How about some Orgasm for your cheeks?

Are cosmetic companies overdoing it with the names of their products?

Cosmetics and Fragrances are a part of the Fashion and Beauty world. And yes, this world is glamorous and sensual. But, sometimes things can get just plain…weird.

I had a lecture during my marketing class in school about how cosmetic and perfume companies use naming the product as a means of marketing. And, this is absolutely understandable. For a perfume, it’s the name of the products that catches our attention first. But to have a perfume whose name has nothing to do with the actual smell or the “story” behind the perfume is something strange. The same goes for cosmetics.

Let’s take OPI for example. I was at a department store and going through the names of the nail polish on display.  There was a bright yellow shade named Need Sunglasses? and a pretty glossy pink shade name I’m a Princess, You’re Not! 

Need Sunglasses?

I'm a Princess, You're Not!

Mrs O'leary's BBQ

Who Come Up with these Names?

These names are clever and coherent with the colour they are assigned to. A girl with pretty pink nails is allowed to feel like a princess. But a deep burgundy coloured lacquer with the name Mrs O’leary’s BBQ doesn’t really match. The dark brownish-red colour does resemble that of BBQ sauce, but for me at least, it wasn’t the first thing I associated with the nail polish. There was also a toffee coloured polish with the name Who Comes Up with these Names? which I found hilarious.

Though the OPI names can get bizarre, they are witty and sometimes very funny. Urban Decay and Nars are at a whole new level when it comes to naming products. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t like to tell people my lipstick was named Trainwreck or Sellout and yet Urban Decay sells these. They also have a dark black and good quality eyeliner named Perversion. 

Trainwreck

Perversion

Yes, I know that the cosmetic industry is all about romanticism and sensuality but I think Nars gets the award for boldness. Their super gorgeous pink blush is named Orgasm. 

Orgasm

Can you imagine the following conversation:

Girl 1 – “That blush looks so good on you! What do you use?”

Girl 2 – “Uhhhh….Orgasm.”

I’m sure a ton of cosmetic companies use this strategy. But these were some of the brands that caught my attention. Even though it’s a wonderful marketing strategy, I still find it surprising sometimes.