What to Gift a Tween in 2025 (And No, It’s Not a Labubu)
November 4 | 5 minute read
Words by Kerri Gordon
Searching for the perfect gift for the MECCA-obsessed tween in your life? Drop the Labubu and keep reading.
Being 30 with a permanent seat at the kids’ table is half the secret to staying culturally relevant. I’m fluent in six-seven (if you know, you probably still don’t know), brain rot and Sol de Janeiro numerics, and between chicken nuggets and strawberry lemonades, I’ve become privy to the beauty want thats and need nows of tweens across the world. If you’re looking for guidance on gifting the next generation, I’m your gal.
Smells Like Tween Spirit
When people find out you work at MECCA, they open up to you with every beauty thought/wish/desire they’ve ever had. I’m just glad I’m not a therapist.
Recently, it’s been all about fragrance – and I’ve been taking notes. Gen Alpha beauty fanatics are mad for mists, which is great news; not only are they more affordable than traditional eau de parfums, but their light mist format disperses into hormone-laden skin with less… bodily interference.
New to MECCA, PHLUR is the modern fragrance brand elevating the mist format – consider it the middle child between Sol de Janeiro and Byredo. Their Paradise Skin Set brings together their three most wearable mists (one fruity, one creamy and one salty) in a gift-and-go trio so good, you’ll want to nab one for yourself too. If your giftee is ready to take on a more traditional fragrance format, the brand’s Deluxe Trio and Discovery Kit both make for perfect starter-wardrobes.
For the Sol de Janeiro-heads, there’s one gift on our shelves that truly trumps them all: the Cheirosa Mist & Match Perfume Mist Wardrobe, a mighty gift box that reveals eight of the brand’s coveted Brazilian-inspired scents. Trust me when I tell you it’s a one-way ticket to favourite-relative-hood. It’s also the perfect pick to shop and split if you’re the adoring aunt/cousin/grandmother to a gaggle of girls. For an option a little less grandiose but with just as much fanfare, the Cheirosa & Cheer Perfume Mist Trio is sure to delight.
Recently, it’s been all about fragrance – and I’ve been taking notes. Gen Alpha beauty fanatics are mad for mists, which is great news; not only are they more affordable than traditional eau de parfums, but their light mist format disperses into hormone-laden skin with less… bodily interference.
New to MECCA, PHLUR is the modern fragrance brand elevating the mist format – consider it the middle child between Sol de Janeiro and Byredo. Their Paradise Skin Set brings together their three most wearable mists (one fruity, one creamy and one salty) in a gift-and-go trio so good, you’ll want to nab one for yourself too. If your giftee is ready to take on a more traditional fragrance format, the brand’s Deluxe Trio and Discovery Kit both make for perfect starter-wardrobes.
For the Sol de Janeiro-heads, there’s one gift on our shelves that truly trumps them all: the Cheirosa Mist & Match Perfume Mist Wardrobe, a mighty gift box that reveals eight of the brand’s coveted Brazilian-inspired scents. Trust me when I tell you it’s a one-way ticket to favourite-relative-hood. It’s also the perfect pick to shop and split if you’re the adoring aunt/cousin/grandmother to a gaggle of girls. For an option a little less grandiose but with just as much fanfare, the Cheirosa & Cheer Perfume Mist Trio is sure to delight.
Makeup For When ‘It’s Not a Phase’
My 13-year-old cousin has recently discovered WWE, admiring the strength, confidence and bold makeup of homegrown champion wrestler Rhea Ripley. It’s a definite departure from my Bieber Fever, but as the older, wiser cousin, it’s my greatest joy to play enabler (and celebrate niche interests!).
Off to the Half Magic shelf I went, to pick up some Face Studs (buying time before she asks for a real piercing) and a Sparklestik Eye Crayon in ’Noir or Never', a smudgy black shadow crayon loaded with more sparkle than I ever thought possible in the format.
I will admit, I feel somewhat conflicted in gifting makeup to tweens – is it sending the wrong message? I like to remind myself that makeup washes off, but the feelings of joy and confidence linger. Avoid cover-up style products like foundation, concealer and contour, and instead, opt for fun add-ons. Glitters (this pot of Fairy Dust is my pick), coloured liners, lip glosses and sheer blushes always fare well, as will this set of Half Magic bestsellers, of which I’ve already bought for myself.
Off to the Half Magic shelf I went, to pick up some Face Studs (buying time before she asks for a real piercing) and a Sparklestik Eye Crayon in ’Noir or Never', a smudgy black shadow crayon loaded with more sparkle than I ever thought possible in the format.
I will admit, I feel somewhat conflicted in gifting makeup to tweens – is it sending the wrong message? I like to remind myself that makeup washes off, but the feelings of joy and confidence linger. Avoid cover-up style products like foundation, concealer and contour, and instead, opt for fun add-ons. Glitters (this pot of Fairy Dust is my pick), coloured liners, lip glosses and sheer blushes always fare well, as will this set of Half Magic bestsellers, of which I’ve already bought for myself.
Gifts With Star Power
Tweens today are collecting blush wands and setting sprays like I would magazine posters. Our pop stars are their beauty founders (in many cases, quite literally).
If I’ve learnt one thing, it’s that Charlotte Tilbury really is that big of a deal. A set will always go down a treat – my recommendations being Charlotte's Hollywood Superstar Glow Kit with two viral-sensation Beauty Light Wands, or the Star Confidence Perfume Set which includes a full-size and mini of the brand’s newest scent. Alternatively, two of the brand’s 2025 launches – the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Sticks, or the fruit-flavoured Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oils – make for perfect ‘little treats’ and stocking stuffers. That is, if they haven’t already collected every flavour of the lip oil, which Charlotte created in partnership with International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. to deliver hyperreal fruitiness (she told me herself!).
On lips, the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm hype did not waver in 2025, reigning for another year in the lip balm aisle. Gift The Lip Butter Balm Minis – a petite quartet of the brand’s cult flavours – and expect to receive squeals of delight in return. If you weren’t already their favourite person, you without a doubt will be now.
If I’ve learnt one thing, it’s that Charlotte Tilbury really is that big of a deal. A set will always go down a treat – my recommendations being Charlotte's Hollywood Superstar Glow Kit with two viral-sensation Beauty Light Wands, or the Star Confidence Perfume Set which includes a full-size and mini of the brand’s newest scent. Alternatively, two of the brand’s 2025 launches – the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Sticks, or the fruit-flavoured Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oils – make for perfect ‘little treats’ and stocking stuffers. That is, if they haven’t already collected every flavour of the lip oil, which Charlotte created in partnership with International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. to deliver hyperreal fruitiness (she told me herself!).
On lips, the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm hype did not waver in 2025, reigning for another year in the lip balm aisle. Gift The Lip Butter Balm Minis – a petite quartet of the brand’s cult flavours – and expect to receive squeals of delight in return. If you weren’t already their favourite person, you without a doubt will be now.
For The Skin They're In
Last year, the beauty conversation was dominated by the over-indexing of tweens as high-performance skincare shoppers. From acid-based serums and tonics to hundred-and-something-dollar creams, concern grew for their skin barriers and, well, their parents’ hip pockets.
A year later, we’re in a better spot. Tweens (and their parents!) are more schooled-up on skincare ingredients than ever before, and the focus is now on simple, fun-to-use essentials and of course, sun care. Setting a tween up with good skin habits early is the greatest gift of them all – so when the breakouts come and call for a little extra TLC, it’ll feel like less of a big deal.
Youth To The People’s Cleanse + Glow Duo Set makes for the perfect two-step nighttime routine, starring their viral superfood-powered cleanser and overnight hydration mask. For those with sensitive skin (or veering on the cautious side) Tower 28’s SOS Minis Kit is approved by the US’ National Eczema Association (Tower 28 is also a Bronze Partner with the Eczema Association Australasia), featuring the highly-rated hypochlorous acid spray coveted by those prone to eczema, redness and breakouts, the cleanser loved for its gentle, non-stripping wash, and the cream that delivers on immediate hydration and barrier repair.
If they have dry skin, Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Deep Hydration Set will go down a treat with its juicy serum and moisturiser. On the other hand, if they’re entering that oily, congested, teenager-y stage, Go-To’s Clear And Clean Skincare Duo pairs the brand’s beloved Properly Clean foam cleanser and Clarifying Face Hero Oil for a simple two-step routine that thoroughly cleans, unclogs, rebalances and reduces future breakouts.
If they have dry skin, Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Deep Hydration Set will go down a treat with its juicy serum and moisturiser. On the other hand, if they’re entering that oily, congested, teenager-y stage, Go-To’s Clear And Clean Skincare Duo pairs the brand’s beloved Properly Clean foam cleanser and Clarifying Face Hero Oil for a simple two-step routine that thoroughly cleans, unclogs, rebalances and reduces future breakouts.
If all else fails, there isn’t a single person who wouldn’t benefit from daily SPF. Comfy, modern formulas in colourful packaging make it not only giftable, but desirable – and easy to turn into daily habit. In a hot pink tube, the MECCA MAX SCREEN SAVER SPF30 Facial Sunscreen is a straightforward ’screen that leaves an undetectable matte finish. Alternatively, for extra protection and a slightly glowier finish, there’s the iconic MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen, dressed up in the vibrant art of Karen Black for the holidays.
