I attended the Merck Event last week at Amadeus, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Merck is a company basically from Germany and has its collaboration in India from the time Rabindranath Tagore went there and had good relations with the Merck family..Performance Materials is one division of Merck out of the many divisions..and pigments form one part of Performance Materials..and not only the colored pigments we use for our eyes..but everything from mattifying powders in pressed powders to the shimmery highlighting powders..the pretty looking body washes and face washes..each and every thing has these pigments..even the paints on the walls and the outer packaging..everything..
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Event: “An afternoon of shimmer and shine”, where Merck [India] revealed the latest trends in beauty and skincare with renowned experts Samantha Kochhar, Ojas Rajani and Dr. Soma Sarkar
When: Friday, 8th June 2012
Where: Amadeus, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
What happened: Even a humid day in the over-cast weather of Mumbai could not break the excitement resonated around the conclave hosted by The Performance Materials division of Merck [India] to discuss and showcase the latest trends, movements, technology and innovations in the world of beauty and design. Merck is the pioneer and global leader in pearl effect pigments and a key player in setting global trends in beauty, skincare and design. Combining expertise with experience, this exclusive preview also featured the likes of Samantha Kochhar – MD Blossom Kochhar Companies, Ojas Rajani – Ace Bollywood make-up stylist and Dr. Soma Sarkar – renowned cosmetologist and dermatologist, who threw light on the latest advances and inventions in beauty and the importance of effect pigments in the colour cosmetics and skin-care products that we use.
Merck [India] also shared its latest initiative ‘Project effexX’, a first of its kind co-creation platform in the world of product design, architectural design, interior design, aesthetic design, package design, cosmetics and skin care. Through Project effexX, Merck India intends to communicate the value, benefits, and the need for special effect pigments in people’s lives and businesses, along with serving as a knowledge resource for trends, technology, new design and innovation. It’s the perfect destination for aspiring beauty and design professionals to engage with industry experts and seed new concepts and ideas.
It was an afternoon full of shimmer and shine, with Ojas Rajani showcasing the latest looks for Colour Forecast of Autumn/Winter, 2012. This was also followed by an interactive experiential session, where participants got to custom make their own skincare and colour cosmetic formulations using a variety of Merck pigments and actives.
What the Speakers had to say:
· Sharing his views on this initiative Siddhartha Sengupta, Head of Performance Materials, Merck Limited [India] said, “At Merck it is our constant endeavour to educate consumers about the relevance of effect pigments in their day-to-day lives. It is with this objective that we created ‘Project effexX’, an online and offline engagement programme to enlighten, inspire and empower consumers through influencers. This initiative will also help consumers understand the latest trends in the effect pigments space and give them a platform to network within their lines of work.”
· Talking on the occasion, Samantha Kochhar, Managing Director, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies said, “I’m very pleased to support Project effexX, which I think is a great knowledge sharing platform for budding professionals and other industry players who want to raise the bar in the Hair and Beauty Industry. Companies can benefit from in-depth researched solutions with regards to pigments and ingredients in order to enable them to produce internal quality products and packaging, which do not harm people and the environment. We believe that as a company we are absolutely dedicated to providing natural, honest, credible and effective products. I personally have great faith in Merck products on account of their high quality and focus on safety, and have used their pigments in our latest skincare range, ‘Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic’.”
· Dr. Soma Sarkar was vocal in advocating the need for better skin care, “In today’s fast paced life, it’s important that both, women and men, pay greater attention to their skin care needs. This begins with using quality products which are appropriate for their skin type. I have high regard for a brand like Merck, which has managed to constantly stay on top of the skin care and beauty trends. Merck products not only deliver value for money but also organic world-class formulations that do not damage the skin. Each ingredient is backed by global certifications which are testimonial to their claims of efficacy. I am delighted to be part of Project effexX, which is a great platform for influencers and consumers alike to keep abreast of the latest developments in beauty and skin care, and also network with experts across principles.”
· Praising Merck [India]’s efforts in creating this dynamic knowledge sharing platform for young practitioners through Project effexX, Ojas Rajani said, “Merck has some really innovative pigments, actives and functional fillers, which provide superior quality textures and benefits to many of the colour cosmetic and skincare brands that we use. Project effexX is a great platform to educate consumers on the ingredients that they should seek in their beauty products and help them to take more calculated and informed purchase decisions.”
Ojas Rajani explained two looks on the models..a day time and a night time..the day time look was more sublte where pistachio and pastel shades were used and the night time look was smokey.
Samantha Kocchar was herself a makeup artist before..if you are a follower of Band Bajaa Bride on NDTV Good Times, you must have seen both Samantha and Ojas on the first season..She tookover as the MD of Aroma Magic a year and a half back after her dad expired and she heads it now. She also told us about the new launches of Aroma Magic..a new line of face washes..which have Merck Pigments..and new innovative packaging..and also that they have worked on the smell of Aroma Magic Mineral Glow Scrub which is their hot seller..but smells blah..
Ojas Rajani uses cosmetics which have Merck Pigments in them. I have got a lilac eye-shadow which has Merck pigments in it ..would review soon..
Merck also has Titanium Dioxide used in Suncreens and many other pigments related to skin care and pearl effect pigments used in makeup..the whole pigments thing was kind of an eye opener..I knew the ingredients used in stuff..but not about how these pigments are sourced from different companies and used in manufacturing and the process, etc..we were also shown a demo of different pigments mixed together..
Have you heard about the Merck Pigments before ?