Fancy Face founder Brittany Grey took an uncommon profession path to turn into a magnificence entrepreneur. “As a young person and in my early 20s I labored as an actress in Hollywood films like Chicago with Catherine Zeta-Jones,” Grey stated. “I noticed the transformative energy of make-up and realized I had a pure knack for doing make-up for myself and others, so I frolicked getting formally skilled and licensed as knowledgeable make-up artist.”
Grey began up Fancy Face in 2006 as a luxurious hair and make-up service, protecting the whole lot from bridal and red-carpet occasions to editorial shoots and tv. Since then it had turn into one among Toronto’s most prestigious magnificence workforce, made up of 30 seasoned consultants.
Strategic adaptation throughout COVID
This success was adopted by the launch of a signature magnificence line in Might 2020, a make-up and skincare vary made with high-quality, pure, and cruelty-free elements, in addition to the opening of a boutique and wonder salon in Toronto, the Rosé Room.
“By introducing a product line to our service enterprise, our firm had strategically tailored through the Covid-19 pandemic and allowed us to develop our enterprise two-fold regardless of an financial downturn,” stated Grey. “As well as, we expanded to promote our signature line of cosmetics and skincare by means of our e-commerce web site—an vital enterprise and an enormous step in the correct path.”
No want to launch seven totally different eye lotions
So how did Fancy Face differ from its opponents? “Relating to our service choices, we try to be consultants in what we do. For instance, we type hair however don’t minimize it,” stated Grey.
Fancy Face founder Brittany Grey
“For our cosmetics and skincare product vary, we solely have standout merchandise in every class. I’ve no want to launch seven totally different eye lotions. I take the time to formulate and ensure our elements are impactful. I will wait anyplace from a 12 months to a year-and-a-half earlier than I launch one thing to make sure it is the perfect in the marketplace and that it really works. I give attention to what’s efficacious, so I’d say being solution-oriented makes us distinctive.”
And when it got here to NPD, the shopper was all the time on the entrance of Grey’s thoughts as a busy mother who not often had time for herself. “I would like them to really feel luxurious,” she stated. “If that is the one second within the day that they pamper themselves, I would like it to be impactful.”
We do not overcomplicate issues
The model additionally aimed to mix buyer training with its retail items. “We’re not merely making an attempt to upsell. We clarify why it is a good product, that is the best way to use it, and that is how one can feel and appear your finest. We do not overcomplicate issues.”
One matter that Grey felt had turn into too complicated was the clear magnificence motion. “Clear magnificence has turn into a greenwashing of the wonder business,” she stated. “Whereas some corporations select to go down the clear magnificence path as a result of it aligns with their values and beliefs, different companies are solely making the most of this motion with deceptive advertising and marketing—throwing round phrases like ‘all-natural’, ‘eco-friendly’, and ‘inexperienced’.”
Sustainable packaging is vital for our prospects
One other business development Grey spoke passionately about wa sustainability and this had been a spotlight for all Fancy Face product packaging.
Its recyclable delivery containers have been produced from 100%-recycled supplies and produced by a carbon-neutral and environmentally acutely aware firm, printed with soy-based inks, sealed with vegetable-based glue, and made regionally in Ontario. The bubble mailers have been made with +80% recycled plastics and free from dangerous chemical compounds. The model solely used tissue paper printed with soy ink that got here from forests that have been ethically managed, harvested, and licensed by the FSC. And at last, the packing peanuts have been biodegradable and decomposed in water. Packing peanuts usually took 500 years to interrupt down, however these have been made from static-free natural starch and could possibly be dissolved in water.
Saving priceless time for the up to date girl
Fancy Face lately hosted a vacation pop-up to present prospects an immersive retail expertise and this opened up Grey’s eyes to see the various potentialities inside the retail house. “Trying forward, my focus is totally on increasing our attain,” she says. “We’ve a sizeable following in Ontario, however I’m continually searching for methods to get new eyes on the model. I might ideally prefer to open three to 4 extra Fancy Face retailer places unfold throughout the Better Toronto Space and I am additionally starting to think about how we need to be positioned geographically for our brick-and-mortar areas.”
Grey considered partnerships as one other potential development alternative and she or he was regularly looking out for retail companions who might supply complimentary merchandise to Fancy Face’s providing.
“My view is that if somebody enters Fancy Face and purchases our skincare and make-up however nonetheless wants a present, my purpose is to present them the entire buying expertise with the assistance of our retail companions,” she stated. “For instance, our prospects might embody a claw clip and a few scrunchies, bathtub salts, or a candle with a very cute match set at Fancy Face and needn’t look elsewhere. My future focus on this space is all about: ‘How can I save priceless time for the up to date girl?’ We need to make Fancy Face a one-stop for the whole lot our prospects would possibly want.”
