By Mary Thompson –

Teenage girl tested products that are most importantly mom approved

One of the hardest things most parents have to go through is the realisation that their little girls are no longer bright eyed and bushy tailed children. Nevertheless, as hard as letting go is, at the end of the day facing the facts of a certain next stage is easier said than done.

The dreaded makeup milestone

There comes a time when the days of play makeup and flavoured lip gloss just doesn’t cut it anymore. Even so, one of the greatest fears most mums have is that their daughters will end up wearing too much makeup that they’ll end up attracting the wrong attention.

Turning back time may not be an option, but finding the right sort of makeup for teens to wear is

These products will not only satisfy a teen’s need for cosmetics that don’t possess the persona of plastic containers and cartoon characters. After all, it is indeed possible for teen girls with a little more colour to look complimentary and not deterrents with heavily painted faces.

Why take a look at these perfect for teens gift ideas? I promise it won’t hurt it might be quite a pleasant experience.

TARTE Tarteist™ PRO Glow Highlight & Contour Palette http://amzn.to/2zjDImc Every girl loves a cute palette with an array of colours. The thing I adore most about this palette is that it adds just enough colour without going way over the top. After all isn’t the point of makeup to enhance the beauty and not cover it up?

The soft colours of creams, light pinks and nudes with just a bit of tan shades for just a bit of contour are sure to be one thing teens and their mums can agree upon. Just when this product couldn’t get any better, the lack of Parabens and Phthalates put it on the top of any Christmas list. Since, what better way to protect young sensitive skin is to keep it away from harsh chemicals that can result in damage rather than beautiful glowing results?

SEPHORA FAVORITES Scouted by Sephora http://amzn.to/2y2JWDB One of the most challenging things about growing up is the knowledge that skin irritations aka breakouts are ready to pounce at any second. What better way to keep them at bay than through a selection of high-quality products without the adverse effects of harsh ingredients.

What’s in this treasure box of skincare goodies? A whole array of essentials that are impossible to do without.

BIOSSANCE Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, 3 treatments Cane + Austin Miracle Pad+, Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask, Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask, IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel, Lancer The Method: Nourish, Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash, Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Tata Harper Reparative Moisturizer, Youth To The People Age Prevention Cleanser

Calming effects is all your teen will get.

What else would anyone expect from a bunch of little bits and pieces loaded with anti-oxidants such as kale, spinach and green tea?  

DRYBAR Bundle http://amzn.to/2y55lf6 One of the worst beauty disasters that can put a damper on anyone’s mood is the dreaded bad hair day. What better way to combat the impending catastrophe than high-quality hair care products completely free of parabens, sulphates and phthalates.

What’s in this box of haircare essentials?

Double Standard Cleansing + Conditioning Foam, Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler, Triple Sec 3-in-1, Mai Tai Spritzer Sea Salt Spray, The 3-Day Bender 1″ Barrel, Full Pint Medium 2.2″ Ceramic Brush, Buttercup Blow Dryer, Hold Me Hair Clips

Safe to use for pretty much any hair type make this the perfect gift for teens or pre-teens starting to experiment with hair care products and exploring different styles.

Why not give these stocking stuffers a try?

No longer are teen girls entering the stage of makeup, hair products and accessories something that should be akin to growing pains. On the contrary, these stocking stuffers could turn these years of discovery into something teenage girls will love and their mums will treasure them as well.

 

We’re entering into AWARDS SEASON & PAGEANT SEASON!! And here at Ready for the Red Carpet we have put several hair products to the test! We narrowed down the Best of the Best and are now sharing which product(s) are THE recommended choice for their category!  ARE YOU READY?

SHAMPOO

This is one of those categories where different opinions roar across the industry, however Many brands – even the usual ones that celeb hairdressers use can fail.  The primary reason why this is not as easy a category as it seems to make a product in is because of the balance between natural ingredients and effectiveness.  Believe it or not, a run of the mill Pantene can get you some pretty good results TEMPORARILY – but natural ingredients are important to hair health in the long run.   Unless you only plan on hitting ONE holiday event or photoshoot for your entire life, finding the balance between HEALTHY and EFFECTIVE takes some skill.

THE WINNER: American English Youth Repair Shampoo 

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2iW1RZO

This is a Luxury Vegan Brand – which at first hearing of the word “vegan” you naturally think this is not going to work too well or worse, run the risk of weighing down your hair.  But American English is smart, they have some proven “standard”  ingredients mixed in with the all natural ingredients striking a really great balance.  No worries, it is still sulfate free and won’t strip you of color.  It smells like oranges, crossed with grapefruit – or more apt, like a dreamsicle!   Again, you can grab yours here: http://amzn.to/2iW1RZO

OILS & SPRAYS

We combo’d this category because there is no need to use both.  Some people like sprays, some like essential oils.  They’re both oil based, or at least should be.  Silicone works for a photoshoot or a last minute finish before stepping onto the red carpet BUT most people don’t want to use it.  These days there is no need for silicone when there are every day options that work as well without weighing you down.

THE WINNER (for effectiveness): Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oleo-Complexe Versatile Beautifying Oil 

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2z7gXQ9

THE WINNER (for ingredients): FATCO Revitalizing Hair Oil

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2iWq81M

It is nearly impossible to find an all natural essential oil hair product on the market, and run of the mill Coconut Oil is often the way to go.  However, ideally you want to mix several essential oils and do so in the right ratios – which is ultra time consuming.  FATCO wins an honorable mention in this category because of a nearly perfect multiple all-essential oil list of ingredients.

BEST PRODUCT FOR CURLY HAIR

For those Sexy Curly Hair Types, you know better than all that you need to avoid silicone products like the plague! Shine + Hold + No Frizz but yet don’t want it to be crunchy to the touch.  BUT DON’T STRAIGHTEN IT no matter how frustrated you are.  Ruining your ultra sexy super curly hair is ultra rude to straight-haired folk.  I know, the grass is always greener – but seriously, there’s no need.  That’s why you read this blog, this category will save you.

THE WINNER: ECRU New York Curl Perfect Defining Styling Potion

AVAILABLE HERE:  http://amzn.to/2xPIKmJ

ALSO ADD: ECRU New York Curl Perfect Moisture Mist

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2Ad9O0X

HAIR MISTS

Hair Mists are the coolest invention ever, but most mists are just fragrances.  Which is a total waste.  I bet if you walked into a salon and asked people what a hair mist is for, they would say “perfume.”   NOT TRUE.  A Hair Mist, although usually smells good, is a pro’s leave-in hydrator/shine-creator/hair food sprayer.   It has to have healthy ingredients or it just nonsense.   And good “stepping-out-in-public where people will have cameras” hair mists will double as texturizers and volumizers.

THE WINNER: American English Wind & Sea Mist Nourishing Sea Salt Spray

AVAILABLE HERE:  http://amzn.to/2iqegBr

MASQUES

This might be the toughest category in terms of competition. Intensive hair masques are amazing.  We had to award a tie this time, ECRU ingredients are stellar  – reminds me of an ayurvedic treatment I once got in the mountains of South India.  Just, Wow.  Philip B, however somehow managed a weightless feel.  Both effective, I suggest you actually use both and cycle on and off between them.  But, if you HAVE to choose ….

THE WINNER: ECRU New York Acacia Protein Masque

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2gZ0CF5

WINNER #2: PHILIP B Katira Hair Masque

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2zdzxIA

ACCESSORIES

Awww yeah! Tools for detangling & styling!

WINNER: Messy Bun Maker/Bad Ass Ponytail Maker 

AVAILABLE AT:  https://thehairthing.com

Actually, this brand has all sorts of fun “hair toys” and decoration.  Took me a while to figure out how to use it, and I’m a little scared of the “teeth” but the second you get the hang of it and realize how it Actually works, it’s an instant, “This is a really Great idea.”   And luckily there is an instruction video, complete with really hot purple hair.  Now, my hair is thick enough where I just tie my hair in a knot and I’m good – cracks my sister up btw when she sees it, but even if you have already long/thick hair I’ve found that you can easily add additional colors/layers with one of these and get creative.

WINNER: DejaVu Designs Tumbled Stone Hair Set

AVAILABLE AT: http://amzn.to/2zemAOx

You know me, I am all about tumbled stones.  Somewhere out there is a video of me rambling about a rose quartz.  DejaVu Designs has some cool useful healing stones and hair product combo’s.   Featured below (my new favorite) is the lapis lazuli set.  Om.

WINNER: KareCo Ionic Thermal Round Brushes

AVAILABLE AT: http://amzn.to/2z8TDSi

You’ve definitely seen these.  Tourmaline parts? Awesome! So here is why I like this brush:  I don’t use blow dryers, and I don’t let anyone use blow dryers on me.  But I miss having some body in my hair.  My hair used to be “curlier” – check it out:

THEN  ………………………………………    NOW ……………………………

 

See what I mean?  Well, this KareCo brush, if I use it even without heat, gently adds more body.   For those of you that are all about heat, it’ll distribute the heat well and quickly.

 

CONDITIONER

We’re here!  This is THE CATEGORY!  There are so many amazing conditioners on the market, and nothing is more important to hair than a good conditioner.   This is a tough choice, because we’re usually such AVEDA freaks – but AVEDA hasn’t been able to keep up with product consistency and sometimes can cause a flat look or an over-textured look.  The main reason we love it is because of the smell.   SO, the key for finding the best conditioner this season is something that compliments the shampoo you’re using, delivers shine, volume, scent, and encourages hair health.

THE WINNER: American English Youth Repair Conditioner 

AVAILABLE HERE: http://amzn.to/2zaKM2y

And not just because it is designed to compliment the shampoo you’re purchasing (or already purchased as you’re reading this), but because it remarkably has the closest smell to AVEDA’s shampure (with an added scented soap element)  – most likely because of the rosemary.  When paired with the citrus scent of the shampoo it’s a stellar match.  American English, as in their shampoo, have balanced natural ingredients with some more traditional ingredients so this conditioner has managed to provide the best of both worlds – a vegan product that actually works.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

HAIR WARRIOR FITNESS FORMULA

AVAILABLE AT: http://amzn.to/2gY6aQd

This is a great product for when active, it is heat activated and protects the hair against sweat/stress etc. – great for when working out, or better yet, when hitting post red-carpet follow up interviews (especially if you didn’t win an award and need to keep a game face – your stress won’t hurt your hair).

CELESTIAL SILK

AVAILABLE AT: http://amzn.to/2xS1P85

These are Hair-Protective Pillow Cases/bedding.  Smart!

THERE YOU HAVE IT!  Did we miss anything?  Let us know your experiences and keep coming back for updates and more!