I'm going to be completely honest with you. I'm not typically a fan of a Christmas beauty gift set. In fact they rather haunt me around the festive period. And I think I've pinpointed why. When I was younger beauty gift sets were the gift of the season - and they were all naff - it was the 90s and early 00s after all. I remember opening up countless body wash sets, all in sickly sweet scents that I knew would be sent straight down to the charity shop come January. There would be mountains of nail polish collections, each in a varying degree of garish colour that would never be painted onto any of my nails. And for that reason, I have steered clear of them in the past.
However, it has come to my very happy attention that Christmas beauty gift sets have come on leaps and bounds. In fact, they are now chic, smart collections of products that absolutely deserve some attention as we edge towards December.
Gone are the shoddy groupings of products that nobody ever wants and in their place are seriously incredible edits of some of the best products on the market right now. Much like the never-waning-in-popularity beauty advent calendars, these sets bring together some of the industry's most in-demand brands and products. From blow-the-budget luxury to more purse-friendly affordable options, even I can't deny that a Christmas beauty gift set make life easier when shopping for beauty lovers. Plus, they’re so beautifully packaged, all you have to do is add a gift tag with your best wishes and a kiss.
So here we have it, my edit of the best Christmas gift sets of the year. Consider this a helping hand for your own shopping or a reminder of what to add to your own wish list.
Best Christmas beauty gift sets of 2024
Christmas beauty gift sets for £50 and under
One of the most in-demand make-up brands of the past five years - this little trinket box with two lip oils inside would make a sweet stocking filler. The brand's lip oils are considered to be some of the best products in the collection.
The Suanne Kaufmann spa in Austria is pure luxury and a visit there comes with a high price tag. This gift set, which has some of the brand's bestselling products inside including the Mallow Blossom Bath Soak, transports you there from your very own bathroom.
Name a more iconic eyeshadow than the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Shadow Stick. The creamy shadows blend over lids beautifully, but set in place for longevity. This trio of shimmery shades can be worn alone or used together to define the eye.
This trio of mini styling products is the ultimate addition to any 2025 travel bag. Containing one of the best texturising sprays money can buy, a volumising spray that delivers supermodel-esque lift and a balm that nourishes even the driest of ends, it's a total treat.
A person can never have too many lip balms and Fresh do some of the best. There are the ones that simply nourish, whilst others add a wash of colour to the lips too. A great choice for a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift.
If you know someone who's obsessed with fragrance, but struggle with what to get them each year then this might just be your answer. These beautifully scented wax pendants can be hung wherever as a chic alternative to scenting the home. These smell like a wintery walk through a pine forest.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, would be pleased as punch with a gift from Jo Malone London. This British brand know how to do gifting well and this cracker makes for an affordable way to get in on the fun.
Whilst there is always time for glittery party make-up, Ilia has taken the more demure approach with its Party Set - think lit-from-within glow. This set also contains one of my all-time favourite mascaras.
Nobody's Child, the sustainable fashion brand that creates modern classics for your wardrobe, has dipped its toe into the world of beauty with the launch of its body care and fragrances. The Selene Hair Mist has a fresh scent with notes of tea and jasmine, which pairs nicely with the brand's signature cherry print scrunchie.
Christmas beauty gift sets for £100 and under
Have you ever seen anything more beautifully packaged than this? I have been a fan of Bramley since the early years and it continues to impress me. Not yet a household name, this brand and its gorgeous bath & body gifts belong in every home.
There are no rules around make-up - you should be free to wear whichever shades and finishes at any time. However, we naturally gravitate towards warmer, earthier tones in colder months, which is why this tonal trio from Merit is so pleasing at this time of year.
This gift set contains six of L'Occitane's bestselling products and each one is an icon in its own right. From the cult almond shower oil and the lavender bubble bath to the hand cream that's in every beauty editor's handbag, this is a guaranteed win.
This has gone straight to the top of my Christmas wish list. I dream of one day owning a house scented solely with Diptyque home fragrance - a different scented large three wick candle in every room. Until then, I shall live out my fantasy with this set of five miniatures.
Gifting fragrance is a tricky thing to do, which is why despite my previous thoughts on Christmas gift sets, I always consider fragrance discovery sets a smart option. Pleasing's three scents are all completely different - a warm and rich amber, a fresh but spicy floral and a clean but creamy musk, so you're bound to find something that suits.
Best Christmas beauty gift sets for over £100
Dreams really do come true with this incredible gift set that double up as a jewellery box or a make-up storage after. This has everything a fan of Charlotte Tilbury's bestselling shade range Pillow Talk could ever want. It's truly amazing.
Elevate your bathroom in style with Joonbyrd's treasure chest of joy. There's a body wash that's so pretty it looks like an ornament, a body butter that smells as good as it hydrates and a hand cream you won't want to share with anyone.
There are thousands of Drunk Elephant fans who would say this is the greatest gift that they could ever receive and they wouldn't be wrong. Not only do you get almost every single product from the line-up, but you also get this smart case which surely will secure you an upgrade.
There are make-up brushes and then there are Hourglass make-up brushes. This set of complexion brushes is stunning. It has a brush for your foundation, concealer and a double-ended one for sculpting with blusher and bronzer. Take your make-up to the next level.
If you want to impress someone this Christmas then I can't think of a better way to do it. You only have to walk into a Bamford (or Daylesford) shop to see that they always understand the Christmas assignment and deliver each year. This smart hamper set with candle, diffuser and matches would make a very good hostess gift.
