Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/224814
{nails file} Team Spilo Supports Breast Cancer Awareness and Research Spilo Worldwide was well represented at the first-annual We Love You Mommy 5K race held at Long Beach State University in Long Beach, Calif. The team's participation resulted in a generous donation being made to this worthy cause. The We Love You Mommy Foundation is a community-based non-profit organization committed to the elimination of cancer through education and services that provide access to diagnostic testing to the underserved. For more information, go to www.weloveyoumommy.org. Online Review Fakers Get Caught We know you'd never do it, but apparently not all of your colleagues are so honest. A day spa and two med spas were among 19 companies cited by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman for posting fake consumer reviews online — a practice called "astroturfing." The companies agreed to cease posting fake reviews and to pay more than $350,000 in penalties. "Operation Clean Turf," a year-long undercover investigation into the reputation management industry and the manipulation of consumer-review websites found that companies had flooded the Internet with fake reviews on websites such as Yelp, Google Local, and CitySearch. In the course of the investigation, the Attorney General's ofce found that many of these companies used techniques to hide their identities, such as creating fake online profiles on consumer review websites and paying freelance writers from as far away as the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Eastern Europe for $1 to $10 per review. By producing fake reviews, these companies violated multiple state laws against false advertising and engaged in illegal and deceptive business practices. 56 | NAILS MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014 Teen Girls Love Polish Best Ninety-two percent of girls between the ages of nine and 17 use some sort of nail product — making it the most popular cosmetic item among teen girls. "Similar to lip makeup, girls are introduced to nail products at young ages, often before their teen and tween years," says Shannon Romanowski, beauty and personal care analyst at Mintel. "The popularity of nail products is partly due to the abundance of options these cosmetics offer — special effect polishes, nail art, etc. Girls can create a whole different look relatively easily." Nail product usage rises to 97% for girls aged 12-14, and 14% of all teen and tween girls use nail products on a daily basis. Mintel research found that the popularity of nail products among teens and tweens is consistent with the overall strong performance of the nail care and color category, which saw growth of roughly 72% between 2007 and 2012. "The affordability of nail polish, in addition to new product innovations, has made the category especially popular among younger girls," says Romanowski. "Brands are also extending their appeal by offering products based on iconic characters like Hello Kitty and even popular childhood desserts like ice cream and sprinkles." >>>