Mumsnet Talk

my 12 yr old loves to use anything that he feels is proper grown up type stuff. So he nicks his Dads shower gel, deodorant, aftershave etc.
My 9 yr old will use whatever bottle i shove in his hand as he steps in to the shower.
So please dont make it too young, character, themeish IYKWIM.
It would need to be really aimed at teenagers for any of mys sons friends to have given it a second look during the past 2 yrs or so, does that make sense?
I think 13/14 /15 yr olds use adult stuff
10/11/12 yr olds think they are grown up & want teenage stuff
below 10 yrs aren't really that bothered for the most part but would happily use something in a nice bottle

Agree with those who mention humour in the packaging, and some innovative idea for squirting/depositing gunk. Though I fear it wouldn't last long in our house.
Also agree re. no 'branded' packaging, and abiout assumptions about boys' tastes. My DS (10) loathes football, sport in general, pop music and all the other stuff that boys are "supposed" to like (likes classical music and buildings). But he does like rubbish jokes and things that go splat.

He is keen on Lush bath bombs. Fortunately he doesn't wash often enough for this to be financially ruinous.

We were recently given some blue gunky stuff from Lush called 'FUN' - it's a bit like play dough so you can mould it etc. as well as using it to get clean. I thought it was horrid (nasty texture - too crumbly - and weird scent) but my boys (6 & 9) thought it was great! (also thought it was really overpriced at £5 for a not very big packet).
Interesting idea that could be done much better... (IMHO!)

HI My son is 11 nearly 12 and I have to say that he would have absolutely no interest in bath products, shampoo etc., though I have a feeling he'd be interested in hair gel for boys.

I've done the survey as far as poss, but ds1 is 7 and we have never used any toiletries on him. We decided on that when he was a baby and always assumed that at some point he would need them, but we haven't reached that point yet.

Done, interesting idea. Good luck with it x

Answered the questions as asked but think the packaging questions could also be directed to the purchaser. A paraben, SLS free, lightly packaged, organic shower gel that smells like linx would hit the spot in my sisters house both with her and with my nephew (10)

Done
I think it is a great idea. DS is 8 and loves to bath or shower. He is now (much against my will) growing his hair long so is suddenly showing a lot more interest in conditioners so he can actually get a comb through his mop

When he was younger he loved spiky hair but I always felt that adult products were probably a bit too harsh so limited gel to special occasions. A styling product specifically formulated for youngsters would be great. He also uses Lynx but again I worry that it could be harsh (though it would appear not to be) Similar but milder would be ideal.

Good luck

Done survey.

My DS (7 yo) hates getting in the shower, and hates getting out again almost as much. I don;'t think he sees any point in soap/gel other than it stops me moaning at him when he does use it. He uses baby shampoo because (1) we have it and (2) he has only just started being able to deal with water on his face, stinging shampoo would be a really bad thing.

I'd buy toiletries for him if he used them, I do like the idea another poster made of a dispenser system, so if he did use it, it lasted more than 1 shower. As the oldest, he'd definitely be into the idea of stuff that was not for babies.

I can't get the link to work

Hand wash dispense type bottle would be good so they don't use it all at once. My DS has quite sens skin so we have to be very careful with all products. Starting the range at 6 years is a good idea so that they can gradually add different products as they get older.

Have done survey. I wonder if you would consider a system (I'm not v technological so please excuse the poor explanation) whereby the shower gel or shampoo dispenses one 'shot' that's enough for a wash? So you could sort of lock/unlock it??? It may well already exist. I find that a lot of stuff gets wasted and often 'decant' shampoo/shower gel into doll's tea set cups (he loves that!) or similar, so they can only take a set amount into the shower. Good luck, there's defintely a gap in the market.

I have done the survey but my feeling is that young boys want to be like men and use mens products not some sort of boys' range. It'll be hard to pitch something between Matey and Lynx and remain affordable.

Gimmicks are good, we have had some success with that shower gel that turns into a foam, has good play value!!

I do think there's a market for aftershave though. Well basically a boys' fragrance, that's what DS has long wanted and there are plenty for girls around. A nice subtle smell, not Lynxy!!

done

tx to all who have completed it so far. It appears most boys don't mind showering but don't actually clean themselves

Done

I have completed for my shower avoiding 12yr old

I was thinking shaped soaps that they want to use or shower gel that they squish out onto a fun face cloth/mitt/sponge

I think soap needs to be smaller for little hands - something to consider perhaps!

swanthing - our house too, which is why I'm looking into this. My boys get covered in mud playing sport and then shower for 20 mins and come out still covered in mud. They need some kind of soap that they actually want to apply with a mitt or something that they think feels nice or looks funny so that they use it to scrub the dirt off.

I was looking for a soap on a rope which was suitable for ds2 (10)for Christmas. Also v keen on stuff which is hypoallergenic but still fun, and not too expensive. Most of cheap gift bath stuff brings us all out in a rash.

Ds1 12 has absolutely loved his CK spray set this Xmas, I was surprised about how much interest he took in trying it out, as he hates washing

I would say using soap is biggest problem in this family, they can't be bothered.

Done, think it's a great idea. Was saying to friends over christmas about the lack of choice in this area.

Done. Fab idea so lots of luck and hope it goes well for you.

Ds (9) can hardly be prised out of the shower. He likes computer stuff, cartoons and music. He is big on how things smell and how they leave his hair feeling.

Also have a dd(8) and would rather buy something they could both use, which would mean something in generic packaging or aimed at their age group in general.

Niether like disney/tv character stuff so would have to be something a bit different. Both would laugh at something like a squirrel in a shower.