Every now and then I receive a product sample that simply surprises me.
Last week, I was asked to review a new drugstore-distributed product, and I have to say mass-market skin care really is getting better and better. Time was that mass distributed skin care was really not worth the jars in which they are packaged; but this is no longer true.
Here is a great Beauty: BUSTED! Beauty Find: Nivea Q10Plus Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream ($20 for 50mL).
By far and away the very first thing consumers do when evaluating a new cosmetic product is smell the emulsion. Smell is a powerful sense, and fragrance elicits so many emotional responses. Cosmetics companies know that consumers respond to fragrances in a way that compels them to shop. One of the most researched (for marketing ability) ingredient categories is fragrance. Last year, I read a report on how Biotherm spent literally millions of dollars to develop the fragrance used in their Skin Vivo line. The fragrance was developed to make consumers think of youth when smelling it.
I own a makeup company. That is pretty common knowledge. What most people do not know about me is that I formulated skin care products long before I got into the makeup business. Often I am asked what the best way is to care for skin. Of course, there are some simple rules, but what amazes me is how many mistakes people make with skin care. These mistakes are not caused by a lack of knowledge or care, but rather terrible misinformation being constantly sold at cosmetics counters.
I recently spent some time on the Elizabeth Arden website, as part of my regular research on cosmetics and cosmetic company claims. EA is one of the oldest and most respected skincare companies in the world, and, yes, I worked for them in the early days of my career.
Their website is full of great information, and like all companies, they make some great products, as well as some not so great.
I really detest the term 'anti-aging.' It implies that: a) there is something wrong with aging, and b) aging can be reversed.
In my opinion, neither of these is true.
The cosmetics industry has advertised many miracles to prevent, arrest, or reverse the signs of aging on the skin, some of which are complete nonsense.
Once in a while I want to tell you about something I am working on. As most of you know I am the Creative Director of Daniel Thompson Beauty, but what some of you may not know is that I am also a paramedical aesthetician, a professor of cosmetic chemistry and a product developer.
Water prevents aging on the skin. FALSE!
