Allure Philippines’ 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Skin Care, Body Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Scents
Consider this your cheat sheet to thoughtful, hardworking gifts—made for our climate, our celebrations, and our kind of beauty.
December in the Philippines always arrives like a joyful whirlwind—early-morning Simbang Gabi, a calendar full of reunions, and a seemingly endless exchange-gift list that grows by the day. And somewhere between the rush and the rituals, we all look for small moments of comfort: a scent that steadies us, a serum that erases last night’s puyat, a tiny upgrade that makes the season feel even more magical.
This year’s Allure Philippines Holiday Gift Guide gathers exactly that. These are gifts that make sense for our lives and our climate—formulas that hold up in humidity, body care that doubles as rest, hair heroes that stand up to long days, and fragrances that feel like nostalgia. Consider this your permission to shop for your loved ones, your monito or monita…and yes, even for your future self.
Wren Atelier Cocoa Mint
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Leave it to a Filipino indie fragrance house to capture holiday coziness without going full “sugar cookie.” Cocoa Mint is smooth and grown-up, opening with that cool minty brightness before melting into sweet chocolate reminiscent of candies sold by street vendors, and ultimately settling into a warm, woody, and musky base. It’s sweet and fresh, but not fleeting, perfect for the kind of weather where you need a scent that can shift from daytime holiday rush errands to late-night catch-ups with friends. If you’re looking for a local fragrance gift that feels thoughtful this holiday season, this is it. — Leira Aquino
Issy Perfumed Body Care Duo
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For the fragrance lover on your list, consider Issy’s Perfumed Body Care Duo—a shower gel and lotion set that made its public debut during the Allure Beauty Congress. It allows you to layer Issy’s signature scents, and have them melt into your skin to leave a softer, yet longer-lasting impression, while cleansing and nourishing your skin at the same time. Choose from 492 Scent of Possibility, a fresh, white floral blended with musk; 551 Scent of Familiarity; a woody and musky combination with notes of amber; and 030 Scent of Intensity, a spicy leather blend with a musky finish. — Lia Cruz
Lush Fairy Dust Dusting Powder
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Snow Fairy is British beauty brand Lush’s staple holiday scent: a mix of sweet and fruity with a strong hint of bubblegum. The Fairy Dust Dusting Powder version under the collection takes it to the next level. After lotion, you can layer this on top. It adds a soft, sparkly shimmer and a sweet, cotton-candy scent that instantly takes you back to childhood: days of sprinkling baby powder after a bath, just before a cozy bedtime. It’s light enough to wear under your pajamas or over lotion before heading out to party.
Lush, at its core, has always been about fun, sensory products made with strong ethical values, and the Fairy Dust Dusting Powder fits right into that. — Leira Aquino
Hiraya Pilipina Slap On Pasties and Nipsafe Nipple-Protective Pasties
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This holiday season is the perfect time to wear festive fits you’ve been setting aside—without the stress of figuring out what to wear underneath, of course. Whether you’re going for a clean, seamless look or just aren’t a fan of visible bra straps, Hiraya Pilipina’s Slap On Pasties and Nipsafe Nipple-Protective Pasties have your back (well, your front). Plus, they also make a practical gift.
The Nipsafe gives you reusable silicone pasties with no adhesive on the nipple area so they stay comfortable and irritation-free even after hours of wear. If you have sensitive skin, the Slap On Pasties are made for you, because they don’t have any adhesive at all. All it needs is your natural body heat to create a gentle, secure grip. Both are lightweight, discreet, and perfect for giving you confidence under any holiday outfit. — Bianca Gozon
SOLA Sculpting Shapewear by Kylie Verzosa
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Leave it to a Filipina to create shapewear that understands Filipina bodies. After trying the SOLA Sculpting Shapewear by Kylie Verzosa, I was so impressed I immediately bought more—especially because the price is far more accessible than the global brands I’ve worn for years, like Spanx and Skims. The difference? SOLA’s strong, yet breathable compression smoothens without suffocating, and its morena-friendly shades blend seamlessly under clothing. The bands don’t roll down, the fits are thoughtful (from strapless bodysuits to high-waisted shorts), and each piece delivers a snatched silhouette while still letting you move and breathe.
For me, investing in shapewear isn’t about looking slimmer—it’s about creating clean, uninterrupted lines, because wrinkles and bunching can ruin a holiday outfit faster than a last-minute gift scramble. That’s why SOLA makes such a great gift: It gives the women you love the confidence of looking polished. There’s something about a brand made for Filipinas that just fits better—and that’s a gift worth giving. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer
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I first discovered Peter Thomas Roth through their viral eye tightener—the one everyone said worked like magic. I bought my own tube, tried it (on myself and even on my husband!), and instantly became a believer. The way it visibly lifts and deflates under-eye puffiness in minutes is the kind of result you don’t forget. So when a brand with that level of instant gratification creates a primer that promises tightening, smoothing, and pore-blurring, it immediately earns my attention.
The Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer is designed to give skin a more lifted, firmer look even before makeup goes on—like a real-life beauty filter that grips your base and keeps everything looking fresh. And while Peter Thomas Roth can be elusive in Manila, Rustan’s does stock it—making it worth a quick stop whenever you’re browsing beauty.
If you’re gifting someone who loves a flawless base—or simply appreciates products that deliver visible results—this primer is a smart, thoughtful choice. It keeps skin looking fresh and supported through even the busiest holiday marathon, and it’s the kind of skin prep that instantly upgrades any makeup routine. A practical, polished, and genuinely exciting gift to unwrap. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
Nuxe Merveillance LIFT Firming Activating Oil Serum
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Vegan beauty lovers and beauty enthusiasts who gravitate toward more natural formulas will appreciate the newest addition to French skin-care brand Nuxe’s Merveillance LIFT range: the Firming Activating Oil Serum. As a brand that has become known for its science-meets-nature approach (including those delicious dry body oils Huile Prodigieuse), Nuxe’s latest offering uses ultra-corrective micro-algae oil to firm up skin, smoothen fine lines, and bring about a radiant glow. The lightweight texture makes it easy to apply—and, like other Nuxe products, it smells amazing. — Lia Cruz
Genabelle PDRN Vita Toning Ampoule
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Salmon sperm facials were all the buzz in the beauty community this year. With origins in South Korea, these facials—which, yes, use salmon sperm—“are known to boost hydration, improve skin elasticity, and give the complexion an overall smoother and more youthful appearance,” reports Allure US. The key ingredient might give you a bit of a whiplash, but the reason for its inclusion boils down to four letters: PDRN. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN), which can be found in salmon sperm, is a US FDA-approved topical ingredient that has skin repairing, skin renewal, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
You can find it more and more in K-beauty skin care, like the Genabelle PDRN Ampoule, which I came across in and purchased at a discount from Watsons. The intention to buy came from curiosity around the buzz, but after making it a part of my evening skin-care routine for two weeks, I saw first-hand all the benefits claimed. The best result I saw is that it made my sensitive skin less reactive, which is, honestly, every sensitive skin girl’s dream. I became such a believer that I purchased the Rejuvenating Cream from the same line—although if you have the budget for just one product, I’d say start with the ampoule. Now for the worst part? This product is almost always sold out in SM Beauty outlets. This Christmas, I say add your name to the waitlist. — Larissa Joson
Returnu Deep Comfort Ampoule Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
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Beauty routines are always personal, but if there’s one thing all beauty girls can get behind, it’s emphasizing the importance of daily sunscreen use. Gift this to someone who already has her skin-care and makeup routine down pat, or to someone looking to start a routine from scratch. It ticks off most of what we all look for in sunscreen: it meets the minimum SPF of 30 and it’s broad-spectrum; the serum-like finish is both light, yet nourishing; there’s no white cast or any off-putting fragrance; and it doesn’t pill under makeup or sweat. — Larissa Joson
Posh Skin Co. Pimple Patches
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If your barkada is hopping on the small gift exchange trend, a pack of pimple patches is a welcome addition to any skin-care routine—and more importantly, for bulk gifting, it’s easy on the wallet. All pimple patches generally work the same way: They act as a physical healing barrier, working double-time to give your skin a simultaneous shield and a dose of spot-treating ingredients (like salicylic acid and tea tree oil). What we like about these pimple patches from Posh is the multiple designs they come in, so you can match your patch with your outfit or your mood. It gives the patches more time to do what they’re made for, because you’re more likely to wear them throughout the day. — Larissa Joson
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Vaseline Gluta-Hya Luminous Defense Serum Burst Lotion SPF 50 PA+++
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Body care has always been essential for all Filipinos, but for most of us, the routine ends as soon as we step outside the shower. The top reason we skip slathering on body lotion? Our humid climate only intensifies the sticky feeling on the skin. That’s why Vaseline’s approach to body lotion works: with this serum formulation, the finish is lightweight; but the hydration benefits remain supercharged. It has broad-spectrum SPF, too, which only encourages us to merge our body-care routine with sun care. We think this makes a great stocking stuffer, or a foolproof gift for practical people in your life. — Larissa Joson
ONE/SIZE Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray
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A hardworking setting spray becomes non-negotiable during the holidays—between long office days, Christmas reunions, and photos from every angle, your makeup needs to stay steady. The ONE/SIZE Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray has quickly become one of my go-to glow boosters this season, and I can honestly say I have no regrets buying it. It’s no surprise it’s the same one used by drag superstar Marina Summers. What I love is how it gives skin that dewy, expensive-looking sheen without crossing into oily territory. It melts powder seamlessly, keeps complexion makeup from caking or creasing, and adds hydration that genuinely lasts. If you want your base to survive back-to-back holiday events while still looking fresh, juicy, and lit-from-within, this is the one to wrap—and keep for yourself. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
Sunnies Face Skin So Good Radiant Base Booster
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This product has been around for a while, but when we think about glowing skin that can give Christmas lights a run for their money, the Sunnies Face’s Skin So Good Radiant Base Booster is top of mind. We love how their multi-use tinted complexion illuminator doesn’t just make your skin look effortlessly glowy—it works triple-duty by also moisturizing and hydrating. And if you don’t want to use it as a face or body luminizer, you can totally wear it as a highlighter or bronzer since it comes in five shades. She’s the multi-purpose queen made for the multi-tasker in your life. — Bianca Gozon
Absidy Complexion Blur Translucent Perfecting Powder and Cashmere Kiss Lip Liner
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In an oversaturated beauty market, Absidy’s compact powder and lip liner stand out for one simple reason: They work and deliver. The powder can be worn on its own, over makeup, and on repeat multiple times throughout the day without caking or overconcealing the skin. The lip liner is just as flexible. You can use it for what it was designed for, and it also works as a matte lipstick—without tugging on the lips or drying them out. Gift this as a set to either a makeup enthusiast looking for a standout find or someone building their first makeup kit. — Larissa Joson
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Chu Chu Beauty Color Quartet Eyeshadow Palette in Sunset Fling
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Yet another homegrown brand proving that it can meet—and perhaps even exceed—Filipino beauty needs is Chu Chu Beauty. Their eyeshadow powders, which come in a four-pan palette, show that affordability and high performance can co-exist. What we love about the warm-toned Sunset Fling is the drama you get from the punchy, yet deep hues—and we all know this time of the year always calls for the dramatic. The quartet has two matte shades, one glitter-packed hue, and another color with finer shimmers. It’s pigmented, stays put (without being difficult to remove), and the glitter actually stays exactly where you apply it. No glitter hands here. — Larissa Joson
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner
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After five months of using the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner, I can say it truly lives up to its name—and its reputation. This liner has survived my longest days: back-to-back meetings during a full day at the office and a four-hour pickleball match right after, without fading, smudging, or cracking. If it can do that on a regular weekday, imagine how well it’ll hold up through your holiday celebrations, reunions, and late-night parties.
This season, it comes as a special set with the Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner—a hardworking duo that’s worth picking up, with a gel pencil that doubles as a quick smokey shadow and gives you two long-wearing looks, effortlessly. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
TirTir Mask Fit Make Up Cool Fixer
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TirTir’s make up fixer has already won an Allure US Best of Beauty Award—and for good reason. It locks makeup in place, adds a soft-blurring finish, and shields your base from sweat, sebum, and friction. But if you live in the Philippines, the blue cooling version is the real hero. The instantly refreshing mist feels incredible in humid weather and helps keep makeup intact through long commutes, packed parties, and even outdoor celebrations. It’s the kind of fixing spray that works hard behind the scenes: cooling, extending wear, and helping your makeup stay polished no matter how chaotic the season becomes. A smart, climate-proof gift for anyone who wants their makeup to last from the first toast to the last photo. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
BETTERHAIR Slide & Slick 2-in-1 Hair Wax + Boar Bristle Brush by Paul Nebres
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Created by celebrity hairstylist Paul Nebres, BETTERHAIR is a homegrown brand built on one promise: your hair, but better. And his Slide & Slick 2-in-1 Hair Wax with a built-in boar bristle brush is the product that proves it. As a former ballet dancer, styling my hair into a clean, slicked-back bun is second nature—but finding the right combination of brush and smoothing product has always been a frustrating hunt. The moment I saw the boar bristle brush on one end and the soft-hold, shine-enhancing wax on the other, I knew Paul understood the real secret behind the “clean girl” hair look.
It’s compact, intuitive, and brilliantly designed for real life. I love how it eliminates the need to carry multiple products—just swipe, brush, and you’re polished again in seconds. It’s the kind of thoughtful, hardworking beauty essential that makes a perfect holiday gift: practical, chic, and guaranteed to make someone’s everyday hair routine smoother, faster, and better. — Rissa Mananquil Trillo
