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10 Viral Beauty Gifts For The Chronically Online Person In Your Life

Trends come and go, but these products will become mainstays.

by Iman Balagam

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: November 21, 2023

@violetgrey

The Look Of The Holidays

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Some viral beauty looks may come and go, but certain ones transcend the trend cycle, which is why they make excellent gifts once the holidays roll around. Personally, my gifting philosophy is that everyone already owns the basics (think favorite blush, lipstick, and mascara) and is eager to try new products – especially if they’ve already come across them on Instagram or TikTok. Often, these items aren’t at the top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs because of their price, practicality, or fear of the unknown.

Thankfully, gifts eliminate all of those factors from the equation. Below, you can explore the 10 best viral beauty picks at a wide array of price points. So, whether you’re hunting for a white elephant gift for your coworker under $20 (might we suggest a wax stick for the ballet-core community?) or a parent looking to buy your child’s love with an expensive present (you can never go wrong with a Dyson hair tool), there’s definitely an option for you. And if you’re shopping for a sibling or partner who lives in the same house as you, remember that these gifts double as gifts for you too, so choose wisely.

Dyson

Airstrait

$500

While it may sound like something straight out of science fiction, the Dyson Airstrait uses patented technology to straighten your hair when it’s wet without causing damage. It’s the perfect gift for someone who already owns a hair dryer, straightener, curling wand, rollers, and even a crimper — hot tools are serious business after all, and you can bet this one is on their wish list.

Kitsch

Heatless Hair Curler Set

$16

For those in your life who desire Instagram-worthy curls but wish to avoid damaging their hair in the process, this heatless curls set allows them to easily replicate the internet-inspired style. Safe for all hair types, these 100% satin-covered flexi rods eliminate the need for pins or clips, making it easier than ever to sleep in and wake up with perfect hair. Plus, they come in a variety of cute shades, so if they’re brave enough to wear them while running errands, at least they’ll look good.

Have you tried slugging yet? Now might be your chance. While many users opt to slug using petroleum jelly or Vaseline, neither of those is technically formulated for facial use. Futurewise resolved this issue with their line of skin care products specifically formulated for slugging. There’s a cream, a mist, and a balm that combines humectants, emollients, and occlusives to give you the full slug effect. It’s a game-changer, especially during the harsh winter months when your skin needs an extra boost of hydration.

Rhode

Peptide Lip Set

$58

It’s impossible to go a day without hearing what Hailey Bieber is up to, whether it’s her latest glazed donut manicure or the newest release from her skin care brand, Rhode. The internet freaked out over the Peptide Lip Set, and for those dealing with chapped lips, it’s a must-have. So, get in on the fun this holiday season with this set — containing four flavors of the lip treatment: Rhode Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Watermelon Slice, and Unscented.

Ceremonia

Aceite de Moska Hair Oil & Scalp Massager Set

$33

One thing about 2023: there was a lot of scalp talk. As a refresher, by taking care of the skin on your head, you’ll notice longer, more luscious hair, thanks to improved circulation, product absorption, and gentle exfoliation. This duo from Ceremonia comes with their best-selling scalp oil (it smells so amazing you won’t even want to wash it out) along with a silicone scalp massager that's far more gentle and durable than the plastic ones. The best part is that the oil isn’t limited to your scalp; you can also use it on your strands for a bit of extra nourishment.

TIGI

Bed Head Hair Wax Stick

$13

If you’ve ever tried to achieve the slicked-back ballerina bun that everyone (re: Sofia Richie Grainge) has been sporting nowadays, you know you need a wax stick to tame flyaways. Not only is this one renowned on the internet for being the best, but it’s also quite affordable. Think of it as Gorilla-gluing your hair in place so securely that no amount of wind or physical activity will be able to ruin your updo.

NuFace

Trinity + Eye and Lip Enhancer Attachment Bundle

$450

The promise of an instantly chiseled face is exactly why NuFace continues to go viral. It’s an FDA-cleared device that uses painless microcurrents to contour, tone, and stimulate the skin, improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It only takes five minutes a day of consistent use to notice a difference (there are a ton of before and after videos online for reference) — it’s basically sorcery.

RICRIS

Premium Makeup Brush Cleaner Dryer

$22

There’s no beauty chore more daunting than having to clean your makeup brushes. Unfortunately, it’s arguably one of the most important tasks if you’re looking to prevent buildup and breakouts related to dirty brushes. This electric makeup brush cleaner is a godsend because it eliminates the manual labor, allowing you to wash them far more frequently than once a month (if you’re even doing that).

Dr. Dennis Gross

Pro Facial Steamer

$159

If you’re looking to level up your skin care routine, a facial steamer might be exactly what you need to turn your bathroom into an at-home spa. By steaming the skin before applying your products, they will penetrate deeper, just be careful not to overdo it. According to the TikTok community, a cheap one from Amazon works just fine, but if you’re looking for a gift that showcases you’ve bought the best money can buy, there’s the one from Dr. Dennis Gross.

JML

Microfiber Bath Towel

$16

Cut drying time in half with a microfiber hair towel that also minimizes frizz and breakage. Plus, since it will help speed up air-drying, you could ditch your blow-dryer all together to minimize heat damage. And of course, the best gifts in life are multipurpose, and this towel can be used at the gym, when swimming or bathing, during hot yoga, and while traveling.

This article was originally published on November 21, 2023