The one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how many new beauty brands enter the market each year. For every success story there are innumerable tales of failure.
The 1960s may have belonged to the make-up of Mary Quant. The ’70s were definitely owned by Revlon. The ’80s were shared by Estée Lauder and Lancôme. The ’90s were the heyday of make-up artist brands such as Bobbi Brown and Nars, but the decade of the noughties, some say, is still too close to call.
Well, you read it here first. I am crowning the noughties and the ’10s so far as decades of dominance by independent colour cosmetic brands.
These brands are no shrinking violets. They are bold and hungry to take over the world with their own mix of innovation, colour and style. Welcome to the new era of colour.
Gorgeous Cosmetics
Inception \ 1999
Best products \ Prism Powder Highlighter and Color Pro Blush
Look out for \ Back to Basics make-up set
Glam factor \ Smooth Operator
http://gorgeouscosmetics.com
Gorgeous Cosmetics is the brainchild of David McConnell. His ideal and mission is to make all women gorgeous by giving them the tools, products, guidance and inspiration. His pro classes are legendary even in the hills of Los Angeles.
McConnell has certainly spread his wings from having one shop in Melbourne to several nationally. He has also just sponsored the spectacular Sydney Fashion Festival.
Inglot
Inception \ 1986
Best products\ O2M nail polish and Freedom System?palettes
Look for \ Forty eyeshadows Freedom System palettes
Glam factor \ Innovator
www.inglotaustralia.com
Wojtek Inglot started this cosmetics brand 25 years ago when he was still working as a chemist for a pharmaceutical company. This Polish company has taken over the world with its sleek packaging, sound innovation and mind-boggling colour range – at last count there were 213 eyeshadow and 50?nail polish colours, with more coming each season.
Inglot is still very hands-on and wants the brand to be all about choice, value and innovation, but still have a conscience on how things are produced and?consumed.
Napoleon Perdis
Inception \ 1995
Best products \ Auto-Pilot primers and Sheer Genius foundation
Look for \ Double Agent Rouge?Palette
Glam factor \ Smoking hot
www.napoleonperdis.com
Napoleon Perdis has come a long way from his humble beginnings in Parramatta. His brand has not only gone viral but it has taken the very aggressive US market by storm.
The man himself is hilarious, fun and has an excellent work ethic. His team adores him and consumers idolise him – what more can an enterprising entrepreneur want?
There is no stopping his progress. Perdis started his small make-up business by doing bridals in 1991. By 1995 he opened his first standalone shop in Paddington, Sydney, and the rest, as they say, is make-up history.
Make Up Store
Inception \ 1996
Best products \ Liquid Glitter Eyeliner and Sport Foundation
Look out for \ The 15th anniversary releases
Glam factor \ Showstopper
Stockist \ Myer
Mika Liias, president of Make Up Store, says each month at least four new shops open somewhere around the world. To date he has more than 150 standalone shops globally.
In 1995 Liias opened his make-up school but found it difficult to find good and affordable products and tools, so he started sourcing for them in the US and Europe. Within a year he opened his doors to the general public.
With the increased demand for his make-up, he also started M magazine in 2005 so that his tribe of make-up artists could have a creative outlet.
There is no stopping this Swedish wunderkind.
Illamasqua (Top)
Inception \ 2008
Best products \ Colour pigments and Liquid Metal
Look for \ The new Skin Base foundation
Glam factor \ Sky-rocketing
Stockist \ Myer city
The guiding principles of the chairman and founder of Illamasqua, Julian Kynaston, are to “keep the difference and resist the norm”.
The brand was formed in 2008 under the umbrella of Kryolan, a respected industry supplier of cosmetics to television and films. It draws its inspiration from the 1920s hedonist German culture dens to the very visually influential British punk and new-wave movements.
In a few short years the company has gained industry kudos and is constantly coming up with products that are innovative and easy to use.
Kynaston recruited Dave Vanian (The Damned), Anja Huwe (lead singer of the German band Xmal Deutschland) and Alex Box to be the creative force behind Illamasqua. But it is Box who truly breathes life into the products. She is easily the make-up artist of the next millennium.
EDITORS PICK / The find
Manage Your Skin Men’s Basic Gift Set $199 (1300 301 007)
Dr Spiller Biocosmetic is world renowned for its innovation for skin health. The products and treatments are legendary in Europe and fast gaining popularity in Australia.
This set is an ultra-modern skincare line with active herbs and anti-ageing ingredients specially formulated by Dr Spiller Biocosmetic for men.
The hero ingredient is glycamon, a patented compound that not only reduces irritation and moisturises but also helps regenerate the skin.
The pack consists of a hair/body shampoo, deodorant and a superb calming after-shave balm. So if you’re still wondering what to get dad for Father’s Day, this would do the trick very nicely.