Plus-Size Chic

Are you always looking for that cute tunic top but just can't find it in your size at the department store? Go to Torrid, which sells the most classy clothes in sizes 12-26 for women. The shoes, accessories, and apparel all follow the latest fashions, and there are countless colors and prints available. No Torrid store near you? Shop online! Their website (see title link) is easy to navigate.

Be an Actionista!

If you're a teen girl, here's the perfect opportunity for you to make your opinions really count. You can join a special Actionista Panel, created by Seventeen Magazine. Fill out a short online survey (see title link), and your confidential answers will help them to make important decisions regarding content and story choice! This periodical is read by millions of girls every month, so you really can change the world with just a few clicks. Plus, you can be eligible to win tons of freebies! Try it and spread the word!

Nine West never fails to impress.

My post yesterday discussed the needless amounts of money that teen girls spend on designer apparel and accessories that lack originality and glamour. On the other hand, it is nice to splurge on that purse you've been eyeing at the mall after you've earned the cash. Here is a classic example of a piece that is worth its price. The handbag from Nine West actually serves as a two-in-one accessory. Going out for the afternoon? Carry the purse like a mini-tote; it's big enough to store all the necessities for a long day. If there's a semi-formal at night, simply fold the handle down and lock the two sides into place magnetically, and you've got a cute clutch that will hold all of your makeup for the night. Plus, the vibrant colors tend to match any outfit, and its subtle glitz help it to serve both casual and classy affairs. The price of this bag? A splurge-worthy $59. That's roughly one-fourth the price of other designer bags, and you will never need another again (although we both know that you will purchase more; after all, what teen girl doesn't love her handbag collection?) because of its multicolor, all-purpose asset.

This bag has been sold out twice and will be made available in July (See title link). Pre-order yours today!

Juicy? No, thanks.

Nearly every teenage girl in today's society aspires to own at least one designer item. In particularly affluent communities, Coach purses and Chanel sunglasses are not uncommon. Although I find this fad trivial and unnecessary, I too immensely enjoy looking through a Marc Jacobs store window at the dresses that catch the light in the most perfect, tempting way. My advice to those teens who want to dig deep into their (or their parents') pockets is: splurge on something worthwhile and eye-catching! For example, if you absolutely HAVE to own something from the Dooney & Bourke collection, purchase an especially pretty purse that is completely unique. Exhibit A: the picture on the left. This Juicy Couture dress (see title link) is quite pretty and perfect for a warm summer day. However, there is absolutely nothing special about it that would make it stand out in a crowd of people. In fact, I am sure you could find a carbon copy at your nearest Target store. The price for this casual, commonly-designed dress? $198!

So if you must invest two hundred dollars into one piece of apparel, do yourself a favor and buy something worth the investment. At least you will find some glory in it.

KEP Bangles

I absolutely love accessorizing, and bangles are one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Perfect for teens, they're colorful, fun, and casual. Some brands take advantage of girls' love for casual jewelry and put outrageous prices on simple pieces. For example, KEP Designs (See title link) sells these and thicker bangles in a variety of colors. They're cute and classy, but they are hardly items that a girl can purchase in every color. Get this: these quarter-inch thick bangles are sold online for $35 apiece! Tack on a whopping $12 for shipping and handling, and you will realize that you can buy a whole plethora of bangles at Claire's or Target for half that price. These kinds of brands need to realize that gigantic-size prices will not attract a high adolescent fanbase.

RocaWear Campaign

There are hundreds of clothing companies out there that design apparel for adolescents. The select few, who stand out from the rest, try to reach out to their consumer base to try to make them better people on the inside as well as the outside. RocaWear, for example, has began a campaign called I Will Not Lose (IWNL). Their website (see title link) features stories of now-famous celebrities, who share their experiences overcoming adversity. Inspirational quotes are also on the site; for example, hip-hop artist Ciara says that "every struggle [she] faced was necessary because it made [her] a better person." Aspiring young artists, actors, singers, and dancers can read these messages and realize that they are not the only ones facing problems. Going one step further, RocaWear invites all teens to submit their own videos showcasing their own victories over adversity to win a chance to be featured in the RocaWear Spring/Summer 2008 Ad Campaign. What a wonderful way to bring self-esteem and hope to teenagers who may not be able to find it anywhere else. RocaWear, I applaud you.

Jergens: Natural is Best

In an era where more girls are making unhealthy decisions than ever, tanning salons are booming. Studies show that artificial tanning (and even excessive sun exposure without sufficient sunscreen protection) can cause skin cancer in the future. Thousands of teens contract skin cancer every year, and the number is steadily growing.

If you want that healthy, tanned look, go for a healthier option which is readily available in any drugstore. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer (see title link) gives you the same look as a tanning bed--in approximately 3 days. Unlike the beds, it moisturizes your skin and is available at an affordable cost. It even comes in three different shades to match your skin tone. The statistics don't lie; according to its website, 90% of women saw natural, sun-tan color in a study conducted by Jergens.

In today's world, you really don't have to compromise beauty for health. So take advantage of our modern innovations and do yourself a favor: try Jergens today!

Hair extensions? Definitely not.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Jessica Simpson. Who wouldn't be, with her amazing voice, role model reputation, and classic good-looks? Sure, many teen girls, myself included, appreciate her music. But there is also a little part of each of us who want to attain her level of effortless style. Her ever-changing hair, for example, is envied by one and all. Recognizing this, Simpson partnered with friend Ken Paves to create her own line of hair extensions, called hairdo (see title link), sharing her hairstyle flexibility with the rest of the world.
Hair extensions sound like fun--initially. But check out the prices on these pieces; just one hair clip-on from Simpson's line can cost you anywhere from $80 to $100 each. Most teen girls don't have that kind of money to spend on hair extensions, so the investment isn't really worth it. It seems a bit pointless to publicize the extensions in teen magazines, since most readers will probably never even consider the extensions because of their prices. Although I love the idea of a harmless way to dramatically change a look, I think Simpson and Paves could do better marketing their line for a different--and slightly more affluent--audience.

Roxy

If you're looking for a brand of clothing that's fun and effortless with a hint of sophistication, check out Roxy! (See title link) Its clothing seems to be inspired by the laid-back, California style that makes anyone yearn for summer (and the beach!). The look shown is a favorite of mine; it really exemplifies the classic Roxy look, with its vibrant colors and fun style perfect for teenagers.

Classy outfits are available, too. Basically, there's something for everyone at Roxy. The clothing is trendy without seeming trashy and the prices aren't outrageous. They carry everything from footwear to clothing to snow gear while making sure to sell merchandise of a very consistent style.

(Image: Courtesy of Roxy.com)

Clean, Clear, and Under Control

There are so many ads out there that attempt to entice teens with their flashy fashions and catchy logos. One of the most common (and most likely costly) methods is to use the celebrity: brands pay the newest teen celebrity to sell their product in their commercials. Although this may work for the tween (ages 11-13) age group, the slightly older adolescents don't find it all that exciting when they see a person their own age trying to sell a product. We'd rather see real teens sell the product: kids that have used it and genuinely believe in it. These kinds of people are more relatable to; if we see their enjoyment while using the product, we will feel like buying it, too.
That's where Clean & Clear comes in (See Title Link). Instead of having a bunch of seventeen-year-old Hollywood stars endorse their products, they put real teens in their commercials and let them talk about their products. The adolescent audience can easily see through a fake teen icon, and don't feel all that compelled to buy a product unless they see that it has worked on other people just like them. And the product doesn't exaggerate either: the quality of the Clean & Clear products is superb and they truly live up to their motto--Clearer skin in just 3 days. I would recommend checking it out for even the smallest of acne problems.