Newby Hands from feelunique.com and Harpers Bazaar: Tips for January 2013

Look good and feel great this January.

What Differentiates the FaceWorkshops Club

The FaceWorkshops Club is different from other beauty communities.

•  FOCUS. We are a skincare club, focused on facial skincare products that deliver visible results. Our members share, comment and contribute to the forum discussion. 
  

• EXPERTISE. I understand your skin type and recommend only products with a good efficacy. My recommendations are based either on a) product literature substantiated with clinical data and/or b) detailed analysis of product ingredients.
• INDEPENDENCE. My recommendations are not aligned to any commercial brands.

Getting Skincare Samples

…at the beauty counters is becoming more and more difficult in the current climate but it is a vital part of testing skincare. Trying a tester in the shop is not enough.

Whilst building a direct relationship with interesting skincare brands, the Faceworkshops Club will be also – from time to time – directing our members to beauty box subscriptions, particularly the last of these schemes.

There are four paid sample schemes in the UK that are worth looking at. They all claim to give you access to the best beauty brands and save your money when purchasing full-size products. And there is an excitement about the anticipation of a new collection landing on your doorstep. These schemes are about being able to pamper, play and preen to your heart’s content; in the comfort of your own home, in your own time and discovering what you like and what you don’t like.

Autumn/Winter Skincare: Pleasure, Fun and Indulgence

According to a new report by Mintel, British Lifestyles, beauty has been on a rising tide ever since the beginning of the new millennium. Categories associated with pleasure, fun and indulgence showed the highest levels of growth, compared to the functional day-to-day products.

• Indulgence. Being seen as indulgence, facial skincare benefited, growing almost 70 % in 10 years (2000 – 2010) and driven primarily by interest in anti-ageing. Anti-ageing moisturisers, targetting particular concerns ie. wrinkles, make up nearly 40 % of the total category sales.

• Shopping from Home. More consumers are turning to the internet for advice on skincare products.  Recent study by MyFaceBody, the online and TV beauty guide, has found that 55 % women aged 35 – 50 purchase beauty and skincare online. Online retail can offer a variety of choice, competitive pricing and information better than high street retailers. With a growth of interest in beauty blogging it seems that buying high quality skincare products for specific skin issues, such as acne, sun damage and anti-ageing will boom on the internet.

Please remember that 50 % of women misdiagnose their skin type. Go for the internet bargains but have a skincare consultation first to avoid expensive mistakes. Also, try before you buy – try the testers/get samples from a local beauty counter.

• Unconscious fantasies. Our mind desires – both conscious and unconscious – can help to identify future skincare trends. The trends agency By Lude uses psychology and anthropology to understand our psychological functioning and collective fantasies. These techniques go beyond the consious data used in traditional market research eg. questionnaires and observational data.
• Autumn-Winter 2011/12 Season. They forecast a preppy “back to school” feel with a Northern twist – milky skin and translucent make-up.  We should want to go back to thick walled glass bottles and creamy white contents, reflecting our unconscious need to be protected and cocooned.

 

Source:

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/What-the-recession-has-meant-for-online-beauty-retailing

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/Strong-growth-seen-in-skin-care-category-Mintel

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/Unravelling-the-unconscious-mind-can-highlight-future-trends-says-agency

Relaxation with Mindfulness Meditation

Stress and anxiety make our skin prone to premature ageing, our facial expressions – transient at first – but repeated time and again become ingrained in our face as deep lines and wrinkles. Be it the frown lines that show the strain of a high management role or the exaggerated crows’ feet apparent in people who care for their relatives at home 24/7.

In a search for new ways of helping my clients to relax, I went to the School of Life in London, to listen to Mark Williams, a professor from Oxford University and a leading expert in mindfulness meditation. I always appreciate techniques that combine science with ancient tradition – and mindfulness meditation does just that. It has been proven to calm the mind and improve wellbeing (as well as well as dealing with more serious issues such as depression and anxiety).

Having experienced the relaxing benefit of touch and meditation first hand, I believe these techniques will come to the forefront of anti-ageing healthcare in future.

An interesting link to brain science

 

 

In-Cosmetics: New Trends in Skincare

The future trends involve Naturals + Home Devices + Beauty from within !

• Even in the recession, personal care market is doing well. Global Personal Care market value is $300. Global ingredients market is $20M! 
• Skincare is the largest, fastest growing segment – 30 % of Personal Care market share. Dominant all over the world, also in Europe.
• 1 in every 2 women in the UK is concerned about ageing and speciality actives – anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle – are key in new product development.
• Featured skincare product was Kinerase C Peptide Intensive Treatment. Featured claim – reduces depth and appearance of wrinkles by 35 %.

Beauty Framework for the British Consumer

• Ease of Access: Botox can be bought online in the UK!
• The Foreign Lifestyle: Antioxidants are important in skincare ie. polyphenols from grapeseed or white tea. Remember the French paradox – a glass of wine a day will help you look younger!
• Going Green: Aveda with green credentials and cradle-to-cradle sustainability.

Source: Kline: Sparked by Innovation, Fuelled by Consumption: Emerging ingredient trends. March 2011, In-Cosmetics Milan. Kline work with L’Oreal, Shiseido, P&G and Unilever.

Market Research or Consumer Insights?

Traditional market research conveys less useful information than customer insights.  I read market research with interest but believe that our habits cannot be described with a simple yes or no. Also when discussing their skincare routines with my clients, I need to know more about their lifestyle to understand what skincare products would work well and why.

Kline Group’s new research claim to go deeper than ever to uncover consumer expectations and insights on skincare products that ‘counter what manufacturers have long believed about their audience’ using a new methodology, based on cognitive sciences and cultural anthropology. They also considers the accuracy of the consumer responses and their contradictions - these often underline weak signals or emerging trends.

“If I had an opportunity to talk to this skincare company, I would tell them that I wish they would invent “…a skin care product that is a combination of Neosporin, Clearasil, and covering makeup.”

These types of responses go much further towards discovering the type of skincare solutions consumers are looking for, while also being specific about the reasons for wanting them.

Innovation is important, but not paramount: the research concludes that innovation is actually not that important to all consumers, it has to be balanced with stability and reliability. Innovation is expected to go hand in hand with environmental and social awareness but consumers find the sustainability often lacking! What matters most to you?

 

Source: http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Market-Trends/Kline-launches-new-research-revealing-consumer-attitudes-on-innovation

 

More On Future Trends in Skincare 2011

VISUAL CULTURE

• ‘Visual Culture’ and an associated pre-occupation with appearance is the defining trend in the personal care in 2011. Image is important to us even if we do not significantly feel pressure to look good – at least consciously. There is scope for us to feel happier about our appearance – given the pressure to conform to demanding beauty ideals associated with contemporary society. Visual Culture is the core macro-trend influencing personal care habits. We generally feel it is important to look our best, which is fueling skincare product usage!

 Naomi Wolf, comments on this in The Beauty Myth..

 CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN SKINCARE

• Countries with long traditions of ‘skincare management’ have the largest, most established skincare markets.
• France has a reputation as a skincare knowledge center and consumers there have regular skincare routines.
• The US is the second largest skincare market in the world and the Japanese purchase high amounts of skincare products as caring for skin forms a key element of their beauty routines.
• Most consumers are spending longer on their skincare regimes than in the past but Value-for-money is the main skincare product attribute desired by customers!
• While private labels (e.g. Tesco, M&S) still struggle behind branded skincare products, the recession and a propensity to seek value-for-money are fuelling demand.

 Source: Research and Markets, 2011

New Skincare Trends For 2011

With the end of 2010 fast approaching, forecasters are consulting their crystal balls for new things to come in skincare. We would like to share with you the top trends!

The Frugal Mindset

The “Lipstick Theory” claiming that women will always find money for beauty (established during the WWII) is likely to hold true in the UK. The same can be said for facial skincare, although we are becoming more frugal and comfortable to shift from prestige to mass-market brands. Our mindset makes us look for promotions, bargains and vouchers.

Streamlined Skincare Routines

We will buy only what we really need! High-end of mass-market skincare will remain popular thanks to its multi-functionality – you may have noticed the recent launch of Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Serum at Boots. Procter&Gamble made us wait for the “red carpet product” demanding samples and subscribing to the waiting list!

Luxury. Skin Health. Natural, Sustainable Sourcing

We expect it all but for less money! We care increasingly about “the holistic approach”. We require skincare to have organic or fairtrade credentials, proven efficacy and a feel good factor. New trends involve exotic plants and multi-energising actives. Discover Origins and Elemental Herbology. At Home Spa experience is best on cold winter days!

Source: Euromonitor International 2010.

London ‘Power Facials’ in Yorkshire

As the article written in The Sunday Times Style magazine last Sunday confirms, the facial is making a comeback, in particular the “power facial” touted as an alternative to Botox.

All of the most sought-after London facialists are offering facial massage-based treatments:

• Nicola Joss is renowned for incorporating internal mouth work into her facial massage to reduce tension and loosen the jaw (£200, 90 minutes).
• Deborah Mitchell treats Botox-free celebrities with LIA therapy technique, a nonsurgical healing facelift, to tighten the skin and clear sinuses (£165, 60 minutes).
• Amanda Lacey promotes facial manipulation to redefine, soften and relax the face, so it looks natural (£130, 60 minutes).

There is no need to travel to London to appreciate a “facial with a difference”

FaceWorkshops Anti-Ageing Facial Massage is on a par with the London offerings for a fraction of the price. An advanced massage sequence of ten complementary steps – backed up with science – brings your face back to life. It makes you instantly feel and look good and if done regularly, it will stimulate and tone your facial muscles and lift and contour the face, giving it a better definition.

A special booster treatment “Facial Revitalisation” based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be on offer from September 2010. If you have already experienced facial massage, book your complimentary place at the Facial Revitalisation Taster Day: Sunday 5th September by emailing info@faceworkshops.com.
 

All facials need commitment

All facials need commitment – they are no one-hit wonder. If you come once, it will give you a glow. Ideally, you would have a course of treatments close together and come back regularly for top-ups. As Nicola Joss, London facialist, says; “If you want a toned, defined body, you work out; the same goes for the face.”

A recent FaceWorkshops client says:

“I’m now a convert to facial massage, on a regular basis though it’s much more than just a massage, the feeling of been nurtured and cared for is wonderful. We only have one face, so don’t we owe it to ourselfs to take care of it, if you are still sceptical, do as I did, have one session, see the difference, and see a whole new you in the bathroom mirror.” ND, June 22, 2010

Sunday Times article by Edwina Ings-Chambers, The Power Facial. Style, 25 July 2010. 
 

 

Facial Massage Counteracts Negative Effects of Botox

Devotees of Botox and other forms of comsetic surgery are turning to “power massages” to bring their frozen faces back to life. Muscles paralyzed by Botox are repeatedly massaged to make up for the exercises they lack and to restore blood circulation. The benefits of facial massage have been well-known for some time now – including the short-term increase of blood flow improving skin tone and colour as well as the long-term stimulation of fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells).

Nicola Joss, a celebrity facialist from London, confirms; “If you want a toned, defined body, you work out; the same goes for the face”. Nicola’s power massage treatment involves a massage of cheeks from the inside the mouth (90 minutes, £200).

Botox users don’t get the facial muscles to contract, limiting blood flow into the area. The skin is starved of oxygen and - with a change in immune response, it becomes stiff and dry.  However, primarily Botox users with cigarette-thin skin (caused by using too much Botox) will see true benefits of this therapy. For others, facial massage encourages facial muscles to eliminate Botox more quickly.

Source: Kevin Dowling: Pummelling unlocks faces frozen by Botox, Sunday Times, 17 July 2010

Replacing Botox with the natural technique of facial massage in the first place is beneficial for both our facial skin, muscle tension and definition. FaceWorkshops offer anti-ageing facial massage (60 minutes, £50).