I often think back to core childhood memories of watching my mom get ready for work. I remember her routine decades later: A blow-dry, a sweep of blush, and an occasional call for my input—“Does this blazer match this skirt?” Although my days as a six-year-old style consultant are behind me, we’ve come to bond over beauty, and, with more expertise under my belt, I get such a kick out of putting her on to new discoveries.
But she’s a lot pickier than I am. Her dry skin and sensitive eyes are easily irritated (she’s an OG “clean girl”) and she relies on super efficient, multi-purpose products. So, since my mom always sends me a care package of beauty goodies on Valentine’s Day, I’m shopping 11 products under $35 for her that I know she’ll adore, like hydrating skin care, a practical brush set, a genius serum blush, and more, from $10.
Best Beauty Gift Sets
- Skin-Quenching: Laneige Icons To Go Set, $26 (Originally $27)
- Great Value: Laura Geller New York Serum Blush Cheek Tint + Angled Blush Brush, $35 (Originally $49)
- To Brave the Winter: Sol de Janeiro Jet Set, $35
- Editor-Loved Nail Concealers: Londonttown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer Mini Set, $28
- Her Holy Grail Hand Creams: L’Occitane Hand Cream Classics Three-Piece Set, $33
- Effortless Eyeshadows: Urban Decay Naked 3 Mini Eyeshadow Palette, $35
- 30%-Off Deal: Kate Somerville On The Glow Kit, $21 (Originally $30)
- Essentials She Won’t Buy Herself: Bs-Mall Makeup Brush Set, $10 (Originally $13)
- For Her Me-Time: Patchology Serve Chilled Rosé Hydrating Under Eye Patches, $15
- Makeup Bag Classics: Clinique Icons Set, $30
- Luxe-Scented Hair Care: Ouai Travel Size Hair & Body Care Set, $34 (Originally $42)
Laneige Icons To Go Set
Amazon
My mom is always so appreciative when I gift her new skin care to try, and this Laneige mini set has her name written all over it. It includes the ultra-hydrating Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer and Sleeping Mask, plus a milky moisturizing toner and the brand’s viral sleeping lip treatment. It’s the perfect cure for dull winter skin—I’ll be seeing which product she empties first and then grab it for her in the full size.
Laura Geller New York Serum Blush Cheek Tint + Angled Blush Brush
Amazon
Over the years, my mom has shifted her blush formula preference from powder to liquid, mainly because the latter is far more forgiving and natural-looking. I’m grabbing her this light-as-a-feather, hyaluronic acid-infused cheek tint from Laura Geller that’ll give her a flush without much fuss. It also comes with a conveniently retractable angled blush brush that’s earned over 10,000 five-star reviews.
Sol de Janeiro Jet Set
Amazon
Body care products always go gangbusters with my mom. She never passes up a new fragrance or rich body butter, so I already know Sol de Janeiro’s Jet Set is a sure bet. It’s a trio of products in a tropical, floral, and fresh scent that’ll breathe life into her winter routine, including a body wash, perfume mist, and skin-tightening body cream.
Londonttown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer Mini Set
Amazon
My mom loves an at-home manicure, but when her nails aren’t coated with color, she reapplies a clear top coat to protect her brittle beds. Our editors are constantly raving about Londonttown’s Kur Nail Concealer, so I think it’ll be a glorious swap. One coat of the soft, nearly naked color (this mini set gives her four options) adds a healthy-looking filter to her tips while nourishing them with botanical oils and extracts.
L’Occitane Hand Cream Classics Three-Piece Set
Amazon
I’m restocking her sizable collection of L’Occitane Hand Creams because she never seems to have enough. The formula is so lusciously rich and smells so expensive, and the tube is the perfect size to take along wherever she goes. I’m going to surprise her by hiding them Easter egg-style—I’ll slip one in her purse, another in her bathroom, and the third at her desk.
Urban Decay Naked 3 Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Amazon
If there’s one makeup step that always stumps my mom, it’s eyeshadow. Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Mini Eyeshadow Palette is super user-friendly because just a wash of one of the rosy-toned shades will make her brown eyes pop (and all eye colors, by the way). Plus, she can use her finger to apply it or pluck from the brush set I’m grabbing her, below.
Kate Somerville On The Glow Kit
Amazon
My skin has had a glow-up ever since I started exfoliating with Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate treatment, and it’s discounted with the matching moisturizer and foaming cleanser for just $21 right now. It’s a dream team to boost brightness, shrink pores, and revive sensitive complexions.
Bs-Mall Makeup Brush Set
Amazon
Bs-Mall’s 18-piece set is an essential my mom would never buy for herself. So, she’ll have to allow me to swoop in. It comes recommended by over 37,000 Amazon shoppers, with one saying that their mom “appreciates the convenience of keeping all her brushes organized in one place,” thanks to the practical storage case included. Another said their mom is “obsessed,” adding that the brushes are “so soft” and “fluffy.”
Patchology Serve Chilled Rosé Hydrating Under Eye Patches
Amazon
No one deserves to be pampered as much as mom. Whether she likes to unwind with a glass of wine or an at-home spa ‘sesh (or both!) these cooling and hydrating undereye patches will be such a treat. They’re infused with hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts to smooth wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and rejuvenate tired eyes.
Clinique Icons Set
Amazon
Clinique has lived in my mom’s makeup bag for as long as I can remember, but, shockingly, she’s never tried the brand’s wildly popular Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey. It’s a universally flattering just-bitten berry hue and comes complete with other minis like the High-Impact Mascara and Moisture Surge skin-quencher.
Ouai Travel Size Hair & Body Care Set
Amazon
I consider my mom a hair care minimalist, so this dreamy-scented travel set of Ouai’s detox shampoo, scalp scrub, leave-in conditioner, and frizz-fighting cream will be fun for her to play with. Plus, the scrub doubles as an exfoliator for the body.
