Barry M cosmetics

[Chloe D]

Morning all

Does anyone use/retail Barry M cosmetics? I am just sourcing suppliers and have the trade brochure for this brand. Could anyone share any of their experiences with me please?

Thanks in advance

Chloe

 

[lisa82]

As far as I know it's a cheap make that superdrug sell. Not for the professionals
hth x

 

[TIRNAK]

It is quite cheap and Superdrugs do stock it, but the eyeshadowsa are great and the polishes are okay too, I would maybe add bits to my kit, but not retail it. x

 

[Chloe D]

You are right - it is a brand that is quite cheap (around £5 for a mascara, £2.95 for a polish etc) and it is targeted at young girls. The only thing that is still drawing me to stocking this brand is the fact that following my market research of females in the area in which the salon will be approximately 90% said that they would be more likely to purchase cosmetics (including nail products and skin care) that they had heard of before (ususally in magazines, etc); while 5% said that they would buy products they had not heard of before if sold in a professional salon and the remaining 5% said that they were not sure.

I have looked at more professional cosmetics that are not sold in places like Boots and Superdrug but they seem to almost brandless as far as the general public are aware. This concerns me. Is it better and does it make more business sense to spend money stocking a product range that people have heard of and may have faith and trust in or stocking a range that a non-professional has never heard of and risk not shifting any stock as a result?

 

[BlondieJo]

I wouldn't personally use it. It's not a professional range. I think it is bit cheap, tacky and like you said it is targeted at young girls. As a professional i would prefer not to use something that wasn't available from a high street otherwise they might buy it on the high street. How about Young blood or I.D?

 

[Chloe D]

Thanks BlondieJo, I hadn't heard of ID. Is this it? new<id cosmetics | Product Range

 

[BlondieJo]

Sites-BareEscentuals-Site this is the website. I also like Artdeco Couture - Professional Makeup +44 (0)151 421 1234 they do a very reasonably priced starter kit

 

[gemsie1983]

I am a complete MAC addict, but when funds are a bit low I love the Barry M range! I have a few dazzle dust's and they are really good!

 

[Chloe D]

Thanks for your reply Gemsie. I think that that is one of the benefits of this range - the fact that it has quite a low price point and that may make it easier to retail, that and the fact that it is a recognisable brand. The location of my salon will be in quite an affluent area with high foot fall. There are also 3 secondary schools in the area and all the kids have to walk past the shop.

 

[angel fingers]

well if it sells in superdrug, i dont see why it wouldnt sell in your shop. also it might draw in people who would not normally get through the door and possibly entice them to have treatments.

ive seen some lovely results with the barry m eyeshadows and they seem to be a good quality product. a lot of people wouldnt look twice at professional products that they have never heard of and dont want to pay for , so i think it could be a good move for you to stock this range.

perhaps if it is successful, you could invest some of the profits into stocking a 'professional' range that may appeal to those who dont think barry m is up to the mark.

 

[Chloe D]

Thats good advice angel fingers - thanks. I think that Boots and Superdrug rarely offer promotions on this range so I should be able to keep up with them by selling the products at RRP given that it is quite low.

I had a look at the more professional brands today and saw that some are retailing lip glosses at around £15. In my mind, I could get a MAC, Clinique, Dior or YSL one for not much more and have faith in that brand rather than the unknown brand.

I intend to offer free make overs on purchase of £x of products so that I can show clients how to apply the dazzle dust, for example. The Barry M website is really helpful and has some excellent tutorials by Lauren Luke which look very easy to re-create.

 

[Chloe D]

I have been trying out this range this week and have been quite pleased with the results. The dazle dusts are beautiful (but not long lasting), the chunky eyeliners are also lovely, but the mot surprising of all has been the nail varnish. I am currently wearing the grey colour and it goes on lovely, the brush is easy to use and even the first coat gave a good colour.

 

[geeg]

Good lord peeps .... anyone can buy it on a market stall .... that's not professional!!! Where's your business heads??? I have found that being high end has made me a better return on my investment than selling stuff anyone can buy aT THeiR LOCAL MARKET.

 

[melissashaw]

I quite agree, go for a professional range (there will be a better profit margin for you too).
If you like the brand you choose then you will be passionate about it and you will be able to sell it no problem - does not matter if people have not heard of it (plenty of salons use smaller skin care brands too that the mass market have not heard of)
Another brand to try is Barbara Bort (www.barbarabort.co.uk) an Italian brand amazing quality - it has glittery products for the younger audience but plenty of other options for the maturer clientele you don't want to limit your market.
PM me if you want further details
M