Best beauty gift set crackers that offer incredible value, according to expert

Beauty crackers offer excellent value for money and are a budget-friendly gift option – here are some of the best

Beauty crackers have returned for 2025 and they’re even more impressive, containing plenty more treats and offering better value. As there are heaps of lovely options available, shoppers might find it hard to choose the ones that are worth buying.

To make things easier, our content editor has checked out crackers available from some of the most popular beauty brands, and these are the ones she thinks are too good to miss. With options from Charlotte Tilbury, Jo Malone, Next and Debenhams, there’s a festive gift set for every beauty fan in our guide.

What’s more? Some of these beauty crackers are under £20, meaning customers don’t have to spend a fortune. As many of these items are high in demand, it’s best to be quick.

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OK! Skin Therapy Skincare Cracker – £29.99 (worth over £100)

OK! Beauty and wellness editor Laura Mulley says: “We’ve pulled together some of our favourite products to create four themed crackers for make-up lovers, skincare fans or self-care queens, each with a huge saving. Pick your favourite or buy all four for an even better deal (and not a cheesy joke or flimsy toy in sight).”

Many of us will agree that premium skincare can be costly, but this cracker is filled with five expert-approved formulas for less than £30, ideal for stepping up beauty regimes at an affordable price. Even better, the contents are valued at over £100 altogether – saving shoppers at least £70.

Hidden inside is the Canopy Retinal Ritual Eye Cream – normally £43 – which costs more than the price of the entire cracker. Other glow-giving wonders included are Nip + Fab’s Gycolic Fix Scrub, worth £14.95, and the Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Face Wash that usually retails at £5.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Iconic Lip and Cheek Kit – £29 (worth £47)

Charlotte Tilbury has dropped some dreamy gift sets for the holiday season, and we’re obsessed. This pretty cracker contains the makeup legend’s Lip Cheat lip liner, Big Lip Plumpgasm gloss and Beauty Light Wand, all in the iconic nude-pink Pillow Talk shade. As the products are travel-sized, they are easy to fit into carry-on bags, purses and smaller luggage.

When I saw the gift set at a Space NK store, I was immediately blown away by the elegant packaging – which is finished with a sparkly bow. My only gripe is that the lip gloss inside tends to fade quickly. It also delivers a subtle tingling sensation, but this only lasts for up to a few minutes.

Next Festive Glow Skincare Cracker – £22 (worth over £80)

Next has dropped a range of beauty and grooming crackers at afforable prices, just in time for the festive period. Worth over £80, the Festive Glow Skincare Cracker not only looks amazing, but the contents are just as impressive.

Beauty cans can expect six premium products that are sure to keep their skin glowing all winter, such as Elizabeth Arden’s Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Capsules. At only £22, it’s such a bargain.

Jo Malone London Green & Blue Cracker – £38

We’re always left swooning when Jo Malone releases its festive collection, and this year is no different. The Green & Blue Cracker features three goodies in mini sizes, perfect for luxury lovers.

Included is the English Pear & Sweet Pea Cologne, the Wood Sage & Sea Salt Hand Cream and the Peony & Blush Suede Body & Hand Wash. Even better, the gorgeous keepsake box will surely add some wow factor to the Christmas table. It can be purchased on Cult Beauty.

Iconic London Spritz & Sparkle Cracker – £12.50

Iconic London’s Prep-Set-Glow spray sold out in as little as six hours after it was released in 2018, so I reckon this adorable cracker will go down a storm with beauty fans. It contains a mini bottle of the ‘Original’ mist, which is said to deliver hydration and radiance, due to ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E and light-reflecting pearls.

The formula is made to be worn after makeup has been applied – helping the finished look stay in place. It’s also formulated with caffeine which reduces dark circles and wrinkles.

Does this £12.50 cracker have the best value? Not neccessarily, but for makeup fans like me, this is a lovely beauty gift to open up on Christmas Day. It’s sold at Boots and on the Iconic London website.

Ariana Grande Deluxe Mini Cracker – £30

This wonderfully designed gift set is ideal for fragrance fans, containing three of Ariana Grande’s much-loved scents. The travel-size perfumes inside are LOVENOTES Vanilla Suede, Ari and Sweet Like Candy, all tucked in a pink branded box.

LOVENOTES Vanilla Suede is described as a woody musk scent, while Ari and Sweet Like Candy are both dubbed as floral, fruity, gourmand fragrances. Each of these have received several rave reviews online.

The £30 Deluxe Mini Cracker itself hasn’t had any comments on Debenhams yet. Yet, on Boots, one person left mixed feedback: “Smells incredible, but only get 7.5ml of each perfume in sample sizes.”