A newly-launched beauty company founded by two young Manchester entrepreneurs is now being sold to a US retail giant.
Entering the $390 billion beauty industry is never easy, but for Jenna Meek and Jess Hunt – who founded independent label REFY in Ancoats last year with no external investment – their products spoke for themselves and within only six weeks of launching, they’d grabbed the attention of one of world’s leading beauty retailers, Sephora.
And now, the brand’s first product range – a three-stage brow collection – has launched online and in 320 Sephora stores across the US and Canada this month.
This makes REFY the first Manchester-based business to achieve this feat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_YI_sqnrE/
Entrepreneur Jenna and beauty influencer Jess – who met on a photoshoot – saw a gap in the market for fool-proof makeup products that “enhance rather than hide natural beauty”, with no makeup artistry skills required, and it all started when Jenna noticed Jess’ extensive eyebrow routine.
“It was something ridiculous, like five different eyebrow gels, multiple brushes, and then a pomade and a pencil to do my brows every single day,” Jess said.
Jess’ loyal Instagram followers constantly asked what products she used on her brows, and so creating a streamlined brow collection made sense for the pair. They decided to bring together their skills in business and marketing to join a new wave of independent beauty brands who owe their success largely to social media thanks to highly-engaged cult followings.
REFY’s three-stage brow collection puts “simplicity at the forefront” and is designed to leave you feeling “confident and empowered” as it can be used to achieve a natural look or more exaggerated, fuller brows.
REFY is the first Manchester-based brand to be sold in Sephora / Credit: REFY
Within two months of the self-funded business’ launch at what was a turbulent time for many brands in November 2020, REFY was approached by senior buyers at Sephora.
The buyers had bought the products themselves, and were “seriously impressed”.
Jennifer Cohen – VP Makeup Merchandising at Sephora – said: “Sephora is thrilled to partner with REFY and continue bringing our clients innovative products that meet all their beauty needs.
“REFY delivers bold, powerful formulas that help promote and celebrate confidence [and] we are so excited to introduce this brand to our clients and know that it will be a wonderful addition to our assortment.”
Jenna Meek commented: “Sephora is the biggest beauty destination in the world for premium cosmetics and was the number one retailer Jess and I wanted to partner with in the US when we launched the business [as] its unconventional approach to keeping pace with the latest brands and trends makes them the most loved beauty community in the world.
“We’re super excited to bring REFY to a new audience in the US, encouraging more people to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident enough to celebrate themselves with uncomplicated, versatile products.”
REFY’s three-stage brow collection puts “simplicity at the forefront” / Credit: REFY
When REFY first came onto the scene offering a simple way to achieve the ‘no makeup makeup’ look, consumers responded by buying over 100,000 units in the first six weeks – ensuring an entire stock sell-out on more than one occasion.
The brand also quickly captured the attention of mega-influencers such as Molly-Mae Hague, and Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock – who are now all loyal fans of the brand.
It’s only looking up for this Manchester business success story.
Featured Image – REFY
Business
Chester Zoo is looking for volunteers to help care for its animals and ‘prevent extinction’
Emily Sergeant
Are you ready to help make a genuine difference? Chester Zoo is currently looking for volunteers to help care for its animals.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo is committed to the recovery of endangered species around the world, and is making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most… but it can’t do this alone, and that’s why it’s calling on people to volunteer and spend a year of their education gaining ‘invaluable’ work experience.
Chester Zoo is offering a number of year-long Animal Husbandry Voluntary Work Placements for those currently studying for degrees relevant to the industry.
During these placement years, candidates will get comprehensive practical training by Chester Zoo specialists covering a wide range of subjects, and receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of the species they’re working with, taking on plenty of hands-on husbandry tasks along the way.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Candidates will be assigned to one of the animal keeping sections for the year – specialising in either birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates.
The ideal candidates for these placement years will have an interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Chester Zoo, an ability to work as an individual or as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and have the ability to financially support themselves for the duration.
The working hours for placement volunteers will be full-time, working five days out of seven, including alternate weekends, on a rota basis, but it’s worth it as Chester Zoo says many of its past placements have gone on to follow careers in zoos.
Full uniform will be provided by the Chester Zoo, along with free lunch vouchers for the days you attend.
The news that Chester Zoo is seeking volunteers comes after it was also announced that the zoo is giving out more than 30,000 free tickets to children, offering them the chance to visit the incredible facilities on offer without having to spend a penny.
Applications for the positions are now open, and applications from individuals living outside of the UK are welcome, but they will be expected to fund your own travel and relocation costs if successful – with the closing date being 10 March.
Assessment days for the placements are anticipated to take place on 4 or 11 April, and you can find out more and apply here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Business
Sneak peak inside swanky new homes ready to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of swanky new homes are now available to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes.
The reboot of the former derelict market precinct in the suburban Bolton town of Farnworth is being spearheaded by Capital&Centric, and the social impact developers behind the project are now giving prospective renters a sneak peak into the developed.
Dubbed Farnworth Green, the new community consists of 97 rental homes, made up of a super energy-efficient range of townhouses and apartments.
The development will be comprised of a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom properties, with 85 stunning apartments and 12 family homes – all of which have been designed with the same high-quality features that are usually reserved for Capital&Centric‘s city centre spaces.
Designed for renters, the dozens of new homes come with even more living space, as well private gardens to be enjoyed when the sun makes an appearance, and potting sheds for all the green-fingered people out there.
Residents will also have access to the exclusive rooftop garden, gym, lounge, co-working spaces, and dog washing stations for their four-legged friends.
The two-bed apartments are packed with Scandi-designed HAY furniture and massive floor-to-ceiling windows to flood the rooms with light, while the the top-spec kitchens are kitted-out with all the mod-comms and latest appliances you would expect.
The new townhouses, on the other hand, will be the first to be delivered under the developer’s ‘Neighbourhood’ brand.
Pioneering new homes at Farnworth Green are now available to rent / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
This includes Bolton’s first-ever operationally net zero homes, aiming to ‘slash’ energy bills for residents.
A raft of independent bars, eateries, and shops will also be taking shape on the ground floor of the community hub, giving locals and residents a place to meet up and enjoy seasonal outdoor events that will be planned once the neighbourhood is up and running.
Residents will also be able to spend time in a brand-new public square at the heart of the community, which will play host to artisan markets, art shows, and foodie pop-ups.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
“We’re buzzing to see the new homes come to life at Farnworth Green,” commented Tom Wilmot, who is the joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric.
“Farnworth Green is all about creating new and exciting spaces for businesses and the community to spend time in, as well as delivering a pioneering new town centre living experience and giving disused retail areas a new lease of life.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th June 2021 
