Interesting, I'm definitely getting a social media through makeup impression from it. It's an interesting concept, but it does kind make the vision for the brand a little confusing to me.
Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So I was thinking... if I were in her shoes this is what I would have done. I would have - BEFORE launching the website - launch the products at a trade show such as IMATS, The Makeup Show, BeautyCon, PHAMExpo or any number of beauty trade shows. This would allow for unbias feedback from the every day person and from professionals (who would be more likely to purchase). I would give beauty bloggers products to try and so they can review on their own sites without the restrictions that L'Oreal put on those who were given the items to review on their site. (Those who received the items from EM Cosmetics had to agree to a NDA.) We won't see real feedback on the products from real people until people get their orders.
To me launching the products in a real environment such as a trade show would give people the chance to try the products, review the products and see the real products instead of photoshopped images (the lip swatches show that the colors are photoshopped so it may or may not be accurate to the actual product). The giving of the items to people who signed the NDA and the huge amount of positive feedback on EM's site does give me pause to wonder how accurate the reviews are as well as exactly who were the people who got the items. (I think Bethanny one of the Ipsy stylists was able to try the products.)
Looking at several reviews on various items no one really left a review and it was more gushing over how good the products are. To me the rating and gushing reviews are off putting. Example,
This person left five stars on the Day palette reviews:
love the calming neutral colors of this palette! I LOVE EVERYDAY DAILY WEAR....SOMETHING THAT LOOKS NATURAL BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL, THIS PALETTE HAS JUST THAT!
I was invited to try product
This person left four stars on the Career palette reviews:
Good choise Aug 14, 2013
I liked it
This person left five stars on the Love palette reviews:
I would definitely take some of these colors in the travel kit. The shimmery gold
I was invited to try product
Both of you, well said!!!
@Zadidoll, I wonder what the bloggers and the magazines will say once they do candid reviews of her products.
Being a beauty blogger herself, I'm surprised she didn't do a promoted "sneak preview" to her "favorite" blogger friends to help promote it to get reviews all over social media. The website is very casual in appearance, not luxury.
Hello Kitty is also expansive franchising so it's an entirely apt comparison. Sanrio started off small and focused on ... cartoons? I'm not sure. Like Pusheen, comparably. Once its huge fanbase was established, it became a brand that could sell makeup. But I'm sure Sanrio products' prices are vastly inflated now as well -- from their stationery. It certainly didn't start off that way.
I agree with you about the brand and design. I don't see Marc Jacobs or Michael Kors making hearts with his hands for his new line.Originally Posted by jrenee /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think that's the crux of the problem. The pricing, the branding, the product design, the marketing, hell even the website. I do feel like it's trying to be everything to everyone and utterly failing. I would have loved if they stuck to one or two palettes, at a reasonable price point, build a following around a product based on versatility and practicality (I do like the concept of repotting your eyeshadows and blushes), and build out from there.
Based on the product design (the Life palettes and its 'bubble' design), it looks like something you'd find near the registers at Forever 21 or H & M. Again, it's that cutesy brand. It's where the price point throws me off - I like cute, I will buy cute, but not at a high-end price.
Speaking of confusion - the website looks like a social media outlet. "Our sisterhood" and "Invite" links at the top... Strange.
P.S. I'm loving this discussion ladies - I usually don't get this intellectually stimulated on MuT! I'm usually trying to curb my enthusiasm for beauty subs and hide my credit cards from impulse purchases!
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Alber Ebaz x Lancome had a cutesy type theme decorated on the makeup containers but it was lancome favorites, so you weren't getting a totally unfamiliar product if you are familiar with lancome's products already (palettes, definicils mascara, etc). plus the designs on the pallettes had a bit of an edge to them so that they would appeal to adults. Honestly, I expected Michelle's collab to be something like that.Originally Posted by TracyT /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I agree with you about the brand and design. I don't see Marc Jacobs or Michael Kors making hearts with his hands for his new line.
One of the mismatched aspects of the new product line and pricing is expecting blind following without a sense of actual product quality. She would do better if she had a sample item in the ipsy bags which has a strong following then segue into her launch. Rather than a small preview group, you have tons who can shout loud and proud.
For the kind of price tag they're asking for, consumers expect more and want to try it than drop $75. It's a huge risk for L'Oreal to look at short term profitability rather than long term loyalty. But that's just me.
I agree with both of you! The packaging looks flimsy, bulky, and just downright cheap when you compare it to the price tag. Even elf stepped up the packaging with their "studio line" and tried to make it look more high end, stepping away from the white/plastic of their $1 line...I'm wondering why the EM line can't do the same?! I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm much more attracted to the darker packaging of most high-end products. I think dark navys, deep charcoal grays, deep burgundies, golds, and black (but easier to clean than NARS!) would have been a better step in the right direction on packaging choices. Also, not a fan of how huge or bulky the products appear to be. Since I'm assuming Michelle travels quite often for business, you would think her own company would come up with more travel-friendly, less-bulky packaging.
Thank you!Originally Posted by jrenee /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Both of you, well said!!!
I couldn't have said it better myself! Many of those in her target age range are too young to shell out the money for the higher price tag, and those of us who are experienced with makeup are not attracted to the cheap-looking, childish packaging. Those of us who love makeup and are willing to buy higher-dollar items look for quality, value, and durability...I just don't see any of those present with this line right now. Hopefully they will make some adjustments and changes.
This is not good at all!Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Here's what I mean by privacy/security issues.
This young member is 14. Her full name and location is posted. At the top address bar you can see her email address! I'm sorry but to me any minor's profile should be made automatically private AND there names/ages/location/email address NOT revealed to the general public.
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The thing with Hello Kitty, at least the nail polish, is that it's really nice polish. Very nice formula and really cute colours. Some of them are expensive because they're discontinued. I have a Hello Kitty polish (Blueberry) that I find myself using a lot and considering I have upwards of 375 polishes, that's saying something. I got that one from my daughter as a stocking stuffer but I liked it so much I bought all of the colours I could find on Amazon. My daughter bought the one she gave me off Sephora.com for $4 on sale. THAT is how you build a customer base. Because seriously, it never would have occurred to me to buy Hello Kitty nail polish until I got that one.
