14 gifts for the broke, uninsured, depressed millennial
From the Still shopping? Our gift guide has something for everyone on your list series
For millennials, these are fraught financial times. When we're not out destroying the housing market or otherwise ruining the lives of baby boomers, we're refreshing our banking apps in a cold sweat in hopes we didn't overdraft this pay period. The average worker in the 24-to-36 age group earns $10,000 less than their parents did at the same age, after all. And our student debt? On average, we have twice as much as our folks. Woo, baby! We're broke! If your love is pretty much all you have to give this holiday season, we've got you covered. Selected by a squad of cash-strapped millennials for millennials, here are 14 gifts under $30, featuring art, beauty and music.
Anastasia Beverly Hills loose glitter
Whether it's packed atop eyelids, slathered across chests, or sprinkled in hair, the Anastasia Beverly Hills richly-colored loose glitter does not skim on the sparkle and shine. The beloved brand's eight uber-reflective, eye-catching shades will have even the penniless millennial feeling red carpet glamorous. $15 at anastasiabeverlyhills.com
Sephora Hair Sleeping Mask
Rigid winter temps are brutal on your quest for shiny, strong strands -- but it's nothing that Sephora's $5 Hair Sleeping Mask can't fix. Coat dry hair in the aromatic, creamy mask, put on the included cap, cozy up in bed, and then start counting sheep. Rinse in the morning to reveal the goddess-like hair you deserve. Comes in four fragrances, all offering different benefits. $5 at sephora.com
Sephora Collection False Eyelashes
Any beauty maven knows that a look is incomplete without a pair of falsies to "smize" through. Whether the style is wispy and natural, or dramatic and vivacious, The Sephora Collection False Eyelashes will excite the makeup enthusiast dearest to you. Comes in 18 styles. $10 at sephora.com
Smith & Cult nail polish
A no-chip manicure may last three weeks, but it'll take at least that long for your bank account to recover from its price tag. Smith & Cult's boldly pigmented hues will give you the salon look for less in just one swipe. Plus, the wide, circular gold caps and script logo will look pretty on a vanity display. Wins all around. $18 at net-a-porter.com
Foraco Selfie Ring Light
Lights, camera, perfect selfie! Never be the person aimlessly searching for their light, or fumbling through Instagram filters and photo effects ever again with the Foraco's Selfie Ring Light available on Amazon. The 2 in 1 light ring can take wide angle shots, too -giving everyone the opportunity to serve face in those often-unbalanced group shots. All you have to do is clamp it on. There are three dimmer options, is compatible with smartphones and tablets, and it's rechargable. $12 at www.amazon.com
"Creative Quest" by Questlove
Questlove - drummer for The Roots, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor and all-around musical Renaissance man - spans generational interest and influence. His latest book "Creative Quest" not only takes the reader on his journey as an artist, maker and shaker, but is also riddled with tips and lessons on how to make the best of the ups and downs of your own creative life. Crack this one-of-a-kind guide open for some inspiration for your most authentic, expressive self — it's the millennial way. $25 hardcover; $19 paperback at www.barnesandnoble.com
3-Pack LP Album Frame by Studio Décor
A music fan loves wall art, from over-sized posters to framed prints from iconic concerts and signed portraits. If you're a broke millennial music fan, or know and love one, you probably don't have the budget for such decor - but what you probably do have (whether fiscally responsible or not) are albums. Dress up your space with LP cover frames by Studio Decor, available at Michaels. Your LP collection can double as wall candy and is still easily accessible for hours of play time. How's that for 2-for-1? $25 for a 3-pack; $13 each at www.michaels.com
Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs
Give the frequent concert-goer in your life a gift that will keep on giving long after this holiday season: the gift of hearing! Anything over 85 dB can cause damage, while sound at concerts is typically between 98-110 dB and everyone knows quality, affordable health insurance is hard to come by for millennials. Vibes' high fidelity earplugs provide approximately 22 dB sound reduction across frequencies (15 NRR). The reusable plugs may just be the most important (and affordable) gift you give the person in your life that's always looking for the noise to be louder. $24 at www.discovervibes.com
Illuminidol prayer candle
What do you give the music fan that has everything? A candle deifying their favorite artist, of course! Illuminidol has a worship design-inspired candle to celebrate, or honor (we don't judge), their musical obsession or inspiration. Everyone from Rihanna (pictured) to Chance the Rapper, members of South Korean boy band BTS, Dolly Parton and many more are available to purchase. Candles are unscented (so that worry is off the table) and stand eight inches in height. $15 each at www.illuminidol.com
MOGU essential oil diffuser speaker
Music + mood lighting + aroma therapy = self care, right? This all-in-one essential oil diffuser speaker from MOGU emits your choice of scent (sold separately, but comes with a .17 oz lavender starter) in a steamed blend while providing a spectrum of light hues for some seriously relaxing vibes that’ll turn your space into your private sanctuary. You can even soundtrack your experience via Bluetooth or auxiliary connection, so get that Rosewave playlist ready. $29 at www.urbanoutfitters.com
Adrian Piper Tote Bag
From "The Triple Negation of Colored Women Artists" to her 2018 solo show at MoMA (the largest of any living artist), Adrian Piper is a force of conceptual art who knows exactly how to deploy text and image. This tote bag from the Hammer Museum reflects just that, allowing its carrier to channel Piper's brazen energy whenever, wherever. $22, store.hammer.ucla.edu
Art criticism page flags
If your friend is feeling the art school blues - which last long after graduation - hit her up with these sweet little sticky notes. They're just on the edge of being a pompous art world joke but hardly derivative. $6.50, shop.whitney.org
Guerrilla Girls Dearest Art Collector Handkerchief
Wielding the radical tenderness of the Guerrilla Girls, your loved one can use this handkerchief to dry his eyes while he's crying about the inequitable state of gender in the art world. $18, www.thelacmastore.org.
NYX Cosmetics suede matte lipstick
Pucker up, baby. This longwearing, velvety lippie by NYX Cosmetics comes in 24 silk-like cool, warm and vampy shades with a separate matching liner to pair. Makeup newbies and veterans alike will rejoice over this essential, and for just $8, so will your wallet. $8 at nyxcosmetics.com
Deadlines for getting your gifts in time for Christmas are here. Whether you're shopping for a child, grandparent, foodie, tech-lover or anyon…