Finding the best teen makeup brands are a total rite of passage. Ask a beauty lover of any age, and they can probably tell you the their favorite label, the first real makeup product they bought from it, and what it meant to them. Things like blush, mascara, and concealer sound simple, but they can say so much; makeup is a place for freedom, experimentation, and play.

And there are so many makeup brands to play with! The shelves of your local drugstore, department store, Ulta, or Sephora are packed with products for eyes, cheeks, lips, you name it. This can be both fun and overwhelming to navigate. How do you know what you really need versus what’s trending on TikTok at this very moment? Your best friend may love one brand, while your mom recommends another. There’s a lot to choose from!

Of course, the best makeup brands for teenagers depends on a few different factors: your day-to-day life, your budget, and your personal style. Some teens are more glitter than clean-girl minimalism. Some prefer a fresh, dewy look, while others gravitate toward a more sculpted, YouTube-tutorial vibe. No matter what you’re drawn to, there’s a brand or two waiting for you!

We chatted with real teens about their favorite brands and products and scoured store shelves, TikTok, and online reviews to find the best makeup brands for teenagers.

Rhode

It’s probably not a huge surprise that Hailey Bieber’s brand Rhode was one of the most popular picks for teen makeup brands. The line, which began as a curated collection of skincare, has now expanded into color cosmetics with its Pocket Blushes, tinted Peptide Lip Treatments, and Peptide Lip Shape liners. Rhode, which was previously available only online, is now available at Sephora, making it so much easier to play with its products. Rhode’s products are best for someone who prefers a more minimalist approach to makeup and are meant to be applied with your fingers for an effortless look. “LOVE EVERYTHING,” shared one teen.

• Known for: Lightly tinted makeup infused with skin care
• Price Range: Around $20 to $25

e.l.f. Cosmetics

Drugstore makeup has gotten a major glow-up since this writer was a teenager, and e.l.f. is one of the brands leading the pack. The brand is known for its high-quality products at an accessible price point and its “dupes” of more expensive products. One of the teens we spoke to said e.l.f. is her “go-to” product line. “I love everything from them and they’re super affordable.”