What do beloved celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Rashida Jones, Cara Delevingne, Nicole Kidman, and Anne Hathaway all have in common? Legendary makeup pro Molly R. Stern, who's one of the most respected artists in the industry. (In fact, she's worked closely with Witherspoon, in particular, for over 20 years!)
Nothing sends a more shivery thrill down our spines than getting the opportunity to take a coveted peek inside the makeup kits of the elite, and as a pre-holiday gift from us to you, we've asked Stern to curate her very own holy-grail beauty-centric gift guide. Ahead, she's sharing five makeup artist–approved stocking stuffers, five must-haves, and five splurges, so you're sure to find a soulmate gift idea for literally everyone on your list (or, if you're like us, maybe just you).
"This is a list of some of my dream beauty-focused gifts to give and/or to receive!" she tells us. "Some old favorites along with some new discoveries since the pandemic began. But here's my best pro tip: No matter how you choose to celebrate and gift those around you, remember that a great place to start with the giving spirit is thinking about how we treat and love ourselves. When we are generous with ourselves, it radiates out and brightens and encourages the holiday spirit (and beyond!) all around us."
Keep scrolling! Stern is telling us all about her favorite beauty gifts below. Happy shopping!
Molly's Stocking-Stuffer Picks, $20 and Under
This hand-cut body exfoliator cloth leaves the skin feeling smooth, supple, and silky.
Packed with green tea, this oil leaves the lips with a soft shine and deep moisture. The oil is infused into the lips very quickly, and it makes an excellent base for lip color.
This versatile cream can be a softly blended eye shadow, a bright lip, or an electric eyeliner. The color range is incredibly rich and varied, and the staying power is solid. I love all of the colors, but I'm especially obsessed with this shade called Lollipop.
Whether worn on its own or blended with your classic brown or black mascara, this bright color adds dimension and playfulness to any eye look. It's the perfect way to punch up your eye area for this season of mask wearing.
These soft brushes are a great size, easy to use, and so well made.
Molly's Must-Have Picks, $100 and Under
This nighttime oil features key ingredients like CBD and botanicals to help heal your skin while you sleep. You'll wake up with improved, balanced, ultra-glowing skin. It’s legit magic.
This starter kit alone saves the cost of 800 "disposable” wipes. You can choose from a variety of adorable colors. They easily remove makeup with just water, leaving the skin delightfully clean.
Award-winning for a reason, this customizable foundation, highlighter, and mascara set is ideal for everyone and anyone’s makeup bag.
This creamy, buttery universal shade of flushed cheeks makes for an ideal healthy and gorgeous glow. Nothing beats a blushy flush!
These metallic shades are perfect for adding a little sparkle and glitz to any holiday look. They can also double as a thin wash of highlight for Zoom calls since they add a little dimension to the eyes!
Molly's Splurge Picks, $100 and Over
I love this black leather makeup bag with a hot pink interior. The lining is machine washable, it opens wide so you can see what you have in there, and it holds everything! It's great for travel or elegant storage on your bathroom shelf.
This reliable treatment system dramatically reduces fine lines and visible signs of wear and tear on the skin. The result is a vibrant, glowing, healthy complexion.
Hydrating and nongreasy, this face cream and eye cream quench the skin so it's left feeling noticeably more nourished. Plus, it's free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, triclosan, and triclocarban. It’s luscious, decadent, and luxurious.
This medical-grade collagen rebuilder is a must-have gift for any tool-loving skincare aficionado. It’s your complexion’s gym membership thanks to its toning and sculpting perks.
These classic shades can be worn boldly or as a sheer wash of color on your lips. They wear amazingly well and feel great. They're the perfect gift for anyone who loves lipstick.
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