A side quest constantly visited by a young woman’s heart is indulging in her beauty with luxury products that won’t break the bank (also not harm the skin). Too much trial and error, money loss, and time wasted ensues when on that adventure. Today social media usage is increasing. This leads to more women not following traditional marketing. We relate more with makeup tutorials made by beauty influencers (everyday women) on Instagram or YouTube.

Much of beauty influencers’ favorite brands are found by surfing through makeup brands online. We don’t need to throw out cash for a month to month beauty magazine subscription anymore to know trends. Today internet tabs are the gateway to curating our personal style and beauty preferences. A key component swaying us to not follow the traditional market model is affordability, good formulas, and cruelty free brands. This is where ColourPop comes in. Let’s talk about ColourPop and what makes them different.

Get to Know ColourPop:

 

This year ColourPop reached a new achievement by now being available at Sephora. ColourPop had been an online platform retailer only. Sephora was the first retailer to carry them. This allows first time buyers to try before buying at Sephora. This young 3-year-old makeup brand is hitting new heights in the beauty industry. ColourPop is owned by Seed Beauty. Seed Beauty produces ColourPop and Kylie Cosmetics. The owners of ColourPop and creators behind Seed Beauty are Laura and John Nelson (a sibling duo). The very first ColourPop orders of Super Shock eyeshadow were sent out by them on May 1st, 2014. This date is a key note for ColourPop history enthusiasts. 

ColourPop is made in the U.S.A. and is cruelty free. Their formula is high quality, rich, and ultra-pigmented. Not only that but they have a commitment to redefine luxury beauty by pricing affordably while keeping quality. John Nelson asked his sister one day if she thought people would buy $5 eyeshadow online? She was not sure. They decided to give it a try. Their father was owner of Spatz Laboratories and they were able to easily use a great manufacturing infrastructure. Thanks to that fact they were able to experiment with Seed Beauty and ColourPop. 

Spatz Laboratories: Who Are They? 

 

In 1955, Spatz Laboratories was founded by Walter Spatz. He was chief engineer and co-founder of the propel/repel version of the ballpoint pen. Isn't that something? Walter Spatz sparked innovation and how can that not be admired. You can see his patent for the ballpoint pen by clicking here. In 1980, Spatz Laboratories owned several patents some of them being the mechanical pencil, cosmetic applicators (lipstick tubes, pretty much), mascara applicators, cosmetic pencil, and so on. Spatz Labs have a saying, "Cosmetics at the Speed of Light", and I can't help but acknowledge that. Much of the patents Spatz Laboratories hold are factors of the beauty industry's future and continuity in the market. 

By 1989, the Nelson family purchases the business from Walter Spatz. They vow to continue making Spatz Labs an innovation driven company. How could they not? Walter Spatz paved the way of the future. In 1993, Spatz Labs accelerates formula development capacities. Now their timeline in history, I respect much of it from 1955 - 1993, and after that it kind of fell apart personally to me. 

Spatz Laboratories: 2000 - 2014

There are questions and concerns that popped up in my mind while reading their timeline from 2000 - 2014. Since I don't have the answers to my questions I'll just voice them. I have doubts. I wonder if you'll pick up on them as you're reading this. Maybe we can have a discussion about it in a comment thread. I'd like that.

2000, Spatz invests in pack out equipment to have better control of their global clients, because they want to cut out the middle man. By 2005, 95% of the products shipped to trade is complete by being Spatz formula and Spatz packaging. 2007 comes along and Spatz China is established to help reach the global client list they have quicker. 

Now, if they have a lab in China... do their ingredients come from China? Are their ingredients shipped from China to the USA, then formulated by their team into makeup in the USA, and is that why their makeup is so affordable? Are their ingredients USA bought? How true is Made in LA for ColourPop?

2010, Spatz Labs emerge stronger than ever thanks to the zero debt policy during economic crisis, and because of their accelerated investment into R&D. What is R&D? "Zero debt policy" so they got a government bailout while the people who owned homes didn't? That bugs me. My parents lost their home in the 2007 - 2008 financial crisis. We didn't get approved for a bailout but we saw thousands of corporate companies saved.

Jumping to 2014, Spatz ownership team launches Seed Beauty (ColourPop is owned by Seed Beauty).

What Makes ColourPop Successful?

Laura and John Nelson knew that social media was key to making ColourPop successful. Instead of following the traditional market model they went a different route. They were a digital first online retailer. Instagram followers are a key component to them having to pay zero dollars on marketing. Also they did not want their faces to be the center focal point of the brand.

Anyone who buys from ColourPop is the money behind its product in profit and in savings. Every social media engagement created around ColourPop creates revenue with new clients and keeps loyal clients around. Follower feedback is important to them. You have a suggestion? They'll listen and they'll make it happen. Beauty influencers are crucial to their realm of success. Why? They help keep marketing costs at zero. ColourPop wants to be a fan brand ONLY. No celebrities and no famous makeup artists collaborations. This makes sure their price point that fans love stay the same.

Laura and John Nelson made a promise to ColourPoppers and ColourPopettes: 

• 100% cruelty free ALWAYS
• never compromising quality to keep affordability 

Aside from a smart business strategy model Laura and John Nelson commit to, ColourPop has an amazing team, and let's face it: you need a great team to do big things. Their graphic designers keep all the packaging poppin' and fresh. Trendy vibes are achieved in all their packaging designs and their website management team knows how to properly layout visuals.

Let's talk about their marketing managers: Jordynn and Sharon. These ladies do a great job promoting their products on Instagram through tutorials, swatches, and hype. Their personalities are a great fit that compliment each other. You can easily relate to their genuine happiness on camera and goofiness. Something that Benefit Cosmetics and Tarte Cosmetics fail to successfully achieve on Instagram stories.

ColourPop's Makeup: Why You Should Love Wearing It

Now, if you're looking for great pigmentation in makeup, and quality while on a budget, ColourPop is the way to go. Their color payoff goes a long way when it comes to their matte lipsticks and eyeshadow. Their formula is stronger and more long wearing than BH Cosmetics liquid lip sticks. I actually regret buying from BH Cosmetics first and not jumping right into ColourPop right away. They constantly have new launches of new palettes which make it easy to keep generating new and not outdated makeup trends. They have amazing flash-sales, sales, and customer service.

You can get beautiful palettes for $16 - $30. Amazing lip trio bundles for $12 - $15. Their shadows are filled with shimmer and glitter that help create the multi-dimensional hues they're known for. I personally own their I Think I Love You palette, You Had Me At hello palette, and their Element of Suprise palette. I just ordered some new makeup from them that I got during cyber Monday. Eventually, I'll post some swatches of my favorite colors from each palette I own, and maybe create some eye looks too. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this article. Any feedback given is appreciated by me. I'll chat with you soon Steemians.