Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Major savings on Nars, Rare Beauty, Tarte, and more. Fake Press On Nails
If the best things in life are free, then the closest thing to that feeling has to be receiving the absolute best makeup gift sets (or gifting them to a loved one). Shopping for beauty products for loved ones is a tough code to crack, considering all the different skin types, woes, and complexions you have to factor in with each purchase. Will they even use this 12-piece brush set? Do they prefer blush or a contour? What does a fixing spray do differently from a setting spray?
Whether you're browsing for your budding beauty enthusiast, an older loved one looking for a refresh, or restocking your own stash, the best thing about makeup gift sets is that they're typically mini or travel-sized, affordable, and fool-proof.
Here at ELLE.com, we know a thing or two about sourcing the best makeup gifts to make any loved one sing, from a celebrity makeup artist's brush kit to a supermodel's complexion routine to TikTok's most viral products. To find the best makeup gift sets on the market, we browsed through dozens of customer reviews to create a wishlist worthy of your attention. Shop the 24 best gifts ahead.
How much do you love Dior? With this set, no one will ever doubt your devotion to the iconic house. Housed in this cute, functional pouch are little Dior delights to keep in your bag for daily touch-ups. Coat your lips in the lip balm or gloss, hydrate your skin with the serum or top up your scent with the mini Miss Dior.
Includes: Lip balm, lip gloss, serum, mini perfume, pouch
A Dior reviewer said: “This was a gift to myself! I absolutely love everything inside the pouch. The makeup pouch is gorgeous too.”
Ilia has your whole five-minute routine covered. Sans any concealer, this essentials kit houses the basics you need for a quick beat, from a lightweight tint to a blush stick (that can also be used on other places) and mascara. Marry everything together with the buffing brush and be on your merry way.
Includes: Skin tint, blush stick, mascara, buffing brush
Ilia rating: 4.5/5 stars (Skin Tint); 4.6/5 stars (Multi-Stick); 4.7/5 stars (Buffing Brush); 4.6/5 stars (Limitless Mascara)
An ELLE editor said: (Limitless Mascara): “This is one of my favorite mascaras on the market. The formula does not clump and the application wand perfectly separates and elongates my curly lashes. It's a staple on my makeup vanity and I literally just ran out!” — Danielle James, digital beauty director, ELLE
Holiday makeup always calls for glitter and full glam. Here's a duo of chrome toppers (for the face and eyes) that transform a basic eyeshadow into a look Danessa Myricks herself would be proud of.
Includes: Chrome flakes, chrome liquid foil
A Sephora reviewer said: “This set is absolutely stunning. Worn separately or together, the sparkle lasts all day and photos don't do the colours justice. I love chrome flakes and definitely recommend waiting between layers for it to dry to help them stay on.”
The best topper for your eyeshadows is the Moondust Glitter from Urban Decay. It adds a gorgeous wash of sparkle to your lids that instantly brightens. Plus, when you dust on the shadow, it stays put on your lids instead of ending up everywhere else.
An Ulta reviewer said: “Everyday I have worn this I have been complimented on my eyeshadow. I use an eye primer, crease shade, apply whichever of the 4 shades I'm in the mood for with a finger, then pop on a liner and mascara. I get all-day wear and like having the variety in one palette. I got the Space Cowboy and am tempted to pick up Galactic.”
Name a better duo than Milk Makeup’s Hydrogrip primer and setting spray. Both products keep your makeup in place for hours while maintaining a fresh, healthy glow.
Includes: Primer, refreshing spray, pouch
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars A Sephora reviewer said: “I decided to give this set a try because I have a few Milk Makeup products I love. I’m amazed at how well the combo keeps my makeup fresh for 8-10 hours. I’ve always used a primer but this one works 10 time better for my skin.”
Chances are you’ve heard rave reviews about Rare Beauty’s liquid blush. Well, believe everything you heard—it’s that good. This set gives you two blushes and two highlighters to get the Rare look—that is, supple, dewy, rosy cheeks.
A Rare Bauty reviewer said: “Great color options and *chef's kiss* when mixed together. Also stays on well.”
Clean girl makeup enthusiasts will rejoice when they get their hands on this Sephora Favorites kit. For $58, you’re gifted all the tools to get a flawless, long-lasting base, from Huda Beauty's Easy Bake setting powder to Charlotte Tilbury's viral setting spray. Makeup essentials aside, the kit also equips you with skin care classics to achieve a smoother canvas, including exfoliating pads from Dr. Dennis Gross and a cleanser from Youth to the People. While the set doesn’t have concealer or foundation, you can create a soft beat with a Lawless lip gloss, Milk Makeup blush, and Fenty Beauty mascara.
Includes: Setting powder, makeup cloth, beauty blender, exfoliating pads, setting spray, facial cleanser, dry shampoo, blush stick, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, pouch Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars A Sephora reviewer said: “This little gift set is awesome and would be a great gift for anyone who likes makeup and skin care. I bought this for myself because there were a lot of things in here that I wanted to try before committing to the full size. I must say, all of the products are pretty great and are a decent size!”
Mimic Rosie’s classic “clean” supermodel look with this five-piece set of her favorites. With a focus on creating a solid base, this set comes with a cream bronzer and highlighter to sculpt, as well as a multi-purple cheek and lip product to add color and dimension to the face.
Includes: Sunscreen serum, tinted serum foundation Rose Inc. rating: 4.6/5 stars (Solar Power and Skin Enhance) “No one does clean girl makeup quite like Rose Inc. As a long-time fan of the Tinted Serum, I knew my journey with the brand didn’t stop there. The Solar Power sunscreen has easily become my favorite SPF because it doesn't leave a white cast and has a gorgeous dewy (not greasy) finish.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Fans of Nars' iconic Orgasm Blush can grab its accompanying lip gloss for under $30. The rosy pink blush can be built-up to your desired shade and offers a soft flush of pink. Jojoba oil and pomegranate extracts are packed into the lip gloss to condition the lips so they're soft, shiny, and kissable.
A Sephora reviewer said: “After using this product, I am loving the results! It’s a must in my daily routine and it’s definitely worth the price. If you are looking for a light and easy powder blush and a glossy lip product to moisten your lips, it’s a definite buy!”
A good brush cleaner is the unsung hero of your makeup routine. Treat your brushes right with this brush cleaner kit that doesn’t need water to get the job done. Your brushes will be bacteria-free in three easy steps.
Includes: Makeup brush cleaner solution, cleansing tin
A Sephora reviewer said: “I don’t know why I slept on this product for so long. After trying it recently I have to say it is absolutely amazing. Works better and quicker than any soap or shampoo I’ve used on my brushes. Even brushes with a lot of product buildup got clean.”
No makeup toolkit is complete without Real Technique brushes. Perfect for beginners, this set features a large powder brush, a buffing brush, and two smaller brushes for the most important steps in your makeup routine—from foundation to concealer to the final set. The kit also comes with a sponge if you prefer a sheerer coverage.
Includes: (4) Makeup brushes, blending sponge
An Ulta reviewer said: “I love these brushes over my expensive brushes. I find many uses for them and they are so easy to clean with baby shampoo. I will buy again.”
Is your makeup really done if you haven’t doused your face in Fix+? Mac Cosmetics’ iconic setting spray gets doubled in this kit to give you more bang for your buck. One Fix+ spray costs around $30, so you’re getting major savings with the ease of knowing you won’t run out for a while.
Includes: (2) Mac Prep + Prime Fix+
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “My daughters & I LOVE this stuff. I have been using this for many years. And now they both are hooked. It is so humid in TN & FL where one daughter lives. Without this, our makeup melts off in no time. This is a staple in our makeup routine.”
A good lip combo starts with proper prep. Fresh created a kit of lip treatments to help slough away flaky, chapped lips, and nourish and soothe the skin to prevent any damage.
Includes: (1) Sugar Lip Scrub, (3) Sugar Lip Treatments
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “It leaves my lips super soft and no residue or anything!! I keep one in every bag so I can have them on the go.”
Fawning over flirty, fluttery lashes is no longer a dream but a reality, thanks to this set from Lancome. The iconic Idole line expands to the eyes to deliver photo-ready, faux lash-like volume for a fraction of what you’d pay for a full lash extension set.
Includes: Lash Idole Mascara, Eyeliner
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “Love that set, it does what it’s supposed to do and the eyeliner doesn’t crack.”
Kylie Jenner’s go-to makeup artist never shies from sharing makeup tips and tricks. Ariel teamed up with Morphe to give loyal fans of the duo a peek into his makeup artist kit, which includes this brush set. The kit comes with 11 brushes to sculpt, define, and highlight your face, as well as a sponge to meld everything together.
An Ulta reviewer said: “My makeup has never looked more flawless using these brushes. I use the blush brush for my creamy concealer and omg it blends evenly and silkily smooth. I have never paid this much for a brush set. ZERO FALLOUT and I’ve had my brush set for over a year now.”
Red is synonymous with so much, including Valentino. Expand your red lipstick collection with this five-piece lipstick set, built around the iconic red Rosso Valentino shade, which also comes with four refillable lipsticks that range from nude to deep brown.
Includes: (1) Rosso Valentino Lipstick, (4) Refills
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I love all of the colors and the fact that they are interchangeable. The lipsticks stay on well and look very beautiful.”
Juicy lips are just a few thumb clicks away. Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Set gives you a tinted and plumping option to play with, both packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, grapeseed oil, Goji berry, and more to nourish your lips.
Includes: (2) Maracuja Juicy Lip balms
A Macy’s reviewer said: “Perfection. My new favorite go-to lip gloss!
There is so much to love about Ami Colé’s offerings, but let’s start with this trio here. The brand’s best-selling lip gloss meets Ami Cole’s newest additions, blush sticks, to add a little color, or per the blush’s name, spice to your minimalist routine.
An Ami Colé reviewer said: “High shine, long-lasting, and the color is pretty, goes well with my skin tone.”
Start with the Instant Glow Serum and work your way up to even more magic. This kit from Merit Beauty is perfect for those subtle, no-makeup makeup enhancements. Each product provides skin care benefits, from the vitamin C-infused lipstick to olive oil mascara to supercharged hyaluronic acid serum.
Includes: (1) Lipstick, (1) mascara, (1) serum, (1) brow pomade
Merit rating: 4.7/5 stars (Great Skin Serum)
A Merit reviewer said: “This is such a gorgeous and effective product. It leaves my skin rejuvenated and glowing.”
Investing in makeup sponges can take your beauty game to new levels. But a sponge set that comes with a case unlocks a new level of makeup mastery, as the case not only protects your investment but reduces the risk of dirt and gunk from clogging your pores. Plus, you can easily transport the sponges on all your travels worry-free.
Includes: (4) Makeup sponges, (1) carrying case
An Amazon reviewer said: “This set is a great value. Sponges work well and are easy to clean. They’re also very soft - my wife says they’re just as good as the expensive ones she’s bought at major makeup stores.”
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
The Best Black Friday Beauty Deals of 2023
20 Best Gender-Neutral Unisex Perfumes of 2023
10 Best Products to Build a Sensitive Skin Routine
15 Best Eyeshadow Sticks for Easy Application
25 ELLE Editor-Approved Sephora Products to Buy
35 Holiday Nail Designs to Get You in the Spirit
The 19 Best Neck Creams Reviewers Obsess Over
13 Best Japanese Skin Care Products to Shop
Amazon Is Having a Major Beauty Sale Right Now
Why Matrix Could Be the Next Best Skin Treatment
The Best Beauty Products Launching October 2023
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
False Nails ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.