From Down Under With Love: The Best Beauty Gifts from Australia and Aotearoa
October 16 | 4 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair and Izzy Wight
Originally published on October 16
If you were thinking of wrapping up certain iconic choccie biccies, savoury toast spreads, pineapple lumps or souvenir tea towels, may we suggest you think again?
They’ll be overjoyed when the postie delivers home-grown beauty instead! Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand)’s beauty brands reflect what life here actually feels like, with formulas, textures and scents anchored in a kind of ease that comes from our laid-back lifestyle. In other words, everything your loved ones are probably missing most at this time of year.
Here’s what to gift from Down Under’s best beauty exports.
Austrailan SPF
You can’t find sunscreen like ours overseas, and MECCA COSMETICA’s are famously hard to beat, facing the highest testing standards (and some of the harshest rays) before they ever reach your shelf. Back just for the holidays, MECCA COSMETICA’s SPF icons are dressed in display-worthy, limited-edition packaging from MECCA’s 2026 Holiday artist, Tai Snaith. Makeup wearers will love TO SAVE FACE SPF50+ Superscreen, a satiny matte, weightless, non-greasy formula that sits beautifully under foundation and has no white cast. Meanwhile, TO SAVE FACE SPF50+ Brightening Sun Serum is glowy skincare and SPF in one – best if you know your recipient isn’t into multiple steps in the morning.
And for the globe-trotting giftee? Naked Sundays' travel-sized, skincare-infused SPF essentials apply invisibly and are made to go with them anywhere. Top up their protection even further with crowd-pleasing limited-edition duos: try the Rosy Glow Kit or Sunkissed Glow Kit.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
Makeup They're Missing
Sadly for expats, some of the best, most effortless makeup staples aren't available outside of Australia or Aotearoa (New Zealand). We wouldn’t hesitate to wrap up MECCA MAX’s limited-edition Glimmer of Shimmer Mini Gloss Boss Trio; they’re the most comfortable, shiny-not-sticky glosses, and with three shades to choose from, your giftee can leave a tube in each handbag.
If it's festive flavours they're into, treat them to one of Lanolips' limited-edition 101 Ointment Multi-Balms: Toffee Apple, Cinnamon Roll or Cherry Chocolate. Born on an Aussie sheep farm, the award-winning formula is the shortcut to soft, hydrated lips.
For those chasing a year-round summer glow, MECCA COSMETICA's limited-edition IN A GOOD LIGHT Illuminating Palette is back for the holidays with four finely milled powder shades to brighten, bronze, flush and highlight. Or, if you really want to spoil the beauty lover in your life, gift them MECCA MAX's Midnight Countdown 12-Piece Beauty Advent Calendar – a dozen petite beauty surprises to get them in the Holiday spirit.
Love Notes From Home
It instantly feels more special to gift a scent they can’t find where they currently live. Founded by Australian pop icon Troye Sivan, TSU LANGE YOR's Yallingup Incense is an ode to sun-baked West Australian summers. Created in collaboration with Australian lifestyle brand Gentle Habits, the delicate incense sticks will fill their room with the scent of eucalyptus, cedarwood and sweet, cold pineapple.
Unsure of your giftee's fragrance tastes? Make the decision simple by choosing one of kit:’s Functional Fragrances. Crafted with pure Australian essential oils (and without alcohol), these roll-on scents are subtle, botanical and yes, functional. Unwind is a lavender blend designed to lull racing minds to sleep, Energy is a citrus-cedarwood scent for 3pm slumps and Calm's notes of black pepper and eucalyptus will soothe in moments of stress.
Say G'day and Kia ora to Glowing Skin
The best skincare gifts are the ones that suit all skin types – and require minimal thought. That's the logic behind MECCA COSMETICA’s The Weekender set: mini versions of the brand's gentle, nourishing essentials, in convenient carry-on sizes for your favourite overseas traveller.
And it's impossible to write about homegrown skincare successes without mentioning the innovative work of Emma Lewisham. Founded and formulated in Aotearoa (New Zealand), it’s even been endorsed by a Nobel laureate! If they’ve never tried it before, The Heroes Set is the perfect introduction, while the new Capsule Hand & Nail Crème is the elevated version of the daily essential they always reach for.
Derived from the French word for 'without', Aotearoa-based brand sans [ceuticals] creates sensorial, active-packed skincare that plays nice with sensitive types. If they're adjusting to the frigid conditions of a northern hemisphere winter, let The Travel Edit bring back the balance. Housed in a carry on-friendly canvas bag, the set comes with six multitasking minis, including the brand's beloved Activator 7 Body + Hair + Face Oil. The heavenly blend of vitamin A, E and C will replace half the products in their travel bag: it's a body oil, shave oil, eye makeup remover and hair and face oil.
Feel-Good Favourites
