It’s no doubt that the current health pandemic is taking its toll on brands big and small, no one is immune. To ensure your favourite brands make it through to the other side as strong as ever, it’s important to support local companies.
In the beauty industry, we have seen some remarkable acts - brands stepping up to help hospitals and healthcare workers with products and production, fashion houses using manufacturers to create safety equipment, as well as companies coming up with innovative ways to keep their businesses afloat.
BD has rounded up a selection of brands thinking outside the box, adapting to the current climate. Keep these on your radar when working on content and showing support on social media, the industry needs us more than ever.
Saya Skincare has released a hand sanitiser to help meet the need of the Australian public, with the 500mL pack size selling out within 24hours.
"We noticed the demand for hand sanitiser on the Australian market due to the current situation, but also noticed the lack of options customers had for an ethical, sustainable, Australian-made product," the brand told BD.
"We were so fortunate to source the ingredients in a short space of time, thus being able to release this new product at Saya Skin. Australian-made, palm oil free and vegan, our formulation is derived from non-GMO wheat, and infused with vitamin B5 to protect and nourish the hands."
The 250mL and 500mL bottles are perfect for the home or office, and the bulk 5L refill size ensures you will have a long-lasting supply.
The Pierre Fabre Group reorganises to produce hydroalcoholic gels in France and Brazil.
Since mid-March, the teams at its dermo-cosmetics production sites in Soual, near Castres (south-west France), and in Areal in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, have been fully mobilised to produce hydroalcoholic gel - to be distributed to healthcare workers putting themselves on the frontline every day. You can view further details on its website here.
Clarins will donate 30,000 moisturising hand creams to hospitals in the following weeks.
The heroic daily actions of healthcare professionals have never mattered more. Day and night, their hands provide care and help, bringing hope and comfort. One of the ways to fight the spread of the epidemic is to disinfect hands by using hand sanitiser.
“This essential routine is hard on hands: as the skin’s protective hydrolipidic film becomes damaged, the skin suffers and becomes dry. The solution? Every night, before bed, when there is no more interaction with possible sources of contamination, I recommend applying a thick layer of moisturizing hand cream, to help replenish the skin’s protective barrier," said Clarins Group managing director, Olivier Courtin-Clarins.
"In the coming weeks, as a way of supporting healthcare professionals in their fight against the epidemic, the Clarins Group will donate 30,000 moisturising creams to hospitals."
Clarins are also continuing to produce and deliver hand sanitiser to hospitals.
Cosmetic Chemist and founder of Synergie Skin, Terri Vinson has announced the brand has launched its own hospital grade Sanitiser Spray to meet the high demand. An innovative move, driven by compassion and determination to be able to support not only Synergie’s customers, but hospitals and medical facilities across Australia.
“As a chemist and immunology graduate, I am fortunate to have the knowledge and tools to take immediate action in this new climate. I am so proud to say that with Synergie’s vertically integrated structure and nimble manufacturing ability, I have been able to formulate a clean science Sanitiser Spray,” says Vinson.
Encompassing Synergie’s unique ‘clean science’ philosophy, the formulation contains botanically derived alcohol and is free from any questionable ingredients including isopropyl alcohol. At 70% grain derived alcohol, Sanitiser Spray provides maximum hospital grade antimicrobial protection for hands and surfaces.
The company will also be donating 5% of all proceeds to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, essence has started an initiative to generate additional awareness regarding #socialdistancing. To show its support, the company has donated €500,000 (nearly AUD$900,000) to the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). This international organisation provides lifesaving medical humanitarian care and support for medical staff in their everyday work.
In addition to this, essence has created a campaign where, for every #kisstance Instagram post or story shared, essence will donate an additional €5 (nearly AUD$9). essence recognises the importance of keeping physical distance during this time, however this does not mean we can't send some love to the ones we miss the most.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To get involved: post an image, video or story on Instagram with a digital kiss using the hashtag #kisstance; tag @essence_cosmetics; use one of the dedicated campaign GIPHY for your stories - search for kisstance; and add your location. The campaign will run until (and including) April 9.
“At RAWW Cosmetics, healthy beauty and living is at the forefront of our beliefs,” the brand said on Instagram. “That’s why we’re bringing you a super clean Anti-Bacterial Instant Hand Sanitiser to help you fight germs and keep hands soft, thanks to skin-loving aloe vera.”
Pre-order is now available, with an estimated shipment date of May 5, 2020.
“The Estée Lauder Companies is proud to contribute to the broader COVID-19 relief efforts by reopening our Melville manufacturing facility to produce hand sanitiser for high-need groups and populations, including front-line medical staff. We are grateful to our employees who have worked tirelessly to make this possible. Compensated, employee volunteers will support this vital, meaningful effort,” a spokeswoman for the company told WWD.
Lauder also pledged $2 million to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, to support the organisation’s coronavirus response in under-resourced and highly impacted countries.
M.A.C Cosmetics has pledged to donate US$10 million to organisations to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The funds have been raised through the brand’s Viva Glam campaign, which was founded more than two decades ago as a community response fund for those affected by HIV and AIDS. The capital will be split across 250 groups worldwide that are helping consumers at high risk of contracting the disease.
This includes additional support for M.A.C’s existing partners to provide them with an emergency Covid-19 relief fund to provide ‘vital’ services for communities.
Developed to keep Glasshouse Fragrances staff safe in the face of COVID-19, the company’s in-house team of chemists were given the task of creating a powerful hand sanitiser for its Sydney HQ.
Repurposing sought after ingredients and materials used in its range of iconic products, it temporarily stopped manufacturing to pour everything it had into the new Glasshouse Fragrances Lost In Amalfi Hand Sanitiser.
It kills germs and is packed with antibacterial properties, but in true Glasshouse Fragrances style it also delivers a little luxury with fresh notes of sea mist, lavender, freesia and lime. On counter April 9, 2020.
Sensori+ was born from the desire to bring the benefits of nature and overall wellness into people’s fast paced lives. With the current situation linked to COVID-19’s outbreak, it was only natural for Sensori+ to immediately react and put their scientific knowledge and its team to work to bring people a natural, yet efficient hand sanitiser.
The Sensori+ Hydra Detox Hand Sanitiser is formulated with 75% sugar cane distilled alcohol, which is the concentration that meets the World Health Recommended Standards on protecting users from COVID-19.
Production at Carolina Herrera has shifted to support the creation of hospital gowns in collaboration with local health authorities. It plans day by day to tirelessly meet the changing needs of doctors, hospitals, and nurses.
In an effort to aid local communities, Carolina Herrera has also opened a line of production to manufacture masks for the food and health industries.
Puig has offered the Spanish government its production capacity to manufacture hydro-alcoholic solutions and sanitisers to meet the exceptional need of society and the health system for these types of products in the fight against the Covid-19, coronavirus. You can view further details and a statement here.
MECCA stores across Australia are now officially closed, as BD reported here. However the Aussie retail icon is adapting to the current situation, announcing its latest venture, MECCA LIVE, a 24/7 beauty broadcasting program.
As well as the hub, MECCA is also offering personalised beauty consultations accessed via FaceTime. You can choose a quick 15 minute beauty pow wow, or a 45 minute skin or makeup consultation.
"One of our ‘fount of all knowledge’ in-store hosts will call you on FaceTime and will talk you through and demonstrate everything you would typically see in store. It’s free. It’s fun. We think it’s pretty fabulous and we’d love you to be a part of it," MECCA said in a statement to its shoppers.
Since making the decision to close doors to his salons, EdwardsAndCo founder, Jaye Edwards has been coming up with innovative ways to bring in business, while also helping consumers with their hair care needs.
The company has now released at home hair colour packs, as well as created an IGTV series, The Lockdown with EdwardsAndCo, to help Aussies with their hair care issues during this uncertain time. Read the full interview here.
For those who would love to take some time to learn more about their skin and what products are best suited to them as an individual, Alpha-H is offering complimentary live online skin consultations with members of its highly trained team.
This amazing service allows people to access one-on-one skincare advice from the Alpha-H skin clinic that they might usually find in the salon or specialty beauty store - all from the comfort of their own home. Via Skype or Facetime, the team will be able to answer any questions, and will provide all online clients with personalised information and a tailored routine.
“At Alpha-H we remain committed to helping people from round the globe with their individual skin concerns. With more and more people staying at home, we have seen an increase in questions coming though via our social media platforms and to our customer service team," said Alpha-H professional training and education manager, LeeAnne Leslie.
"So, while our flagship clinic is temporary closed, and our highly trained skin therapists and brand representatives have the capacity, we thought this could be a wonderful service to offer to anyone who wants a positive and personalised experience to learn more about their skin."
Ella Baché has created Virtual Salons offering all Australians complimentary digital beauty services at home.
The Virtual Salons will provide clients complimentary skin consultations with their favourite local Ella Baché beauty therapists via video chat and the opportunity for customers to purchase recommended products from their local salons online - supporting local businesses.
“With so many Australians in self isolation, Ella Baché have created this digital platform in anticipation of the closure of our 120 Salons nationwide. Ella Baché are mobilising our national network of expert Therapists to provide Virtual Salons to support the skin health of all Australians,” said Ella Baché CEO, Pippa Hallas.
With the temporary closure of clinics and beauty salons, Medik8 has lifted its restrictions on limiting online sales to allow clinics to provide Medik8 product to clients, delivered to their door. Whether it’s via shopping online or phone sales, Medik8 clinics throughout Australia are providing access to the Medik8 range.
Medik8 Australia is supporting clinics by providing virtual training so therapists can use this time to enhance their knowledge and skills. The company is also providing clinics with value-added ideas that they can offer customers such as encouraging clients to pre-book treatments when they reopen as well as providing travel size gift with purchase.
With COVID-19 temporarily shutting clinics, TEOXANE Cosmeceuticals has launched an e-shop to provide access to its full range of hydrating cosmeceuticals delivered straight to your door. With free shipping offered until April 30, TEOXANE Cosmeceuticals has also added three essential packs at a reduced rate on the site to ensure all skincare needs are covered.
Essential Skin Pack, $240 (saving of $80); Specialised Skin Pack, $300 (saving of $105); and Gift of Great Skin, $440 (saving of $155).
As we find ourselves spending the bulk of our time indoors, this can mean increased exposure to air conditioning and heating, which depletes the skin of essential moisture. TEOXANE Cosmeceuticals features a patented form of hyaluronic acid - RHA® (resilient hyaluronic acid), which is proven to provide superior benefits to basic hyaluronic acid, an indispensable skincare staple at the best of times, and even more so in these conditions.
Jean Paul Gaultier is challenging you to #StayHome and remain active, creative and connected during this time with its campaign ‘How To Do That... From Home.' The company invites you to get involved or share the love online using #AtHomeWithGaultier across the below themes:
Challenge: Creativity
Posting Dates: April 6, 7 and 8: Get arty with JPG – by creating a cool painting, sculpture, dance, or hand drawn tattoo etc.
Challenge: Cooking
Posting Dates: April 9, 10 and 11: Be your own chef – we challenge you to cook, bake, or shake up your own cocktail.
