Beauty pro division

Heath & Wellness PR with ProCaps Laboratories

2010-07-29T20:50:21Z

ProCaps Laboratories has been committed to the safest and most effective nutritional supplements since 1979. They were one of the first wellness brands to begin trailblazing in the “early days” of vitamin supplements. The founder, Andrew Lessman, wanted to help educate the medical profession to enhance the quality of life by understanding the need for vitamins. Throughout his journey in cultivating essential vitamins for the consumers, he used his background in biochemistry to create vitamins that not only fit his health needs, but met the needs of athletes and other health professionals, as well.

]]> ProCaps are 100% pure, additive-free vitamins and have evolved based on new advancements in science and on changing needs of the consumers. The ProCaps products help to target all aspects of health including joints, vision, weight management, brain health, digestion, cardiovascular and the immune system.

With a wide selection of vitamin supplements, ProCaps’ best sellers are in fact the energy & fat metabolism factors ($9.90) designed to enhance fat burning without using Ephedrine. This supplement focuses on high levels of B-Complex vitamins, Chromium, and Carnitine. Another best seller from ProCaps are the Circulation & Vein Support ($14.90), an all natural Bioflavonoid blend to help the circulatory system. This formula contains a high potency blend of key Bioflavonoids with special emphasis on Diosmin to target circulatory tissues.

You can learn more about ProCaps Laboratories at www.procapslabs.com.

Back To School C.L.E.A.R. Skin Secrets from Paula Begoun

2010-07-27T11:13:34Z

It’s almost that time of year again, a time when parents are scurrying to buy back to school supplies while teenagers are in pursuit of the perfect outfit for the first day of class. In the mist of all this, teenagers must also contend with stubborn acne, which is exacerbated by the stress of returning to school. To help alleviate some of the tension, below are Acne C.L.E.A.R. Skin Tips from Paula Begoun, skincare expert and bestselling author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.

* Clean Twice Daily: Use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser to remove excess oil and makeup that lead to clogged pores and dull-looking skin. A cleanser with an antibacterial agent such as triclosan can jump-start the process of killing acne-causing bacteria.

* Leave-On Exfoliant is a Must: Daily use of a well-formulated, leave-on product with salicylic acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid, or BHA) works beautifully to remove dead skin cells that get stuck in pores, mix with excess oil, and lead to breakouts. Salicylic acid also works to reduce the redness from acne and provides an additional antibacterial punch, getting you that much closer to clear, super-smooth skin!

* Eradicate Acne-Causing Bacteria: After exfoliating, apply a lightweight anti-acne product that’s medicated with benzoyl peroxide. This topical disinfectant is genius at quickly eliminating the bacteria that leads to the acne you don’t want! Apply your benzoyl peroxide product to breakout-prone areas—don’t spot treat only the acne you see now! Doing so means you’ll end up chasing acne all over your face, which is frustrating.

* Avoid Heavy Moisturizers: If you have oily skin, do not use moisturizer, even if it’s oil free! Your face is already producing an excess amount of oil and there is no need to add more. If you have dry areas, apply a lightweight, gel-textured moisturizer for soothing relief or opt for a serum, especially great to prep skin for makeup.

* Remove Surface Pimples: Need to pop that prominent blemish fast before your date? You can do it in three easy steps. First, cleanse skin and pat dry. Next, using the flat of your fingertips (not your nails) place your fingers on the edge of the swelling. The final step is to gently push down and in on the swelling. If that doesn’t release the contents the first time, change the positioning of your fingers and try again. If that doesn’t work, you are done. REMEMBER, never scratch, itch or burn your pimple! What else to avoid? Toothpaste! You’ll read that this works great to eliminate a stubborn pimple, but in fact it can make matters worse by causing excess irritation.

For more preventative methods, check out www.beautybunch.com.

*Disclaimer: Beauty PR client

diptyque Beauty PR Brand Profile

2010-07-26T17:13:42Z

diptyque is an unequivocal leader in the high-end luxury beauty & home line for candles and fragrances with all-natural scents, both complex and intriguing. Established in 1961 by three friends (Christiane Gautrot, Yves Coueslant and Desmond Knox-Leet) from Beaux Arts (a famous art and design school in Paris), the 3 friends opened a boutique where they began their entrepreneurship with selling printed fabrics and an eclectic mélange of decorative items. Not long after they opened their shop on Boulevard Saint-Germain showcasing their uniquely positioned items, the founders quickly sought a way to blend their uncommon style in perfumes and candles.

]]> Inspired by their memories of traveling through the Mediterranean and Near East, the three founders worked on creating what would soon become their signature scent, style, and design. They conjured up images of the Greek hot summer days, but also included the scent of a countryside orchard of limes and tangerines and the fragrance of a green riverside garden. True to their essence and concept, the diptyque products are highly recognized by the somber black and white design, with elegant lettering and stylish drawings.

There are currently over 50 scents in the candle collection. All the diptyque fragrances are natural, whether they are woodsy, spicy, green, floral or fruity. It is diptyque's proudest accomplishment to have never used a synthetic fragrance in developing its products.

More information can be found at www.diptyqueparis.com.

Every Man Jack Revamps With A Fresh New Look for the Modern Man

2010-07-22T14:36:53Z

Men's Grooming PR: There comes a moment in every man's life when it’s time to trade in his old look for a more updated, contemporary esthetic. Whether he’s entering the next stage in his life or just getting older, a new style, haircut and wardrobe can make a world of difference. As an award-winning grooming brand, Every Man Jack (a Pierce Mattie PR client) understands the significant role that design plays in a man’s purchasing decisions, and so, they are re-introducing the line with a fresh new look for the modern man that includes modified bottles, graphic revisions and formula upgrades.

“As an affordable, luxury brand design is an integral part of attracting the male buyers,” says Ritch Viola, founder and CEO of Every Man Jack. “We think we have some of the best formulas, which now meet the stringent standard of the Natural Channel Guidelines, but we understand that guys are visual creatures and if the outer packaging isn’t up to par, it doesn’t matter what’s inside the bottle.”

]]> Noteworthy Facts About the NEW Every Man Jack:

· Fresh Look: With 30 plus products to choose from, it was important that guys be able to quickly and easily find their favorite Every Man Jack products. For this reason, the designers used color to differentiate between categories. For a guy who only uses a few products, he can now simply point and choose the items he wants.

· Value: Every man loves a good deal; a bargain means extra money in his pocket when it comes time to hang out with the guys or that special someone. Being in tune with this need, Every Man Jack is introducing noticeably larger bottles for their body and hair care products. Maintaining the same low cost – just $6 to $8 each – guys now get 25 percent more. Plus, the larger bottles, which resemble a flask with the brand name embossed on the side, are ergonomically designed to fit in a guy’s hand without slipping in the shower.

· Better Ingredients: While the brand has always strived to provide products with the very best formulas – they have a shelf of awards to prove their commitment to this – they knew they could do better. Working with the product development team they tweaked the original formulas so that every product now meets the stringent standards put forth by the Natural Channel Guidelines. Like always, Every Man Jack’s products are free of dyes, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate and parabens, making them perfect for just about anyone, including the eco-conscious guy.

· New Retailers: Since launching in 2006 the brand has been available at Target, but the products are branching out to all neighborhoods and can now be found at Walgreens, Whole Foods, Duane Reade, Pharmaca, Fred Meyer, Walgreens.com and Drugstore.com.

NEW! Six Pack Kit: For men who want everything handed to them – sorry, you’ll still need to hit the gym if you want those washboard abs – the Six Pack Kit has all the fundamentals. Stocked with six innovative products designed to keep a modern man on the ball, this kit hasn’t left out a thing. The Six Pack Kit includes the Signature Mint Daily Shampoo, Body Wash and Body Bar, along with a Signature Mint Face Wash, Shave Cream and Face Lotion. A bonus toiletry bag is thrown in to house all the products during times of travel. Retail price: $25

About Every Man JackFounded in 2006, Every Man Jack is a provider of affordable, high-quality men’s grooming products, including a full range of skin, shave, body and hair products. Promising guys everything they need and nothing they don’t. The brand offers a simple, no-nonsense approach to men’s personal care. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information on the company and its products, visit www.everymanjack.com.

Thalgo News

2010-07-21T18:16:02Z

Spa & Skin Care PR News: Laboratoires BLC Thalgo Cosmetic S.A. and Ehring Enterprises Inc. have entered into a new joint venture -Thalgo America LLC. This new entity will serve all of the United States market including national accounts and the spa industry nationwide.

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Ehring Enterprises CEO, Guy Ehring, is also pleased to announce that Liz Verbruggen, former President, US Operations for Aromatherapy Associates Inc., has been appointed National Sales Director of THALGO America. Originally from England, Ms. Verbruggen is well known in the industry for having made a major contribution to the success of her former company which through her efforts has gained significant market share in luxury spas across North America.

THALGO is more than just a skincare line and over the past forty-five years has become recognized as a true innovator in the health & beauty industry. The company offers an extensive range of spa treatments for face and body, as well as results driven nutritional and home care products.

Thalgo America's National Training Director, Mariet Vanderstarre stated that "The company's latest success is due in large part that our formulations follow the guidelines of the THALGO Formulation Charter: All new formulas are free of parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol, GMO’s and ingredients of animal origin. Priority is given to marine and botanical active ingredients with the highest concentration ensuring optimal efficacy."

The newest additions to Thalgo ranges include: Oxygenating Care (reformulated) an anti-pollution range to fight and protect against free radicals; Terre & Mer a new Organic line certified by Ecocert and Cosmébio; Brightening Range a targeted treatment against hyper-pigmentation which produces instant results & Slim and Sculpt Expert for slimming/firming with muscular contraction massage.

For more information:

visit www.Thalgo.com

and/or its affiliates: www.Terrake.com

www.NOVExpert.com

Corporate Contact:

Guy Ehring 954-525-9665

or customer-service@thalgousa.com

Spa PR: New Life Hiking Spa's Weight Loss Spa Vacation

2010-07-20T12:54:19Z

If there are two things I love, it is going to the spa and skiing. My all-time favorite place to ski is Killington. Now New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Vermont has launched a new weight loss spa vacation package designed to be a combination of hiking, healthy foods and creating healthy eating habits that are targeted to help you lose weight. While this weight loss spa has vacation packages with as few as 2-4 days for stay time, it is their 11-day package that is the most popular.

The 11-day weight loss retreat outlines and enlists realistic solid changes in your eating habits and lifestyle to promote a life-long change to the way you eat and maintain a healthy weight. Since we all know that diets are only a short term solution to a long term goal, this may be why staying at New Life for a longer duration provides a better success rate for weight loss. Rates start as low as $209 per night, but price is determined by the package you choose and occupancy.

While skiing is not on the agenda at this weight loss spa (they are only open May-October), I definitely suggest driving by the slopes and planning an adventure in the winter months. What better way to continue your weight loss goal and stay in shape?

pūr~lisse Beauty PR Brand Profile

2010-07-19T15:23:29Z

The summer is upon us and nothing is more pressing than protecting your skin from those insufferable summers of being overly exposed to the sun. As we all might know that the summer weather can leave your skin feeling parched and dry. pūr~lisse can solve those problems as this patented skin care brand contains several age-prevention complex formulas of powerful antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, Chinese plant extracts, French marine plants and peptides to keep skin beautiful and healthy.

Jennifer Yen, the founder of pūr~lisse, started this line when she realized that her skin care regimen wasn’t at all restoring her skin with radiance. She sought out different products to help soothe and protect her sensitive skin, but there was none quite like her product, pūr~lisse.

]]> pūr~lisse, as Jennifer Yen describes it, is inspired by and taken from time-tested Chinese beauty rituals from her family heritage married with modern French skin technology. Her products combine several important ingredients to help with fighting the signs of aging through their unique patent- pending Lotus Lupine complex, Blue Lotus and White Tea extracts to deliver the perfect nourishment for radiant, youthful skin. And without using any harsh ingredients such as parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic color/fragrance or animal by-products, pūr~lisse is a sophisticated beauty line to work with and suitable for all skin types.

The beauty line aims to solve all facial problems and offers many essentials pūr~lisse solutions with their SPF 30 moisturizers, anti-aging eye creams, serums, and gentle cleanser. Lip balms ($22); Eye serums ($85); Cleanser ($38); and anti-aging moisturizer($138). Available on www.purlisse.com. Have you tried any of these products?

Wellness PR with The Himalayan Institute

2010-07-15T11:54:11Z

The Himalayan Institute is a place of peace and tranquility; a place to find oneself through holistic health and to strengthen the body through yoga. With its corporate headquarters located on a 400-acre campus in the Pocono Mountains, it's Yoga Cafe located in Honesdale PA, is virtually in my backyard.

Founded by Swami Rama of the Himalayas, the Himalayan Institute teaches hatha yoga, Ayurveda, integrative medicine, principles of spirituality, and holistic health. The foundation and core of the Himalayan Institute stands on the belief that it is it's members. Their virtues, strengths, and spirit are representative of each member of the Institute.

Spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait is the successor of Sri Swami Rama. He holds two doctorates one from the University of Allahabad in India and the other from the University of Pennsylvania. He contributes to Yoga + Joyful Living Magazine, has authored 14 books and has an ongoing Joyful Living Lecture Tour.

Have you visited The Himalayan Institute or any of its branches worldwide? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments.

Men's Fragrance Marketing: Will Bruce Willis Hit or Miss?

2010-07-14T11:52:01Z

When I think of Gerard Butler, Clive Owen or Russell Crowe, they all top my list that if a fragrance were to be made in their likeness, I would love for the man in my life to wear it. In that same token, it appears that Bruce Willis is banking on women everywhere wanting his manly action hero essence in a bottle for their man as well. A little more than a week ago, his men's grooming collection debuted with many jests about the tagline, "Smart Guys Live Forever" (which I think is pretty cheeky.) While Willis may be a longtime favorite celeb, does his image really hold the strength and fan fare to launch a successful collection of hair and body wash, shave balm and cologne? What do you think?

Kimberly Sayer Beauty PR Brand Profile

2010-07-12T16:30:59Z

British esthetician and organic skin care expert, Kimberly Sayer started her beauty line in the early 2000’s after moving from London to New York. She had recognized the need to create a beauty line that was not only great and suitable for every skin type but also had natural ingredients. In the effort of bringing the highest quality skin care and body products to life, she has created paraben-free, organic formulas of a natural preservative system using Japanese honeysuckle and botanicals. The product line includes cleansers, moisturizers, anti-aging products, masks and more with packaging made from recycled materials.

]]> Having launched in 2003 as a supplier to Hendri Bendel, Kimberly Sayer partnered closely with other spas and boutique stores to bring the highest quality of organic beauty products to the beauty industry. In 2007, when the height of organic beauty products came into high demand, she partnered with Whole Foods in launching their beauty products, Whole Body. Soon after, her products expanded to other indie stores such as Soap Sisters in Berkeley, CA and Blush Beauty Bar in Portland, Oregon.

The buzz for Kimberly Sayer’s products expanded beyond the spas and has landed on the most coveted and sought after fans: A-list celebrities and clients like Paula Abdul. As many of Kimberly Sayers’ items start around $25 dollars for the soy based Gentle Cleansing Lotion to the $75 dollars for the Vitamin C serum gel, it is definitely worth seeking out.

Beauty PR: Sephora to Enter the Brazilian Marketplace

2010-07-06T11:41:41Z

Thanks to LVMH's recent 70% acquisition of Sack's, Brazil's major online beauty retailer, Sephora will now be accessible to Brazilian beauty mavens. This not only helps Sack's retain its foothold on the beauty market in Brazil, but will only benefit existing and future beauty brands being sold by Sephora.

Sephora's success and growth have definitely taken an upward turn as it has expanded from Europe into the U.S., further into JCPenney stores, as vending machines and now into other countries such as Brazil. And all eyes have been on the Brazilian personal care market as it continues to grow.

Do you live in Brazil? What are your thoughts on Sephora launching there?

Love & Toast Lifestyle Beauty PR Brand Profile

2010-07-05T15:40:35Z

Love & Toast is the latest addition to Margot Elena Wells’ bath and body products. This multi-talented beauty entrepreneur is the mastermind behind cult beauty brands: Lollia (bath and beauty products in ultra feminine packaging) and Tokyomilk (whimsical products with illustrations of skulls, sparrows and Marie Antoinette.)

And now, Wells has launched Love & Toast, an all natural ingredients line of hand creams, lip balms and eau de parfums products. With this new line, Love & Toast products are adorned with these truly playful designs of bright colors, simple iconography and a nod to the 80’s. These designs closely resemble Swedish cartoon illustrations. Wells describes the conceptual design of Love & Toast as being loosely based off of her interpretation of “British Pop Folk Art” lending itself to create these aesthetically pleasing effects of bright, spontaneous, whimsical, and a very “now” look.

]]> Not only are the products pretty to look at but they are all natural and good for you. Love & Toast products are infused with shea butter, macadamia nut, olive fruits, and sunflower oils and come in fragrant scents (gin blossom, honey coconut, or super grapefruit). More importantly, none of her products have parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates or artificial colors. Good for us and for the Earth- Love & Toast is an environmentally friendly brand. Committed to conserving the environment, all of Love & Toast packages are recyclable as the paperboards are made from annually renewable and sustainable resources.

To make a purchase, visit their website at: www.loveandtoast.com or at Urban Outfitters. The Eau de Parfums are just $36, hand creams and lip balms are $10.

Cosmetic Marketing & Branding Q&A w/ Purpose Built NYC

2010-07-01T12:29:05Z

Purpose-Built delivers concept-driven business solutions to the personal care industry. Individually and collectively, the founders of Purpose-Built have created a profound impact on a broad swath of the personal care landscape, including business planning, concept development, brand engineering, product and packaging development, marketing programs, sales and distribution strategies, spa and service development, retail planning, and everything in between. Pierce Mattie PR took a moment to catch up with Kelly Kovack, Co-Founder of Purpose Built NYC. This is what she had to share with us about all things cosmetic!

Tell us a little bit about Purpose Built NYC, how did it get started.
Purpose-Built is a reunion of sorts. More years ago than I care to remember the first job for both of us in NYC was at Bergdorf Goodman where Larry and I met. We went our separate ways in the fashion industry for a while before joining the initial executive team of Bliss and both making the transition from fashion to beauty. After years of consulting, working for other brands and starting our own, we circled back and founded Purpose-Built. We felt we had a unique perspective on the industry and building brands that allowed us to close the gap between marketing, design and product development providing a true turnkey solution to brand building.

Can you share some of our best case studies with us?
It’s hard to narrow them down because we are a small group and incredibly selective with projects so I think they all make good case studies. But the two projects that best represent our capabilities and design aesthetic are Old Navy and Odin New York. Our work with Old Navy was affirmation that good product and design can be affordable. Every time someone sees the product we developed and says, “I can’t believe that’s Old Navy”, I know we succeeded. Odin is the opposite end of the spectrum and the result of a joint venture between Purpose-Built and Odin. The three unisex fragrances that were launched in November are an articulation of the Odin brand through the lens of fragrance. Initially I think many people in the industry believed this was simply an interesting collaboration between two like-minded companies and would be a flash in the pan. Our intention is quite the opposite; we want to build a brand that competes at premium across categories. In our first year we were one of five brands up for a prestige packaging Fifi and at retail the business is building nicely through some of the best doors for fragrance like Aedes de Venustas. This fall we’re launching in 3 of the best premium retailers in New York, London and Paris.

What projects are you working on right now?
We’re putting the finishing touches on the fall and spring Odin launches and have two clients who’s brands come to market in September—21 Drops and Lift Lab. We’re also working on the next Grooming Lounge catalog, an e-commerce application for the In-Flight Insider blog and multiple projects for Suki, to name a few. Let’s just say there are no summer Fridays at Purpose-Built.

]]> What trends are you seeing in new brands coming to the marketplace?
A trend I find interesting is the beauty and home fragrance category being seen as an serious opportunity for apparel and home furnishing retailers. I think the recent Top Shop range looks fantastic and Urban Outfitters, after years of dabbling, finally seems to be taking the plunge.

Where do you see personal care evolving for 2011?
I think we will see what is considered “organic” or “natural” more closely defined and hopefully regulated because there are so many brands misrepresenting themselves in this category. Conversely, I think we will see more innovation around natural formulations and green packaging. I also think there will be a lot of evolution in retail because the department store model is broken and the days of indiscriminate consumption are over. Both are forcing retailers to focus on creating assortments with a real point of view, consumer experience and customer service.

Royal Apothic Fragrance PR Brand Profile

2010-06-29T20:34:12Z

Rarely, do we find a perfume whose bottle is as appealing as its smell- however, Royal Apothic accomplishes such a feat. As a boutique design house, Royal Apothic truly brings sovereign luxury to the modern home.

Each perfume comes with a retro atomizer poof spray surrounded in handmade packaging covered with Venetian linen paper. Royal Apothic, a brand best known for their home fragrance and featured in the November issue of Oprah magazine, has expanded the brand into body fragrance. In their partnership with Anthropologie, Royal Apothic has created Extracts; this lightweight personal fragrance comes in 5 different scents made to be either worn or layered on. Choose from these delightful scents of Green Tea, Violette Pastille, Fig, Orange Blossom, and Marigold.

]]> The conception of Royal Apothic’s line takes over a year to create and up to 200 variations to produce before the final product can be launched to the public. Through this careful deliberation Royal Apothic’s Creative Director Sean O'Mara strives to recreate the collection by evoking the same sovereign luxury from the 1800s with inspirations from places like Venice, Versailles, Covent Garden, Windsor and the Mulholland Drive. Many of Royal Apothic’s creations are derived from an eighteenth century apothecary manual. Choose from High Tea, Venetian Grove, Versailles Afternoon, Cutting Garden, Topiary, and Japonesque to give your home that sovereign luxury touch.

Perfumes start at $30. Purchase here at www.royalapothic.com or at Anthropologie.

Spa PR and Marketing: Ways to Grow Your Spa Business in a Recession

2010-06-28T15:40:16Z

It's no surprise that the spa market has been hit hard during the economic windfall our country has been in for the last few years. Booking a spa treatment, often seen as a luxury-type item rather than a complement to wellness, is the last thing on most consumers minds when they are finding themselves in the midst of wondering how to make their next mortgage payment or if they have job security. So how can local spas retain current customers, bring in potential new ones and increase product sales?

Offer incentives: Consumers live for discounts, freebies or any other incentive that gives them more value for their money. This is one reason that gift with purchases incentives are highly successful. Not only does it get them to purchase an item, but puts other items in their hands for potential repeat-purchases in the future. This could be, "20% discount for facials booked for any Tuesday of the month," or "Book a massage by X date and your next pedicure is on us!"

The point: Get them in the door. Sometimes consumers are on the fence about booking a treatment and only need a little nudge to do so. Incentives can be anything you can dream of, from a deep discount to date/price/time/treatment specific value.
Get social. Sometimes I feel like I am preaching to the choir, but then I come across spas and spa brands who are still NOT involved with social media. Your consumers are looking for a point of contact, a knowledge base and most of all, a relationship with you. Current customers already trust you, so engage them via their social networks. Conversation brings about awareness of other treatments and products you offer, as well as pointing new potential consumers your way.

The point: Your competitors are already online and building those important relationships, why aren't you? Social media is not difficult to step foot into, however, don't underestimate the power and influence it can have on your business.
Team up. You already have relationships with the brands you sell in-store, why not utilize them? What about reaching out to local dermatologists or health care providers to host a health and wellness event that will benefit you both? By partnering with existing spa brands and regional professionals, you extend your reach to like-minded consumers who may not have considered you otherwise. Cross promotional partnerships can be very cost effective and have long term value.

The point: Strategic partnering with niche industry professionals will not hurt your business, but will only enhance it.

Do you have any other tips you want to add? We'd love to hear from you in the comments.