Jump ahead
Teenage girls are notoriously hard to shop for. But you’re in luck because I happen to be an expert. Since last year, I’ve heard from teens about what’s on their wish lists and what’s in and out in their friend groups. Below are some of the products I’ve unearthed during my research, plus some particularly covetable items for this age group (including some things their favorite celebrities can’t live without). I’ve broken the gifts down into five categories, and you can use the links above to navigate to the category you think will best speak to your teenager. (And if you’ve got an adolescent boy in your life, check out our list of gifts for teenage boys, too.)
Beauty
Refresh their polish collection with a set from Olive & June, a favorite of 16-year-old actress Pressley Hosbach. Their long-lasting and quick-drying formulas come in over 100 different shades, shimmers, and glitters.
Chillhouse’s on-trend press-on kits give her Instagrammable designs — no manicure skills required.
A quick-drying replacement for the full-size towel she’s currently using.
Introduce her to K-beauty with a set of Peach & Lily essentials: gel cleanser, essence, antioxidant cream, and the Strategist-approved hydrating serum.
And add in these classic Tony Moly sheet masks.
They’ll appreciate a restock of their favorite smiley-face pimple patches. Or gift the party pack, so they can mix and match.
Give them the rose-scented, hydrating mist their fave Sabrina Carpenter uses.
Multiple teens I spoke to mentioned Selena Gomez’s makeup brand Rare Beauty and specifically its blendable, universally flattering liquid blush.
Lemonhead’s easy-to-apply glitter balm in Houdini has been ID’d on both Zendaya and Beyoncé, making this an upgrade for their kits.
Buy her multiples of this Dior Lip Oil dupe. It’s a super-shiny pigmented gloss that she won’t feel precious about reapplying throughout the day.
Summer Fridays lip butter balms were name-dropped by two teens as perfect stocking stuffers. Pink sugar is the best scent, according to teen Ella Nagel.
Here’s a not-too-overbearing starter perfume that comes in a cute pink bottle she’ll want to display on her vanity.
Accessories and jewelry
A festive replacement for her already worn-out scrunchies.
Or switch it up with a claw clip from cool brands like Free People, Kōv, or Chunks. But a generic one from Kitsch would be good, too.
Teens told me their friends are wearing silk scarves as much as scrunchies and claw clips.
Fjällräven’s Kanken backpacks are durable and statusy. Teen poll respondents and college kids say the style-minded opt for yellow.
Teens love Stoney Clover Lane’s customizations: Add her initials and a patch for her favorite hobby.
And if she’s really a fan of monograms, I spotted nameplate necklaces on one of the teens I interviewed. The 16-inch sterling silver is trendiest.
Make her feel more grown up with a pebbled leather bifold from Kate Spade.
Décor
These string lights (beloved by new college students and teens) brighten up her bedroom and hold up to 20 photos.
More in non-cheesy room décor: Each kit comes with high-quality four-inch by six-inch prints in themes ranging from “desert dreamer boho” to “dark academia.”
For the teen who’s into Netflix on Friday nights, Barefoot Dreams are the coziest and softest throws.
A much cheaper but just as fancy tabletop alternative to Anthropologie’s coveted Primrose mirror (the No. 1 item on teen BookToker Elodie’s wishlist). It holds jewelry and trinkets at its base.
This statusy Boy Smells scent layers of black currant, peony, and vanilla.
Books, magazines, and games
Pair this relaxing art-therapy coloring book with colored pencils, pens, or markers for the teen who could use a digital break.
A classic graphic novel your artsy teen probably hasn’t heard of.
If she’s into rom-coms, give her this complete boxed set of the Summer I Turned Pretty series. (She’ll stay up reading it even if she’s already binged the hit Amazon show.)
A Bluetooth speaker is great for park hangs and toting around friends’ houses. This one happens to be our best overall pick and is durable enough to withstand inevitable drops and portable enough to throw in a backpack.
Or an analog experience: Lots of teens are into collecting vinyl, and Victrola is a fairly inexpensive option that’s still good quality.
I gifted this Instax to my then-13-year-old cousin, and unlike most passing infatuations, she’s still taking instant photos a year later.
Upgrade her headphones with either the slightly fancier AirPods Pro or even fancier AirPods Max. “It used to be that everyone wanted the newest phone, but everyone wants the newest AirPods now,” says Sunam.
Clothing
UGGs are still the most popular shoe. Go with a pair they can wear outside, like the viral Tasmans or Ultra Minis.
In second place is Dr. Martens: The platform Jadon 8-Eye Boot is beloved by teen-favorite celebrities Emma Chamberlain and Dove Cameron.
Adidas Sambas were brought up by nearly every teen I spoke to, but a similar and more in-stock option is the Gazelle. Instead of gifting a black or white pair, opt for one in her favorite color instead.
The top gift on multiple teens’ wish lists was concert tickets to see their favorite musician or band, and merch tees were a close second. To find out what music they’re into, poke around on Spotify — but Taylor is probably going to be a hit.
Help her start flipping her thrift finds (a trend multiple teens mentioned) with this beginner-friendly sewing machine.
If they’re the crafting type, they’ll appreciate an all-in-one crochet kit from Strategist-favorite Wool and the Gang. Teen Sunam told me lots of her friends have crocheted things like crop tops, skirts, pouches, AirPod cases, and headphone covers.
For a present that’s just an afternoon of fun, rather than a new hobby, I recommend a tie-dye kit. This comes with everything they’ll need to tie-dye shirts, hoodies, socks, and whatever else they like.
Any teen, whether they prefer secondhand or not, will love a pair of new Levi’s. Sunam suggests a baggier style, like these dad jeans.
Flare bootcuts came up often, and Nagel, who’s a fan of Aerie’s “buttery soft” leggings, has this specific pair on her wish list.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultraflattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
