What Wirecutter’s Gifts Editor Is Stuffing in Stockings This Year

In this edition of The Gift, we’ve got the very best stocking-size beauty products. Plus, more last-minute gifts, including a lovely brass pocket knife and an extremely cozy candle.

I’ve already shared my love of all things diminutive in this very newsletter. So you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that filling a holiday stocking, well, that’s like my Olympics. If you think my partner will find a single full-size thing hanging by the chimney with care, you’d be sadly mistaken. (The cleaning-obsessed guy is getting these silver dollar-sized tins of furniture scratch and white-ring removers, though.)

This year, I gave myself a particular challenge: Could I fill everyone’s stockings with mini beauty products? After all, it’s that same partner who is always stealing my favorite Aquaphor mini tubes for his cracked knuckles.

A beauty gift is both indulgent and utilitarian. In other words, a nearly perfect gift. It’s also, importantly, doable on a tight timeline: Many of my finds are available at Target or the drugstore, making them easy last-minute grabs ahead of next week.

A few words of wisdom before you head out, though. Beauty stocking stuffers should always check two boxes: They must be absolutely adorable, and they should be good for nearly anyone.

We’re not talking a ho-hum, standard issue bottle of hotel shampoo. But a small-scale replica of an iconic shampoo you’d never expect to see miniaturized? Now you have my attention. It’s also important that the product isn’t too specific. I don’t think you can throw a bitty bottle of 12% glycolic acid peel in just anyone’s stocking; same goes for bold-colored cosmetics.

For some inspiration, here are a few of my own petite faves:

• We recommend this slim-handled detangling brush in our guide to the best drugstore hair products, but did you know it comes in a 6-inch version, too? The flexible bristles are just as gentle and effective, and it comes in almost a dozen colors. I meant to reserve mine for travel, but somehow it made its way into my everyday routine.
• While we’re on the topic of hair: Consider this a request for mini versions of my absolute favorite shampoo, which is lightweight and smells rich. If you want to really treat someone, how about an exquisite little bottle of this ridiculously expensive shampoo (that smells so good, the company started selling an eau du parfum, too)? And no one with strands should pack a suitcase without a pint-size canister of our favorite aerosol dry shampoo.
• My colleague, beauty writer Rory Evans, cued me into this bulbous little bottle of Bioderma micellar water that she discovered reporting our guide to makeup removers. It is every bit as mellow and refreshing in miniature, although arguably more delightful.
• Skin-care snobs (you know who you are!) would probably appreciate a bottle of bougie facial cleanser and a tube of this fancy, fragrance-free body lotion, both of which will be a flex in a shelfie at a five-star hotel. If you’ve got money to light on fire, throw in this tiny tub of preposterously priced — and quite lovely — facial moisturizer, too.
• Finally, I just found out my favorite extremely versatile eyeshadow palette (that I credit with mastering my take on the smoky eye) comes in a playing-card sized version stocked with six of the best shades from the original.

Wishing a very mini and merry holiday to you and yours!