What's in a Name?

SickScience promises incredible results. It's the name that turns me off.

Hello, Gorgeous!

Remember the controversy some years back when Guerlain re-released Samsara perfume? The brand’s intention was to create a fragrance symbolizing multiple elements of life and stressing harmony. The name they chose didn’t quite fit the bill.

In Buddhism, the Sanskrit word Samsara more properly defined also includes endless suffering and death in the karmic life circle. Not exactly what you’d want to spritz on every morning. Thankfully, there was a happy ending and consumers continue to embrace Samsara the perfume.

Product names don’t appeal to everyone

In my years in the beauty industry I’ve spent quite a bit of time naming products and brands. It’s fun! It’s also an arduous and exhausting process. And let’s not even discuss checking what the name you come up with means in other cultures or languages.

Did I ever tell you about the time a former client insisted on naming a new skincare launch after a character in Game of Thrones? There’s a reason you’ve never heard about t…