Cool People With Good Taste/Gift Guide 2
founders, authors, designers & others on what they have and what they want
Hello hello,
I’m writing this intro somewhere above Alaska en route to Japan. The business class amenity kits have mini Joanna Vargas hand cream and every bathroom on this flight has D.S.&Durga Big Sur After Rain hand soap—my favorite! Things seem pretty good from 36,000 feet in the air, but unfortunately I don’t think I can take up permanent residence in seat 1H.
When we decided on our honeymoon dates back in August we were strategic about November 7th—hoping we’d be leaving on a celebratory high but otherwise ready to flee the country. We are going to be traveling around Japan for almost three weeks and I refuse to let Tuesday—and the overwhelming sadness, anger and fear—ruin it. We have a once in a lifetime trip to celebrate, relax, bask in the company of each other and explore a country we’ve been dreaming about visiting for years. Writing this is giving myself permission as much as it is providing an explanation—it feels weird to continue on with gift guides, but everything feels weird right now and I worked overtime last month preparing them to make less work for myself while I’m away. I appreciate you deciding to use your energy to read them.
I know a lot of us could use a temporary distraction and while unfortunately I can’t provide you with a trip to Japan, I can help with some virtual retail therapy. I asked some people I deem cool, with good taste, to tell me about the best beauty-related gifts they’ve ever received and what, if anything, is on their wishlist this year. To get the best answers, I gave a broad definition of beauty-related: anything in the skin/hair/makeup/body/general pampering or esthetic enhancement category, including tools and services.
If their answers leave you inspired, you’re in luck—you still have time to tell me about the best beauty related gifts you’ve ever received. I’ll publish your answers anonymously in one of my next gift guides.
Most of the products mentioned will be on sale in the next few weeks, if not already, but I do have a few call outs you might find compelling right now. Just wait until you see the last one ;)
Anything with an * is on sale right now.
Mentioned a few times below (and by me in the past), I have a feeling the LILIS Korean Body Resurfacing Set is going to be a top gift this season. You can get 15% off at LILIS with code JOLDEF and a free bath wrap with purchases over $100. (Use my code because it’s not otherwise on sale!)
This post will cut off in your email, but I promise you don’t want to miss out on reading Addison’s entire list. Alright, let’s go!
Kelsey McKinney, writer, host of Normal Gossip, author of You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip, out February 11.
Best gift:
The best gifts, in my opinion, are things you desperately want but did not know existed or would never buy yourself. At my company, Defector Media, everyone gets a good birthday gift, and this year my co-owner Giri sent me the Loewe small tomato scented candle. I would never buy this for myself because it's opulent and insane, and I love it so much. I save it for when I've had a bad week and use it to calm down. I cannot wait to light it in the depths of winter and remember summer exists.
On my beauty wishlist:
My beauty wishlist is so short and also so basic. I want the ZIIP that you recommended. And I want to be the kind of person who uses it consistently.
Roya Shariat, Director of Social Impact + Communications at Glossier, Cookbook Author, and Author of newsletter, Consumed.
The best beauty-related gift I've ever received is of course one I bought for myself, the beauty advent calendar to end all advent calendars, the Liberty London one. It had everything from Augustinus Bader to Le Labo perfume to Susanne Kaufman bath salts — every day had a new, delightful surprise and the design of the calendar itself, an illustrated version of the iconic Liberty Department store, made it beautiful enough to keep on display in my living room. I think Liberty London do a great job of beauty curation overall, and their advent calendar is a bit of a splurge but a nice way to experience the joy of their beauty hall from a distance!
Thanks to you and Sofie Pavitt, the CurrentBody LED Face Mask is on my wishlist this year! I'm curious if I can spend some FSA dollars on it. [Ed. Note: you can!! FSA eligible, baby!]
Chantal Hughes, Fashion Consultant
The best beauty gift I ever received was a Tom Ford perfume - Santal Blush* from my bestie on my 30th birthday. She knew I never wore perfume and that I kept spraying this particular one on me whenever I’d go to Bergdorf Goodman (which was about once a week when I worked for The Row). She knew I was having a hard time justifying the cost of said perfume and surprised me with it for my birthday at a party she hosted to celebrate my big 3-0!
On my wishlist this year are facials from Practise NYC and an Omnilux LED neck mask*!
And a bonus beauty gift I’ll be gifting: Li Organics face mist* and LILIS Body Resurfacing Peel**! (**JOLDEF for 15% off)
Elizabeth Goodspeed, I'm an independent graphic designer who specializes in brand identities and print. I'm also a freelance writer (currently I'm the US Editor-at-Large for the creative publication It's Nice That), and publish a substack newsletter about ephemera and design history called Casual Archivist
Best gift:
I know popular wisdom says to never buy perfume for anyone else, but my older sister gets me perfume for the holidays every year and she always nails it. Two favorites she's picked out over the years are Skylar Pink Canyon* (a fresh and salty scent that I wear all summer) and Caswell Massey Marem* (a sexy scent originally created in 1914 for silent film actress Marem Levanton)
My other sister, a much-cooler-than-me high school senior, introduced me to an amazing eyeshadow palette by Claropysche a few years ago called "Psyche's Box" that has a ton of hyper pigmented flat colors in all shades of the rainbow. My makeup skills are pretty paltry but these look amazing even when I just apply them to my lid quickly with zero effort. They don't sell the exact palette I have anymore, but their Butterfly Palette* is just as fun.
Wishlist:
I'm honestly a bit beauty-illiterate, so most of my wishlist is centered on simple upgrades to a lot of esthetic basics—swapping the Mrs. Meyer's hand soap in our bathroom for something bougie like this Fir & Cardamom* one I found on Finnish Design Shop, or my drugstore shampoo for a to-be-determined fancy shampoo bar—or re-upping on my favorites, like Dieux's Instant Angel Moisturizer*, Jao Goē Oil*, and (if I won't be shamed for it), the Clinique Black Honey lipstick* and tubing mascara I've been wearing since high school.
I worked at a design studio called RoAndCo from 2018-2019, and while I was there we did the branding for a med-spa called Ever/Body*—part of our comp was a 30% friends and family discount which I have been using to get Hydrafacial there ever since. Sadly, they unceremoniously sunsetted our discount this year when they rebranded (boo), so my wishlist this year now, by force, also includes getting a few full-priced Hydrafacials somewhere else.
Katie Stone, brand consultant / freelance writer, creator of Plant Based, a substack about wellness + beauty
I can't say for certain this is the best beauty-related item I've ever bought myself, but it definitely comes close — the Soft Services Buffing Bar*. I'll admit, I didn't realize that keratosis pilaris (aka chicken skin) could be cured until I learned about this bar of soap. I now use it most days of the week and my skin has never been so soft. I actually love this soap so much that I went ahead and purchased the Soap Home* accessory for it. I really don't shut the hell up about it.
So many wishlist items are beauty related!
I am dying to know what's so special about the LYMA laser*
Everything Marie Veronique makes, particularly the Balancing HypoTonic*, the Barrier Restore Serum*, and the Multi Retinol Night Emulsion*
Lymphatic Drainage at IMD Beauty Spa!
Sam Verdile, writer at Airbnb, above-average beauty enthusiast & member of my (Jolie’s) personal board of directors
Best gift:
Product: BioEffect 30-Day Serum*. Such a splurge but literally cured my dry skin after years of trying and failing
Service: Eyelash extensions. Instant gratification every time. Can’t put a price on waking up feeling good
Wishlist:
That led mask* you are swearing by, actually
Sue Greene, co-founder of skincare brand, WYLYS
Best beauty-related gift:
When I was in Korea a few years back, my sister took me to her neighborhood day spa for a facial. Because my skin is sensitive and tends to be very reactive I don't usually get facials, but I was promised the estheticians at this place were top notch and that they would know exactly what to do and what not to do. And my sister was right! I was given the most gentle yet thorough hydrating facial that I will remember for a long time. The products used were all from Darphin*, which I enjoyed very much, also.
Wishlist:
V-Beam Laser for redness. I keep meaning to look into this treatment but putting off because I'm afraid of something going wrong and damaging my skin instead. Meanwhile I am diligent in taking care of my skin via consistent daytime and nighttime skincare routines.
Annie Martin, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships @ Prenuvo
Best gifts:
Facial with Jolie 🤗
Haircuts at Jenna Perry Hair with Jessica Gillin
Wishlist:
under eye PRP
if I had room for it, a cold plunge tub
Jill Arielle Ferree, Founder of Sun-ny Side Up 😊 we support, curate and conceptualize ideas and experiences for a community of talent and brands
Best gift:
My starting lineup is pretty simple and doesn’t change much, but recently I feel like I upped my game with the Skinbetter Exfoliating Pads. It’s such a quick effective resurfacing moment. The BioEffect 30-Day Treatment* was one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had with a product. Everyday I could see and feel my skin was getting more plump and moisturized. It was the first time in a while that I actually stuck with a new product for full 30 days. Go me, go BioEffect. Also shout out to you Jolie because you got me on the BioEffect train.
Wishlist:
I’d like to tap back into the BioEffect world. Another 30 day treatment, maybe the Power Eye Cream*? The BioEffect Essence* was really nice too. I’ve heard Typology is really legit . It’s a French brand so there’s mad respect there already – packaging/formulas are A1. I’d like to try the P61 - Purifying Night Serum Botanical Blend With Peony
Serra and Eva Levent, Co-founders, Cool as a Cucumber Skincare
Serra’s Best Gift:
Dyson Airwrap* - gift from my sister (Eda). The best beauty gift ever because I use it almost daily and it helps me feel somewhat put together with the least amount of effort. A good hair is an immediate lift me up.
Serra’s Wishlist:
Hmmm, I want to indulge in a few luxury makeup products this year. I've really honed in on my palette, purged my makeup drawer, and am left with only the products that I love and use all the time. I'm excited to add a few more this holiday season.
Eda’s Best Gift:
Two game-changers for me: First, my Celluma mask. Yes, it's an investment, but the science behind it is solid and the results are undeniable when I use it consistently. Second, and perhaps more unexpectedly, my sister introduced me to acupuncturist Nicholas Sieben in NY. He's become my go-to wellness gift recommendation for others now. His expertise helped me resolve significant gut and hormonal issues, which transformed my skin health in the process.
Eda’s Wishlist:
My winter self-care dream combo: Ortigia's Fico D'india Bath Oil paired with the Maria Santa Novella Body Cream. There's nothing like a long, luxurious bath during the cold months.
Addison Cain, consumer trends expert and the Insights & Marketing Lead at Spate
As for gifts I've purchased myself and/or have received...
My mom has gifted me several electrolysis sessions. Unfortunately, I'm not at a stage in my life where my schedule allows me to be as consistent as this requires to be 100% effective. HOWEVER, when I was regularly doing electrolysis, it was so nice to not have to worry about mustache and chin hair but every couple of months. Since I've slowed down on electrolysis, I swear by the Finishing Touch Flawless Hair Remover*.
In the past, I've given a few people (and myself) the Mutha Body Set*. Skincare and makeup are so personal that it can be difficult to gift just anyone a serum or bronzer, for example. However, I've yet to meet a person who doesn't absolutely love to receive luxe body care. The Mutha Body Butter and Body Oil are so incredibly rich and moisturizing that they are exceptional for winter weather. This year, they have a holiday gift set with a dry brush, but the products are smaller. IMO, splurge on the full-sized duo.
More body care! Our friend and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Helen Shin, has a brand called Lilis** that's inspired by Korean Bathhouse Culture. The Body Resurfacing Set is great for gifting, and highly effective for a time of year when regular exfoliation is essential. (**JOLDEF for 15% off)
Soft Services is an easily giftable brand for its focus on the body care space (citing the same reasons as above — luxe body care = great gift). I'm almost out of my Soft Services x DS&Durga Debaser Buffing Bar.* I'll likely be repurchasing this product in the Green Banana variation *for myself, and maybe a couple friends. Theraplush* is also an excellent gift, if not only for its gorgeous jar (ring dish on top!) [Ed. Note: I use this religiously and had no idea about this function!!!]
I bought this Merit The Dress Code Set for myself as soon as it came out, and these three lipsticks (in various new/limited edition shades and finishes) are already my most worn lips of the winter. If you're into gifting lipsticks, I'd say these or one of the Westman Atelier Lip Suede Palettes.
I also love to gift myself fragrance education, from online classes to sample kits to monthly Substack subscriptions. Fragrance is a hobby, and often a pricey one. During the holidays and when I have any time off, I love the opportunity to read and learn. This includes playing with samples, doing my best to guess the notes, reading up on pieces by my friends in the space on Substack, and settling in with books like 1001 Perfumes by Daniel Barros.
My wishlist...
A membership to Bathhouse Flatiron — which is just a couple blocks away from me — would be great. I absolutely love that there's an activity for NYC in the winter that is very warm & cozy and doesn't include booze.* Every time I go and sweat/do a cold plunge, I feel so restored. This is crucial during the time of the holiday party. (*Unless you'd like a glass of sauvignon blanc at the Bathhouse cafe every now and then.)
Stora Skuggan Thumbsucker has been on my list since I smelled it in a gift shop in Sweden this summer. It's a powdery cherry scent that doesn't come across as cloying or overly sweet. As the description on Lucky Scent says, it smells "beguilingly vintage." It's not something I would blindly give to others, however. That would be either Jovoy Musc Pallas or Merit Retrospect*, both broadly appealing and inoffensive to most.
The Eye Shadow Multi Tint in Hidden Brown from Addiction Tokyo is a beautiful, swipe-on eye product that will create a perfect, easy holiday smoky eye. Note that this one is more about a good time than a long time.
My wishlist this year is also quite wearables-focused. I love the glass jewelry by Justine Menard, this Rachel Comey Fiamma top, Ozma Raw Silk tees*, and Susana Vega Ear Cuffs* (which I think would be a fun addition to my wedding look). I own two Ozma Raw Silk tees, and they're incredible. It's a classic, t-shirt silhouette with a unique silk noil jersey; unique and extremely comfortable.
Thanks for reading! I’m off to explore the walls of SPF lip balm at the drugstore. Love you, mean it.
xx,
Jolie