When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, skincare took off. With makeup less of a priority, men and women started putting more effort into their skin and serving fresh-faced glows. It's for that reason, you can bet at least one friend or family member has some skincare goodies on their holiday wish list. Who are we kidding? We know you have a few gift sets you want to put under your own tree this Christmas.
We get it, that's why we put together this gift guide to point you in the direction of the affordable year-round staples that make great stocking stuffers and the premium products that will transform your face just in time for the new year. If no one's told you yet, now's the time to treat yo'self.
*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, xoNecole may earn a small commission.
Milk Makeup Overnight Skin Set
This set is beauty sleep in a bag. Milk's Overnight Serum Stick and Lip Mask are formulated with topical melatonin, Persian silk tree extract, hyaluronic acid, lavender, and chamomile to calm the body and renew skin as you sleep so you wake up looking and feeling refreshed.
Bobbi Brown Deluxe-Size Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Macy's
If you're already a fan of this best-selling moisturizer from Bobbi Brown, you know how fast it goes. Face Base is a 2-in-1 moisturizer and primer that combines vitamins B, C and E, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Shea Butter to smooth and hydrate skin and help makeup go on smoother and stay on. Trust us when we say it's worth infesting in this new deluxe-size option from the brand's Holiday Collection.
Tatcha Pure Skincare Delights
Tatcha
Get all of the essentials in this set from Tatcha which includes its gentle Camellia Cleansing Oil, classic Rice Polish exfoliant, The Essence anti-aging serum, and oil-free hydrating Water Cream.
Simple Pink Clay Calamine Face Mask
Simple
Draw out impurities with pink clay in this mask from Simple which has the added benefit of Calamine. The calming ingredient makes the mask gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin while still helping to soothe inflammation and acne-prone skin.
Vanity Planet Aera Facial Steamer
Urban Outfitters
Get a spa-like facial at home with this steamer from Vanity Planet that hydrates and opens pores for an even deeper cleanse. Add drops of your favorite essential oil for aromatic relaxation.
Kubra Kay Purifying Duo
This creamy face wash from Black-owned brand Kubra Kay can be used on dry skin to remove makeup or on wet skin for a normal cleanse. The cleanser helps restore natural pH while also hydrating to ensure skin isn't stripped of moisture.
GOOPGLOW Glowing Skin Best Sellers Kit
Glow from the inside out with this three-piece set. It includes goop's Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator, Morning Skin Superpowder supplement, and 15% Glycolic Acid + Fruit Extracts Overnight Glow Peel which combine to retexturize skin and reveal a more even, brighter complexion.
H.A. Intensifier
Hyaluronic acid is a key element in any winter skincare regimen because of its super-hydrating properties. This dermatologist-recommended serum helps amplify skin's hyaluronic acid levels by 30%, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin's texture to be more firm and smooth.
Mario Badescu 5-Pc. Rose & Glow Set
Reverse dryness and irritation with this 5-piece set from Mario Badescu which harnesses the power of rose to rejuvenate skin. Rose & Glow includes the brand's popular Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater; the Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner; Rose Hips Nourishing Oil; Rose Lip Balm; and Rose Body Soap.
Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Gel Washable Cleanser
Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Gel Wash Cleanser - 4.4 fl ozThis gel cleanser combines pineapple and Vitamin C to remove dirt and makeup as it helps even out skin tone and brighten dull complexions. The vegan face wash is free of sulfates, microbeads, parabens, and dyes and is suitable for all skin types. Pair it with the Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream for maximum benefit and SPF protection during the day.
Peter Thomas Roth Full-Size Hydra-Gel Eye Patch Party 3-Piece Kit
Whether it's random morning puffiness or chronic dryness and dark circles you want to address, this set has you covered. It features 30 pairs of each of PTR's Hydra-Gel Eye Patches: 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm; Cucumber De-Tox®; and Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud.
Spa Sciences SIMA Sonic Dermaplaning Tool 2-in-1 Women's Facial Exfoliation & Hair Removal System
Spa Sciences Sima Sonic Dermaplaning Tool 2 in 1 Women's Facial Exfoliation & Hair Removal System - MintGet rid of all those tiny hairs you only see when you look at yourself really closely in the mirror as well as dead skin and other buildup with this 2-in-1 dermaplaning tool. The painless hair removal and exfoliation system leaves behind the perfect canvas for makeup and also helps skincare products better absorb into the skin.
Urban Hydration Bright and Balanced Aloe Toner
Macy's
A great buy for oily skin, this toner from Black brand Urban Hydration fuses aloe vera with Vitamin A and Vitamin E to moisturize skin naturally without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue.
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Now, with more than 20 years of experience in professional aviation, starting with American Eagle Airlines and then on to becoming a captain at American Airlines, she has continued to pay it forward. In 2022, she made history as the first commercial airline captain to lead an all-Black, women-led flight crew. She has also written a biography on Bessie Coleman, the first African-American and Native-American woman to earn a pilot’s license, and produced and directed, Discovering Bessie Coleman, working alongside the family to get the project completed. Add to that her role as a founder of consulting firm LadyAv8rBeth, which offers a guide of pathways into aviation, and as a podcast host covering all things aviation.
For Women’s History Month, xoNecole caught up with the busy pilot, in between flights, to talk about her career journey, her role in a Bessie Coleman documentary and book, how she balances self-care and safety, and how other Black women can add to the aviation legacy:
xoNecole: You’ve built an successful career in aviation. And you were only 15 and already had your first flight. Were you afraid at all, or did it feel like second nature to you?
Beth Powell: It felt completely natural. There was no fear, just excitement and curiosity.
Now, it’s what they call STEM, and my teacher at the time thought that I was really good at numbers. He recommended three career paths, and I tried the first one.
I didn't understand why it made sense back then at 15, but as I grew up and met other pilots, I recognized that the reason I liked math and physics was that we were technical learners. So we like to break things apart and put them back together. We like to check procedures. We like to write manuals. We were technical artists.
xoN: That’s such an important message. Many young women and girls are often discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM or aviation, so it’s incredible to hear your story. Now, fast forward a bit—how did you transition into your corporate career with larger airlines?
Courtesy
BP: After that first discovery flight, I quickly finished my high school classes and graduated at 16. By 17, I had earned my private pilot’s license, and by 18, my commercial license. Then, I moved to the U.S. to attend flight school in Florida. While working on my degree in professional aeronautics, I began working for American Eagle Airlines at just 21. Over the years, I’ve built my career and have now spent 25 years in the airline industry, including 14 years at American Eagle and 11 years at American Airlines. In terms of leadership, being a captain is key.
As a captain, I’m responsible for the aircraft, the crew, and the passengers. It’s a huge responsibility, and you learn a lot about leadership when you’re in charge of so much.
Being a captain definitely teaches you leadership. You’re in charge of every aspect of the flight from the moment you sign in to the moment you sign out. From overseeing the crew to managing the safety and well-being of passengers, you have to make quick decisions and take responsibility. Even when you’re starting out as a first officer, you’re learning vital leadership skills that prepare you for the captain role.
xoN: There's a lot going on with airlines right now that might make someone feel afraid in terms of some of the tragedies that have recently happened. How do you sustain your self-care balance and your resilience in the aviation industry when those sorts of things happen?
BP: I truly believe that aviation is still the safest and the No. 1 safest means of transportation. I say that proudly. For any airline, any pilot, any air traffic controller—anyone who works in the industry—safety is our number one priority. However, of course, we see things happening in the news, and it is concerning to passengers.
What I'm telling everybody to do right now, including myself, is that it's very important to have your source of strength. I'm a Christian, and one of my sources of strength is prayers. I go deep within my prayers every morning, and I pray to God, giving things that I can't control to him, and the rest— I can do my best to deal with.
No. 2 is meditation on the Deepak Chopra app. Ever since COVID happened, that was the first time I thought that I needed something more than just my prayers to help me go through to calm down the noise around me.
And last but not least, I'm really big on self-development. I read, I read, and I read. If your foundation is strong, you have something to build from. And so, when I read, I learn a lot about myself. I learn about what triggers me and when something triggers me. I literally hear the Kendrick Lamar song, "TV Off" in my head, because sometimes you need to shut the noise off.
xoN: That's amazing—the combination of faith and just being excellent at what you do. Now, how did you get involved with the Bessie Coleman project?
Courtesy
BP: I sit on the board of advisers for an organization called Sisters of the Skies, and was at a gala celebrating with all our Black women of our achievements. At the end of the night, Dr. Sheila Chamberlain walked up to me. She was the first Black woman U.S. combat intelligence aviator in the Army. So, if she's walking up to me, it's very serious. She said, ‘I have a favor to ask.’ I said, ‘Yes.’ I did not hear what the favor was. I didn't know what she was going to ask me, but somebody like that walking up to you saying, ‘a favor’? The answer is yes.
She told me [the project involved] helping the Bessie Coleman family elevate the story. ‘I'd like you to ask your company if they will do a flight in honor of Bessie Coleman.’ I went to the different departments at American Airlines, and the rest was literally history. We did that flight on August 8, 2022, and it became a historical flight because everyone on that flight, from the ground up, was a Black woman.
Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s grand-niece, was also on that flight. We started chatting at the end of the flight. Another night, we were hanging out—Sheila, Gigi, and I—and she kept telling me she wanted to write a book, that she wished there was a movie, and that people approached her about it. Nothing had been done as yet. And I thought, sounds like another mission.
I literally took it on. We do have a documentary with the family sharing their perspective of who Bessie Coleman is. And we do have a book called Queen of the Skies.
xoN: For the young women who are looking for career paths in aviation, what are some skills they need to thrive?
BP: While you don't necessarily have to love math to be a pilot, technical knowledge is important. You’ll need to understand aircraft systems and aerodynamics. This includes weather patterns and instrument training. It might seem daunting at first, but the great thing about flight training is that it builds on itself. The more you learn, the more it all clicks. Also, aviation is constantly changing, and you need to be adaptable.
It’s a field where you need to be ready for anything, from unexpected weather to technical issues. Being open to learning new things and adjusting to change is crucial.
My daughter, who has her private pilot’s license, once said, “This journey is both challenging and rewarding. I feel like I’ve grown so much since starting.” It’s important to keep going, even when it gets tough.
To help others, I’m outlining how they can go from “zero to hero” as a pilot. I offer this information freely on my Instagram account, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing. I want everyone to have access to the resources they need to follow their dreams.
For more information on Beth Powell, the Bessie Coleman documentary, and aviation career resources, visit LadyAv8rBeth.com.
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