Like many millennial moms, I remember officially graduating from Lip Smackers to The Body Shop’s Kiwi Fruit Lip Balm. Today, I might be labeled a “Sephora Kid” for all the sampling of beauty products I did at the mall in the ’90s. Like today’s Gen Alpha tweens and teens, I enjoyed the tactile and sensory experience of trying new skincare and beauty products. So don’t be surprised if a tween you know has skincare and beauty gifts on their holiday wishlist this year.
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.
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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 tween girls 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 (hello, glitter freckles!). Here are my favorite beauty gift ideas for tween girls—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 skincare, 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.”
YouTube sensation teen Salish Matter just launched her new skincare line that’s safe for young skin. It’s already on the wishlist for my tween. Plus, it’s available at Sephora, her favorite store.
Give the Sephora tweens what they want—this dreamy lip kit with five flavors of Laneige’s popular lip mask.
Grab this makeup trend instantly made famous when Taylor Swift wore them Kansas City Chiefs games! The glitter freckle patches are available in multiple colors, go on easily, and would be perfect for a Swiftie or NYE celebration!
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.
The brand made famous by founder Hailey Bieber, these lip tints are always out at my Sephora, so grab a favorite while they’re in stock.
A perfect stocking stuffer for the makeup-obsessed girly, this customizable keychain will allow them to attach their favorite gloss onto their backpack, bag, or keychain. Pair it with a popular lip balm like Summer Fridays or Laneige.
For kids who are a little more hands-on, and parents not quite ready to give in fully to their new beauty obsession grab a DIY kit like this lip balm kit so they’re learning too!
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 with glam packaging for the holidays.
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 skin tone.
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.
This everyday essential brush set will give them all the beginner tools they need to start trying on different makeup looks.
Tweens can wash off makeup with just water and these super-soft cloths. Available in tons of cute colors and patterns.
Combine their love of Squishmallows with their love of skincare. This themed face mask pack includes four fun and hydrating options.
If you can find this Sol de Janiero dupe at your local TJ’s, grab it! The scent is nearly indistinguishable, and it’s budget-friendly.
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.
With this five-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.
This giftable set comes with hydrating tinted lip oil in sheer pink and a floral, sweet fragrance mist—both nontoxic and safe for kids and sensitive skin.
A gift that doubles as a craft project—this $10 gift set includes a tween-approved fragrance and a kit to bedazzle it.
Replica is a TikTok favorite brand for its gender-neutral fragrances. Tweens can sample 10 scents in this set under $40.
Glossier scents are meant to be skin-scent enhancers, so they smell differently on everyone. This discovery set includes their most popular fragrance, plus three to try: Rêve, Doux, and Fleur.
Fans of the actor/singer Ariana Grande will love this two-pack of her signature cloud scents.
The tweens and teens love the smell of Touchland sprays and hand sanitizers. Grab this limited edition set of body spray and hand mist.
The collab of tween dreams! Choose from four colors of Crocs-inspired keychain cases to clip to their bag or backpack. Jibbitz included—plus they can add their own!
Hair and Nail Gifts for Tweens and Teens
Kids this age also love expressing themselves with their hair and nails, and these products make styling and care fun!
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.
My Sephora tween has this gift on her list to get the ‘beachy waves’ look. Just make sure tweens know how to safely use this beauty gift.
A fun hair towel will keep their locks drying, and they’ll look cute with over 25 colors/patterns to choose from.
Grab them the ultimate de-tangler hairbrush with a fun personalization—their zodiac sign!
For under $10, they can give themselves a soothing scalp massage while lathering up their shampoo and conditioner with this useful and relaxing gadget.
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.
Head to a gathering of tweens, and you’ll see claw clips everywhere. This gift set combines them with the bedazzling trend for a fun, hands-on set.
For kids who want to express their individuality with unique hair wraps, this tool and set makes it easy.
Olive & June’s new Pressies line (no glue needed!) for kids and tweens was just released in time for holiday gifts.
Another collab with two tween-favorite brands: Olive & June and Bubble. This set comes with five fun long-lasting gel-like nail polish colors and a clear topcoat.
For a gift that extends the holiday fun, this Advent calendar includes 12 days of nail polishes, stickers, and more.
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.
Stocking stuffer-sized and ready to travel, this compact mirror comes in 10+ fun colors and includes an LED light.
Traveling can be chaotic, especially when your tween or teen needs to bring every product they own with them. This hanging toiletry bag can help ease that stress—it folds to fit in your bag, and can be hung in your hotel bathroom.
Budding Sephora tweens will love their very own vanity with a lighted mirror. Could double as a desk for crafting, coloring, homework, and more!
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.
Fill a personalized makeup bag with some travel-sized products for a creative gift they’ll love to open.
For teens and tweens who consider themselves “preppy,” consider a countertop organizer for all their new products.
Tweens and teens can keep their skincare cool in their room or on their vanity with a built-in LED lit mirror.
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, wristlet, 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.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
Products featured in graphics linked in article. Image credited to Karola G | Pexels.
