The holidays are upon us and you’re thinking as estheticians we always give gifts about skincare right? Why, yes, you are correct! 

Who doesn’t want to re-up on their skin care products from their favorite esthetician during the holidays?

Yet, we can’t give our loved ones the same ol’ cleanser and moisturizer deal. We need to step our game up and give them something to talk about! Something personalized, specifically for them.

When I first started giving out skincare gifts to friends and family, I was always excited to give it to them. But then later wondered, will they use it? Will I come to their house and see it under the bathroom sink? Not that I’m nosey, or anything. Or worse! Will they re-gift it to someone else?!

Handing my sister her third set of a cleanser and moisturizer I’d given her over the years, thoughts and insecurities that polluted my mind! For a solid 45 seconds, as she opened her gift, I tried to read her facial expression. From there, I would start explaining the benefits of the products that I gave her. She had one of those appreciative smiles so I didn’t feel bad, you know the one! What’s worse, as I’m telling her about what benefits this new facial cleanser has, I even tune out. I start to wonder, is she even listening to me?

This situation brings me back to Christmas gift-giving circa 2003 to 2005. Picture me: A teenager, opening up my third Bath and Bodyworks gift set. Vanilla sugar again? I hate vanilla scents, I thought to myself. This one’s from grandma, though, so I make my eyes extra bright and smile extra big, “Thank you so much, Grandma, I love it!”  The harsh reality was that this gift joined my regift stockpile. Right next to the P!NK gift set that wasn’t my scent.  I was riding high though- I had all my friend’s birthday gifts set for the following year!

For all estheticians, giving skincare is in our nature. We know all the benefits of good skincare and we want everyone around us to experience that. But this isn’t Bath and Bodyworks gift set, dang it! We’re more than that!

So avoid another “safe for all skin types” moisturizer and cleanser duo; put some thought into it this time! From holiday skincare sets to sunscreen-themed ones, and even the all-natural kit (the one for your sister-in-law who is a new mom and freaks out about everything being organic). As estheticians, we got you covered!

Check out my tips for gift-giving for this holiday season from your esthetician-heart...

All in all, when it comes to gift giving as an esthetician, you can’t go wrong as long as you make the gift thoughtful. Explain to them why you got it specifically for them and the benefits that the products have. Be sure to follow up with them at a later time after the peppermint schnapps has worn off. See how they are enjoying their products. Make sure to answer any of their questions.

This is the difference between OTC & professional skincare, right? Skincare can be and is thoughtful. Make your gifts thoughtful this year! 

That’s enough about gift giving as an esthetician! Let's talk about what gifts your clients can give to their loved ones.

Client Gifts

Yes, we always love a good gift certificate. But let’s think about the gifts that we can have ready that can serve as a stocking stuffer or something your clients can give their loved ones.

Gift Sets: When it comes to your skincare gift sets, make sure that you have different ones available. For acne-prone skin, dry skin, or normal skin. The key here is having options and having them available. You can even package them with a bow and gift bag for easier gift-giving.

Collaborate: This is also a great time to partner with other businesses to put together the ultimate gift set! Think about the local business that sells bath bombs or the girl that you see on Instagram all the time that makes her own candles. Reach out to them! Collaborate! Make this an opportunity to not only give such a customized gift, but to also feature another’s businesses. Build your community! What’s best is you all will share each other's followers and clients: the perfect marketing plan.

A Quick Marketing Tip:

Create a “list for Santa” that your clients can fill out. Mail that list off to their loved ones with ample time before Christmas. The key is to let your client's loved ones know that they don’t want another set of pots and pans this year! They would much rather have a gift card to your spa to be able to get their favorite facial that they spend money on every month.

As the holidays approach, and you’re trying to be more creative this year. Whether with gift giving or making the perfect gifts for your clients. Have some fun with it and remember...don’t be Bath and Bodyworks! ;)