How to get the best Christmas beauty gift in 2018

Take the stress out of shopping for beauty buffs with a ready-made set

Online shopping has exacerbated the amount of gifts returned (Getty)

With just 10 days to go until Christmas, it’s fair to say that the present-buying panic has officially set in.

But if you’re still stumped on what to buy a loved one don’t fret just yet because your favourite beauty labels might just have the answer.

While gifting someone a store voucher can often lack the thoughtful component that successful Christmas presents so heavily rely on, a readymade holiday gift set tends to tick all the right boxes.

And, as luck would have it, this year you can get your hands on carefully curated boxes of products across everything from skincare and haircare, to makeup and fragrances for a range of prices.

Purse-friendly and a great way to take the stress out of shopping for beauty buffs, male or female, we’ve gathered our favourite gift sets to help you find the perfect bundle of products this festive season.

Under £20

Benefit, Confection Cuties Holiday Gift Set, £14.50, Benefit Cosmetics

The perfect gift for any makeup maven in your life, this set of mini products from Benefit is worth an impressive £31.50 and includes everything you need to create well-groomed brows, smooth skin and full lashes.

Housed in a three-tier, cake-inspired tin, the set includes The POREfessional primer, Roller Lash and Gimme Brow in travel-friendly sizes.

Nars Cosmetics, Little Fetishes Mini Orgasm Blush and Lipstick, £20, Space NK

If you’re sticking to a budget or are looking for a smaller add-on gift then this miniature set from Nars Cosmetics is a great option.

Whether they’re a fan of the brand already or want to try something new, chances are this universally flattering and award-winning shade of blush and lipstick will put a big smile on the recipients face.

The Orgasm blush blends pinky-peach pigment with subtle golden shimmer highlights, to give the cheeks a natural-looking glow, while the Orgasm lipstick is enriched with vitamin E to increase wearability and keep its colour locked into place.

Clinique For Men Starter Kit – Daily Intense Hydration, £10.50, John Lewis

If the man in your life is a skincare enthusiast or needs a little encouragement when it comes to choosing the right grooming products, this set promises to become their daily go-to.

A travel-friendly trio of face products designed for men with extra dry skin, it includes Clinique’s Face Wash to cleanse gently yet thoroughly, the luxurious Cream Shave, which provides a rich buffer against razor drag and nicks, and an ultralight Maximum Hydrator, which delivers moisture boost for instantly plumper skin that lasts a full 24 hours.

Under £50

The Makeup Set, £35, Glossier

One of the most popular brands of the year, a gift from Glossier is guaranteed to go down a treat.

This particular set includes three of the brand’s most-loved products: Brow Boy grooming pomade, Lash Slick film form mascara, and Cloud Paint seamless cheek colour, to create a fresh-faced, every day beauty look.

If skincare is more your recipients thing, Glossier also has The Skincare Set, which includes its Milky Jelly Cleanser, Priming Moisturiser and Balm Dotcom lip balm.

Lancome, Fragrance Miniatures Collection Gift Set, £32.50, Harvey Nichols

If you know someone that loves fragrances but you’re unsure about the type of scent they would like to receive, a gift set packed with a selection of miniatures is the way to go.

For one that includes an array of scents, we suggest picking up Lancome’s Fragrance Miniatures Collection which includes some of the brand’s most-loved fragrances from La Vie Est Belle and La Nuit Tresor to Miracle and O De Lancome.

Armani, Travel Size Men’s Aftershave Gift Set, £41.64, Debenhams

Shopping for the man in your life? The same rules apply here too.

For a guy that’s fastidious about his fragrances, only the best will do, and this set from high-end brand Armani will give him plenty of options to choose from.

Housed in a beautiful presentation box, it includes 15ml versions of some of Armani’s best-selling scents including Aqua Di Gio Eau De Toilette, Aqua Di Gio Absolu’ Eau De Toilette, Armani Code Eau De Toilette and Armani Code Eau De Parfum.

Under £100

Diptyque, Legende du Nord Scented Candle Set, £86, Liberty London

If you’re buying for a beauty buff but don’t have the faintest clue where to start, candles are a great alternative, especially if they’re from Diptyque.

The brand’s long-awaited limited edition Christmas collection returns for another year with this festively fragrance-scented candle trio that includes Cerf Sapin, Amande Gourmande and Ambre Stella.

The votive of each candle is decorated to tell their individual stories and accompany the comforting scents of pine needles, shimmering deep-sea pearls and spiced almond in your room.

Mac, Shiny Pretty Things Lip Kit, £65, Mac Cosmetics

If the woman in your life loves lipstick then look no further than Mac Cosmetics’ Shiny Pretty Things Lip Kit.

The festive set brings together 10 mini-sized lipsticks in an array of warm-toned shades from fiery red to delicate nude, each candy-wrapped in a shiny pink metallic box.

Shades include: Snob, Velvet Teddy, See Sheer, Relentlessly Red, Ruby Woo, Snow, Orchid, Rebel, Twig, Chili and Diva.