PART 1
THEMES
"Where Beauty Meets Business"
"Brand Conception to Activation"
Javits Convention Center/NYC
AND
all about the packaging...
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| Royal Labs has its own line of beauty/skin+body care products-in distinct packaging ...plus makes products/manufactures for other brands |
How about the gazillions of cosmetic/beauty products conjured up by individuals/companies---where do these transforming ingredients really come from-are they worth the price...
AND about all the claims for anti-aging goodies-who really conducts those tests---
What is the deal with all these private label/contract manufacturing companies---as in
we can all just go out and make-up our own make-up line...or skin care line. Just sign a contract somewhere.
Yes, there are tradeshows for everything-and after attending the HBA Global Expo---our brains cells were charged with a slew of new info...and our arms filled with trade magazines that offered up a bunch of answers to the prior questions.
This show in particular-offers up aisles of exhibitors showing off the latest in packaging know how-including stuff we never really thought about-like unique closures and applicator tops, dual chamber tubes to combine ingredients that don't mix well- just prior to application, blister packs, ultra sonic sealing of packages to maintain purity and
deliverability, 3D graphics/printing on tubes/bottles, crimps on metal tubes, facilities with the a-OK to manufacture USDA organic products...
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| we loved the packaging of deep steep collection of personal products... |
and things we do think about--environmental responsibilities of companies (we hope)- efforts to use less of energy/fresh water, Fair Trade worthy, ethical sourcing of materials, sustainably (like the pioneering visionary Anita Roddick-
The Body Shop founder) or growing one's own according to organic values (
Intelligent Nutrients and sun-care line
Elemental Herbs)... and composing packaging/container from recycled products, printed with vegetable dye inks... that are themselves recyclable-which we learned-most makeup packaging made from plastic are not!!!! C'mon...
already.
Here's to refillable palettes...
WHAT ELSE: eye-catching design that educates-entices the consumer-including limited editions and exclusive packaging (think designer
Alber Elbaz's flirty package designs (and products) for giant Lancome make-up)... and marketing wise- brand consistent good looks that serve to up a label's ante convey a positive/enticing story...be it the company's heritage, key benefits/ingredients of a product...and for beauty FOR SURE-the benefits and active ingredients---all on the packaging!
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| elegant and 'simple'-what we wold expect from a luxury or prestige brand... |
And making it snazzy, fun, elegant or clean-depending on the message.
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| novelty bottles and containers...including incredibly inventive shapes, designs and materials...especially for fragrances...Genius! Reminds us of why Avon perfume bottles are collectibles. |
This is so important. We recently went to a NYC office soiree --- where a noted plastic surgeon had few sku's with own name-brand labels- for sale---priced
waaay above mass merchant levels.
IMO ---he most likely hired/worked with one of the more scientifically smart private label companies- to make his skincare line-it didn't mean that the products were not effective.
But the packaging was worse than anything we've seen in years (decades, even)-super cheap looking, plain plastic with plain ole' labels stuck on. YIKES.
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| battery or via electirc cord |
A mistake. Better to lose a $2-$3 margin price---and glam up the packaging to make it look like the prestige product it's supposed to be.
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| Big believers in how scent/aromatherapy can calm/relieve stress...Puzhen Life---diffusers are very popular in Asia |
Hmmmm...maybe he should go to this show.
As far as raw materials/ingredients go---there are other trade shows for that but we found a few exhibitors here who do their own scientific research and have many cutting edge (and sometimes patented) active ingredients (and research documents to support the claims).
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| essential oil diffusers make a statement when packaged as such |
Curiously for us...there were magazine containing precise recipes and instructions---of exact formulations for skincare or hair care products ---including what companies to source for raw materials---and how to combine them for products. Like baking a cake in a way...
It really made us think about all the beauty and hair care products on the market-just how unique are some (and some ARE NOT)---Sometimes it is just the packaging...
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| Pantone® is a go to color whiz of a forecasting firm for a host of industries---including fashion, footwear, performance wear/gear---and beauty. |
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| literally-buckets of color tabs... |
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| yes, your perfect skin tone match is a Pantone® find. Incredibly-there are 110!!!!!!!!! skin tone colors--Pantone® documented...plus we heard that number is due to jump to 180. No wonder cosmetics brands ---especially those aimed at Americans who are ethnic blends...and other markets like the booming South American, African, Asian and Sub Asian markets. |
Also we learned that unique ingredients/formulations made up by research labs (and sometimes patented)---are bought up to use- by even the bigger companies who have their own R+D departments---but mixed in with that company's own proprietary know how---to conjure up a product...with active ingredients with proven efficacy.
Something today's smart consumers ---expect no matter if from an inexpensive brand or a 'luxury' product.
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| unlike metallic tubes of y'ore...these graphics won't wear off with use |
Viva Healthcare Packaging
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| Recycle this-injection molded tube w/ injected label |
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| Dual Chamber tubes... |
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| bold graphic prints...on tubes! |
Many attendees attend for the seminars that are engaging panels expertly led by leading industry people, educators, think-tank types---fitting as it takes place in NYC.
We sat in on this terrific session -hosted by leading beauty consultant,
Wendy Lewis ---on social media and building one's brand. And we're all brands-in a way.
Other seminars focused on Skin Care trends, Natural & Sustainable--- innovative, earth -friendly ingredients, digital marketing/commerce/analytics, the impact of packaging at the retail level and online, and strategy sessions for breaking into the mass retail markets...and once there---an enlightening session included
Strategies to Revitalizing Your Brand As You Grow-with experts from Elizabeth Arden and Dr. Dennis Gross (with his own massive skincare line still selling amazingly well)...
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| new formulas and active ingredients-ready for use...many - we noted - delivered -courtesy of Mother Nature---and Marine sourced too-algaes... |
There were so many panels-we could have spent the entire time just listening and learning. And no doubt, people do.
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS SHOWCASE---with the finalists in several categories. Interesting for us-who did the nominating ---including pr firms, the product companies themselves..and the packaging companies too...hey -why not.
HBA GLOBAL EXPO
AND about all the claims for anti-aging goodies-who really conducts those tests---
