Buying beauty gifts is a tricky task.
You want to give your lovely sister or BFF something just perfect, maybe to help her pamper herself in the long days of a pandemic winter. But your very favorite lotion? Depending on her tastes, it might not agree with her skin. Your favorite shade of lipstick? Maybe terrible on someone with a different complexion.
Also, good skincare can be so expensive! Sorry, but I cannot justify an $90 serum of a $45 body lotion for anyone – myself, or as a gift for anyone else.
That’s where this post comes in. We’ve got a list of budget-friendly beauty tools that are tried and true – I own and regularly use almost everything on this list! Plus, these gifts will work for just about any recipient. I have crazy sensitive skin, so if these tools work for me, chances are they’ll be a great fit for anyone on your list.
For those with a gifting budget (um, all of us?), make sure to look for the price listing on each gift idea – because yes, thoughtful gifts that don’t cost an arm and a leg are possible!
Read on for the tools, plus the ideal recipients and some gift pairing suggestions!
Heads up: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you buy through these links, I make a small commission from your purchase, but it does not raise the cost for you.
Budget-Friendly Beauty Tools Gift Guide
1. Ice roller
Basically every blogger claims the Amazon ice roller is the best thing ever, but I always figured it was overblown. I finally gave in to all the influencing after seeing Grace Atwood’s before and after photos. My honest opinion? I don’t know if it makes a dramatic difference, but I still really like using it. It helps products absorb better, and it feels nice on my red cheeks.
Price: $10.99
Great for: Literally anyone, but especially those you suspect might be tired – a new mom? A college student?
Gift idea: Wrap it with a few single-use face masks. Bonus points if you host a DIY Christmas spa night!
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2. Jade roller
As seen on every Instagrammer’s account ever, these little beauty tools are quite photogenic. But people also love them for the relaxing face massage and possible de-puffing benefits. I haven’t tried one of these – my ice roller does the job – but for anyone who might want a less frigid, more aesthetically pleasing option, a jade roller is a great alternative.
Price: $17.99
Great for: Anyone who loves a little touch of luxury
Gift idea: Package with a little aromatherapy – maybe a yummy sleep balm?
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3. Dry brush
Jamie Golden, one of my favorite people to follow for skin and makeup tips, said that dry brushing cured her keratosis pilaris after a month. I, too, am plagued by those annoying little bumps on the backs of my arms and legs, and $19 seemed a fair price for silky skin. This guy didn’t completely cure any skin conditions for me, but it definitely helps. Plus, it feels luxurious to brush down before a shower.
Price: $8.99
Great for: Anyone, especially those whom you suspect are diligent enough to add 3 extra minutes to their shower routine
Gift with: Add a luxurious body oil or body butter from Trader Joe’s, the Body Shop, or TJ Maxx.
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4. Poppy nail painting tool
This is a silicone device that you attach to your nail polish brush to make at-home manicures easier. I can attest that it does make painting with your non-dominant hand easier! While this is from the Olive & June brand and works seamlessly with their polishes, it works with other polishes as well.
Price: $16
Great for: the friend who loves to treat herself to a salon manicure
Gift with: a sparkly nail polish or a delightful hand lotion
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5. Tinkle face razors
This is the most unfortunate name. But you guys. Is anyone else plagued by peach fuzz? I started gettting my entire face threaded before our wedding, and I just can’t go back. Nixing the peach fuzz makes makeup application so much smoother. Unfortunately, I am too lazy to keep up with monthly threading appointments, and I had a terrible reaction last time I got my face threaded that’s made me too scared to go back. These are a cheap alternative that don’t irritate even my psycho sensitive skin. (And no, your hair won’t grow back thicker or darker.)
Price: $4.50 for 6
Great for: A treat yo’ self gift for yourself or a stocking stuffer for a close family member. Unless you would like to make the recipient very paranoid, I wouldn’t gift these to a casual acquaintance!
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6. Scalp scrubber
My scalp can get gunky and itchy, and I make a questionable situation worse by using dry shampoo. This weird-looking thing makes everything better. It feels like that great scalp massage you get during a haircut, but it’s significantly cheaper. Plus, it helps break up the shellac of dry shampoo coating my head. I use it once a week.
Price: $8.59
Great for: Anyone who uses dry shampoo. It would also be a good White Elephant gift – a little goofy, not too embarrassing, and actually useable.
Gift idea: Pair with a lovely shampoo and conditioner. I recently upgraded to Verb Ghost shampoo and conditioner, and it makes my fine hair soft without smothering it. Otherwise check TJ Maxx for other luxe options or the Body Shop for their affordable samples!
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7. Pumice stone
These are the best pumice stones I’ve tried. They are tough enough to make my crusty feet smooth, but they don’t shave off too much skin like some foot razors can.
Price: $7.99 for 4
Great for: athletes (running does terrible things to the feet), someone who is on her feet all day, or year-round Chaco wearers
Gift idea: Package with a lovely nail polish for a great home pedicure.
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8. Silicone body scrubber
The old loofah in your BFF’s shower? Guarantee that it’s gross. This thing is retains less bacteria while still giving a good lather. Plus, it’s fun to slap onto the shower wall after use!
Price: $10
Great for: Anyone who probably doesn’t have time to add another self-care step (and who probably has other things to worry about besides the age of her loofah…)
Gift idea: Add a nice body wash or shower fizz.
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9. Boar bristle brush
Perfect for anyone trying to stretch their hair-washing days as looooong as possible, a boar bristle brush is an absolute treat for your scalp. It picks up oil from your roots and spreads it down the hair shaft, leaving hair feeling less like an oil slick on top and less dry on the ends. It’s dry shampoo’s best friend! Plus, the bonus little scalp massage feels amazing. Keep in mind that these work best for people with fine to medium hair.
Price: $36.50 (there are cheaper alternatives out there, but this is the one I have and can recommend)
Great for: your friend with not-too-thick hair
Gift with: some cute scrunchies
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10. Silk or satin pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases can snag hair and crease skin, plus they absorb face oils while you sleep. Silk or satin pillowcases have a slippery, less absorbent surface, meaning less bedhead and less dry, irritated skin. They aren’t life-changing, necessarily, but they do feel and look luxe! The silk ones can be $$, so satin is a fine alternative for those on a budget.
Price: $19.99 for 2
Great for: Anyone who likes the finer things! Curly haired people, especially, can benefit.
Gift with: An aromatherapy sleep mist or balm
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