Silk Naturals

I really don't have a problem with the look of the web site. I think some samples are hard to find. I have to agree about earthen glow minerals. I've looked there several times, but it hurts my eyes so I will never order from them.

I've never had a problem with the SN site, but then again I've been purchasing for a long time (i call it SN's big boom- JenW mentioned them on MMM when they debuted the Warm Gold Foundation- foundation color #2. lol). I've tried upwards of 30 different mmu companies and pretty much all of the indie ones have websites that could use work- i like that SNs is at least "clean" looking. The deciding factors to TRY were:
1)cost- i hate that so many sites charge $8 for a 5g jar of eyeshadow. At the time, SN also had a really affordable try-everything kit too.
2)Friends- JenW gave great reviews and mikie and i got along great. It was enough of a nudge
3)ingredients- i was really interested in the concept of silk foundation because i love smooth "creamy" feeling foundations. I also fell in love with the range of mineral/natural-based lippies which can be hard to find and extremely hard to find affordably.

as others have said, you really just have to give SN one try to fall in love. Could the website streamline a bit? sure. I wouldn't want to change the simple, clean, and gentle feminine vibe though which i feel is very unoffensive to just about anybody (i like meow's products- HATE the theme. I know i wouldn't like anything super duper girly pinkness and i think even i might find a retro pinup theme kind of offputting-it's just not my favorite era. there was once a discussion on ladies being turned off by the names of certain products-climax, etc.) People are so easy to offend/turn off and i think the current theme is pretty mild while still feminine. Sure you could throw in a couple different shades of purple and put a watermark background, but a big change could do more damage than help. It's a big decision. Luckily the products speak for themselves.

I don't have a problem w/ the website, very easy and too the point. The forums helps w/ any color questions I have and JenW's swatches are very helpful. I like this site better than most. It sells itself on products not on a pretty, silly website.

I agree that the products here speak for themselves. I do believe several of us have been customers of companies (*a company*) who went for "slick & pretty" website design over listening to customers' requests and concerns.

I like the way Samantha put it--"the simple, clean, and gentle feminine vibe." I think it's a keeper.

I like simple and clean designs too,but idk...I just wish the website screamed,"I'm the perfect foundation and you need not look anywhere else!" Cos' I regret very much spending oodles of money on some other mineral makeup company because they looked so flashy and passing this one by,LOL.There's tons of mineral makeup companies and their webpages are just so cliche that it reflects my opinion of them entirely."Oh just another company that will come and go..." and maybe skim their selection for two seconds before leaving.However,if the page looks fun(not cheesy fun like Meow lol) it'll grab me in a little bit more. Makes me think,"Oh wow,this company looks fresh and unique."

I just thought of something else too,makeup diagrams....expanded! There's a few diagrams on the paper that's mailed with the products,but I think it would be fun to expand on it and include step-by-step diagrams. Maybe some interesting looks to go along with certain SN colors.I saw this big ol' expensive book at Barnes&Noble today with all that in it,really fun stuff. Not something I'd pay for though,that's what the internet is for.

I understand where you're coming from, Missyjean, and people that I'm close to have web design and brand identity as major factors in their jobs (something we talk about a lot for fresh ideas). I completely get why it's important and a contemporary issue with so many emerging young internet companies jostling to make their mark upon the virtual world and consciousness.

Yes, it's nice to have the full package with the slick and engaging website with beautiful graphics. However, there are far more people who find evident quality far more reassuring and confidence-inspiring than those who would initially trust a "flash over substance" design.

Women quickly get wise to the department store "smoke and mirrors", the slick packaging, high price tags and marketing gimmicks to inspire confidence. So much so that if we're impressed by presentation, it'll only be a few moments before we're coming to our senses and reaching for the ingredients label to quash our rising cynicism. Likewise, the same is true with internet companies, if you've had any dealings with them as a professional developer. You'll find one competent and skilled back-end developer doing hand-written code without a macro for every thousand "have a go" novices who buy an off-the-shelf template kit and set up a Flash-driven website without any idea how to fix it when it goes wrong.

The Silk Naturals website could be more visually appealing, but the quality of build, like their quality of products, is what sets them apart amongst their peers as a hallmark of professionalism, attention to the details that really matter, and a sound business investment by getting the foundations for growth of their web business right before worrying about the 'decorations'.

Look at what matters - the quality of what's in the jar, not how pretty the packaging is. Same with young websites.

For what it is worth, I recently referred someone to SN for their skin care. I just got a wonderful thankyou on another forum, not only because of the quality of Karen's products, but because quote" the website is so user friendly". Yes,it doesn't neccessarily grab your attention, but I for one appreciate the clean, easily to use look, and apparently so does someone else.

The website color theme is very easy on the eyes which I like. I really like girly stuff like flowers, ribbons and frills but who knows that SN may launch a skincare line for men? So, it's good to keep it neutral and not be too feminine. Format wise, I like the way information is categorized and linked in a logical manner that makes navigation easy. However, I find the Home page a bit too text heavy. Maybe a few nice pics of products may be more visually appealing to first time visitors.

I love the skincare line, lippies and perfecting powders. The serums & moisturizers kept my skin calm and clear that even my hubby noticed the difference!!!

missyjean wrote: What about a neutral to slightly yellow pigment? Ebony is neutral to slightly pink,why not yellow instead? I have neutral skin(I'm pretty sure lol) but the tinge of yellowness would help counter some of my acne redness and such...plus I think there is a negligible amount of yellow in my skin.

Two great things for acne I've found is apple cider and vinegar and tee tree oil,if those two things were ever put into a toner together I'd stock up on it big time.

Unfortunately,my main issue is the website design. You see,it gave me the wrong impression when I first ordered from here. The website is very bland and the picture thumbnails need work. It's a shame since your products are of such a high caliber,yet the website does not reflect that.Getting someone to revamp your site would cost you,but maybe some of your customers have connections? Heck,even my boyfriend has some graphics and programming experience...I hope it's not rude to mention this,and if so I'm sorry

YES to all of the above.

When I first visited Silk Naturals, I landed at the forum from Google searching something skincare related. Only after getting a GREAT impression here did I go to the site. Initially it was a little hard to navigate and I agree that it could be a little slicker. However, as evidenced by my loyalty to SN, the website was not a deterrent. Had I come to the website first, however, before visiting the forum, I might have been a little more hesitant. FWIW.

That being said... I'm also glad I don't have to pay for slick-looking marketing that does nothing to help the quality of the product or the service.

chaye wrote:The website color theme is very easy on the eyes which I like. I really like girly stuff like flowers, ribbons and frills but who knows that SN may launch a skincare line for men? So, it's good to keep it neutral and not be too feminine. Format wise, I like the way information is categorized and linked in a logical manner that makes navigation easy. However, I find the Home page a bit too text heavy. Maybe a few nice pics of products may be more visually appealing to first time visitors.

I love the skincare line, lippies and perfecting powders. The serums & moisturizers kept my skin calm and clear that even my hubby noticed the difference!!!

YES to all of the above, as well.