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There are so many people we want to get meaningful gifts for this holiday season, like our mom, bestie, grandma, cousins, the list goes on. Luckily, we can get them all something nice with these beauty gifts under $20. Plan ahead and grab a few of these affordable finds and you’ll make your giftee’s holiday and give them a little self-care time they so desperately need. The quality isn’t sacrificed for a smaller price tag.
It’s also an unexpectedly great time to invest in the cult favorites everyone has been loving without having to buy the full-size version. This way, if they end up loving it, they can grab a full size. It’s a win-win for both the giver and receiver. So if you’re looking to tighten your budget without downgrading the quality of your gift-giving, here are some beauty finds you’ll be impressed by from Rare Beauty, Benefit Cosmetics, Peter Thomas Roth, and more buzzy brands.
Plus, they’re pretty much already wrapped so gift-giving is easier than ever.
Best Beauty Gifts Under $20 at a Glance
Best Overall Value: Peter Thomas Roth’s Hello, Mask Besties! Set, $19
For a TikTok Obsessive: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Mini Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Hope, $14
For the Teen or Gen Zer: Laneige Midnight Minis Set, $20
For Your Picky BFF: Charlotte Tilbury Holiday Pillow Talk Original Matte Revolution Lip Bauble, $18
For Your Mom Who Has Everything: Kate McLeod Mini Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer, $12
For Your Partner’s Mom You Don’t Know: Burt’s Bees Everyday Essentials Set , $9.98
For Your Friend Who Thinks They’re an MUA: Natasha Denona Mini Bronze Eyeshadow Palette, $19
For the Makeup Newbie: e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Face 6 Piece Brush Collection, $15
For the Lash Prince or Princess: Benefit Cosmetics BANGin’ Lash Fest Mascara Set, $20
For the One With Gorgeous Curls: ULTA Beauty Curly Girl All Stars 11 Piece Sampler Kit, $19.99
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Peter Thomas Roth Masks
It’ll be hard not to keep Peter Thomas Roth’s Hello, Mask Besties! Set for yourself. The TikTok-viral brand knows how to do masks. The set includes travel sizes of cult faves Cucumber Gel Mask, Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, 24K Gold Mask, Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask, and Therapeutic Sulfur Mask.
Benefit Mascara
OK, we know we said “under $20” and the Benefit Cosmetics BANGin’ Lash Fest Mascara Set sits right at $20 but it’s too good of a deal not to include. A festive ornament (no wrapping!) holds minis of our two favorite Benefit mascaras: BADgal BANG! Mascara and Fan Fest Mascara. It’s a duo anyone would love.
Kate McLeod Moisturizer
Kate McLeod’s unique Mini Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer is sure to be a hit because who doesn’t want softer, more hydrated skin, especially in the winter? And since it’s a solid, they can take it right with them on the plane.
Laneige Lip Balm
The Laneige Midnight Minis Set is the perfect gift for lip balm obsessives who need an option in every handbag. There are five mini lip masks enriched with coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter.
Estée Lauder Eye Cream
Estée Lauder skincare is pricy, but that’s just because it works. That’s why we were shocked to see the Estée Lauder Multi-Action Power Repair Serum + Eye Gel-Crème Mini Skincare Set priced at just $15. There are two travel sizes of cult faves from the brand perfect for holiday trips, including Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex and Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme Synchronized Multi-Recovery.
Youth to the People Cleanser
Have a friend or nephew dealing with oily skin and/or breakouts? Get them Youth To The People Youth Stacks: Daily Skin Health Your Way for Pores and Oiliness, which includes travel sizes of the fan-fave Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and non-greasy Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream.
Clinique Set
Mom will love the Clinique Merry Moisture Skin Care & Makeup Set, which has a retail value of $39! There are travel sizes of fragrance-free Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer and glowy Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss in Airkiss Pop.
Rare Beauty Blush
Haven’t tried Selena Gomez’s ultra-viral liquid blush? Grab this Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Mini Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Hope, a nude mauve. A little goes a long way so this mini will last you much longer than you’d expect.
Tree Hot Sugar Scrub
Gen Z is obsessed with Tree Hut’s sugar scrubs. Be the most popular in the room by gifting Tree Hut Ring in the Holidays Trio Stack Gift Set, which includes Sparkling Sugar, Candy Cane, and classic Moroccan Rose scents.
MAC Red Lipstick
With a major $30 retail value, MAC Cosmetics’ Winter’s Kiss Mini Lip Set is for any red lipstick lover. It includes a mini Retro Matte Lipstick in red and mini Lipglass in Clear for the ultimate holiday lip combo.
Drunk Elephant Soap
Chances are you’ve used Drunk Elephant’s viral skincare but did you know the brand makes travel-friendly solid cleansers? The Drunk Elephant Baby Pekee Bar + Juju Bar Travel Duo is THE gift for skincare obsessives who can’t bear to travel without their faves.
Laura Mercier Setting Powder
This setting powder is a favorite of anyone who loves to do full glam. Get them a gift-ready ornament with a mini Laura Mercier Cosmic Light Translucent Loose Setting Powder to ensure they sparkle all season long.
Essence Mascara
Essence’s Limited Edition Holiday Lash Princess 4 Piece Mascara Set contains all of the brand’s viral mascaras you’ve seen all over TikTok for less than $15. It’s a no-brainer.
Too Faced Lip Injection
Hang this festive Too Faced Lip Injection Ornament on the tree and see faces of delight when an unexpected receiver discovers the viral lip-plumping gloss.
Curly Hair Products
Give your favorite friend with curls this Beauty Finds by ULTA Beauty Curly Girl All Stars 11 Piece Sampler Kit. There are a whopping 11 (!!!) travel sizes of Ulta Beauty best-sellers, such as Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream, Pattern Curl Gel, and Olaplex NO.3 Hair Perfector.
Natasha Denona Eyeshadow
Makeup lovers know how incredible — and pricy — Natasha Denona eyeshadow palettes are. That’s why the Mini Baby Bronze Eyeshadow Palette is such a luxe gift for way less.
Sponge Spa Headband
This cute pink headband and wrist cuff set ensures its user stays dry during washing their face — and look TikTok-ready while they do it.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk
There’s a reason Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Pillow Talk lip shade is so popular: the nude-pink color looks good on everyone. That’s why the Charlotte Tilbury Holiday Pillow Talk Original Matte Revolution Lip Bauble gift can’t be beaten with a mini size of Pillow Talk Original Matte Revolution lipstick in ornament packaging.
Burt's Bees Set
There’s pretty much no one on your list who wouldn’t love Burt’s Bees Everyday Essentials Set . It includes Original Beeswax Lip Balm, Deep Cleansing Cream, Hand Salve, Body Lotion, and Coconut Foot Cream, all for under $10.
Brush Set
Gift a makeup newbie the must-have e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Face 6 Piece Brush Collection and they’ll feel like a pro MUA in no time. You get a vegan Concealer Brush, Eyeshadow “C” Brush, Small Angled Brush, Small Stipple Brush, Eyebrow Duo Brush, and Ultimate Blending Brush.
Aesop Lip Salve
This time of year, everyone’s lips are chapped. Gift them a little luxury with Aēsop’s Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve. The smooth, oil-gel formula isn’t too shiny (making it good for all genders) and the scent is a woody, citrus that sticks around.
Osea Body Oil
Give the gift of self-care with Osea’s Travel Size Undaria Algae Body Oil. The seaweed-infused body oil instantly moisturizes and leaves skin looking healthy and glowy. Add in a gift card to a local spa for an extra special touch.
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