Beauty Gifts Under $50 Mum Will Actually Use (and Love)
April 30 | 3 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair
Viral lip gloss, a capsule fragrance wardrobe, a better sleep in a spritz - as a mum, and beauty editor, I can say with absolute confidence that your mum will be thrilled (and impressed) with these MECCA gifts, all of which are under $50.
Lip Gifts Under $50
A swipe of hydrating, high-shine gloss or lipstick is the easiest beauty upgrade. And anyway, it’s simply not possible to have too many lip products in our handbags or car. Choose a viral favourite, like Summer Fridays' Lip Butter Balm or Gisou's Honey Infused Lip Oil, a flattering shade of MECCA MAX’s Pout Pop Lipstick, or Tower 28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly, a gloss, tint and moisturising lip oil in one. Since these are well under the $50 mark, you might even be able to show mum double the lip love without doubling your spend.
Skincare Gifts Under $50
You can’t go wrong with multitasking products that turn any moment (making lunches, putting kids to bed for example) into a mini skin reset. LOOPS’ Weekly Reset Rejuvenating Hydrogel Eye Mask and Patchology’s Moodpatch Happy Place gels do this, without requiring a lie down, and feel far more luxe than the price tags suggest. Pilates or gym-loving mum? Tell her to pop Mario Badescu’s Repairing Facial Spray With Hypochlorous Acid in her bag or car – a few spritzes onto her face post workout and the hypochlorous acid will kill any breakout-causing bacteria.
Fragrance Gifts Under $50
Discovery sets are the scents to gift, allowing your recipient to try on a brand’s entire collection of beautiful smells before committing to one bottle. They also slip unnoticed into any bag or pocket, no matter how small (mums love that!). Floral Street’s Fragrance Discovery Set and TOCCA’s Eau de Parfum Mini Discovery Set are like capsule wardrobes of easy-to-wear classics. Let her enjoy experimenting with Escentric Molecules’ Escentric 2ml Discovery Set, featuring five of the brand’s shapeshifting scents. The Good Night Pillow Mist from Melbourne-born brand kit: recently launched to rave reviews thanks to its ability to put racing minds to rest – mum won’t know what hit her!
Makeup Gifts Under $50
A swipe-and-go flush or a slick of eye-opening mascara, these makeup gifts aren’t about a full face (she probably has no time for that, anyway) – they’re the perfect little beauty pick-me-ups that will brighten her look and her day. Impress her with something from NYC-cool brand Glossier, like the Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush which blends like an absolute dream and cannot be messed up. The most iconic mascara of all, Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara in a soft Chocolate hue is perfect for her no-makeup-makeup, runaround days. I guarantee she’s considered replacing her current makeup brushes – and will appreciate you doing it for her with the Morphe Portrait Mode 5-Piece Face Brush Set.
Hair Gifts Under $50
Whether she's air-drying, heat styling or just trying to make it to out of the house looking semi-put together, these bring salon-worthy results without the effort. Upgrade her regular hair routine with Nécessaire’s Rosemary Shampoo to strengthen strands and protect the scalp, Ceremonia’s deeply nourishing Guava Leave In Conditioner or Briogeo’s Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush. Add a Kitsch Satin Scrunchie Set – they’re extra gentle on hair, chic on wrists and never seem to be where you left them.
Body Care Gifts Under $50
Mums want gifts they’ll actually use. But you can go one better with something that also feels indulgent, like the pH Perfect Body + Hand Wash from sustainably-minded Aotearoa (New Zealand) brand sans [ceuticals], which includes ceramides, vitamin B and antioxidants to keep skin smooth and supple. Or Frank Body’s Barrier Body Crème, formulated like the skincare she uses on her face, and a MECCA favourite for transforming dry, flakey limbs with little effort. Slightly left-field but guaranteed to impress, French plant-powered nail care brand manucurist’s Active Glow is her at-home shortcut to the ‘your-nails-but-better’ manicure movement, delivering nourishing ingredients, a subtle rosy tint and glossy shine.
