I’m a Tween and Here’s Everything I Want to Buy This Fall…Plus One Product I’m Totally Over

Some may argue that a 12-year-old doesn’t need a face serum at all. (I, for instance, would kill for my pre-pubescent skin!) But the girls I spoke with swore by this lightweight primer as a great pre-makeup treatment that leaves them feeling hydrated and even-toned. They also love the packaging. “It’s so fun! It's this roller and you squeeze it and just roll it onto your face,” says Brooke.

“They’re very fluffy, you can wear them anywhere and they basically cover your whole foot,” raves Taitum, who definitely places this thicker-soled Ugg at the top of her wish list. Now, as an adult, I might dispute the wear-them-anywhere statement. (Please do not wear Uggs to the office, people.) But as a lover of comfort, I can’t argue with the fact that these fur-lined, 1-inch platform slippers are as pillow-like as it gets.

Among the girls I talked to, this was the unanimous favorite in the haircare department. And for once, I agreed! (I personally use the instant shine mask to keep my color-processed middle-aged hair in check.) Capri loves these products because, as she says, “they smell so good: fruity and tropical!”

Let’s please celebrate the fact that today’s kids understand the importance of sunscreen. *Shudders, thinking of 19-year-old self crisping on a tanning bed* The tweens I spoke to said they wear one daily, and they swear by this Supergoop! tinted option that works as a primer and comes in four different skin tones. “It’s really high quality,” says Taitum.

“I would bring this to go shopping,” says Brooke. “You can fit your wallet and a bunch of other small things in there.” PureWow readers agree, making this one of our top-selling products to date. TikTok is certainly to blame for the tween-girl interest (the hashtag #lululemonbeltbag has garnered more than 185 million views), but it’s also just a damn good bag, made of recycled nylon and able to be worn as either a fanny pack or cross-body. And at $38, it’s an item tweens can save up to buy themselves.

Should a tween have a $64 moisturizer that targets fine lines and wrinkles? Listen, I’m just here to report on their wish lists, people! And this social-media-beloved product topped all three of my sources’ list thanks to both its trendiness and moisturizing benefits. “I love that they come out with new stuff every few months,” says Brooke. “And I've heard really good things about this moisturizer. I had the green one and I ran out of it, but I want to try this one because it's thicker.” For what it’s worth, dermatologists we spoke with have no problem with tweens using moisturizers along these lines as long as they stay clear of ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid and glycolic acid (none of which you’ll find in the Lala).

You knew you wouldn’t get through a list of tween-must-haves without spotting this iconic stainless steel number! I completely agree with Taitum, who raves, “They hold a lot of water and they stay cold for so long. There are so many great [options] and they keep coming out with cute designs and colors.” Buy one for your tween to schlep to school this year, then watch her look of horror when you tell her you used to have to walk to the water fountain between classes to stay hydrated.

Remember going to the mall and dousing yourself in CK One? For today’s tweens, it’s all about Sol de Janeiro. (And there’s no mall; it’s all TikTok.) Brooke loves this scent for the floral, beachy smell and long-lasting qualities. “It's a body mist so I just spray it in the air and walk through it.”

Leave it to a 12-year-old to inform you that a thing you never was in is now totally out. Apparently, girls loved these leave-on, hydrating lip masks last year, but now they’re pretty over them, says Capri. Maybe their lips got so plumped and moisturized they no longer need them? Or maybe they just realized they could get the same effect with Vaseline ;).