Korea to be Cruelty Free…

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Korea has taken its first steps towards a cruelty-free cosmetics industry, with a ban on animal testing for finished cosmetics products.

The South Korean government announced this week their plans to end testing on animals for cosmetics. The news comes following two years of work between Cruelty Free International and South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Ministry announced the ban earlier this week alongside its new ‘Five Year Plan for Animal Welfare’, which will follow the same phases that the EU underwent prior to its total ban on animal testing for cosmetics in 2013. The first phase includes a ban on the testing of finished products, followed by a ban on the testing of ingredients and finally, a ban on all animal testing for cosmetics.

Though the testing won’t end immediately, South Korea is following the same strategy used by the European Union. Back in 2004, the E.U. banned the testing of complete cosmetics on animals, followed by a ban on testing cosmetic ingredients on animals in 2008, and then a complete ban for all cosmetic testing on animals in 2013.

In addition to the E.U., South Korea also joins China, Brazil and India in their efforts to eradicate cosmetic testing on animals.

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, said: “We very much welcome this important breakthrough and we are grateful to the members of the National Assembly who helped us press the case. We will now be urging implementation as soon as possible so that the full ban can be achieved at the earliest possible date, bringing Korea into line with Europe and India. We hope to see this echoed in 2015 by other Asian countries where we are active. This is a great start to the New Year.”

Image credit: Ross Little

Image credit: Ross Little

Product Development Manager / Quality Assurance – Luxury Skincare

Posted by & filed under Case Studies.

This luxury skincare client has been at the forefront of aromatherapy based skincare for the past 30 years. Their products are sold through premium retailers and they have a presence in over 40 countries internationally and a significant loyal client base.

We had previously worked with our client on the commercial side of their business, and were very keen to work with their Technical Director to assist in developing this other business areas.

This job description held a very specific level of experience; the right candidate should have experience working within scientific formulation of skincare but also must have experience working with aromatherapy oils from a raw materials angle.

This is a niche market in the UK and finding the perfect profile was a complex search.

We conducted a full search of the UK market, looking at both branded products and also the contract manufacturing industry. It was here that we found the perfect profile, thus filling this Product Development Manager / Quality Assurance role.

Drew’s PETA News…

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Drew Barrymore’s line of beauty products, Flower Beauty, has joined PETA US’ list of cruelty-free cosmetics companies and its Beauty Without Bunnies programme.

The company has just provided PETA US with assurance that it does not conduct, commission or pay for tests on animals anywhere in the world, a move that has landed Flower Beauty on PETA US’ Beauty Without Bunnies list of cruelty-free cosmetics.

Barrymore said: “Flower Beauty is about all things good. Thank you, PETA [US], for the acknowledgment of our cruelty-free brand.”

There are more than 1,500 cruelty-free companies in PETA’s database including The Body Shop, Paul Mitchell Systems, Tom’s of Maine and Wet ‘n’ Wild.

Cosmetic testing on animals is not required by law in the US and has been banned in the UK and the rest of the EU, as well as in Israel and India.

While some companies test their products on animals, more than 1,500 compassionate companies including Flower Beauty, LUSH, Urban Decay, Paul Mitchell Systems and The Body Shop – use only modern, non-animal methods to test their products and ingredients.

Consumers can find out whether a company tests on animals anywhere in the world by checking PETA US’ lists here.

Image credit: Ross Little

Image credit: Ross Little

Christie Brinkley To Debut Vegan Skincare Line

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60-year-old American model and actress, Christie Brinkley, is set to launch her new skincare line – Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare.

Renowned for her youthful appearance and face of Cover Girl for 25 years, Christie and Atlantic Coast Media Group developed the line, which will be sold on HSN, hsn.com and at Kohl’s.

The skincare products are fair trade, eco-friendly and vegan to coincide with Brinkley’s vegan lifestyle, and include two anti-aging creams, an exfoliating polish, a primer serum, a face wash and eye, neck and wrinkle treatments. Glass packaging is rendered in turquoise and amber.

Anne Martin-Vachon, while serving as vice president of global cosmetics and beauty marketing for Procter & Gamble, signed Brinkley to her second deal with P&G in 2005. Brinkley became the face of Age-Defying Liquid Makeup, a foundation line designed with skin care benefits. “It’s a cliché, but she doesn’t look like she’s aged at all since then,” said Martin-Vachon, now chief merchandising officer for HSN.

Image credit: Rubenstein

Image credit: Rubenstein

Lippistix’s INGENIOUS Lipstick Testing Patent!

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Testing lipstick on the back of your hand or selecting the wrong shade may be a thing of the past, thanks to the patent pending sampling product developed by Lippistix!

This ingenious product helps consumers to test lip colour in-store or at home – before buying the end product and are designed to be displayed alongside the corresponding lipsticks in a purpose built stand.

Designed to be convenient and sanitary, Lippistix testers are made from a single piece of clear, injection-moulded acrylic plastic in the shape of a pair of lips. The lipstick colour is applied by pad printing, by lowering an ink loaded silicone pad, which fits the shape of the design, onto the surface of the plastic. The shade name in gold font is printed on the reverse. An acrylic stick allows the tester to be held up to the face and positioned over the lips for colour testing.

Image credit: Farrukh

Image credit: Farrukh

Dolce & Gabbana’s Mega-Luxe Collectors’ Range

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Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has released a brand new range – The Make-Up Collector’s Edition.

The mega-luxe beauty line features a limited edition bronzer, illuminating powder, mono eyeshadow, nail lacquer and lipstick, as well as a range of scented candles.

The theme of an ancient coin is at the heart of the new Dolce & Gabbana makeup line, with makeup items presented with ancient Greek theme. Special editions of The Bronzer and The Illuminator come in powder compacts pressed into the profile of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.

Shop the whole Dolce & Gabbana – The Make-Up Collector’s Edition, from £18, online and exclusively at Harrods.

The Rise of the ‘Botox Bar’

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The trend for walk-in injectable clinics is spreading across the US. Originating in California, the design of these clinics is based on a bar, with a shot menu and a ‘happy hour’. Bar stools accompany the reception desk and patients can book ‘Botox parties’ in either their clinic or their home.

The concept originated in California, where dermatologist Dr Vicki Rappaport launched the SKN bar, and has now spread to Tucson, where Skinjectables Anti-ageing bar hopes to become a household name.

UK-based practitioner, Sharon Bennett, said, “This idea trivialises a prescribed medical procedure. It implies to the public that there is no risk. It is unlikely that a complete medical consultation and a proper examination of the patient would be carried out in a party atmosphere and latent problems are likely to be picked up by the practitioner.”

She said, “When people think of coffee, they think of Starbucks. We want people in Tucson to think of Skinjectables when they think of Botox or fillers.”

Dr Sarah Tonks, another UK-based practitioner, said, “My problem in this situation would be that you may not have time to build a relationship or work out what would be most beneficial treatment for the patient may be.”

In Palm Beach, Florida a salon called Blowtox is a blow-dry bar that now offers Botox and fillers like Juvederm and Voluma from a board-certified physician assistant at the same time. “The concept of Blowtox  is to address your complete beauty desires in a one-stop shop,” says co-owner Lesley Keenan. “We want customers to leave feeling beautiful from the inside out.”

JobAesthetics

Olay’s ‘Your Best Beautiful’ Global Campaign

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Global skincare brand Olay has unveiled its newest global advertising campaign, the first of a series starring Olay global brand ambassador, actress Katie Holmes.

In her role, Holmes will represent the Olay global brand campaign, ‘Your Best Beautiful’, by encouraging women around the world to never settle and be their best beautiful in their lives and in their skin.

The ‘Your Best Beautiful’ campaign starring Holmes will roll out across multiple channels — including social and digital media, print, television and in-store displays — beginning in mid-October in North America and Europe and January in Asia.

“We’re thrilled to have Katie Holmes help us inspire women to realize their best beautiful in the new creative,” said Leigh Radford, VP global skin care and Olay franchise leader. “Katie — a confident, modern woman — represents Olay and the voice of women worldwide who never settle in skin care.”

“I’m very excited to be the Olay Global Brand Ambassador,” says Holmes. “Olay is a brand I respect, trust and believe in. I love the products and the message to women to never settle and put their best face forward, every day.”

Image credit: Olay

Image credit: Olay

Illegal Botox Treatment Calls For Increased Regulations…

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The Irish Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) has warned that the recent conviction of a beautician performing illegal Botox treatments has highlighted the need for more regulations.

“How many times must we ask for more regulation before there is a fatality?,” asked the ISAPS in response to the news. Dr Margaret O’Donnell, president of ISAPS, said that unqualified people had been offering cosmetic injectable treatments for far too long, despite repeated petitions from ISAPS and other professional bodies.

“Vulnerable people are being damaged because the authorities, for reasons we cannot understand, will not regulate the industry better and enforce what regulations there are,” said Dr O’Donnell.

“We have issued warning after warning about unqualified and untrained people performing procedures that should require years of training,” she said. “If you don’t understand the anatomy of what’s going on under the skin; if you haven’t studied the pharmacy behind every aspect of what a filler or ‘Botox’-type products can do to the body, then you are putting patients at risk.”

JobAesthetics

Meet Our New Addition – Puja Tailor!

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Veblen International is pleased to announce a new addition to our team – Puja Tailor.

Puja is an Executive Search Consultant operating within the Personal Care & Cosmetics industries. She specialises in the markets of Chemicals, Ingredients, Contracting Manufacturing and Packaging Development.

Puja’s clients operate within:

  • Chemicals & Ingredients: Oils fats and waxes, active ingredients, pigments & colours. Chemical suppliers and distributors in the UK & International markets.
  • Contract Manufacturing & Packaging Development: Blue-sky concepts through to contract filling, working with high profile manufacturers and packaging specialists. Clients manufacture globally within all categories from toiletries to vitamins in the UK, Europe and the Far East.

Within the above sectors, Puja will recruit right through the lifecycle of a product – from concept to launch – encompassing all disciplines within skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, spa, hair care, personal care, beauty accessories and any other associated product.

To connect with Puja on LinkedIn, click here, or alternatively email puja@veblen-int.com or call 0203 727 7911

Puja