2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Beauty and Wellness Enthusiasts

THE GIFT GUIDES ARE HERE!!!

We’ve got ideas for a variety of fabulous folks: Beauty and Wellness Enthusiasts (below), Home and Style Mavens, Home Cooks and Food Lovers, and, of course, Dudes. 

We all know that holidays aren’t about the presents, BUT you may also know that giving presents can be the best. Nothing makes me giddier than finding the perfect present for someone I love, especially when it comes to a tough giftee. (Everyone in my family is shockingly difficult to shop for.)

My hope is that these gift guides might help you source a little something special for someone you love. Or yourself! As I love to remind you every year, there is zero shame in forwarding these gift guides to significant others/family members with the subject “Hint, hiiiint.”

Happy gifting, friends! And happy, happy holidays. I think you’re wonderful. 

2021 Gift Ideas for Beauty and Wellness Enthusiasts:

A Fabulous Bathrobe! There is no better attire for post-bath/lounging/couching/napping/pampering/getting ready than a robe. We know this. Everyone has a different (or multiple) robe personalities, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorites in different categories…

Linen: The Brooklinen Linen Robe is comfy, chic and lightweight.

Cotton: A colorful cotton robe sparks joy, and this Hotel San José Kimono Robe is a winner.

Waffle: Monarch Cyprus makes the perfect simple waffle robe! Ideal for a classic/minimalist robe lover. (And the price point can’t be beat.)
Cashmere: The Naadam Recycled Cashmere Robe epitomizes cozy luxury.

Silk: Count on Kim to come through with a good silky option—the Skims Silk Sleep Robe is perfect for “traipsing” around the house.

Plush Terry: On the more affordable side, Brooklinen’s Super-Plush Robe is fluffy perfection. And if you want to splurge…the Matouk Cairo Robe is a truly heavenly option.

The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask. For those willing to splurge this holiday season, please allow me to sing the praises of my beloved LED mask. While this mask makes one look like a futuristic Hannibal Lecter, it is worth enduring the ribbing of friends and family members for the undeniable glow-boosting effects. In my case, it’s helped smooth and brighten my skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and softened fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes. (You can watch a full review here.) Unlike some other LED masks, this one is flexible, so it’s likely to fit a wider variety of face shapes, and it can comfortably be worn while moving about.

Act + Acre Scalp Detox + Restorative Mask. Give the gift of a healthy hair! The Scalp Detox is a treatment that cleanses and detoxifies the scalp, yes, but it also promotes hair growth, health, and shine. I’ve been using this weekly for going on two years, and my hair feels significantly fuller and stronger. The Restorative Hair Mask is also hydrating and smoothing for dry/damaged hair. (NOTE: I am not a fan of the Act + Acre shampoo or conditioner. Some people love them, but I think the Scalp Detox and Restorative Mask are the brand’s hero products.)

Aquis Copper Sure Rapid Dry Hair Turban. This towel is a GAME CHANGER. First and foremost, it’s very absorbent, so it radically reduces the amount of time spent air-drying or blow-drying. It’s also lightweight and actually stays put on your head thanks to a button closure in the back. (We all know that heavy bath towels make very poor turbans—they slide off and hurt our necks!) I’ve been a proud owner of many Aquis towels and turbans over the years, but this one is my favorite thanks to the COPPER SURE antimicrobial technology that keeps bacteria at bay and fights the all-too-common mildew-y smell.

Ostrichpillow Heatbag Pillow. This 2-sided pillow has an eco-friendly clay bag insert that can be warmed (in the microwave or in boiling water) or frozen before being inserted into the recycled foam sleeve to provide hot or cold stress/pain reduction and cozy comfort. The thin side of the pillow is used against the body, preventing burning (by heat or cold), while the external-facing double layer keeps the pillow hot/cold for long stretches. Much more safe, comfy, and chic than a traditional hot water bottle or ice pack!

Dieux Skin Limited Edition Tattoo Forever Eye Mask. These reusable eye patches are made with medical-grade silicone that holds gels, serums and creams close to the skin for maximum absorption. Not only is this an amazing sustainable option for those who could use a little extra TLC on the eye area (everyone?!), the ability to pair it with a favorite eye product ensures the wearer won’t have a reaction. The eye area is sensitive, and eye mask-induced irritation is obviously the opposite of what we’re going for…

SkinFix Resurface+ Glycolic and Lactic Acid Renewing Body Scrub. Smooth skin coming in hot! As far as body scrubs go, this one delivers. The combination of glycolic and lactic acids act as a “peel,” while bamboo polishers gently slough away dead skin to leave the body feeling silky and visibly smooth and bright. (This scrub has also been shown to improve keratosis pilaris, aka the reddish, bumpy “chicken skin” that can appear on the back of the arms—I can vouch for this.) If you’d like to include a moisturizing companion, the Necessaire Body Serum or Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion would be delightfully sympatico.

Highline Wellness CBD Kits. As a diehard Highline Wellness loyalist/fangirl, I will forever be shouting from the rooftops about the magic of their CBD products. Personally, I use Highline products to help manage my anxiety, but they’re also fantastic for stress, mood, sleep, and mental clarity! The curated Dawn, Daylight, and Dusk gift sets include a variety of products, but if you want to give a single product, The Anytime Gummies are always a crowd-pleaser for those new to CBD, and you can’t go wrong with the CBD Oil (I’m partial to the citrus flavor).

DIY Bath Kit. If you have a bath king/queen in your life, consider putting together a personalized bath kit with any or all) of the following: (Hover your mouse over each item and links will appear!)

• A book you think they’d love! (If they’re a Kindle/Audible person, consider a gift card.)
• A fancy candle. I’m a fan of Nette, P.F. Candle Co., Nest, and Public Goods.
• Bath salts, bath bomb, or bath oil. If you want to go fancy, the Lord Jones Bath Salts, Herbivore Calm Bath Salts, or the Milk + Honey Milk Bath are heavenly, but Dr. Teal’s or Dead Sea Warehouse salts are also amazing at a better price point (you can transfer them to a cute mason jar!). And nothing beats the Highline Wellness CBD Bath Bombs.
• YETI Rambler 10oz Lowball. Is it even a Domesticate Me Gift Guide without at least one #notsponsored YETI product? There’s nothing like a cold drink in a hot bath, and we all know YETI keeps cold things cold (and hot things hot) like no other. This size is perfect for a soaking cocktail/mocktail or some ice water.
• Bath tray or caddy. A tray or caddy that can hold some of the aforementioned bath essentials is guaranteed to please. Logan gifted me this bamboo one 6ish years ago, and I love it, but I also think this would be a great option for a minimalist, and this is a fun caddy choice.
• Bath pillow. Those who appreciate serious tub time will be grateful for some added neck/shoulder support, and this waterproof bath pillow is sure to elevate their soak. (Waterproof isn’t *quite* as comfy as some of the mesh options, but it means they won’t have to deal with drying a waterlogged pillow that’s prone to mildew.) You could also go ham, and get this 2-piece lounging set for full body support…

HAY Candy Toiletry Bag. A cute makeup bag is a failsafe present, and this one checks all the necessary boxes: big enough to hold all the essentials, waterproof lining, and A+ aesthetic. (This could also be used as a true toiletry bag à la the name, but I prefer a more padded bag with compartments for toiletries. God knows we must protect our precious skincare…)

Hot and Cold Gel Face Mask. Dunking one’s face in a basin/bowl of ice water really does wonders to de-puff the face and tighten pores but it’s…impractical. (Duh.) Enter: the reusable ice mask. This bad boy will depuff, soothe irritation, and even help with headaches. (Can also be made warm if you like…)

Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket. Weighted blankets are cozy and have been shown to help calm the nervous system (great for anxiety!), but I find that most are either too heavy, not breathable, or simply…ugly. Brooklinen’s iteration is 12 pounds (I find the 15- to 25-pound weighted blankets a little suffocating/difficult to move under) and made from breathable, textured cotton. I wouldn’t say it’s “beautiful,” butttt it’s certainly not an eyesore ;), especially in navy.

Beyond Yoga Spacedye at Your Leisure High Waisted Midi Leggings. I was late to the Beyond Yoga party, but I am now a loyalist. The comfort level of their athletic wear is truly unparalleled, and while I’m a fan of their outrageously soft bike shorts, bras, and zip-ups, my top recommendation is these leggings. The dip in the high waist is universally flattering, and they come in a handful of versatile colors. If you want to splurge on a full set, you can’t go wrong with the Lift Your Spirits Bra or Tank and the On The Go Mock Neck Jacket.

Spectrum Collections KJH 25 Piece Set. A true beauty fetishist will undoubtedly lose their mind over a top notch professional brush set by makeup artist extraordinaire, Katie Jane Hughes. This 25-piece set has everything one could ever need to create all manner of fabulous looks, not to mention that it will look beautiful on any vanity/bathroom counter thanks to its sexy vegan leather tube case. If the full set feels over-the-top, check out the 11 Piece Edit Brush Set, 5 Piece Eye Brush Set, or 2 Piece Face Brush Set.

For more gifting inspiration, check out the Beauty and Wellness Gift Guides from 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.