Fergalicious

Campaign 18 catalog

In Campaign 18, I had to promote Fergie’s new fragrance called “Outspoken Intense” and I was a little hesitant about getting a few demo bottles to sell to my customers.  I’m not the biggest fan of her, especially after the last Super Bowl halftime show, and her appearance in the photo spread for the catalog makes her look like some scary witch.  From a guy’s point of view, she looks “sweaty and gross” and wonders why she would be the spokesperson for a fragrance when she “doesn’t look like she smells good.”

I agree, if I was going to buy a fragrance because of a celebrity brand, she is not one I buy from based on the name.  In the fragrance business, the celebrity endorser may be the one to attract attention to a new scent, but the scent is what sells itself.

To promote Outspoken Intense by Fergie, I do an informal blind study.  Every day I spritz on a different perfume to see if certain ones are noticed or complemented.  Sometimes I tell my friends to smell my wrists to get their opinion, and I generally get good reviews (the “bad” ones are merely just a difference in fragrance tastes).

I asked the male friend that disliked Fergie as a performer to take a whiff of the fragrance I just put on minutes before.  I asked him if it was a fragrance he would get a future girlfriend, and he told me it was really nice and asked which one it was.  Now it’s time to picture the shock on his face when I told him the “sweaty and gross” endorser was Fergie.  He thought I was lying to him, but he judged the catalog by its cover.

The question is, did this fragrance fit its marketing?  I can see why Avon chose Fergie to do a second fragrance.  The original Outspoken by Fergie is Avon’s best-selling fragrance launch ever.  In fact, on May 25, Fergie won the 2011 FiFi Award for New Celebrity Fragrance of the Year.  Avon must have done something right for the blend of iced berry laced with tuberose and black leather to receive this prestigious award from the Fragrance Foundation.

Here is what Laurent Le Guernec, Senior Perfumer, said about Outspoken Intense: “In the original fragrance, there was a rebellious and a highly contrasted blend.  I wanted to expand on this signature idea in Fergie Intense.  I began exploring an even more exaggerated feminine approach, with bright colorful fruits and daring floral absolutes.  I was inspired by the magnetic beauty and vibrant sensuality of Fergie herself…the different facets of her powerful femininity was my inspiration.”

Features of Outspoken Intense by Fergie:

Alluring Top Notes: Succulent blackberry, shining star fruit and luscious kumquat

Bold Mid Notes: Vibrant purple passionflower, lush gardenia and velvety orange flower petals

Intense Base Notes: Sensual musks wrapped in white amber and blonde cedar

When and where should you wear this?  You’re heading out to a club with your girls and want to stand out from the rest of the bar-hoppers.  You’re a performer and need a fragrance that lasts through the last song on your set list.  Or, perhaps, you want to spice up your night a little bit.

When I’m choosing my Eau de Parfum du jour, I sometimes hesitate about wearing Outspoken Intense.  But when I spritz it on, I remember just how good it smells!  If you want something dramatic and intense, this is the fragrance for you!

Stock-up 17

I was going to publish a Halloween makeup post this year, but thanks to a random snow storm on one of my favorite holidays, I had no power.  Without power, I was eating dinner by candlelight and reading Water for Elephants in front of the fireplace to keep warm and toasty.  The 24 hours away from all things electronic was nice, but the timing was not what I had planned!  It seemed silly to post a “how-to” story for Halloween when anyone following my advice would have to wait another year to use it.

So here I am, catching up on old campaigns!

Campaign 17 catalog

Campaign 17 started in the beginning of August, when the majority of my town was on vacation.  Though the summer savings that the catalog was offering at this time were fantastic, there weren’t many customers around to take advantage of the great deals.  I lived in a ghost town.  So what did I do?  Stock up, of course!

It was during this campaign that I decided to try out the clothing, skin care regimen, bug repellent…you name it!  And it was a good thing that I did, because I had my first party at my friend’s house and my expertise in the products helped me build more sales.  I was able to recommend specific fragrances and give testimonials about the ever-popular mark. peony apple body butter.  Guests valued my opinions on the extensive mascara selection, and knowing the products helped me up-sell and cross-sell leading to more cha-ching!  It was a small party of about 10 guests, so I was able to give each lady one-on-one attention to her beauty needs as well as enjoy the (strong) Sangria and snacks.  Getting paid to talk about products you already recommend is pretty great!

Anyway, back to stocking up!

Skin care: I started the Anew Rejuvenate skin care regimen by using their 2-week trial kit, which at the time was only $19.99 (reg. $34).  The mini cleanser lasted a full two-and-a-half months, the mini day cream lasted nearly three months, I’m almost finished with the night cream, and I still have plenty of the 24 hour eye moisturizer left!  The trial kit was a great way to see how my sensitive (and acne-prone) skin reacted to a new regimen.  Want to know a secret? I used to use a prescription to clear my blemishes and it barely worked, but somehow Anew Rejuvenate has made my face feel fresher, firmer, and look clearer like never before.  I’ve moved my prescription topical medications under the sink, where they are probably collecting dust.

Hair care: My red locks were getting tangled, knotty, and the split ends resembled some kind of tumbleweed you would find in the middle of the dessert.  I basically wanted to shave my head because I was so frustrated with it, but I didn’t because I tried a new hair treatment in the Advance Techniques Damage Repair line called 3D Rescue.  The ad copy claimed that one application could “repair 3 years of hair damage in 3 days.” I had a few samples and tried it out.  After just one application, I decided that I didn’t need a haircut yet and that I could once again donate to Locks of Love in the future.

Makeup: I was running out of an old Wet N Wild eyeshadow compact and wanted to find something similar to the daytime neutral colors I usually wear.  The Anew Youth-Awakening Eyeshadow and Primer Kit was on sale, and I gave it a go.  I use “Sunset Pink” every day (how fitting for me, because I LOVE sunsets!), and looks great with my Smooth Minerals Mascara.  I also got myself a mark. customizable palette that I use for my nights out.

I could go on with more products I’ve been using since C-17, but then I wouldn’t have product reviews to write about in the future.  You’ll just have to stay tuned!

Highlights of Campaign 17

I acquired new customers from my first Avon party!  Success!  And many of the products I started using back in the summer are still being used today!

On the downside…

The townspeople were all down the shore somewhere for two weeks before the high school sports seasons started.  It was so quiet that I could hear ants crawling on the concrete pavement.  There was no one to stop and say hello to!  Networking with strangers would just have to wait!