The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
10 best Christmas beauty gifts for £10 or less: Hand cream crackers, sleep spray sets and Byoma baubles
Stocking fillers, secret-Santa gifts and purse-friendly presents – these are the bargain beauty buys we’re hoping will be under our tree
Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts
Sign up for our free IndyBest email
Christmas is nearly here, and, if you’re anything like us, you’re still panic-buying presents, hanging lights and ordering in a feast of festive food to devour on the big day.
This year, we may be cutting back on Christmas spending, with the cost of living increase not too far from anyone’s mind. But you don’t have to spend a small (or big) fortune to show a special someone you care. In fact, you don’t have to give a gift at all – the whole point of Christmas is getting together with your loved ones, right?
For those who would consider it a crime to forgo gift-giving (guilty as charged), we’re already testing out the most brilliant and best things to buy, from iPhones and e-bikes to mattresses and alcohol, ready to spread yuletide glee in style. And beauty is, of course, one of the most popular picks for many too.
Hand cream crackers, skincare baubles, perfumes in pretty gift boxes et al are in no short supply, and we’ve curated a handpicked edit of our tester’s favourite treats. The best part is they’re all a tenner or less, so, whether you’re after stocking fillers, a secret-Santa steal or just want to keep things cheap and cheerful this Christmas, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll be updating this list as new beauty buys drop from all our favourite brands in the run-up to the big Christmas countdown, so be sure to check back every now and again for a fresh list of favourites for all your friends and family.
Read more:
How we tested
We’ve included our beauty tester’s favourite finds within the budget, be it a hand cream or hair serum, testing each one as best we can to confirm it makes a great gift. The more festive, the better, so expect products hidden within Christmas crackers, baubles and gorgeous gift boxes to dominate – and save you the hassle of wrapping, too.
Next set of two novelty beauty sponges: £6, Next.co.uk
We love everything about these festive beauty sponges. Not only are they housed in a super-sweet reindeer-painted box, they even come with a Christmas tree tag, meaning you don’t have to lift a finger to wrap them. Inside are two white, egg-shaped beauty sponges for easy application of foundation and concealer.
Neal’s Yard Remedies dreamy nights sleep duo body care gift set: £10, Johnlewis.com
Neal’s Yard Remedies is a go-to brand for eco-friendly beauty buffs, and we don’t know anyone who would be disappointed with this mini gift set. Housing an 8ml pillow mist and 9ml relaxation oil roll, it’s the perfect pick-me-up for those who want to sleep soundly – so, almost everyone we can think of then. And, if the lavender-infused scent wasn’t enough of a selling point, it comes in a gorgeous gift box, too, so you needn’t worry about wrapping.
St. Moriz get glowing gift set: £9, Stmoriz.co.uk
Housing a 300ml medium tanning mousse, tan mitt, nude shimmer lip gloss and a liquid highlighter, this is one large gift for just £9. The St. Moriz brand was named the best budget fake tan in our guide to the best ones to buy, with our tester raving about its advanced formula and natural-looking finish. As self-tan lovers, we were incredibly impressed with this set and the price point just perked it up even more.
This Works soothe and sleep cracker set: £9, Boots.com
This Works is famous for its soothing sleep sprays, and this festive cracker is a great find to introduce anyone to the brand. Housing a 5ml deep sleep pillow spray and stress check mood manager, it’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face – especially those who are impossible to buy for.
Nursem caring hand cream: £9.99, Nursem.co.uk
For those who like to give back at Christmas, Nursem could be the perfect brand for you. For every product bought, Nursem gives a month’s worth of its beauty products for free to a nurse or midwife, meaning not only are you gifting your lucky recipient but also another fantastically hardworking human. The hand cream itself is also great, including key ingredients such as Manuka honey, white willow extract and pro-vitamin B5 to nourish the skin while also being suitable for eczema-prone, psoriasis-prone and sensitive skin.
Percy & Reed little luxuries set: Was £10, now £7.50, Lookfantastic.com
If looking for a gift for someone with a fabulous head of hair, this is one fail-safe find. Included in this gorgeous gift box is a 30ml wonder balm, which helps to tame frizz and prep hair for styling, and a 50ml session hold hairspray that keeps hairs in place without a sticky finish. With party season soon to be in full swing, we’d strongly encourage this as a gift to give ahead of Christmas morning, so, secret Santa, here’s looking at you. Out of stock at the mo, they’re coming back in soon – just add to your wishlist to receive an in stock email notification.
Natures Remedy postable pamper box: £4.50, Asda.com
Our favourite part of this pamper box is the fact it can fit through the letterbox, meaning your lucky recipient doesn’t have to be in to receive it. Housing two 15ml shower gels, body lotions and body scrubs, as well as a mini set of bath crystals and everything you need to turn it into a gorgeous gift – tissue paper and a gift card – it’s a real steal at under £5.
Ghost deep night 10ml gift set: £10, Boots.com
All of the gifts in this guide can be considered a bargain at £10 or under, but this Ghost option seems particularly special. Sitting within a decorative keepsake gift tin, a mini deep night perfume and pink-toned highlighter are the stars of the show. No corners have been cut, as the 10ml perfume is in an adorable mini glass moon-shaped bottle, and the highlighter isn’t too small either. For a tenner, this may be our favourite find and is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Bondi Sands self-tanning dark foam Christmas cracker: £9.99, Bondisands.co.uk
Festive fake tan finds aren’t hard to come by, so we’ve got another cracking option – pun fully intended. Inside the baby blue cracker is a 100ml dark self-tan foam from the bestselling brand. We named a similar version “best for quick absorption” in our best fake tan guide, and this one works just as well. Plus, it’s perfect for travelling thanks to its miniature size.
Byoma brightening duo bauble: £10, Boots.com
Byoma prides itself on being a bargain beauty brand, with many of its bestsellers falling under £20. So, we’re thrilled to see it has brought this same savvy-saving mentality to its Christmas collection. With a 15ml brightening serum and 15ml gel moisturiser, both housed in adorable bauble-shaped packaging, it’s sure to brighten up anyone’s day. Our tester is now a firm fan of these products too, as though they are small, they are quite mighty.
Voucher codes
For the latest discounts on more beauty offers, try the below links:
Looking for more gift guides? Read our review of the best gifts for sisters that she will love (and you’ll want to borrow)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.