It’s interesting how we can read the same article and have differing perspectives! I read it as a light community discussion of bits that worked and didn’t - I felt the writer made it very clear that these were just opinions reflected back? Especially in the beauty industry (where I too have worked) you begin to realise that all product is really marketing and we don’t need any of it. I too love Westman Atelier and spend far too much of my beauty budget on it - but I absolutely broke out at the Vital Skin product and resented being presented with two shades to have to wear and blend for the perfect base. I use three of her products daily but Vital Skin literally gave me acne (because of the coconut oil I suspect!)
I think it’s also interesting that you focus on these two brands alone given that Violette clearly comes from wealth and a Creative Director role prior (I will guess she has angel investment?) while Gucci Westman and her husband have big pockets and lots of investments. They are rumoured to be bought out this year too. Neither are ‘indie’ beauty brands with tight marketing spend in my eyes. I’m all for championing smaller brands, especially sustainable ones but they seem so far and few between in beauty sadly.
I love reading about your perspective on this topic - more of this please! xC
Thank you for sharing your perspective as well Camilla! What felt unfair to me in that article was the title and use of terms like rip off and gimmicky.
And the reason I focus on those brands was because I have products from both (and don't have any first hand experience with the other brands mentioned ) and there are things that worked for me and things that didn't work for me from both brands. (WA Skin Drops absolute miss for me, same with some of the VFR lipstick shades.)
I am sure both those brands have money (either their own or investors or both!) and while I agree these aren't 'indie' brands, they are smaller in scale and revenue (again based on an educated assumption) compared to the mega beauty brands such as Hourglass, Nars, Estée Lauder etc.
And same, LOVE supporting small indie brands but some of them have gone out of business or don't have shades I can actually wear. Would love to connect and learn about your experience in the beauty industry and compare our note!
Also, the main function of this newsletter is highlighting small-indie brands and founders! If you have ones you love Camilla, please let me know and I would to check them out! ♥️
I really love that you shared this perspective — thank you. I contributed to the conversations in that thread, and love the community of it all, but tend to steer clear of criticism and instead tout brands I love.
Thank you so much Christine! I am finding that more and more, substack and social media in general is just either excessive love / hate for brands and there isn’t an objective middle ground. Trying to find/create a place where it isn’t peddling products willy nilly or just a venting and rants of things that didn’t work out. Appreciate your thoughtful words ♥️
It’s interesting how we can read the same article and have differing perspectives! I read it as a light community discussion of bits that worked and didn’t - I felt the writer made it very clear that these were just opinions reflected back? Especially in the beauty industry (where I too have worked) you begin to realise that all product is really marketing and we don’t need any of it. I too love Westman Atelier and spend far too much of my beauty budget on it - but I absolutely broke out at the Vital Skin product and resented being presented with two shades to have to wear and blend for the perfect base. I use three of her products daily but Vital Skin literally gave me acne (because of the coconut oil I suspect!)
I think it’s also interesting that you focus on these two brands alone given that Violette clearly comes from wealth and a Creative Director role prior (I will guess she has angel investment?) while Gucci Westman and her husband have big pockets and lots of investments. They are rumoured to be bought out this year too. Neither are ‘indie’ beauty brands with tight marketing spend in my eyes. I’m all for championing smaller brands, especially sustainable ones but they seem so far and few between in beauty sadly.
I love reading about your perspective on this topic - more of this please! xC
Thank you for sharing your perspective as well Camilla! What felt unfair to me in that article was the title and use of terms like rip off and gimmicky.
And the reason I focus on those brands was because I have products from both (and don't have any first hand experience with the other brands mentioned ) and there are things that worked for me and things that didn't work for me from both brands. (WA Skin Drops absolute miss for me, same with some of the VFR lipstick shades.)
I am sure both those brands have money (either their own or investors or both!) and while I agree these aren't 'indie' brands, they are smaller in scale and revenue (again based on an educated assumption) compared to the mega beauty brands such as Hourglass, Nars, Estée Lauder etc.
And same, LOVE supporting small indie brands but some of them have gone out of business or don't have shades I can actually wear. Would love to connect and learn about your experience in the beauty industry and compare our note!
Also, the main function of this newsletter is highlighting small-indie brands and founders! If you have ones you love Camilla, please let me know and I would to check them out! ♥️
Oh I definitely will! ♥️
I really love that you shared this perspective — thank you. I contributed to the conversations in that thread, and love the community of it all, but tend to steer clear of criticism and instead tout brands I love.
Thank you so much Christine! I am finding that more and more, substack and social media in general is just either excessive love / hate for brands and there isn’t an objective middle ground. Trying to find/create a place where it isn’t peddling products willy nilly or just a venting and rants of things that didn’t work out. Appreciate your thoughtful words ♥️