15 Genius Gift Ideas for the Fashion and Beauty Lover

Gift giving is my love language, so to say I thrive this time of year would be an absolute understatement. For months now, I've been making a holiday gift list for everyone in my life from my work wife (hi, Mollie!) to my sister to my best friends. No matter who you might be shopping for, I highly encourage you to steal one of my genius gift ideas. Between the chic eyewear and some of the best fragrances I've tested this year, the 15 gifts on my expertly curated list are foolproof, and I promise you won't find better ideas for the fashion and beauty lovers in your life. 

Sunglasses make great gifts because 1) you can wear them year-round and 2) they're basically one-size-fits-all. These three new pairs, which are all available at Sunglass Hut, are both unique and on-trend, so the person doing the unwrapping likely won't have anything like them already. Prada is having such a moment right now, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be thrilled to unwrap these marble Symbole sunglasses. Meanwhile, your friend who loves to make a statement will adore the Versace style. (I mean, that rhinestone logo is everything.) And as for those Oakley frames, they're giving me après ski vibes, making them perfect for someone sporty.

Perfumes are a no-brainer for the beauty lover in your life but also make an A+ gift for that one family member who seems to have everything already. These three came highly recommended by our beauty director, but I did my due diligence and tested the scents myself. Super Amber has a lovely warm vanilla scent, Lost Cherry is fresh and sweet (ideal for everyday wear), and Baccarat Rouge is sultry and a bit woodsy, so I love it for evening parties and date nights.

So it turns out you know the sizes of a few people on your list, and you want to take advantage of that. I'd steer clear of pants or dresses, which may be a little more challenging to get right, and instead suggest any of these cozy sweaters. Whether you're eyeing the chic cropped style, cozy cable-knit cardigan, or funky checker-print sweater, I guarantee these three will please any fashion lover.

As someone who's a bit of an accessories fanatic, I don't like playing favorites when it comes to handbags. However, I do have my eye on three at the moment, and they'd all make perfect gifts for anyone who loves a statement bag. First up: Staud's Tommy bag now comes in this bold beaded iteration, and it's just too much for me to handle. Then there's the Gucci bag in the dreamiest rusty suede fabric that can be worn as a clutch or with the chain-link strap. Lastly, Paco Rabanne recently released this cool green leather palette bag, which feels just as festive as the brand's popular metallic versions without being so holiday specific. I want them all.

I've found that 99% of the time, people who care about fashion also care about home décor. After all, style extends beyond someone's wardrobe. Coffee-table books are my go-to home décor gift for the holidays or for a house-warming present. Sure, they look beautiful, but they're also thoughtful because you can choose a subject matter that reflects the person's interests whether it's travel, design, fashion, art, or even sports. (Although that last category is a bit outside my area of expertise.) Bonus points for writing a personalized note on the inside cover.

Next, shop our 2022 Gen Z gift guide.

Photographer: Ren Fuller

Prop styling: Shelby Kay

Art director: Amy Armani

Associate fashion director: Michaela Bushkin