kirsty Fenella Health & Beauty

2011-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

Tesco is expanding by launching a new Beauty Salon business.
UK supermarket chain Tesco has launched a new health and beauty service comprising hairdressing, nail and threading bars. Nail and threading treatments are currently being trialed at stores in Wembley, Cambridge Bar Hill, Milton Keynes, Kingston and Manchester, while standalone beauty salons, which will also offer hairdressing services, will be opened in Leicester and Chesterfield.

The Two shop-in-shops that open this Monday 31st January are the supermarket giants first attempts to capitalize on what it sees as being a "huge opportunity". The beauty market in the UK is estimated to be worth in the region of £5bn a year.

The salons have been designed to look like separately-branded concessions within the Tesco stores,
Andrew Carpenter, Tesco Beauty Category Manager, said: "We know beauty treatments are very popular with many people these days, and we feel the convenience of great value and quality services, from manicures to full waxing and styling, could be a success with customers,"

Tesco has revealed plans to open 70 in-store beauty salons by the end of 2011.
The services available through the beauty salons will include hair styling and colouring, waxing, manicures and threading and customers will be able to purchase products from brands including Professional brands L’oreal owned Redken and Unilevers TIGI Bedhead.

Is this perhaps a step too far? Some believe Tesco is - again - stretching its brand too far. Is the grocer getting the psychology of women's beauty services all wrong? Tesco is hardly where time-poor women would like to have their nails buffed?
But in tough times, is there a place for credit crunch beauty? Remember the launch and ongoing success of the Barbara Daly make up range, Tesco's latest move into a broader range of professional beauty services is still about the ‘c' word, but convenience, as much as cost.

The professional Hair & Beauty market is poised with baited breath…

2011-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

Cosmetics brand owner Beiersdorf AG has launched an international campaign designed to increase external knowledge exchange to help enhance product and packaging R&D. The Open Innovation Initiative, also known as Pearlfinder involves Beiersdorf researchers and employees from the packaging department publishing open briefings and calling for external partners to offer solutions via a confidential web platform: http://pearlfinder.Beiersdorf.com.

According to Beiersdorf, the company has a history of being open to innovative external ideas; the concept of using burdock root as an anti-ageing ingredient in its Nivea Pure & Natural was based on a suggestion from a farmer living in Saxony-Anhalt, while successful test runs of Pearlfinder have already been conducted.

Beiersdorf has also signed a research agreement with topical antimicrobial innovations specialist Syntopix to establish and validate screening assays to improve topical antimicrobial efficacy. Under the terms of the agreement, Syntopix will develop new lab-based assays to help examine the effective delivery of active ingredients in order to maximise their bioavailability on skin.

St Tropez

2010-10-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

Soap manufacturer and LH Consumer Health & Beauty client ;PZ Cussons has revealed that it has bought tanning brand St Tropez from its private equity owner LDC. PZ Cussons announced that it has paid £62.5m in a cash deal for the company which sold £20.7m worth of self-tanning products in the year ending July 2010.

LDC had bought St Tropez, founded in Los Angeles, four years ago for £70m and relaunched the products with new packaging which helped the sprays become famous worldwide. When LDC struck a deal for distribution of St Tropez in salons and spas throughout the UK, British consumers became extremely loyal to the brand.

The manufacturer of Imperial Leather soaps and Carex handwashes, PZ Cussons believes that St Tropez is an ideal brand to add to its portfolio of products which also includes The Sanctuary spa brand. “We see good growth opportunities, both in the UK and overseas, particularly by linking the strategy to that of The Sanctuary." PZ Cussons has said that the acquisition is expected to be "earnings enhancing" in the current financial year.

PZ Cussons chief executive, Alex Kanellis commented: “The acquisition of the St Tropez brand represents an excellent strategic opportunity for PZ Cussons and further strengthens our portfolio of ‘masstige’ brands. We see good growth opportunities, both in the UK and overseas Following this acquisition our balance sheet remains strong giving us flexibility for further investment opportunities as they arise.”

Michelle Feeney, chief executive of St Tropez added: “I am thrilled that St Tropez is going into such a great home. PZ Cussons offers a synergistic opportunity for growth particularly in conjunction with The Sanctuary and will add the scaleability that the brand needs to become a truly international player.”

Over 80% of St Tropez' sales are currently within the UK, with Australia and the US also growing markets for the brand. Revenue and earnings before depreciation, amortisation, interest and tax for the year ended 31 July 2010 were £20.7m and £7.4m respectively. St Tropez Holdings Limited had gross assets of £48.1m, including £42.1m of goodwill, at 31 July 2010.

L'Oreal acquires Essie Cosmetics..

2010-05-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

L’Oréal USA is turning its attention to the nail colour and nail care sector with the acquisition of Essie Cosmetics.

According to L’Oréal USA’s president and ceo, Frederic Roze the deal will “enable L’Oréal to increase its share in the nail colour and care market, which has seen significant growth year over year”.

Essie, whose nail colours, treatments, accessories, spa products and lip-glosses are sold mainly through spas and salons in the US, was founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten and last year recorded net sales of $28m.“This acquisition presents a tremendous opportunity to allow the Essie brand to grow even stronger,” comments Weingarten. Both Weingarten and Essie’s ceo, Max Sortino will continue to play a pivotal role in the brand’s future.According to a recent report by Kline & Company, the nail polish market in the US grew 14.3% in 2009.

In the UK Perfect Nails are the UK distributor for the brand- Perfect Nails are the a UK distributors of professional manicure, pedicure, beauty and spa products to Salons, Beauty Therapists, Mobiles and Nail Technicians nationwide.

They distribute several top American celebrity based product ranges including ESSIE Cosmetics, SECHE Natural Nail Care Products - world famous for SECHE VITE - award winning Fast Dry Top Coat, Lash beLong Professional Eyelash Extensions, FOOTSIE BATH of Beverley Hills, BELAVA, FRALIZ implements, DR GEES solutions - plus many more products needed to offer first class professional treatments.

They exhibit at professional trade shows throughout the year, their head office and showroom is based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, but the business has agents nationwide who will call on salons and look after your individual requirements. Back at the Perfect nails Head Office there is a fully trained team of sales staff.

It is unclear as to how the UK business will change following the L'oreal Aquistion at this stage.

CEW (UK) Beauty Awards 2010

2010-04-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

CEW or Cosmetic Executive women is a trade organisation nurturing and recognising top executive talent within the cosmetic industry - whilst raising money for their independent initiative 'Cancer and Careers.'

The 700 strong membership of CEW (UK) includes executive women in the cosmetic, fragrance and hairdressing industries and related fields such as advertising, public relations, product development, marketing, media, finance, sales, retail, management and design and packaging.

These women hold entry level, middle-management and senior management positions and all enjoy attending CEW's events for the invaluable networking opportunities these events offer.

CEW (UK) mission statement is to advance the professional growth and leadership development of women in the cosmetic industry through:- Career Development Programs- Networking opportunities- Access to industry leaders- Recognition of achievement

The CEW Beauty Awards were created to drive business for all brands, and help consumers find the best products in the market. They serve as a platform to highlight creativity and innovation in product.

Voted on by the CEW(UK) Members - the industry professionals and experts in the field of beauty- “The Beauty Insiders”, they are now firmly established as one of the most coveted beauty awards in the industry.

And the 2010 winners are...

Mass Categories:

Best New Bath & Body Product -All for Eve Body Butter

Best New Haircare/Styling/Colouring -Product Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo

Best New Everyday Skincare Product -Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oiltied withSteamcream

Best New Skincare Treatment Product-GoodSkin Labs Lumecin Overnight Brightening Gluco -Protein Treatment

Best New Self Tan or Sun Care Product-St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Body Lotion

Best New Make-up Product-All for Eve Lipstick

Best Classic Beauty Product-Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor

Best New Men’s Grooming Product-A’kin pureMAN Calming After Shave Balm

Best New Brand-All for Eve
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Prestige Categories;

Best New Bath and Body Product-Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Superskin Body Cream

Best New Haircare/Styling Product-Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

Best New Everyday Skincare Product-Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Superskin Moisturiser

Best New Skincare Treatment Product-Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

Best New Certified Organic Skincare Product-Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream

Best New Self Tan or Sun Care Product-St Tropez Everyday Mousse

Best New Make-up Product-Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Make-up

Best Classic Beauty Product-Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Best New Women’s Celebrity Fragrance-Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Island Night

Best New Women’s Fragrance-Marc Jacobs LOLA

Best New Men’s Fragrance-Gucci by Gucci pour Homme

Best New Men’s Grooming Product-Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Age Defense for Eyes

Best New Brand-Dolce & Gabbana the make up
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Mass or Prestige Categories

Best New Hand and Nail Care Product-All for Eve Hand Cream

Best New Salon Professional Haircare Product-Kérastase Sublimateur Jour

Best British Brand-Elemis

Best Iconic Beauty Product-Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Congratulations to all brands involved!

Particulary all about eve, the brand, who’s intention is to raise funds and awareness for gynecological cancer research by donating all net profits from sales to 'The Eve Appeal.'

2010-03-25T03:13:00.000-07:00

Xen-Tan UK Story..

Natalie Roche Xen-Tan Managing Director realised that there was massive potential for the Xen-Tan product range after researching the market both in the UK and in America.The Altrincham-based entrepreneur has since secured deals to supply 19 House of Fraser stores, five branches of Fenwicks and 700 other retailers.And Natalie has also appeared on a TV shopping channel - where the range sold out within 30 minutes.

Her distribution business, Skin Solutions, has the UK distribution rights to Xen-Tan, a product that claims to provide a fake tan without undue smells or orange tints.

Xen-Tan- (pronounced Zen Tan) the revolutionary new fake tan product range from the USA is a complete breakthrough in self tanning.

It has been clinically developed to overcome all the dreaded drawbacks so frequently associated with the more well known fake tans.

Founded by ardent self-tanning fan Dera Enochson is US.

Dera was simply fed up with bad odours, orange skin and far too much mess. Working with chemists and testing on friends and family, she spent two years developing new formulas. XEN-TAN products were created to give a more natural color, while maintaining delicious scents, even when your tan is developing.

The UK business is doing incredibly well sold to both the consumer & the professional therapist, with slick packaging, and great branding this product is definitely one to watch.

innovation in skincare

2010-02-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

I recently met with the founder of Saaf Pure Skincare Dr Mah Hussain Gambles , who created this hugely innovative natural luxury skincare brand. Her passion and enthusiasm for the industry was clear, and I look forward to developing our business relations.

With many years of treating clients homeopathically, Dr. Mah has personally witnessed the benefits of combining ancient knowledge with modern science to create highly effective skincare solutions that work synergistically with the skin.

Saaf Pure Skincare is a marriage between safe science and nature, providing you with highly concentrated therapeutic formulations. These are a blend of rare organic cold-pressed botanicals and finest quality steam distilled organic essential oils, with scientifically proven healing properties.

Dr. Mah Hussain-Gambles, Homeopath, Pharmacologist, Founder and Formulator of Saaf Pure Skincare, uses the finest quality organic raw materialsscientifically shown to help boost the immune system, and with anti-inflammatory and natural anti-bacterial/fungal properties. These organic ingredients also provide the highest levels of natural anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 and 6 found in nature. Resulting in highly concentrated, restorative products that provide skin with immediate relief short-term, and have a long-term, beautifying effect.

Pure Ingredients without Contamination

Dr Mah’s scientific and homeopathic training ensures a tried-and-tested, results-oriented range. This is optimum skincare with the emphasis on safe, gentle, & effective. The formulations do not contain common allergens and irritants, products are 100% free of Alcohol, and the organic oils used are chosen for their therapeutic contribution to the formulations – healing properties, regenerating abilities.

Halal Certified
In Saaf’s quest for ultimate purity, the Saaf range is also certified by the UK Halal Food and Cosmetics Consultancy. This guarantees that Saaf products do not contain any animal derived ingredients; are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), irradiated raw materials and no alcohol is used either as a raw material or during the manufacturing process. The Saaf manufacturing unit uses non-alcoholic sanitiser and Saaf always obtains signed certificates from its suppliers, stating that its raw materials are Halal.

For more information please visit- http://www.saafpureskincare.com/

just for fun..

2010-02-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

Beauty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For beauty as a characteristic of a person's appearance, see Physical attractiveness. For other uses, see Beauty (disambiguation).

Rayonnant rose window in Notre-Dame de Paris. Light was considered as the most beautiful revelation of God, as was manifested in Gothic architecture.

Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction.^[ Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology, and culture. An "ideal beauty" is an entity which is admired, or possesses features widely attributed to beauty in a particular culture, for perfection.

The experience of "beauty" often involves the interpretation of some entity as being in balance andharmony with nature, which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well-being.

Because this is a subjective experience, it is often said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."^[1] In its most profound sense, beauty may engender a salient experience of positive reflection about the meaning of one's own existence

A subject of beauty is anything that resonates with personal meaning.

The classical Greek adjective for "beautiful" was καλλός, kallos. The Koine Greek word for beautiful was ὡραῖος, hōraios,^[2] an adjective etymologically coming from the word ὥρα, hōra, meaning "hour." In Koine Greek, beauty was thus associated with "being of one's hour."

A ripe fruit (of its time) was considered beautiful, whereas a young woman trying to appear older or an older woman trying to appear younger would not be considered beautiful. In Attic Greek, hōraios had many meanings, including "youthful" and "ripe old age.

This lady writes a lovely blog

2010-02-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

If you want to keep ahead of the current trends and want to know which products are great- take a look at www.trixiebadassbeautybits.blogspot.com

Here you get a frank unbiased view on all things beauty,skin and hair related.

ENJOY!

TRIXIEBADASS KNOWS BEAUTY

MAKEUP OBSSESSIVE.

LH Consumer Health & Beauty are Incredibly proud to be partnering...

2010-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

Joe Corre, the Founder and Former Creative Genius Behind Agent Provocateur Joins Cult British Make-up Brand Illamasqua as a Formal Shareholder

LONDON, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

British make-up brand Illamasqua announces Joe Corre as a formal shareholder and key investor today. Citing Illamasqua as 'the only brand who are doing anything different out there right now', Corre will work alongside Illamasqua founder Julian Kynaston and Creative Director Alex Box to develop the retail performance of the brand as well as exploring the business case for Illamasqua to launch a number of its own stores. Forecasts predict that the brand is set to generate a wholesale figure of GBP4 million in 2010 with retail sales at an estimated GBP7 million.

Corre's investment comes as Illamasqua launches into Bloomingdales Dubai on 1st February, following the brand's expansion into the US in July last year across 26 Sephora stores. Involvements will include Corre working with Kynaston on all aspects of the Illamasqua business and its continued growth into new markets, alongside his own projects with men's fashion brand "A Child of The Jago". Joe Corre, son of British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, co-founded luxury lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur in 1994. The company was acquired in November 2007 by private equity fund 3i for an estimated GBP70million, with Corre remaining on as the brand's creative force until 2009.
"We know that we have turned many heads since we opened our first counter in Selfridges Oxford St back in November 08. To have turned Joe's to the point where he really wanted to invest and become a part of the team however is an achievement and one I am very excited about. 2010 will be another big year for Illamasqua as the brand continues to roll out globally as well as build its performance within our UK retail partners though new collections and some unexpected brand extensions", says Julian Kynaston, founder of Illamasqua.
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My business LH consumer Health & Beauty have been working with the senior management team at Illamasqua to bring forth new talent to this already massively successful cult brand. We were very excited to hear of Joe Corre's entrance.
I look forward with anticipation to bringing further talent to the business in 2010 as they role out expansion plans!

Social Media Marketing in personal care...

2010-01-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

Cosmetics manufacturers should turn to the Internet and social networking sites to talk with consumers and spread the word about their brands according to an article in cosmeticsdesign.com.

Consumers are not only doing more and more cosmetics shopping online but they are also scouring social networking sites for information and tips on beauty matters.

Cosmetics brands need to reach out to these consumers, learn about their beauty habits and inform them about their products.

As a shopping destination the Internet is the only retail channel to be holding onto growth in the recession.

While spending dries up elsewhere, the internet is a growing source of beauty dollars.

Beauty brands can reach out to large numbers of people using social networking sites like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

For example, instructional videos from Gillette on body shaving published on YouTube only two weeks ago, have so far attracted well over 1 million views.

Success on YouTube has even prompted product launches. Lauren Luke, a 27 year old from the UK, whose online ‘make-up tutorials’ have attracted 40 million viewers, used her web-fame as a platform to launch a new cosmetics line entitled ‘By Lauren Luke’, with the help of Anomaly and Zorbit Resources.

What social networking sites most commonly offer is a means for existing beauty companies to reach out directly to consumers.

Social media advice

social media is “perfect for cosmetics” because it is a high-involvement category where information, feedback and testimonials from trusted sources play an important role in buying decisions.

To take full advantage of the opportunities presented by social networking sites, marketers have to be prepared to adopt a new mentality.

Wading into social networking sites and posting fake product reviews is not the way forward. Such an approach damages credibility and trust which are the values social media can help companies foster. Companies are best off entering into a discussion with consumers asking them about their beauty preferences and offering tips.

An example of a company that has gone down this route is Sephora. The beauty store has a strong and active presence on YouTube and Facebook where it talks to consumers, offers beauty tips and guides, and keeps women up to date with its latest offers.

It is not only the big social networking sites where beauty companies can interact with their existing and potential consumers. There is a lot of activity in niche online communities where brands can talk to a more targeted audience.

Examples of such sites given by the social media expert were women’s community sites such as bellasuga.com, glamour.com and epicurean.com.

So far relatively few companies have really exploited online opportunities and many big beauty companies are set to lose out to smaller more internet savvy brands unless they actively engage with their consumers on the internet.

Social media marketing is the process of promoting your site or business through social media channels and it is a powerful strategy that will get you links, attention and massive amounts of traffic.

There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again.

If you are selling products/services or just publishing content for ad revenue, social media marketing is a potent method that will make your site profitable over time.

excerpts taken from cosmeticdesign.com & marketinguk.com

I think that we can even look at the activity used by bloggers such as myself and my business LH consumer Health & Beauty, this element of social media helps me to connect with clients across my sector and show my passion and understanding of the industry.

Businesses across the board must innovate now more than ever before we must actively seek out new channels to reach our consumers & clients and what better way the personal forms of social media. I suspect we've only scratched the surface and there's much more to come through this medium.

Shiseido buys Bare Escentuals for $1.7bn

2010-01-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Shiseido buys Bare Escentuals for $1.7bn

Mineral beauty business will operate as a separate division

Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido is to buy the US mineral beauty company Bare Escentuals in a friendly takeover for $1.7bn. The transaction has already been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies by a unanimous vote.

Under the terms of the tender offer, which is scheduled to start in 10 days, Shiseido will buy shares for $18.20 each, a 40.8 percent premium over Bare Escentuals’ average stock price during the last three months. Once the majority of stock is tendered, Shiseido will buy the remaining shares for the same price in a second-step merger.

Bare Escentuals’ business will operate as a separate division of Shiseido and its unique brands will continue to be managed by the current leadership team - notably ceo Leslie Blodgett - who are expected to drive future development of the business with the support of Shiseido’s significant resources, particularly given Shiseido’s extensive R&D network around the world.

"This acquisition further enables Shiseido to move towards our goal of becoming a global player representing Asia with its origins in Japan," Shiseido chief executive Shinzo Maeda said in a statement. "The operational fit and future growth prospects make this an excellent transaction for our customers, employees and shareholders."

Bare Escentuals aims to benefit from Shiseido's distribution channels in Japan and Asia, particularly its strong foothold in China.

Leslie Blodgett, added, “This is an exciting day for all of us at Bare Escentuals and I couldn’t be more pleased to be joining forces with the team at Shiseido. Together [with Shiseido], we look forward to bringing our mineral-based beauty products to even more women worldwide.”

Lets go ECO!

2010-01-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

Eco packaging extends cosmetics shelf life

A technology that promises to extend the shelf life of cosmetics products whilst saving on packaging materials has been patented by French company Rosas.

The process, designed for thermoformer machinery, extends shelf life by complete oxygen removal, according to the company.

Significantly extending the shelf life of cosmetics will mean that products can be transported without having to regulate the temperature, giving it both economical and ecological benefits.

However, the technology is still in development. The challenge at present is to improve the quality of the plastic film, so that it remains air tight for longer.

Removing oxygen extends shelf life

Rosas maintains that removing the oxygen from a product will increase its shelf life. However with traditional thermoformer packaging methods it is difficult to remove 100 per cent of the oxygen.

The double chamber system developed by Rosas allows the tray sealing enclosure to be cleaned of oxygen before the introduction of the product. The product can similarly be completely sterilised in a separate chamber before it is introduced. This results in 100 per cent oxygen removal, says the firm.

All types of products, solid or liquid, that are packaged in this way can benefit from the technology, although further investigations need to be done into the exact extension of life possible for each product, Roland Rossi, company director at Rosas, told CosmeticsDesign.

The company states that the technology can also be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as being used for packaging sensitive computer parts.

The technology also allows for up to a 15 per cent saving on the plastic film, according to Rosas, as the injection of the sterilising gases occurs in the sealing enclosure and not through perforated holes in the plastic, therefore reducing the width of the film needed.

Improving the quality of film

Rosas' has developed a prototype of the machine, however the technology is not yet available for the industry, mainly due to difficulties with the plastic film itself.

"Once heated and thermoformed the plastic doesn't remain one hundred percent air tight," Rossi said.

"In the past there was no reason to develop plastic films that would last longer as no packaging machine was able to completely remove the oxygen" he added.

The company is calling for partners to help bring this technology to the industry.

Happy Christmas

2009-12-26T04:40:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say happy Xmas to all!

I received some lovely new products to review over the festive period so please keep an eye out!

My fabulous partner got me a super selection of REN skincare which is just what I wanted. I have big plans for the blog in 2010, I'm looking to explore further the key business that really create the advancements in the cosmetic, spa & beauty world. My business Langton Howarth are also going to be working in conjunction with green businesses to raise awareness of Eco- packaging.

But for now I hope everyone has a great new year and thank you for all your support with my blog in 2009.

Kirsty Fenella

A wonderful service.....

2009-12-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

During a recent business trip in london I of course popped it Selfridges. Its really important to follow my clients work and keep in touch with brand by visiting and understanding the way product is sold both from visual point and how they connect & communicate with their consumers.

I already have a makeup bag full of Illamasqua products (In our office we did a rather large December order!) However during my visit we were lucky that Daniel Busuttil one of Illamasquas senior makeup artists and a member of their international team was working with the Selfridges team that day. Daniel travels the world with Illamasqua delivering education and understanding of their brand. So you can imagine we didn’t leave empty handed!

Daniel was able to offer in-depth product knowledge on how to use some of their products. I had been curious about the sealing gel and how to use it properly for some time. Sealing gel (above) can be mixed with any Illamasqua powder-based product to create a rich in colour intense paste. I’ve been mixing mine with pure pigment in ‘Furore’ a rich golden colour and painting thick eyeliner. I now use the sealing gel with my Illamasqua eyebrow cake, Daniel again taught me how to apply this to create both subtle and dramatic looks that won’t smudge or run.

On the subject of education this is massively important internally to those selling product (makeup artists on the counters) and alike to the consumer. It is an important element of any business operating in the beauty, skincare, hair or any market that sells product that needs to be understood to apply.

Having a strong team that represent your brand is key and can deliver the best results to professionals and consumers alike, these people act as brand ambassadors that not only demonstrate how to use product but project the concept of the brand. Daniel Busuttil was credit to the Illamasqua business I only wish I could have him on call 24hrs a day!

Sophie Lancaster Foundation
There was another point related to Illamasqua that I’d really like to highlight. As a brand that promotes the right to experiment and self-express through the way you look, Illamasqua is committed to changing attitudes towards subcultures. Illamasqua has supported the Sophie Lancaster foundation and its proposition for some time now. On 11th August 2007, 20 year-old Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were kicked, stamped on and left unconscious – for nothing more than looking different. Sophie later died from her injuries.
Illamasqua’s work with this charity is on-going with donations from the sale of the ‘Sophie’ eye pencil and all monies from the sophie wristband going to the charity to support their ongoing work.
In tribute to Sophie, Illamasqua has commissioned ‘Dark Angel’ – a short film by award-winning French director, Fursy Teyssier. That’s a haunting rendition of Sophie’s story-Please follow the banner below, and see the Illamasqua website for further info.
Visit http://www.illamasqua.com/about/sophie/ for further info.

Stand out from the crowd.

2009-11-29T13:34:00.000-08:00

Firstly I wanted to say how insightful SCS Formulate was. It was fascinating to meet all the key players in personal care ranging from the raw materials providers, formulation experts and distributors to name but a few of the many relevant categories exhibiting that day. Please all stay in touch, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Cloud nine hair- Are they really the new ghd?

I began my career in search & selection working with the iconic hair fashion brand ghd, and I owe a lot to their business for really spurring my passion for working with brands and people I have an empathy with and can really champion. I enjoyed over 3.5 years focusing on the ghd global recruitment plan, finding the best candidates from middle management to main board. Obviously when you spend so much time working with a particular business you not only grow to love them but your understanding and knowledge becomes vast, so you can imagine my intrigue when cloud nine was launched early last month.

I of course had to try them as soon as I could, and I can tell you now the beauty bloggers are correct they are indeed completely outstanding. The technology is impressive, the different heat settings suited to different hair types and desired styles.

Branding....

The packaging slick and the branding impressive with a very different appeal than that of ghd, there image is much more generic. The brand's message was built out of research that began in April which found consumers wanting styling irons that delivered results without searing or damaging hair.

Professional...

Cloud Nine is a professional range you'll never find it sold on the high street but only in the best salons where stylist can educate us mere mortals in how too use the irons to create the best effects. With the options of creating looks ranging from 'blow dry' through to 'flicks' 'waves' and many in between not forgetting 'poker straight.'

Price..

The cloud Nine styler is priced slightly higher then the ghd basic styler (£116.49) But the Cloud Nine styler does have have the differing temperature settings.

Basic Iron- £129.95

Wide Iron - £129.95

Micro Iron- £45.00

Heritage....

Of course when you look into the background of the brand its no surprise that's its founders are those heavily involved in the creation and success of its biggest competitor ghd, but that's another story in itself. Which I'll save for day when we talk about industry heroes.

But all I say for now is that this styler is not just branded perfectly but is also incredibly good, its about time ghd had a competitor and that's certainly been found in cloud Nine.. watch this space!

The most beautiful packaging- PAUL & JOE BEAUTE

2009-11-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Is this not the most beautiful packaging?!

Its not just brand equity that makes us purchase but things that trigger us to stop and look.The look and feel of the product, colour, a message on the label, price, or the name of the product itself. Most of these 'triggers' either are, or can be influenced by the packaging.

Paul & Joe was established in 1995 by Sophie Albou initially a menswear company Sophie named the the brand after her two sons. In 1996 the woman's wear side of the business began with a concept of 'accessible luxury.' Sophie's creative approach followed this theme ; 'cherishing the freedom of creativity in fashion & the personality of the wearer'

PAUL & JOE BEAUTE wasn't created until 2002, the collection encapsulates the core brand philosophy of 'fun loving sophistication.'Global Makeup artist for Paul & Joe is Craig-Ryan French renowned for his TV and film work.

Paul& Joe Beaute features retro modern packing that projects a unique presence on the cosmetics market. There are also limited edition, individually packed items - called 'Collection sparkles' that are linked to the core brands current fashion seasons.(intermittently)

Everything on the packing right down to the chrysanthemum motif came from Sophie's inspiration after purchasing a cushion from a Parisian flea market.

All in all an utterly gorgeously branded collection.

If your interested in unique cosmetics packaging below is great website;

http://www.beautypackaging.com/

2009-11-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 18th Nov & Thursday 19th

Its SCS formulate next Tuesday and Wednesday, for those of you that don't know this is an exhibition dedicated to Consumer Health and Beauty. Its the largest most comprehensive of its kind in the UK, bringing every conceivable ingredient, raw material and other vital tool of the trade. It's a unique opportunity to see the new, the innovative, the proven, the everyday and the obscure - everything you need to create, make and market cosmetics for today, and tomorrow.

Its an valuable insight into whats going to be on the shelves in the near future. I'm really looking forward to meeting new contacts and developing my knowledge of the industry,I'll be there accompanied by my colleague Emma Howarth.

Not just a pretty face...good customer service.

2009-11-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I purchased Diorskin 'Nude' in the summer around the end of July, among my friends its become a bit of a 'hero' product. By this I mean are most treasured Dior product from their current range (it gives a really nice coverage without drying your skin.) Due to going on holiday in August & september I was using tinted moisteriser and so my Dior remained in the bottom of my makeup bag until I returned to my normal skin shade.
Unfortunatley though there seems to be a fault with the packaging, where the pump gets stuck. This has happened to two of my friends. so this week when deciding it was time to have a bit more coverage I realised the same problem had happened to mine.

I decided to head to the department store where I purchased the foundation originally- I didnt have my reciept and to be honest didnt think i'd have much sucess. To my surprise the lady on the Dior counter was really helpful, she gave me a new replacement.

Still on Dior...
At current you can buy these limited edition - Love Dior palettes. Designed by the iconic Tyen in celebration of the past 30 years working with the house of Dior. Tyen has created some of their most enduring images and products -electric-blue hair-mascara wands in the 1990s? yes that was him - & the five-colour eye shadow- yes him too.

He was born in Vietnam, but moved to Paris when he was 16, where he attended the Ecole de Beaux-Arts. He was soon in charge of the stage make-up for the Paris Opéra, working on La bohème, Madama Butterfly and Elektra, as well as more contemporary productions. Soon the magazine world had latched on to him and he was creating looks for everyone from Carla Bruni to Linda Evangelista, and for photographers such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Arthur Elgort.

However Tyens work with Dior influenced the looks we adorn today. He doesnt follow trends but focusing on women feeling good from within. You'll recognise Tyens work such as as painting 'Love Dior' on top of eyelids. I doubt this Palette will be in stock long so act fast.

True beauty begins from the heart; Treaclemoon

2009-11-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

I really like Treacle Moon products i've been using their 'vanilla moment' bath & shower gel, its got a lovely smell and creates a mass of bubbles.

Their branding is lovely, really quirky. They profess to be created by; Charles Henry Nelson (a garden gnome) whom they consult about all things creative and Matilda Fizzbucket their chemist(I'm not making this up look on the website www.treaclemoon.net

But on a more serious note the team behind the brand are from a business called Blue Orange brand management. The team is quite small but their experience in beauty is very big indeed …over the years they have created and managed brands such asThe Sanctuary, Nicky Clarke, Umberto Giannini, Elle Macpherson and Normandie to name but a few.

I see big things coming from these guys with national accounts in Tesco's and a new website launched earlier this year.

2009-11-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend was makeup house Illamasqua's 1st Birthday- I've become totally infatuated with this brand. I really think their image and brand aura is so refreshing and such a great challenge to the norm. My close friend Emily, who works as a makeup artist in TV & Film and has worked with Illamasqua; she says they're products are of professional quality. The image to the left is their limited-edition fan-shaped false eyelash, these are adorned with a choice of silver diamante or antique gold pieces. There are two styles named Opulence and Decadence created to celebrate the first birthday of the brand.

Welcome!

2009-10-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I'm new to blogging but thought this might be nice way to voice my thoughts! My work as an executive search consultant in health & beauty means I spend most of time exploring exciting brands and people within the related industries. It doesn't feel like work though , as this is such a thrilling and fast paced world!