Product Review: Banana Kate Designs

I recently had the opportunity to do a review of some very beautiful (and as I soon found out, also very durable) barrettes for girls! Banana Kate Designs is the creation of Denise Both, a stay at home mom with a four year old daughter, Annie. After receiving many compliments on the stylish hair accessories she made for Annie, Denise began to make and market some of her designs to the other parents at her daughter's school. She soon realized, though, that perhaps there could be a larger market for her sweet creations, and Banana Kate Designs was born!

Offering a wide variety of custom barrettes, barrette holders and headbands (among many other adorable products - does your little ballerina need a tutu?), you will find a wonderful selection of colors, themes and styles to fit your (and your daughter/granddaughter's) wants and needs. I was particularly intrigued by the fact that Denise will custom make the barrettes using different types of hair clips, as many of us know that some barrettes just will not work depending on the texture of our childrens' hair (case in point: my son has the most gorgeous, thick head of hair while his younger sister has super fine fly-away hair that most barrettes I have tried will not stay put in).

I was very pleased then, when Denise sent me some sample items to test out on my little lady's hair - and even more so when I saw just how beautiful her products are in person! We received two types of clips, one being the alligator clip (usually better for finer hair) and the other being a french clip (which usually holds better in thicker hair). I have to say, that despite Lady Janey (one of my nicknames for my daughter - and no, her name is not even Jane!) having super fine hair, that both types of clips worked well for her, though I would agree that the alligator would be our preference. I was super happy with how they fit and stayed in her hair, and more so that they apparently did not bother her, as usually when I try to add some flair to her outfit via hair accessory, she immediately reaches to rip said accessory out of her head (but not this time!)

The two barrettes we sampled were this adorable mitten one (from the Holiday 2010 collection) and also a red and white snowflake clip, also from Banana Kate's Holiday 2010 collection. Each clip retails for $6.00 and Denise can custom make them for you with regard to barrette style, etc.

Denise also sent along one of her Customizable Headbands with Accessories. I love this approach to accessorizing: all because of a little fabric loop attached to the headband itself, it is as easy as sliding a bow in or out to change the look. Denise provided Lady Janey and I with a beautiful pink grosgrain bow (so classic) as well as a corker bow (a little more modern and lots of fun). Both bows, as well as the headband itself, were obviously made with much attention to detail and looked great on (of course I am biased!) I think this would make a terrific gift for the young lady on your Holiday list who has it all but could use some extra finishing touches. The headband/accessories are very well priced - the headband is $10.00 (it comes with one accessory to start) and then each additional accessory is only $4.00. So for $14, your daughter can have two distinct looks right off the bat (or three if she wears the headband solo!)

Overall, I was really pleased with the products from Banana Kate Designs and would purchase additional barrettes both for my daughter as well as for gifts - they are priced right, well-made, beautiful designs and best of all, made with loving care by a fellow mom. Be sure to check out all the designs currently available on the Banana Kate Designs website and happy shopping!

*Disclosure: The barrettes as well as headband and two interchangeable bows were provided by Banana Kate Designs for the purpose of this review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.