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.
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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.
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“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.
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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”.
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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.
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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
Manchester Airport to host big jobs fair with more than 500 roles on offer
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of careers are set for take-off, as Manchester Airport’s popular jobs fair is returning early next month.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns and operates Manchester Airport as well as East Midlands and London Stansted Airports, is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and for its first jobs fair of the year is promoting vacancies in areas like airport security, lounge hospitalitylmand terminal operations, as well as other roles on offer with third-party employers based at the airport.
Some of these roles range from airline support and check‑in, to airside operations, logistics and ground handling, retail, and special assistance services for passengers with restricted mobility.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about a career at the airport by speaking to employers operating on-site.
More than 500 roles will be advertised at the event, and more than 20 leading employers will be represented.
Manchester Airport is hosting a big jobs fair with more than 500 roles on offer / Credit: MAG
Running from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday 3 March at Wythenshawe Forum, some of the other employers who will be represented at the fair include retailers and franchise operators like Boots, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, WHSmith, Pasta Evangelists, Monsoon, HMSHost SSP, and World Duty Free, as well as airport service providers like PrimeFlight, 36T HUB, Mitie, Swissport and ABM.
The Airport Academy, which is run in partnership by Manchester Airport and Trafford & Stockport College Group, will also be in attendance on the day to promote its free pre-employment support programmes and fully accredited training schemes.
Jobseekers who secure a role within MAG can take advantage of a wide range of benefits during their employment.
These include discounts on public transport when travelling to work, free on-site car parking whilst working and when going on holiday, an excellent pension scheme, training programmes, retail discounts, and many more.
There’ll also be a wide range of third-party employers present at the event / Credit: MAG
“We’re proud to serve the North, not just by flying people to the places they want to travel to, but by helping local people find their way into rewarding and fulfilling careers,” commented Tina Edwards, who is the People Director at Manchester Airport.
“The airport directly employs more than 3,400 people and indirectly supports almost 20,000 jobs, so we’re a major contributor to the local economy and our ambitious growth plans mean we’re always looking for more talented people to join our teams. The same is true of our fantastic partners who are represented at this jobs fair.
“It’s an exciting time to be embarking on a career at Manchester Airport as our £1.3bn, decade-long expansion programme wraps up this year, giving us the platform to realise our potential as a truly global hub.”
Manchester Airport’s spring careers fair is free for all to attend, but you’ll need to book your ticket online first here.
Featured Image – MAG
Business
Manchester’s tiny new tiramisu hatch Layr speaks out after receiving influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s tiny new tiramisu hatch has spoken out after receiving a recent influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages and reviews.
Having only opened its doors – or should we say, shutters – at the end of last month (29 January) over in Acoats, Layr is one of Manchester’s newest independent businesses that is selling purely tiramisu, with a menu of three different flavours, each served in individually portioned pots.
Here you can expect classic tiramisu where sponge is soaked in espresso, then layered with vanilla marscapone and cocoa dust.
These freshly-made, alcohol-free and Halal desserts have gone down an absolute treat with residents and visitors to the city alike since opening, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing for founder Moona who has admitted over the weekend that they have been receiving a number of ‘hostile’ hate comments and reviews that don’t reflect the service they are providing.
The statement comes after the business teamed up with The Couture Club and influencer Farron Clark for a Valentine’s collaboration over the weekend.
Layr said in its Instagram statement: “As a small independent business, we can’t stay silent when things aren’t right. It’s hard to share, but it has to be said.
“With a heavy heart, we need to address something that’s been happening behind the scenes. Over the past few days, we’ve noticed a pattern that’s been difficult to process. Hostile hate-messages, comments, and reviews. A number of one-star reviews have appeared that don’t feel reflective of real customer experiences… with some of our genuine customer photos have been screenshotted and reposted elsewhere.
Layr has spoken out after receiving an influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages / Credit: The Manc Group
“As a small, new independent business, we take all feedback on board. However instances that appear not to be genuine are disheartening to see.”
They then shared a couple of screenshot images of reviews and comments they were referring to, before adding that: “The industry is already a challenge without these instances. We all need each other’s support and I hope we all succeed in what we set out to achieve.”
The statement concluded: “Let’s spread love… not hate.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th June 2021 
