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Editors’ Top Ulta Holiday Beauty Gifts: Ultimate Guide 2025

Explore top Ulta holiday beauty gifts chosen by editors, featuring must-have skincare, fragrances, and glam essentials for every beauty lover.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Explore top Ulta holiday beauty gifts chosen by editors, featuring must-have skincare, fragrances, and glam essentials for every beauty lover.

Editors’ Ultimate Ulta Holiday Beauty Gift Guide 2025

The holiday season offers a perfect opportunity to spoil your loved ones (and yourself!) with some of the most coveted beauty products available. Ulta Beauty, renowned for its extensive selection of brands and exclusive deals, becomes every beauty enthusiast’s wonderland each winter. This comprehensive guide, curated from editor picks and top trends, highlights the very best Ulta holiday beauty gifts—from skincare to makeup, fragrance to hair—and offers tips to help you choose unforgettable presents.

Why Ulta is the Go-To Place for Holiday Beauty Gifts

Wide Variety: Ulta stocks hundreds of top brands across makeup, skin, hair, and fragrance, ensuring something for everyone.
Exclusive Sets: Special holiday sets with limited-edition packaging, bonus minis, and bundled savings not found other times of year.
Rewards & Freebies: Ulta’s rewards program, Diamond free gifts, and promotional offers amplify the value of your holiday shopping experience.

Editor-Recommended Holiday Gift Picks

Editors hand-pick the season’s most exciting and giftable beauty products and kits, spotlighting what’s hot, trending, and universally loved among beauty fans. Below are the must-have selections by category, each backed by rave editor and consumer reviews.

1. Skincare Sets for Every Glow Getter

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 – A complexion-boosting foundation serum, offering skin-enhancing coverage with broad spectrum sun protection. Full-size holiday gift option for Diamond members.
belif Super Drops Niacinamide and Vitamin C Golden Glow Serum – Editors love this dual-action serum for its ability to brighten, firm, and revitalize dull skin; the golden glow appeals to winter-weary complexions.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum – Achieve the coveted ‘glass skin’ effect with this lightweight, illuminating serum. Perfect for prepping skin pre-makeup or for a barefaced radiance.
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque – The ultimate detox for holiday skin, purifying pores without dryness.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream – A rich moisturizer drenched in African oils, loved by editors for its plush texture and deep hydration.

Tip: Pair a serum with a hydrating cream for the ultimate winter skin rescue set, ideal for gifting skincare enthusiasts.

2. Must-Have Makeup Gift Sets

Tarte Award Winners Best-Sellers Set – A collection of Tarte’s most-loved products, featuring volumizing mascara, cheek tint, and more, perfect for any makeup-lover’s kit.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner – Universally flattering and easy-to-use eyeliner, ideal for creating winter glam looks. Editors recommend it for both beginners and seasoned beauty fans.
Maneater Mascara (Travel Size) – Cult favorite for dramatic lashes in just one coat. Sample sizes are ideal for stocking stuffers or cosmetic bags.
bareMinerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder – Keeps makeup flawless for holiday parties and family gatherings, making this classic a top editor pick.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – Dual-use formula acts as both primer and setting spray, extending makeup wear and smoothing skin texture.
e.l.f. Quad Goals Lip Oil Kit – Trending on #beautytok and offering a high-shine, non-sticky finish with nourishing oils, this lip kit is a hit for gifting friends and family.

3. Coveted Hair Care Essentials

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5 Minute Liquid Mask – Deeply fortifying hair mask, ideal for repairing holiday party stress and dryness. Top pick for anyone who loves heat styling.
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Hair Cream – Luxurious leave-in treatment for smoothing, nourishing, and protecting hair throughout the festive season.
OLAPLEX No.3 & No.7 Duo Kit – Includes mini-sized hair perfector and bonding oil, recognized as haircare icons. Editors love gifting this kit to anyone seeking stronger, shinier locks.
Drybar Detox Original Dry Shampoo – Revitalize strands in seconds and extend blowouts amidst holiday rush, a must-have for low-maintenance glam.
Batiste Dry Shampoo Duo – A volume-boosting pair loved for texture and fresh roots, ensuring party-ready hair on demand.

4. Fragrance Sets and Samplers

Ulta Fragrance Sampler (14-Piece) – Editors recommend this set for anyone exploring new scents; includes designer samples like Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Hero, Versace, Prada Paradoxe, and Mugler Alien Goddess.
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist – Social media’s favorite scent, this fruity gourmand mist evokes beach vibes and includes notes of guava, coconut, and orchid—a unique present for trend-followers.
Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum – A modern floral favorite with citrus and musk undertones, perfect for gifting when you want timeless elegance.

5. Best Stocking Stuffers & Small Gifts

DIME Beauty Dans Les Bois Eau de Toilette Mini – Compact and easy to slip into a stocking or travel pouch.
Divi Scalp Serum (Full Size) – A self-care hero for anyone struggling with scalp concerns, editors suggest this as a thoughtful wellness present.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH MD Lash Serum Mini – Beloved by beauty lovers for lash growth and enhancement.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 – A cult-favorite for protecting skin and enhancing makeup longevity, making it a universally useful gift.

Ulta Exclusive Promotions & Gift-with-Purchase Offers

Ulta elevates the holiday shopping experience with value-packed promotions and exclusive gifts:

Diamond Free Gift Choices: Eligible members select from 22 full-size editor-favorite products, maximizing holiday value.
Birthday Gifts: Eight exclusive options, ranging from cult skincare to premium haircare, are available for all shoppers during their birthday month.
Fragrance Purchases: Receive a complimentary 14-piece fragrance sampler with any $100 purchase—perfect for gifting or sampling luxury scents.
Limited-Edition Totes: Free with select purchases like fragrances for Mother’s Day, ideal for packaging gifts in style.

Tips for Picking the Perfect Beauty Gift

Know Their Favorites: Pay attention to your giftee’s favorite brands, products, and beauty trends—they’ll appreciate thoughtful choices.
Trending Products: Social media darlings like lip oils and setting sprays are universally appreciated, especially among younger recipients.
Skincare is Safe: Hydrating, barrier-supporting products are always a win and work for nearly every skin type.
Value Sets: Holiday bundles offer a chance to sample multiple products, making them better value and more fun to unwrap.
Gift Cards: Still can’t decide? Ulta Beauty gift cards let them pick their own favorites while still offering a festive touch.

Ulta Holiday Gifts: Editor-Approved Product Comparison

Product Name	Type	Best For	Price Range
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation	Skincare/Makeup	Complexion perfection	$48
Tarte Award Winners Best-Sellers Set	Makeup	Multi-product gift	$32
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist	Fragrance	Beach-y, fun vibe	$38
Redken Acidic Bonding Mask	Hair Care	Repairing/damage control	$40
GrandeLASH MD Lash Serum Mini	Primers/Serums	Lash enhancement	$25

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which Ulta holiday gift set is the best for someone new to makeup?

A: Editor-picked sets like the Tarte Award Winners or e.l.f. Quad Goals Lip Oil Kit offer essentials with wide appeal and easy application, making them ideal for makeup beginners.

Q: Are Ulta Diamond gifts worth it?

A: Yes. The Diamond Gifts program allows eligible customers to choose a full-size luxury product for free, offering high value and variety. The 2025 choices cover top editor picks in skincare, hair care, and makeup.

Q: What makes the Ulta fragrance sampler a good gift?

A: The sampler provides diverse designer fragrance options, letting recipients experiment or layer scents. It’s also a great value, especially with qualifying purchases.

Q: What’s trending in holiday beauty for 2025?

A: Top trends include lip oils, viral body mists, multitasking skincare, and sets featuring travel-sized formulas for trying and gifting.

Q: Are there Ulta gifts suitable for men or more gender-neutral options?

A: Many skincare, hair care, and fragrance sets—including Kiehl’s masks and Batiste dry shampoos—are suitable for all genders. Opt for sets that focus on skincare essentials, hair repair, or fresh fragrances for broader appeal.

How to Score the Best Beauty Deals at Ulta

Sign up for Ulta’s rewards program for exclusive gifts and offers tailored to your purchase history and loyalty status.
Check Ulta’s holiday pages frequently. Editors recommend shopping early for limited sets and best sellers, as quantities are often limited during peak season.
Leverage gift-with-purchase promotions for added value or buy extra samples to pair with your holiday gifts.
Combine online and in-store shopping for maximum selection; store associates can help you find or recommend top editor picks.

Conclusion: Making Spirits Bright with Ulta Holiday Gifts

This editor-driven guide to Ulta’s top holiday gifts for 2025 covers everything from bestselling skincare sets to party-perfect makeup kits, viral fragrances, and exclusive value offers. Whether shopping for a seasoned beauty addict or a friend just getting into self-care, these picks help you find thoughtful, high-impact presents sure to delight. Take advantage of Ulta’s seasonal exclusives, Diamond gifts, and bundled deals to make this festive season as glamorous as possible.

Shop smart, give joy, and celebrate the beauty of holiday gifting with the best Ulta has to offer!

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb