Nykaa Top 50: The Ultimate Best Friend Beauty Gift Guide, From Budget to Bougie

Let’s be honest, romances may ebb and flow, but your best friend? She’s the forever kind. As the great Phoebe Buffay once declared (iconically, might I add), “This is for life.” No footnotes necessary.

Friendship Day may be a Hallmark moment, but I treat it like a high holiday. Why? Because celebrating the person who knows your coffee order and your deepest fears deserves more than a generic “ILYSM” text. Whether it’s a Tuesday in July or a major milestone, spoiling your ride-or-die should be a sacred ritual.

And here’s where my beauty editor skills come into play: I live to scout out the chicest, cleverest, and most covetable gifts. Forget gift cards, your soulmate-in-friend-form deserves more. I’ve rounded up 50 of the most fabulous, heartfelt, and personality-packed presents for every type of bestie in your life, be it your soul sister, your long-distance lifeline, or the brother-from-another-mother who never judges your 2 a.m. texts.

From luxe splurges to budget-friendly brilliance, for the skincare savants, kitchen creatives, bookworms, and blanket hoarders, we’ve got them all. So go ahead. Make their day (and let their reaction make yours).

The Soul Sister

I don’t know about you, but girl, my bestie (hi Tash!) is literally my human diary, hype woman, and emergency contact, and ofc giving her something basic just won’t cut it. Think outside the predictable. A monogrammed silk pillowcase? Chic and skin-saving. An aesthetic matcha-themed skincare kit? Self-love ritual, upgraded. A limited-edition eyeshadow palette? Absolutely, especially if it's giving runway-ready shimmer. Luxe lip oils, gold-infused sheet masks, and a satin-lined cosmetic bag she’ll actually want to carry? Yes, yes, and yes. Bottom line: your bestie deserves a gift that says, I know you like no one else does.

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Unofficial Therapist

My guy best friend is literally the man who knows me better than I know myself, my rights, my wrongs, where I went wrong, and always the one to give me the guy's perspective for any situation. So when it comes to gifting him, it’s got to be as thoughtful and unexpectedly cool as he is. Enter: beauty gifts he never knew he needed. Think a luxe face cleanser that upgrades his routine, a clean cologne that smells like confidence, or a beard oil that says “well-groomed, not trying too hard.” Maybe even a tinted lip balm, subtle, effective, kind of iconic.

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The Whole Group

Gifting beauty to the entire friend circle? Iconic behavior. Whether it’s your skincare-obsessed roommate, your lipstick-hoarding brunch buddy, or your low-maintenance guy friend who secretly loves a good sheet mask, there’s a glow-up for everyone. Curate a mix of crowd-pleasers and personal picks: hydrating face mists for the always-on-the-go, dreamy nail polish sets for mani nights, and cult-fave lip treatments they’ll be addicted to. Don’t forget the gender-neutral hand creams or luxe travel-sized minis, they’re universally adored. Beauty gifts say, I see you, I love you, and your pores deserve the best. It’s glam, it’s thoughtful, and it looks so good in group pics.

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Budget Gifting

Gifting a whole crew without maxing out your card? Chic and strategic. Budget beauty doesn’t mean boring, it means curating small luxuries with big impact. Think under 500 gems like dewy lip balms, mini candles with major vibe, or travel-size serums that scream “skincare, but make it portable.” Sheet mask bundles can be split, wrapped, and adored. Personalise with handwritten notes and suddenly it’s thoughtful, not thrifty. Pro tip: matching mini gifts for the group = peak aesthetic.

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Luxe Gifting

Luxe beauty gifting is the ultimate flex, because your friends deserve a little decadence. We’re talking velvety lipsticks housed in gold cases, silk-wrapped hair tools, and serums that glow like liquid gold. Want to really impress? Go for a cult-favorite fragrance, a cashmere-infused body cream, or a facial tool that belongs on a top-shelf Instagram reel. These are the gifts that say I see your inner goddess and she needs a La Mer moment.

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Key Takeaways

At the end of the day, gifting is more than a transaction, it’s a love language. Whether you’re spoiling your bestie, your entire crew, or your ride-or-die guy, the perfect beauty gift reflects how well you know them. Luxe or budget, glam or glow, it's all about the thought (and the aesthetic). So go ahead, wrap it up in a bow, write that heartfelt note, and make their day sparkle.

FAQs

1. What’s a universal beauty gift that works for anyone?

   A hydrating lip balm, hand cream, or mini candle, chic, practical, and always loved.

2. How do I gift beauty products to someone with sensitive skin?

   Opt for clean, fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested picks, bonus points for minimalist packaging.

3. Can I create a DIY beauty gift set?

   Bundle minis or sheet masks by theme, self-care night, glow-up kit, or travel essentials.