From Sephora’s children to perfumes, Gen Z is undoubtedly obsessed with beauty. In fact, according to the latest Piper Sandler survey, teenage spending was booming in 2025 and thriving in 2025. Spring survey to stock up with teens. Furthermore, both girls and The boys are driving this sharp rise in annual beauty spending among our teens.
According to two investment bank reports that surveyed 6,455 teens in 43 states, average annual beauty spending for teens rose to $374, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. And although we’ve seen a noticeable change in skincare, cosmetics and even retail preferences, it’s a scent that’s really stealing the spotlight.
Fragrance Frenzy: Boys join the scent boom
In 2025, fragrance spending spiked, and teenagers emerged as a surprising but huge force behind the trend. The boys increased their fragrance spending 44% It’s now averaged compared to the previous year $127 each yearup from $88 in 2024. Teenage girls also strengthened their fragrance investment and spent $107 On average – a Increased by 22% Since last year.
Fragrance is becoming more than just an expense, it is becoming a daily ritual. 2025, 53% of teenage boys And impressive 78% of teenage girls The previous year reported that they were wearing daily fragrances, which rose significantly from 43% and 66% respectively.
Among their top fragrance picks, Jean Paul Gaultier led the pack for teenage boys, followed by Versace and Dior. The teenage girl has shown that she strongly likes accessible favorites, such as Bath & Bodyworks, Solde Janeiro, and Victoria’s Secret, and prefers brands that combine affordable prices with viral charm.
Bath & Body always works forever eau de parfum
price: $69.95
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Or Le Parfum
price: $146
Find the best sales and great deals on fragrances.
Sephora breaks through crowns, bass and bodyworks
When it comes to a place for teenagers to buy beauty, Sephora remains an indisputable favorite, winning 48% of the vote. Ulta Beauty continued at 26%, but Bath & Body Works did a major leap, claiming 7%, earning the spot as the third most popular beauty retailer among teenage girls.
The rise of Bath & Body Works is closely linked to the surge in fragrances. It is currently ranked as a top fragrance brand by Teen Girls, and its signature fragrance resonates with younger consumers, spurring a revival of retailers.
Check out the Sephora 2025 sale calendar
Brand Battle: Elves still reign, but competitors reach the ground
In terms of cosmetics, the beauty of the elf continues to dominate 35% of teens choosing budget-friendly brands, but its share has immersed slightly. The unusual beauty led by pop star Serena Gomez took second place at 9%, while Maybelline remained stable in third place.
Skincare saw a clear preference. Cerave was once again at the top of the list, followed by the regular one and La Roche-Posay. All brands are known for their dermatologist-approved formulations and strong Tiktok followers.
In the hair care category, spending was the only holdout and remained flat compared to 2024. Still, favourites appeared and Amica took the lead, not Olaplex with your mother.
Elf Glow Reviver Melting Balm
price: $9
Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser
price: $19.69
Amica raises dry shampoo without talc
price: $28
According to beauty writers, check out the best Cerave products.
What does this mean for the beauty industry?
A spring 2025 survey suggests that beauty is not only a priority category for Gen Z, but also an increasingly comprehensive category. Male teens are now deeply involved in product discovery and everyday life, especially scents.
“This spring, teens self-reported their annual spending. [was] Piper Sandler Senior Research Analyst Korinne Wolfmeyer, and Piper Sandler Senior Research Analyst I said in a press releasefocusing on the overall increase in spending across categories. “Beauty remains a powerful part of their identity and self-expression, and they are willing to invest in it.”
As brand loyalty is formed early and shifts towards curated, engaged retailers like Sephora and Urta, beauty brands are now more incentivized than ever to accommodate this young, trend-savvy audience.
Find the best beauty and personal care sales and deals.
Teen Teen Beauty Spreads Surge in 2025: The leads of Sephora, Bath & Bodyworks and Cerab were the first to actually make their appearances.
Source: The Real Deal by RetailMeNot – www.retailmenot.com
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