12-Year-Old’s Handmade Beauty Journal Goes Viral, Sparking a Wave of Nostalgia Online
In an era when many kids her age are chasing likes and followers, one 12-year-old is winning the internet’s heart the old-fashioned way — with scissors, glue and her own handwriting.
A preteen named Addison has gone viral for her handmade beauty review journal, a scrapbook-style creation filled with product cutouts, hand-drawn illustrations and written reviews. The catch? She doesn’t have social media. Instead, it was her mother’s friend, Rhionna, who shared Addison’s work with the world.
A TikTok That Touched a Nerve
A TikTok posted earlier this month by Rhionna has racked up over 1.5 million views. In the video, Rhionna introduced the project simply: “My friends daughter is a preteen that doesn’t have social media, so she does make up reviews in her beauty journal.”
The footage reveals page after page of creativity — drawn hands on paper with labeled nail polish shades, and detailed reviews of products including Hard Candy eyeshadow marker and Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss lip balm. A separate post offered an even closer look at the journal’s pages, showcasing the care and personality Addison poured into every entry.
The response was immediate and emotional. Comments flooded in calling the project “nostalgic,” with many drawing comparisons to scrapbooking. Viewers shared that the journal reminded them of their own childhoods and the simple joy of creative expression.
Inspired by Her Great-Grandmother
Speaking to People on March 24, Addison explained that the journal grew out of time spent with her great-grandmother.
“She loves when I paint her nails, so instead of me bringing all my nail polishes back and forth, I decided to put them in a book for her to choose from like at the nail salon,” Addison said.
“Then I decided to add makeup that I tried with reviews.”
What began as a practical solution turned into something deeply personal — a place where Addison could express her love of beauty on her own terms, without the pressures of an online audience.
Among her favorite products featured in the journal: Glow Recipe blueberry cleanser, wet n wild lip liner “I’m Blushing” and Hard Candy eyeshadow stick “Dreamhouse.”
‘The Internet Aunties Really Showed Up’
Rhionna told People she knew right away the video would resonate.
“She captures that preteen spirit so perfectly,” Rhionna said. “It reminded me that we all still have that little girl inside us, and I felt inspired to start filming because I just knew the TikTok girlies would love it. And they did—the internet aunties really showed up, and the love she’s received on that video has been incredible.”
Addison’s mom, Melissa, expressed a mix of excitement and wonder at the overwhelming reaction.
“It’s been really exciting but also a little surreal,” Melissa told People. “She created the journal simply because she loves beauty and expressing herself, so seeing it resonate with so many people has been incredible, and the comments have been genuinely kind.”
“So many people saying that it brought back memories of their own childhood and how refreshing it was to see a preteen enjoying something creative and positive,” Melissa added.
Beauty Brands Take Notice
The viral moment hasn’t gone unnoticed by the beauty industry. Brands including Bubble Skincare, OPI and e.l.f. Cosmetics have responded by inquiring about sending Addison PR packages — a testament to how widely her story has traveled and how genuinely it connected with audiences.
For many viewers, Addison’s journal represents something refreshingly simple: a kid being a kid, finding joy in creativity without a screen between her and the world. In a digital landscape that often feels overwhelming, a handmade book filled with glitter, cutouts and honest product opinions struck a chord that 1.5 million people — and counting — couldn’t ignore.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
