19 Best Birthday Gifts for Her, According to a Beauty Editor

My birthday is on January 4, so it traditionally gets lost in the holiday season chaos—by the time it rolls around, everyone’s tired of attending parties and giving presents. But after years and years of complaining and promising to hex anyone who forgets, my birthday shakes out pretty well. 

There are three typical gifting situations: my birthday and Christmas gifts are given at the same time, they’re given on the actual day, or a few days later in a state of guilt-ridden panic. (I don’t mind the last one, they tend to be compensatorily extravagant.) 

I am a famously good gift-giver and I’m told I’m hard to shop for, so don’t take this list of the 19 best presents I received for the holidays and my birthday lightly. 

Best Editor-Loved Birthday Gifts Under $25

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Twist Headband

My head (and especially ears) is cold all winter because I have an impossible time with hats. Regardless of the style I either look like I’ve been squashed down and sort of crumpled or I look like an egg. As for earmuffs—I can never hear anything with them on and they irreversibly mess up my hair. I didn’t think there was a solution until I received this cashmere Quince headband. It covers my ears, has a minimal effect on my hair, and looks cute. Plus the cashmere is butter soft and not itchy or irritative. 

Meiruby Electric Candle Lighter

Something you learn from being a candle snob is that a regular BIC lighter is not going to cut it. You end up getting soot on and damaging the sides of the candle—a problem if you, like me, plan on eventually repurposing it into a catch-all or cup. This lighter is rechargeable and the neck means I can accurately light my candles and not strain my hands as the wax gets lower. Plus, it’s kid-proof so I don’t have to worry about my niece burning my house down anymore. 

More Editor-Loved Birthday Gifts

• Chanel No. 5 The Beige Gold Body Oil, $130; chanel.com
• J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap, $198; jcrew.com
• My New Everyday Purse: Vivienne Westwood Croc-Effect Leather Tote Bag, $495 (Originally $550); mytheresa.com
• The Only Blow Dryer I’ve Ever Loved: Neuro by Paul Mitchell Dry+ Folding High-Velocity Hair Dryer, $250; amazon.com
• Kate Spade Monroe Twist Gold-tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch, $248; katespade.com
• Useful Yet Kitschy: Jonathan Adler Pill Box, $98; jonathanadler.com
• Urban Outfitters Cherry Table Lamp, $99; urbanoutfitters.com
• The Laundry Upgrade I Didn’t Know I Needed: The Laundress Fabric Conditioner, $26; amazon.com
• I’m Always in Need of a New Tube(s): La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment, $36; laroche-posay.us
• Higher Dose Sweat Band, $49; higherdose.com
• Unbelievably Comfortable: Hill House Home The Nina Pajama Set, $98; hillhousehome.com
• Cute Storage for My Cross Stitching Craft: Hobby Gift Sewing Basket, $63; amazon.com
• GNX by Kendrick Lamar Vinyl Record, $33; amazon.com
• Worth It For the Packaging Alone: Miss Dior Mini Miss Eau de Parfum Solid Perfume, $94; ulta.com

Chanel No. 5 The Beige Gold Body Oil

If any brand is going to get a shimmery body oil right, it’s Chanel. This one is lightly scented with the iconic Chanel No. 5 and has the subtlety you’d expect from the world’s chicest brand. The effect is glitter or sparkle and more like a deep and moisturizing glow. Ever since I got this I have been applying it liberally to my chest and neck before leaving the house. It hides and fixes my dry winter skin, gives me a lasting fragrance, and elicits endless compliments on my radiant skin. 

J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap

I have a dozen scarves, but none that are honestly worth more than $5—they’re all itchy and not warm enough. Thankfully, one of my friends noticed and got me this J.Crew Cashmere Wrap. It’s thin yet traps heat so it makes for a perfect (slightly) oversized scarf. 

The Laundress Fabric Conditioner

I’ve been adding the Laundress’s Fabric Conditioner to my laundry for a few days. I’m mad—I will forevermore need a $26 bottle of fabric softener. It makes my clothes so soft, they smell fresh but not overpowering, and it works on even my most delicate fabrics. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment

As a beauty editor, I am thankfully almost never in need of any skin care or makeup product. La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Duo is the exception. My sisters have seen that I have a couple of tubes placed around my apartment and one in every purse or tote. They rightly guessed that I can perpetually use a restock. 

The Effaclar Duo Treatment is not just an acne spot treatment, it’s a magic elixir. It gets rid of painful emerging cysts, sterilizes blemishes, lightens dark spots, shrinks pores, and more. 

Vivienne Westwood Croc-Effect Leather Tote Bag

Kate Spade Monroe Twist Gold-tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

GNX by Kendrick Lamar Vinyl Record

Jonathan Adler Pill Box

Urban Outfitters Cherry Table Lamp

Hill House Home The Nina Pajama Set

Miss Dior Mini Miss Eau de Parfum Solid Perfume

Hobby Gift Sewing Basket