Please help me choose a gift for my stylish, beauty-loving sister

[Crocodilian]

It's my sister's birthday soon and I know she'd like something beauty related for her present. She said recently that hair care and skin care gifts are always her favourite presents, but I know absolutely zero about either of these and don't use any hair care or skin care unless you count soap and shampoo. I know that she has asked for Charlotte Tillsbury makeup before, she wears a Tiffany's necklace every day and generally likes designer stuff and stuff that's on trend (follows a lot of instagrammers) if that helps at all.

Please please can one of you knowledgeable ladies help? She's mid twenties and has long thick ginger hair and a redhead's complexion. Budget about £50, and I'd be happy to buy one big thing or a few smaller bits.

I adore her and really want to get her something she'll love but I haven't the foggiest!!!

Thank you to anyone who can help!!

A three month Birchbox subscription?

www.birchbox.co.uk/

Some make up or nail varnish from Chanel. It comes packaged beautifully and you get samples too. Some amazing limited edition metallic red nail varnish and this is one of the best mascaras I have used. With a 3D printed brush. Lush.

mobile.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/makeup/p/nails/nail-colour/le-vernis-longwear-nail-colour-p159500.html#skuid-0159887

mobile.chanel.com/en_GB/fragrance-beauty/makeup/p/eyes/mascara/le-volume-revolution-de-chanel-mascara-p191710.html#skuid-0191710

I don’t think those links work so here are pics.

I agree with a Birchbox subscription or failing that an Urban Decay eyeshadow palette

Not a Birchbox subscription. Would go for a cult beauty voucher to let her choose what she wants.

The trouble with skincare is that it’s often really personal, so if you do go with that I’d get her something that’s simple to slot into a routine alongside any actives she might already be using. If it were me I’d go with something like a hydrating face mask (because who doesn’t have dehydrated skin at this time of the year?) eg Skinceuticals B5 hydrating mask, the Josh Rosebrook advanced hydration mask, or the Clarins SOS hydra mask. A nice cleanser, eg Emma Hardie balm or Kate Somerville goat milk cleanser would also work. Or having said that, the Kate Somerville Exfolikate liquid stuff would make a nice gift for someone in their mid-twenties. I’m not sure on the price of those off the top of my head though! If you can’t decide, maybe a gift card for Space NK or similar would be good, then she can choose for herself.

I would definitely go for the Channel as above. I wouldn't go for the Urban Decay. I don't think that the quality is that good and it sounds like sister is more into the sophiscated look rather than quirky look.

That is why I would go for make up. Skin and hair care you can’t ‘see’ if you see what I mean. A couple of gorgeous make up items and they are visible. And yes Chanel sounds more up her street than urban decay and is something you are much less likely to buy yourself at that age.

I’d go for Cultbeauty rather than Birchbox, they usually have some nice gift sets or a voucher would be good too. A Beauty Pie subscription would also be a good gift if she doesn’t have one.

I am a makeup and skin care fiend and I would agree with the cult beauty or beauty pie voucher.

There will be stuff she's currently got her eye on which is probably quite pricey (I'm looking at you Kate Somerville Retinol Cream!) and she would be able to put it towards something which is a real treat.

A voucher and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil would be my suggestion.

Oh thank you to everybody for all of the advice!!

Birchbox is ruled out as their 3-month gift subscription is out of stock, but I've banked it mentally for another year as she enjoyed a Glossybox subscription from my parents many years ago.

I'd be keen to avoid vouchers as she has a LOT more disposable income than me (in spite of being significantly younger) and I think that a voucher might make her feel awkward but I'll suggest Cultbeauty and Beautypie to my parents as they often give her a voucher as part of her gift.

I'm leaning towards the Chanel at the moment as something nicely packaged and containing interesting free samples sounds ideal, but will look up absolutely everything to bookmark stuff for the future as I have this dilemma every Christmas and birthday!!

Thanks again, ladies! I'm very grateful for your help!