The days are gone when little girls transformed themselves using mom’s
makeup and perfume or grandma’s jewelry. Today’s savvy kids have a keen
awareness of what’s hot when it comes to pretend play, and manufacturers
and retailers have stepped up to the challenge by producing flashy products,
packaging and commercials that appeal to this young group of consumers.
Soda Shop Scented Nail Polish
US Toy’s Lip Gloss Necklace and Rings
Eyeko’s Cosmetics
Making Little Lips and Nails Shine
Keenly aware that packaging makes the product, the Hotsie Totsie
line by Worldwide Cosmetics combines catchy product names
with a creative look that sells. Their newest item is a bubble gum-flavored
lip gloss called Bubble Blitz that is packaged in a miniature
gumball machine ($4.99 each). Additional items in their current line include
a lip gloss that resembles a butterfly, with mesh wings and a lipstick
that lights up when the base is twisted. For nails, Hotsie Totsie has
Soda Shop Scented ($2.99) and Ice Cream Dreams
($3.99) Nail Polish. Little girls can take their lip
gloss anywhere with US Toy’s Lip Gloss Necklace
and Rings ($3.99). Each comes in assorted colors and is easily
applied with just a flip of the top.
British Cosmetic Invasion
After reaching a cult-like status in the U.K., Eyeko’s
fun and flirty cosmetics have reached the shores of the U.S. Pairing innovative
products with youthful sensibilities, Eyeko produces an ever-evolving,
funky cosmetic line. Loaded with long strands of "lightening"
glitter, Electric Gloss looks pink or blue in the bottle
but goes on clear. Girls can also go glitter-free with Eyeko’s
Felt Lip Pen ($12).
Perfume Creations by European Expressions
Hanover Accessories’ Star Struck Princess line
The Princess Store's Tiaras
Smelling Sweet Was Never So Easy
With Perfume Creations by European Expressions,
children can make their own perfume by simply adding drops of water-soluble
essence to a glass bottle and adding water. Each kit includes eight different
essences, an assortment of Italian glass bottles and a list of 18 recipes.
An Updated Look for the Modern-Day Princess
Hanover Accessories knew what preschool girls were eyeing
when they created their Star Struck Princess line. Using
updated colors and finishes, they’ve created tiaras, wands and jewelry
for the modern-day princess. Dress-up looks can be completed with Star
Struck Princess lip glosses, body glitters and nail polishes that come
in a variety of aromas such as cotton candy pink, raspberry fuchsia, bubble
gum lavender and grapey purple. The Princess Store offers
a complete line of Crystal Tiaras ($19.99) as well as
Crystal Horseshoe Necklaces ($9.99).
Madeline Jewelry Box
Undercover Girl Secret Agent Glasses
Wild Planet’s Spy Vision Goggle
US Toy’s Play Safari Set
A Place For Her Treasured Trinkets
Schylling’s set of jewelry boxes let girls keep their
treasures well guarded from prying eyes. Boxes included timeless favorites
like the Fairy Tale Jewelry Box ($13.49), Muffy
Jewelry Box ($17.99), Madeline Jewelry Box ($17.99)
and Raggedy Ann Jewelry Box ($17.99).
When I Grow Up I Want to Be…
Undercover Girl Secret Agent Glasses ($12.95) by Wild
Planet turns little girls into secret agents for a day. Lenses
can be switched for day or night vision and a small “rear-view mirror”
can be attached for covert operations. A secret “spy light” can also be
used for night-time adventures.
Little boys and girls can strap on Wild Planet’s Spy Vision Goggles
($12.99) and explore the mysteries of the dark. With a little
imagination, these battery-powered goggles—with mini-flashlights flanking
the lenses—become real "see in the dark" glasses that can be
used to explore caves, tunnels, or even just the back of that scary closet!
US Toy’s Play Safari Set ($12.95) includes
a hat, vest, binoculars, walkie-talkie, mess kit, canteen, lantern and
a compass.
