What kind of person does it take to create a line of skincare that is so luxurious, that its products command top-of-the-line prices? Diva got curious and spoke with Ms Yuko Sugano, Manager of Prestige Brands Group and R&D Expert, when she was in town at the launch of Kanebo's Impress Granmula skincare range.
Diva: Why do you think women will love the Impress Granmula skincare range?
Ms Sugano: I believe that our customers will love the Impress GRANMULA range most for its fabulous fragrance and highly comfortable texture. Also, they will grow to appreciate and enjoy the range even more when they are able to connect with the product and feel its effectiveness, like it has been designed to work for them to bring out their ultimate beauty, the ‘Exquisite Aura’.
Diva: Tell us about yourself and your R&D work in the beauty industry.
Ms Sugano: I joined Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. in 1976 under the Product Development Department, and have continued to work for the company for over 34 years. Following 15 years with the company, I was appointed to be in charge of product development for beauty cosmetics and other functional products under the Group. In 2004, I moved on to the Prestige Brands Group where I focused on the research and development for key ingredients suitable for the mature and anti-ageing market.
The key highlights of my career include the 1998 development of the Impress line, and the creation of the Impress Concentrated 3D mask last year. The product was the first-of-its-kind in the industry, and it also managed to receive the MAQUIA Cosmetic of the Year 2009 Royal Award and VOCE Beauty Awards 2009 under the Autumn/Winter Skincare Grand Prix and Mask category shortly after its release in Japan.
The key highlight for 2010 is certainly the birth of Impress GRANMULA, the total immaculate anti-aging and brightening skincare line which offers the most luxurious Cream in today’s Japanese beauty market. Since its launch in November in Japan, the Impress GRANMULA Cream has emerged the tops in VOCE Beauty Awards 2010 Autumn/Winter under the Luxurious Cosmetics Category. I believe and am confident that the GRANMULA line will also be well received and appreciated by the Singapore market.
Diva: What are the challenges that you face in the course of your work?
Ms Sugano: As a R&D Manager, I need to keep up with the demands of the fast-changing beauty landscape, and to be in the constant lead to direct and develop new, top line
product ranges for our valued consumers.
To do so, it is necessary to stay highly updated and relevant with the beauty and cosmeceutical trends, to understand the psyche of women and recognise the desires they hope to achieve for their skin. Rigorous studies and research work as well as laboratory product testing must also be undertaken for new advanced ingredients to be developed, tested and eventually included in new ranges.
Diva: Is it difficult for a woman to succeed in your field of work?
Ms Sugano: In my opinion, it is not difficult for a woman to succeed in the cosmetic field if they have a positive mindset. My advice to women facing difficulties in their career is ‘to always try’. ‘Patience’ and ‘Determination’ are important qualities that will ensure success. In my field of work, it is vital to adopt a ‘never-give-up’ attitude, and continuously experiment with different combinations of ingredients until the right formula is achieved.
For example, one challenge faced during the development of the Impress GRANMULA line was to determine the right kind of texture that is the most comfortable and suitable for each item. Out of the three, the creation of the cream was the most challenging. It required four years of continuous laboratory testing before we could determine the perfect texture that would allow the cream to penetrate gracefully into the skin in the blink of an eye, without leaving any lingering or sticky effect.
In the core spirit of research and development, challenges must be overcome to ensure that top-notch quality in beauty products can be created.
To all women who wish to conquer their career hurdles, I hope you can find inspiration from my words.
Diva: What, in your opinion, are the qualities of a beautiful woman?
Ms Sugano: The notion of ‘beauty’ differs from person to person. To me I believe that the basis of beauty comes from being healthy both in heart and body. With a stress-free heart and mind, our skin is able to transcend beyond the impurities to exude an aura of brilliance, like a diamond with an inherent sparkle increased through many refinements.
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