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Gen.u.ine Chemotherapy Cosmetics to Launch Kickstarter Campaign

29 October 2019

Gen.u.ine Chemotherapy Cosmetics, created by ON Sacha Burke (11-16) and her creative partner Amy Bland, is the world’s first gender-neutral makeup brand with products specifically designed for chemotherapy patients.

Sacha and Amy originally came up with the idea for Gen.u.ine Chemotherapy Cosmetics as part of a university project but are now keen to develop the brand further. The idea was born through Amy’s experience of watching her Nan undergo chemotherapy for bowel cancer. Chemotherapy can cause skin to become incredibly sensitive, dry, irritable and prone to infection, meaning that the vast majority of standard cosmetics can be unsafe to use. Gen.u.ine aims to help cancer patients feel like themselves and minimise the time, money and stress of trying to find suitable cosmetics products for their skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gen.u.ine range currently consists of three shades of eyebrow pomade, three shades of liquid lip tint, a cheek tint and an eyeshadow palette with nine shades. Each product is dedicated to someone who has an experience with cancer – the first eyebrow pomade being named after Margaret. 65% of patients having chemotherapy treatment will experience hair loss and therefore the eyebrow pomade was the first product Sacha and Amy developed. The pomade includes a plant-based hair growth stimulant and it is thought that Gen.u.ine is the only cosmetics range to use this ingredient. As the duo explain, “Gen.u.ine is not about glamour or vanity. It is about giving people the chance to feel like themselves again, not a cancer patient”.

  

Sacha and Amy worked alongside ON Fin Hanlon (06-17) to film a product showcase video for the brand. The video was featured in an article from Campaign magazine, one of the most influential creative magazines in the world, and has been watched by people from all around the world. The brand was also recently listed on the ‘Ones to Watch List 2019’ in the prestigious D&AD Impact competition, which recognises creative ideas that are driving positive change. Gen.u.ine was shortlisted out of over 2000 entrants, with graphics produced by fellow ON Alix Carter (11-16) impressing the judges.

The team will be launching a Kickstarter campaign on 1st November in order to fund the first batch of Gen.u.ine products. They are aiming to raise £2000 over a thirty day period and would love your support in making these products a reality. Their Kickstarter campaign page can be found here.