“Over the last few years we have seen lots of discussion around the growth of the natural skin care market, and in the past the use of natural ingredients has often been associated with a compromise on performance,” she tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
“Thanks to brands like Bulldog, this is changing and consumers are now experiencing better skin feel and performance benefits as a direct result of using amazing natural ingredients. And of course, this is with the added benefit of stripping out harsher synthetic ingredients.”
Industry veteran
Men’s brand Bulldog prides itself on using natural ingredients in all of its skin care products, and welcomes Shona to the team, having previously worked in the cosmetics industry for over 25 years at Yardley of London, Robert McBride and Peter Black, before her most recent role heading up the technical side of Marks and Sepncer’s beauty business.
She is also an accredited member of the Society of Cosmetics Scientists and says that she is looking forward to working with Bulldog and seeing her creative ideas come to market in both the UK and international markets.
“I feel this is a very exciting time for the men’s market as men have developed much more sophisticated shopping habits over the past few years. Now, rather than secretly borrowing their wife’s products they want to use products that have been specifically developed for their skin,” says Shona.
“We are seeing products like eye creams and body lotions, which were traditionally regarded as female products moving into the male market but with textures and actives targeted towards the specific needs of men’s skin. Men are really starting to take an interest in their skin care as part of their over health and fitness regime.”
Drawing on past experience for future
Looking ahead, Bear also believes that her previous experience can also help to deliver innovation and success in her new role.
“I have been really fortunate to work in several different areas since I joined the beauty industry over 30 years ago. I joined the industry as a chemist formulating skin care products and worked for a number of manufacturers in both quality and development positions before joining M&S,” she tells us.
At M&S Shona was involved in a new product development project where a by-product from its food group was used to develop an exclusive high performance skin care active by working with a top British university, clinical testing houses and one of our major suppliers.
“It was really challenging at times but launching such a unique product was a fantastic career high. I really hope to use some of these experiences to develop even more exciting and innovative products in the Bulldog portfolio,” ends Bear.