Almay is an American cosmetics brand owned by Revlon which markets products toward people with sensitive skin.
History
The Almay Brand was originally established in 1931 and was named after the founders, Alfred and Fanny May Woititz. The creation of this cosmetic brand began when Fanny May Woititz was in need of cosmetic products that did not irritate her sensitive skin. Her husband Alfred, who was a professional chemist, started experimenting with makeup to find ingredients that were purer and gentler. With the help of dermatologist Marion Sulzberger, they developed the first cosmetic brand that used hypoallergenic ingredients. Almay was the first brand to introduce skincare safety by producing fragrance-free products, by showing all the ingredients used on its product labels, and by testing for allergy, as well as irritation. It was also the first to create a cosmetic line for consumers with specific skin types and those who wear contact lenses. In 1987, Almay was acquired by Revlon and today it has expanded to a full line of skincare and makeup products. Almay has products for skin, face, lips and eyes. The natural ingredients used include meadowsweet for oily skin, grape seed for normal skin, and cucumber for dry skin. Other ingredients in the products include moringa, aloe, milk thistle, licorice, soybean, and rosehips. Elaine Irwin Mellencamp became the spokesperson for Almay in 2004. In 2010, Kate Hudson became a spokesmodel after, and most recently Carrie Underwood.
Cruelty-free cosmetic
Almay has not conducted animal testing for over 20 years. The company has eliminated testing in all phases of research, development and manufacturing of all their products. They do not support, nor request that suppliers do animal testing. However, they do obey "local laws" in which countries may require animal testing in order to sell products to customers.
Controversy
In May 2015, the nonprofit organization, Truth in Advertising, filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General alleging that Almay’s “Simply American” marketing campaign was misleading to consumers. The FTC and New YorkAttorney General claimed that the TV and Internet adverts, which depict the former “American Idol” star Carrie Underwood decked out in red, white and blue along with other patriotic imagery, implied that Almay products were made in the United States, when they contain “non-US components”, misleading consumers. It was revealed that three of the seven makeup products in the Almay’s “Simply American” commercials were made entirely overseas, in China, Germany and the Czech Republic. Revlon chairman, Ron Perelman, responded that the adverts neither claimed nor implied that Almay cosmetics are made in America. Perelman said their products celebrate the “simple, luminous and fresh-faced” look of American beauty, much as rival L’Oréal depicts the “French look.” Perelman also highlighted that the company employs 1,900 workers at its North Carolinamanufacturing plant as evidence of its commitment to American jobs. Following the controversial Carrie Underwood campaign, Almay gained a negative reputation as being ethnicly exclusive. To address these claims, in 2017, Almay hired a new spokesperson, the half-Black/half-Jewish comedienne and producer Rashida Jones. The brand's Marketing Director Antoanette Bivona has admitted that "somewhere along the way, Almay lost its way, targeting a small range of skin tones. We need to reach a more diverse audience."
Spokesmodels
Some of the actresses and models that have appeared in Almay advertising include:
