There’s a real joy in being the go-to Beauty Doyenne for dads, brothers, and all-around clueless dudes in need of a translator for the complex world of daughter/sister/niece and where, to even begin. Honestly, you wouldn’t believe the number of sheepish dads sliding into my inbox (oi oi) crying: ‘Help! What do I get my teen for her birthday?’
So today, I’m feeling charitable. This column is my gift to the men out there: a foolproof, cut-out-and-keep guide to navigating the mysterious maze of teens, tweens, divas, and their endless demands for alpha hydroxy acids, bubble baths, perfumes, and all things glittery and confusing.
- Drunk Elephant End Of Firm Limits Kit, £65, boots.com
Teens love Drunk Elephant for the bright and playful packaging, their cult following (and popularity over Tik Tok etc). Drunk Elephant emphasises clean beauty and has a strong reputation for using quality ingredients without potentially irritating additives.
Many of their sets aim to target common teen concerns like oiliness, acne, and skin texture, so it’s particularly appealing for girls/teens looking for simple skincare solutions.
With Protini™ Polypeptide Cream to improve the appearance of skin's tone, texture, and firmness. B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum (Like a cool drink of water for thirsty skin) and C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum This revolutionary 15% vitamin C serum to reveal a brighter, and more even-looking complexion.
- Glossier, Balm.com Trio £30, uk.glossier.com
With a ‘’your skin, but better" approach, Glossier’s minimalistic, natural-looking makeup and skincare cater perfectly to the “effortless” look teens love.
I’m a huge sucker for this brand, the aesthetic is beyond cool and the products are really sublime and a joy to use. The futuredew facial serum leaves skin looking glowy, plump and delicious, and their stretch concealers have been a staple in my make-uk kit for years, think buttery, easy to apply (not just for teens!)
Glossier’s products are designed to be simple and easy to use, and ideal for ladies who are just starting out with skincare and makeup.
The products are designed to enhance rather than cover, letting teens ‘n tweens feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. Dads will approve! With its soft pink packaging and clean design, Glossier products look great in a “shelfie.” The brand’s signature minimalist aesthetic makes them super photogenic, which is a bonus for insta-loving teens who like to share their routines online. We’re also a huge fan of their lipgloss Balm dot com (ingenious name) with limited edition flavours like cookie butter and hot cocoa and birthday cake is just insanely good (I’m surprised I’ve not tried to eat it!)
- Bubble Snow Globe Morning Routine Set, £30, boots.com
Girls have gone mad for Bubble Skincare because it’s a brand designed specifically with t in mind, from the product formulations to the fun packaging - I was sold the minute they landed in the UK!
Bubble’s skincare products target common teen skin concerns such as acne and oiliness, using gentle yet effective ingredients that feel safe and non confusing. Plus, Bubble’s transparency about ingredients and commitment to being cruelty-free make them a conscious brand. Bubble Skincare is a sterling choice to fit perfectly into a teen’s lifestyle. Shake up your teens winter routine with the Bubble Snow Globe Morning Routine Set. Day Dream is designed to make faces sparkle with radiance (Vit C) Morning Rays wakes up slumbering eyes, and minty Tell All preps lips for with moisture
- Sol De Janeiro, cheirosa perfume mist set, £33 (worth £40), lookfantastic.com
Tweens and teens love Sol de Janeiro for its luxurious, beach-inspired tropical scents and body care products that make self-care feel like paradise. Man, they smell good!
Known best for the iconic Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (well worth getting her) Sol de Janeiro’s products have an addictive fragrance that make it instantly recognisable. The rich, moisturising formulas leave skin soft, smooth, and glowing. They’re a great choice for the body for those pampered teens and tweens.
The brand's vibrant, sun-soaked packaging and “body positivity” vibe make Sol de Janeiro feel fun, uplifting, and confidence-boosting (I’m all for that!)
This Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Mist Set is a good starter point as each of the fragrance mists doubles as a hair perfume and body spray and features a distinctive exotic scent
- Byoma Barrier Boosting Heroes, £20, boots.com
Byoma’s product line emphasises supporting and strengthening the skin barrier, which is a concern for teens dealing with sensitive skin or issues like acne and redness.
Their affordable price point is a major dad plus. I’m a huge fan of the vibrant, pastel branding ‘very mindful, very demure’ and “Instagram-worthy,” aesthetic!
The brand emphasises transparency in its ingredient lists, a key factor for those Gen Z consumers who are more ingredient-savvy than our previous generations (coming from me who used 99p Astral!)
Byoma’s clean, dermatologist-approved formulations feature rich and calming ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and green tea extract. This bargain kit is a great starter point with Creamy Jelly Cleanser, Hydrating Serum, De-Puff + Brighten Eye Gel, Moisturising Gel-Cream, Moisturising Rich Cream - making them all fun formulas, to intensely hydrate and improve skin’s texture for plump, glowing results and a stronger skin barrier.
- So…? Deluxe Duo Sweet Pea (RRP £8.00), Superdrug.com
So…? products are colourful, youthful, and fun. The names of the scents and the packaging reflect current trends, or moods that appeal to our younger generations. They’ve been around for years and continue to reign strong with the youth of today with their gorgeously sweet scents and cute and quirky packaging.
The scents are designed to give girls the freedom to express themselves and choose fragrances that match their personalities.
Many So…? fragrances come in travel-sized sprays or body mists, so easily fit in backpacks/handbags etc. They’re fun, affordable, and versatile ways for teens to explore fragrance and self-expression. So for extra dad points you could buy a variety of scents designed to be mixed and matched.
We love this So…? Sweet Pea with 150ml Sweet Pea Body Mist and 100ml Body Lotion under £10!
