All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Despite our best intentions to slow down the passage of time, somehow it's already almost time for Mother's Day 2023 — which is Sunday, May 14, in case you weren't aware. Yes, that's right. Another year has come and gone and your mom is still as fabulous and hard to shop for as before. Unlike birthdays and major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, you might not be able to pay your mom a visit in person and cushion your gift with the extra bonus of your presence — so you have to make your Mother's Day gift really count. While moms deserve to be celebrated each and every day, there's absolutely nothing wrong with spoiling the matriarch with a shiny new beauty tool or product for an at-home spa day.
If Mother's Day has yet again crept up on you, no worries because you're in the right place to gather all of the gifting inspiration you could ever want. No matter where your mom's tastes or beauty preferences lie, we've scoured the Internet for a present that'll make her heart swell. Consider a Tocca Fragrance travel set, a Winc subscription for the wine-loving Mom, or the high-end, iconic Dyson Supersonic — all laid out for you here.
And to clear the record, we have nothing against sending flowers — they're lovely in their own rights. However, if you're tired of roses being your default gift year after year and looking for something a bit more unique (and not to mention, has a longer shelf life), then keep reading for the best Mother's Day gifts. In fact, we have a feeling that these products and gift sets will land in a coveted spot in your mom's daily routine.
Give mom the gift of relaxation with the Beloved Love & Rest Shower Gel & Bath Foam. Have her take this multi-purpose body wash into the tub to create the ultimate bubble bath, or into the shower for scrubbing. Either way, the essential oils blend of lavender and jasmine will transform her bathroom into a spa.
The high-tech Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is an Allure-editor favorite and it'll be Mom's favorite too. After winning multiple awards with us, it's guaranteed to speed up styling and lessen the heat damage, thanks to the intelligent heat-control measures and bladeless technology that pushes out 13 liters of air per second.
A cherry red with blue undertones, like Chanel Le Vernis in Pirate, is both sophisticated and eye-catching. "I can't count the number of times this color was worn on the red carpet," says Los Angeles-based manicurist and nail polish brand owner Mazz Hanna, whose celebrity clients often request this shade.
For moms who prefer their highlighter to deliver a glowy (rather than sparkly) finish, Glossier's beloved Haloscope highlighter (a favorite of pretty much every Allure editor) is the way to go. The highlighting stick, infused with a core of solid, vitamin-rich oil, gives the skin a dewy, almost glossy highlight — with just a hint of shimmer (thanks to glimmering particles from actual crystals). It's super easy to apply and blend, and the three luminous shades (sun-kissed Topaz; pearlescent Rose Quartz; and iridescent Moonstone) are versatile enough to be used on all skin tones
This SkinCeuticals serum basically needs no introduction, since it's a three-time Best of Beauty winner and a well-known favorite amongst top dermatologists and Allure readers. Why? It's packed with 15 percent pure vitamin C, 1 percent vitamin E, and 0.5 percent ferulic acid to "help dramatically with the improvement of fine lines, skin firmness, and overall brightening," says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Ilia's Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment is packed with exfoliating papaya enzymes to gently buff away dead skin and hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate lips. We suggest buying two of these because you're definitely going to be borrowing Mom's all the time.
The IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50+ is the lightweight coverage that will make Mom look (and feel) like a superstar. The formula contains light-reflecting pigments to give skin a glow-from-within look. Not to mention, the built-in sun protection is chef's kiss.
Away's Aluminum Bigger Carry-On is sure to make you the talk of your terminal. It's bigger than the traditional Away carry-on but still fits in the overhead bins of most major airlines. It also has spinner wheels that just glide through the airport, no matter how heavy you pack the bag.
Give Mom the gift of pearly whites with the Crest Whitening Emulsions + Overnight Freshness kit. This 2021 Best of Beauty winner comes with two pieces: a tube of the emulsion — a translucent gel packed with whitening agent hydrogen peroxide and breath-freshening benefits — and a wand with a little doe-foot applicator to apply the paste with ease.
Inspired by Tom Ford's private rose garden (yes, so posh), Rose Prick Eau de Parfum is pretty much the equivalent of showing up to mom's house with a surprise bouquet — only that this matte pink bottle will last much longer. The scent is derived from a captivating mix of Bulgarian rose and rose de mai (sourced from the French Riviera), flanked by sharp notes of Indonesian patchouli and Sichuan pepper. It's inviting and intense at the same time, much like the matriarch herself.
Caffeine-loving Moms are gonna adore this gift. The Atlas Coffee Club Gift Subscription is a three-month tasting journey that gives them a different coffee from new countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, and more each month. Plus, Mom will also get a picturesque postcard and brew tips with each bag of coffee she receives.
Ranavat's Fortifying Hair Serum is packed with hydrating amla that, according to Kiran Mian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City is packed with phytonutrients and has been a part of South Asian hair care for centuries. Also in the formula is jasmine to renew the hair follicle and sunflower oil for scalp relief. Basically, this treatment will give Mom the best hair of her life.
Eighth Day's Regenerative Serum is basically a miracle product. Spiked with a PRP (peptide-rich plasma), which is a blend of 24 bioidentical peptides and amino acids that renew skin, this luxe product will leave Mom with a more youthful and plump complexion. Don't believe us? Makeup artist Nam Vo loves this treatment too. "I find it incredibly healing after harsh treatments like microneedling," she previously told Allure. To sum it up, this serum has earned quite a reputation.
The tiny microfibers in Benefit's Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel mimic brow hairs, creating brow volume and fullness. This Best of Beauty-winning product truly makes it easy to tint and fluff up brows with mess-free application.
For many reasons we would have to stick around all day to list, your mom is a bonafide badass — so it's only fitting that she wears Uoma Beauty's Badass Icon Matte Lipstick to match the title. Choose between 16 shades (Brenda, a cabernet, pictured above) infused with moisturizing mango butter for pillowy-soft lips that seem to contradict the typical drying matte finishes she's used to. You'll be tempted to pick up a bullet for yourself, too. Like mother, like child.
When it comes to beauty tools that will make your mama's life just a little easier, we can't ignore Revlon's Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer. Besides saving her arm muscles from overexertino, this Best of Beauty winner's ion technology means smoother, shinier blowouts, while the nylon tips and tufted bristles detangle and round edges create volume and lift. And it's relatively affordable, too — this is what we call a win-win.
The trident-shaped nozzle situated on top of the TPH By Taraji Master Cleanse A Targeted Scalp Wash means she'll have easy, direct access to an irritated, dry scalp that's in need of a little extra love. The eucalyptus, witch hazel water, and tea tree oil-spiked formula busts buildup and excess oils without disrupting protective styles and curls. It's no wonder the quick-rinse treatment won a Best of Beauty Award — and it rings in at just $15, so you don't have to break the bank to get mom a gift she'll actually use on the regular.
Few things in life are better than bread, but these Mejuri Croissant Dôme Hoops come pretty close. This Parisian-inspired set is dipped in vermeil, a thick layer of 18-karat solid gold on top of sterling silver, and will add an extra touch of elegance to any outfit put together by your already classy mama.
Picking out the right retinol for anyone can be a bit tricky, but Shani Darden's Skin Care Retinol Reform makes it a done deal. The Best of Beauty Award winner (in the "Clean" category) encapsulates 2.2 percent retinol for gentle, slow delivery and adds 2 percent lactic acid into the mix to boost skin cell turnover. When used in conjunction, fine lines, dark spots, acne scars, and uneven texture don't stand a chance. Even moms with sensitive skin can benefit from this creamy serum that's also spiked with soothing aloe, green tea, and rice bran extract.
Designed to use in conjunction with the Best of Beauty-winning Erasa Xep 30, the Erasa Lifting/Sculpting Crème SPF 30 also contains the brand's exclusive XEP-30 neuropeptide to relax the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines. The featherweight cream leaves the face, neck, and décolletage feeling silky soft, and looking firmer with continued use. Skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, collagen-boosting vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory magnolia extract binds moisture to the skin and diminishes dark spots and discoloration. It's ideal for daytime use, as it contains SPF 30 for added UV protection — so what can't it do, really?
Even if your mom doesn't mind doing laundry (perhaps unlike a certain child of hers), she'll definitely appreciate the fact that she can simply toss the Lunya Washable Silk Robe into the machine without a second thought. The luxurious number is designed with a slightly oversized fit, thin waist tie, and two pockets, so what's not to love? It'll make her feel like royalty and keep her cool all summer long while lounging around the house. There are 13 chic colorways to choose from, as well as three sizes (XS/S, M, and L/XL).
Mom is probably the most complex person (in a good way) you know, so you can't simply gift her any ordinary perfume and call it a day. Carolina Herrera's Good Girl Eau de Parfum will draw her in from the very first glance. Who doesn't want a stiletto-shaped bottle on their vanity? Plus, the duality of fresh and intense notes — namely tuberose, jasmine, and tonka bean — will give her the boost of confidence and good vibes she wholeheartedly deserves.
If your mother's chasing dewy, glass-like skin, there's no better investment (well, on your part) than the U Beauty Super Smart Hydrator. This luxurious cream stops dry skin in its tracks, thanks to a loaded lineup of antioxidant-rich vitamin C, free-radical-fighting vitamin E, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and a boatload of soothing ingredients like oat extract, shea butter, squalane, and argan oil. If she saves this for the last step of her skin-care routine, she'll be well on her way to healthier, plumper skin.
What's better than one gift? One gift per month, thanks to an Allure Beauty Box subscription. Each month, mom will get 6+ editor-approved makeup, skin-care, and hair products valued at over $100 so she can have a little fun with her beauty routine. As a sneak peek, recently included brands have included 111Skin, Wander Beauty, and Sol De Janeiro. If you two are lucky enough to spend Mother's Day together, you can make an entire spa day out of the box together — how does it get better than that?
And since the best gifts are the ones that give back, you'll enjoy a free, full-size U Beauty Resurfacing Compound for yourself when you gift a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription. Plus, you'll get a gift note to share with your recipient while they await their first box.
More on gifting:
- 27 Best Gifts for Moms That Will Make You Her Favorite Holiday Elf
- The Best Amazon Gifts Under $25 That Are Thoughtful But Don't Break the Bank
- Violet Grey Is Your Shopping Hub for Luxury Best of Beauty Award Winners
Now watch a makeup expert guess cheap vs expensive eye shadow:
Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
