Innovation Irritation

I make a point to keep up on the latest trends and technology. From innovative equipment to products and techniques only the best will do. This often means I have to hunt down some obscure and often strange products based on an article I read, a murmuring I’ve heard, or a recommendation. But working skin care in America can often be a drag. The European market is usually years ahead of us, and quite often, very snobby to us yanks.

Over the last few months I have been researching two products that came onto my radar. The first is a possible replacement from my very popular tubular mascara, Blinc. Now I LOVE Blinc, but when I heard that there was another company making something very much like it, but with the possibility of an even better thickening agent I was interested to learn more. The other item is a machine that has gotten a lot of press called the Perfector. This machine is state of the art, based on Noble Prize winning science, and has 7 functions such as galvanic and microcurrent. Sound amazing huh? Well from the research I have been able to glean it just might be the best machine on the market today.

Now just because an item is “hot” doesn’t mean it’s the best. Often the hottest items are the ones that had the most packaging and marketing money thrown at them. Just look at a makeup counter to prove my point. You think all those pretty bottles have good stuff in them because they have an expensive price tag and a name you recognize? I don’t like to talk trash about other products, especially ones you might have forked a lot of cash out for, but I will say that if those companies spent more money on the stuff that goes in the bottles and less money on designing and advertising the bottles, that maybe that crap would be worth the money.

You may not be able to trust branding or pretty packaging, but you can trust me. I make a point of thoroughly researching any item I carry. I read the literature and science studies. I make phone calls and ask questions. I test the product on myself, and then I ask a family members and trusted clients to try it too. Once I have a complete understanding of what the product does and how well it does it, then and only then do I consider using or selling it. And as many of you know, although I can appreciate good packaging, I don’t really care how pretty the bottle is. It’s what’s inside that counts!

After spending about 3 hours hunting for the proper people to contact for these two new products I finally found email addresses and sent out inquiry letters to both companies. Then I waited. And I waited. AND I WAITED. After about two weeks I sent out two more emails, but no responses made their way to my in-box. Pretty pissed off I emailed two more emails, and I must admit they were both a little less friendly and a lot more “WTF is wrong with you.” I am not proud of this fact, but it did get me a response from my possible Blinc replacement.

Cybil,
Thank you for your inquiries and we appreciate you approaching us. However, we are not currently looking for US distributors. I would also love to send you a sample but unfortunately we are currently out of stock.
Stay Beautiful!

WTF! Feeling like a grade school kid in the wrong clique I mailed them an ultra polite reply, and tried VERY hard to keep the sarcasm at bay:

Thank you for finally returning my email inquiries. I would appreciate being notified when you get samples in. Even though I am based in the US you never know when you might decide to distribute in my country – it is the land of plenty.
Take Care!

Who would have thought that getting information would be so difficult? Well this isn’t the first time I have run into problems, and I don’t imagine it will be the last. But I have never let a few innovation irritations get in my way. I carry every product I want to. When there’s a will there’s a way.

I am still waiting for a reply from the Perfector people. If nothing else, I have tracked down a local spa that is using one and have made an appointment to speak with the Spa Director. I also feel pretty confident that while I’m in the UK that I can track down this mascara. Keep your fingers crossed!