I am a proud dad of an independent-minded 15-year-old that rolls her eyes at things I say all the time. Yep, it’s true. However, when the subject of presents comes up, the eye-rolling stops. Like, immediately.
This list of the best gifts for 15-year-old girls was created while my daughter consulted from over my shoulder. From gadgets and clothes to bedroom decór and games, you’ll find some great (and sometimes funny) ideas here.
My daughter didn’t agree with every single choice on the list but, as I keep informing her, she’s not the center of everyone’s universe…just mine. If anyone’s looking to buy her dad something, take a look at our list of 101 handyman gifts. I’ll take anything.
Our Review
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This small messenger bag from Vere Gloria measures about 9-3/4-inches wide by 2-3/4-inches thick by 11-3/4-inches tall and is suited for girls and boys. It’s rugged and vintage-looking so if it’s thrown into a locker or the back seat of the soccer mom van, it will only add to its good looks. This bag is perfect to use as a school bag, over the shoulder bag, travel backpack, or a laptop sleeve.
Sturdy and spacious, this bag is made of canvas with some cowhide leather trim. It has one main compartment and one zipper pocket on the inside. two other pockets are available for various stuff that teens must bring with them here and there. Girls have many, many bags to use and this messenger bag would be a great addition.
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As a dad, I’m a huge believer in experimentation with hair coloring, ear piercing, and things like this Organic Jagua Black Temporary Tattoo Kit provides. My thought is that if I’m flexible over here, maybe then I can stave off that eyebrow piercing for a while. The temp tattoo kit provides stencils and ink so that your kid can try out some funky designs on themselves.
The kit is made in the USA, all-natural, and organic. It doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. The ink is created with something called Jagua fruit and is not related to henna. Tattoos created will last anywhere between 10 to 15 days.
Add water and mix with the Jagua powder to create a gel that lasts two to three months when refrigerated. There’s enough ink included to produce 15 designs. So let them go crazy with inking themselves up…it’s only going to last a week or two and then maybe they’ll think twice before a real tattoo later in life.
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I walked in on my daughter in her bedroom to ask her to come down to dinner when I noticed she was crying. And not just crying, but sobbing giant crocodile tears. I asked her what on earth was wrong and that’s when I realized she was watching Grey’s Anatomy on her cell phone. Apparently one of the characters was going through some life-changing crisis or something.
My kid is a big fan of the show so this cozy, warm hoodie with the Grey+Sloan Memorial Hospital logo on it is a perfect gift. I like this version because the name of the show is nowhere to be seen on the garment. Nerd gear is so much better when it’s not so obvious. This 50/50 pullover comes in 11 colors and is a unisex size so size down for your young one.
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If you know a teenage girl, you can be pretty sure that she owns some form of an iPhone. If they have an iPhone, you can be pretty sure she wants a pair of Air Pods. And once they have Air Pods, they’ll be in her ears until she moves out when she’s 32. If then.
Seriously though, Apple Air Pods are some amazing earbuds. They feature active noise cancellation for immersive sound with a transparency mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you. Air Pods come with three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit.
They’re sweat and water-resistant with adaptive EQ that tunes music to the shape of your ear…automatically (insert creepy music here). Air Pods work with all of her Apple devices. The wireless charging case that comes with the Air Pods are good for 24 hours of battery life and, trust me, she’ll need all the power she can get with how much they get used.
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My kid has a microwaveable heating pad a lot like this one. She stores it in the freezer and when she has an ache or pain, out it comes. I hear the beeping of the microwave and smell the lavender aroma fill the house.
Soothing and warm, this version comes in 18 different plush animals to offer some comfort to your kiddo when she’s not feeling great. The plush is good for stress relief, anxiety reduction, and calming that churning tummy down. When your little one isn’t doing well, this heating pad is a great remedy for what ails her.
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It is a coincidence that the first two items on this list are name brands and are a sterile white color? Maybe. All I know is that these Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low Women’s Shoes were highly recommended by my little one…er…daughter.
Don’t worry about white shoes getting dirty; if you don’t like white, there are six color combinations including black, pink, and tan. Nike is the sneaker company on the planet so you won’t go wrong getting the wrong type of shoe. As long as that swoosh is prominent, it should all be good.
Made of mostly leather with a bit of synthetic materials here and there, the Air Force 1 Sage has a foam sole that includes air cushioning. The outsole is made of non-marking rubber for traction and durability. Yes, Nikes are expensive but so are most other tenny runners these days. Oops…I just dated myself with that “tenny runner” phrase.
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Shoes are a big deal to any 15-year-old girl but they come by it honestly because, let’s face it, shoes are a big deal to any woman. These cute chunky mid-heel boots are just the thing for school, coffee, or just hanging out. They feature a non-slip rubber outsole with an edge that can be turned over toward the ankle.
The boots have a round toe with suede panels and mid-heels that are chunky and comfortable. They’re good for autumn and winter despite being made of suede. The slip-on convenience is nice as well. They come in this nice camel or you can choose green, orange, black, or grey.
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Kids have so much more stuff to carry around to school these days and they need a good backpack that’s going to stand up to abuse. The North Face Women’s Jester Backpack is the ultimate pack for an average day around campus. It features a 15-inch laptop sleeve, shoulder straps that are designed specifically for women, and loads of pockets and hiding spaces for a myriad of things. Plus, it comes in 36 (36!) color combinations.
This pack has a FlexVent suspension system with a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support. Have you actually picked up your child’s backpack when it’s full? It’s heavy. This backpack can handle it day after day after day.
And here’s the thing: The North Face provides a lifetime warranty on their packs. If for any reason they wear out or break, they’ll provide you with a new one with no questions asked. My son has taken them up on this policy in the past and their amazing customer service made my head spin.
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Alexa and Siri…what did we do without them answering our every question? I shudder to think. The fourth generation of the Echo Dot is making its debut and this version includes an LED clock.
This gadget has a new design in the form of a fun sphere and delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound. It’s perfect for a nightstand or dresser. All the time, alarms, and timers can be featured on the LED display. To snooze the alarm (a problem in my home), simply tap the top.
Of course, this Echo Dot features Alexa to tell a joke, play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, and more. It can control smart devices in your home using voice commands. The Echo Dot can also call just about anyone hands-free. You can also drop in on other rooms or make announcements to the entire house.
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Necklaces like this one featuring a sideways initial have gotten more popular since the Alexis character wore one on “Schitt’s Creek”. This necklace is made of gold-plated stainless steel with a 20-inch chain. The letter itself is roughly 1-1/2-inches and available in every letter of the alphabet.
Don’t want gold plating? That’s cool, this charm and chain are available in basic steel as well. This piece of jewelry is a fun and cheeky way to tell your 15-year-old how special she is.
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My kid is on her phone a lot. I constantly get notices on my own device (yes, our family utilizes tracking software) that she needs to recharge. Because she’s on the go so often, charging cables like this Native Union Belt Cable.
It’s four feet long, available in seven different colors, and a strong reinforced structure to help it survive a teenager’s life. It also has an O-flex strain relief design at the connector joint to absorb twice as much stress with a 10,000-bend lifespan. In short, it’s a lot stronger than most standard lightning cables.
Keep in mind that this is a USB-C lightning cable so it’s meant for Apple devices (except for the USB-C iPad Pro from 2018 or later) only. The genuine leather strap keeps things neat, tangle-free, and in good condition…which might be a nice change of pace for your teen.
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This is it, the ultimate power tool for the young woman: Apple’s iPhone 11. There are a myriad of versions out there with different levels of internal memory, color, and generation. This particular iPhone is an unlocked version with 128GB of memory but it’s easy enough to find other ones.
This iPhone is also a “renewed” mobile decision which in my experience has always worked out splendidly at a lower cost. You’ll have to be comfortable with that decision on your own. The new dual‑camera system captures more and you know how many photos your daughter takes. This is the fastest chip ever to be featured in a smartphone as well. The all‑day battery life will come in very handy while video is of an incredible quality.
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Apparently fake plant vines made of cloth leaves and plastic stems are a thing. My daughter calls them “wall vines” and you use them to decorate your deck, porch, or room. They can be hung down the wall or fashioned into shapes.
There are a million different varieties out there but this artificial ivy had close to 6,000 ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6. Not bad. If she gets these, my kid has plans of combining them with some LED or Christmas lights to groove up her bedroom. Pretty cool.
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The Wonderboom Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is something that I thought would be an amazing gift for a 15-year-old girl. My daughter disagreed and I think it has to do a lot with the fact that she wears her Air Pods even when she’s sleeping. Consider, however, all the positives this Bluetooth speaker has to offer:
It has an amazingly crisp, bold, and clear sound that projects 360 degrees. It’s waterproof with an IPX7 rating. The Bluetooth range is up to 100 feet away; that’s crazy! The Wonderboom has a 10-hour battery life per charge and it can pair with another Wonderboom if you want to get some stereo action in on the party. It also comes in multiple colors.
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Since 1984 (ancient history to your 15-year-old), Burt’s Bees have produced beauty products that work in harmony with the natural environment. Kids these days are much more in tune with saving the planet than any other generation in history (thank goodness). This skincare gift pack will fit in well with their core belief system as well as pamper their hands and feet a bit.
The kit includes six travel size products: Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream, Coconut Foot Cream, Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Almond & Milk Hand Cream, Hand Salve, and Pomegranate Lip Balm. Dry, rough, cracked skin will instantly be soothed and moisturized with these salves and creams made with all-natural materials. Made with beeswax, antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, and pomegranate oil, this lip balm leaves lips looking and feeling healthy with just a hint of color.
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Speaking of saving the planet, what’s the deal with all the disposable Starbucks cups? This three-pack of reusable 16oz tumblers will come in handy on those early mornings getting ready for school or afternoons with tea. Are teens drinking coffee a lot younger these days? It definitely seems like it.
The tumblers are made of BPA-free recycled plastic and get hot on the outside just like their paper cousins. They’re dishwasher safe and will hopefully make everyone feel better about fewer cups and lids ending up in a landfill. If fruity Frappuccinos are more your kid’s style, consider these hard plastic 24oz clear tumblers with straws.
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If you haven’t already experienced playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch Lite video game console during the pandemic, now might be a great time to introduce your 15-year-old and the family. The Nintendo Switch Lite is a handheld version that features a big screen and is optimized for personal play. It’s small, light, and sleek, available in several colors.
Animal Crossing is a cute building game wherein a player builds a community from scratch on a desert island. You can create your own personal resort, customize your character as a person or animal, and build a home. Materials must be collected from around the island to make objects, tools, furniture, and more. Think Minecraft but a lot softer.
Time of day and seasons match real life and even your real part of the world. You can play on the same system with a total of four people or play online with up to eight people. Animal Crossing even provides some unique real-world experience in the form of learning about trading on the stock market. With your kids sidelined because of the coronavirus, they’re going to need more time with friends and Animal Crossing is a great fit.
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Lululemon is talked about non-stop in my house. “They’re so soft!” “They fit so well!” “They’re so comfortable!” And so on and so forth. When I asked my 15-year-old about this list, these Yoga Pants were one of the first things she brought up.
They are lightweight and, according to the Lululemon people, buttery soft. My kid agrees so that’s something. They’re made of something called “Nulu” fabric which is made up of 81 percent Nylon and 19 percent Lycra. It’s stretchy and it holds its form very well.
These yoga pants feature a longer inseam than previous generations and are a full-length pant. The waist is high to cover the core and lies smooth without digging in. They move with you and are machine washable. For whatever reason, that Lululemon patch means everything on these pants but if you can get away with not needing that, check out these great leggings at a much lower price.
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This amazingly compact little power bank is just the thing to pack away into a backpack for charging up devices on the go. The Anker PowerCore Slim offers up 10,000mAh of recharging ability, or in other words, three and a half iPhone 8 charges. It weighs just less than six and a half ounces and measures smaller than a pack of cards.
The Anker PowerCore Slim features eleven safety devices that work together to protect your devices and yourself. It also has PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology that provides a high-speed charge for your phones and laptops. Trust me when I say this: your 15-year-old uses her phone a lot. Give her the power to keep going.
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I’m a dad so it was up to my 15-year-old daughter to tell me that beauty fridges were a thing. This Cooluli Beauty Fridge is extremely compact but has four liters of space to store skincare creams, medications, makeup, or snacks. It measures less than a square foot and weighs just four pounds.
This beauty fridge is quiet, energy-efficient, and can be used inside or out along with the option to be powered by a USB cord. It not only can keep your things cool but it can warm them up as well. The Cooluli Beauty Fridge comes in seven different colors and fits in really well on a dresser or bathroom counter.
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If your 15-year-old is like mine, she has a lot of shoe choices (for whatever reason). With the weather getting dark and cold, the Peet Original 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer is an amazing gift. It provides safe, silent, and energy-efficient operation so it can be left plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It uses convection technology to push slightly warmed air through the system to quickly and quietly dry wet footwear. The dryer is ideal for drying shoes, boots, and athletic footwear, as well as outdoor gear. The sturdy base easily plugs into any standard 110V outlet. Warm shoes to put on cold feet in the morning? Yes, please.
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My daughter is starting to claim that she wants a MacBook Air. It’s a big, BIG present for a young teenager however with mobile learning a way of life these days, you could do a lot worse than a computer that is so highly rated like a MacBook. This version features 8GB of RAM, a 13-inch retina display, and a 256GB solid-state drive but a 512GB drive package is available as well.
Apple has the market corned for very well designed, sleek gadgets that work seamlessly together. Their graphics capabilities are world-renowned and the way the software interacts with the user to give her such a personalized experience is amazing. It’s light and thin and vibrant. Simply put, the reason Apple is such a successful company is because their electronics offerings just work.
Teens have so much going on in their lives that it must be comforting to rely on a computer that will work no matter what. If you’re in the position to pick up a MacBook Air as a gift, you would most likely be known as the Most Amazing Person on the Planet for at least a week.
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Learning how to cook is one of the most underrated skills ever. Luckily, my kid takes upon herself to plan and cook meals every so often but it’s good to have a handy guide like the How-To Cookbook for Teens by Julee Morrison. This great book features plenty of photos to check your work along with tips and lessons designed to keep a teenager’s interest.
This cookbook goes over skills like how to set up the workspace, how to measure ingredients (and why it’s important to do so), customization hacks, and a wide variety of recipes for all sorts of tastes. Dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are covered as well. Yeah, your 15-year-old could look it up on her phone but there’s nothing like a large-format cookbook that’s always there on the shelf. If nothing else, it could facilitate some good old fashioned parent-kid time.
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This extremely soft and warm oversized plaid blanket scarf is just the thing to accessorize an outfit in multiple ways. It can be worn over a coat or sweater when the weather starts turning to not only make a statement but keep warm as well.
It’s made of an acrylic fabric that feels a lot like cashmere so that cozy factor is definitely apparent. The scarf comes in multiple patterns and colors and most all of them will go with anything your high schooler decides to wear that day. It measures 59 inches square so it’s big and bunchy to wear. I have it on good authority (my wife and daughters) that these are a slam dunk when given as a gift.
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Your lips will have beautiful, brilliant, crystal clear shine when they’re covered with Glossier Lip Gloss…or at least that’s what I’ve been told. The subject of makeup came up when putting this list together with my daughter and this tube of lip gloss was one of her first mentions (I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would from writing this post).
Apparently, it doesn’t have a sticky feeling like some other cosmetic products have. There’s also no other junk in there like glitter. Long-lasting shine is what Glossier gives its customers and thank goodness for that.
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Does your 15-year-old enjoy putting together her own podcast or YouTube videos? Billed as the world’s number one USB microphone, the Blue Yeti has a lot to offer. It features a broadcast-quality sound that truly makes a difference in recording audio.
With four pickup patterns including cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo, the microphone will allow her to record in ways that would typically involve multiple microphones. The Blue Yeti allows the user to monitor their voice in real time mixed with sound coming from the computer so the recording will sound great. It also offers up true plug ‘n play capability so anyone can literally plug it into the USB port and start recording immediately.
The included stand positions in just about any way that the user wants for optimal recording. Controls are all distinct and accessible on the housing including volume, mute, gain, and output settings. The Blue Yeti is a great microphone for recording but it’s even fun to use for mobile learning or virtually catching up with friends.
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Every young woman must have a pair of the iconic Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High Top Sneakers. There’s no mistaking the profile and the look of this timeless classic. There are plenty of knock-offs in the world (I happen to own a couple myself) but they just don’t look or feel the same as the originals.
That star-centered ankle patch on the canvas uppers along with the vulcanized rubber sole was created to play basketball (how?!?) but we all know that everyone from rock stars to CEOs wear them because they’re awesome. Chucks are available in 21 different colors to suit your 15-year-old’s style and mood. There’s even a weird green fuzzy pair, if that’s what she’s into.
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My 15-year-old daughter thought this was “pretty dope” (her words). The Water Garden from Back to the Roots is a mini fish tank that isn’t your average betta fish bowl. The fish waste fertilizes the plants on top of the tank and, in return, the plants filter and clean the water for your fish. It’s an entire eco-system going on here!
The Water Garden kit comes with everything you need to get started including a three-gallon fish tank, organic wheatgrass and radish sprout seeds, a coupon for your betta fish, fish food, natural fertilizer, a submersible water pump, gravel, and growstones. Back to the Roots calls this setup “aquaponics”, a combination of fish farming and growing plants in nutrient-rich water.
The fish excrete ammonia that would become toxic to the fish in a regular fish bowl. With the Water Garden, the ammonia-rich waste is pumped up to the grow bed and absorbed by the plants, helping them grow twice as fast as in traditional farming. The clean water is then filtered back to the tank, creating a low-maintenance (key for any teenager’s room!), self-cleaning cycle to maintain a healthy fish and herb garden.
By the way, Back to the Roots produces some really sweet mushroom grow kits as well. Science!
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The Eno Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock is the perfect piece of equipment for camping, hiking, or lounging around with a friend. It weighs only 19 ounces and can be stuffed easily into its attached storage bag. The DoubleNest is versatile, durable, compact, and available in 40 (!) different colors.
This hammock is made from 70D high-tenacity Nylon Taffeta which breathes nice, dries quickly, and can support up to 400 pounds. The package includes aluminum carabiners and nautical grade line with stainless-steel snap links so the DoubleNest can be secured to trees, poles, boat masts, or even the wall.
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The Mineralamp is made from an eight to eleven-pound chunk of Himalayan salt sourced deep within the mountains. Each lamp is hand-crafted so no two of them are alike. They measure anywhere between 7-1/2 to 10-inches tall and 5 to 7-inches wide.
The lamp includes a dimmer switch, a base made of rosewood with a 15 Watt candelabra bulb, and six-foot power cord. The light it puts off is mystical and moody (just like your teen!), and will look really great in any room you light it up in. The Mineralamp is a truly unique gift.
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Joycuff Bracelets are both hip and uplifting. Each Joycuff is made of surgical grade stainless steel making it hypoallergenic, free of lead, and other toxic materials. They’re adjustable and flexible enough by bending slightly to fit most any size wrist.
But probably the best part of Joycuffs is the personalized messages that you can order to be etched into the steel. There are many different sayings that can be chosen from that range from inspirational and sweet to funky and raw. Note: there are a few NSFW sayings on the list; you’ve been warned.
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My kid fills her Hydro Flask Water Bottle every day with water and ice when she heads to school. When she returns, what water is left is ice cold. Hydro Flasks are pretty amazing for how well insulated they keep beverages both cold and hot.
Hydro Flasks are dishwasher-safe and the slip-free powder coating doesn’t sweat throughout the day. The bottles are BPA-free and made of stainless steel with a plastic lid that won’t leak. On top of all that, it comes in 10 colors and a limited lifetime warranty against defects. The Hydro Flask is the water bottle to have.
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There are more female gamers now than at any other point in video game history. That’s an amazing thing. Games have also adapted to bring in more of the ladies as well like Fortnite. This PlayStation 4 Slim bundle is a great gift for any 15-year-old that might be interested in coding, world-building, and being social with friends all over town.
Along with the thin, jet-black PS4 console, the bundle comes with a matching DualShock4 wireless controller and a code to download exclusive Fortnite content. But don’t let the fun stop there: the Kingdom Hearts All-In-One Package includes ten (ten!) Kingdom Hearts games to fully immerse into the legendary Disney and Pixar universe.
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Bullet journals, like this Wildlife journal from Dingbats, are good for school notes, writing down diary entries, sketches, and more. This one is a durable hardcover with faux leather with round corners. The paper is a high-quality, acid-free 100GSm writing paper available with dots, lines, or squares printed on each page as well as nothing at all.
Everything about this bullet journal is sustainable and made with recyclable materials, which I tell you is important to any 15-year-old trying to save the world. It’s even 100 percent Vegan certified. This series features wildlife and climate change information on the inner front cover and a pocket on the back. There are 12 different versions of this bullet journal, each with a distinct animal silhouetted on the front and colored to match.
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I walked in on my daughter after she had applied this Dead Sea Mud Mask from New York Biology to her face and it literally made me jump. It ain’t pretty. But this stuff definitely helps keep you pretty after it comes off.
It works for all skin types and it’s gentle while effective to deal with clogged pores and acne. This mud mask removes dead skin cells, dirt, and toxins to get your skin to glow by stimulating blood circulation. It’s made of minerals combined with aloe vera, calendula oil, vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, and jojoba oil.
Every 15-year-old girl is looking to take care of themselves, especially their faces. This Dead Sea Mud Mask will overwhelmingly help with that effort. Plus, it will scare their dads, a total plus for them.
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Yoga as an effective means of exercise is much more popular than it has ever been, especially with teens. To do it right requires a good cushioned mat like the GoYoga Exercise Yoga Mat. It features double-sided non-slip surfaces that provide a premium experience.
It measures 71 inches long by 24 inches wide to ensure comfort for teens (and adults) of all shapes and sizes. The mat is made of thick, high-density foam that will be more than enough to cushion knees, elbows, and hips. The foam is exceptionally moisture-resistant and can be washed easily with soap and water.
A mat strap is included to easily roll it up and carry to gym class, home, or a buddy’s house. 15-year-old girls the world into yoga will definitely appreciate this great mat for a gift.
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In an interesting turn of events, it was my 12-year-old daughter that first wanted these LED strip lights to decorate her room. That led (no pun intended) to my 15-year-old kid to want them as well. 32 feet of lights come on a roll and are ultra-flexible to shape, bend, and hang just about anywhere.
The strip can change colors and brightness either with the included controller or via the Govee Home app on your mobile device connected via WiFi or Bluetooth. There is also a built-in responsive microphone that can react to sound or music in the room. Your kid’s room can turn into an instant house party!
The kit comes with two 16 feet of lights with 3M adhesive, an electrical adapter, and support clips for stronger fixation. Highly recommended.
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If you would have told me 20 years ago that kids would be wearing mid-rise black socks with shorts and sandals like these Birkenstock Women’s Mayari Sandals, I would have laughed out loud (there wasn’t LOL 20 years ago). Fashions change but these slip-on shoes from Birkenstock are timeless.
Birkenstock uses their own leather alternative called Birko-Flor to make its sandals. It’s a high-quality synthetic material consisting of PVC with the feel of leather and the inside is lined with a soft vegan fleece. The footbed is made from a blend of cork and latex with a thin suede lining while the sole is ethylene-vinyl acetate, a tough, non-marking material that cushions the feet.
With all the running around that your kids do these days, make sure their feet are happy. These Birks are comfy, cozy, and, yes, stylish. Who would have thought?
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I’ve given up on trying to predict what my 15-year-old child will want for a gift. When I showed her this Columbia Women’s Full Zip Fleece Jacket and another type of pullover, she went for the Columbia. I thought for sure (in all my parental wisdom) that she would have thought it to be too “mom-ish”. Her reply was insightful: “Mom jeans are in, too. What are you gonna do?”
Well, I liked her choice. This fleece zippered jacket is just the thing to take the chill off. It’s got a collared neck and full zip closure to give all the feels during cold, wintery days. Two side zippered pockets are good for the obligatory phone, lip gloss, and Starbucks membership card. It also comes in 45 (!) colors so there’s bound to be a shade here that your teen will enjoy.
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Makeup has gotten very important in my house over the last couple of years. This Aesthetica Cosmetics Beauty Sponge, so I’ve learned, is a great blending sponge applicator tool for powder, cream, and liquid cosmetics. Blending, so I’ve learned, is crucial for the day’s look of a 15-year-old.
The rounded end of this sponge is excellent for blending on the cheeks and the sponge’s precision tip makes covering minor imperfections easy. The flat edge is used around the nose and eyes for contouring. It’s made from non-latex foam to reduce allergies and it’s also 100% vegan and “cruelty-free”, a big plus where my kids are concerned.
The beauty sponge is simple to use either wet or dry and (thankfully) easy to clean which is a very good option for teens. I have it on good authority that this cosmetics sponge is a good one to throw into a gift basket.
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Available in packs of 8, 10, 15, and 25, these Zebra Pen Mildliner Markers are just the thing for notetaking, reading, underlining, and drawing. They feature a double-ended design with a broad, chisel tip on one side and a fine bullet point on the other.
Each marker features water-resistant, quick-drying ink in soft colors. The pens are tough and will survive being thrown into the average school backpack. Excellent for layering and blending, they’ll love working with these markers in journals and art books. Throw in the Air Pods, drink some tea, and spend some quality time creating a masterpiece.
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I don’t know about your 15-year-old, but mine needs all the help she can handle to get up in the morning. And sometimes getting to sleep isn’t a picnic, either. Enter the Anker Soundcore Wakey. This superb gadget combines everything a teen needs on both counts.
The Soundcore Wakey features Qi wireless charging and also features two USB ports on the back for corded charging of a mobile device. It’s a Bluetooth speaker that allows for skip-free audio streaming. It also allows for 15 unique alarms with ten personalized sounds and an FM radio. Dual drivers put out incredibly balanced sound for day listening as well.
This gadget also features a white noise generator. There are different sounds to choose from or you can create your own personalized soundscape. Set the time and head off to dreamland, aided by some comforting background noise. The time can be displayed in 12-hour or 24-hour versions, synced up to your chosen phone. I think I want a Soundcore Wakey, too.
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There’s always room for just one more blanket in the house, especially this Wearable Sherpa Blanket with sleeves. It’s designed to be worn backward for ultimate coziness. Made of reversible micro-fleece, this blanket covers the shoulders and arms to keep the wearer super warm.
It’s big and bulky like all great blankets should be and measures 72 inches by 55 inches. A large kangaroo-style pocket on the front allows for keeping hands warm, too. Fun and great for the winter months, this wearable blanket is a great gift. Just watch the draft in the back when getting up to refill your cup of tea.
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Instant Pots are great tools to teach young ones how to cook simply and quickly. This official Spoon Spatula is designed to work with the appliance to scoop all the delicious food you can out of it. The head is curved on one side for the scooping and angled on the other to reach all the areas of the cookpot.
The handle is grooved to provide an excellent grip for stirring, scraping, and the aforementioned scooping. Make from BPA-free nylon, the Spoon Spatula is heat resistant up to 450-degrees Fahrenheit. This tool is perfect not just for the Instant Pot but for all types of cookware.
But perhaps the best thing is that the Spoon Spatula is perfect for scraping out the last bit of peanut butter from a jar. It doesn’t matter if it’s velvety smoothy or extra-chunky, no amount of peanut butter will go to waste on this tool’s watch. Late-night movie-watching nights aren’t the same without peanut butter. Mmmmmmm…
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I asked my daughter about makeup and she suggested this eyeshadow palette by Jaclyn Hill from Morphee. Ms. Hill is a young influencer (online star) that presents makeup tips on YouTube. She explains what makeup is, how to apply it, and what types of tools to use. And, in my daughter’s words, “I recommend those more than other because If it’s teens and not parents, they won’t buy them probably.”
I think what she meant was that this eyeshadow palette is a good buy and that Jaclyn’s videos are enjoyed by everybody. The palette includes 10 colors (creamy, smoky eyeshadow meant to show your dark side) meant to make the wearer stand out and be noticed. Colors vary between Poof (matte cream), Power Cut (metallic silver), Shhh (matte dusty taupe), and more. Morphe has a store on Amazon with many more products in case you want to get an even stronger positive reaction out of your kid than I got by just asking her about it.
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Lululemon seems to be everywhere and in my house, my 15-year-old is all over the brand. Before you make the leap and pay the high price, give these running shorts from CRZ Yoga a try. They come in a variety of colors and are a reasonable generic version of the popular Hotty Hot Shorts.
The challenge with Lululemon is that 1) they’re expensive and 2) can be hard to find. These CRZ athletic shorts are a big hit with women who enjoy going for a run. They’re made of lightweight, two-way stretch “Swift” fabric that both wicks sweat and dries quickly. They feature extra room to allow for free movement and are low-rise to keep the wearer feeling cool, yet covered.
A discreet zippered seam pocket is nice for cash and an ID. There’s even a secret liner pocket for some other important items. Hotty Hot Shorts come in various inseam lengths however this four-inch variety is short enough for our house, thank you very much.
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Vinyl record players are not only still around but gaining popularity with younger people. The sound is organic and true. My kids asked for vinyl albums from Billie Eilish and Carrie Underwood for Christmas. How cool is that?
This turntable features a slim and compact profile along with using a combination of real wood and linen to create a perfect audio package for the home. It looks great, has Bluetooth connectivity, and just looks nice. Three speeds allow for 33s, 45s, and 78s (which in this day and age is just nuts).
This piece comes equipped with a low-vibration synchronous motor with shock-absorbent feet. Two side speakers provide a great sound along with a great look. It’s modern enough for any 15-year-old to appreciate and retro enough for you to steal for your own use once in a while.