Microsoft word - r091207_9.doc

T O I L E T R I E S , F R A G R A N C E S A N D S K I N C A R E December 7, 2009
Volume 30
Number 49
Huge Lips Skinny Hips Maker Expands Its “Double-Duty Beauty” Line
The creator of Huge Lips Skinny Hips lip gloss has inked a deal with HSN to hawk her signature product as well
as five new items.
Hoodia-containing Huge Lips Skinny Hips debuted in May; Purple Lab NYC founder Karen Robinovitz hopes the extension of “clinically oriented beauty products with a sense of humor” will help people to “[see] us as a brand and not a one-product company.” “I love HSN because there’s no dilution in their messaging,” she told “The Rose Sheet” Dec. 1. “I can be out there telling my stories whereas in a traditional retail environment you never have that – no one will convey the passion you have.” The new products feature “cutting-edge” ingredients and offer dual benefits, consistent with Purple Lab’s “double-duty beauty” theme. Items include a mascara liquid-liner duo, foundation, lip color and cream blush. They will retail for between $18.50 and $35 and are expected to be available for pre-order this month and ship in February. “I’m really discerning about putting out there the highest quality,” Robinovitz said. “I absolutely won’t launch a product unless it’s better than anything I already use.” She came up with the idea for Huge Lips Skinny Hips after feeling as though she ate too much at a cocktail party. Tapping her experience in the beauty, fashion and marketing industries, she went on to develop a product that plumps lips and suppresses appetite. The plumping effects come from vitamin B3, and lemon peel oil soothes and nourishes so it does not sting. Orange peel extract boosts metabolism while Hoodia helps to suppress appetite. The colors are named after Robinovitz’s personal philosophies and icons, such as Lychee Martini, Red Sole and Love Your Thighs. They currently retail for $25 apiece. “The formulas in the products are really sophisticated, but the energy behind them and the way that we’re presenting them is really fun and cheeky,” she said. Robinovitz is not worried that the name of the product might concern regulatory authorities, as it does not claim to facilitate weight loss and Hoodia is present in only trace amounts. “It’s not a weight-loss tool, I’m not making a claim,” she said, calling the appetite-suppressant “an intention setter.” “It’s about putting it on, feeling like you know you’re wearing something that can support you. Don’t not eat, just don’t double fist your cupcakes so you feel sick after,” she said. Los Angeles-based Pacific Shore Holdings’ Burner Balm, a Hoodia-containing lip balm promoted as effective at
boosting energy, suppressing appetite and burning fat, has come under fire from various organizations for its
“weight management” claims (“The Rose Sheet” Nov. 2, 2009).
Reprinted with Permission from “The Rose Sheet.” Please see Copyright Notice.
Reprint Article From “The Rose Sheet”
It took two years for Robinovitz’s Huge Lips Skinny Hips to go from concept to store shelves. It now is available at retailers “that attract total trend lovers” such as Scoop, Fred Segal and C.O Bigelow, as well as online at Bliss and B-Glowing. “The real goal was to have a very prestige distribution to start and build it up as an affordable luxury,” she said. “I started with one product; I didn’t want to get lost in a big chain, knowing that as I grew and as I created a really loyal audience of trend setters and style makers I could then get in stores that have massive presence.” Response to the product has been strong so far, and some colors have sold out, according to Robinovitz. Purple Lab has embraced social media as a way to virally build a following for Huge Lips Skinny Hips. The company has used Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to interact with customers, answering questions, holding contests and asking them what products they would like to see. “I’m not just talking, I’m listening and talking back,” Robinovitz said. Purple Lab’s blog will feature guest posts from its nationwide brand ambassadors – whom the firm calls “Multi-tasking Mavens” – and Robinovitz regularly meets with bloggers and Twitter fans in person. She noted that she aspires “to be the brand that becomes the ultimate role model for using social media differently.” – Lauren Nardella ([email protected]) 2009 F-D-C Reports, Inc.; An Elsevier Company; All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, photocopying, storage or transmission by magnetic or electronic means is strictly prohibited by law.
Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Elsevier Business Intelligence, when the
fee of $25.00 per copy of each page is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA
01923, (978) 750-8400. The Transaction Reporting Service fee code is: 1530-1222/09 $0.00 + $25.00. Violation of
copyright will result in legal action, including civil and/or criminal penalties, and suspension of service. For more
information, contact [email protected].
Reprinted with Permission from “The Rose Sheet.” Please see Copyright Notice.

Source: http://www.jsteeldesign.com/_Accounts/Work/purplelab/images/press/print/article/RoseSheetDec09.pdf