The Best Makeup for Teens From L’Oréal Paris

There’s no “right” age to start wearing makeup. Whether it’s a full face of glam or a bronzy, minimal look, makeup is a means of experimentation and expression, regardless of your age. When you’re in your teens and you’re first building your makeup kit, aside from including the must-have products like a tinted moisturizer or a peachy blush, we’d be willing to bet that you also want to make some space for the latest viral TikTok products and drugstore dupes. If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your guide to makeup for teens, including the best drugstore products to include in your makeup bag and how to use them. 

What Makeup Brands Are Good for Teens?

When you’re just beginning to experiment with makeup, a drugstore brand like L’Oréal Paris is a great entry point. The products are affordable, easily accessible, and perform like luxury formulas for a fraction of the cost. Plus, they offer a wide range of makeup including viral products (with TikTok’s seal of approval) and drugstore dupes that teens will appreciate. 

10 Makeup Products for Teens

Before talking about makeup tips and different looks, you’ll want to fill your makeup bag with the proper tools. Here are 10 products for everyday teen makeup that should make the cut. 

1. Medium-Coverage Foundation

For an even complexion, start out with a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer. The reason is because something with medium coverage will help blur and conceal imperfections without hiding the skin underneath. Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, a hydrating skin tint with skin care benefits and lightweight coverage. Another option is the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, a buildable foundation with a natural finish that comes in 47 shades organized by undertone.

How to use it: Apply a dot of foundation or tinted moisturizer to your cheeks, forehead and chin. Blend the formula outward with a makeup sponge or stippling brush for a flawless finish.

2. Full-Coverage Concealer

While you may not need a full-coverage foundation when you’re first experimenting with makeup, a concealer with a full-coverage formula can come in handy for hiding blemishes. We suggest the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage because it comes in 25 shades and provides a flawless matte finish that lasts for up to 24 hours. 

How to use it: Apply a dot of concealer in the areas where you need more coverage. Blend it out with a stippling brush or a makeup sponge for seamless coverage.

3. Blush

Blush is easily one of the hottest makeup products at the moment so you have to include it in your growing makeup bag. For a bright pop of color, try a powder formula like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush. For a dewy, glowy finish, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint, which also doubles as a lip tint.

How to use it: For powder blush, sweep your color of choice onto the apples of your cheeks with a fluffy brush. For a cream formula, lightly blot it onto the apples of your cheeks with clean fingers or a beauty sponge. 

4. Brow Mascara

When you’re starting off with makeup, there’s no need to go crazy with brow pencils and gels when filling and shaping your eyebrows. Instead, go for a subtle brow with a brow mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Volumizing 24H Wear Brow Mascara. This will help add a tint of color, creating a slight boost of thickness, while brushing your brow hairs into place.

How to use it: Start with clean brows, and brush the applicator through your brows in short, upward strokes to boost volume and build up to the desired intensity and shape.

5. Eyeshadow Palette

Rather than stocking up on an array of single eyeshadows, make your life easier and invest in an eyeshadow palette. Look for one with neutral colors that can be used daily, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche La Palette Nude. Once you have more experience with applying eyeshadow, then you can begin to experiment with different looks and brighter colors.

How to use it: To help get you started with your eyeshadow palette, dip into a shade that is similar to your skin tone, and blend it all over your lid with an eyeshadow brush using windshield wiper motions. 

6. Mascara

It should come as no surprise that mascara is on this list because it may just be the most essential product in your makeup bag. Look for a formula that will give your lashes lift, length and volume. We love the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara because it provides those three things and it prevents clumping — TikTok approves of it, too. 

How to use it: Place the wand at the base of your lashes. Sweep up and gently wiggle the wand back and forth as you do so to build up volume.

7. Sheer Lipstick

A hydrating lipstick that provides sheer color and a glossy finish is a must for everyday wear. Pick your favorite shade (or a few!) from the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract line. They apply (and feel) like your favorite hydrating lip balm, but provide color like a lipstick. 

How to use it: Work from the center of your top lip to the outer edges, following the natural contour of your mouth. Then glide the lipstick across the entire bottom lip from corner to corner.

8. Lip Gloss

Speaking of sheer lip colors, if you want something even glossier, make sure you grab a lip gloss for your makeup bag. A tube of the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss Pomegranate Extract is non-sticky and hydrating, plus it smells good and comes in a variety of bright, fun colors. 

How to use it: Start at the center of your upper lip and work your way to the outer edges of your pout, following your lip shape. Then, glide the applicator across your bottom lip.

9. Highlighter

Highlighter adds a natural glow to the skin and when you opt for a liquid formula like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, it can be used in a number of different ways. TikTok has made their love for this drugstore dupe very well known, especially TikTok It girl, Alix Earle. Use the Deep shade to give your skin a bronzy glow just like she does, or choose a shade that matches your skin tone and apply it to the high points of your face. 

How to use it: Use clean hands to blend it all over your face before you apply foundation, or use your fingers to dot it on the high points of your face for a subtle glow. 

10. Setting Spray

Setting spray like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray will help your makeup stay in place all day long. It’s especially good for warm weather days or for those who have oily skin. 

How to use it: Spritz it all over your face in an X and T motion. 

Next: 3 Ways to Revive Dry Mascara Like a Pro

Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier