I have come to the conclusion that certain markets are difficult to market to men, and beauty products is one of them! But we have come across three companies that have mastered the art of marketing their fragrances to men through catchy names and appetizing packaging.

Pork Barrel BBQ, known for their specialty grilling sauces, has created their very own cologne for men that smells just like BBQ sauce! The product is smoky, sweet and smells like a classic summertime grill session. The packaging, on the other hand, is classy and is named “Eau de Barbeque” as a playful version of more traditional perfumes. Another beauty treat I came across is a line of candy inspired cologne’s by the brand Demeter. The company has certainly attracted attention for their variety of sweet products including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Junior Mints scented cologne (photo above)! Even the bottles have labels that feature the candy box art for a visual link between the two products. Finally, what is more attractive to a man than a beautiful car? Mercedes-Benz has played on this weakness by releasing their first eve men’s fragrance in a sleek high end bottle (photo below). The outdoorsy scented product, printed with popular car manufacture’s name, is a surefire way to attract the male consumer.

What other beauty products have you found marketed towards men?

Procter & Gamble’s most popular family shampoo, Pert Plus 2-in-1 has gotten a much needed makeover for the first time in many years. Known for being a basic family friendly shampoo, the green bottle has been a staple for my family since I can remember. The above left photo shows the old packaging, manufactured in lime green square plastic bottles with clear film labels. Though the label was always easy to read there was nothing modern or eye catching enough to bring it into the 21^st century.

The new bottle (top right) may still be green in color, but the shape has been changed to follow the curved product trend as blogged about in the spring. Previously clear labels have been switched to opaque labels die cut to fit the curved bottle perfectly. Each label is printed with a different “bubble” backsplash depending on what type of hair it is for: Pert Plus Classic Clean label is yellow while the Anti-Dandruff label is blue. The company name’s text has been simplified to block letters and rotated vertically on the new label. Brand Packaging also states, “The new design is deliberately unisex in appeal, since brand owner Idelle recognized that Pert Plus is primarily used by dads and children.”

Bath & Body Works never fails to provide fantastic health & beauty packaging for every season or holiday. Just in time for the haunting season, they have released a new line of Halloween pocketbac anti-bacterial hand sanitizers. The heath & beauty monster has certainly expanded their line of hand sanitizers since introduction as talked about in our previous Sanitizer for Every Occasion blog. Their newest line of pocketbac sanitizers includes three creepy characters: a candy corn scented pumpkin, an apple scented monster and a gumball scented eyeball!

These Halloween inspired hand sanitizers take advantage of the power of shrink sleeve packaging. Shrink sleeves allow a product to increase customer attention on limited shelf space with 360 degree packaging. A 360 degree designed sleeve is especially desired for a product like a pumpkin or eyeball, as it mirrors the spherical shape of those objects. We have also emphasized the power of a products shape as talked about in our 5 Ways to Improve Your Label blog. Shrink sleeves allow you to select any container shape desired and still have the ability to print form fitting packaging. In addition, these sanitizer shrink sleeves also glow in the dark so you will never loose yours when tick-or-treating on Halloween night! Did you know that Dion Label Printing has the ability to print glow in the dark labels? To request a quote for a label or shrink sleeve, click here!

To get more information on shrink, visit our market page. And don’t forget to visit the Bath & Body Works webpage to check out these spooky hand sanitizers.  

Remember back in January when we posted our announcement blog about Taylor Swift’s soon to be released fragrance? Well, as promised for fall 2011 the country singer has introduced her first line of perfume and beauty products. The line is named Wonderstruck and includes a perfume, roller ball perfume stick, body lotion, and shower gel. The fruity scent with a touch of floral fits provides a dreamy lightness and almost magical quality that mirrors a lot of Taylor Swift’s music. Marketing team for her perfume also played off the name “Wonderstruck” with a magical commercial. In the commercial, Taylor is dressed in an extravagant princess gown as she wanders through a lavish dreamy sequence set in a large mansion. Check out the teaser commercial by clicking here!

Her packaging design for the product line is equally magical featuring deep purple hues with golden accents. The purple spherical perfume bottle has been crowned with a golden charm bracelet for value packaging that consumers are sure to love. It is the outer packaging though that really makes an impact for both the perfume bottle and roller ball perfume stick. The folding cartons have the bottom half printed in a striking golden pattern and the top printed with an equally exotic purple print with gold accents.

To buy Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck perfume or other beauty products, shop at Elizabeth Arden online.

When it comes to buying a product do you ever wish there was something made especially for you? If you have ever bought foundation you will know that finding the perfect shade is close to impossible; you always need something slightly darker or slightly lighter. Well, manufacturers understand this dilemma and have invented a type of packaging that will offer a perfect customized product. The technology is called a dual dispensing bottle system that incorporates two separate tubes, filled with separate products that blend and dispense the two as a single product. Each container also has a single rotating head to allow the custom product blending. When the head is twisted one way the opening of one tube is dispensed more than the other and vise versa.

The duel dispensing bottle has become incredibly popular in the health & beauty industry for creams, serums and liquid cosmetics that are easily blended. Going along with my foundation example above, Revlon actually has a line called Custom Creations with the adjustable dial to create your perfect shade. Bath and Body Works has a line called Shimmer & Shea which combines a body lotion with a shimmer gel to create your ideal blended sparkly lotion. If I had this as a child, I probably would have walked around shimmering like one of the Twilight movie characters.

Hair care company Alterna also has a line of what they call Styling Cocktails because you can mix your own hair product as you would a drink. The dual dispensing hair line offers a product combination for every type of hair including: Texture & Soft Control, Volume & Hold and Smooth & Shine. I would love to try the smooth & shine; I would likely turn the dial to blend in more of the smoothing product and less of the shine serum due to the high amount of natural oil I have in my hair.

When I first saw the new packaging for Summer’s Eve, it was on their brand new “Hail to the V” commercial (click picture below). Watching it the first time, it was so interesting and action packed that I thought it might be an advertisement for the latest television show on HBO! However, as the commercial ended and the setting shifted to a woman holding the new Summer’s Eve packaging in a retail aisle, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Previously known by many as an old fashioned feminine wash brand, the new packaging is anything but boring. Combine the attention catching commercial that has been playing often over the past month with the new packaging, and Summer’s Eve has certainly re-established themselves for the 2011 market.

The previous white labels on white bottles have been replaces with modern shrink sleeves in subdued feminine colors. They have also established a new company logo which is the inverted teardrop shape with the S/E lettering. The teardrop shape is actually based off the ancient symbol called the “yoni” which referred to the female gender.  I like how they used a minimalist design for the brand name in the logo, yet still have the full text version printed above. Each piece of the collection is divided into three sections; the bottom is a solid color band, the center contains the logo and text, and the top is printed with a contemporary twisting floral design. Including this design to the packaging makes it look much more feminine than the previous packaging.

Check out the company responsible for this updated graphic design and branding at their website, Little Big Brands!

Do you hate slathering on sticky sunscreen? One of the top complaints of wearing sunscreen, despite its skin health benefits, is that it is sticky and oily. In fact, some people would opt to not wear sunscreen rather than deal with the feeling of wearing sunscreen lotion! Well, the people from Solise understood the sunscreen lotion complaints and created a new product that is certainly going to shake up the sunscreen market.

Dale Lillard, the company President, enlisted the help of engineer Michael Doyle to help him create the first line of sunscreen hand and body washes. To use the product simply wash the body with the cleanser in the shower, or using the hand wash to clean your hands in the sink. Neither washes will leave any reside behind, but the product clings to your body’s natural oil while washing for an SPF 15 skin protection from UVA/UVB rays. Not only are the washes hydrating for your skin (unlike other sunscreens) but they are hypoallergenic, paraben free and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. I really like the label design for these products featuring a light lime green background with gold text to match the golden color of the sun graphic. The plastic on the cap/ pump is also a golden color to match the printed text which makes the product seem more like a high quality beauty product than a plain sunscreen.

Will we be seeing other products catch onto the wash on sunscreen trend? Let us know if you find other products following Solise’s lead and check out where to find this product at a retail location near you!

Sometimes an interesting product name can be the key to grabbing a consumers attention. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposing words are used together as a describing phrase such as “extremely average” or “lesser evil.” Lately, we have noticed companies utilizing oxymorons to draw customers to their products and here are some of my finds!

If you are a fan of Dunkin Donuts like our marketing department is then you may have heard of their popular Frozen Hot Chocolate. By pairing the word “frozen” with the word “hot” they have created an oxymoron product name, which has certainly sparked a lot of media attention. Over the past few weeks I have heard numerous radio stations advertising the product and they always make a comment on the interesting name. According to the Dunkin Brand, “America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods continues to prove that cool is hotter than ever with the introduction of Frozen Hot Chocolate.” Did you notice they even used an oxymoron in that comment with the phrase “cool is hotter than ever?”

Another product that has been around for a while longer than the frozen drink is the popular pain relieving product IcyHot. As a swimmer back in high school, IcyHot cream was my best friend for achy shoulder problems. Produced by over the counter pharmaceutical company Chattem, the product line now offers a variety of creams, patches, and balms. The product name was always intriguing to me as it utilizes an oxymoron to attract customer attention. The packaging design also plays off of the name by utilizing a gradient color pallet of icy blues that change into blazing reds.

California based winery, Wicked Good Wines, utilizes oxymorons in both their company name and packaging. The red wine bottle is completely black while the white wine bears a white label for contrasting good versus evil colors (top photo). Also, on both bottles the oxymoron in the name is highlighted by printing the words “wicked” and “good” in opposite colors (black & green, white & red). I also love AwfullyNice which is an England based cupcake company. I came across the cheeky company name and had to check out their webpage. They specialize in theme based cupcakes and currently have lines designed after a 1950’s American diner, The Wizard of Oz, and my absolute favorite Alice in Wonderland!

What’s the best oxymoron product or company name you have come across? 

You would never guess that the beauty queen company Bath & Body Works was only founded twenty one years ago in the small state of Ohio. Since then the company has been producing fantastic beauty & bath products, cosmetics, and even home fragrances. They also have a wide variety of product lines within each retail location including C.O. Bigelow, True Blue Spa, and Slatkin & Co. Their most famous product line, without a doubt, is the signature collection that covers a large percentage of each stores display space. The signature collection has over twenty fragrances and each scent is available in a lotion, body cream/butter, shower gel/cream, perfume or body splash. Some of the more popular fragrances have been around for a while such as Sweet Pea, Cucumber Melon, and Cotton Blossom. My favorite scent of all time is the Warm Vanilla Sugar which has been around for longer than I can remember! Some fragrances, however, come and go with the times.

The images above and below are some of the newer fragrances added to the signature line and they are anything but tame! Carried Away is a light mixture of raspberries, jasmine and vanilla for a springtime fragrance that will take you away with the gentle spring winds. I love how the flowers on the label design were manipulated to look like floating flower balloons, complete with ribbons tied to the ends. The balloon ribbons were then mimicked on the perfume bottle packaging in a fun criss-cross pattern. Dark Kiss is the complete opposite of everything bright and cheerful. As a mix of dark berries and sweet vanilla the scent promises to help you unleash your seductive side. The packaging reflects the seductive nature of the scent with graphics of large deep violets and elegant line designs. Into the Wild’s name pretty much speaks for itself; as a mix of mandarin fruit, flower petals and white woods you will feel like you are in an exotic forest with one spray. Its packaging is also anything but tame from the brightly colored lotion labels, multi-colored fawning palm leaves and a rainbow colored leopard print perfume bottle!

For more information on the Bath & Body Works Signature Collection, check out the article on the Dieline. 

Mr. Bubble has been making bath time fun for children since it was founded back in 1961. To celebrate its 50^th birthday, the bubble bath brand has redesigned their label yet again! Though the original bubble bath was manufactured as a powder, the company transitioned to a liquid during the 1970’s. Ever since, the bubble bath has been manufactured as a liquid including a formula change back in 2008 to create a higher volume of bubbles; bonus!

Since its creation, the formula was not the only thing that changed about Mr. Bubble. The packaging and bubble character have also been redesigned numerous times over the years to make a more modern version of the bath time character. As you can see in the photo above, the Mr. Bubble character started as a simple pink bubble outlined in white with two bubble eyes and a big smile. In the 1970’s, around the time of the transition to liquid bubble bath, Mr. Bubble was transformed into more of a character with bubble arms. He is also now sitting in a bath tub and the more vibrant pink bubble color pops nicely against the black background of the label. Fast forward to the present, and we have a completely modern Mr. Bubble (top photo) that looks much more life-like compared to the original. The present character is designed to be much more 3-D and now has accessories such as his party hat and noisemaker in celebration of the companies 50^th birthday.

To read further about this bubble bath packaging redesign, visit BrandPackaging.com.

Beauty Packaging Magazine has recently named Bare Escentuals Beauty Company of the Year along with Excellence in Packaging. Originating in California, Leslie A. Blodgett has been the driving force for this innovative company. Customers who have tried their brands, such as Bare Minerals as noted in our previous blog, have become completely hooked on the products. What makes this a number one company you may ask? Customers have a great amount of trust in the company, they appreciate the quality and innovation, and they like the versatility of the products. Some high quality cosmetics are so heavy that they are not practical for everyday use; not the case with this mineral makeup. Light and non skin irritating products made from all natural minerals has caught the interest of many customers looking for everyday wearable makeup.

The multiple reader’s choice award winner was also awarded Excellence in Packaging. With a “think pink” approach, the company has grabbed the attention of women around the world. Pink colored packaging is offset with modern pops of black and particular fonts for a modern yet feminine feel. Their primary packaging is basic; however they are more playful and daring with the secondary packaging. In fact, company VP Nathan Pence says, “We love the color pink- and we use certain fonts- but we break the rules whenever we want in order to add an element of surprise.” In addition, products are packaged in all inclusive kits complete with instructional DVDs. On my most recent trip to our local mall, I even encountered a Bare Escentuals boutique (above) where customers can experiment with the products before buying. Custom touches to the packaging also make the brand unique. For example, in the newest line personal handwritten notes from Leslie will be hidden on various parts of the packaging.

What is next for this beauty innovator? The company has announced that they will be going through a major rebranding in March of 2011! The rebrand will include a new line of shine resistant makeup along with the addition of a sage green color to their pink packaging (above). Stay tuned for future blogs about this rebrand and company news!

To read more about Bare Escentuals being named Beauty Company of the Year, visit Beauty Packaging Magazine online. 

My eyes have been peeled for the top trends of 2010 and I have found a front runner. Society has gone nutty for coconut!  Popular coconut products range from beverages, beauty products, and cleaners.  Why the coconut craze?  Studies show that the protein packed fruit is known for being a “healing” fruit for digestion problems and other ailments.  Spirit companies like Bacardi have latched onto the coconut craze, as we saw in our blog about Bacardi’s Rock Coconut redesign. A particularly trendy coconut beverage is O.N.E. Coconut Water. Athletes and trainers alike rave about the hydration benefits from the fruity water, beating out other sugar filled sports drinks. 

Beauty companies small and large have also jumped on the coconut band wagon, offering an abundance of creams, moisturizers and shampoos infused with coconut oil. Do you like the coconut flavor but do not like cooking with the actual fruit?  Companies have developed other cooking products infused with coconut including coconut flour and vinegar! Coconuts may even be the future of eco friendly packaging due to the durable coconut husk shell. Imagine getting your next eBay purchase in a coconut skin container?  From drinks to packaging, the coconut craze has certainly made an impact in 2010!

If you were a fan of Le Whif’s zero calorie breathable chocolate from last year’s blog, you are going to love their two new product innovations.  The breathable products company has now invented Breathable Coffee and Vitamins! Le Whif’s coffee promises the caffeine from a cup of coffee in an inhalable stick. In fact, popularity has grown so much that you can now buy Le Whif products in New York City, Boston, and Houston retail stores.  Even Stephen Colbert is treating himself to a chocolaty indulgence on his hit show The Colbert Report! Online you can buy chocolate and coffee products in both small and large gift sets. 

The newest line of Breathable Vitamins, not available in stores until 2011, comes in Antioxidant Green Tea, Multivitamin Hibiscus tea, and Age Smart Wine Tea.  Different from normal pill vitamins, Le Whif vitamins travels straight into your blood stream for rapid absorbance.  I know dozens of people who experience major difficulty swallowing pills and would line up to buy this new vitamin delivery system.  For up to date Le Whif news and products visit their website!

Every year, it seems that holiday planning begins earlier and earlier. Last week when I went to the store for Halloween costume accessories, the rack was directly next to a Christmas tree display. Then on Halloween day Stacy reported that the mall was already decked in Christmas decorations top to bottom!  It is only the beginning of November and the world is already ready for December; what happened to Thanksgiving!?

Though I may be a last minute holiday shopper, like many others, there are those early birds who are thrilled at the early presence of the holidays.  With the holidays being the biggest time of year for retailers, holiday packaging is an essential part of the planning phase.  In fact, the earliest holiday packaging comes out way before Halloween such as Penhalingon’s gift set.  The set maintains the extravagant taste of the one hundred and fifty year old British company, while being modern and dreamlike in its design (above).  So whether you are already blaring holiday tunes or cringing at the thought of your future credit card bill, the world is preparing for the busiest shopping time of the year.

When I think of tattooing and design work, one woman’s name immediately pops into my head; Kat Von D. Kat has made a name for herself as a world famous tattoo artist; now with her own television show LA Ink.  Kat is a bold, edgy and passionate woman, and her make-up collection certainly reflects her personality.  As a fan of her work I heard about her new line of cosmetics being sold at Sephora, and instantly fell in love with the packaging design.  The edgy floral pattern that spans across her line is a reflection of her Latin style seen in most of her work.  The Adora collection traincase in particular is printed with a tattoo style portrait of Kat on the lid, reflecting the artist’s specialization in portraits. 

However, it’s the Saint and Sinner Perfume collection that ranks top on my list not only for the striking design, but for the artistic advertising. Kat was covered from head to toe with her Tattoo Concealer from her Tattoo Collection and posed for photos “without” tattoos for the Saint Perfume advertisement. She was then photographed for the Sinner Perfume advertisement with tattoos.  The photographs were used side by side for a good vs. evil themed advertisement for the edgy make-up collection.

For another consecutive year Dion Label Printing has exhibited at the Natural Products Expo East Tradeshow.  From October 14-16^th Dion exhibited in booth #3233 held in the Boston Convention Center.  Though only 1,300 exhibitors, 200 less than last year, exhibited, the show maintained its popularity with over 20,000 attendees.  Visitors were especially interested in Dion’s pressure sensitive label options, shrink sleeves and labeling equipment. To request samples or additional information, click this link! Next year’s Expo East will wave farewell to Boston and return to Baltimore, Maryland from September 21^st- 24^th  2011. 

For the full article and recap of Expo East 2010 visit their homepage.

October may be associated with Halloween colors such as black and orange, but it should also be linked to the color Pink!  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is celebrated with a sea of pink ribbons.  Did you know that one out of eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer?  Did you also know that there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. alone?  Although this scary illness plagues over 10 % of all women, we are slowly winning the battle by banding together to raise money for research.  These shining star companies have come out with pink ribbon inspired packaging to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Hershey’s, the sweet chocolate company, has turned their kisses pink once again!  Along with other Hershey’s products, the classic kisses will be sold in silver and pink ribbon wrapping.  They will also be sponsoring the annual Tour de Pink bike ride to raise money for research.  OPI Nail Polish Company has come out with a “Pink of Hearts” nail polish bottle where the brush is covered in printed pink ribbons.  Breath mint company Tic Tac has also designed a pink inspired package with matching pink mints.  Tic Tac has also launched the CancerCare’s program through facebook, where they will donate $5 for every facebook share.  Last but not least who says men can’t wear pink?  In the NFL, real men wear pink!  NFL players will be sporting pink gear through the month of October, along with sizable donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

For more information on how to join the pink fight against Breast Cancer visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.

Celebrities today are on the hunt for methods to keep them young and healthy looking, some going as far as plastic surgery.  According to the article in Happi Magazine, going under the knife is not the only way to look healthy, skyrocketing the market for nutraceuticals. Products like Get Gorgeous’s Herb Tea for Clear Skin (above), contains natural rooibus to refresh the skin.  Skin Nutrients also has a line of nutraceutical supplements to promote clear skin.  For the sweet toothed acne strugglers, Frutels has launched a line of chocolate balls eaten to stop and prevent acne (below). Chocolate daily for clear skin, yes please! 

Who is most likely to purchase these products?  18-24 year olds women are going to be the largest target market because slowing aging is much easier than reversing it.  Even though there are a million and one supplements out there, nothing can beat good old Mother Nature.  Nutritionists agree the best way to get the vitamins our bodies need is through the food we consume.  Shoot for key fruit and vegetables super foods with antioxidants, such as blueberries, to supercharge your health.  Nutraceutical markets are showing growth despite the economic slump.  People may be purchasing cheaper supplements, but they have not ceased in the amount they are purchasing.  The fountain of youth now comes in a convenient pill, and consumers are eager for a taste!   

Two of the top leaders in pharmaceutical manufacturing and management have joined forces to introduce the latest pill packaging technology.  Are you one of the thousands that have trouble forgetting to take your morning pill?  Rexam has partnered with Med Time to introduce the first “Pill Timer” packaging.  Utilizing Rexam’s tube packaging, a high tech cap will now take the place of regular screw on caps.  The cap will alert the patient with an attention grabbing beeping and flashing alarm.  Company heads hope to ease the lives of patients on daily medications and make medication maintenance easier.  Steve Duda of Henry Ford Health Systems is one of the first to buy and distribute the Pill Timer to its customers and sees a bright future for the product.  Having family members and older relatives on daily medications, I would absolutely recommend the Pill Timer to ease the stress of remembering medications.  The elderly in particular would benefit from this product as a memory trigger for those who tend to be forgetful.

Stridex acne treatment products are turning to nature to help battle tough acne.  Introducing a new member to the Stridex product family, Stridex Naturally Clear medicated cleaning pads.  The new cleaning pads are a combination of three healthy antioxidants of white tea, pomegranate and soy creating a breakthrough 98.8% alcohol free formula. Pads are also being made 20% larger which are easily grasped and more bank for your buck! 

The new formula is packaged in a similarly round shaped container to the older Stridex cleaning pads.  Bright orange and green tones compliment each other as organic colors and the background image is a faded picture of natural grass.  The bright orange lid and deep colors make this product stand out amongst the other Stridex brand cleansers on the shelf.  If I had to choose between the original cleansing pads (bottom image) and the natural ones (top image) I would absolutely be drawn to the natural ones.  However when I researched the pricing between Stridex Natural and other Stridex products the price of the Naturals were two to three dollars more than!  If natural ingredients are important then the extra two dollars might be worth it, otherwise it’s a tossup between price and product.

Over the last year or so it has been hard to miss PepsiCo’s revamp of its sports drink brand Gatorade. The G Series campaign has built upon the rebranding by extending the product line to powders and ready-to-drink formulations tailored to pre-, during, and post-workout sessions. After exclusive use in professional locker rooms, the company is now releasing the G Series Pro to the public through retailers such as GNC and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Take a look at this video showing the evolution of Gatorade. My favorite part of the TV advertising campaigns has been the effective use of color. Dulling the action to black and white while highlighting the color of the drink gives the product extra attention. The clip also shows the product placement during professional games which may seem subtle, but the fans idolizing the professional athletes are keenly aware of the products they use.

For more on the G Series and G Series Pro, click here!

By looking at last year’s trends, experts have analyzed the future outlook for various segments of the global bath and body care market. Here are some of the major findings according to GCI Magazine:

• Although the global economy is showing signs of recovery, consumers will continue to be attracted by budget products.
• There was a marked decrease in footfall in specialty stores and department stores in 2009, which had a negative impact on sales of premium-priced bath and body care products.
• Globally, growth of liquid soap rose from 7% in 2008 to 13% in 2009, driven by consumer demand for products with anti-germ and antibacterial properties.
• The male body wash segment presents substantial growth opportunities and has proved to be relatively resilient to trading down.
• A major factor behind the decline in sales of anti-cellulite products was a lack of notable success stories in key Western markets.

Launched just last week and making its debut at Cosmoprof North America this week, Barista Bath and Body is the first line of beauty products with organic coffee as its key ingredient. Coffee, and caffeine were chosen because they:

• Feature a pH balance similar to the human body, meaning that it cleans better than ordinary soap or shampoo
• act as a gentle exfoliant
• perform as an effective astringent
• promote the appearance of smoother-looking skin, especially in cellulite-prone areas (http://www.b3products.com)

The products are also paraben-free, phthalate-free and sulfate-free and range in price from $4.50 to $28.00 for individual products and $22.50 to $150.00 for gift sets. The company is already being touted for its unique products and understanding of the market.

Just in time for summer, take a look at Forever Sunshine—the latest fragrance collection from Bath & Body Works. Key fragrance notes for the line include golden apricot, pink peonies and a hint of praline. The bright colors, sketched graphics and fun text plays perfectly to the young, hip crowd it is marketed to. This summer special still stands out from their recently redesigned signature collection.

Although it’s not required by the USDA that non-food products certify their organic claims, Whole Foods is insisting on it for the sake of their customers. By June 1, 2011 all personal products and cosmetics claiming to be organic or made from/including organic ingredients must be certified. According to GCI Magazine, companies have until August 1^st of this year to submit their compliance plans to Whole Foods:

• Under the new guideline, all products making an “organic” product claim (e.g. “organic shampoo”) must be certified to the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (USDA NOP) standard, the same standard to which organic food must be certified under U.S. law.
• Products making a “made with organic ingredients” claim must also be certified to the NOP standard
• Products making a “contains organic ingredients” claim must be certified to the NSF 305 ANSI Standard for Organic Personal Care products, a consensus-based industry standard accepted by the American National Standards Institute and managed by NSF International.

GCI Magazine recently took a look at the influence of sustainability in the beauty industry. They broke down the three stages to implementing green practices:

1. Demonstrate leadership: An executive of the company should develop a vision for the company’s environmentally-friendly objectives which includes tangible goals and employee rewards
2. Address core impacts: Figure out your company’s biggest environmental impact and make changes in the areas of energy, manufacturing and office waste, water consumption, packaging and shipping, and supply chain and logistics.
3. Communicate: Let the important people know how you’re helping: your employees, suppliers and customers.

Need to address the environmentally-friendly packaging aspect? Request eco-friendly label samples here!

And for all of the details from the article and how beauty companies like Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees are already implementing these practices, click here.

Health trends have become difficult to escape. Sometimes it seems like superfruits have hired PR companies to promote themselves to food and nutraceutical companies. Whoever pomegranates chose to represent them is clearly making a killing. Another powerhouse right now is the Omega 3 rep. A few weeks ago I caught a great status update from my stepmom: "Do Swedish Fish contain Omega 3's?!?!?!?!" While that might be wishful thinking (and it definitely put a smile on my face), I may have found a close substitute. Nordic Naturals now offers Omega 3 Gummy Worms. While they are targeted towards children, the company has clearly found a way to tailor their product to different markets. The suggested serving is one worm per day, so just don’t devour them the same way you do Swedish Fish!

In any of today’s markets, consumers are more skeptical than ever, especially as many products or brands may not have delivered on the promises they’ve made. This is also true for the health and beauty industry, making sampling a trend that leads to sales if your product delivers on its marketing message. And when it comes to skin care:

Every person’s skin is a fluid, dynamic river of shifting conditions that are influenced by environment, diet, stress levels and lifestyle. Skin is never just one type; it’s an array of changing conditions, and thus a moving target. Although it’s a retailer’s dream for clients to develop loyalty to a favorite product, ensuring solid repeat sales, the fact is that their skin requires regular professional monitoring in order to adjust product recommendations. (www.skininc.com)

As more consumers are aware of the fact that their skin care needs are ever-changing, giving them the opportunity to try your products is critical. Here at Dion, we print pouches for beauty companies who wish to provide samples. Our HP6000 digital press is perfect for this since it allows us to print on very thin unsupported films, such as those for pouching. It also allows us to provide a solution for companies wanting to provide samples at lower quantities.

To read more about the importance of branding on this sampling level, read this article from GCI Magazine!

Here’s a picture we came across…

The mock ad is a great play on the concept of photo retouching. And it’s pretty well known that many images out there have been refinished in some way. But just how powerful is Photoshop, and what is it doing to our perception of beauty? If you haven’t seen it before, take a look at this video:

Sustainability is a frequent topic on Dion’s blog. However we rarely look at the pressure that may be behind a company’s decision to implement sustainable efforts. This article from Brand Packaging takes a look at a few companies that have been targeted by green activists. When I say “activist” you may think of wild paint-throwing PETA rallies. But beyond the grassroots approaches, the strategy explained in the article that I found interesting is that activists may choose far more business-like tactics. Many have a voice because they are actual shareholders in the corporations they are trying to sway. By rallying votes on issues at shareholder meetings, activists are able to not only voice their concerns, but actually be heard by executives as their percentage of votes on an issue increases. To see how their influence has translated into more eco-friendly practices at some of the best known companies in the world, click here!

One of the growing trends among the natural and organic product sector is the combination of a product that is good for the consumer and packaging that is safe for the Earth. This mindset is the essence of bath and body line, One. Founder Glenn Abramson was inspired by an article describing the proliferation of plastic in landfills and was determined to come up with a solution. For him, it was a line of all-natural products (28 SKUs in total) sold in recyclable tins with recyclable and biodegradable paper labels and chipboard.

The products themselves are unique solid forms of typically liquid products such as solid shampoos, lotion massage bars, and after shower skin conditioner bars. With all of these features, it seems that One products would be somewhat expensive, as many in this organic and natural category tend to be. However, according to Beauty Packaging Magazine, the line ranges from $2.99 to $9.99 in Target stores across the country.

Just yesterday we commended Wal-mart for their eco-friendly practices, but for a huge corporation like Wal-mart, much of their initiative is based on requiring that their suppliers reduce their carbon footprint. The Sustainability Index Supplier Assessment that Wal-mart announced last year includes a 15-question survey to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Wal-mart hopes to reduce this by 20 million metric tons. It seems to be an important first step before Wal-mart can implement the “Green” ratings that will disclose the eco-friendliness of products to consumers.

It may sound like Wal-mart is simply bullying their suppliers to make the company look good. In actuality, Wal-mart’s own practices include: using onsite renewable energy generation, reducing shipping and packaging waste, reducing truck fleet emissions, and more. If Wal-mart is successful in achieving their GHG emission reduction goal by 2015, it will be equivalent to:

• taking more than 3.8 million average cars off of the road for a year
• planting more than 181 million full grown trees

These emissions are also similar to what would be produced by:

• burning fossil fuels to power nearly 2.6 million U.S. homes for a year
• consuming nearly 2.3 billion gallons of gasoline. (All estimates based on EPA figures).

For more information, and to see Wal-mart CEO Mike Duke’s address to stakeholders, click here.

We’ve seen quite a few articles pop up about Pantone’s new iPhone app that gives access to their library of color. At first it had the initial “Great!” reaction, but then some of the pitfalls began to show their true colors—excuse the pun. Research done by VIGC showed that depending on which device you are using, the same Pantone color can look different on each device (above compares the Pantone 37-5-1 C on the iPhone 3G to the iPod Touch), which is different still compared to the GoeGuide seen below. Though to be fair, “Pantone does not represent the product as a precise color measuring tool” (graphicartsonline.com).  

For the reasons listed above, we often recommend color press proofs for labels that must match a certain color scheme. It is important that our customers realize the Pantone color they see on screen is usually very different from the actual Pantone color in a PMS book. Likewise, the printout from their laser or inkjet desktop printer may be different from both resources. With flexographic printing (which uses printing plates and ink stations), we can adjust color on press to match a Pantone color. In digital printing, this process is not so simple because the colors are all printed at once. A customer’s artwork file needs to be adjusted for color and then sent to the press for printing. Digital press proofs are printed using the exact HP Indigo equipment used to print your label order. These proofs are printed on the same material your labels will be printed on and can also be coated with UV varnish or lamination. So, as a customer, if you just want a dark blue without a specific Pantone match, you may forgo press proofs. However, if your logo is a specific shade of blue used among multiple products- then press proofs are the right option for you. When in doubt, get a press proof!  

It’s nothing to new to say that the latest trends among tweens and teens drive sales of licensed products, but I bet that Urban Decay didn’t completely believe they’d be completely sold out of their Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows makeup box by the time I was even able to read the article introducing it in GCI Magazine. The intricate design of the packaging is remarkable in and of itself, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have tried a different long-lasting, color-rich shadowbox from Urban Decay. The graphics typical for the brand are not typically my style, but the pairing of this unique and quirky style of the brand with Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland seems like a no-brainer. Here you can see videos of how to achieve some of the looks from the movie with some of their other, not sold-out, products.

Beyond the success of this film, the article explains co-branding efforts for other popular films, such as the Twilight saga with Bath & Body Works—Twilight Woods body lotion being another product I shamelessly have to vouch for as well (and coyly anything associated with Robert Pattinson for that matter). Needless to say, jumping on a licensing opportunity for your product with a film popular with a group that has such an influential buying power is not to be missed. I’m sure Urban Decay has no regrets… besides not producing enough for the demand.

Johnson & Johnson recently released the redesign of the packaging for their “Finishes” skincare line under Clean & Clear name. The custom, asymmetrical bottle shape is meant to reflect the logo design that extensive research and key decision-makers found consumers to be most drawn to. The proprietary bottle is only utilized for the “pore perfecting cleanser,” so as not to be confused with the “even tone cleanser.” However, the line as a whole (which also includes a moisturizer) does reflect a modernized appearance while maintaining key color and design elements strongly associated with the brand.

Brand Packaging recently featured five start-up companies to watch out for; ones that have used packaging as the selling feature of their product. One in particular caught my eye because a friend of mine had the product when she visited this past winter. I thought that the round object on my coffee table was my roommate’s dog’s mini tennis ball and almost tossed it on the ground until I picked it up and realized my mistake. It was actually lip gloss from eos (which stands for evolution of smooth), and it definitely stands out from the competition. Their shaving cream packaging follows suit. Between the pump feature and a recyclable bottle that won’t leave a rust ring in the shower, eos has thought about all of the flaws of conventional shaving cream packaging. The company will soon be releasing a body lotion, and personally, I can’t wait to see what packaging innovation that product will come with!

To see the other products that made the cut, click here!

While we’re thankfully heading out of flu season, a stomach flu can strike at any time of the year. And if your taking care of a child, sometimes you can feel helpless in your attempt to make them feel more comfortable. That’s exactly how the founders of Organic B.R.A.T. felt when their little ones had the flu, a diagnosis to eat only Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast, and most importantly, avoid milk. Their website explains:

When I returned home from work that day both of our children were lethargic and unhappy. My husband, looking frazzled, explained that both of our children repeatedly expressed their need for milk throughout the day. The B.R.A.T. Diet’s order of no dairy escalated an already stressful situation since drinking a “milk – like” product is comforting to a child. He wondered why there weren't any non-dairy alternatives specifically made for sensitive tummies. This inspired us to create a product which not only provides “tummy” comfort for children, but also nutrition and re-hydration. We incorporated the tummy-settling principles of the B.R.A.T. Diet by using organic brown rice as the base along with banana puree and apple puree, and then added an electrolyte-balanced ratio of vitamins and minerals.

I noticed the company at Expo East this past fall (where it won the Most Innovative Product award, by the way), but I can’t say I took the plunge to try the product (I was pretty stuffed from all of the samples). However, assuming that you aren’t allergic to the few basic ingredients, this product appears to be very worthy of its award.

When listening to a friend, relative, or even complete stranger in a time of need, have you ever said, "I know how to you feel"? Often times we may not have had the exact same experience, but the shared empathy can be comforting. The same concept is carried over to the business world when we attempt to get into the minds of our customers. And now technology is providing ways to truly experience life from another person’s perspective. The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed gloves to simulate the struggle of those suffering from arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis; in 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (CDC). This has huge implications for a company’s R&D, especially for products marketed to the aging population of baby boomers. Ease of use should be a significant factor for such products and their packaging. Rumor has it that Kraft has already caught on quickly to this concept, using the arthritis gloves to test their "EZ Grip Lid" for a new instant coffee jar. It’s evidence of a deeper understanding of their target market. How well do you know yours?

Private labels have been giving national brands a run for their money, and recent trends have shown that beyond price-consciousness, consumers also increasingly associate private labels with quality. So are they going to drive out some of the beloved and established national brands? Brand Packaging puts the two head-to-head in the categories that drive their sales: packaging design, company history, packaging structure, and philanthropy.

Who came out on top? Take a look at the full article here!

Imagine you’re on a business trip. After an exhausting day of delayed layovers and long-winded meetings you head back to your hotel room. For hours you’ve been looking forward to the moment that you can just crash. You climb into bed to find that it has the comfort and warmth that you usually hate leaving in the morning. Ahhh…

Then you find out that the bed was warmed up by another human being dressed head-to-toe (and fingers) in a white onesie. Now you have to fall to one side of the fence on this new service option that is actually in place at Holiday Inn locations in England. You may be considerably care-free and comforted by the thought of climbing into that cozy bed. Or, like me, you’re already trying to forget about the fact that others have used that same bed and all of the horror stories you’ve seen on Dateline about hotel rooms, and the thought of some stranger dressed like a baby in your bed five minutes ago gives you the creeps. Feel free to weigh in on this one!

When I say the word "lion" what comes to mind? Ferocious? Hunter? Animal? Scary? It is important that as designers, owners, or marketers of a product, we understand that our customers make these associations in their minds when they see our product packaging. It baffles me when companies spend so much time, energy and money on their product and then barely consider their product packaging. This is when I want to scream "WAKE UP! Your packaging is what sells your product!"
 
Think about your own personal experiences. What draws you to try a new product? Unless someone you know recommends the product to you, the packaging is what will drive you to purchase something new. Trust me, I'm a sucker for cool packaging. Not because it's my profession, but I always think the product in the metallic package or the one with an interesting caption will work better, taste better, and make me better. And you know what? Studies show this is the thought process for most consumers.
 
Here are 5 ways to make your item be the new product someone purchases this year.
 
1. Tell a story with your label. There is always a reason why your product exists or is unique compared to your competitors. Tell me why I, the consumer, should buy your product. Is your pasta sauce your grandmother's recipe handed down from generation to generation and you want to share it with me? If so, then I may think of my own grandmother and her home cooking and think "Forget about the Ragu, this pasta sauce is going to give me the warm feeling of grandma's homecooking." Does your product donate a profit to charity or have an eco-friendly element to it? If so, I'd be more apt to buy your product over a competitor's so I, too, may help fund a charity or help the environment. What if your product isn't so different from the competitors? You can still engage and get me to buy your product. A prime example of this is Vitamin Water. They tell funny, fictional stories on their infused drinks. This company is still fairly young in the soft drink market, yet their product contends with brands that have been around forever. 
 
2. Get your label in shape! Adding shape to your product packaging gives depth to your image. It draws the consumer in and makes them want to learn more. You can get your label in shape by using an irregular shaped product bottle and using a shrink sleeve label or using a regular shaped product container and using a custom-shaped die. Shrink sleeve labels are film sleeves that shrink to fit your product container. Nestle's Jamba Juice® uses this type of packaging. Custom -shaped labels are cut using unique dies.
 

3. Metallic labels. Using metallic in your label is a way to dress it up without needing to get too fancy with your entire packaging. Metallic can be incorporated into your design in a few different ways. Metallic film or paper coated stock will allow for your entire label background to be metallic. You can enhance or cover up the intensity of the metallic label by the type of ink you use in your artwork. For labels that only need a hint of metallic here and there in your artwork, you may use a regular material with metallic ink. This ink is laid down using plates that can be engraved into the pattern you'd like. For example, if you have a midnight sky in your design, your can use a plate engraved with stars to add gold stars to your design.
 
4. Invisible labels. By using a clear label on your glass or plastic bottle, you can utilize the product contents in your design as well as display your product. This technique gives the illusion of invisible labels. This concept works into your package design as well as provides the customer with pertinent product information. For customers that wish to get a silk screen effect without the high cost, clear labels are the way to go.

5. Add texture to your labels! 
Not all labels are smooth, glossy, and one-dimensional. Texture appeals not only to a customer's eyes, but also allows them to feel the difference when picking up your product compared to your competitor's. While embossing tools can raise parts of your design in the area(s) you choose, it can be a costly option as custom tools will need to be purchased. The most cost effective way to add texture to your entire label is by using a textured stock.
 
Click here to request samples of one or more of these design techniques! Please specify which technique(s) you are most interested in.

Typically speaking the only significance barcodes have for consumers is product identification and the chorus of beeping sounds at checkout counters. They’ve become a hardly-noticed, but occasionally mimicked symbol in society (you can even click here to turn yourself into a barcode, or here to learn how UPC's work). But with the introduction of programs such as scanning and bagging your own groceries as you shop, consumers may be more apt to look at barcodes . And one company in Japan is showing how to have a little bit of fun with packaging barcodes. We’ve seen the trend popping up on a few products in foreign markets, but has anyone found examples here in the U.S.?

 Label & Narrow Web recently looked to industry experts for their article on short run labels and interviewed Dion Label Printing. The ability to affordably print short run orders has led to more opportunities for product manufacturers. Here is a brief excerpt from the article:

Stacy Santos, marketing manager for Dion Label Printing, Westfield, MA, USA, says the company takes into account the length of the run when deciding which printing process it’s going to use. In Dion’s case, short run jobs, among others, get moved to one of the company’s HP Indigo presses. "We decide whether a job will go digital or flexo based on the amount of footage we are going to run, the complexity of a customer’s label graphics and the number of SKUs in a particular run. About a third of our business is digital. We made the investment in digital in April 2005, and because our digital business grew so quickly, we invested in another HP Indigo digital press. And our digital operations have steadily grown over the years.

"Digital printing is perfect for multiple SKUs, low volume orders, promotional labels and prototyping," Santos says. "It’s a great way to offer high quality printing, complex graphics, and vibrant colors to customers that do not have large volume quantities. Our customers do not have to sacrifice label quality while keeping their inventories low."

Read the full article here!

Happy Holidays from Dion Label Printing !

Holiday Hours:
Thursday, December 24th- closed
Friday, December 25th- closed
Friday, January 1st- closed

As we approach the holidays various companies have begun to sell their products in holiday packaging. Some look more traditional than others, but capitalize on either gifts or everyday items that make consumers’ homes and lives a bit more festive. The two designs we found from Kleenex are very different but appeal to a variety of decorating tastes. The teal oval design has found a place in our office!

In the food and beverage industry, we found special holiday packaging for Stonewall Kitchen’s popular products that eliminate the need to gift wrap and an ornament-shaped bottle design from Coca-Cola. Pangea Organics gives their holiday gift boxes a little something extra: the gift box can be planted to actually grow a tree! Here’s how it works:

"Just soak the box for a day, and plant it in the earth. If everyone plants their holiday gift box and bar soap box this year, collectively, we will have planted 122,000 trees which is equivalent to not driving 30 million miles in one year! Multiply that out by 75 years, the average lifespan of a Spruce, and that’s 2 billion, 250 millions that we’re collectively offsetting!"

Have you come across other stand-out holiday packaging?

Okay, we may be a bit over the top, but Amourai Organique’s product line does exude the fairy tale fantasies that we women envision for our hair. We want the strength and growth of Rapunzel’s Oil Growth Hair Stimulator and all of the luxury we associate with royalty in Her Highness Conditioner and Duchess of Curls. Plus the modern woman wants her beauty products to be safe to use on herself and the environment. All of these elements went into founder Raiquel’s inspiration and motivation to create natural hair care products… that, and moisture. At home she developed the formulas that would provide effective moisture to her hair with an adamant philosophy of self-love.

Amourai Organique products are paraben- and sulfate-free and beneficial to all hair types. Products include shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, styling gel, hair lotion, hair moisturizer, and growth oil. All of these products follow the fable-inspired theme with witty names and majestic label designs.

Dove recently released a line of body wash with NutriumMoistureTM technology to work in harmony with your skin. Similarly to other products from Dove, these body wash products are all about increasing moisture while cleaning your skin. Dove’s website explains that many body washes on the market actually wash away your skin’s natural moisture. They continue:

Heavy moisturizers are often added into body washes to make up for the loss. But they’re not identical to your skin’s moisture, so they tend to sit on the surface and don’t get fully absorbed. Natural moisture is what’s needed to nourish deep down.

Multi-use products have been on the rise as consumers look to get the most features possible in one purchase. This is a trend we wrote about back in May. Spongeables takes the multi-feature product to another level by making minor changes in shape and color to attract all members of the family. Ultimately the product is still marketed to moms. As the company’s website says, "Keeps the daily from becoming mundane! Children love it! Men Love it! and so will you!" Spongeables knows that moms are the buyers of this product and encourage her to pick up a low-frills, blue Spongeable for dad; a pink, duck-shaped one for little Suzie; a bone-shaped Haute Dog Spongeable for Buddy; as well as one for herself. Beyond the fact that this product cleans, exfoliates, moisturizes, and massages, it does so for multiple uses. The longevity of the product ranges from the Travel Spongeables which can be used 3+ times, to the 20+ use of the classic Spongeables.

Spongeables, LLC is a Los Angeles-based technology and innovation company providing leadership in new product concepts, delivery systems and categories within the global consumer products market. The company has invented a patent-pending technology and proprietary infusion manufacturing process combining time released cleansing products, efficacious skincare ingredients, and a sponge matrix in one convenient, long lasting product.

As a huge fan of novelties, I can’t help but spotlight Blue Q products. With products such as “Cat Butts” air freshner, “Mullet” magnet sets, “Instant Irish Accent” breath spray, and “We Met on Facebook” gum, it’s hard to not find a great gift for someone with a sense of humor. And the products are not all simply a joke. Shopping bags made of recycled material, BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, and dish towels meant to replace the use of paper towels show the company’s commitment to sustainability. It’s easy to meander the company website for hours checking out products. Take a look at the highly amusing “about us” page where you can see the company’s personality shine even more. Hopefully this recommendation will bring you a happy day!

A partnership between a computer manufacturer and nail polish manufacturer seems odd at first glance, but the intriguing collaboration results in more customization options for consumers. Dell’s Design Studio will have rights to 26 OPI colors for Dell Mini, Inspiron and Studio laptops. There will be 20 classic colors with names like "Big Apple Red," "Strawberry Margarita," "Rosy Future" and "Kyoto Pearl," and my personal favorite "I’m Not Really a Waitress." During the holiday season there will be 6 Holiday Collection colors including "Dear Santa," "Merry Midnight" and "Smitten with Mittens." This customization only adds to Dell’s marketing strategy of building your own computer, and specifically targets women already familiar with the shades they are sporting on their nails on a daily basis.

"Dell and OPI’s offerings are a fresh collision of style and power, color and technology," said Rachna Bhasin, general manager, partnerships and personalization or global consumer. "OPI’s high style and Dell’s award-winning technology combine to offer people stylish options that deliver the ultimate combination of color and connectivity on the go."

The 2009 Pentawards were recently announced and crowned the Kleenex "Slice of Summer" as Best in Show giving Kimberly-Clark the Diamond Pentaward.

Pentawards is the first and only worldwide competition exclusively devoted to packaging design in all its forms. It is open to everybody in all countries who are associated with the creation and marketing of packaging. The winners will receive bronze, silver, gold, platinum or diamond Pentawards according to the creative quality of their work.

The Platinum Pentaward winners receiving nods as the best packaging for the five major categories are:

• Beverages: Turner Duckworth, London & San Francisco, for Coca Cola Summer 2009.
• Food: Nosigner, Tokyo, for Kanpyo Udon
• Body: Wolff Olins, New York, for Living Proof, No Frizz
• Other Markets: Mouse Graphics, Athens, for Petrocoll, Spatula Putty
• Luxury: Dragon Rouge, Paris, for L’Or de Martell.

For a look at all of the winners, click here! The next competition will open on April 5, 2010.

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October, 1985, making this month the 25th year for the program. With other organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society on the Board of Sponsors, attention continues to grow for breast cancer awareness. Due in part to the collective efforts behind NBCAM, there has been a 2% annual decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1990. The increased survival rate is inspirational, but the fight continues.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.

As you go about your normal shopping habits this month, notice the various promotions to support breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone has over 150 corporate partners that make generous donations (proudly, some are customers of ours), which include percentage donations based on sales. For example, every pink Yoplait lid mailed back to the company contributes 10 cents to Susan G. Komen. Or if you’re in the market for a new car, Ford will donate $20 for each Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle test driven at a Ford dealership – up to $1 million until December 31st. For a full list of corporate sponsors and how your purchase can help, click here.

As huge "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" fans, we also wanted to share this video in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Graphic Design USA magazine recently published their winners for in-house design accomplishment from American companies. Categories for these creative design awards include: annual reports; advertising; announcements, invitations & cards; brochures & collateral; calendars; catalogs; direct mail & direct response; editorial design; identity design; internet design; multimedia & interactive design; packaging; P-O-P, signs displays & environmental graphics; posters; public service & pro bono projects; and sales promotion. Winners ranged from retail giant Walmart to Tastefully Simple. To see these award-winning designs, click here!

This Graphic Design USA awards program is, quite simply, the original and premier showcase for the outstanding, and too often underappreciated, work of inhouse design departments at America's great companies and institutions.

A couple months ago, we blogged about the booming market for natural and organic baby care products. While this is a huge opportunity for health and beauty product manufacturers, it is equally important to keep in mind the moms doing the purchasing. This mom market breaks down into three categories: mom-to-be, mom-and-baby, and new moms. The products that these women are looking for vary and need to be marketed as such.
 
During pregnancy, women are looking for products to deal with the new cosmetic and skin difficulties on top of the ones that they may have had already. Stretch marks are obviously a factor needing attention, and Palmer’s “Tummy Butter” addresses this mom-to-be need. However, the product is barely set apart from its other cocoa butter lotions in location or appearance. Johnson & Johnson—a highly recognized baby care brand—has launched a “Best for baby, best for you” campaign to associate their trusted baby products with uses for mom as well. The suggest using their baby lotion as a makeup remover. Natural and organic products are also great “mommy and me” products as moms tend to be even more concerned about what products touch their babies’ gentle skin. Method’s “Squeaky Green Hair & Body Wash” has taken the natural baby product market by storm with its lid that doubles as a wash cup.
 
Last but not least are the post-pregnancy products. The most popular products address the problem of cracked and sore nipples. Products in this category include Essential Care’s Organic Nipple Balm and Dr. Lipp’s nipple balm. Products that are successful in the market address the concerns of being a mom, but don’t forget about keying into a woman’s needs. With today’s hip and stylish moms, stereotypical mom-marketing can get thrown out the window. If extending a well-known brand to include mom- and baby-friendly product, it should be relatable to original product line, while differentiating it enough to appeal to mom.

For the full article from Beauty Packaging, click here!

Have you ever used a topical pain reliever that gave you results, but wore off too quickly, leaving you to reapply? Well, 15 years of research by Concept Laboratories has resulted in the development of MyOmega: a topical pain reliever utilizing nanotechnology. The particles have varying release times, so that the barriers around the nanoparticles break down at certain times. Some particles break down right when the product is applied giving instant relief, while others have barriers that break down slowly, allowing the extended period of pain relief.

As a result, the cooling sensation is felt anywhere from 20 minutes to six hours following application, says the company. The MyOmega pain relief line is said to be the first of its kind, using a sustained delivery system to target localized pain with FDA-approved ingredients like Menthol, Camphor and Capsaicin.

The product is packaged in aluminum bottles with bright colors on the label and dispenser, creating a package that is sure to stand out amongst other pain relievers.

For those of you in the design field, or if you’re just generally intrigued by stylish packaging, take a look at these unique packaging concepts. The blog is run by a Brazilian-based team enthusiastic about design and the internet. Get inspired!

Scandle® LLC manufactures an eco-friendly, all-natural, soy candle that fragrantly melts into body oil, which can be used at home or as a part of spa treatments. The candle itself is made of shea butter, cosmetic grade soy butter, jojoba, vitamin E, & body safe fragrance as opposed to other soy candles made mostly of soy wax. This allows the candle to burn at cooler temperatures and creates an oil that is lighter on your skin. This cosmetic soy candle is paraffin-free; therefore it burns without emitting toxins, is water soluble, and is biodegradable. The company, committed to sustainability, has announced that their holiday season products will be sold in eco-friendly Sinamay packages—packages made of hand-made, hemp leaf-based fibers. 
 
According to a recent press release from the company,  Scandle's holiday gift sets will feature a variety of holiday fragrances including Holiday Spirit, Sleeping on Snow, and more.  Holiday gift sets have a recommended retail price of $24.95 - $35.95. For more information about Scandle®, to purchase a Scandle®, or for wholesale information, visit www.abodycandle.com or call the Scandle® LLC corporate offices at 866-531-9916 (9am-5pm CST).

One growing trend that has proven successful in the health and beauty market is sampling. For new products, sampling gives the consumer the opportunity to try a product without breaking the bank, and it gives the company the chance to prove a product’s worthiness of a repeat buy.

Sample sizes allow for a variety of distribution techniques, from in-store to direct mail, and the advancements in packaging provide potential consumers with multiple uses of a sample. For example, the "Tear n’ Tuck" package from Unette can be resealed after its initial use, a great choice for liquid or cream-based beauty products. Samples can also be packaged in containers that are miniatures of the retail-size version, creating brand recognition when the time comes for that repeat buy. Another great feature of sampling is its ease of transportation. The inability to carry full-size liquids on flights and the fear of a beauty product container spilling during transit is solved by utilizing sample sizes of your favorite products (rather than settling for just any travel-sized version that can be found).

Beyond the many benefits to consumers that sampling creates, the sales numbers are really in favor of the companies utilizing this marketing strategy. A recent study by Arcade Marketing showed that for companies that sampled, "the entire brand jumped, not just the sampled product."

For the full article on beauty sampling, click here.

Summer is here—well, almost here for those of us in New England. And along with the season comes our pesky enemies: mosquitoes. No matter which devices or sprays you use to prevent mosquito bites, it seems inevitable that you will always end up with a few. To ease the pain and annoying itch, home products company Improvements has introduced a device that produces heated itch relief. Battery-powered and pocket-sized, this device emits heat that neutralizes the proteins from the bug bite to relieve itch and swelling. Affordably-priced, this product appears to be a great solution to messy creams.

Heated Itch Relief is also effective on bites from fleas, gnats, and horseflies. There are no chemicals, so Heated Itch Relief is safe even on a child's sensitive skin.

For more about this product, check out Improvements website.

Drug labels can include a plethora of required information that may be difficult to sort through as a consumer. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect on these labels and some important things to consider:

Active Ingredients- Listed here are the active chemical compounds that are working to relieve your symptoms. It will always be at the top of the label. If you are taking multiple over-the-counter (OTC) medications, make sure they do not have the same active ingredients.

Uses- This portion of the label will list the only symptoms that the drug is approved to treat.

Warnings- This section is pretty straightforward, but be aware of details such as what foods or activities to avoid, such as driving, while taking a particular drug.

Directions- Be sure to follow not only the dosage amount that is suggested, but how often to take the medicine.

Inactive ingredients- Though you may not be able to pronounce many of the ingredients in this section, know that they do not have an effect on your body. They are the preservatives that bind the pill together and food colors.

Sponge skin care products were initially developed by Markos Drakotos for pregnant patients concerned with product safety for their unborn babies. His inspiration came from organic sponges cultivated in Symi, Greece. The products gained popularity outside of their target marketing and were eventually launched in the US last year at Barneys New York stores. In particular, ladi avokanto, an avocado-based oil has seen great reviews in several magazines. The Vitamin D & E in ladi avokanto gives the benefit of both moisture and sun protection.

The company will launch three new products this summer and fall. They will also introduce a bath line, followed by a baby care line in Spring 2010. Drakotos is also negotiating the launch of the product in international markets including the U.K., France, Greece, Russia, Poland, Hong Kong, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. Happi Household and Personal Products Industry Magazine writes, "Industry sources project the product launches and distribution expansion could push global retail sales of Sponge Skincare to $5 million annually by the end of 2010."

For those of you that do not have your eye on the calendar, this Sunday is Father’s Day! It’s not too late to find that special gift for Dad, Grandpa, or that special father figure in your life. In a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, it is estimated that we will spend $9.4 billion on Father’s Day gift-giving. Some of the traditional gifts will continue to be popular (dinner, sporting events, clothing, gift cards, and electronics). But for those of you that have already expended these ideas, unique gifts to consider are skin-care and grooming products. Here are some ideas from stylelist.com:

A Close Shave: A professional shaving brush by Anthony Logistics creates a rich lather--and helps lift hairs for a closer shave. For the traveling Dad: The airplane-approved kit of shaving essentials from Anthony Logistics. If Dad's a fan of barber shop shaves, he'll love the Billy Jealousy Hot Towel treatment. The pre-shave formula contains a water-activated heating agent to open pores, for professional spa-like results.

Skincare Products: Pamper dad with skincare products from AHAVA, which uses potent minerals from the Dead Sea in its products. Safe bets include: Deep Cleansing Gel, Mineral Shower Gel, and Soothing After Shave.

His Favorite Scent: If dad is loyal to a certain fragrance, you can't go wrong with a brand new bottle. If Dad doesn't have a signature scent, the deluxe sample set from Sephora will help him choose.

Stock His Shower: Men’s products from Molton Brown come in great scents, and mom won't mind the chic bottles on display in her bathroom.

For more ideas, click here!

We read and write a lot about how marketing consumer goods is more difficult than ever. To set your products apart from the abundant options for consumer beauty products, your promotions need to be creative and take advantage of technology and trends. Here are some recent tips from Global Cosmetic Industry on how to not only reach out to new customers, but to keep the loyalty of your existing ones:

Kits. Offering a combination of smaller sized products for the price of one normal-sized product is a good way to get new or existing customers on board for your entire product line.

Samples. Whether they are priced lower or free, attached to normal sized products or offered on their own, samples allow customers a low risk opportunity to test your product.

Free Stuff! Free samples are a great idea for an in-store/spa promotion. It’s a way to attract new customers without them having to make an investment.

Get online. Between e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or your company website, quick and easy online access to your target market allows you to send out up-to-the-minute information and promotions.

Go green. The green movement continues to grow, so allowing customers to contribute through the purchase of your eco-friendly products will show return even though they may be more expensive. At Dion Label Printing, our processes are eco-friendly, and we have eco-friendly material for your labels. Request samples here!

Know the competition. Keep up to date with the promotion tactics of your competitors.

Full article here

In today’s environment, everyone emphasizes what they are doing to be "green," "natural," "socially responsible," and just about any other do good word or phrase you can think of. So, what do these buzzwords actually mean in the health and beauty industry? A recent article in Beauty Packaging breaks down some of these interpretations within the beauty industry and shows some gaps that present great opportunity.

NATURAL- The word "natural" means the product is "safe for use on skin." Women may believe the product is mineral based, healthier for you, or does not contain dyes or additives. About 73% of women believe natural beauty products are safe to use on their skin.

ORGANIC- Women associate "organic" products as "without chemicals." They also believe that they are healthier to use and do not contain dyes or additives. However, compared to natural products, only 54% of women perceive organic products to be safe to use on their skin.

GREEN/ECO-FRIENDLY- These products are seen as "helpful to the environment". Not only are they safe for the environment, but women also say that they utilize biodegradable packaging, have packaging made of recycled materials, are made of renewable resources, and are made by companies that use renewable energy such as wind or solar power.

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS/RESPONSIBLE- Women think more of the company when it comes to these key words. They believe it mostly means the company gives back to the community and does not test on animals.

When polled on which kinds of products women were interested in and if they had actually used them, the results show some interesting gaps:

Clearly, many of the women interested in "natural" beauty products are already using them. The greatest opportunity gap exists for "green/eco-friendly" products. Although fewer women associate these products as healthier for you, they do seem intrigued by the effect their beauty products have on the environment. Research also shows that these potential consumers are more hesitant to buy. Getting samples without investing in the products and greater product awareness may be a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Read the full article here.

Typically known for their 2-in-1 product line, Pert Plus has introduced a new product that is taking multi-featured bath products to the next level. Pert Plus for men now offers a 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash. Now men can get all of their bathing essentials in one bottle. The product claims to suit the needs of most hair and skin types, providing ease to men that don’t want to bother with multiple products.

Formulated especially for men, this is the perfect combination of shampoo plus conditioner plus body wash. It has a rich, foam lather and the right balance of cleansers and conditioners to get you clean from head to toe.

It’s not just men that look for multi-feature products. Health & beauty retailer philosophy® has been selling shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath all-in-one’s that have greatly appealed to women (not to mention the awareness created by its selection for Oprah’s favorite things in 2005). While it may not always be advantageous to combine product offerings, there does occasionally appear to be some great opportunities!

I'm constantly searching for eco-friendly packaging to learn what marketers and designers are doing to make their products and packaging better for the environment. In my search, I came across the article "Sustainable is Attainable" in Beauty Packaging Magazine. In this article written by Tom Branna, marketers of household and personal care products explain how their innovative ideas are making the world a better place now and for generations to come. Click here to read this article!

Vogue International has introduced a brand of hair care products based off the popular Vitamin Water. Vitamin Shampoo hair care line pairs up super fruits to make delectable combinations of scents such as Acai Berry Guava, Mangosteen Yogurt, Blueberry Avocado, and Dragonfruit Kiwi. These super fruits are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, proteins, and essential oils that are said to rejuvenate your hair. Vitamin Shampoo is described as an energy drink for your hair, nourishing your hair and protecting it from every day pollutants.

According to Ross Reback, chief executive officer of Vogue International, "We created the VitaminShampoo brand around the concept of reintroducing vitamins as an essential priority in hair care, as we had recognized there was a void within the category. Our research and development then led us to identifying ‘superfruits’ as a huge emerging consumer trend, and decided to partner the high potency vitamin and antioxidant benefits of superfruits with the overall vitamin concept of the brand."

The Vitamin Shampoo bottles are made up of bold energizing colors, with a energy drink look and feel this shampoo is sure to grab your attention. Retailing for around $7 a bottle you can find this shampoo at your local drugstore. To learn more about vitamin shampoo check out their website at www.vitaminshampoo.com.

The last thing that comes to my mind when I think of Victoria’s Secret is organic, until now. Victoria’s Secret is on its way to going green this year with the introduction a new line. They have created a new line of their Pink products with the addition of a bath & body line that contains vegan and organic ingredients, all packaged in eco-friendly materials. This new collection features post-consumer packaging with removable labels, making recycling a breeze. Here at Dion Label Printing we often receive requests for eco-friendly labels for eco-friendly packaging, but the best way to go green is to ensure proper recycling by removing labels before recycling. Victoria’s Secret is doing a great job at providing consumers with the knowledge by asking them to remove their label before the recycling process. Products range from $8 to $15, a small price to pay towards saving the environment.

Taken from the official press release:

INTRODUCING PINK BODY, a unique line of skin-loving and earth-friendly products created specifically for the pink girl. She spoke. We listened. The result? A more personalized approach to everyday body care using organic and vegan ingredients, powerful natural formulas and eco-friendly packaging. With three dermatologist-tested, solution-specific collections, each designed to pamper pink girls from tip to toe: nourishing for dry skin, energizing for dull, sluggish skin and soothing for extra-sensitive skin. Plus, four additional essentials that everyone can use and love. It's all about finding ways to look good, feel good and do a little good, too.

THE COLLECTION

ENERGIZING
Even PINK girls can experience a dull moment from time to time. When skin gets worn and weary, our Energizing line can give it the recharge it needs. Packed with U.S.-sourced Citrus and Organic Mint to naturally exfoliate and refresh, plus a boost of caffeine from Organic Coffee Beans to energize and tone.

NOURISHING
Dry humor? Love it. Dry skin? Not so much. Made for PINK girls who need a major dose of moisture but can't deal with heavy creams and greasy lotions. Our Nourishing line is infused with Organic Shea and Cocoa Butters to help heal and hydrate, plus a shot of U.S.-sourced Grape Seed Oil for antioxidant protection.

SOOTHING
Ideal for PINK girls with tempermental skin. You know the kind: easily irritated, extra sensitive, doesn't take well to harsh products. Our Soothing line is hypoallergenic and enriched with Organic Oat Extract to calm, plus U.S.-sourced Soy Milk to fortify.

ESSENTIALS
Little everyday things that skin needs and loves.

Theresa Spruill is the brainchild behind Honeycat Cosmetics, an all-natural collection of flirty, girly cat themed bath and body products for women. It has everything from lip balms to milk baths all adorned in retro black and pink packaging. Honeycat Cosmetics combines a flirty retro style with a fun-loving witty attitude into every aspect of this brand. For instance, "Chick of the Sea" is a foaming bath crystal product that comes conveniently in a tuna fish can.

Not only is this product line creative and fun but the entire collection is all natural and not tested on animals. Honeycat guarantees that you are safe in their hands with "what’s-good-for-you-skin-stuff." To see all of Honeycat Cosmetic’s collection you can visit their website here.

If you could hydrate your skin from the inside out, would you consider it? The Nestle Co. has launched Glowelle, a beauty drink that nourishes and hydrates your skin with the use of antioxidants, vitamins, and fruit extracts. Glowelle’s engaging tapered glass bottle makes the drink feel welcoming and fun. The glass bottles are screen printed using the applied ceramic labeling process and are topped off with a cap that is sealed around the neck using a shrink band. With its non-intimidating nature people can pick up the bottle and see all the great antioxidants Glowelle provides.

This supplement comes in two flavors, Natural Pomegranate Lychee and Natural Raspberry Jasmine. Two varieties are available as well, bottled and powered. Glowelle sells for roughly $7 per bottle and can be found at upscale shops such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Click here to find out more about Glowelle and its packaging.