Huge Merger on the Horizon....

This is one of the biggest pieces of news to hit the beauty industry all year (see link below)...I feel like this can go in any direction. On one hand, one of my favorite things about Bare Escentuals is the fact that it hasn't gone "corporate," but on the other hand, I think that the only way to strengthen such a growing brand is to create a solid company structure, something that Shiseido has maintained successfully and proven. Without a doubt, it is a great growth opportunity for Bare Escentuals, especially since Shiseido pretty much owns the Asian market (well deserved, in my opinion.) I just hope that Bare Escentuals maintains its original business plan and doesn't fall into the trap of greed and over-growth because the fundamental reason for its amazing customer loyalty is its non-corporate image. The products themselves are great quality and original, yet this is one of those classic examples of buying into a story, and one that women relate to and trust. If Bare Escentuals loses that "personal touch," and sells its soul to generic ideas and less than stellar customer service, then all that will be left will be something as boring as supermarket brand butter. It will be a staple that most women will inevitably buy, but the experience will be bland, and the chances of her branching out to other products will be about as likely as going to Publix for butter and coming home with six packs of grade A truffle infused butter.

I am not quick to judge how this situation/merger will turn out because it could also be extremely successful for both companies and rewarding to the consumer. I also have a really good feeling about this because I personally have a lot of faith in Shiseido and its umbrella of brands. I love that Shiseido has been about to globalize and still maintain exclusivity and quality in its product lines. We are dealing with two very powerful creatures here that have the ability to take over the world...one lipstick at a time. I will be following this business deal and reporting on it regularly!

Link to WWD article-- http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/shiseido-makes-17b-bid-for-bare-escentuals-2411065?module=today#/article/beauty-industry-news/shiseido-makes-17b-bid-for-bare-escentuals-2411065?page=2

I hate to say it but...duh

It's always more than a little frustraing to me when I read about things that are so completely obvious that it's almost silly. But then I realize (or better yet, somebody nevee hesistates to tell me) that I am stuck inside of this gorgeous, pink, candy scented, beauty product filled bubble with an unpenetratable shell. What seems obvious to me within the beauty industry is actually sometimes news for the rest of the world. Such is the case with Faye Brookman's article in WWD this week entitled "Baby Beauty Products Appear Popular Among Adults."

http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/?module=tn#/article/beauty-industry-news/baby-beauty-products-appear-popular-among-adults-2351983?navSection=beauty-industry-news

For three years I've been selling baby care line Mustela at The Beauty Loft, and for about that same amount of time, we have been using the Mustela Baby Wipes For Face as makeup remover. Our philosophy is this; if it's gentle enough for your baby/newborn, then it's sure gentle enough for even the most sensitive customer, whatever the age. According to WWD, 40% of adults (both men and women) currently use baby products on themselves.

WWD also makes a point in the article that I disagree with; they state that one of the main reasons why consumers are purchasing baby items is because of the cost.

"I think consumers continue to be careful with their spending. The Johnson’s/Harris Poll showed that 71 percent of adults indicated they would be more likely to use baby products if they were less expensive than the adult equivalent,” she said.

In my experience, customers are not buying the baby items because of the cost. They are buying them because they are extra gentle, or they got hooked after using them on their own children. According to the cheaper price logic, my customer who buys the Mustela Baby Wipes is buying them because they are under $10. Totally untrue. For less than that, they can go to their local drugstore and buy Neutrogena or Almay Makeup Remover Wipes, but it's a conscious choice that they are making. I think a more interesting choice for an article would be why after a product is geared for a certain age, we start adding harmful chemicals. At what age does a company dedide...ok, it's time? Ok, I'm off my soapbox now!

Keep checking back because in the next couple of days I will be reviewing some fantastic, new, organic products!