The 9 MAC Gifts a Beauty Editor’s Adding to Her Own Wish List

1 month ago 11

Published on Dec 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM

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As a longtime beauty editor, MAC is one of the rare brands that's held onto its effortlessly cool, editorial energy since before I ever set foot in the makeup world. It was the counter my mom and her best friend treated like a field trip; the one where they'd "ooh" and "aah" over lipsticks while I stood beside them, taking mental notes.

Decades later, now as a 30-year-old beauty editor who's played with just about every brand under the sun, I still find myself reaching for MAC again and again, from its Taylor Swift-loved Ruby Woo red lipstick or whatever new beauty launch lands on my desk. It's the brand I'd gift to my sixty-something mom with the same excitement I'd send to a makeup-obsessed teen.

Ahead, I rounded up the nine best MAC gifts of the holidays, from iconic staples to newer releases that'll delight beauty lovers of all ages. Keep scrolling for the full list or jump to whatever catches your eye in the snapshot below.

The Best MAC Gifts of the Holiday Season

MAC Topsy-Teddy Lip Kit ($21, originally $30)

You can literally never go wrong with gifting a makeup lover a lip kit, especially when it's from MAC and boasts a color as iconic as Velvet Teddy. This duo pairs the M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick with the matching Lip Pencil, and they'll want to define and fill the moment they pull it out of the wrapping paper.

MAC Double Dazzle Eyeshadow Stick Duo ($24, originally $34)

I just know all of the makeup lovers in my life would be thrilled to pull this eyeshadow-stick duo out of a stocking. It comes with Subliminal Spark (a cool champagne shimmer) and Taupe It Off (a smoky taupe with a metallic finish) — two pretty hues that are perfect for winter glam.

MAC No Work All Glow Play Kit ($29, originally $42)

This duo is as fingertip-friendly as it gets. The bouncy Glow Play Blush melts in with just a tap, and the matching Glow Play Lip Balm glides on just as easily.

MAC MACnificent Eyeshadow Palette ($25, originally $35)

This multi-textured eyeshadow palette is practically drool-worthy. It's a holiday exclusive — as in, once it's gone, it's gone — which makes it feel like an extra-special gift.

MAC Gloss Enthusiast Lipglass Air Trio ($34, originally $49)

For the uninitiated (join the obsession!), MAC Lipglass Air is the modern, lightweight, nonsticky evolution of the brand's classic high-shine gloss — the one that had a major moment in the '90s and early 2000s. This trio features three shades: Va-Va-Vanilla (a gold with red pearl), Casual (a deep peachy nude), and Cha-Cha-Cherry (a pink with green-gold pearl).

MAC Surreal Deal Kit ($48, originally $69)

The name of this set is hardly an exaggeration — it really is an epic deal. I love gifting it as an intro to the brand because it comes with five bestsellers across eyes, lips, and skin: a full-sized Ruby Woo MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick, Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Gloss in Frosting, and MACStack Mascara, plus mini Strobe Cream and a deluxe sample of Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum. Even as a beauty editor with an overflowing beauty stash, I'd be thrilled to receive it.

MAC Less Is Bore Lip Kit ($53, originally $75)

This lipstick set comes with five bestselling MAC lipsticks, including neon-pink Candy Yum-Yum, the always-iconic Ruby Woo red, warm neutral Velvet Teddy, deep-berry Captive Audience, and soft-pink Sweet Deal. Whether they're restocking old favorites or trying these shades for the first time, it'll definitely level up their lip game.

MAC 24 Mystery Must Haves Advent Calendar ($172, originally $245)

Sure, advent calendars are technically designed for daily surprises, but this MAC-packed one is exciting no matter when they unwrap it. And truly, tearing into 24 minis in one go sounds like a dream in itself. It's definitely a bigger investment, but it's the kind of gift they'll absolutely lose their minds over.

Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has over seven years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She was previously the senior beauty editor at Grazia USA and the style and beauty editor at Us Weekly. Now freelancing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Marie Claire, and more.

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