Use This K-Beauty Holiday Wish List to Shop for the Beauty Fanatic in Your Life (2024)

Wish lists were never a thing in my family, but I’m embracing the tradition now to make things easier for everyone in my circle. Why now, you may ask? Because I know I’m that friend who is really hard to gift. As a shopping editor and K-Beauty fanatic, I’m usually the first to hear, see, and test out all the shiny, new things in the beauty and skincare world. And as the resident, self-proclaimed K-Beauty expert, well, you can see why finding a present for me might feel like an impossible task.

So, I decided to create a wish list of K-Beauty makeup and skincare I have yet to try and favorites that I’ve run out of and need replenishing. There’s a whole range, which includes skincare-boosting beauty tools, anti-aging serums and creams, hydrating lip balms, and more. (P.S. Friends, if you’re seeing this article, everything that I listed is on early Black Friday sale, starting at just $12.)

9 Must-Have K-Beauty Gifts

• Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, $150 (was $228)
• VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence, $18 (was $44)
• Rejuran Nutritive Cream, $32 (was $39)
• Glow Not Dry Concealer, $24 ($29)
• Aou Matte Lip Balm, $14 (was $20)
• Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defence Ampoule Face Mist, $30 (was $37)
• Rejuran Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, $64 (was $80)
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Travel Kit, $25 (was $30)
• Abib Quick Sunstick SPF 50+, $12 (was $15)

Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Fall and winter means dry, tight skin—and mine has gotten progressively dryer with age. This Medicube Age-R Booster Pro has been all over my social media, with beauty influencers and celebs like Hailey Bieber who use it to boost and maximize skincare absorption. And better-absorbed skincare means you’re getting the most out of your products for the best effects.

VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence

VT Cosmetics went viral for its microneedle serum in a bottle (a favorite of mine), but I’m keen on trying the PDRN 100 Essence that’s said to help improve your skin’s elasticity. The vegan formula is made with Korean ginseng, which is a natural antioxidant that also protects and improves your skin from damage.

Rejuran Nutritive Cream

Rejuran is a hot brand in South Korea. The brand is used at top skincare clinics for revitalizing skin by boosting collagen production. As a result, you’ll have fewer fine lines and firmer skin. While most skincare clinics administer Rejuran products via a needle, I’d rather opt for a topical cream with all the boosting ingredients that won’t pinch.

Glow Not Dry Concealer

I’ve used the same concealer since college, and I’m ready to try something else. I’ve had my eye on this Glow concealer after I saw a few makeup artists use it on K-Pop artists. It promises to blend seamlessly onto your skin as it conceals and brightens any discoloration.

Aou Matte Lip Balm

Full disclosure: I have the glowy version of the Aou lip balm and absolutely love it. Now, I want to try the matte version. Lately, I’m going for more berry shades of lipsticks and lip balms, and the Cold Balm color looks like it would be a perfect addition to my collection.

Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defence Ampoule Face Mist

Again, colder seasons means dryer skin. I usually carry around a small face mist in my purse for the days I’m not working from home or heading out to meet my friends, and I admit that the shape and design of this mist was what caught my attention. After looking more into it, it turns out it’s a favorite among Korean beauty gurus and makeup artists for hydrating before makeup application and after to add an extra glow.

Rejuran Anti-Aging Retinol Serum

I am a serum girlie; I rotate through several products depending on my skin’s needs and how it feels. This serum, unlike the cream mentioned above, features retinol to further help with anti-aging. And while I don’t have wrinkles, I want to boost whatever I can early to prevent fine lines later on.

Skin004 Madagascar Centella Travel Kit

I have gone through two of these travel kits, and I will probably need another soon as I’m traveling more often than usual. It comes with a cleansing oil, cleansing foam, toner, ampoule, and face cream to cover every step of your skincare routine. The centella is also perfect for calming your skin—something you often need on long travel days.

Abib Quick Sunstick SPF 50+

An oldie but a goodie, this Abib Sunstick was my first introduction to SPF in a stick form. It glides over makeup, and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. If anything, you’ll get a bit of a glow. I haven’t had it in a while, because I’ve been testing so many different sunscreen products, but I would love to have this back in my rotation.

If beauty and skincare isn’t what you’re looking for, there are hundreds of other early Black Friday deals that you can score now ahead of the holidays. Find gifts for the avid reader in your life, most-wished for Le Creuset dutch ovens, and more now while everything is still marked down and in stock.