Ever wished there was a Pakistani skincare brand that could match up to the premium brands from Turkey or South Korea?
Your wishes have been heard!
With Alara Beauty, you get skincare that’s soulfully beautiful and just as – a skincare brand from Pakistan that uses a blend of local and imported ingredients certified by dermatologists. In fact, the brand also collaborates with skincare manufacturers from Turkey!
Today, we’re spotlighting Alara Beauty’s origin story, their obstacles, and their achievements.
Let’s begin!
So, How Did Alara Beauty Start?
The journey of Alara Beauty began with a curious incident involving a package from a well-known international skincare brand, Ordinary.
Co-founded by a dynamic duo, the intrigue sparked a conversation about skincare preferences in Pakistan. The ‘package’ in question was a small-sized bottle of serum costing around 4000-6000 PKR. This turned out to be an unexpected wake-up call!
The realization that many Pakistani female citizens depended on big names like Ordinary for a small bottle of serum urged the two founders to research the Pakistani market for a more budget-friendly alternative.
The result?
They realized that many Pakistani skincare brands needed more consistency, leading to the idea of creating their skincare line.
A trip to Turkey and SkinFest, a premium yet affordable skincare hub, fueled the inspiration – why not bring these premium products to Pakistan?
However, political unrest and import bans pushed them back. They had two options:
- Wait a whole year for the ban to be lifted
- Create a skincare product of their own
The two founders decided to take matters into their own hands. They delved into the formulation, sourcing local ingredients, and rigorous testing to birth Alara Beauty.
Brand Motto: Making Skin and Soul Happy
Alara Beauty’s mission is to eradicate skin-related insecurities in Pakistan.
The brand emphasizes that beauty allows confidence to flourish, making the skin and soul happy.
Alara Beauty distinguishes itself in Pakistan’s skincare and beauty industry due to its commitment to consistent quality.
Unlike many other brands that tend to devalue their products over time, Alara Beauty is a brand that refuses to compromise quality for quantity.
Challenges and Hurdles
Navigating a political situation of unrest and import bans proved a formidable challenge for an up-and-coming business like Alara.
Launching during a period of high inflation and with minimal knowledge about the industry required them to learn on the go.
Where to begin? What ingredients to use? How do we market the product?
Starting from scratch with zero experience in a highly competitive market is difficult.
Besides having a designer and product formulator on board, the founders took charge of every aspect of the brand – from packaging to marketing and PR.
Another significant hurdle they faced was creating a brand that could replicate the premium skincare products in Turkey and South Korea.
This task proved to be quite challenging. The founders developed five samples and then sent them to their leading supplier in Turkey for trial and testing. Unfortunately, the initial five attempts faced rejection.
However, their hard work paid off when the sixth sample finally received the green signal!
What Goes Into Creation
We always feel cautious when trying new skincare products. But the good news is that dermatologists and doctors are integral to the Alara Beauty team.
The products undergo meticulous testing to meet dermatological standards and customer expectations.
Growth and Expansion Plans
Customer satisfaction has paved the way for expanding the product range.
Requests for a complete skincare range, including face wash, soaps, and cleansers, have led to plans for a Turkish-inspired line. Plus, the brand plans to launch glycolic acid mixed with other ingredients for various skincare products, too – a leap no other brand has taken before!
The brand aims to become a one-stop solution for customers, eliminating the need to search for complementary products.
Ethical Practices
Alara Beauty is against the prevalent use of mercury in Pakistani skincare products, emphasizing mercury-free, chemically tested, and organic formulations.
The brand is committed to cruelty-free, organic products and has plans to reward customers for returning packaging and reducing environmental impact.
Engagement with Customers
Direct engagement with customers is a top priority for Alara Beauty.
Social media content, stories, and posts are crafted to address customer needs, with a dedicated team handling queries.
The brand doesn’t shy away from negative feedback. In fact, negative feedback is promptly addressed, with customers redirected to dermatologists for free consultations.
Our Advice to Skincare Lovers!
Alara Beauty emphasizes the importance of working with genuine products and understanding the industry landscape before diving in. They encourage customers to approach skincare with diligence.
Seek experienced professionals, primarily dermatologists, and prioritize the ingredients over the product’s aesthetics.
Our storytellers received their Skin Cuisine Potion and MultiVitamin Tropical Booster, and they’ve both been doing wonders on our favorite storyteller’s skin. Needless to say, they’re a part of her AM/PM skincare routine now.
So, if you want to include Turkish skincare products in your regiment as well, don’t forget to check out Alara Beauty’s soulfully beautiful range.
And for more reviews and insights, visit the Storyteller’s Saga blog.
