The Queen review of the year

As the year comes to an end (not an original start or premise, I realise), we thought we would have a little muse on what's happened here at Queen Cosmetics during 2008.

This time last year we launched our online shop www.queen-cosmetics.com. Given Queen is 81 and as far from cutting edge as it's possible to get (we revel in this by the way - it's abacuses and quill pens all the way here) we did recognise that this was a move we needed to make. We still get ridiculously excited when emails ping up alerting us to the face that a customer has placed an order online but there have been teething problems and strange things do seem to keep happening. Yesterday, the aforementioned email alerts didn't ping up, meaning that some customers' orders were missed, much to our chagrin. One customer declared that she was 'desperate for some Sensiderma Rich Hand Cream' for herself (she was also buying extra to give as presents) and could we get it to her ASAP.

We look forward to improving the site over the coming year and to reaching more people who may benefit from the Queen range.

As if this giant step into the 21st Century wasn't enough, we also launched our first new product in very many years following increasing demand for an anti-wrinkle cream for sensitive skin. Sensiderma Renew & Refine, which contains a peptide which works to reduce the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles, is such a lovely cream and, so far, it is proving very popular and getting rave reviews. Actually, it is the bestseller online, followed by Sensiderma Rich Hand Cream and Queen stalwarts Moisturiser and Medicated Cleansing Cream (the best cleanser and moisturiser for any skin, not just sensitive skin, in our view!).

Prospects for the year ahead include increasing the range of Queen products available at our London stockist John Bell & Croyden and to finalising our small range of organic products. We recognise that the year ahead could be difficult but we will continue to give an excellent service (online blips aside) and can persuade our customers to stay with us by continuing to offer what we believe are top quality skin care and make-up products at a good price.

Well, as I wait for the latest batch of Queen Skin Cream (I cannot live without this at the moment - hourly applications are staving off dry lips a treat) to cool down, I would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and wish you all a festive New Year's Eve and a happy and healthy 2009 on behalf of Queen.

We hope to see you soon.

The Team at Queen

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Singing Queen's praises (again!)

Gosh, it's been rather busy here at Queen, so much so that we haven't had time for much other than manufacturing and dispatching orders. Not that we are complaining, you understand.

Our second batch of Sensiderma Renew & Refine, our anti-wrinkle cream for sensitive skin, has hit the shelves and customers are already re-ordering. Writes one by email:

"I am LOVING it particularly the fact that it makes my skin feel all soft and, dare I say it, plump."

And the praise has not been reserved for Renew & Refine alone. Oh no. One new customer called last week to place an order and told us that Sensiderma Rich Cleanser left her skin feeling: "all velvety, like baby skin, I can't think of any other way of describing it." Another said of Queen Skin Cream (that old stalwart!): "It is just gorgeous, what amazing stuff." She was also after some more Sensiderma Rich Cleanser and said she would be "working her way slowly through the Queen range after discovering it at John Bell & Croyden on a recent trip to London".

Sales have also been perky at John Bell & Croyden (lovely pharmacy on Wigmore Street in London). Medicated Cleansing Lotion and our Moisturiser have been the big favourites although they are almost out of Theatrical Cleansing Cream too. So are we for that matter so that's a priority over the Christmas break.

Sorry if we sound like we're bragging but if we don't tell the world, noone else will! May as well continue with the own trumpet blowing to say that one new customer has defected to Queen from the Ella Bache range. I was only writing the other day about how we may benefit from customers moving away from super-expensive ranges to products which are good value but just as good, if not better, in terms of their effectiveness (i.e. Queen!). Mind you, we are not complacent in thinking that customers won't look for cheaper alternatives to Queen. This is clearly a possibility, although of course there is no alternative in our minds, which is why we are determined to hold prices for as long as possible despite the cost of everything else increasing. We haven't actually increased our prices for two years.

Well, we just wanted to touch base to show that we are still very much alive and kicking. If we don't get a chance to post before the festive season starts, have a great one and see you in 2009.

The Team at Queen

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