Italian-born makeup artist Francesca Guerrera is attempting to marry color cosmetics with skin care in bringing Solutions to Saks Fifth Avenue this fall.
According to Guerrera, many brands are known for either their skin care or color collections, but rarely both. With almost two decades in the beauty business and a multifaceted background working as a makeup artist, aesthetician and spa owner, Guerrera wanted to create a collection that was simple to use and combined skin care and professional cosmetics.
“I wanted to take professional skin care and color and create a fusion between both worlds,” said Guerrera, who also is listed as a skin care specialist. “It’s not about being a great makeup line and skin care line, but the combination of the two.”
Launching exclusively in select Saks stores in September, the paraben-free and fragrance-free Solutions line is designed to increase collagen production and hydrate the skin by preserving its natural water balance, while giving skin a natural lift and overall glow. Each product contains an antioxidant complex consisting of black currant and pine bark ingredients, which the company claims reduce damage caused by free radicals, along with pomegranate, which is meant to stimulate the skin.
“As an artist, you must prime and prepare the canvas before putting on colors,” said Guerrera. “The same goes for adding color to skin.”
Solutions includes four product categories: The Core, The Solutions, 4:45 Solutions and The Color Collection. The Core features seven products, including a cleansing milk and gel, oil-free moisturizer and firming eye cream, all designed to cleanse, tone and moisturize the skin. The Solutions range addresses specific skin care needs with a hydrating mask, overnight blemish solution, clay masks, light-diffusing eye cream, face polish and antiwrinkle cream. The 4:45 Solutions are designed to freshen up a consumer’s look with four products. The Color Collection is a full cosmetics range of products, including blush, bronzers, eye shadows, lip gloss, lipstick and about 20 makeup brushes.
“This line helps the women of today who are repressed by time,” said Guerrera, who added that the range is aimed at on-the-go women with sensitive skin.
The products, ranging in price from $17.50 for the eyeliner to $185 for the antiwrinkle face cream, will be sold in select Saks doors in New York, Boca Raton and Boston. The company plans to expand with more Saks and other specialty stores next year before expanding internationally.
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Although executives wouldn’t comment, industry sources estimated that Solutions could generate $5 million in first-year retail sales.