The perfect make up gifts for every Christmas beauty budget

Oh deer, December has crept up on us again! And (shock horror) we’re way behind on our gift buying. Enter: this extensive list of festive make up treats – from baubles to palettes – tipped to tickle all kinds of budgets and beauty gourmands! Wait, what’s that you say? “Thanks for swooping in and saving Christmas?” Oh, you’re snow welcome.

FOR THE STOCKING

Small but mighty – that’s our motto for stockings this year, and the Huda Beauty Gold Obsessions Palette is just that. Gold, gilded and glamourous in celebration of five years of Huda Beauty at Cult Beauty, this palette offers everything that you could possibly desire for a festive, Christmas day look. A literal gold mine, the opulent array of full-size, molten shades come in Huda’s famed, buttery, long-lasting formula that you’re bound to fall in love with. Or, if the lucky recipient of your *amazing* stocking is more of a lip person, why not try the NARS Mini Lipstick Coffret? Inside this bite-sized quartet you’ll fine four beautifully creamy, high-performance lipsticks in a limited-edition selection of pink-nude ‘Rosecliffe’, blushed ‘Lovin’ Lips’, bright red ‘Jolie Môme’ and deep, sensuous ‘Inappropriate Red’ – ideal for the Christmas season and beyond!

FOR THE TREE

Boding a sweet treat for you or your loved ones, there’s nothing more fun than picking your present off the actualtree, and that’s where the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Ornament comes swanning in. (Geddit? Click on the link – then you’ll get it.) In adorable packaging that looks like an actual bauble that’s bang-on trend, inside you’ll find a mini version of the eye-conicBetter Than Sex Mascara. You know the drill, this is themascara to see you through tears of joy (when you open your other Cult Beauty prezzies, obvs), the post-Christmas dinner nap and the sweat from all the jumping up and down as you frantically try and get your point across in a game of charades before bed. Enriched with collagen, it provides budge-proof, all-day wear with nourishing and thickening acacia Senegal tree extract to boot. Alternatively, if you think the heir of these treetop delights would prefer to shine brighter than the fairy lights, then grab the Mini Loose Highlighter Set by Anastasia Beverly Hills. A personal fave (nay, obsession) of our very own Junior Copywriter, Humeara (yes hi, that’s me), this discounted trio of glistening loose highlighters gives the kind of glow you only ever see on Instagram, followed by a “Surely that must be edited?”. If – for some crazy reason – incredibly powerful loose pigment is not your cup of tea (it’s fine, we’re not judging), then you could go for the slightly more understated Zoeva Share Your Radiance Cocotte. A charming trio of their Visionary Light highlighter, Luxe Powder Fusion Brush and pocked-sized Pure Lip Shine, this kit will give glow and radiance to your complexion andlips, with the lip gloss even treating you to a cocktail of nourishing oils. In three different shade combinations, this is a gift idea that would work for almost anyone – even the grumpiest of grinches.

FOR THE BOUJEE

For those who like a little extra somethin’ somethin’, you don’t get more boujee than Victoria Beckham Beauty. Gracing the lips of beauty editors, models and skin care devotees alike, the Posh Lipstick: The VB Edit unites three versatile, nude-toned lipsticks in one gift-worthy collection. With a formula that marries skin care with make up to leave lips feeling soft, protected, hydrated and nourished (all thanks to a bunch of natural oils and waxes), you can expect rich colour and voluptuous shine. Or, if winter calls for a ‘simple’ balm, try gifting Charlotte Tilbury’s Glowgasm Lips in ‘Glittergasm’! The bullets are incredibly Insta-worthy (transparent with flecks of light-scattering pigment, anyone? *drools*) and impart sheer, plumping, unique colour with pH-adaptive technology and vitamin E in a new, glow-glide texture. But, if your boujee bestie is – for some unbeknownst reason – lipstick-averse, send a Petit Fours palette from Viseart their way. New and deliciously decadent, these eyeshadow quads come in four different colourways, offering a gorgeous array of honey golds, warm chocolates, strawberry-sweet pinks and delicate icing-inspired lilacs. Buttery and oh-so creamy, you'll have to remind yourself not to eat them before you gift them…

FOR THE BEAUTY OBSESSIVE

For those who already have a bursting beauty arsenal, only the biggest, most exciting launches will do! Say hello to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette Vault: a festively-packaged, sparkly box of eye-adorning goodies that can be used alone or together for maximum impact. Nothing short of exquisite, the set includes a ‘Sultry Eye Shadow Palette’, a mini ‘Eye Primer’, a ‘Liquid Liner’ and a ‘Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara’ – the ideal foursome for make up maestros who require a little extra va va voom under their tree. But, if that’s not quite cutting it, then try the Pumpkin Spice Palette by Too Faced. Brimming with blendable, high-pigment pans of mattes and foils to take you from Zoom meeting to Zoom party, this highly anticipated launch smells of – you guessed it! – pumpkin spice. *Swoons*. Still not convinced that your make up junkie will be impressed? Behold, the Natasha Denona Triochrome Eyeshadow Palette – a versatile, 15 pan edit of the brand’s famed formula with three multichrome shades that offer unique tricolour shifts. Or, if they’re a fan of the classics, gift them with the Cheek Party Mini Blush & Bronzer Gift Set by Benefit – a selection of the brand’s bestselling complexion heroes in sized-to-try editions that deliver just-pinched glow with a side of chiselled cheekbones. (Courtesy of the infamous Hoola of course). And lastly – because you can never go wrong with a bit of Charlotte Tilbury – remember to keep The Pillow Talk Look in mind, because this decadent edit of all-over complexion, lip and eye heroes will be sure to evoke numerous “ooohs” and “aaahs” from even the hardest to please.