What does the average teenage girl want as a gift? That’s right, makeup. With apps like Tiktok and Instagram, makeup brands and products are trending more than ever. But how does a girl pick what is and is not worth it?Here are some of the best brands and products for makeup and  skincare to give your friends and loved ones! 

ELF

Let’s start with my favorite drug store brand, Elf Cosmetics. Elf has a ton of products ranging from eyeshadow pallets, mascaras, brow products, and products for your base like bronzer, blush, and highlighter. One of my favorite products from this brand is a newer one, the Glow Reviver Lip Oil. This Lip Oil comes in seven different shades, is non-sticky, hydrating, and leaves a super glossy finish. It is the perfect everyday lip product, no matter what shade you choose. 

Another product I love Is the Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand. The contour comes in five different shades, and leaves your complexion with beautiful definition, and a bronzy glow. These wands also come in the form of different blush shades and highlighter shades, which are also great products. 

Moving on to the other side of beauty, my favorite skincare products by Elf would have to be the Holy Hydration Triple Bounce Serum and the Pure Skin Fragrance Free Toner. The two products, especially used together, feel amazing on the skin, and leave your skin looking and feeling hydrated. Despite the incredibly affordable prices, Elf’s products work like a dream, and work just as good as high end products. 

COLOURPOP/FOURTH RAY BEAUTY

Another affordable brand that I love is Colourpop Cosmetics. They have tons of products, and lots of collaborations with different people/brands. Though all of their products are great, I of course have my favorites. To start, their blushes and bronzers, both cream and powder, are stunning on the skin, and have a very strong pigmentation. I put blush and bronzer together because Colourpop makes them with the same formulas. My favorite blush they have to offer would be the Pressed Powder Blush. They have nine shades, ranging from light pinks to bright reds. Every powder blush needs a good base for the powder to stick to, which is why I recommend the Blush Stix. This product comes in 15 shades, meaning there is a color for every skin tone. Both blushes blend on the skin flawlessly, not to mention the pricing is great and reasonable. 

If you look on Colourpop’s website, they also have a skincare brand, Fourth Ray Beauty. This has been my all time favorite skincare brand for a few years now, and it is also very affordable. They have many different cleansers, exfoliators, masks, serums, and so much more. In my opinion, one of the best moisturizers on the market would be their Face Milk, specifically the Strawberry Face Milk. This is the most soothing moisturizer I have ever used. Face Milk has a much thinner consistency than the average moisturizer, which I love. I find that the thicker the moisturizer, the more likely you are to break out. After use, your face does not feel sticky or greasy, which is rare for an affordable moisturizer. Another favorite of mine would be their Lip Masks. They are extremely soothing and soft on the lips, and the amount of product you are receiving lasts an incredibly long time. Once again, the pricing is also very affordable and you definitely get your money’s worth.

RARE BEAUTY

Lastly, I will be closing with my favorite higher-end brand, Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. Gomez has created a makeup line that preaches positivity, and embracing how you are rare; there is only one you. My favorite blush of all time would be Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. This blush comes in 13 shades, and retails for $23. It is so worth the price, as I have been using this product in my everyday makeup routine for years, and have only had to repurchase once. The pigmentation in this blush is crazy, so a little bit goes a long way. My next favorite product from Rare Beauty is the Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick. This is a cream bronzer, which is so smooth, and glides on like butter. This bronzer comes in eight shades, and retails for $26. Now normally, I would say this is a bit pricey, but this product really is amazing, and I also use this in my everyday routine. The prices are a bit higher compared to the previous brands, but the quality is astounding. 

Hope these tips help you have a happy and beautiful holiday season!