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Bobbi Brown

What: Bobbi Brown Caviar and Rubies Collection: Limited Edition Caviar & Rubies Eye Shadow Palette ($96), Long-Wear Liquid Liner ($42), Highlighting Powder ($61), Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm ($360), Luxe Lip Color ($42 each), at bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

Who: Your mom, mother-in-law, aunt or anyone else whose aesthetic you'd consider elevated chic. 
 

NARS

What: NARS Cosmetics Love Game Eyeshadow Palette ($70), The Veil Cheek Palette ($62), Overexposed Glow Highlighter ($52), at thebay.com 

Who: People who asked for art, but that's out of your budget. (The limited-edition NARS holiday collection features works from American artist Man Ray—it's not like buying them an original, but it's close enough.)

Kjaer Weis

What: Kjaer Weis Artist's Kit ($198), at thedetoxmarket.ca. 

Who: Anyone transitioning to a natural/organic beauty routine who refuses to give up on quality—or luxury feel. 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

What: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored ($30), at sephora.com. 

Who: This liquid lipstick is touted as being the perfect universal red—and it lives up to the hype. Give it to your favourite millennial, and we can basically guarantee they will love it.  

Benefit Cosmetics

What: Benefit Cosmetics Beauty and The Bay ($49), at benefitcosmetics.com. 

Who: Your friend who wears makeup, but is not spending any significant amount of time watching YouTube beauty tutorials. This set has amazing, foolproof basics: the bronzer, mascara and highlighter are all perennial editor favourites. 

Fresh

What: Fresh Best of Beauty Bundle ($90), at fresh.com. 

Who: Your friend who just decided to start "really getting into skincare." These products are all gentle but high-performing, and a selection of the best Fresh has to offer. 

GlamGlow

What: GlamGlow #GlitterMask GravityMud Firming Treatment ($79), at sephora.ca. 

Who: #Influencers and anyone who is too young to remember watching The O.C. on TV. 

Clarisonic

What: Smart Profile Uplift + Lancome Absolu Gift Set ($429) 

Who: The Smart Profile was the ELLE beauty team's favourite skincare tool that launched in 2017. Think of it as a facial massage device (i.e. supremely relaxing) that also is proven to firm skin in three minutes a day. We'd give this to pretty much anyone.

Clé de Peau Beauté

What: Clé de Peau Beauté The Foundation ($335), at holtrenfrew.com. 

Who: This extremely luxe foundation is best reserved for the true beauty aficionado(s) in your life (and, because of the price point, someone whom you really, really like—significant others, favourite children, etc). If you've heard them rave about the Clé de Peau concealer, they're a good candidate. 

Aesop

What: Aesop Sway Gift Set ($150), at aesop.com. 

Who: Your brother, dad, boyfriend or anyone who could benefit from upgrading their body care basics. The set contains Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and Hand Balm and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Body Balm, so it should suit most skin types. (Bonus: The sturdy, mid-sized case can easily be reused for travel.) 

Kiehl's

What: Kiehl's Travel Essentials For Him ($40), at kihels.ca. 

Who: For the man in your life who recently asked you what moisturizer they should be using. These travel-sized items are the perfect gateway products into a full-fledged skincare arsenal. 

Kat Von D Beauty

What: Kat Von D Beauty Lolita Obsession Collector’s Edition 7-Piece Set ($140), at sephora.com. 

Who: Kat Von D's Lolita lipstick, lip liners and liquid lipsticks are the brand's signature nude hues. This limited-edition set also includes the formerly sold-out eyeshadow/blush. Best for your friend who loves the brand, but works in something corporate and can't wear any of the darker, more edgy hues to the office. 

Lure Essentials

What: Lure Essentials Bliss Face & Body Cupping Set ($51) at lureessentials.com, or Clarity Med Spa in Toronto. 

Who: Yourself, the wellness fanatic in your life or a friend whom you are close with (this gift is a bit too personal for a casual acquaintance). If the word cupping conjures up images of Michael Phelps with bruises on his back, be reassured that this is not that. Unlike static cups, massage cups are designed to glide (or be wiggled) across the skin, which is to said to help break up fascial adhesions and encourage lymphatic draining. Use in the shower or with a body oil, like this one from Eve Taylor. The sensation of the small cups designed to be used on the face is surprisingly soothing—just make sure to drag upwards and outwards.

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