Latest Beauty Trends – March 2012

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin27

Spring is here! Daffodils are in the garden, the sun is shining and Fashion week has hit New York, London and Milan

This month’s Istream Video and Report are now ready for you to view – go and check out the latest launches and trends on our updated website: www.informationstream.co.uk .

It was really hard to pick just a few highlights this month as the report is full of great innovative new products, here are just a few:

ckOne to launch its own Beauty brand in April this year containing over 130 skus.. one to look out for.

Astalift by Fujifilm is due out here in March.

SkinKiss tights – tights impregnated with self tan .

Fashion Week rundown from New York, London and Milan along with Pantones colour predictions for Aut/Win 2012/13

McCain launch bus stop signs that give off heat and scent to promote their new Jacket Potato range

Jennifer Lopez new scent JLo Glowing has a light up mechanism when the spray is engaged

This month we see additions to the brightening and lightening phenomenon that has filtered over from Asia; Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Shiseido and Sisley all are launching or have already on the market a product in this category and this month Shu Uemura added a brightening cleanser to that mix.

Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen have been the two magic ingredients for youthful skin for a while now and we are seeing ever new ways of these two wonder ingredients being delivered.

This month sees the Collagen drink Collagen Gold selling over 2,000 units a week in Boots and chemists have found a new ingredient to boost the skin’s own production of Hyaluronic acid as opposed to applying it topically so watch out for this in future formulations.

Following the success of lip tattoos from Violent lips this month sees Eye tattoos emerging onto the market, the more mainstream with Eye Rock and the trend driven Phyllis Cohens range.

Face Lace which debuted at Londons Fashion Week. Its all here and much more, dive in now to find out everything you need to know to stay ahead of the game.

If you haven’t subscribed yet to Istream contact us now to get exclusive access to the monthly industry updates by calling + 00 44 (0) 7974431285 or contact lucy@informationstream.co.uk.

Over 200 sites live in 2 months!

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin27

The team at White Label Greeting Cards (WLGC) are delighted with their first 2 months since launch. In this short time we have 239 sites now already live!

Some of the partners are recognised brands, whereby they have just plugged a WLGC personalised greeting card site within their website, talking about the new product offering to their already established audience.

Other entrepreneurial partners have used the WLGC technology to create a brand new business.

We are delighted that 2 charities are now using the service, Devon Air Ambulance and Community Foster Care, and both are now creating news about their new online greeting card shops within their marketing campaigns, to all their fabulous supporters.

Great start.

For other charities wishing to create a new revenue stream, FREE of charge, please get in touch.

Lucy Goaman

lucy@whitelabelgreetingcards.com

www.whitelabelgreetingcards.com

07974 431285

Celebrate today, it’s International Women’s Day

Posted on March 8, 2012 by admin27

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day recognizing of economic, social and political achievements of women.

So there is no excuse ladies – today is the day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world, and ourselves!

100 years ago we were excluded from voting. Today we oversee 83 percent of direct consumer spending in the UK, own half of all public stock, and make up more than fifty percent of the talent pool.

But, one in nine in the Fortune 500 list are still foolish enough not to have a single woman on their board. These companies are missing the broader market vision, the view of the majority consumer, and the enhanced dynamics of a boardroom with inspiring female talent.

Oh well, let’s give them another 100 years to catch up!

So for all the ladies in my life, each a true inspiration, this is your day!

Terrific Day with Devon Air Ambulance

Posted on March 1, 2012 by admin27

It is not often that you have a day that you know you will truly remember.

I was fortunate enough to have one such day today – the PR launch of the collaboration between Devon Air Ambulance and White Label Greeting Cards.

Devon Air Ambulance is the first charity to launch the new online personalised greeting card service, provided by White Label Greeting Cards.

To celebrate Sam Heaton (MD of White Label Greeting Cards), Jack Lomas (Devon Air Ambulance Trustee) and I were invited to be shown around Devon’s Air Ambulance – a EC135 Helicopter – based at the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Air Support Unit at Middlemoor in Exeter, by Helena Holt (CEO Devon Air Ambulance) and Sarah Burden (PR Manager Devon Air Ambulance).

On arrival to the air base, the red glistening helicopter was a wonderful sight, parked up, in the clearing fog.

Paramedic Helen comprehensively explained exactly what happens when an emergency call is put out, how the equipment is efficiently stowed, and how cleverly treatment is carried out onboard.

The air ambulance is used extensively everyday in Devon for emergency medical assistance in situations, where either a traditional ambulances cannot reach the accident scene easily or quickly enough, or where the patient needs to be transported some considerable distance.

The team at White Label Greeting Cards is extremely proud of the collaboration, and look forward to it turning into a successful fundraising initiative for this essential live-saving Devon charity.

To view the cards on the Devon Air Ambulance site, please follow this link. http://www.daat.org/shop-cards/

Lucy Goaman

Detox from head to toe

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin27

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Sshh…

I have been, on the quiet, testing Detox Foot Patches. And I am so grossed out about the results, that I have delayed posting this! And you will see why.

But I have chosen to share this with you, as I actually loved them!!

I have, like many in the beauty industry, tried bucket loads of products over the years. But this is one that was not on my radar, until I saw a box of Silver Detox Patches in a reduced bay at my local shop from £24.99 to £5.

I love a bargain, as much as I love trying out new products. And especially detox ones that do not require me to drink watered down cider vinegar or a litre of green tea everyday.

I read the box before I began, and was informed that Silver Detox is recommended by the Japanese Associaton of Preventive medicine for Adult Disease. A good start.

There are four interesting ingredients in this product.

1) The lead ingredient in the product is the Agaricus mushroom from Brazil – this meant nothing to me. Further exploring lead me to discover that this is actually a very special mushroom, rich in polysaccharide compounds, which assist in boosting the immune system.

2) The wood vinegar is from Eucalyptus, Bamboo & Oak tree sap. The dried sap from these trees is believed to absorb toxins through the skin and has detoxing and sterilising properties. In the product it provides great absorbing power and helps absorb toxins released through the skin.

3) Tourmaline Origin improves circulation, relieves stress, increases mental alertness and strengthens the body’s immune system.

4) Beta Glucan is a natural compound that triggers an immune response in the body, which builds a better system of defence against viral, bacterial and parasitic invaders. It enhances macrophage activity ~ macrophages ingest bacteria and cell debris.

The theory is that the pads stimulate the nerve endings in the feet, draw out the toxins, and pass their cleansing powers into the body’s system.

All sounded like a good marketing, so I put the theory to the test.

First of all, I cleaned my feet, and did as I was told and applied the patches before going to bed. The patches look like extra large tea bags, which are them adhered to an equally oversized plaster! One patch is applied to the sole of each foot. I then wore a pair of socks to make sure that the patches did not come off overnight, which would have ruined my little experiment! With my box of 10 patches, I repeated this for five consecutive nights.

The patches before a night’s sleep

And, are you ready for this? The patches in the morning looked like this!

Now there is something hugely satisfying about seeing results. Usually in the beauty industry that is often along the lines of skin looking more glowing, dewey, less wrinkled.

But the results I was seeing morning after morning gave me a real thrill. I really felt that the product was working. I felt that it was giving me a damn good detox. I felt cleaner – which is an odd thing to feel, especially as I was waking up to absolutely disgusting looking pads on my feet! But it was very cleansing to know that the gunk was now on the pads and not in my body! And interestingly each morning the pads did get noticably slightly lighter in colour, which was making me believe that the level of toxins in my body was reducing.

I enjoyed using this product, and I am convinced that it really did work. I woke up very refreshed, and slept better than normal. I felt detoxed from head to toe!!

And I was 4 lbs lighter on the scales. One happy customer.

Simply Brilliant Beauty Innovation

Posted on February 11, 2012 by admin27

Some products are so simple, that they need very little explaining.

I love simplicity, and the smart innovation this month is from Avon, The Professional Perfect Eyes Kit.

I have worked on many make-up brands and the continual consumer issue was based on lack of confidence behind trying new looks, which was founded on people being unsure how to create a new look. Well Avon have quite simply taken the guesswork out of creating a new eye look.

The kit clearly shows you how to highlight, accent, contrast, and line eyes in a few simple steps. And the product is so cleverly designed that you can see exactly where you should be applying those shades.

Simply brilliant.

Mobile Marketing – notes from a train journey!

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin27

As we close the first month of 2012, with plans for the year in progress, I am sure most businesses are undergoing some change. With economic and EU/UK political uncertainly pulling down, developments in technology are continuing to push businesses up into new territories and marketing opportunities.

I am watching with interest, and working with businesses on the impact that mobile technology is having on their brand and marketing planning. The consumer need for full integration of marketing and communication platforms can create its challenges in our ever-increasing mobile world!

Indeed, as I write this, I am sitting on the 6.05am Tiverton Parkway to Paddington train. I have just seen an ad for the new liquid foundation (will explain all in a future blog – but a long overdue launch from a great brand!) in a magazine, use the QR code that is displayed to find out further details on line, then check on comparison sites where I can make the cheapest purchase, and then order the item to be delivered to my home address the following day.

I have a sip of my decaff coffee (milk and a sweetener) and then move onto checking out some of my favourite (in terms of marketing) fashion brands.

I am a fan of H&M at the moment. Typically a high street retail business model, the brand is making giant leaps with digital media to drive sales.

They are experimenting with virtual changing rooms, customer service Twitter feed, linking their e-commerce site to You Tube and blogs. I sit here working out what I should treat myself to, need something great to wear with my new foundation!

Taking it one step further, is Needle. This is great and I am sure will become an essential marketing tool for UK brands.

Needle puts customers who are looking for product information and recommendations directly in touch with product experts. And here’s the clever part. The product experts are other people who use their products – the brand’s most passionate fans, recruited from social media sites like facebook and Twitter. The theory here is that these “fans” who use the products will offer better advice than any call centre. Advice is given through online text, video or voice chats. As a thank you to the “fans,” the brands allow the experts to earn points – which in turn is used to buy more products from the brand, growing their expertise! According to Needle, a chat with a Needle product expert is “the equivalent of having a personal shopper giving real-time reviews and recommendations to your customers based on rich, interactive dialogues.

Catching the train has never been so much fun!

Social Media = New Customer Service

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin27

Calling all brands – how are you interacting with your customers via your social media sites?

The Social Media Customer Service Report conducted by TNS and commissioned by customer care outsourcing provider Sitel, surveyed more than 1,000 UK consumers and found that 57% of consumers preferred to search online to solve their customer issues, and then interact with customer service on social media channnels such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, blogs and forums over any other method.

The good news here is, if you have a great website and are using a variety of real-time information on social media platforms, your consumers are very likely going to resolve their query by posting a question on your website, or view your tutorial or demonstration from your web, or from details on your launches on your blogsite.

But, if you haven’t developed a social media customer service strategy as part of your grand plan, now is the time to do so.

Here is a checklist for you;

1) product demonstrations on line
2) detailed product information
3) forums to chat about your product lines
4) twitter and facebook customer service teams
5) regular blog sites to push out information flow
6) maintain strong phone support – don’t you hate that when you cannot find a phone number to ring on some websites!

Due to my love of beauty brands, I have had a sneak about on facebook and twitter today to get a sense of customer’s comments today.. if you get a moment, take a look:-

www.facebook.com/gillette; good level of interaction with consumers, loud messages coming through on the price of blades!

http://www.facebook.com/MaxFactorUK; blocking customer feedback and interaction on the site, but great at product tutorials.

http://www.facebook.com/moltonbrown; a feast of customer feedback, no need for brand managers here to do focus groups!

http://www.facebook.com/misshoneyuk; great positive customer feedback for this lovely small growing brand.

http://www.facebook.com/BootsOfficialUK; really great, open messaging.

So the watch-out. Your social media strategy will blur into your customer service strategy, so make sure you are ready!

Paul and Joe Spring 2012…

Posted on January 8, 2012 by admin27

Paul & Joe’s spring 2012 Meow! makeup collection can now be previewed. The line celebrates the Paul & Joe’s 10th anniversary, and the inspiration of the collection is the founder’s love of cats.

I am sure most of you are familar with this line of products, and their fusion of the Parisian philosophy of enjoying life, mirrored with its kitsch, retro-chic packaging.

For innovation seekers check out the new Blusher Sticks (£21 each)… they’re shaped like cats! They come in shades: Glamour Puss (soft beige), Minou (pastel pink) and Cat Fight (energetic tangerine).

And the the lipsticks have inprints of paw prints on the lipstick bullet. They come in shades: Glamour Puss (soft beige), Minou (pastel pink) and Cat Fight (energetic tangerine)!! Don’t you love it!

The line is launching on 1st February, so when you get your paws on the products, do let me know what you think!

Winter Wonderland – Selfridges

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin27

Selfridges is enjoying the success of their revolutionary window display for its 2011 Christmas season. Epitomising this year’s White Christmas theme, the Oxford Street windows create a true winter wonderland in the heart of the capital.

Amazingly, the windows are musical! Each window has been turned into oversized music boxes, my favourite are the ones playing re-worked Christmas carols. Shoppers are getting interactive with the windows, as each pane is equipped with a state-of-the-art touch-screen wind-up system to control the track.

Russ Jones and Scott King from Condiment Junkie, the London-based creative outfit behind the technology, explain more about this global innovation:

“First, the new system plays music through, not from, the windows – using the glass pane itself as the loudspeaker. Additionally, the system is devised in such a way that although each window plays a different tune, customers are able to listen to the track without interference from the music being played through the next window.”

Then take a wander inside the store, and head for White Wonders – the ultimate destination for all beauty and fashion junkies. All the products in White Wonders, are, as expected, on theme, and are the most beautiful white products available, many made exclusively for Selfridges.

If you are a retailer, have you transformed your window space this Christmas, and have given your shoppers a novel Christmas experience, I would love to hear about it.

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