Behind the Brand: Just For Redheads Takes the Guesswork Out of Choosing Beauty Products For Redheads

Paula Pennypacker, Founder of Just for Redheads

If you’re a redhead like me, you know that you’re more likely to see products targeted towards blondes or brunettes, which makes sense because there’s simply a bigger market for those hair colors. That’s why I always feel especially excited whenever a beauty brand acknowledges redheads and highlights products that work well for our features. Fun fact: Red hair is the least common hair color in the world – only 1 to 2 percent of people are natural redheads.

Just for Redheads is a cosmetics line catering to all shades of red hair including strawberry blondes, copper, and auburn. The line helps redheads take out the guesswork when it comes to choosing the right color. 

Founded by a redhead, Paula Pennypacker launched Just for Redheads 30 years ago creating warm browns and taupe mascaras and expanding the product range into a full cosmetic line including blush, eyeshadows, lipsticks, and haircare including shampoo, conditioner, hair extensions, and henna.

We interviewed Pennypacker to learn about the story behind the brand and how Just for Redheads addresses challenges of finding products that work best for red hair.

Just for Redheads products

Can you share a little about your journey in the industry and what led you to launch Just for Redheads? 

After running for mayor of Toledo, Ohio and seeing myself on television with harsh black mascara, I realized there wasn’t a brand that catered to people with my complexion and hair coloring. Having lost the chance to change Toledo, I decided to change the lives of redheads instead. So I launched Just for Redheads – the world’s first cosmetics company catering to those with flaming locks. Finally, a mascara that won’t turn black on redheads.

When was the brand founded? 

I founded Just for Redheads in 1993 to highlight the special beauty needs for redheads, such as their freckled, pale skin and lashes. We’ve hit some big milestones over the years and gained popularity throughout Hollywood when Cynthia Nixon wore JFR’s extensions in the Sex & The City Movie, as well as the famous Weasley family in the Harry Potter film series using JFR cosmetics. Gwyneth Paltrow was featured wearing JFR mascara in the movie Bounce and Just for Redheads was even a question on Jeopardy!

Just for Redheads Mascara

Tell us about your products. What are some of the unique products that are harder for redheads to find that you offer?

Mascara is the single most important cosmetic for redheads. All conventional mascaras are black or black/brown and they all can look black and harsh on redhead’s pale lashes, offering a totally unnatural look. I started Just for Redheads with our mascara in 4 amazing shades (Ginger Brown, Ginger Auburn, Ginger Red, and Ginger Cocoa). We offer our mascaras in three formulas: waterproof, water-resistant, and sensitive eye. Since then, we’ve launched a full product line from brow products, blush, hair extensions, hair color, skincare, all designed by a redhead, just for redheads. 

Do you have a hero product? 

Besides our mascara, my next favorite product is our 100 percent natural Henna Hair Color. We redheads are so lucky that we can color our hair with a totally chemical-free product. Not only does our henna restore natural red highlights to our hair, it also conditions and adds shine. Our henna hair color continues to get rave reviews on Amazon. 

Is there anything you want people to know about the ingredients in your products? 

All JFR products are developed and designed with the cleanest ingredients to address redhead sensitivities, cruelty and paraben-free.

Just for Redheads lipstick

Where are your products sold?

Just For Redhead products are sold on Amazon and directly on our website, www.justforredheads.com 

What’s next for the brand?

We will be introducing our new luxury line of mascaras this Fall. The new water-resistant formula will be available in four amazing shades, and designed to volumize, lift, curl and lengthen lashes. We also continue to grow our JFR Hair Extension Line with new shades of red and styles you will not find anywhere else, as well as our recently introduced Dual-Active Powder Foundation Line and our Retractable Lip Crayons! 

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer/editor. Her work has appeared in publications including Beauty Launchpad, Nailpro, DAYSPA, CNET, Entertainment Tonight, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16