Beauty Store Business

AUG 2016

Beauty Store Business provides solutions for better retailing! New products, industry news, savvy business moves and important trends affecting both brick-and-mortar and online retailers are included in each issue.

Issue link: http://beautystorebusiness.epubxp.com/i/701052

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 51 of 139

50 August 2016 | beautystorebusiness.com It took extensive research and test- ing to develop formulas he is proud of, and the results can be seen in COOLA's high-quality products. "Being that the vast majority of our products are OTC, there is a longer process for testing and development," he says. "We ensure that all COOLA products exceed the stan- dards of SPF and water resistance (where applicable), while still being sensitive, lightweight and delicate on the skin. The best SPF is the one you want to wear, and COOLA prides itself on being just that!" PUTTING MOTHER NATURE (AND YOU) FIRST The company today has long-since evolved since its inception, when Birchby dreamed of making products for fel- low surfers. After COOLA's first year in production, the company boasted eight high-performance items. Today, they have roughly 40 different SKUs. "Initially, I had plans to make a small assortment, catering to a niche 'surfer' demographic," he says. "But after work- ing with those who became the best focus group—spas, estheticians and doctors—the line began to grow and accommodate different skin type, tones and applications. Not all sunscreens are equal. So you need to have options for different body parts, variety of uses/ environments (such as sport) and differ- ent skin types and preferences." Despite a growing number of prod- ucts and brands under his belt, creating eco-friendly and affordable options has always been of the upmost importance. "Eco and organic products have always been important to me and COOLA Sun- care," Birchby says. "We consciously chose to develop our line using as many ingredients as possible that are natural, organic, sustainable and locally sourced, much like the foods we prefer to eat. Green, yet still luxurious, each of our high-performance products protects and nourishes the skin with vitamins and age-defying antioxidants, while remain- ing free of parabens, PABA (para amino benzoic acid), petroleum and phthalates." Though many skincare brands have joined the organic movement, many sun- screen manufacturers still fail to use all-natural ingredients, which results in products that are chock-full of chemi- cals. Birchby hopes other companies will learn about his story and follow suit in order to help the planet. "Leading by example and choosing to source as many ingredients as possible from organic and sustainable farming [supports] the reduction of pesticides and toxins, which run off and pollute our waterways. We are working as much as possible to reduce our plastic, as well as working with more sustainable and environmentally friendly components in all our offerings," he says. THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUNSCREEN "From a high-level, the most important thing to me was making healthy sun care available to everyone—no matter the size of their wallet. COOLA offers the best sun care with amazing formulas and ingredients at a luxury/prestige level. At the same time, I wanted to make a healthy sunscreen available at a mid-tier and mass level—not using the same branding or formulas, but still [using] the best ingredients available at each price point," he says. THREE TIMES THE CHARM Chris Birchby is the founder of three luxury sunscreen brands: COOLA Suncare, Bare Republic and Hang Ten Sunscreen. Here's an overvie of the lines to help you determin ich products are the best fit for your customers. 1 COOLA Suncare: If your customer is a fan of organic skin care, COOLA is for you, since its formulas contain 70% certified-organic ingredients. "Similar to the farm-to-table food movement, we believe in sourcing our ingredients and vendors locally to promote communities and jobs, as well as cut down on the costs of long-distance shipping," Birchby says. "COOLA features the most luxurious and healthy SPF in both classic (traditional chemical active) and mineral (physical active) formulas. The line covers everything from body to face and lip SPF, with protection for babies and even pets!" 2 Bare Republic: Easy to find (currently available exclusively at Target), Bare Republic is "one of the first affordable mineral sunscreen lines," he says. "The line features natural, mineral-based and water- resistant formulas with non-synthetic fragrances, and offers broad- spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Designed in California and reef-friendly, Bare Republic is 100% free of any chemical actives, parabens or retinyl palmitate." From sprays and lotions for face and body to products for kids, there's something here for everyone. 3 Hang Ten Sunscreen: "Hang Ten Sunscreen is formulated with the most advanced, natural and high-performance ingredients available at mass market," he says of the company, which features chemical-free mineral lotions, classic lotions and classic sprays. Prices range from $11.99 to $12.99, with all its formulas containing "approximately 10 organic ingredients and a signature beach-themed, all-natural, non-synthetic scent, while remaining free from oxybenzone, parabens and retinyl palmitate." Non-greasy Hang Ten Sunscreens, ranging from SPF 15 to SPF 50, provide 80 minutes of water resistance—the maximum FDA-allowed claim. Chris Birchby Images courtesy of COOLA Suncare 3 2 1 "You need to have options for different body parts, variety of uses/environments and different skin types and preferences."

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beauty Store Business - AUG 2016