26 Best Makeup Brands for Teens That Are TikTok-Approved 2024

Nowadays, teens know just about everything regarding creating the perfect makeup look, thanks to TikTok. The app displays video after video with product reviews, makeup tutorials, hacks, and more, which means they’ve probably been asking you to buy their favorite TikTok-famous beauty products for them to duplicate the looks at home.

Madonna (wearing a Gucci suit) at arrivals for Billboard Women In Music 2016, Pier 36, New York, NY December 9, 2016.

Best Makeup Brands for Teens, at a Glance

Best Customizable Brand: GoPlay Cosmetics
Best New Brand: Polite Society
Best Drugstore Brand: Essence
Best Celeb Brand: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Best Influencer Brand: Huda Beauty
Best Viral Brand: e.l.f. Cosmetics
Best O.G. Brand: Charlotte Tilbury
Best Korean Beauty Brand: Kaja
Best Startup Brand: Glossier
Best Target-Exclusive Brand: More Than Magic

Truthfully, diving headfirst into the world of makeup with your teen can be quite daunting (and expensive) for parents. Thankfully, many of the makeup brands that are popular on the app are both budget-friendly and age-appropriate, making the transition into this new stage as seamless as possible. And, chances are they’ll find a way to save up and buy the makeup they want, so at least this way, you can have a say in what (and how much) makeup they begin using.

With all the options available now, it can be a bit overwhelming heading into a store to purchase makeup or skincare for the first time with your teen. There are brands that’ve been around for years — and that you yourself probably used as a teen – along with newly launched brands like Polite Society, GoPlay Cosmetics and Gen See. However, there’s no need to worry: we did the legwork for you and narrowed it down to the TikTok-approved makeup brands that both you and your teen will adore.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. GoPlay Cosmetics is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

GoPlay Cosmetics
Let your teen’s creativity run wild with this one-of-a-kind DIY color-mixing makeup kit. The LIPSKIT, by the innovative and earth-friendly GoPlay Cosmetics, comes with five lipstick bullets designed to be blended into an endless array of custom colors (mixing pots are included too) and used not just for lips but for eyes and cheeks, too. The ideal gift for the teen in your life who loves to experiment with and really have fun with their makeup — or the budding beauty chemist! The LIPSKIT formulation is waterproof, vegan, cruelty-free — and 100 percent pure fun.
LIPSKIT
$79 (originally $89)
e.l.f. Cosmetics
No doubt, e.l.f. Cosmetics is one of the most beloved drugstore brands out there for teens (and adults!). Not only are their products actually good, with many having gone viral, they’re super affordable as well. Take for instance, the Liquid Poreless Putty Primer. It creates a smooth, flawless canvas to apply makeup on for just $10.
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
$10
CoverGirl
When it comes to drugstore brands, it doesn’t get any more iconic than CoverGirl. The brand, which has had numerous A-list celeb ambassadors throughout the years, has a lip gloss that’s gotten a ton of attention on social media. The Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss comes in the cutest pink packaging and a variety of “delicious flavors” and scents. It contains ultra-hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep lips moisturized, and it’s also made to be non-sticky and lightweight.
Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss
$8
The Crème Shop
The Crème Shop is a K-beauty brand known for its adorable collabs with Sanrio and BT21 (their Hello Kitty sheet masks are really fun!). While they do have a ton of skincare, their makeup has also gotten attention as well for its cute packaging. The Cheeky Liquid Blush is one such product. It’s ultra-pigmented, long-lasting, and super blendable.
Cheeky Liquid Blush
$12
Catrice
Catrice is another brand that creates high quality makeup that won’t break the bank. Just recently, their Instant Awake Under Eye Brightener went viral on TikTok for its incredible ability of making tired eyes look brighter and more awake.
Under Eye Brightener
$6
Kosas
If your teenager wants to dive into a full makeup routine, have them browse through Kosas’ products. There are so many good finds including the Revealer Concealer, which is formulated to be gentle on the skin and helps to smooth imperfections — without a heavy finish. They also released a new bronzey version of their popular skin tint: the DreamBeam SPF 40.
DreamBeam SPF 40 PA++++
$40
Milk Makeup
Milk Makeup has a ton of multi-use products that are perfect for minimalist looks or quick-fixes. One product that’s taking off on social media is the Cooling Water Jelly Tint Blush. It’s sheer lip and cheek tint that’s both highly pigmented, yet looks so natural on. It also feels nice and cool when applied on the skin.
Cooling Water Jelly Tint Blush
$24
Essence
Essence is an affordable and accessible drugstore brand that has gone viral for several different products (Essence Lash Princess mascara, anyone?). But the latest is their Glimmer Glow lipstick. But the eye-catching clear/glittery lipstick is just the tip of the iceberg; its pH-reactive technology makes it change colors, adjusting to the perfect shade for the wearer.
Essence Glimmer Glow Lipstick
$4
Alleyoop
Truth be told, there’s no need for a million steps in your teen’s skincare or makeup routine, which is precisely why Alleyoop was developed. Each product in the line is intended to be multi-use, making makeup applications super simple and saving you time and money in the process. Grab their multi-tasking makeup brushes, blush, bronzer, and highlighter compact, or a beauty starter kit for a teen who’s looking to dip their toes into the makeup world.
Multi-Tasker All-in-One Makeup Brush
$28
Morphe
Your TikTok-loving teen definitely knows who Charli and Dixie D’amelio are — and has probably begged you for makeup from their line, Morphe 2. Each product was created for younger teens who aren’t necessarily into heavy makeup looks and includes a barely-there skin tint, lip oil, and more, along with some skincare. It’s great for those who aren’t into heavy makeup or are making their foray into beauty for the first time.
Hint Hint Skin Tint
$18
Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Cosmetics is a “must-have” when building your teen’s makeup collection. The line has some of the best lip kits that are easy to apply and don’t take long to smooth across lips. We recommend snagging the Matte Lip Kit in the shade Kisses from Nordstrom — an exclusive to the retailer. The kit comes with one liquid lipstick and a lip liner, which makes the perfect duo.
Matte Lip Kit
$35
Polite Society
There’s been some serious TikTok buzz over the launch of clean, sustainable beauty brand Polite Society by the creators of popular makeup brand Too Faced. Ulta carries Polite Society exclusively at this point, and More Than a Pretty Face Skin-Caring Foundation is undoubtedly its more popular product. The skincare-meets-makeup product is a buildable foundation that comes in 30 shades.
More Than a Pretty Face Skin-Caring Foundation
$42
Kopari
Ever hear of Kopari? Well your teen definitely has (and they probably heard about it by one of the gloss’s biggest fans, pop star Billie Eilish). The clean, vanilla-tasting Lip Glossy is clear, and thanks to coconut oil and squalene, it’s clearly hydrating too.
Lip Glossy
$8 (originally $16.00)
Gen See Makeup
The eco-conscious Gen Z demands it, and the hot new makeup brand Gen See delivers. Every single product, from its mascaras to its sparkly metallic iquid eyeshadow, is vegan and cruelty free. Plus, it’s tested by dermatologists and designed to be gentle with skin of all kinds. Mixed Media Metallic Liquid eyeshadow even has antioxidants.
Mixed Media Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow
$24
Glossier
Founded by Millennials, startup-turned-smash hit Glossier has made a major splash with Gen Z, and its Balm Dotcom lip balm, which comes in myriad flavors, has become a cult favorite. Like all the brand’s products, it’s vegan, clean and cruelty-free. It nourishes lips naturally and keeps them that way for hours.
Balm Dotcom Lip Balm
$14
Huda Beauty
The glam makeup artist and beauty influencer is all over your teen’s Instagram and TikTok, and her clean makeup line, Huda Beauty, is definitely on their wish list. Particularly in demand is this shmmery, sparkly eyeshadow palette, Pretty Grunge, which one Ulta employee on TikTok wears “every day.” Alas, you can’t get this brand at Ulta yet, but you can buy directly from Huda’s site.
Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
$69
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Meet your teen’s (and your) new favorite makeup brand that you’ll find yourself purchasing every time you pop into Ulta or Sephora. The brand, which was created by Selena Gomez, offers products that will instantly become your go-tos — like this liquid blush — due to their incredible formulas, beautiful, accessible packaging, and wide selection of shades.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
$23
Charlotte Tilbury
This celeb favorite is also adored by a whole new generation of teens. Charlotte Tilbury makes it into the top 10 lists of favorite Gen Z brands. If you’re going to start somewhere, start with this highlighter wand in one of the brand’s most popular shades, Pillow Talk.
Beauty Highlighter Wand
$42
Florence by Mills
This clean, cruelty-free brand was created by Millie Bobbi Brown, a Gen-Zer herself and star of Stranger Things, as a way for teens to love and express themselves through beauty. Its makeup products range from gorgeously hued cream blushes to highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes with price tags all under $30. Every product also features adorable packaging and can be used in looks that are appropriate for everyday or special occasion wear. Also: The brand has a wide range of amazing skincare products that are equally as great.
Cheek Me Later Cream Vegan Blush
$7.00
Fenty Beauty
Rihanna’s makeup brand, Fenty Beauty, is nothing short of perfection, so prepare for your teen to fall in love with every single product they try. You can’t go wrong with any of their makeup products, but Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer and the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint are game-changing. You can also grab them a set of minis if they aren’t sure what shades are their favorite yet.
Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
$21.00
MCoBeauty
Founded in 2016, McoBeauty has been making waves on TikTok and beyond, with its XtendLash Duo Mascara becoming a cult favorite. This one’s a tubing mascara, forming a bond over each individual lash while lengthening and thickening. And it’s totally clean, using active ingredients like beeswax.
XtendLash Duo Mascara
$49.00, originally $56.00
Kaja
Chances are your teen has raved on and on about Kaja’s super popular heart-shaped blush or eyeliner stamp, but the K-beauty brand has tons of other fun makeup products, too. The best part? Every product is super user-friendly, making it perfect for first-time makeup users.
Wink Stamp Original Waterproof Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen
$29.00
More Than Magic
Target is home to plenty of exclusive brands like More Than Magic, a brand that believes being yourself means to sparkle. You can pick up a variety of lipglosses and nail care, or our favorite — this lipgloss palette that has 25 lipgloss and four highlighter options.
More Than Magic Lip Gloss Palette
$8.50, originally $10.00
Nudestix
TikTok-endorsed by the likes of Kylie Jenner and Sofia Richie, Nudestix are the perfect cosmetics for on-the-go teens. These soft-colored sticks come in a ton of shades and can be used on cheeks, eyes, and lips for an all-over glow in a snap — it’s a whole face of makeup in one convenient stick.
Roses 'N Honey 3-Piece Kit
$30.00
ColourPop
Your teen will be obsessed with ColourPop‘s lineup at Target. There’s no shortage of color when it comes to the eyeshadow palettes that they can wear to school or out with friends.
Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Palette
$14.00
Glamnetic
OK, so these press-on nails from Glametic aren’t technically makeup, but we’d be remiss not to include this TikTok-viral product. They’re reusable, can last up to three weeks even through filing and polishing, and are easily removable and won’t do as much damage to natural nails.
Benefit
While it’s not necessarily new or made just for teens, Benefit Cosmetics will always be a staple for incredible brow products. It’s a tried-and-true pick for anyone who wants products that are worth every penny—and it’s a favorite of teens everywhere. Snag their Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, 24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel, and Brow Microfilling Brow to give your teen all the essentials they’ll need to create brows that wow.
24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect
$26.00
Petite ‘n Pretty
Teens just starting out with makeup need no-mess options that they can easily apply. Luckily, there is Petite ‘n Pretty‘s starter kit that includes one GLOW! Eye & Cheek Palette and a 10K Shine Lip Gloss in Gia Pink.
At First Glow Makeup Starter Kit
$36.00
Maybelline
Your makeup-loving teen will think you’re the coolest after you snag them some of the products they’ve been seeing all over their For You page. The products are all super affordable and can be easily bought at your local drugstore, which is a win-win for everyone. Start with the very viral Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara.
Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
$8.64
ITEM Beauty
ITEM Beauty, a creation by TikToker Addison Rae, fills the gap in young adult skincare and makeup with a line that helps teens feel their best by enhancing their natural beauty. Each product is vegan and cruelty-free and features no harsh ingredients within its formulas, so you can rest assured that your teen isn’t putting any of the bad stuff onto their skin. And, many of the products, like this lip gloss, are under $20, too.
Lip Quip Clean Moisturizing Lip Gloss
$14.00