Trust Me—These 15 Beauty Buys Make Perfect Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts
From budget-friendly to splurge-worthy, we've got you covered.
In case you forgot, Mother's Day is just a few days away, and if you have yet to find a gift for the special woman in your life, you're not alone. Personally, this is a hurdle I run into almost every year, and most of the people I know are often in the same boat. If there's one thing I can always rely on though, it's beauty products. Sure, there are probably some other gift ideas worth looking into, but trust me when I say beauty buys never fail.
Still, I do recognize that as a beauty editor, I'm constantly aware of all of the latest launches and products, so that naturally makes the process a little bit easier. But I've never been a fan of gatekeeping, and I honestly love giving gift recommendations to the people in my life to make their shopping process less stressful as well. So I figured why not put together a list for our readers?
Ahead, you'll find 15 products across several categories, including skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and tools. Each category has three recommendations at various price points, so you're guaranteed to find something that puts a smile on your mom's face without having to stress over your budget. Keep reading to see my top picks.
Makeup
Can't lie, I felt a personal obligation to include this stunning palette from Laura Geller after getting it for my mom a few years back. She loved that it had everything she needed (three eyeshadows, a sun-kissed bronzer, and two highlighter shades). And in case you didn't know this brand is known for how well the formulas work on mature skin, so trust that you can't go wrong with this pick.
If your mom uses makeup regularly, odds are she's been using the same makeup brushes for… well, a long time. Whether you're already buying her new makeup and want an additional add-on or you just noticed that she needs to restock on some fresh brushes, consider getting her a full set like this one from Sephora. Unlike a lot of other sets on the market, this one comes with brushes for face and eye makeup. Plus, it comes with a travel-friendly pouch that she can take with her on the go.
If you're willing to splurge and want an all-in-one kind of gift, this set from BlueMercury is worth every penny. you'll get 10 full-sized products and one mini product that includes everything from nailcare to skincare and makeup. When you add up all the products (in addition to the beautiful pink case that it comes in) you'll get a $374 set for just $125.
Skincare
If you want to give your mom a spa-like experience without breaking the bank, gift her this eucalyptus body wash from Necessaire. It contains vitamin C/E and omega 6/9 to nourish skin, while vitamin B3 supports the sin barrier. She can expect an earthy scent and softer, more supple skin.
I don't know who needs to hear this, but sunscreen is such an underrated gift. It's one of those things that a lot of people skip out on in their daily skincare routine when we really should be putting it on every day of the year no matter the season or the weather. It's safe for sensitive skin and can be worn under makeup. Plus, it reduces the appearance of previous sun damage.
Why buy your mom just one skincare item when you can gift her with a whole set. This super cute travel bag contains everything she'll need for a full routine including a full-size Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream, travel-size Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Eye Balm, Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, and Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Power Bounce Cream. All of which contain nourishing ingredients to reduce signs of aging for a more luminous complexion.
Hair
If your mom is big on haircare, she might appreciate this mini set from Olaplex. For less than $30, she'll receive a No.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment (a pre-shampoo) and the Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil for major shine. It's a great opportunity to test the waters with this brand if she hasn't tried it already.
As someone who owns two of these, I can't recommend a satin pillowcase enough. It works wonders for keeping hair frizz-free overnight and reduces breakage that tends to come from standard cotton pillowcases. It's available in 16 colors, so you have plenty of ways to pair them with the rest of her bedroom set.
If your mom colors her hair or uses heat tools often, her hair will love this mini set from K18. Specifically formulated for damaged hair of all textures, you'll get the Peptide Prep™ Clarifying Detox Shampoo, Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, and HeatBounce™ Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant to treat everything from split ends to scalp buildup. Consider this her rescue kit that'll revive her strands.
Fragrance
Some fragrances can be pricey, but a budget-friendly option is this Nest New York rollerball. It's great for any mom that's constantly on the go but always wants to smell fresh. This scent in particular has fresh notes of coconut, solar frangipani, and creamy sandalwood.
If you're willing to splurge a little more and want more options, she'll love this Jo Malone London set. The trio features Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Peony & Blush Suede, and Nectarine Blossom & Honey. Gift the set on its own or include them as Mother's Day stocking stuffers and pair it with other items.
Le Labo is one of those chic brands that people are always buzzing about, so it was only right to include it on our list. Sure, the price tag is up there, but it'll give her the chance to test out some of the best-selling fragrances without fully committing to a full-sized bottle that would cost double the price.
Tools
This is another pick that my mom is big fan of for an at-home spa experience. If you mom has never tried either of these, she can use this in tandem with her skincare or she can put it in the freezer and use them as de-puffing tools. Plus, the rose quartz is so elegant.
Anyone who loves face masks can appreciate this pick. The Theraface Mask Glo With Vibration Therapy is a dermatologist-approved, FDA-cleared LED mask that combines red infrared and blue light for improved skin tone, texture, and firmness. It also has three vibration settings that can relax, refresh, or relieve, depending on your needs.
If you're looking at this thing and scratching your head over what it is and how it works, let me break it down. With the help of red light therapy (620-660nm), this helmet energizes the hair follicles and supports scalp health thicker, fuller hair. It only requires 10 minutes of daily use for results that show up over 12 weeks. Is it a commitment? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes. Bonus: it comes with built-in Bluetooth audio headphones for a truly relaxing experience.
