Giving girls the chance to be 'princess' for a day
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Rosie Fraser gives nine-year-old Sophie Forbes the Pampered Princess Parties’ treatment. Picture Gary Anthony
AN entrepreneurial mother has set up her own business, thought to be the first in the Highlands, specialising in pamper parties for young girls.
Rosey Fraser decided to take the plunge in March and set up Pampered Princess Parties, which gives young girls the fun experience of getting their hair, make-up and nails done.
The 37-year-old hit upon the idea after speaking to a woman who had taken her daughter to a beauty parlour for girls in America.
"She said it was absolutely fantastic, and thought it was such a shame there was nothing like that here," Mrs Fraser explained. "She said ‘you could do that’ and that put the idea in my head.
"A bit of time passed and it was still in my head and then a couple of my friends asked me to do parties for their daughters and they really enjoyed it. There was a lot of positive feedback and that is when I decided to go for it."
Mrs Fraser, who has worked as a hairdresser for the past 15 years, latterly specialising in bridal and occasion hair, believes it to be the first business of its kind locally, although similar business operate throughout the rest of the UK, where they have come under criticism for sexualising children too young.
But, Mrs Fraser, of Birchbrae Drive, Kirkhill, does not agree with critics, who say it is too much, too soon. "I think girls are naturally interested in grooming from a young age — they see their mums get dressed up," she said. "It is just role-play, it is nothing more than that. It is a bit of fun and they really enjoy it."
However, she does acknowledge the concerns, offering face-painting as a choice for the youngest girl.
"Some of the mums prefer face-paint to make-up," she said. "I try and push for the make-up, as it is more part of the pamper party theme. I had a mother of a six-year-old girl who was not sure if she wanted her wearing make-up. The make-up is very subtle, it is not going to be over the top, just a bit of shimmer and sparkle. When she said, ‘I don’t know,’ I said you can have face-painting instead and she went for that, but I think the girls prefer the make-up."
She added the feedback had been very positive. "People have been in touch to say, ‘I have seen what you are doing, I am definitely going to have it in November.’ I hope it is going to do quite well — I have had no negative reaction."
Pampered Princess Parties offers different packages, all including hair, make-up and nails, tailored to suit different age groups — 4 to 6, 7 to 11, and 11 to 14.
For the younger group, Mrs Fraser, who has an assistant, runs Little Miss Princess and Fairy Fun parties, where the children also get to dress up and play party-games. For the mid-age group, it’s a Funky Diva or Pampered Princess party, where temporary spray-on hair colour/glitter and glitter tattoos are also included, while for the older girls, it’s a choice of a Model Makeover party, where the young teenagers get a mini-make up lesson, or a Pure Bliss relaxation party, with spa treatments. The older group also get non-alcoholic cocktails.
"The kids just love it," Mrs Fraser continued.
"It is a great boost for their confidence. It is the kind of thing you know little girls are going to love and a couple of mums have said to me afterwards that they didn’t want to take the make-up off when it got to bed-time."
In the long-term, if the business is a success, Mrs Fraser, a mother to Brandon (9) and Corey (2), hopes to open a Pampered Princess Parlour in Inverness.
"That is my long-term goal," she said.
And what do her young boys think about it?
"Brandon thinks it is great," she said. "All the girls are friends with him.
"It really is the most enjoyable job I have ever had."
For further information visit www.pamperedprincessparties.co.uk.
