20 Graduation Gift Ideas for Every Budget and Taste

Any recent grad who doubles as a beauty enthusiast most likely pays special attention to their brows. The Dior Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler just might right up their alley. On one end is a creamy, long-wear crayon, which comes in six colors — and on the other side is a dense, oval brush to sweep the product through for the most natural-looking arches ever. 

HipDot does the most fun — and in our opinion, giftable collaborations — including this one with Reese's. Candy lovers will get a kick out of this makeup brush set that comes in what looks like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup pack (it's actually a makeup bag). Each eye shadow brush is double-sided so you get four brushes in one gift. 

Fragrance can be hard to gift, but the warm floral notes in Valentino Voce Viva Perfume is sure to be a universal hit. The juice combines notes of Italian bergamot, orange blossom absolute, and a crystal moss accord. Together, they'll get the sophisticated scent of sweet flowers and vanilla. Plus, the bottle is so chic. 

A starter pack like First Aid Beauty's FAB Aid 2.0 makes for the perfect transition from adolescent to adult skin care. The four-piece set solves for just about every head-to-toe dry skin woe, including pesky keratosis pilaris (KP). For daily use, there's the gentle Pure Skin Face Cleanser, which has soothing allantoin and moisturizing glycerin. Follow it up with the Best of Beauty-winning Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, which is ideal for daytime hydration, thanks to refreshing coconut water. At night, the Ultra Repair Cream will give skin an intensive moisture boost while they sleep. 

And as mentioned, when those tiny dry bumps form around elbows, soothe them away with the alpha hydroxy acid-laced KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA. All of the products are travel size, so the recipient can try before committing to a full-size tube or jar. 

Getting a good night's rest is a top priority for both busy students and working adults. So why not give the gift of sweet dreams with Blissy's Tie-Dye Dream Set? The mulberry silk sleep mask, pillowcase, and two scrunchies make for a cozy slumber, plus, less hair frizz and facial wrinkles in the morning. 

Bobbi Brown has done highlighter right for a while, and this illuminating powder is certainly no exception. The pearl-infused shimmer power comes in seven shades that'll make a wide range of skin tones glow just right. The hybrid gel-powder formula has moisturizing glycerin, which will help keep the product from caking up on the skin throughout the day. An ideal makeup bag addition for the glow-getting graduate who likes to set it and forget it. 

Any grad whose skin has been as unpredictable as the past year will get good use out of this Fresh Mini Loves Mini Masks Set. Six fan-favorite masks come stacked into a cute little travel pouch. If pore-purging is what their skin needs today, the Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Mask will come in handy. Or, look to vitamins C, E, and B5 in the Vitamin Nectar Glow Face Mask to brighten dull complexions. 

There's also a firming mask, which taps antioxidant-rich kombucha and black tea to protect skin from free-radical damage, exfoliating scrub with moisture attracting brown sugar, and two more moisture-focused options for all-around skin perfecting. 

Two beloved brands have joined forces to bring us the most giftable little set of skin care and makeup. Kora Organics x RMS Beauty Love Life Collection includes a Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask to smooth skin before you apply the dew-inducing Noni Glow Face Oil. Once the skin is prepped, add a bit of color with the vibrant Pressed Blush in the Heart shade, which was specially crafted for this kit. Finish off the look with the coral meets rose-hued Wild With Desire Lipstick in Randy. 

Help any grad easy into a natural-looking makeup routine with the E.L.F. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream SPF 30. The full-coverage base comes in a solid range of 20 shades, is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and firming peptides, and offers sun protection of SPF 30 — although it's crucial that you teach your grad the importance of layering a traditional sunscreen with their makeup. 

The best gifts come already curated and GQ's Best Stuff Box packed with a mix of really great goodies for your grad. The Summer 2021 edition is made for fun in the sun. The box features a pair of Raen West Sunglasses that are right on time as we start to head back outdoors. A tube of Harry's Odor & Sweat Control Deodorant will come in handy as they kick up their activity level on hot summer days. Mantl Face + Scalp No-Shine Sheets will help keep excess oil in check, and recipients will either get the Verso Super Eye Serum or Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream. 

You can preview all nine products that come in the box or let the person on the receiving end be totally surprised. And at a value of $230-plus, this collection is an amazing deal for any gifter. 

If an end-of-school-year spa day with your graduate couldn't happen this year, BeautyBio's Rose Quartz Radiance Set makes it easy to gift glowing skin another way. After cleansing, apply the Radiance Rose-hip Seed Facial Oil to skin, and then use the Rose Quartz Contouring + De-Puffing Facial Roller to gently swipe in upward motions. Work your way from your neck to your hairline. After about 10 minutes of rolling, you'll notice dewy, de-puffed, and slightly glowier skin.

For head-to-toe moisturizing, behold: Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit. It comes with travel-size moisturizers for your hands, feet, cuticles, and lips. It's a great collection for any existing fans of the brand — not to mention a sweet intro for a grad who's never tried it.

Traveling may not be in the plans for your graduate just yet, nonetheless, we recommend picking up the Moda Travel Size Prismatic Total Face Makeup Brush Set as an easy-to-store, portable option for future jet-setting. Together, the six brushes decorated with pretty purple ombré handles can be used to create a range of looks. There are two larger complexion brushes, as well as four smaller ones, which can be used to apply blush or to try an eye shadow look. 

Locking into more lessons may not be the first thing on a new grad's mind, but trust us, a MasterClass subscription won't feel like school. The online tutorial platform will give graduates access to an ever-growing number of online classes taught by top experts around the world. 

There are lessons in a wide variety of subjects like photography, cooking, writing, acting, design, sports, and invaluable insight from the likes of makeup artist Bobbi Brown and Vogue's Anna Wintour. It's also incredibly convenient because classes are available at any time, so long as you have a smartphone or computer on hand — because you can go at your own pace. For anyone who wants to continue learning new things, this is to way to go.

We first discovered Wonderskin's Wonderblading Lip Color late last year when makeup artist Carola Gonzalez put it to the test on Instagram, and her results were nothing short of mesmerizing. It's a really cool peel-off lipstick-stain hybrid that's bound to excite any makeup-loving graduate. Your gift recipient may also appreciate knowing that this innovative product is a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner. 

The way it's applied is a cross between a temporary tattoo and a peel-off face mask. First, you swipe on two to three generous coats of what's called the Lip Masque Color. (Gonzalez points out that you want to make sure your lips are completely covered to avoid any patchiness.) After the 45 seconds, you have two removal options: the Peel-Away or the Wipe-Away. For the latter method, you simply spritz your lips with the brand's Spray Lip Activator Mist and use its Liquid Blading Wipe Away Towel (or any cloth) to gently massage the masque off. For the former, you do the same except you'll want to mist your lips from four inches away. Once you do this, the masque turns into a film that can be easily peeled off. The color revealed underneath will stay put until you wash it off.

The lipstick formula is meant to look and last like a lip stain, without the dry out that some stains can leave behind. It's available in three shades: rose, coral, and plum.

Velour Beauty's Lash & Go Eyeliner is a game-changer for grads who wear false lashes (both pros and newbies), as it allows you to seamlessly apply both your liner and your falsies in one fell swoop. You simply trace your upper lash line first like you would with liquid eyeliner, and then pop your lashes on top while the formula is still sticky. Once it dries, the lashes are set in place. The eyeliner works with any of your favorite false lashes. Consider it a really good cross between magnetic lashes and a great lash glue.

If your graduate is a coffee connoisseur, there's no way they won't adore a subscription to MistoBox, as the service allows you to try over 500 different brews from artisan roasters around the country. You can also go the extra mile and personalize the subscription to fit their taste preferences, so that they only receive the types of coffee they'll really enjoy. While you're at it, include a sweet customized note inside the box to remind them how proud you are of them.

Sleeping in is likely top priority once school wraps. Upgrade your graduate's sleep game with Baloo's Cool Cotton Weighted Blanket, which gently molds to the shape of your body. The idea is that the weighted filling simulates the feeling of a hug, which is thought to have therapeutic benefits. Made of 100 percent cotton, it's soft, breathable, and won't trap heat, so there's no worrying about sweating or getting too hot while sleeping.