November 25, 2025

NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Caudalie, Youth To The People, Nécessaire, Tatcha, Fresh, Bioderma, Josie Maran

Whether you’re stuffing a stocking, rounding out a bigger gift, or simply trying out new skin care before committing to its full-size counterpart, there’s something undeniably fun (and giftable!) about an itty-bitty beauty product.

Our favorites include a TikTok-famous snail serum and a tiny lip gloss→

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A versatile and powerful red-light mask This mask directs red light where signs of aging are especially noticeable, like on the forehead and at crow’s-feet→

This cleanser is like a “tiny handful of clouds” This all-foam formula feels luxurious and is surprisingly gentle→

A hydrating lotion that smells nice all day It absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft→

The best French pharmacy products We’re seeing great deals on a moisture-boosting serum, multitasking dry oil, and more→

Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

Merit — with its chic packaging, unique colors, and promises of a five-minute clean-makeup routine — is certainly compelling. But after testing all 12 makeup products, plus the two brushes, our panelists weren’t sold.

The few products we liked — and everything else we’d skip→

Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter

This cotton cap from a beloved indie bookstore in Brooklyn is simplicity personified. It comes in five colors and has an adjustable brass buckle, with “Books” embroidered on the front and “Are Magic” on the back. How cute.

A playful gift for your favorite bibliophile→

Source photos by McSweeney’s, See’s Candies, Revolve

Happily, some of our favorites are still in stock, including one filled with gourmet caramel from a famed Massachusetts confectioner and another with tiny, “virtually idiot-proof” crochet projects.

A daily delight awaits→

Sign up for The Gift. Handpicked hidden gems. Great deals on lovely things. Your biggest gifting conundrums, answered. A gift guide from Wirecutter. Get it in your inbox

Times Opinion is working on a project all about the best free (or close to free) gifts readers have ever received. If you have a story you’d like to share, tell us all about it here.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

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