JennySue Makeup Product Review :: Willa - Skincare For Teens

Let it be known, since you have read the title, I am NOT a teenager.  It's been at least 15 years since I was one.  I do not have a teenage daughter...yet...she is only 1.5 years old.  However, when I was approached about trying out some *Willa products for review, I jumped at the chance.  Why does my 34 year old self want to try out a line geared towards teen girls?? Because I once was one - experience is everything right??

 {My stash of Willa products + hand written note.  Great personal touch.}

Despite my age, I don't think I'm completely out of touch with what teen girls would want in terms of skin care and cosmetics.  And the creator of this line, Christy Prunier (mom of 2 girls), obviously listened to her seven year old daughter's pleas for using grown up products on her instead of her baby sister's soap. Every good product line comes from a place of need to fill a void right??  

I have worked with a few teens in my life being a makeup artist, and there are 2 things that stay the same:

• Mom wants them to look age appropriate and not like a 14 year old trying to look 24.  Meaning, the girl should shine through, not the makeup.
• Teens want to wear makeup no matter what.  And they don't want it to have Tinkerbell on the front of the products.  It's a visual thing.

I tried out all 4 products I was sent on myself because I figured little Vivian wasn't an ideal candidate to give me feedback just yet.  She can barely say "mama!"  **Two great points of interest are that Target and J.Crew's Crewcuts store already carry some of this line. And as we all know, both companies are ahead of the game in terms of retailing great products!**  

Here is my take on this line.

 {Swatches from L to R : 

Tinted shimmer body lotion, Tinted face protection, Smile shine lip gloss.}

The first product I tried was the born to glow tinted shimmer body lotion w SPF 15 ($12.50).  It squirted out a funny darkish taupe color which I was a bit surprised by, but once rubbed in, went on sheer with an ever so subtle sparkle.  The smell was almost unnoticeable, which is good, because it didn't mess with my perfume.  The fact it makes wearing SPF fancy, is a score.  

 {Product shown along my collar bone - the white spots are the shimmer, doesn't do that in person.}

Next was the tinted face protection w SPF 30 ($14.50) which is almost like a tinted moisturizer.  Of course, for my old lady skin, it wasn't nearly enough coverage- but I'm not 13-19 years old.  If I was, this would be the perfect amount of coverage to even out my skin tone just enough and still provide me with the much needed SPF for the day.  I know I did NOT wear SPF daily as a teen, and that's a shame.  Now we know that "80% of lasting sun damage happens before the age of 18."  

 {My skin with the tinted SPF applied. 

I took one for the team not wearing any concealer to show you it's true coverage!}

All girls die to wear lip gloss.  This tube of smile shine gloss ($8.50) is super cute and has a clasp attached at the end for the girls to attach to a backpack or key ring.  The color is very sheer with just enough lavender/pink shimmer and high shine! I've got in on in the above pic as well.

 {It's got shea butter + vitamin C & E in it too!}

This last product was honestly my favorite.  The fresh face cucumber mask ($1.75 a packet) was the brightest green color and smelled oh so good and fresh!!  I remember sleep overs with friends, and we would always LOVE to put on face masks and look funny waiting for them to dry!!   I frightened my hubby when I walked out with this on, but after washing it off after 10 minutes, my skin felt super smooth and my pores were obviously tightened up!  I would suggest this product to women my age!!

{Can you believe I'm showing you this? I can't.}

Willa's motto is "Start young. Stay young.®"  I think that says it all, that our teen girls should start taking care of their skin at an early age so irreversible damage isn't done later on and they get used to applying SPF daily.  This line fills the void of girls wanting grown-up-like skin products for themselves but that aren't too harsh.  Willa is gentle, natural, and chic enough to be effective, and might actually get your teenage daughter to wash her face and wear her sunscreen everyday!  I hope this line is still around in 12 years when my Vivian is 13!!  

How do you feel about starting your teen daughter on a skin care routine at an early age?  Have you tried Willa yet?

**I was sent these Willa products for consideration only.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.**

**If you haven't already signed up for my 1st ever makeup workshop + ladies night, "Put Your Best Face Forward," happening August 2nd in Athens, Ga, here's your chance!!  

Click HERE to see what all your $35 ticket will get you.

Would love to see your pretty face there!!**