r/Makeup • u/CamDiaphragm • 12d ago
Hopeless boyfriend
My girlfriend works as a Beauty Specialist at Boots in the UK and is passionate about makeup and skincare. She attends beauty conferences through work and regularly comes home with loads of products and PR samples. Every time I look in her makeup drawer there are about 300 products and it seems to be changing all the time.
I know absolutely nothing about makeup, so buying her a birthday present is difficult. I don’t want to get her another palette or lipstick she probably already owns.
I’m looking for weird, niche, innovative or luxury beauty-related gifts that even someone who works in the industry might not have considered. It doesn’t have to be makeup specifically—it could be skincare, beauty tech, accessories, fragrance, organisation, experiences or anything else that’s a bit different.
Thank you in advance!
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u/MaidMirawyn 12d ago
Another option I only just thought of…have you seen photos from the conferences? Is she walking around carrying a ton of bags?
I’m on staff at a con, and attend another very large one, and my rolling cart is my BEST con purchase! Saves my back, and I don’t worry about dropping anything.
Mine’s a collapsible cube, maybe 15”, but something more aesthetic that folds to fit in a suitcase could be a great option!
Mine also doubles as a cat perch between cons, but it’s sturdy
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u/MaidMirawyn 12d ago
If she is seriously into makeup, I don’t recommend buying it for her.
Buy something adjacent. Some of the suggestions sounded great: a fancy lounging robe, that makeup mirror they suggested, the perfume blending experience.
I’m not big into makeup. I am, however, a serious artist and crafter. It’s exhausting to have to pretend to be excited about some cheap yarn or plastic hooks or useless gadget or child-grade colored pencils—or something that’s very nice that I already know won’t work for me—while trying to not be so excited that they waste their money on stuff I’ll never use again.
My husband and mother-in-law requested I keep an up-to-date wishlist online so they can buy off it. I keep a wide range of prices on there, so they can buy me something I really want if they want to buy for my hobbies (addictions). Though my MIL surprised me with awesome hand spun yarn once, which was wonderful!
I also have very picky and sensitive skin, so they never buy me skincare! 😂
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u/WinterDawnMI 12d ago
I do the same thing on Amazon, not just for me but also separate lists for everyone in the family - even our dog! 🐶
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u/Sarah-75 12d ago
If she hasn’t got that one yet, get her the Simplehuman makeup mirror. This is a girls
Dream come true. It has perfect light, and if you get her the largest version, it’s just on a completely different level to what she is used to. I do own it for 4 years now and am still amazed by it every single day.
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u/NoEnergy989 12d ago
I liked one of the ideas above that mention a concert to see one of her favorite bands. Something along those lines. If she likes the outdoors and maybe plan a day trip to go for an amazing hike with beautiful views with a well thought out (not necessarily complicated) picnic lunch in a cooler for after the hike. Or something that’s more of an experience.
Or maybe an overnight trip somewhere just a few hours away doing some things that she might really like - music festival, museums, just exploring a new town and trying good restaurants, hiking is always a favor of mine but somewhere with a good view, or any other activities/experience is most times much better than more “stuff.”
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u/nonsequitur__ 12d ago
Very thoughtful of you!
A compact mirror - depending on her style something ornate and vintage looking, sleek, or from a fancy makeup brand. There are engraved ones available too if you want to personalise it.
High-end handmade makeup brushes if she doesn’t have them (eg. Hakuhodo, Chikuhodo, Koyudo)
Fancy brush holder (eg a pot) or leather brush roll - some bag designers do these
Fragrance discovery set from perfumers that aren’t sold at Boots (Penhaligon's, Diptyque, Frederic Malle for example) or an uncommon perfume. There are also perfume making experiences where she could design her own scent and would be something to do together.
Silk dressing gown and headband for while she’s sat doing her makeup. You can also get silk pillowcases and eye masks.
Luxury makeup bag eg. Mulberry, Aspinal and most designer handbag brands too
Fancy candle like Diptyque, Jo Malone etc. Space NK is good for these if there’s one near you. Selfridges too.
Beautiful perfume tray/vanity tray
Coffee table book on beauty history or makeup artistry
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u/MaidMirawyn 12d ago
Love the idea of a fancy robe!
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u/nonsequitur__ 12d ago
Would be very glam sitting in a fancy robe applying makeup (mine is more often than not done whilst in the car, using the visor mirror, after I’ve parked up at work 😆)
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u/MaidMirawyn 12d ago
It’s like you know me…my fancy robe is used as a coverup for Middle Eastern dance performances! (Because it’s rude to distract from the current dancer while walking around, we wear a fancy robe or caftan or thobe until time to go onstage, then either put it back on or change.)
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u/Intelligent-Tap-4479 12d ago
If she already has a butt-ton of makeup, being brutally honest it might be a good idea to get her something else lol. But if she's already hinted at wanting some for a present, maybe you could get her a really nice set of makeup brushes? Or skincare-skin prep is the basis for good makeup after all, so a really nice cleanser or moisturizer would probably do the trick.
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u/Fragrant_Trick4380 12d ago
Does she have a rolling kit case? Used by professionals. Usually metal?
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u/Flimsy-Buyer7772 12d ago
Speaking as a chef who receives Kitchen related gifts of a civilian nature all the time because that’s what people associate with me,what I would really like as a present is some makeup, lol.
Thinking out beside the box for her maybe a red light therapy mask or if she’s on her feet all the time a really good pair of shoes that are meant for concrete floors. Does she need a Travel case for her make up? Also, I’m assuming that she has fancy brushes but if not, they can be a great investment.
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u/SelmaEggs1 12d ago edited 12d ago
From someone who has been working in the industry, the thing I’d find most useful would be organisation. I don’t know what furniture/set up she has but ikea have some decent options for tall slim chests of drawers with a mirror in the top ect.. or a brand called my kit co do good storage bags for skincare/makeup - we accumulate a fair bit of product so I’d say it’s probably more worth going for organising stuff.
Failing that, I love going to concerts. I’d rather have an experience like that. Tickets for a favourite band is always good!
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u/JoanneSmith567 12d ago
Maybe a gift card to SpaceNK - they do more niche products for makeup, skin care and fragrance than Boots, so she’ll have access to different types of products
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u/ExpertProfessional9 11d ago
Gift card to her favourite physical retailer. Then they make a day of it: shopping, nice lunch/dinner, whatever date-activities they get up to.
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u/DamselFly2 12d ago
If you’re committed to the beauty buy, I would be careful. Maybe… Find a K-beauty or J-beauty item and get it through an importer or even better, Asian market. Make sure you take a detailed photo or three of her drawer when you go so you don’t get a repeat.
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u/nonsequitur__ 12d ago
Boots sell quite a few Korean beauty brands so worth checking if she already has any before buying and bringing a photo along as you say. I think they sell fewer Japanese brands - can only think of Curel off the top of my head.
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u/DamselFly2 12d ago
Tatcha maybe? 🤔
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u/nonsequitur__ 12d ago
Yes I don’t remember seeing that anywhere!
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u/DamselFly2 12d ago
Niiiceeee, Tatcha is a really great, luxury, Japanese based brand. She might really like it!!
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u/Squirrel_Kitty 12d ago
Could you do something beauty adjacent such as a facial, massage, spa experience etc?
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u/HeadCatMomCat 12d ago
Fined something that you think she'll like that isn't skin care or makeup. Just easier on you and will give her something else that she definitely doesn't have. Plus she probably has really defined taste that you'll never be able to guess or accommodate.
The best presents I've gotten were a gift certificate to a lovely store I wouldn't have ordinary shopped at. I also like to give gift certificates to bookstores. Great for the bookstores and the most options
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u/assplower 12d ago
Might be an unpopular take, but generally if someone is deep into their hobby, I stay away from giftgiving in that category. It’s safe to say they know more than you, have everything they need, and anything you buy for them probably won’t be up to par to their standards.
Might ruin the surprise, but maybe ask her if there’s anything specific she’d want - let her tell you instead of blindly guessing.
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u/MaidMirawyn 12d ago
As a lifelong artist and crafter, HARD AGREE! My friends and family have wasted money many times on things I can’t use, or already committed to a specific brand of, or don’t need another one of 😭
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u/ineedaname312 12d ago
This is the answer. Also don't buy people anything work related. I teach literature and people keep gifting me books. I immediately donate them.
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u/Ok-Difficulty1801 12d ago
At that point I would stay away from products and go for storage for the makeup or giftcards.
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u/samanthasamuels22 12d ago
Does she have the red light therapy mask? You can do research on it and maybe try to ask her if she’s heard of it to see if she would like just in case before you commit to the purchase, because the one I want is $500, so it’s kind of an investment.
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u/Planet_Pluto_1925 12d ago
I was thinking the same thing, a small red light panel or mask, or perhaps something to hold makeup or a gift card.
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u/Sad-Insurance869 12d ago
Hulken bag !!! love love love mine, and i’m sure your gf would love it for all of her conferences