Makeup gift sets are the easiest present to give, because they are already chosen and wrapped. These are the ones I would pick up for a friend, a sister or myself.

The Fenty Beauty Lip Vault is a ten-piece set of glosses and liners, the one for someone who loves lip products. tarte Don't Kiss & Tell is a trio of maracuja juicy lip products. Rare Beauty Hope Faves is a four-piece set of the brand's bestsellers. Clinique Soft Glam is a full makeup kit for a soft, everyday look. Laura Mercier A Taste of Caviar is a trio of mini Caviar Stick eye colors, great for travel. Yves Saint Laurent has a pink lip gloss and blush set. Dior Addict Lip Essentials is a small set of Dior lip favorites, and NUDESTIX Dreamy Easy Eyes Kit makes eye makeup simple.

Pairing tip: for a gift, pair a makeup set with a small skincare item from the next row. It feels more thoughtful than a single box.

What I would skip: a big makeup set for someone whose taste you do not know well. Shades are personal. Pick a lip set or a skincare set instead.

Skincare gift sets are a smart way to try a brand, and they often come in beautiful packaging. These are the ones I would give or keep.

Clarins Multi Active Skincare Starter is a good introduction to the brand. La Mer The Crème de La Mer Duet is the classic cream, twice. Augustinus Bader The Starter Kit with The Rich Cream is a set of the brand's core products. U Beauty The Essentials Set is a trio from Tina Chen Craig's brand to reset and renew skin. Susanne Kaufmann The Alpine Retreat Collection comes in an illustrated box inspired by the Austrian Alps. innisfree Green Tea PDRN Gift Set smooths and firms. Facile Core Four Set is a simple four-step routine, and MARA Sea The Glow Discovery Set is a glowy introduction to the brand.

How to use them: if you are keeping a set for yourself, use one product at a time for a week before adding the next. You will know exactly what works.

What I would skip: a skincare set for someone with very sensitive skin unless you know the brand suits them. New actives can cause irritation.

For a treat to yourself, pick a calendar from the first row and open it through December. For gifts, a lip set or a skincare set is the safest choice, since they suit almost anyone. Buy early, because the best calendars and sets are often gone by the start of December. Keep gift receipts and check which sets are limited edition. A thoughtful gift does not need to be big. It needs to feel chosen, and a small, well-picked set often means more than the largest box on the shelf.