3 Things Brand Founders can do to Improve Brand Awareness and Boost Visibility

The Brand Whisperer’s Ultimate Guide to Boosting your Brand’s Exposure as its Founder

The role of a brand founder is not easy, as we’re sure you know. The personal story behind a brand, and the various reasons it came to be, are often the most memorable and engaging tools in its’ arsenal. However, in amongst the mounds of paperwork, and admin of running a business, it can be easy to forget those reasons, and share your story with others. Doing this can be amazing for your brands’ visibility and awareness, but can also help make connections, form partnerships to customers, as well as increasing sales, which ultimately is your biggest and most important goal as a founder. At The Brand Whisperer, we find ourselves guiding brand founders on this topic all the time; what to share, what not to share, and how to share it, so we thought we would put together a list of our top three tips on how to discuss your founding story and boost brand awareness to relevant and engaged audiences.

Tip 1: Refine your Brand Ethos, Values and Story

Every brand has a purpose and a reason for being, but sometimes it can be difficult to distill this onto paper, and into words that do your brand justice. If you don’t know your own story, then no one else is going to! We recommend, if you are at the very beginning of your business journey, that you keep a journal, something to reflect on in the months to come, with exactly what is motivating you to begin this venture. When defining your brands’ values, try to think of three keywords or phrases that define who YOU are, and what matters to you. For example, at The Brand Whisperer, we pride ourselves on “shining a light on sustainable businesses” and are “specialists in the field of Beauty and Lifestyle PR”. For businesses that are already firmly established, having a few key statements and a well written USP also help with this. You should be able to describe your business to anyone who enquires in a few short sentences, and if you can’t, then it may be that you need to fine-tune exactly what your purpose is. By having your story and values well defined, it helps you, and people coming into contact with your brand, to remember the story, which is highly important when looking to gain exposure.

Tip 2: Speak at Events

Speaking at events is something that we encourage our clients to do regularly, as it’s an extremely valuable opportunity to share your story and boost your brands’ visibility. It is difficult to find a more engaged audience than one that has paid to attend a specialised event, so this is a time to make an impactful impression and make lots of great contacts. Our superstar client WIZZ&CO, founded by Fashion and Beauty Retail Trend Expert Wizz Selvey, has been making the most of events post lockdown, and has found this to be invaluable for her reputation and WIZZ&CO’s brand awareness. In the past month alone, The Brand Whisperer has helped organise three speaking opportunities for Wizz, which have included Clean Beauty London and The White Label Expo.

“Speaking at events in the recent months has really improved my business’s visibility as it has turned followers and those who connect with me online into real-life contacts. It has allowed me to learn more about my audience, and their needs and has built longer-lasting connections that have resulted in more clients for WIZZ&CO.”

Tip 3: Attend Networking Events and Relevant Industry Talks

You don’t just have to speak at events, attending them is also really important. Local networking events, or specialised industry focused events can be fantastic for your brand, and great for gathering feedback. For example, if you are a sustainable skincare brand, attending retail trend talks, vegan beauty events, publication-run consumer beauty events, fashion weeks etc. is all relevant to your brand. Meeting other founders, journalists, influencers and likeminded people will help to boost your reputation and gain valuable insights into what is trending and getting people talking. We recommend taking business cards and product samples (if applicable) to these events, as you never know who you might meet!

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If you would like to discuss how to develop and define your brands values, improve your brands visibility as its founder, and learn more about how PR can help to boost brand awareness, then get in touch.

To learn more about our services, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page or get in touch via Siena@thebrandwhisperer.co.uk

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by our lovely Account Executive, Natasha Cassidy.

Top 5 Natural Ingredients for Great Skin and Hair This Winter

Natural Beauty Essentials for your suitcase, Hair, Body and Planet.

Some may welcome the colder months, but our hair and skin certainly don’t! With winter come the colder temperatures, harsh winds and low air humidity that can leave our hair and skin feeling dry, rough and damaged. While there’s nothing that can be changed to alter these seasonal shifts, nature has some miracle ingredients with nourishing and rejuvenating properties that work to combat the harsh effects of the winter months, and work to restore our youthful glow! Here’s a list of the Top 5 Natural Ingredients that do exactly that, and some of the brands we represent that use or help with these:

1.              Vitamin C, and the Amber ‘Karryable’ Bottle

Vitamin C is by far the most Googled skincare ingredient of 2021, and by now everyone knows it is a must-have product in their routine. The Karry was designed to make travelling with Hero Natural ingredients like this stylish and practical. Designed to filter out UV-rays, the Amber ‘Karryable’ bottle was made to protect active ingredients and essential oils, making it the ideal travel essential to decant your Vitamin C into.

The Karry Pouch (£49.99)

Website: www.thekarry.london

2.              Rosemary Oil

Rosemary Oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help keep hair follicles healthy as well as hydrating the scalp to control natural oil production. Object Beauty’s Rebalancing Shampoo Bar is formulated with Rosemary Leaf Oil to help rejuvenate your hair and rebalance oil levels.

Object Rebalancing Shampoo Bar (£14)

Website: https://objectbeauty.com/

3.              Argan Oil

Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, Argan Oil soothes, condition and hydrates hair that feels dry and dull from the colder weather. Protect your hair from these harsh winter effects with Object’s Nourishing Conditioner Bar, formulated with a rich oil blend of Argan, Macadamia and Moringa that work together to  detangle and moisturise.

Object Nourishing Conditioner Bar (£14)

Website: https://objectbeauty.com/

4.              Retinol

The skincare buzzword, Retinols are derived from Vitamin A and serve as a skilled skincare multi-tasker. From smoothing skin, to combating dullness, Retinols are sure to help with any of the effects your skin may be feeling after the Winter kicks in. Made to protect your skincare products, the Blue Bottle in The Karry Pouch works by filtering visible light but allowing gentle blue light through. This is perfect for nighttime ingredients, such as Retinol.

The Karry Pouch (£49.99)

Website: www.thekarry.london

5.              Marula Oil

Sourced from Africa, Marula is a real luxury for the skin, as well as being an easily absorbed, natural oil rich in Omegas 6 and 9, that works to hydrate and restore skin without leaving a greasy residue. Grüner's flagship product, the Evening Ritual Oil is a lightweight formula that uses Marula as a base to rehydrate and replenish the skin's natural oil barrier, which is often beaten down by harsh winter weather.

Grüner Evening Ritual Oil (15ml - $40)

Website: https://gruner.shop/

To learn more about our services, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page.

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by our lovely PR & Social Media Intern Libby Howard.

Nature has the answer… and the answer is Organic

With the worrying state of the climate, after a summer of record-breaking heat waves, floods and fires it is urgent that we start to prioritise protecting nature and the planet.

This month marks Organic September, a month-long campaign founded by The Soil Association to raise awareness of the benefits of Organic, and amplify the voices of Organic businesses and their incredible efforts to support nature, wildlife and protect the planet.

There are so many products available, and it’s sometimes hard to trust how ‘Organic’ or ‘Natural’ brands truly are, which is why we have created this guide to Organic Beauty, and the certifications to look out for.

By now we all know Organic is good, but why is it so important? 

With wildlife under threat due to habitat loss and pesticide use, Certified Organic beauty is key for a better future for wildlife and biodiversity. Organic farms are havens for wildlife, providing food and homes for many different species and working with natural systems to protect the land and minimise disruption to the natural environment. Certified Organic beauty is not only important for the planet, but also great for nourishing your body and giving it the fresh, organic ingredients we thrive on. Avoid harsh chemical ingredients and synthetics and replace them with the goodness and nutrients sourced from nature.

Certification low-down - How to find out if a product is truly organic:  

So, now you know to focus on purchasing Organic Beauty products, but how do you know how Organic it really is? This is exactly why The Soil Association joined with four international partners to create COSMOS: a worldwide standard for Beauty certification, providing complete clarity in the industry for consumers.

For a product to be granted with the COSMOS Organic Certification it undergoes rigorous checking, and at least 95% of all ingredients must be Organic. When shopping, look out for the SA Organic symbol, and purchase with confidence knowing the product really is Organic.

Organic and Natural Beauty all Year-Round:

Choosing Organic Beauty goes beyond September; it is the way forward to a better future for people, plants, the planet and wildlife, which is why BLOMMA Beauty created their Organic Beauty online store, with a carefully curated collection of Organic and Natural brands only! Independent brands and products are chosen based on their ingredients, efficacy, and environmental impact to bring customers the best in Organic and Natural beauty, with a sustainable and ethical ethos. 

Natural and Organic ingredients are the best way to give our hair (as well as our skin) the nutrition it truly needs. Built upon this ethos, Vicktesha Cunningham, founder of VTESSIA Cosmetics has created 4 powerful blends made up of 24 Organic cold-pressed oils to formulate their range of hair care solutions. 100% Natural and Cruelty-free, the Hair Growth Oil steers away from ‘the nasty stuff’, with no synthetic fragrances, silicones, parabens or sulphates.

Battling the packaging and plastic issues in the Beauty industry is a whole other story, but Object Beauty are a brand working hard to tackle both in one, by creating Organic, Natural and plastic free beauty essentials, which are kind to people and the planet. Object’s Natural Beauty Bars use ingredients such as Moringa and Jojoba Oil as well as Coconut Milk, to nourish the body with the power of nature.

So next time you’re looking to add a new product into your beauty routine, just remember that nature has your answer, and the answer is Organic.

To learn more about our services, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page.

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by our lovely PR & Social Media Intern Libby Howard.

The KKW Beauty Rebrand is making Headlines, but what is a rebrand?

What is rebranding and should you consider it for your company?

Image: Pexels

Rebranding is a word that gets thrown around in every sector, especially in fast-paced industries such as Beauty and Cosmetics. However, most of us don’t fully understand what a rebrand actually is, why they happen, and if they are beneficial. In recent weeks, the Beauty magnate Kim Kardashian has decided to rebrand her Cosmetics empire KKW Beauty, and this news alone has vastly boosted visibility for her brand. With almost every lifestyle publication in the world having an opinion on what to expect, is a rebrand always a great idea to boost brand awareness? Or would it be a waste of time for your brand? 

So what is ‘rebranding’?

Image: Pexels

Rebranding is, in short, the process of changing the corporate image of an organisation. The idea behind rebranding is to elevate an existing brand's status by creating a new identity, which can be a tricky process; think of it as a balancing act of maintaining your company values, while updating parts of your business that are either outdated, untrustworthy, visually unappealing or ineffective. 

Rebranding is not just a visual change, it also draws focus towards reputation and public image. A new symbol or name may show the world that you are ready for a new chapter, but if your reputation is not maintained, it may all be for nothing.

When and why should you rebrand?

Image: Pexels

Rebranding often occurs for one of two reasons: when a brand sees an opportunity to grow (proactive rebranding) or when a company can no longer operate and must be changed (reactive rebranding). If you are reading this article, then you are most likely thinking about proactively rebranding. Assuming you want to proactively rebrand, let's talk plainly and simply about when a proactive rebrand is suitable:

If your brand is outdated - Sometimes what worked for a brand 20 years ago is not enough to keep it relevant in a modern day market. For example, hanging packaging to be more sustainable or creating a new sleeker and modern logo can make all the difference in sales and engagement.

To meet the wants and demands of a new, or larger, customer group - Brands grow, and sometimes the image doesn’t suit it's new demographic any longer. This is normally the reason for a rebrand, as your audience will tell you if something doesn’t work (this is one of many reasons why brand owners should keep conversation flowing with customers).

If you want to focus on another element of your business -  Your brand may offer three different services, and you want to introduce a new service that you are more passionate about. In this case a rebrand that shifts the focus is needed to help grow your new service and put it at the forefront of your business. 

You, as the owner or CEO, feel unhappy with the brand - Often business owners become unhappy or find that their brand growth has ground to a halt. A rebrand is the perfect way to inject a new lease of life into your company, or change elements that you have grown tired/bored of. But be careful, don’t just rebrand because you ‘feel bored’, leave this for when you feel growth is slowing down and you need to breathe new life into your brand. 

So, is a KKW Beauty-style relaunch and rebrand right for you? Well, think about the key fundamentals before making any rash decisions that could have long-lasting effects on the integrity and reputation of your business. Our advice: get the timing right and implement a solid plan. Remember that a rebrand is just as much about reputation as it is a visual change, and this is where a PR firm makes a huge difference! Where possible, enjoy every moment of your rebrand, and get direct feedback from your customer base - as we are sure it's not something you will want to do often! 

For more advice on rebranding and PR together, please contact hello@thebrandwhisperer.co.uk 

Written by The Brand Whisperer’s Account Executive: Natasha Cassidy 🎉 

Plastic: It's Not Fantastic – Why We Need to Ditch Plastic From Our Beauty & Wellness Routines

This Plastic-Free July We’re Confronted with the Reality of Plastic Pollution.

Plastic-free July is a global awareness month.

Every day we are confronted with the reality of plastic pollution. Step outside and the high street will inevitably, be littered with discarded plastic bottles. Go on your weekly shop and you’ll undoubtedly find individually wrapped oranges, still in their skin. Scroll through social media and won’t be long until you see images of humanity’s damaging effect on the environment. Plastic is simply unavoidable and an issue we can no longer ignore.

Start small

When confronted with the reality of plastic pollution, there can be an overwhelming desire to find every plastic item in your home and launch them into the nearest recycling bin. Sadly though, this isn’t sustainable either. Without replacing these products with eco-friendly alternatives, we will inevitably set ourselves up for failure and easily fall back into old habits.

Instead, start with one small change. Choose a single area of your life to focus on where you’d like to reduce your plastic consumption. It could be as simple as switching from a regular toothbrush to a bamboo one. Small changes like this may seem insignificant but considering that over 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are consumed each year, it’s easy to see how our choices have a lasting impact.

Do your research

Change is never easy, especially when you are trying to go plastic-free. That’s why it’s essential to do your research beforehand.

Admittedly though, this is easier said than done. Beauty brands have been eager to capitalise on the sustainability trend, often marketing products as “eco-friendly” despite them containing plastic in their packaging or ingredients. This practise of greenwashing makes it nearly impossible for the average consumer to know whether their product is truly sustainable. Even more alarmingly, many of us have encountered this problem whilst shopping for supposedly plastic free goods.

Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we educate ourselves and become aware of greenwashing – especially as the beauty industry is still responsible for producing over 120 billion units of packaging annually. As a consumer, try to familiarise yourself with eco-friendly brands, materials and products whenever possible. If you are unsure whether a brand is sustainable or not, it’s good to consider a range of aspects including: the materials, the general quality and the packaging. A good rule of thumb is that the poorer the product quality is, the less sustainable it is.

Another thing to look out for is certification. Brands like Iceland and Teapigs have begun to include the plastic free certification mark, which will make it far easier for shoppers to find plastic free options. Whilst  it isn’t as well known as the Vegan sunflower or anti-cruelty Leaping Bunny logo, you can expect to see it more and more in the coming years. You can also look out for the B Corporation mark and Positive Luxury Butterfly mark, which are certifications awarded to a company based on their social and environmental impact.

If you are still unsure about a product, get in contact with the company who manufactures it. Nowadays, most businesses are more transparent about their sustainability, provide further information on their website or by request. This research may seem excessive but as a consumer you have every right to know more about the products you buy.

Recycling is unreliable

Whilst recycling should always be encouraged, it’s no secret that the system in the UK is a little broken. Recent controversies about how much plastic is actually being recycled and the amount of waste being exported poorer nations have made this clear. So if we can’t rely on recycling, how do we solve our plastic problem?

The easiest way to do this is by reducing our plastic consumption wherever possible. Ideally, you should seek out companies that use post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) or other sustainable forms of packaging, such as glass jars. Thankfully more and more brands, such as RMS Beauty and Milk Makeup, are choosing to do this and will often state what materials have been used on their packaging.

Alternatively, use “solid” beauty products like shampoo bars from object beauty, skincare or shower gels. These items usually with minimal paper packaging and are widely available, which makes them an even easier plastic free swap.

Fill your boots 

Another way to easily cut your plastic consumption is by using refillable make up or beauty products. Not only are they a great to reduce plastic waste, but you only pay for the products you love.

The concept is hardly new, with refillable lipsticks and compact once the norm in the 40s and 50s. Over the years however, these were replaced plastic packaging which was cheaper for manufactures and offered endless design possibilities. As a result, refills were all but phased out and the cost of new cases skyrocketed.

Nowadays, more and more companies are offering refillable products at a range of price points. Even, major beauty brands like Mac are getting involved, as they strive to become more sustainable. Their signature Pro Palette base starts costs under £5 with the average cost of £10 per pan depending on whether you buy eyeshadow, blusher or concealer. Good for the environment and your purse, what’s not to love?

Go Guilt Free

Too often we have an all or nothing mentality when it comes to sustainability. We push ourselves to make lasting changes, such as no longer using face wipes, only to feel defeated when we fail – sometimes through no fault of our own. Not only is this mindset harmful our self-esteem, but it’s harmful to the environment too as we struggling to reinstate the good habits we’ve built.  

Instead of feeling guilt, we need to recognise that we all have budget, lifestyle and time constraints which will impact our choices. We should all be commended for the small decision we make that positively impact the environment, even if it’s just choosing the product with less plastic packaging than other brands. Remember sustainability is about being perfection, it’s about making the best choices with the options available to us. Anne Marie Bonneau said it best “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

To learn more about our services, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page.

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by the brilliant Katherine Sidnell, for The Brand Whisperer.

How to PR Sustainable Brands, by The Brand Whisperer team

A Guide to Promoting Ethical Beauty Brands

Creating a PR strategy surrounding sustainability at a time where industries are becoming increasingly digitalised can be challenging, especially as certain buzz words such as “Organic” and “Eco-friendly” are flung around online like they are going out of fashion. As much as we love all brands that love the environment, we are going to teach you why brands can no longer call themselves ‘Sustainable’ without backing it up with concrete facts, awards and proof that they really do keep Sustainability at the heart of their brand. 

The first question you may be asking us is why should PR agencies care about Sustainability? Well, not only is it a moral and ethical decision, but Sustainability is one of the key pillars for most magazines and businesses. In fact, magazines such as Marie Claire, ELLE, Country & TownHouse and Conde Nast Traveller, along with many more, now have sections dedicated to this. It’s not just journalists we have to please, as a PR agency, it is also the consumers - especially if your PR agency also deals with marketing content and strategies. In a recent survey, 76% of UK adults agreed that they try to act and consume in a way that is not harmful to the environment [Mintel]. This is a huge percentage of potential customers for the brands that you manage, and is also an important statistic for us to keep in mind when having conversations with new clients.

Below we have broken down some useful things to consider when creating a successful PR strategy for sustainable brands, and raising your environmental status. 

Verify The Brand 

You may have a brand that is ‘Vegan’, ‘Cruelty-Free’ and ‘Zero-Waste’, but if it’s not officially certified by an industry body, then consumers may not trust these claims. By certifying a brand, you instantly build trust. 

Here are some of the bodies we recommend being verified by:

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries. The mark is used on products certified by Fairtrade standards and on promotional materials promoting the product(s). 

Leaping Bunny

The Leaping Bunny Certification is awarded when companies pledge to end animal testing at all stages of product development, in addition to recommitting to the program annually and being open to third party audits.

Vegan

The Vegan Trademark is used on labels worldwide as the authentic standard for products free from animal ingredients and animal testing. 

Positive Luxury/The Butterfly Mark

The Butterfly Mark is a third-party accreditation mark that identifies the luxury brands that meet the highest standards of verified innovation and environmental performance, offering transparency at points of sale and equipping consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions. 

Accredited by PETA

Companies listed as accredited by PETA have either signed PETA’s statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that they pledge not to do so in the future.

Packaging 

Having ethical/recyclable packaging is a great way to promote a brand, as journalists and consumers respond amazingly to advancements in this area; which can be seen in the surge of plastic-free packaging. A brand that is a great example of this is Object, a sustainable Shampoo and Body Bar company. Journalists and influencers love working with this brand as it was built on sustainability, and this is visibly reflected in their packaging. Object’s packaging is made from a blend of recycled cotton (removing waste and carbon from the fast fashion industry) and bamboo, to give the box that cardboard-like feel, and fits straight through your letterbox, making sustainable shopping from home even easier. This makes the brand stand out from the competition and shows that they have really thought about all elements of design.

Charity Collaborations

Of course, working with a charity should come from a place of sincerity, not just as a way to build relationships and status. Finding a charity that is of personal significance to the brand is also a great way to raise money and awareness for a particular cause. This could be achieved through events, product profit percentage donations, donations at the checkout or even through collaborations with the charity itself. A selfless way to give back to whichever community your brand identifies with. 

Collaborate With Influencers And Other Brands, Fully Committed to Sustainability 

B2B and influencer collaborations can be a large part of growing a brand's following but it can be viewed negatively if you get it wrong. For example, a fast fashion brand collaborating with a sustainable influencer does not make sense, nor will the influencers followers be interested (they may even protest the collaboration). Instead, view each brand's key points and goals for growth and use these to understand the types of opportunities that you should be looking for. After all, there is a thing as bad press … no matter what you might think. 

Teach/Show The Journalist Something New About Sustainability 

Statistics, new information, expert testimonials and the latest product drops are music to a journalists ears. They want to learn something new, because if it is new to them then the likelihood is that it will be new to lots of their readers. Use your brands as an opportunity to share something new, it will always be an essential part of your success. 

DO NOT GREENWASH 

*We repeat* DO NOT GREENWASH. Greenwashing occurs when a brand exaggerates or misleads the public and other businesses that their brand is more ethically viable than it actually is. This is the quickest way for sales and reputation to plummet. Instead, be honest! If a brand is not as ethical as they could be, that is okay. Encourage the brand to work on this and show their efforts as part of new campaigns and launches. Transparency is key. 

To learn more about our skincare recommendations, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page.

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by The Brand Whisperer’s fantastic PR intern: Natasha Cassidy 🎉

Skincare post-Allergic Reaction, in support of Allergy Awareness Week (20th-25th April 2021)

With stress listed as one of the top three reasons for triggering skin conditions and reactions, it is no surprise that the current ‘state of things’ is making our skin more fragile than ever.

A skincare reaction can be provoked or produced by: allergies, irritation, hormones, a combination of the wrong products (generally those pesky acids), the climate and much more, so it is no surprise that teenagers and adults struggle to combat the reactions we’re faced with.

Today, we want to talk specifically about allergic reactions – what they are, how to avoid them, and most importantly: how to fix them.

An allergy is defined by the NHS 🙏 as a reaction that the body has to a particular food or substance, with chemicals listed as one of the most common. Having an allergy can then lead to an allergic reaction, which is often irritating, painful and in some cases life-threatening.

However, skincare allergic reactions can often be mild and manifest as irritable or sensitive skin, which most #skingeeks or #beautyaddicts find very inconvenient. Here are our top tips for treating an allergic reaction once it has occurred (but please do remember, the team at The Brand Whisperer might be THE BEST but we are not doctors, so keep a close eye on your symptoms and speak to your GP if you need a medical opinion).

The Obvious: STOP Using Whatever Is Irritating Your Skin!

It may be the product of the century, your dream lipstick, or a product you have been waiting on for months. But if it’s making your skin react negatively - it has to go. Depending on the product, you could donate it to a friend or family member, or even a women’s shelter. At least this way someone gets to enjoy it – and the environment will thank you too!

Stay Hydrated: SO Simple Yet SO Important

The average adult in the UK only drinks 1.7Ls of water per day, which is well below the recommendation of 2.5L for men and 2.0L for women. Water is the key hydrating your whole body, as well as your skin - and just like any other organ, drinking lots of water will help to flush out any toxins. Products can also help with hydration, especially in the evening as the body goes into repair mode as we sleep. We recommend The Organic Night Repair Cream with Broccoli, Cucumber and Rosehip from Bumi Naturals. Its organic ingredients such as the Cucumber and Broccoli Seeds have powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients; perfect for calming the skin after an allergic reaction.

Wave Bye Bye To Wine: Say No to Alcohol 

Okay, so you can have a glass of wine in the evening (although, we hate to tell you that alcohol really does age your skin), but skincare products formulated with Alcohol really affect the skin too. Alcohols are often put in skincare products to help them penetrate the skin, as the molecules are small, however it dries out the skin too, and can cause breakouts. The easiest way to remove Alcohol from your skincare routine would be to read the ingredients list and check for the quality of the products listed. For top-quality ingredients, we would recommend Odylique, a skincare brand that is known for its natural formulations – our personal favourite is the Organic Creamy Coconut Cleanser.

Keep it Simple: A 12-Step Skincare Routine Won’t Save You Now

Your skin is in meltdown mode, so we wouldn’t recommend trying anything new, anything strong or multiple products at once. All your skin wants is to be clean and protected. We recommend you strip your routine right back. If your skin is very susceptible to the sun, then lather on the sunscreen (SPF 50 will be essential in saving your skin), then at night make sure you use a gentle milky cleanser to remove it.

Most Importantly: Let Your Skin Breathe - It’s Gone Through A Lot

Have more questions? Then we recommend speaking to BLOMMA Beauty. BLOMMA Beauty is a cruelty-free online skincare and self-care marketplace. The founder, Karen Mac Donald, wants to encourage people to shop slowly, so is offering virtual 1-2-1 skincare consultations to those unsure how to treat their skincare needs.

 To learn more about our skincare recommendations, or to get an insight into our clients, head over to our Instagram page.

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by The Brand Whisperer’s fantastic PR intern: Natasha Cassidy 🎉

World Water Day 2021

Waterless Beauty: one of the latest trends to storm the beauty industry, is helping us make small changes to save the planet.

So what is Waterless Beauty? You might have seen Garnier's latest Hair Care product on your TV screens, advertising a new range of Shampoo Bars? Admirably, other companies such as Lush have also gone ‘naked’ and plastic-less with some of their products, creating solid Shampoo that looks like a bar of soap, which requires no packaging whatsoever.

The idea of Waterless Beauty is ultimately to reduce the amount of water being used in the formulation or our Beauty products, as overwhelming excess-use of water is becoming an industry-wide problem. According to Vogue Online, many products are composed of 70 - 80% water, however this is both unnecessary and unsustainable. 

This is why Indie Beauty brands like Object are born, and have created innovative Hair and Body formulas that are natural, ethical and zero-waste. They prove that you don’t need water to create a luxury Beauty product - and you’re not sacrificing quality by opting for waterless, either! As well as addressing the water issue, the use of waterless Beauty products may also solve the issue of plastic waste, with brands like Object using a recycled cotton and bamboo blend to package their Shampoo Bars, showing another way we can shop more sustainably. 

Ok, so you’re helping the environment when buying Waterless Beauty, but your skin may thank you, too! According to Fashionista Magazine, Waterless Skincare is more concentrated, and in most cases, more powerful. Leaving water out of the INCI list also means a product doesn’t have to use harsh chemical preservatives, so you’re not exposing your skin to as many chemicals additives. Water is, of course, often associated with hydration, but it can actually do the opposite when applied to your skin; as it can promote the growth of bacteria which can cause the skin to become more dry. 

So the next time you're going out to buy your go-to beauty product, ask yourself could I opt for something more sustainable, without water? 

We believe in shining a light on achievements. There’s one right here! Written by The Brand Whisperer’s Social Media intern: Kate Thomas 🎉

5 Tips to Help Your Brands Personality Shine

In times of uncertainty it can be difficult to remain positive, but it is important to remain true to who you are and keep the authenticity of your brand constant. Fear not! The Brand Whisperer team is here to help, with our top tips for listening and posting on social media, to help your brand’s personality shine through 2021…

1. Connecting with your Audience

Working from home is hard enough, but when you start to lose inspiration and zest it can become difficult to create and share something new and exciting with your consumers. 

This can take you down an inspirational and colourless rabbit hole. Don't be afraid to speak to your audience and express your feelings, because this encourages a sense of trust and transparency that will allow you to better connect with your brand. And you never know.. They might give you some ideas!

2. Stay Positive

It’s easy to start doing what everyone else is doing, but does this really reflect what your brand is all about? When you feel you’re losing your personal touch and sense of individuality, your authenticity may become a little blurry too, leading you to feel like any other brand. 

Share what is making you happy, what you love, feel, think and represent. The admiration and gratitude from your audience for doing something you enjoy is much better than something forced or fake. 

3. Look Back to the Start

As Julie Andrews famously sang, the beginning is ‘a very good place to start’... Ask yourself what does your brand stand for, what makes you unique, and what's the voice of your brand? When you answer these questions, you’ll be brought back to your initial passion for your products or services, and will regain your sense of intent. This has helped us create new thoughts and generate conversation with our followers - and we hope it will prove that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

4. Set Clear Boundaries

Sometimes you may feel the pressure to meet the set times other people have put in place, but if it doesn’t fit your schedule, it doesn’t fit your schedule! Don’t feel inclined to squeeze in whatever it might be, just to please the other person. Communication is key to keeping things running smoothly, so set your boundaries and stick with them.

5. Check your Analytics

It’s important to keep sharing what you feel, and things you think your audience will identify with, but how do you know what this is? The answer lies in your own social media, but it does mean checking your analytics. You’ll be able to see the top posts for the week, month or year, and how your following has reacted - have they commented, liked, or clicked through to your website to read or learn more? It’s time to align your goals, and create something genuine, from those learnings your audience have given you!

Spend Wisely (and slowly) this Christmas

For many, buying gifts for friends and loved ones can be a stressful time. Christmas is just around the corner and this year, despite the uncertainty and worry we’ve faced this festive season, is a year when we can really make a difference by shopping consciously, locally, and supporting small or independent businesses with our purchasing.

Black Pound Day is an all-year-idea, and an easy chance to make a small change in your shopping habits to support the growth of Black-owned businesses in the UK. It doesn’t take long to research an alternative for something you need online, or on social media, so we challenge our followers in December to substitute 3 of their regular purchases with products from Black-owned businesses on Black Pound Day - the first Saturday of each month. An upcoming online platform everyone in Beauty should check out is Black-owned businesses: Candour Beauty. Founded by Jacqueline Kusamotu, an agile, tech-driven entrepreneur, online beauty platform Candour Beauty is the UK’s first multi-brand Beauty and Personal Care retailer for Black women and women of colour. Co-founder Jacqueline is also the creator of The Black British Census; a survey designed to uncover insights and aspirations of Black consumers in the UK, to better serve these underrepresented customers. So, in summary, by supporting her mission with Candour Beauty, shoppers can also support the voices of Black consumers to larger brands and organisations, and get their concerns and opinions heard.

Another great way of supporting British brands is finding small brands you love, and sharing them. One of our favourites platforms who curates an offering of independent (and organic) brands is BLOMMA Beauty. Founded by Karen MacDonald, ex-buyer for Fenwick, World Duty Free and QVC, BLOMMA Beauty was created as a platform for shoppers to explore organic, all-natural beauty and wellbeing options by independent brands, with a sustainable and ethical ethos. As well as shopping on the BLOMMA Beauty website, customers are also invited to join experiences, pop-ups (when possible!), live-streams and online consultations, to ensure they find the right products for their skin, or for their friends or family. These, alongside their curated offering, set BLOMMA Beauty apart from the crowd.

We know It can get a little bit tricky when it comes to shopping for guys. But not to worry, SCRUBD, most-loved British men's brand, will help you get your hands on the best male all-natural skincare gifts. Naturally effective and made in England, SCRUBD was founded in 2017 by Mark Helvadjian, out of his passion to craft effective, all-natural products specifically designed for men’s skin. This Christmas, to guarantee you have the right gift for your partner, shop SCRUBD.

No matter the year, winter and the start of each year is always the season for bugs, colds and the like to be spread around. We, like many others, are pre-empting this by reinforcing our defences and strengthening our own immune systems with natural and vegan-friendly supplements from Youth & Earth. This British independent science-lead company was started in 2019 by expert bio-hacker Ed van Harmelen, and has gone from strength to strength. Their variety of targeted Delayed Release Capsules, Powders and Liposomal Liquids are now stocked in Planet Organic and John Bell & Croyden; a testament to the efficacy and strength of their ingredients. For immunity and detox qualities we recommend their Preservage capsules, as its abilities to delay the ageing of cells, ultimately giving more energy for recovery and boost Sirtuin activity. For children we recommend their Liposomal Vitamin C liquid, as this has a delicious orange flavour, and the Vitamin C molecules are delivered exactly where the body needs them, because of their new Liposomal delivery method.

Photographer: Matt Munro

And we know as well as you how many sets of fingers are crossed that travel barriers will be lifted in 2021.. In fact, we’re already packing our suitcases with HEINRICH BARTH, a luxury, organic range of bodycare designed to soothe your skin, and the planet (all ingredients are organic, and biodegradable, even the packaging is made from PCRP and is 100% recyclable). HEINRICH BARTH’s ingredients are sourced from local flora from specific locations worldwide (e.g. Mykonos and Dakar) to recreate the feel of a destination to linger on as a souvenir. Produced in Italy, and designed to make you feel comfortable in the surroundings you are in, anything from the HEINRICH BARTH ranges is the perfect lux gift to give a moment of calm and self-care to those you love.

@britbeautyblog image

Beauty Industry Thoughts During the [first] UK COVID-19 Lockdown

What are the best ways for hair and beauty professionals to keep in touch with their customers during this period of [the first UK] lockdown? And what sort of things should they be saying to their customers?

Time on screens, according to NordVPN Teams, has risen by 3 hours [on average] per day since the UK entered 'lockdown' 3 weeks ago - meaning your customer is spending more time on the internet than ever before. Social Media has always been a welcome escape from work time, so any communications through those channels should be just that - escapism! Provide your customer with beautiful imagery over Instagram and Pinterest, alongside any important facts about your business, but it's important to offer them something else in return; a break.

Blogs and emails are the place to inform your customer, as they search for information about your staff, re-opening (as and when that becomes more clear), home-visits you may be making, and general messages of reassurance.

What about marketing? What should the main messages be? Should salons, brands and practitioners be trying to sell or thinking more about building relationships and supporting customers?

At this time a true break has been put on consumer spending - your customers have time to consider all their outgoings, and will reconsider their values around spending, in every sense. According to research conducted by WGSN concerns about financial wellbeing will change the 'value equation' for many consumers' discretionary spending - they'll certainly be concerned about price, but will also be seeking products that reflect their personal values, and create a sense of stability and routine.

With all this in mind; during lockdown the main things salons should communicate to their customers are: a) that all is calm and well, and that they are there for them if they need support (this is likely not something they'll have to step up to, but customers need a connection with their salon now more than ever. b) that the salon will be reopening - and the date of that opening, as soon as it becomes clear, and c) that their standards for safety, wellbeing and stability are as high as ever - maintaining that sense of pure trust that the customer has in their local salon, or salon of choice. 

Trying to 'sell sell sell' in this situation may be met with messages of unrest or discomfort from your customer, as most employees, needless to say, have been placed on furlough, or simply laid off. This is certainly a time to build trust - not to force messaging about deals or exploit the crisis with light-hearted connections to your brand. As the saying goes: 'It takes years to build up trust in any relationship, and only seconds to destroy it, but forever to repair it.' Dhar Mann

What promotions could hair and beauty professionals put together during this time of lockdown ready for when they reopen?

· As we’ve seen on Thursday evenings at 8pm [since 26th March 2020] the nation's appreciation for the NHS has grown to stellar heights - and rightly so! One promotion that would resonate with most customers at this time could be to offer an NHS discount for doctors, nurses or anyone involved in the 'front line battle' against COVID-19. 

· With a nod to the WGSN research about stability, safety and wellbeing concerns, it might be wise to construct some sort of wellbeing package - something like a structured regimen of weekly facials, massages, hair, nails etc. to show your customer that you're caring for re-establishing their routines, and their mental wellbeing by creating a parcel to allow them to feel great, and take the pressure off totally.

· Alternatively, as purse strings inevitably tighten, perhaps gifting will grow as the focus for Q3 + 4 of 2020. It might be profitable, and thoughtful (always keep this is mind!) to create a gifting system, gift cards or vouchers etc., for customers to buy for their friends, family or colleagues, to show that they have each other's wellbeing at the heart of their thoughts too.

Any other advice for salons/ spas/ barbershops and freelancers around marketing/ PR during this time?

The greatest thing to remember here is to keep your customer at the heart of your communications. Any and all posts, blogs, emails, press releases etc. should be centred around your service, what your customer is feeling and what they'll be looking for from you as a Salon, and as a brand. 
Some manufacturers and beauty brands are switching production capabilities to produce hand sanitiser, to contribute and 'do their bit' to fight this pandemic - and that's brilliant. Some brands may not have that capacity, or provide services that aren't relevant to the 'front line' (as it were). These are the brands that should simply focus on making their customers feel safe, providing support where they can, and being there when the 'lockdown' is lifted. Simple, uncomplicated communications are what will get brands through this difficult time, and work to reinforce the trust shared by their customers, so that they will return in good time.

PR & Beauty Equality and Representation

Talking to brands and their investors this week has brought the divide in understanding and perception of the wider ‘Beauty’ industry to our attention. As a point of interest we started researching our own audience, to know more directly what elements of ‘Beauty’ or ‘Grooming’ men and women are interested in, and keen to learn more about.

We discovered some interesting statistics..

We found that the audience of The Brand Whisperer Instagram, Facebook and Website is a 60/40 split between women and men. The women currently following and liking our activity are a range of ages, but 41% are aged 25-34, and 24% are 35-44 years old. The men are more closely grouped, with the largest group of interested followers being 35% aged 18-24, and then 34% being 25-34 years old.

The cliché of PR (and beauty, for that matter…) being a female lead profession made us look further, wondering what the inside of the average PR and Social Media agency, or beauty salon or spa looks like… and we were surprised by statistics provided by CareerSmart (below).

It seems that men are more plugged in to Public Relations than we think – still taking an active part in driving the industry from many angles and levels. And that The Brand Whisperer’s following is very representative of the industry, and interested parties. After all – to represent a client or brand you must understand its journey to the consumer, and represent both sexes in doing so.

However, when it comes to Beauty, more male representation on a ‘ground level’ may be publicly called for in the coming years. This will be interesting to see…

How to Market: PR and Social Media

Old-school ‘marketing’ involves paying through the nose for [mostly] unimaginative campaigns that plaster the nation’s billboards, and get minimum chatter for your buck. Correct? We think so. 

Years of research, marketing psychology and higher levels of consumer perception have all contributed to ‘the rule of 7’.

The Rule of 7

All this research has taught companies that consumers need to ‘hear’ a company’s message 7 times before taking action. Apparently this ‘rule to live by’ was coined in the 30s in Hollywood when studio bosses realised quite how much advertising was needed for a movie to become a hit.

Today, with attention spans being shorter than ever, and really having to earn someone’s time, companies’ odds of reaching that ultimate ‘7 time’s a charm’ mark are slim. Hence why Social Media and PR are really where time and attention needs to be spent, as these are the easiest ways [many would say] into a consumer [or group of consumers]’s brain. 

Social Media allows businesses to engage a consumer whenever and wherever they like: on the tube, on their walk to work, between meetings, or (and we know you’re guilty of this too!) even in the bathroom. This content becomes meaningful when you connect on a personal level with a consumer, and offer them something they want, something they didn’t already know, or something they think is beautiful. If you can tell the consumer a story about your business, why it’s different, and something personal about yourself, your employees or the journey you’ve been on to get where you are, you’re on the first stepping stone to making those meaningful connections, and sticking in their mind.

Another of the key elements of Social Media, that many companies overlook, is the ability for consumers to tell others about the positive experiences they’ve had with a/your brand. If these are genuine and positive reviews, you’ll start to see that they become contagious, and your army of advocates will start to grow.

If you’re interested in The Brand Whisperer’s Social Media or PR offerings, and the difference they could make to your brand’s interaction with your target market, please do send us an email or follow us on Instagram. 

siena@thebrandwhisperer.co.uk

Key Skincare Ingredients For All (and what they mean)

Cholesterol 

There are two different types of Cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoproteins: bad) and HDL (high-density lipoproteins: good). Every cell in the human body contains cholesterol, and it plays an important role in our digestive system, hormone production and Vitamin D production. Because of its fatty and waxy composition it’s great for protecting the skin from outside influences.

Adding Cholesterol to your beauty / skincare regimen will help strengthen the skin, as well as posting protective properties. As you reach your 30’s (and onwards) your natural Cholesterol production starts to decrease. Therefore adding more through Cholesterol-rich product is key for keeping that youthful glow!

Squalane Oil 

There are two different types of Oils: Saturated and Unsaturated.

Squalane Oil is created when Squalene Oil (with an ‘e’) underges the hydrogenation process; turning the Squalene from an Unsaturated Oil into a Saturated one. Squalane is also naturally occurring in our bodies, and is brilliant for the skin, because of its stable nature and long shelf life.

It will:

·      Moisturise

·      Prevent irritation

·      Control Oil production

·      Act as an eye and lip treatment

·      Prevent pore clogging

·      Sooth

·      Fight bacteria

·      Protect skin from free radicals

Retinyl Plamitate

This anti-ager is made when Palmitic Acid combines with Retinol. It’s also naturally occurring, so just another one on the list of things your body actually needs, but may not be making enough of for its self. It has strong anti-ageing and antioxidant protection properties.

In the short term this ingredient can combat dry, flaky skin, and neutralise free radicals. 

NOTE: As this is rich in Vitamin A, using it will make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays, so be careful and wear your SPF each day when your skin comes into contact with this.

Hyaluronic Acid

The ultimate skincare hero: HA. It works to keep every aspect of the skin stable, and is a humectant, and draws moisture from its surroundings, to feed to the skin cells. In fact, one gram of Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to six litres of water. Madness!

HA ultimately can enhance moisture in skin cells, revitalise skin’s outer layers, make skin look and feel softer and smoother, and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

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All of these are naturally occurring in skin (they are glycosaminoglycan) to support its matrix, but their production can be depleted or reduced due to stress, over exposure to sun, environmental stressors or ageing. Therefore it can only be beneficial to keep and check on all these levels, and feed your skin when it’s in need of each one.

Why linktree Is No Good For Your Website – And What To Do About It

We’ve seen the linktree pages in their hoards on Instagram and Blogs, and often found the odd useful element – but are they actually good for a website? Here are The Brand Whisperer’s reasons why not:

·      Security

If you’re running your own website, it’s obviously important to keep security as a high priority. Running pages through other websites, be they established, or smaller, is always a risk.

·      Branding

Why spend time making a website or a blog look great, and then transfer it onto another platform? Your first impression of a brand may be social media, a website, or a well placed ad, but do you really want potential customer’s first impressions of your brand identity to be through linktree? It’s clunky, old fashioned format may well drive them away

·      SEO

Using linktree removes your own URL from the equation, thus affecting your SEO. In other words.. each time someone clicks that link it’s boosting linktree’s SEO and viewing figures, not your own. When a blog has a large audience incoming through their social channels this has the potential to really do damage, or cause confusion.

·      Visibility

If this hasn’t occurred to you already then please check your outgoing mail etc. as linktree links are often banned, or removed from emails or platforms when posted. This is obviously a huge obstacle to overcome – but simply not using linktree, and creating your own hidden page solves that without any issue!

So what now?

Creating a ‘hidden’ page within your website, with images, news and information that you’d normally input into a linktree page, is by far the best option (and it’s free!) - have a look at ours here [also available via our Instagram bio link]. This uses your own URL, supporting your SEO, carries your own branding and can be tracked from the back end of your website, so can be a great way of providing new business leads.

Why waste time – get on it now, and tag us in your new and improved pages @the.brand.whisperer #thebrandwhisperer