1. Alix Earle, @alixearle

Certainly one of TikTok’s biggest breakout stars of the 12 months, Alix Earle is best known for her vigorous personality and makeup know-how. Beyond amassing a TikTok following of greater than 6.1 million, Earle was one in all the primary creators to sign to Alex Cooper’s The Unwell Network, recently rolling out a weekly podcast wherein she dives into topics like mental health, dating (aka “NFL man” — IYKYK), and the importance of female friendship.

Go-to gift for others: Refy Lip Collection Set, $32 at sephora.com, refybeauty.com

“I like the Refy lip glosses so the total lip set can be my go-to gift when gifting a friend or member of the family this season. It features a lip buff, blush, liner and gloss which is what anyone needs to finish their makeup look regardless of the occasion.”

Favorite gift to receive: Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, $30 at sephora.com, amazon.com, moroccanoil.com.

“I take advantage of this spray almost each day — it really locks in whatever style I’m going for without making my hair feel crunchy or greasy.”

To me, quality means…“On the subject of a present, [quality] is actually the thought behind it that matters most. It’s not concerning the size or scale — but more concerning the quality of thought and love they put into it.” 

2. Monet McMichael, @monetmcmichael

Loved for her laid-back, unfiltered charm, Recent Jersey-based Monet McMichael is at the highest of her #BeautyTok game. With 3.7 million followers and counting, the 23-year-old has cemented her status as a powerhouse creator because of her raw and real approach to content.

Go-to gift for others: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wands, $42 each at sephora.com, nordstrom.com, bloomingdales.com, charlottetilbury.com.

“In case you use these wands with no additional makeup, they make your skin look amazing, and additionally they elevate any glam look.”

Favorite gift to receive: Pat McGrath Labs Lust: Gloss, $29 each at sephora.com, patmcgrathlabs.com.

“My favorite gift to receive is unquestionably a gloss of any form, specifically Pat McGrath glosses — they’re next-level in color and shimmer.”

To me, quality means…“Quality means a whole lot of things to me in a product, especially to be able to make the favorites list. Packaging, functionality, practicality and size are all aspects. It’s all the time quality over quantity.” 

3. Kensington Tillo, @kensnation

From happiness to heartbreak to the gripping lead-up to her driver’s license test last month (spoiler: she passed), Kensington Tillo brings her 1.6 million TikTok followers along along with her through all of it. Along with her knack for making the intricacies of on a regular basis life feel a bit of more vigorous, Tillo is one in all the few people we’ll sit through a 10-minute “Get Ready With Me” video for and realize it was time that ~couldn’t~ have been higher spent.

Go-to gift for others: Tatcha Plumping Dewy Skin Essentials Set, $87 at sephora.com, tatcha.com.

“My absolute favorite beauty and wellness gift to present in the course of the holidays can be an opulent skincare set with high-quality products. A few of my all time favorite skincare brands are Tatcha (you’ll be able to never go incorrect with Dewy Skin Cream), Caudalie, and Charlotte Tilbury skincare — which doubles as an incredible base for makeup.”

Favorite gift to receive: Spa days, like at Brooklyn’s Bathhouse, where day passes start at $55.

“My favorite beauty and wellness gift to receive in the course of the holidays can be a spa day experience; it’s a implausible gift since it allows me to calm down and rejuvenate which may be very needed after the vacations.”

To me, quality means… “As a beauty influencer, quality means to me that products aren’t only effective, but protected and well-crafted; it’s about using and recommending items that I trust will enhance the wonder and well-being of my followers.”

4. Eloise Dufka, @eloisedufka

Between her effortless “that girl” vibe and tasteful local recommendations for fellow Recent Yorkers (or for the Recent York City dwellers-at-heart) Eloise Dufka has our For You Pages in a chokehold. Here, her faves.

Go-to gift for others: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatments, $16 each at rhodeskin.com.

“The Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in shade ‘toast’ is a must in anyone’s handbag — a subtle touch of that goes a good distance.“

Favorite gift to receive: Alo Yoga matching sets, starting at $132 at aloyoga.com, nordstrom.com, neimanmarcus.com.

“For workouts, an Alo Yoga set in Espresso is my go-to. Matching sets just hit different.”

To me, quality means… “Quality is all concerning the little details that may go unnoticed but make a world of difference. It could be as small because the packaging, a note from the founder concerning the story of the product, or the ingredients being ethically sourced — to only quality time with a loved one. It’s the secret ingredient that makes every part higher, ?”

5. Marianna Hewitt, @mariannahewitt

An OG beauty girlie, Marianna Hewitt has leveraged social media savvy right into a multiplatform beauty empire. Beyond helming the Sephora-favorite skincare brand Summer Fridays, alongside her cofounder Lauren Ireland, Hewitt’s lifestyle podcast “Life with Marianna” has climbed the Spotify ranks since launching in 2020, drawing each listeners and guests of all walks on the best way up.

Go-to gift for others: Oura Ring, $299 to $499 at ouraring.com.

“The Oura Ring is one of the best investment I got for myself a couple of years ago. It’s a present that provides back in infinite ways, from tracking your sleep to your steps, which helps support our self care routines overall.” 

Favorite gift to receive:

“My love language is quality time, so I like to receive experiences as gifts; spending time doing something memorable with my favorite people is one of the best gift I could receive.”

To me, quality means… “Quality in holiday gift-giving goes beyond the value — it’s concerning the thought that goes into picking a present that the receiver will really enjoy. It’s finding something meaningful and showing that you simply’ve taken the time to recollect things they might have mentioned to you in passing to make their holiday gift special.”

6. Alani Noelle, @wuzg00d

Streetwear fanatics have long known and loved Alani Noelle, but in 2023 the Brooklyn-based beauty and fashion creative had a very momentous 12 months, unveiling a Future Collective apparel collection with Goal and hitting the 400,000-follower milestone on Instagram because of her eccentric style and charm.

Go-to gift for others: Starface Hydro-star Pimple Patches, $14.99 at goal.com, amazon.com, starface.world; Topicals Faded Fan Club set, $92 at sephora.com, mytopicals.com.

“I’m stuck between Starface’s Pimple Patches & Topicals’ top products. Each brands make skincare so fun and normalize skin conditions and pimples, but most significantly, they really work.”

Favorite gift to receive: Osea Ocean Eyes Age-defying Serum, $58 at ultabeauty.com, bluemercury.com, oseamalibu.com.

“For skincare, I like Osea’s eye serum — it forcibly jogs my memory to deal with my eye area, which I often ignore, and has one of the best and easiest mess-free cooling roll-on applicator.”

To me, quality means… “On the subject of brands, quality after all means an efficient product — but beyond that, it means a brand run by individuals who care concerning the product they’re making and the people they’re making it for. It means a brand with intention, integrity and care.”

7. Meredith Duxbury, @meredithduxbury

Meredith Duxbury has come a good distance from the 10-pump foundation technique that first made her go viral in 2021. The Recent York City-based creator has since inked deals with beauty’s biggest brands including Tarte Cosmetics and Tatcha, garnered a TikTok following of 18.8 million, and even co-created a six-product makeup range with Morphe this summer.

Go-to gift for others: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Dreams Come True Makeup Vault, $390 at nordstrom.com, bloomingdales.com, charlottetilbury.com

“I like this makeup vault — it’s such a cute gift and you should utilize the box the makeup is available in as a bit of makeup organizer in your vanity; it’s like a 2-for-1.”

Favorite gift to receive: NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit, $395

“You actually can’t go incorrect with any facial toning kit from NuFace; It’s one of the best little device to present your face an additional lift and to feel fresh for the brand new 12 months.”

To me, quality means… “Quality is something that has a whole lot of thought and time put into it. If someone has dedicated their personal energy and energy into something, that’s what makes it ‘quality.’”