The secret to going viral is a bit of good fortune. At least, that’s what many believe.
But when you look at Shrine, a company that continues to return to the trending section again and again, you start to think there might be a knack to going viral after all.
This Manchester cosmetic business blew up right at the beginning for launching the now-famous glitter boob and bum trend; went viral again when they shared their success story; and even managed to make headlines when the world went into lockdown for at-home hair dying products.
“We’ve always tried to be trendsetters,” Shrine’s Niamh Gillan tells The Manc.
“For us, it’s about being disruptive. We try to be original – and we communicate that across social media.
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“It’s what makes us different.”
Shrine is like the anti-corporation. Almost everything they do goes against the traditional business bible; and it’s worked a dream.
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Set up just a few miles outside of Manchester city centre near the Etihad, the Shrine team is 11-strong – all female, and all below the age of 28.
Each member of staff essentially runs their own little department, with key messages and updates communicated not via letters or emails – but through Instagram Live and TikTok.
Today, more than half a million loyal followers are sharing Shrine style ideas, ordering products and signing up for masterclasses.
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Even in this complicated climate, the company is generating millions.
“Everyone really gets along, it’s like a family here,” Niamh beams.
“We love working here, we love the products and the people we work with.
“We want people to know that.”
Back in 2016, MMU student Jenna Meek decided to invest her life savings on a business idea – setting up what was then known as ‘The Gypsy Shrine’ from her bedroom.
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She chose glitter and stick-on jewels as fashion statements, and these images struck a chord with students before being picked up by The Daily Mail and The Sun.
That summer, you couldn’t go to any live music event without seeing someone sporting the glitter boob trend. It was suddenly a fixture of festival fashion; like sunglasses, hats or hair dye.
Pre-festival popup stores in the likes of London and Los Angeles attracted enormous crowds – and within a matter of months the brand was collaborating with film studios and music giants.
World-renowned studio Warner Brothers selected The Gypsy Shrine to host a stand in support of their Wonderwoman film; recognising the brand’s focus on female empowerment.
Another collaboration for a Halloween and social collection followed, before the brand teamed up with festival Coachella to throw a Palm Springs party in 2018.
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Within two years of setting up, The Gyspy Shrine was synonymous with festival dress.
But the brand had ideas that went beyond fashion for wild weekends.
Dropping a couple of words from their moniker, Shrine began to broaden its offering to focus on more areas of lifestyle – moving into creative cosmetics and hair care.
It was good timing. The festival scene has temporarily collapsed due to COVID-19, but even when quarantine began, Shrine was as in-demand as ever.
“Over the past few months, there’s been lots of people ordering our at-home hair dye,” Niamh explains.
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“We launched it in February and it took off as we went into lockdown.
“From there, demand went up as people couldn’t go to hairdressers.
“We’re getting lots of inquiries about our hair dye dropping – it’s where you can drop the pigment into conditioner and use that to cover your hair.
“It’s semi-permanent and you can create your own shape.”
Founder Jenna still features heavily on Shrine’s social channels – hosting Q&As about particular products and even taking part in Instagram Live sessions with hair salons.
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The brand audience is bigger than ever before. And there’s plans in the pipeline to reach this ever-growing base of fans.
Shrine has dipped its toe in international waters before, but now it’s preparing to take the plunge and dive head first into the American market.
“We’re looking to launch in the US – that’s all in the works right now,” Niamh explains.
“We’re hoping to grow into being a key brand over there. That’s the plan for the next year – but the big aim is worldwide.
“Hopefully, we can keep this going and start to trade with retailers all over the globe.”
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Thousands of brands out there are still attempting to go viral. For many, it’ll be a case of good fortune.
But with Shrine, it just feels like a matter of time before that name starts trending again.
“We know our audience and they know us,” Niamh says.
Building this kind of special relationship is a rare thing. But Shrine has done it. And it sounds like there’s much more to come.
See what Shrine is offering right now by visiting the official website.
Endangered baby giant otter triplets have been born at Chester Zoo
Emily Sergeant
This calls for celebration, as Chester Zoo has welcomed baby giant otter triplets in what is huge news for the endangered species.
It’s been a really exciting start to 2026 at Chester Zoo, as it was only a couple of days ago we got to see Dotty the baby Kirk’s dik-dik – which is one of the smallest antelopes in the world – take her first steps, and now it’s time to say hello to three new arrivals in the form of giant otter pups.
The trio are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in several years, and arrive as part of an international conservation effort to boost numbers.
Arriving to first-time parents Bonita and Manu, up until now, the three giant otter pups have remained tucked away in their cosy holt with mum feeding them regularly until they more than tripled in size – but now, they’ve officially entered into the big wide world.
Following their first health check-up with the zoo’s veterinary team, conservationists have revealed the sex of the pups to be two males and a female
Their names are yet to be chosen, so keep your eyes peeled.
Endangered baby giant otter triplets have been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has described this triple birth as a ‘rare boost’ for one of the world’s most endangered species, as there are thought to be fewer than 5,000 giant otters surviving in the wild right now.
Giant otters are the world’s largest species of otter, with a powerful build, sharp teeth, and a highly social nature. As one of the apex predators in the waterways where they live, they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of freshwater ecosystems.
But sadly, experts say the species faces ‘an uncertain future’, with their decline largely driven by deforestation, water pollution, and illegal hunting, leading them to be listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they face a very-high risk of extinction without urgent conservation action.
“The arrival of these three giant otter pups is a hugely special moment and marks the first time the species has been born here in seven years,” explained Rachael Boatwright, who is the Assistant Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo.
“The pups recently had their very first health check-up at eight weeks old, where they were weighed and had their heart, teeth and overall condition assessed by the zoo’s vets. We’re delighted to confirm that all three are healthy and thriving – and that we have two males and one female pup.
“At eight weeks old, the pups will now start to venture outside alongside parents Bonita and Manu, who will start introducing them to the water and all of the essential skills they’ll need as they grow.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Hordes of people dressed as giant poos run through Manchester for bowel cancer awareness
Danny Jones
If you happened to be in town on Thursday and noticed a bunch of people dressed as giant poos running through the city centre and wondered, ‘What the hell is going on?’, it was this…
We know Manchester has a serious case of the runs, what with the annual Marathon and Great Manchester race, both just around the corner (one literally just next week), but this takes the cake.
On a more heartfelt note, although there is an obvious and innate silliness to this now annual get-together, it’s all for a very important and worthwhile cause.
Uniting for a fourth time, the Pall Mall Medical team (along with a couple of us here at The Manc) are hoping to flush out the stigma and silence surrounding bowel cancer awareness.
Credit: The Manc Group
Starting from Pall Mall’s very own clinic on King St, more than 105 runners laced up their shoes and popped on emoji suits, toilet costumes, daft poo hats and more for a 5k jog around the city centre alongside local run club, Blaze.
They even tried to make the route in the shape of a poo, too.
Why such a specific number, you ask? Well, that’s the exact number of people who are sadly diagnosed with bowel cancer across the North West every single week.
It’s an alarming statistic, but once you pair it with the fact that they make up the rising number of new cases being reported in the country – more than a whopping 41,000 each year – you can see why they’re desperate to get more people talking about the disease.
Moreover, the rate among under 50s has also seen a concerning rise since the 90s, but this also means that the earlier it’s caught, the better people like Pall Mall can help with treatment.
The sooner it’s spotted, the greater the chance of survival, with 90% of those diagnosed at the earliest possible stage surviving for five years or more; that’s why these lot are hoping to better the discourse around bowel-related issues.
Besides offering important scans and blood tests for numerous health conditions, they also boast the dedicated and revolutionary ColoAlert® testing service, which is a German import that’s more accurate (around 85%) and effective than most others here in the UK.
It has quite literally proved to be a life-changing bit of kit for so many, and for Pall Mall’s Dr Chun Tang, this whole initiative has a deep personal connection.
Having sadly lost his father to the illness, as well as his brother being diagnosed with bowel cancer, he knows all too well how important increasing the conversation is – bowel cancer being the second biggest killer in the UK after lung conditions.
Even before you book in a check-up, Dr Tang says it’s simple to spot noteworthy signs at home: “Any blood in the stools, streaks in your poo, on the pan or on the paper; any changes in your digestion such as diarrhoea, constipation and [continued] fatigue, then see your GP or come visit us at Pall Mall.”
Best of all, the money raised with the latest ‘Poo Protest’ all goes towards Bowel Cancer UK, so well done to everyone involved.
For once, we couldn’t be happier to hear so many people talking sh**.
Throughout April, Pall Mall are offering £75 off the ColoAlert® Bowel Cancer stool test, and 20% off the Virtual Colonoscopy in Aprilo. To find out more about the event and book an appointment, you can click right HERE.
The Manc -
13th August 2020 
