To ask what perfume / make up to buy for my niece's 21st?

[DrizzleHair]

My niece is turning 21. She refuses to give me any ideas what she'd like for her bday. As does her mum, who when I asked for ideas for bday and also Xmas gave me a really snotty reply about how her kids weren't picky and would be grateful with anything. Nice sentiment, but I'd really like to spend money on something they like.

Anyway niece is turning 21 so I'm spending more thanmy normal ~£15 budget, happy to spend up to £50. At 21 I loved nice perfume and makeup, so since niece is a skint student and won't tell me any ideas, I'd like to get her something in this area. What are 21 year old into these days? What brand is desirable? She's not very well travelled etc and I'm sure she has quite normal taste for someone her age.

I will get a gift receipt so she can switch if she wants, but I'd like to at least attempt to get something vaguely appropriate

A Morphe pallette and a set of morphe brushes. Beauty Bay have some good deals on today. Good quality high pigment eyeshadow, in a wide range of colours to. Suit all skin tones

I'd say some of the most desirable brands are:

Charlotte Tilbury
Bobbi Brown
Mac
Jo Loves

But, especially the first two, are pretty pricy so £50 would probably get you two items. Do you think she'd get the whole quality/quantity thing?

Oh and the Urban Decay Naked pallet is pretty ubiquitous, I use mine almost every day (pls note: not in your niece's demographic).

Oh and Nars... my first ever posh makeup was by Nars...

Probably any nice eyeshadow palette would go down well. Either Urban Decay Naked or Smashbox's one would be my recommendation

Perfume wise, at 20 I loved Hugo deep red and Armarni code. Now I wear alien which is lovely.
Make up wise a new set of brushes would be a wonderful gift. I mostly use real techniques ones which always have a deal on somewhere. Nyx have got some new eyeshadow palettes out, if she likes a bit of shimmer the metals one is lovely!

Perfume I think Victor Rolf Bon Bon. Make up Mac, urban decay, boxum. I think it's really hard to buy perfume/make up for someone else though. How about giving her the money or getting a voucher so she can choose her own?

Mine like Benefit, Bare Minerals and Bobbi Brown.

Mac do a make up tutorial thing for £50 and then the money is used for buying products.

Thierry Mugler's Alien perfume is lovely, and that little bit different. My DD will wear nothing else. You should be able to get a really nice gift box with perfume, shower gel and body lotion for £50 easily.

I'm a teacher and asked my year 11 girls what they're in to so I could chose what to buy for my niece for Christmas. She's a bit younger than your niece (16) but they love the Morphe pallets. Reviews are very good. I'd recommend one of those.

I'd go all out and get her a Chanel lipstick and matching nail polish. Ask the consultant what would suit your niece based on her colouring (show her/him a photo). They are tiny, fancy, gifts and Chanel wrap them beautifully.

My DDs love MAC make-up which sometimes can be purchased in great (re-usable) bags. I also find a Victoria Secrets body sprays etc are gratefully received gifts, once again, because they are presented in packs that become useful for travelling.

I have been in love with marc Jacobs daisy since my parents first got it me the Christmas after my 21st birthday. I now get a bottle once a year

Urban decay products
Marc Jacobs Daisy
Prada Candy
Benefit products
Lush bath bomb set

Thanks for the ideas. I'll do some Internet research into those mentioned

Morphe
Juvias place
Too faced
Kat Von d
Urban decay

Perfume is harder but Bon Bon or Prada candy might go down well

YSL Black Opium is very popular with my DD (20) fashionista crew.

Bobbi Brown shimmer block

Fenty

There's an urban decay palette on sale at Selfridges (check the black Friday thread). If you pick up from store works out at £24

My eldest is 20 and loves mac make up. Spends an absolute fortune on it. I don't see the appeal personally but her and all her friends swear by mac.

Ooh yes totally Nars. It's well flex.

How about a Sephora voucher? Then she can choose herself.

Totally agree with the Fenty Beauty - maybe the Match Stix Trio? - the Naked palette and MAC tutorial suggestions.

I'm not sure I would risk a perfume but that's only because I've got strange taste (e.g. I can't stand Alien!).