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Is beauty really skin deep?
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Beauty experts Colleen Kirk and Ron Sharpe tell us why the Indian skin needs to be treated differently
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PHOTO: K. GAJENDRAN
SKIN SOLUTIONS Biologist Ron Sharpe and Colleen Kirk explain a point
There will be thousands of people who will tell you that beauty is skin deep. Though we don't want to deny this fact, it is also true that all us would like to look good and would take all efforts in that direction. "And why not?" feels beauty expert Colleen Kirk, who's a brand ambassador for Amway.
Look and feel better
"The beauty industry has advanced so much in recent times. We have the advantage of new developments that our mothers and grandmothers were deprived of. If we can use these developments to look and feel better then we should." She is a marketing and public relations consultant and has worked in films and television with famous names like Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams and Cher.
Colleen was in town to promote Amway's new Artistry product along with biologist Ron Sharpe, who's a research associate (principle scientist), health and beauty new technology R&D with the company.
Till a couple of years back, there wasn't much realisation of the fact that the Asian skin is very different from the Caucasian skin and hence products need to be made differently for Indian markets.
Agrees Ron, who has been doing a study on Asian skin for over a decade: "When I started my research, I was surprised to see that no study had been made in that direction. But now people have started understanding the difference. The results of these studies are used while making our products."
Different skins
According to him, the Asian skin is far more sensitive, oily and prone to acne. "But the Caucasian skin gets more wrinkles," he adds.
But aren't too many chemicals harmful of the skin? "As a biologist, I see everything around me as chemicals, including the human body. These chemicals are also generated from the nature. Depends on what you define as natural," explains Ron.
He feels that people use so-called natural and organic products because they psychologically believe it's safe. "Believe me, it's impossible to make a beauty product without using any chemicals. "
When it comes to the beauty industry, advertisements call the shots. No attempt is spared to lure customers.
Where does this leave the direct marketing companies that don't advertise aggressively? "Direct marketing allows you to build personal relations and customer loyalty since it's like buying products from your friends. You can get back to them if something goes wrong. This also means it's important to maintain quality," explains Ron.
Choices
When there are too many products claiming to solve various problems, where do consumers draw the line? Says Colleen, "It all depends on how much you trust a brand. A sales girl at a store will definitely try and sell the maximum number of products to a customer. She really doesn't care whether it works or not and whether it's good for you because she might never see you again."
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
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