L.O.L. Surprise! Beauty Salon

I’d decide whether L.O.L. Surprise! Beauty Salon is a good fit by asking one simple question: does the player enjoy making character looks, or are they mainly looking for a game with a strong goal to work toward? This is a beauty-focused educational game from Hippo Kids Games, built around styling rather than competition or a complicated story. That makes it an easy choice for a child who likes choosing colors, trying combinations, and playing at being a stylist. It is less likely to hold the attention of someone who wants puzzles, action, or a clear level-by-level challenge.

The appeal is also quite specific: this is about giving L.O.L. dolls a makeover, not a general fashion game with an open-ended wardrobe simulator. The familiar characters and salon theme may be a real draw for young fans, while children who do not care about dolls may find the same beauty activities more engaging in a different setting. I would treat it as a playful creative activity, not as a comprehensive lesson in hair, makeup, or design.

Unpacking the Glam

When you first open up L.O.L. Surprise! Beauty Salon, you're greeted with a burst of colors and a playful atmosphere that screams fun. It’s like stepping into your dream beauty parlor where every corner is filled with surprises waiting to be unveiled. The app is designed to let you dive into the world of L.O.L. dolls, giving them the ultimate makeover. From hairstyling to makeup, and even outfit choices, the salon offers a wide range of options to experiment with.

That focused makeover loop is its clearest strength. I can see it working well during a short quiet break: a child chooses a doll, tries a look, changes their mind, and starts again without needing to remember a complicated plot. For a parent or caregiver, that makes it easier to offer as a small creative activity than a game that depends on following a long sequence of instructions. The trade-off is that repeated styling can begin to feel similar if the player wants each session to introduce a very different kind of activity.

Getting Creative

What I absolutely loved about this app is the freedom it gives you. You can unleash your inner stylist and let your imagination run wild. The hairstyling options are pretty diverse. Want to try a bold new color or a classic cut? Go for it! The makeup section is equally impressive, offering everything from bold eyeshadows to subtle lip glosses. Plus, the ability to mix and match outfits adds an extra layer of creativity. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves experimenting with new looks.

One useful way to get more out of that freedom is to give each makeover a small theme before starting: a favorite color, a particular mood, or an outfit the player wants the hair and makeup to complement. That turns tapping through choices into a simple design challenge, without requiring an adult to invent rules or explain a scoring system. It also gives a child a reason to compare two versions and say which one feels more coherent. If they are happier with unplanned experimentation, though, there is no need to impose a theme; the appeal is precisely that there is room to play without getting every choice “right.”

This is also where the game differs from drawing or coloring apps. Those alternatives can offer more control over a blank canvas, which may suit a child who wants to create their own characters from scratch. Here, the starting point is a doll and the fun comes from styling that character. I would choose this salon for a player who enjoys coordinated looks and character play, but choose a drawing app for someone who gets frustrated when the subject and basic format are already set.

Interactive and Engaging

One of the standout features of the app is its interactive nature. The developers have done a fantastic job of keeping users engaged with a variety of mini-games and challenges. These not only make the app fun but also help you earn rewards that can be used to unlock new items and features. It’s a clever way to keep players hooked, and trust me, it works!

In an everyday setting, I’d use it as a short activity while waiting for dinner or during a calm stretch at home, rather than promising it will occupy a child for a long time. A simple routine can help: let the child choose a doll, finish one makeover, then pause and talk through one decision they liked. That makes the play feel complete even if they do not continue into another activity. The small challenges can add variety, but a child who only wants to style freely may prefer to ignore that structure and focus on the look itself.

For younger players, it is worth checking how they handle the game’s choices before handing over a device unsupervised. A child who can navigate menus independently may enjoy exploring at their own pace; another may need help understanding what to tap or how to get back to the activity they wanted. I would sit nearby the first time, both to see whether the controls feel comfortable and to set a clear expectation about optional spending. That quick check is more practical than assuming every child will use an app the same way just because it is intended for a broad young audience.

The usual alternative is a dress-up game that concentrates on clothes, or a simple salon game that keeps the experience centered on beauty treatments. This one brings hair, makeup, and outfits into the same creative theme, so it is a better match when the player likes building a complete look rather than making only one choice. The balance may not suit everyone: if a child wants dress-up above all else, a game focused more narrowly on outfits could feel more direct; if they want a conventional educational game with quizzes and measurable learning tasks, this is not the kind of experience I would pick.

The social side deserves a little caution in how you interpret it. The game presents a way to show creations and see what others make, which can be motivating for a child who likes sharing their ideas. I would still treat sharing as something to explore together, particularly for a younger player, rather than assuming that every social feature is appropriate to use without guidance. If you prefer a purely private creative activity, focus on making looks on the device and agree on family rules before using any sharing option.

There is no need to rush through the choices just to reach a finished doll. I’d encourage a child to try one deliberately unusual combination, then decide whether to keep it or change it. That small prompt can make the activity more expressive than repeatedly choosing the first appealing item. It also helps reveal whether the player enjoys experimentation itself or mainly wants to collect and unlock things; that distinction is useful when deciding whether this game is likely to stay interesting after the first few sessions.

Room for Improvement

While the app is a lot of fun, it’s not without its quirks. Occasionally, I noticed that it can be a bit laggy, especially when loading new features or items. This can be a bit frustrating, but it’s something that can be improved with future updates. Also, while the app is free to download, there are in-app purchases that can enhance your experience. It’s something to be mindful of if you’re not looking to spend extra cash.

The free starting point makes it reasonable to try before deciding whether it earns a place on a child’s device. Optional purchases range from $0.99 to $19.99 per item, so I would check the purchase settings on the device and explain plainly that free play does not mean every extra is free. A child who is easily drawn to locked content may need closer supervision, while a family that prefers not to spend can set a firm rule before the first session. That is a more comfortable way to approach the game than treating purchases as an unexpected surprise once a child is already invested.

Performance is another practical consideration. If an item or section takes a while to load, a young player may not distinguish a brief delay from a broken tap, and repeated waiting can interrupt the creative flow. I would try it on the device the child will actually use before relying on it for a time-sensitive distraction. The current version is 1.6.5 and it runs on Android 5.1 or later; those details help with basic compatibility, but the most useful test is still whether the particular device responds smoothly enough for the child using it.

It is free to download, rated for Everyone, and has a 4.7 average from around 46,000 ratings, with more than 10 million installs. Those numbers suggest it has found a broad audience, but they do not settle the personal question of whether its particular mix of dolls and makeovers suits your child. The game was released on April 12, 2022, so it is not a brand-new title; I would focus less on its age and more on whether its present styling activities feel fresh to the player. It has 987 written reviews, but a child’s own reaction to the first few minutes is a better guide than popularity alone.

Switching away is easy if the child discovers that this is not their kind of play, but there is a small adjustment in expectations if they have started working toward unlocks. I would avoid framing those items as a reason they must keep playing or spend money. If they prefer a different kind of creativity, moving to drawing, open-ended craft activities, or a dress-up game is a perfectly sensible choice. The best alternative depends on what is missing for them: more freedom to invent, more clothing choices, or a more structured task.

Overall, L.O.L. Surprise! Beauty Salon is a delightful app that offers hours of entertainment. It’s perfect for anyone who loves fashion, makeup, and getting creative. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, this app is sure to provide endless fun. So, if you’re looking to dive into a world of glam and glitter, give this app a try and let your creativity shine!

Who I’d Recommend It To

I’d recommend it most to a young L.O.L. fan who likes choosing details and revisiting a look until it feels right. The Everyone age rating makes it suitable for a broad audience, though that does not remove the value of adult guidance around purchases and sharing. I would skip it for a child who dislikes doll-based play, wants a more structured learning game, or expects every session to feel like a new challenge. For the right player, though, its straightforward focus is a benefit: it gives them a colorful place to experiment without turning a makeover into a test.

My practical advice is to try a brief session together, see whether the child gravitates toward hair, makeup, outfits, or the challenges, and then decide whether it suits your routine. If they enjoy making and comparing complete looks, this is a good fit. If the appeal wears off once the first combinations are explored, there is no need to push it; choose a game or activity that better matches the kind of creativity they want. I’d treat it as a free-to-start beauty playroom with optional extras, not as an essential learning tool or a guaranteed long-term distraction.