Secret Santa Gifts for Women Under $40: Chic Crowd-Pleasers With Polish

Pop one of these $19 tubes in her bag and watch it become a daily habit. In our testing, the LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm delivers a glossy, non-sticky sheen and just-right daytime moisture, and the angled applicator makes on-the-go touchups effortless. The subtle tints and scented flavors add a fun twist, though some popular shades can be hard to find. Just note: the formula can feel thick and tough to squeeze in cold weather, and it’s not the heavy-duty hydration of the brand’s Lip Sleeping Mask.

For the jot-it-down friend, the Field Notes Original Kraft Ruled 3-Pack slips into any pocket or purse and stands up to daily carry with sturdy kraft covers. During our review, the Finch Opaque paper felt smoother than cheap notepads, though wet inks can bleed and the staple binding means pages don’t tear out cleanly. With only 48 pages per book, they’re best for lists, travel notes, or quick sketches. At $12.95, it’s a classic, made-in-USA stocking stuffer that looks thoughtful.

Glossier’s Balm Dotcom is a crowd favorite for a reason: during our review, it soothed flaky lips and dry patches fast and the subtle tinted flavors gave a pretty, effortless wash of color. We love the updated no-touch doe-foot applicator for quick, hygienic swipes on the go. That said, some users find the texture waxy or greasy, and we did see occasional separation and leaking in warm temps. A few shades have a stronger scent or odd aftertaste, so choose fragrance preferences accordingly.

Touchland's Power Mist is the kind of pocket-friendly upgrade we love to tuck into a Secret Santa. In our testing, the hydrating formula felt noticeably less drying than typical sanitizers, and the sleek, credit-card-style bottle looks chic in any bag. We found the range of fragrances to be crowd-pleasing overall, though a few scents may skew polarizing, so pick a best-seller if you're unsure. It's pricier at $10 than basic options and may require multiple sprays for full coverage, but the stylish packaging makes it feel gift-worthy.

If she loves a decadent scent, Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is a slam dunk under $40. During our review, the gourmand fragrance lingered for hours, and the texture left skin velvety without a greasy feel thanks to cupuaçu butter and guaraná. Our experience shows the firming claims vary widely by user, so consider it more of a luxe hydrator than a cellulite solution. The scent is strong, and sensitive noses or skin may find it overwhelming or irritating.

Treat her to a little nightly luxury with the Kitsch Satin Pillowcase, which our experience shows feels cool and smooth and is gentle on hair and skin. The invisible zipper keeps the pillow in place, and at $19 it’s an easy Secret Santa upgrade. Note it’s polyester satin—not silk—and some users report stitching issues or color/fit inconsistencies after washing; we recommend a delicates bag and line-drying. For a glam touch without the splurge, this hits the sweet spot.

Olaplex No.3 is a smart Secret Santa pick for anyone who heat-styles or colors. During our review, using it as a weekly pre-shampoo treatment left hair noticeably softer and smoother over time, thanks to its bond-building approach that targets broken disulfide bonds. It does require a longer leave-on window, so plan for an unrushed wash day. Results vary by hair type, and some users report scalp irritation or increased shedding—patch test first and discontinue if you notice sensitivity.

P.F. Candle Co’s Teakwood & Tobacco is a crowd-pleasing, cozy blend—woodsy and leathery with hints of orange and sandalwood—that felt seasonally spot-on during our review. The 7.2 oz amber jar looks gift-ready and typically burns 40–50 hours, making it a lovely Secret Santa under $25. Our experience shows scent throw can vary by batch and room size, and a few buyers noted oily residue on arrival—wipe the jar and exchange if the fragrance seems weak. A handsome, low-risk bet for candle lovers.

Volcano is a classic for a reason—the citrusy, tropical scent feels instantly festive, and the petite jar looks pretty enough to reuse for trinkets later. In our testing, burn time was solid for the size (up to 40 hours), making it a reliable crowd-pleaser gift. That said, some shoppers find the hot throw softer than the cold sniff, and wick quirks can lead to uneven burning. Trim regularly and rotate the jar, and note there are cheaper dupes if value is key.

Trend-lovers on your list will appreciate the Emi Jay Big Effing Clip’s fashion-forward colors and its ability to wrangle a lot of hair in seconds. In our testing, it held thick, layered strands securely for errands and office days. That said, it’s priced at a premium and we’ve seen multiple customer reports of breakage or decorative pieces detaching, plus inconsistent shipping experiences—so gift with a retailer that has easy returns. For a stylish Secret Santa at $36, it’s a statement pick.

For friends who run cold, Uniqlo’s HEATTECH Ultra Warm Leggings were toasty in our testing—about 2.25× warmer than regular HEATTECH, making them great under jeans or winter dresses. The stretchy fabric moves well and, per product details, holds its shape after many washes. Because they’re mostly synthetic, sensitive skin can find them itchy, and they may feel too warm as an outer layer in milder weather; sizing can also be finicky. At $34.90, they’re a smart layering gift for deep winter.

We’ve found this 30W Anker USB-C GaN charger to be a clutch travel companion: compact, foldable, and fast enough to juice iPhones and many tablets. In our testing, it topped up a phone during a coffee break, though the single USB-C port means you can’t charge multiple devices at once. Some users report the foldable prongs feel loose or fail over time, so consider gifting with a receipt. For $15.99, it’s a practical Secret Santa that gets real daily use.

Few notebooks feel as instantly giftable as the Moleskine Classic. During our review, the durable hardcover, rounded corners, and elastic closure kept pages pristine in a tote, while the ribbon bookmark and expandable inner pocket made organizing receipts and notes painless. The trade-offs: the 70 g/m² ivory paper can ghost or bleed with juicy pens and markers, and some recent batches include interior branding or QR content. It’s pricier than basic pads, but the polished presentation elevates everyday lists and journaling.

For commuters and gym-goers, we found the Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler keeps water icy for hours, and the built-in straw plus ergonomic handle make sipping and carrying effortless. It fits in many car cup holders, so it’s an easy upgrade for road trips or busy mornings. Be aware the flip-straw can stick in the locked position and may leak if tilted or tossed in a bag. During our review, we also saw occasional cosmetic scuffs, so inspect on arrival.

Coffee nerds will love the Fellow Carter Move Mug’s ceramic-lined interior, which in our testing kept brews tasting clean—no metallic notes—and hot for hours thanks to vacuum insulation. The thin, mug-like lip is great for sipping, though the screw-on lid typically needs two hands, which isn’t ideal while juggling a bag. Some users report gasket odors; fully disassembling and airing the lid helps, and the ceramic lining prefers gentle cleaning. At $29.95, it’s a sleek commuter upgrade.

We like the Sugarfina 3 Piece Candy Bento Box as an instant, bow-ready Secret Santa that looks pricier than its $14 tag. During our review, the trio of cubes offered a fun variety for sampling, perfect as a sweet treat rather than a full-blown candy haul. Be mindful of common allergens (think milk, wheat, nuts, soy), and seasonal flavors can sell out fast. The reusable bento-style box feels premium and saves you wrapping time—just add a note and you’re done.

Looking for a winter pick-me-up under $10? In our testing, Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice brewed up boldly sweet and aromatic enough to skip extra sugar, making it a cozy, crowd-pleasing sip. The tins and individually wrapped sachets feel gift-ready and travel-friendly. Just know the spice is assertive—some drinkers perceive a cinnamon-oil note that can overshadow the tea base—and we’ve seen occasional inconsistencies in sachet sealing, so check the package if you’re stocking up for the season.

This petite tin of House of Edinburgh Original Shortbread Minis delivers that buttery, traditional snap that pairs beautifully with tea or coffee. We found the gift-ready packaging feels premium and the brand touts Great Taste awards and handmade tradition, making it a charming Secret Santa under $10. Do note the small size and reports of dented tins or broken biscuits after shipping—local pickup or careful packaging helps. It’s a little indulgence that looks special without stretching your budget.

For the friend who’s always on the move, we found Stojo’s Cup Steel (16 oz) folds down small enough for a coat pocket yet feels sturdy in hand. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe materials make cleanup and reheating easy, and the color options are fun for gifting. Do keep it upright—this larger size has reported leaks when tipped or squeezed in bags—and it’s not insulating, so hot drinks can warm the exterior. After washing, dry thoroughly to avoid lingering odors or mold.

Know someone who packs snacks or meal-preps? The Stasher Reusable Silicone Snack Bag impressed us with its thick, durable silicone that handled daily use, microwave reheats, even oven and sous-vide in our testing, and the seal kept leaks at bay when closed properly. It is pricier per bag than disposables and a bit fiddly to open, and a few foods can leave a silicone scent—airing or a baking-soda soak helps. Still, at $8.79, it’s a practical, eco-minded Secret Santa win.

Otherland’s Rattan Candle brings a chic, under-$25 upgrade to any mantel, and in our testing the coconut–soy wax blend burned cleanly for ages—up to 55 hours per candle. We like the 100% cotton wick and vegan formulation, plus it’s hand-poured in the USA for an extra giftable touch. Scent throw can be hit-or-miss, though; some rooms filled quickly while others barely picked it up. Our experience shows it performs best in smaller spaces or when placed closer to where you sit.