‘Dancing With the Stars’ Alums Weigh In

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Every savvy gifter knows that to wow someone with high standards during the holiday season while treating your own wallet right, you need to nail the tricky intersection between a gift that’s stylish, high-quality, and affordable. Striking this balance is rare, but if you’re seeking to do just that for Christmas, two unlikely guides have dedicated themselves to the task of helping you out, in partnership with Walmart Live. Enter: husband-and-wife duo Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, professional dancers and “Dancing With the Stars” sensations-slash-champions who are looked up to for their inimitable style and approachable on-screen personas.

In their recently released Walmart Live x TalkShopLive livestream (which you can view right from the media player below), the two didn’t talk about acing the samba. Instead, the interactive event, filmed right in Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy’s kitchen, explored the most worth-it purchases of the season for everyone on the list, from the trend-aware mom to the woman who loves being pampered. According to Walmart, the selections “feel elevated without the luxury markup”: just what we wanted to hear in a world where paying high prices for less-than-luxe pieces is all too common.

One of the best parts about the livestream (besides the fact that fans get to hear never-before-shared tidbits about the hosts’ relationship, like what their favorite qualities are in each other) is that you can add the products recommended by Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy to cart as soon as they’re mentioned by the pair — making the Walmart shopping experience as seamless as ever.

The couple’s first category of choice? Kitchen essentials. And the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Quart Air Fryer is a no-brainer buy if you want to level up one of the most-used spaces in your abode, Murgatroyd says. “I mean, how chic is this?” she asks Chmerkovskiy. “This is exactly what I wanted. I didn’t think I was going to get one that’s white and gold and looks like Bugatti made it!” he cheekily replies. The kitchen tool is a just-right present for all the friends in your life who are busy juggling multiple priorities and often run out of time to cook, or anyone who lives in an apartment and thus prioritizes space-saving appliances. With its four preset functions (air fry, bake, roast, and reheat), the Barrymore-created innovation is one of those gifts that truly keeps on giving.

Moving on to the fashion side of things, Murgatroyd, whose red carpet style is nothing short of covetable, steps in to show off what she’s wearing for the filming of the segment: the Avia Women’s ScubaKnit Joggers and Quarter Zip set. She points out the joggers’ soft, flexible feel and enhanced pleats at the front. As for their quarter-zip match, the piece gets Murgatroyd’s approval thanks to its attractive collar and quiet-luxury colorway. “I love a good neutral color,” she tells the virtual audience. “And if you could feel this fabric, it’s like butter. Absolute butter.”

And because no shopping spree (even if you’re shopping for someone else!) is complete without dipping into the universe of beauty, the livestream hosts have got you covered in that department, too. Meet the T3 AireBrush One-Step Hair Dryer Brush, which Murgatroyd calls a “game-changer” that can blow-dry and curl your locks in one go while locking in shine: making salon-quality results possible from the comforts of home sweet home.

“What I love about this is that it’s two-in-one,” she adds. “It dries your hair, it styles your hair. If I can combine anything these days into one — a whole beauty routine into one thing — I am happy.”

In the skin care realm, Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy (who clearly speaks less throughout the livestream but provides a hefty dose of comedic relief nonetheless) give their seal of approval to the Good Molecules Skin Prep Essentials Kit and By Terry Hydra Balm. The former is capable of upgrading anyone’s skin routine based on its inclusion of a moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid serum (“it’s that time, it’s that season,” Murgatroyd mentions, referring to wintertime’s negative, drying effects), as well as an invigorating eye gel for achieving brighter results in the under-eye region (“I have stolen under-eye stuff from you,” Chmerkovskiy admits to his wife) and a lightweight daily moisturizer.

The latter is also a stocking stuffer–worthy pick that’s showcased by the duo in its Sexy Nude shade. Equipped with a creamy texture that almost “melts into your lips,” per Murgatroyd, it also boasts UV protection properties and an attractive, subtle tint.

Charmed by Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy’s personalities and impressed by their expertise in all things gifting? So are we. Don’t waste a moment, then, in securing these star-vetted top sellers that will make you feel like a million bucks without spending nearly as much.

Sign up for WWD Shop‘s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on celebrity-approved shopping picks for the holidays.