Check your freezers!
Similar to Shrek, teen girls are like onions. They have layers. And as you peel them back, you discover what keeps them booked and busy—online and off—and interests upon interests that you never knew were there. Part of the whole teen-girl schtick is never really knowing what they’re thinking, making it extra challenging to figure out the best gifts for teen girls, be it your daughter, niece, or little sister. (As a former teen girl, I wish I knew the power I held.)
However, you’ll know she really likes it if she posts about your present in any way, shape, or form on TikTok. Given how much content these younger generations absorb and create, if your gift makes the FYP, you know it must be good.
To help y’all find the best gifts for teen girls, I spent hours researching (read: scrolling the internet) to see what themes and topics are hitting lately for that age group. The consensus? Most teenage girls want to indulge in luxurious self care, have a top-notch, glow-boosting skin care regimen, own only cute things in their closets, and have a space that feels like theirs. (They just won’t say any of that out loud.)
All this research taught me that we have more in common with teen girls than we might realize. Yes, our interests have changed or maybe even upgraded over the years, but the bottom line stays the same: We want to feel like grown-ups and have nice things.
These gifts for teen girls emulate that exact feeling, so you can find the perfect TikTok-ready gift for your teen—and potentially kickstart a life of prioritizing self-care (as well as giving them the satisfaction of having new pieces they’d be proud to show off to their friends).
Best beauty gifts for teen girls
If your teen is into hair-care, she should get to know Stockholm-based Maria Nila. This gift set is a great into, as it features some real gems. The brand’s True Soft shampoo, conditioner, and mask are made with softening Argan oil and free of parabens and sulfates. Trust us, the mask in particular is ::chef’s kiss::
W+G Senior Beauty Editor Aimee Simeon says the new Marc Jacobs fragrance is as good as you’d hope. “It’s sweet (but not in an overwhelming, sugary way), lightweight, layers well with other fragrances, and makes me feel energized and happy when I’m wearing it,” she says. It’s available in three sizes, each with cute charm details on top.
Indulging in the luxury of a fresh set of nails is a canon event for some teens, launching into a lifetime of manis, pedis, and the works. Start her on the DIY route early with this super-simple, user-friendly nail dryer that evenly cures gel polish for that salon-level shine. Plus, being the one with the gel nail kit during sleepovers? Instant cool points.
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Half the fun of teen girlhood is pretending you need all the skin-care products people in their 20s and 30s do, but really just wanting to feel the adult-like zen that comes with it. Peter Thomas Roth’s Hydra-Gel Eye Patches are the product equivalent of laying slices of cucumber over your eyes, but better because these will deliver good-for-her-skin ingredients and treat tired eyes after hours of scrolling on the phone or staring at a laptop.
If she loves playing with makeup, this lighted makeup mirror will help her step out looking like the best version of herself. It features three light settings so she can adjust the brightness to her liking, and it tilts 45 degrees to offer the perfect view as she applies her makeup or performs her skin-care routine. The LED lights wrap around the mirror’s border, doubling as a ring light for selfies or videos.
One thing every teen girl needs in her makeup bag? An everyday, bold-but-not-too-bold hydrating lip gloss. Grab this super-moisturizing gloss that won’t leave her lips sticky or tacky but instead enhances the look of natural lip color for an elevated-but-still-her pout.
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Turn shower time into a spa-like experience with this Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub that gently exfoliates skin with delicate sugar crystals while nourishing and hydrating head-to-toe with coconut oil and shea butter. (She’s in for a solid self-care lesson with this one.)
Imagine how much easier getting ready for school must be with dry shampoo? Olaplex 4D is easily one of the best we’ve tried—it leaves hair feeling fresh and clean, but doesn’t leave behind any white residue (brunettes rejoice!) or scalp buildup. Plus, it smells divine.
Best gifts for analog fun
Despite what society seems to believe, teens today aren’t actually opposed to analog fun—and what’s more analog than a jigsaw puzzle? Get her a puzzle from Birdie Puzzles, which features gorgeous and funky art from independent artists. She’ll appreciate the uniqueness of the art, and the fact that all Birdie puzzles are made from 100 percent recycled materials. And, if you’re lucky, you might even get to work on it with her.
Film cameras are still cool! While she’ll 100 percent be bragging about this gift online, the Fujifilm instant film camera is the perfect way to create memories offline while inspiring some creativity along the way. This one even comes with an adorable carrying case. (Pro tip: stuff some extra packs of film in her stocking.)
Have a BookTok teen on your hands? If they’re old enough to be a fan of Sarah J Maas’ series “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (we’re talking 18-19 because these books are *sexy* an a very adult way), they’ll love Cards Against Prythian. It takes the same gameplay style of Cards Against humanity but adds an ACOTAR twist. Did we mention this game is for ages 18 and up? Great, just making sure.
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Another great gift for bookworms, the Papier Wonder Reading Journal lets readers log their review of up to 32 unique books. It’s full of journal prompts, space to drop favorite quotes, and even a tracker section so they can keep tabs on books they’ve borrowed and lent to friends. Best of all, it’s available in seven cute colors and comes with the option to personalize the cover.
Crafty teens will love this fun, relaxing twist on a paint-by-numbers kit. Paint With Diamonds uses eco-friendly resin “diamonds” and a super sticky adhesive canvas to recreate beautiful, officially licensed art. All they need to do is roll out the canvas, put on some tunes, and get to work by pressing the diamonds onto the clearly printed symbols.
Is your teen Broadway-obsessed? If so, she’ll probably have already seen “Wicked” in theaters twice by the time you gift her this candle set from Voluspa. Help her relive the magic with two Glinda- and Elphaba-themed scents (Pink Yuzu for the former, Banyan Forest for the latter) made from clean, coconut wax.
Best clothing and accessory gifts
Sizes: XS—2XL | Colors: 3
This cropped hoodie from Cozy Earth is the perfect blend of softness and style. The length is perfect for pairing with sweats or high-waisted jeans, and the lack of drawstrings makes it feel more elevated. “This hoodie is so cute and cozy, she won’t want to take it off,” says W+G contributing writer Jamey Powell.
Sizes: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13)
Quarter-length socks are in again (thank goodness) and this set from Bombas is bound to make it into her wardrobe rotation. The sheer material still features Bombas’ famed “Honeycomb” arch support and seamless toe, but adds a sassy bit of sparkle that will look so cool popping out of her kicks. The four-pack comes with a pair of black, maroon, navy, and mustard socks.
You’ve probably seen these cloud slides on the feet of many Gen Z-ers on TikTok—and there’s a good reason why. They feel just as pillowy as they look: Made from EVA foam, they will bring her much-needed comfort as she hangs out at home or with friends. They also come in dozens of colors to match her unique style.
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Level up her makeup or accessory kit with this cute, heart-shaped pouch from Cuyana. It’s made with luxurious pebbled Italian leather that’s easy to wipe clean, and includes a small interior slip pocket for teeny tiny items. It’s small enough to fit in her purse or school bag, but large enough that it could even double as a clutch.
Sizes: 6-12.5 | Colors: 3
They’re baaaaaaack! “Birkenstocks clogs were so cool when I was a teen and, according to TikTok, they’re back with a vengeance,” says Powell. Luckily, they’re still made with the same ergonomic cork footbed and deep heel cup for comfort and support.
Best techy teen girl gifts
If there’s one thing that TikTok taught me about teens, it’s that they love a colorful light strip for their rooms. This Philips Gradient Strip has instant wireless dimming, leaving her in control of the brightness and color settings. Yup, you’re about to totally upgrade her bedroom for the better.
This one is a splurge, but it’s a gift she’ll never forget—or forget to post about. With noise cancellation and Siri access in various cute colors, these headphones might become her new BFF.
Beaded bracelets have never been more in style (thanks, Taylor!), and that extends to Apple Watch bands. This band is available in four versatile hues, including silver, gold, and rose gold. Just make sure you know the size of her Apple Watch so you buy the appropriate band size.