How I Get My Holiday Shopping Done in One Ulta Beauty Trip

For my friend who appreciates a classic, this set is a winner (plus, it’s only available at Ulta Beauty, so it has exclusivity going for it, too). Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey—an iconic shade that’s been out for more than 50 years but still feels fresh—adds a moody berry tint to lips along with a touch of shine, and the limited-edition cheek palette has two blushes and a highlighter to keep her skin on point.

This is one of my favorite mascaras, for its ability to lift, lengthen, and separate lashes for a defined look. And there’s no one on my list who wouldn’t benefit from a tube of this formula (no pun intended). The formula isn’t waterproof, but it’s still long-lasting—which translates to its offering wear time without requiring elbow grease to remove—and the comb-like bristles help minimize clumps.

Anyone with an appreciation for aesthetics will appreciate this limited-edition palette, which houses five brand-new highlighting and bronzing shades to diffuse light and lend a glow. But my mom will especially love the featured lotus artwork by a London-based illustrator known for her botanical design.

The brownie points with my social media-obsessed niece are all but guaranteed with this Ulta Beauty-exclusive set of best-sellers from the trending brand. It includes a body wash, body creams in two sizes, and a perfume mist.

There’s little question that this lipstick—which comes in 32 colorful and neutral shades—will impress my friend who’s never bare-lipped. A single swipe delivers full coverage, rich color, and eight-hour wear, and the formula’s argan, camellia, and castor-seed oils leave lips soft and comfortable. The only hard part is deciding which shade she’ll like most.

Having been one myself, I know teens can be impossible to please—but this fragrance gift set might just impress my friend’s daughter who just turned 13. Available only at Ulta Beauty, it has six of the singer’s bestsellers, including Sweet Like Candy, Cloud, and Ari, so she’ll be able to pick and choose her scent to suit her mood.

Glass skin, for those who’ve been off the grid, describes skin so luminous that it looks like glass—and who wouldn’t want that? Formulated by celebrity aesthetician and Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon, this four-step routine (exclusive to Ulta Beauty), includes everything they need to get similar radiance, including a gentle gel cleanser, hydrating essence, an antioxidant-rich moisturizer, and the brand’s best-selling Glass Skin Refining Serum.

Perfect for my work wife—or as a stocking stuffer for anyone, really—this cute, portable hand sanitizer takes the stink out of good hygiene. Not only does it smell like a cozy, herbal blend of eucalyptus and lavender, but its super-fine mist never feels sticky and actively hydrates skin with a blend of aloe vera and radish-root ferment.

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is the perfect upgrade for my sister’s hairstyling routine. It helps protect hair from damage and includes five attachments so she can experiment with styles. Plus, the Ulta Beauty-exclusive black and gold colorway makes the gift feel even more special.

It’s practically gospel: If they color their hair, they need this kit. One of the first brands to debut truly innovative bond-repair technology, Olaplex makes formulas that can help restore damaged hair in a single wash. This set (available only at Ulta Beauty) includes a full-size of its No. 7 Bonding Oil along with shampoo, conditioner, a hair mask, and other favorites to strengthen, smooth, and protect strands. It’s as good for my friend who gets monthly highlights as it is for my aunt who touches up her roots every few weeks.

Osea is an unsung hero for clean formulas that deliver incredible results. This Ulta Beauty-exclusive set offers an introduction to the brand with a gentle cleanser, hyaluronic-acid serum, lightweight face cream, and deeply nourishing body oil. It’s the perfect way to encourage my workaholic best friend to take pauses from her hectic day.

I’m counting this nourishing, super-gentle cream as a stocking stuffer for my eczema-prone daughter, who can’t stop, won’t stop scratching her skin. It uses colloidal oatmeal to support the skin barrier and protect compromised skin, along with shea butter to moisturize and allantoin to calm.

Lip oil isn’t going anywhere, and this exclusive, sheer, high-shine formula made by Ulta Beauty’s in-house team is proof of why it’s so popular among my friends. In eight shades and an array of fruity scents, this one softens and nourishes lips with a blend of pear, cranberry, and mango extracts, and leaves behind plumper lips with a pretty sheen.

For the skin-care-curious tween, it doesn’t get much better than this Ulta Beauty-exclusive kit. While the packaging is downright adorable, the formulas inside mean business. The mini gel cleanser, brightening serum, moisturizers, sleep mask, and eye cream deliver more radiant skin, and all come packed in a travel-ready bag.

One gift I’m keeping for myself? This little set of mini fragrances (only available at Ulta Beauty), which pairs Black Opium—a warm, intoxicating gourmand—with Mon Paris, a delicious fruity-floral scent. Together, they make for the perfect daytime-nighttime duo and, as a bonus, will look adorable on display at my desk.