“Imagine telling Babe Ruth this is who would be throwing out the first pitch to open the 2026 MLB season.”
If you’re the parent of a preteen, you know the daily balancing act: your kid wants to explore beauty, self-expression, and the trends their friends are talking about, but you’re not quite ready to hand over the keys to a TikTok account. One 12-year-old named Addison may have just shown the world there’s another way — and more than 1.5 million people are cheering her on.
A Scrapbook That Sparked Something Big
Earlier this month, a TikTok posted by Rhionna, a friend of Addison’s mother, introduced the internet to something unexpected: a handmade, scrapbook-style “beauty journal” filled with product cutouts and handwritten reviews — all crafted by a preteen who doesn’t have social media.
“My friends daughter is a preteen that doesn’t have social media, so she does make up reviews in her beauty journal,” Rhionna wrote in the TikTok.
The video quickly racked up over 1.5 million views. A separate post showed the journal’s pages in detail — drawn hands on paper with labeled nail polish shades and reviews of products including Hard Candy eyeshadow marker and Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss lip balm.
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For parents watching their own tweens navigate the pull of screens and influencer culture, the response was immediate and emotional. Comments poured in calling the project “nostalgic,” with many comparing it to the scrapbooking they did as kids.
The Sweet Story Behind the Pages
The journal didn’t start as a project meant for anyone else’s eyes. Speaking to People on March 24, Addison shared that her inspiration came from summers 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 started as a thoughtful gesture for her great-grandmother grew into a creative outlet all her own. Among Addison’s favorite products featured in the journal: Glow Recipe blueberry cleanser, wet n wild lip liner “I’m Blushing,” and Hard Candy eyeshadow stick “Dreamhouse.”
A Mom’s Perspective on the Whirlwind
For Addison’s mom, Melissa, the sudden attention has been a mix of pride and wonder — a feeling many parents of preteens can relate to when their child’s world suddenly gets a little bigger.
“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,” Melissa said. “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.”
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That last part is worth sitting with. In a moment when so many conversations about kids and beauty culture carry anxiety, Addison’s journal has been met with warmth — not worry.
Brands Take Notice
The viral moment hasn’t gone unnoticed by the beauty industry. Bubble Skincare, OPI, and e.l.f. Cosmetics have all inquired about sending PR packages to Addison — a development that signals just how much her authenticity resonated.
Rhionna, who first shared the journal with the world, told People she knew others would connect with it.
“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.”
A Reminder That Creativity Doesn’t Need a Login
Addison’s story isn’t a lecture about screen time. It’s simply a portrait of a 12-year-old who found a way to channel her love of beauty into something tangible, creative, and deeply personal — no algorithm required. For parents looking for proof that kids can still thrive offline, this handmade journal speaks volumes.
