have one of these clever, handbag-friendly bottles denying me an excuse.

For more, read our guide to the best water bottles

I admire the way Merit has stubbornly refused to jump on the otherwise ubiquitous trend for sticky, dessert-trolley fragrances. This has more of a vintage Hollywood powder puff vibe. And to me, there’s something deeply glamorous about bar soap.

Cleaning makeup brushes is tedious but necessary to help maintain clear skin and good hygiene. This mitt makes the task a breeze and will quickly become indispensable to makeup lovers. And if you want some brushes, get them here too. They’re the best.

I am useless at taking supplements, but I am reliably informed that daily creatine is a no-brainer. These stick-on, slow-release patches can be kept in your wallet and stuck on when you finally remember.

La Bonne Brosse No2 care and detangling hairbrush

Yes, they cost an absolute fortune, and yes, I really did set out to object in the strongest terms. But three years in, I’ll use no other hairbrush. Beautiful to look at and a joy to use.

I love this British indie brand’s obsession with quality – and so does every top nail tech I know. Your loved one will never own a finer manicure kit than this.

I’ve rarely met a luxury scented candle I didn’t like, but these score points for their chic, non-seasonal vessels that look stylish year-round.

Confession: I’m a sucker for the kind of synthetic green-apple shampoo scent of the 1980s, and this perfume is pretty close. A cheap, cheerful, easy-to-wear fragrance that is also school-appropriate for teens.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Born Star cream-to-powder eyeshadow, 1.5g

The return of Marc Jacobs Beauty was one of 2026’s biggest beauty moments. There’s so much to love – from creamy, lasting eye pencils to an exceptionally good concealer. This eyeshadow in the shade “Act Natural” is a no-risk buy because it’s easy, versatile and in a covetable – and festive – star compact.

Summer Fridays body spray in pistachio, 240ml

Summer Fridays butter balm in pistachio, 200ml

I love pistachio, but in beauty products, it tends to translate as too sweet and infantile. But the scent of these is truer, nuttier and delicious. The body butter is way richer than most, too, providing enough post-bath moisture for even dry skin.

I love Arket’s home and lifestyle department and will admit I was seduced by the Scandi-minimalist packaging here. But its contents didn’t disappoint. Rich but non-greasy hand cream that moisturises sufficiently while still passing the doorknob test.

For more, read our guide to the best non-greasy hand creams

These are among the few nail polishes on the market that can legitimately be given as a beautiful gift in their own right. High performance, elegant shades, minus undesirable ingredients such as toluene, ethyl alcohol and formaldehyde.

You will rarely see me without a couple of silk hair ties around my wrist, and you’ll never find me at bedtime without my hair tied up high with one, ready for fuller, smoother hair in the morning.

I love solid bar soap not only for washing, but also for unwrapping and keeping in my clothes drawers to repel moths and keep things fragrant. This is scented with one of my all-time favourites – the smell of Provence almond groves.

I never use the family hand towels to dry off my face after cleansing. I have my own, which I change daily. These pretty striped duos are affordable, look lovely in the bathroom, are distinct from the rest and take up little room in the washer.

Bamford Woodland Moss eau de parfum, 50ml

One of my favourite discoveries of the past year or so, this is everything I love about perfumer Lyn Harris’s creations – wild, elemental, botanical and British. It’s also long-lasting, punchy and gender-neutral (leaning male, perhaps). Sublime.

If you want a really great-looking hand care set for perhaps a couple or family you love, I think this is the most impressive. Both scents are divine.

I’m so impressed by this tweens and teens skincare range from creative director Laura Jackson. This gentle sheet mask makes a great stocking filler and provides something to do between cheeseboards on Boxing Day.

For more, read our guides to the best gifts for teens and tweens

Victoria Beckham Rouge Victoria refillable lipstick in House Red, 3.9g

Not so much a lipstick as an heirloom, this classic, refillable scarlet (I was among the handful of journalists who told Victoria over lunch that the working title of House Red must stay for keeps) is exactly what the price demands: saturated with pigment, smooth, comfortable and dense in finish. Glorious.

I practically leapt on this as soon as I saw it at the Marks & Spencer press preview because, well, just look at it. A very pretty, deeply satisfying book of individually boxed scents from what is now a very decent fragrance portfolio at M&S. Don’t sleep on it – this will go fast.

Beautifully made, personalised pocket combs for curls, coils and any textured hair type. Also makes a lovely keepsake gift for a new baby.

Diptyque Nurturing cleansing gel for body and hair, 350ml

There is literally no Diptyque gift I won’t want and love. Seriously, just take your pick. This – at least for starters – is mine.

I predict 2027 will be a big year for the original cult skincare line, Eve Lom. Refresh your memory with this classic balm cleanser, still loved by the most discerning beauty fans for its skin-softening, glow-giving effect and deeply comforting medicinal smell. Yum.

For more, read our guide to the best face cleansers

There can be no debate. GHD make the best hair straighteners. These are fantastic – and admittedly priciest – on the market, but I can feel every penny on my hair. They straighten, bend, curl and smooth in seconds – and while minimising damage.

For more, read our guide to the best hair straighteners

Do not spend hundreds on a hair multi-styler. This does every job very well and is exceptional value for money.

For more, read our guide to the best hot brushes

Super Skin Nova moisturising primer, 50ml

An easy makeup gift because the sheer, peachy tint works on every skin tone to add glow, cushioning hydration and grip for anything that follows (it also looks beautiful when worn alone on bare skin).

Lisa Eldridge Marilyn Monroe collection strawberry blonde lipstick, 3ml

I’m generally dubious about collaborations with the estate of someone not here to consent and oversee, but in this collection, you can see the care, attention and respect Lisa Eldridge gives Marilyn Monroe. Everything is lovely, but who can think of Monroe without picturing a red lip?

I know cheap, fun, festive glitters are everywhere, but if you take your sparkle seriously, please know that Half Magic’s are the very best money can buy.

I love how Neal’s Yard has never sold out on its values, nor compromised on quality. There’s lots to love throughout the range, but I find this moisturising balm to be a great gift for mothers-to-be (which, speaking from personal experience, should be accompanied by something entirely unrelated to pregnancy, such as a book, gig ticket or good olive oil).

One of my best buys of 2026. Oversized clips that allow for easy makeup application without leaving dents in my hairline, while holding much more firmly than the standard size seen elsewhere. A stocking filler that will get used by anyone with longer hair.

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless blush blur, 8g

This alone got me back into powder blush. Blurry, non-drying, never-patchy, silken blush in the most perfect neutral rosy beige that flatters every skin tone from pale to deep.

Prequel half and half moisturiser, 168ml

Men, menopausal women, gym-goers and face-cream haters, assemble: this liquid moisturiser drenches skin without suffocating it and behaves beautifully under makeup.

For more, read our guide to the best face moisturisers

Among this year’s best high street skincare launches, this is a great serum for anyone interested in state-of-the-art, serious skincare, made affordable enough to maintain long-term. To be applied after cleansing and before moisturiser and sunscreen.

I’ve recommended this stocking filler to countless parents hoping to set their mildly spotty teen on a solid skincare path. Full sizes can be bought individually to top up favourites when they’re done.

Violette FR bisou balm in chocolat, 2.5g

The most universally flattering, wearable, cool-toned brown, matt, blurry lip balm that is so subtle and easy, you barely even need a mirror. Even a makeup refusenik will enjoy the texture.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Pure Musc Blanc, 50ml

Not new, not hyped, not trending. Just gorgeous, cosy, clean, elegant and chic. Even the most determined perfume haters will concede that this is hard to resist.

Nest New York candles are too often overlooked. The wonderful quality and festive design – in this case, in collaboration with Parisian designer Pierre Marie – make for a special gift. The scent is unmistakably festive: think sappy Christmas trees and warm log cabins.

Rouge Triomphe travel spray and fragrance refills, 2 x 15ml

A luxurious keepsake and one that, in my case, gets almost daily use. This beautiful handbag atomiser holds, protects and dispenses from interchangeable fragrance cartridges from Celine, which makes exceptionally fine scents for a fashion-first house (try Black Tie, a warm, silken vanilla – it’s exquisite). A stunning piece that should last for ever.

Kiko Club K lip gloss in Afters Glow, 10ml

Kiko does most things well (the pencils are excellent), but nothing makes for a more crowd-pleasing teen stocking filler than a high-shine lip gloss.

The Body Shop whipped matcha body butter, 200ml

Young people love matcha as much as I love the Body Shop. This is my way to lure them in. Rich, sumptuous, skin-softening moisture for wintry, weather-beaten limbs.

The new thinner, subtler model finally recruited me to the cult. Although they’ll have to shell out for the subscription, this provides helpful data not only for fitness enthusiasts, but also for insomniacs, the perimenopausal and otherwise hormonal, or anyone hoping to track and address their lifestyle habits.

A bracing, botanical oil. On long, chilly, British evenings, simply nothing hits like a great podcast in a candlelit, Olverum-filled bath.

Morphe Cheek Thrills blusher trio, 10.8g

Morphe has seriously raised its game in the past 18 months. These pretty, multi-finish blushers come in great shades and are flattering, easy to blend and long-lasting.

Ordo Squishmallows electric kids’ toothbrush

The kids in my life tell me Squishmallows – plush, collectible toy characters – are absolutely huge, and while few parents want yet another soft toy in the house, many will take anything that makes teeth brushing less of a drama. And the batteries in Ordo electric brushes last me for a full fortnight’s holiday with no need to pack a charger.

For more, read our guide to the best electric toothbrushes

While I cannot relate at all to those who hate body cream, I concede they are many. This silky, non-greasy body serum is a luxurious alternative, providing lasting moisture with almost zero absorption time before dressing.

No98 the Glass anti-frizz hydrator, 250ml

The words “anti-frizz” put me off trying this for a full month after fashion influencer (and No98 founder) Lorna Andrews first gave it to me – such was my fear that it would weigh down my fine hair. I should have trusted the process. Glassy, soft, healthy-looking hair in a bottle – whatever your type. Apply before blow-drying.

Buy a teenage girl anything from Rhode, and she will love you for ever – or at least until the new year.

The best stocking fillers, for me, elevate the mundane, everyday tasks that otherwise seem like a chore. I buy these as a treat every year.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu, 100ml

Britain’s most beloved luxury fragrance goes fruity with juicy lychee and grapefruit. I’ve been asked more about this scent than any other this year. If you love its big sister Coco Mademoiselle, you’ll likely love this – as well as be impressed by its longevity.

If you’re a fan of a ponytail, a slick back or a kiss curl, meet your new handbag essential.

There’s no reason for fans of a no-fuss, low-maintenance beauty regime to compromise on luxury. This solid bar of multipurpose cleanser gets on with the job on face and body, while lathering up creamily to give instant ceremony to bath time.

Ambient Lighting palette limited edition, 6 x 1.4g

Hourglass Ambient Lighting palettes, while pricey, make everyone look prettier in a way that almost nothing else does. I recommend them to people who’d like to own very little makeup and make minimal effort in enhancing what comes naturally. Truly, anyone could own just a skin tint, lip gloss, mascara and this soft, blurring, ultra-flattering eye, face and cheek palette and feel well stocked.

For perfume wearers and book lovers, this glorious fragrance is based on parchment pages in leather-bound covers, lining wooden library shelves. A thing of beauty that’s also available in candle form.

The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy trend has proved more than a Disney+ one-season wonder. Nineties-inspired wide, acetate black or tortoiseshell hairbands are still the height of chic, not to mention practical and easy to wear. This one is a steal of a stocking stuffer.

If you’ve ever used a Sam McKnight hairspray or styling product, you’ll know they smell better than most scents. Now you needn’t choose. This takes the original signature fragrance created by perfumer Lyn Harris and makes it suitable for use as perfume on skin, hair and clothes.

I am not remotely ashamed to say I have a roll of Glossier poo bags hanging from my handbag, and I’m not afraid to use them.

Is this a suitable or polite gift for someone who has never so much as mentioned their (all too common) thinning hair? Of course not. But for a loved one who has openly despaired in your direction, a subscription to Hair+Me could prove life-improving. One of the team’s physicians will always decide on the appropriate treatment. Opt for the capsules if they have pets, as the key ingredient in the topical treatment, minoxidil, is toxic to cats and dogs.

These endlessly practical, durable, zip-up clear beauty, toiletries and tech cases are cult classics at this point. Stand in any airport security line, and you’ll see one on the belt.

Wherever I go, whatever I do, one thing I know for sure is that someone will ask me where I got my magnetic lip balm holder. Here’s the answer. Your phone needs to have MagSafe for it to work.

Nature of Things is the passion project of Carisa Janes, founder of Hourglass Cosmetics, and it shows: everything is meticulously designed and made. This chunky, fatty, sudsy body bar is 97% plant-based and synthetic fragrance free and, unlike many similarly natural products, lathers properly to leave skin feeling genuinely clean, not just moisturised.

Coated paper cosmetics pouches are the easiest (and more responsible) way to cram an excessive number of beauty products into a tiny bag. Which is why I use them, obviously.

For those of us terrified of fitness clubs and living in normal-sized houses, the threat of ugly, bulky fitness equipment cluttering up the place is enough to keep us glued to the sofa. These discreet, sleek and easy-to-store weights are my solution.

I love the work of Maya Njie, one of the few black female “noses” working successfully in the privileged, often hereditary, Eurocentric world of fine perfumery. My favourite is Tobak, a warm, cosy blend of spicy cinnamon and cardamom, earthy vetiver and soft, smoky tobacco, but there’s nothing in the lineup that’s not worth a sniff. She helpfully sells travel sizes so you can spread your bets before committing to a full bottle.

Make bath salts great again. Hotel Mike is set on revamping Britain’s most reviled retro Christmas gift with innovative ingredients, natural fragrance and ferments, and I’m absolutely here for the comeback.

Is it though? Please. While we wait, my jewellery and meds live here.

For more, read our guides to the best Christmas gifts for mums, the best Christmas gifts for dads and the best Christmas gifts for teenagers

Christmas shopping can be tough, but the Filter is here to help. We’ve been testing Christmas presents all year to help you find thoughtful, creative and genuinely brilliant gifts for everyone on your list. Browse our other gift guides for hundreds more tried-and-tested ideas, from gifts you can make yourself to toys for every age group.