This post contains a sponsored inclusion of LED Technologies, Inc. but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Like many millennial moms, I remember officially graduating from Lip Smackers and my mom’s Lubriderm to The Body Shop’s Kiwi Fruit Lip Balm and Victoria Secret’s Amber Romance collection. Today, I might be labeled a “Sephora Kid” for all the sampling of beauty products I did at the mall in the ’90s. Like Gen Alpha tweens and teens, I enjoyed the tactile and sensory experience of trying new skincare and beauty products. And don’t be surprised if a tween you know has skincare and beauty gifts on their holiday wishlist this year.
Sponsored by / Scouting America
my kid absolutely loves it—and I know yours will, too.
If you’re buying gifts for a beauty and skincare-obsessed tween, you’ll want to keep reading. For this list, not only did I poll my own Sephora Kid (a 9-year-old girl with Laneige and Glow Recipe on her list), but I researched the trending products and limited edition skincare sets, referenced expert input on age-appropriate makeup and gentle skincare for tweens, and picked some adjacent products to make their self-care routine feel a little bit more special. Plus, I added some DIY beauty kits that combine hands-on learning with tween self-care. Keep reading for the best beauty gifts for a Sephora-loving tween or teen.
Why Tweens Love Beauty Products
Certainly, there’s a Disney princess to Sephora pipeline for many kids. And for every person who complained about Sephora kids taking over the retailer, I think it helps to remember they’re flocking to beauty stores for the same reason we all did—beauty products are fun! And while today’s tweens might be learning about the products from TikTok and YouTube rather than paging through Seventeen Magazine, they still want to sample the products themselves. Shops like Sephora and Ulta offer them this trial experience. And with over 500 Sephora locations and 1,300 Ultas nationwide, beauty retailers are an accessible place for tweens to gather. Plus, brands are noticing and creating beginner beauty products, fun, colorful packaging, and targeted marketing campaigns.
Choosing the Right Beauty Gifts for Tweens
When the “Sephora Kid” craze made headlines, many dermatologists and other experts weighed on the importance of choosing gentle, age-appropriate skincare products for young kids. Parents will want to pass on any products that claim anti-aging benefits at this point.
In an article on The Everymom, Brooke Jeffy, MD, board-certified dermatologist, weighed in on the best skincare for tweens. “Between [ages] 8 to 10, encourage twice daily cleansing and moisturizing to maintain healthy skin and reduce chances of breakouts,” she said. And what parents should watch out for? “Products with active ingredients that target mature skin issues (i.e., retinols and chemical exfoliants like AHA/BHA) are often irritating to young skin and damaging to the skin barrier,” said Dr. Jeffy.
Gift Ideas for Beauty-Obsessed Tweens
For beauty gifts your tween will be excited to open and try, think beginner skincare and makeup kits with cute packaging, perfume samplers, DIY kits, and fun accessories. Plus, you’ll want to consider influencer-approved and trending products, one even seen on Taylor Swift this year (hello, glitter freckles!). Here are my favorite beauty gift ideas for tweens—from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items they’ll love.
Skincare and Beginner Makeup
At some point, makeup moves from dress-up play to self-expression. And that transition often happens in the tween years. Here are some beginner sets for kids who want to start using makeup, plus some fun products to remove it. Additionally, the tween years are when blemishes and acne sprout. “Tweens and teens do need to establish healthy skincare habits, so they become routine for life,” Dr. Jeffy said. She recommends “sticking with fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic products for most kids.”
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Amazon | Fazit
Grab this makeup trend instantly made famous when Taylor Swift wore them to the Kansas City Chiefs game in October! The glitter freckle patches are available in multiple colors, go on easily, and would be perfect for a Swiftie or NYE celebration!
Sephora | LANEIGE
Give the Sephora tweens what they want—this dreamy lip kit with five flavors of Laneige’s popular lip mask.
Sephora | Glow Recipe
Unlike some of Glow Recipe’s other products, this moisturizer is free of AHA and relies on hyaluronic acid for moisture, which is safe for young skin. Grab a small size of this viral moisturizer to make sure it works for your tween’s skin.
Etsy | Anastasias Studio
A perfect stocking stuffer for the makeup-obsessed girly, this customizable keychain will allow them to attach their favorite gloss onto anything—so they can have glossy lips no matter where they are!
Ulta | Bubble
Bubble is popular with the Sephora tweens for its brightly colored packaging and fun flower-shaped lotion dispenser. To keep to their kid-safe skincare products, skip the serums and have them try this moisturizer and lip balm stocking stuffer set.
Ulta | TONYMOLY
Combine their love of Squishmallows with their love of skincare. This themed face mask pack includes five fun and hydrating options.
Sephora | Saie
At this age, you’ll want clean makeup options as they’re experimenting with with different shades of blush to see what works for their skintone.
Target | e.l.f. Cosmetics
Let them sparkle while experimenting with new makeup looks. This $10 eye shadow palette from clean make-up brand e.l.f includes 10 nude shades.
Target | Real Techniques
This everyday essential brush set will give them all the beginner tools they need to start trying on different makeup looks.
Amazon | The Makeup Eraser
Tweens can wash off makeup with just water and these super-soft cloths. Available in tons of cute colors and patterns.
Perfume Sampler Sets
If I try hard enough, I can conjure the scents of Gap Dream, CK One, and Elizabeth Arden Sunflower perfumes (and honestly, if someone would create a millennial perfume sampler pack, I’d probably buy it). Today, tweens seem to have many more options, like these influencer-approved brands that come in convenient sampler packs.
Sephora | Sol de Janeiro
With this four-pack of influencer-approved Sol De Janeiro perfume sprays, they can sample four scents, but warning, once they try (and smell!) these products, they might be hooked.
Sephora
This giftable set comes with eight sample-size fragrances and a voucher for tweens to redeem for a free travel-sized bottle of their favorite from the pack.
Sephora | Replica
Replica is a TikTok favorite brand for its gender-neutral fragrances. Tweens can sample 10 scents in this set under $40.
Sephora | Ariana Grande
Fans of the actor/singer Ariana Grande will love this two-pack of her signature cloud scents.
Hair Accessories and Styling Kits
Kids this age also love expressing themselves with their hair, and these tween hair care products make styling and care fun!
Amazon | Kitsch
If they’re not already using this viral heatless hair curling set, then your tween will love to try this. You can be worry-free knowing it’s easy on the hair, providing them with fool-proof, bouncy curls.
Ulta | Conair
My Sephora tween niece won’t travel anywhere without this petite cord-free flat iron to smooth out her locks. Just make sure tweens know how to safely use this beauty gift.
Amazon | Dock & Bay
A fun hair towel will keep their locks drying, and they’ll look cute with over 25 colors/patterns to choose from.
Amazon
For under $10, they can give themselves a soothing scalp massage while lathering up their shampoo and conditioner with this useful and relaxing gadget.
Amazon | Kitsch
Sleeping on a satin pillowcase can promote healthier hair and skin. This one is available in 40+ colors, so you can pick the one just right for them.
Target
Head to a gathering of tweens, and you’ll see these cute feminine claw clips everywhere.
Fun Beauty Accessories
Once tweens start acquiring beauty products, they need a place to store them. So this list includes makeup pouches, organizers, and more. Plus, other fun beauty accessories they’ll be excited to wear and use.
Anthropologie
These viral bubble headbands help keep hair back for the morning and nightly skincare rituals.
Amazon
Stocking stuffer-sized and ready to travel, this compact mirror comes in 10+ fun colors and includes an LED light.
Wayfair
Budding Sephora tweens will love their very own vanity with a lighted mirror. Could double as a desk for crafting, coloring, homework, and more!
Amazon
A cozy robe will wrap them in warmth as they go through their skincare routines before getting dressed in the morning or as they get ready for bed. Available in 15+ fun patterns.
Ulta
Fans are eagerly awaiting the new movie out this Thanksgiving, with Wicked-mania even reaching throwback Caboodles. Choose a Glinda or Elphaba-inspired version of the throwback organizer.
Etsy | Nove Essentials Co.
Fill a personalized makeup bag with some travel-sized products for a creative gift they’ll love to open.
Amazon
For teens and tweens who consider themselves “preppy,” consider a countertop organizer for all their new products.
Nordstrom Rack | Mia
They’ll love putting on these cute, cozy sherpa slippers for self-care routines or just lounging around the house. Adults sizes also available in tons of fun patterns—from strawberries to smiley faces.
DIY Beauty Gifts for Tweens
For kids who are a little more hands-on, grab a DIY kit. Parents not quite ready to give in fully to their new beauty obsession will love that they’re learning too! From make-your-own bath bombs to lip balms, these DIY beauty kits are an experiential beauty gift for tweens.
Etsy | Urban Kangaroo
Everything kids need to create 10 of their own custom lip balms with all-natural ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
Maisonette
Nothing wrong with adding a little STEM learning to the beauty routine. Kids can make their own bath bombs with this interactive kit.
Amazon | Beetles
Tween-approved by middle schoolers I polled, kids can get creative with this 68-piece gel nail set.
Anthropologie
Tweens can experiment with gems, glitter, and more in this sparkly and festive nail art set.
Uncommon Goods
Encourage hands-on learning with a side of self-care as tweens make their very own sugar bath scrub.
Target
For kids who want to express their individuality with unique hair wraps, this tool and set makes it easy.
Beauty Gift Cards They’ll Love
Of course, any tween will be thrilled to pick out some items on their next trip to their favorite store. Gift cards will always be a hit and could be added inside a cute makeup pouch, Caboodle, or as a stocking stuffer for a special gift.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.