South Wales Sisters Transform Garage Startup into Global Beauty Brand

A beauty enterprise initiated by two sisters a decade ago from a garage in south Wales has evolved into a worldwide firm generating annual sales in the millions of pounds. Spectrum Collections has distributed over two million make-up brushes and accessories, achieving more than £2.5m in sales within the UK, its primary market, during the current year. Co-founder Sophie Pycroft, based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, noted that sales in the United States, where the company is experiencing more rapid expansion than in the UK, have exceeded £1.5m this year to date. The 36-year-old co-founder reflected, “We had some of the best days of our lives in that garage. We didn’t know what was going to happen, and it’s very nostalgic now.” Products from Spectrum have been utilized backstage at events such as the Netflix drama Bridgerton, London Fashion Week, and the MTV European Music Awards. Prior to establishing their company, Sophie and Hannah, aged 35, were engaged in client work in London, focusing on photography, video production, and website design. They often spent time backstage alongside hair and make-up artists. A long-standing interest in beauty products, combined with discussions with industry professionals backstage, sparked a “lightbulb moment” for the sisters. This led them to develop a line of make-up brushes characterized by vibrant colors and unique designs, crafted from synthetic fibers and offered at a more accessible price. “We wanted to create products that had a bit more personality than the ones you would see behind the scenes,” she stated. Sophie explained, “We were trying to create a professional product but aimed at a more mass market.” She further elaborated, “We knew that we ourselves would never go into a shop and spend £40-plus on a single make-up brush. But we would actually buy a set of brushes for that price.” Synthetic fibers were crucial for achieving a lower cost, while the density of the bristles contributes to a high-quality application. In contrast, conventional brushes typically incorporate animal hair sourced from squirrels, goats, or sable, which is a type of weasel. Despite synthetic bristles having existed for decades, Sophie noted that numerous industry professionals still favored animal hair brushes when the sisters introduced their brand. Sophie mentioned that the sisters possessed no prior product-based experience, effectively “starting from scratch in terms of knowledge or guidance.” They collaborated with the same manufacturing facilities that produced animal hair brushes, but opted for alternative materials. Following several months of sampling and gathering input from their network of make-up artists, they developed their distinct line of brushes. Sophie and Hannah reside on the same street, prioritizing family and preferring to stay near their home. The Spectrum Collections team comprises nine all-female, all-Welsh members, all of whom are located in or near Barry. Sophie stated, “We always wanted to stay in Wales. We never wanted to uproot the company to London.” This commitment was a primary motivation for them to establish their own enterprise. She added, “Being home in Wales kind of keeps you grounded in a way.” A significant portion of the company’s marketing efforts is conducted via social media, where Spectrum provides brushes to make-up artists and influencers who then tag the brand. Promoting the brushes as vegan and cruelty-free also aligned with a broader industry trend in fashion to reduce reliance on animal-derived materials like leather and fur, leading many professional make-up artists to become advocates for Spectrum’s brushes. Sophie confirmed that the company’s suppliers are located in China, and Spectrum conducts bi-annual audits to ensure proper worker treatment and compliance with manufacturing environment regulations. Sophie and Hannah developed “personality-led collections” that blend beauty and fashion, featuring both vibrant colors and designs, alongside more minimalist choices. In 2018, Spectrum finalized an agreement with Disney for a Little Mermaid collection, drawing inspiration from mermaid princess Ariel. This collection featured brushes with pastel-toned bristles and turquoise bags adorned with metallic fin closures and pearl studs. The company also released a Frozen-themed bundle of brushes in icy, shimmery white hues, accompanied by sponges molded in the likeness of the snowman Olaf. More recently, however, Spectrum has transitioned away from licensing agreements, aiming to concentrate more on its proprietary product lines. Sophie noted that while customers were “really enthusiastic” about the initial very bright colors, the sisters observed a change in purchasing habits as the cost of living significantly increased over the past few years. “We still try and give them something different when it comes to the design, but I think people are buying less now. And they’re just trying to buy stuff that is going to last them that little bit longer,” she explained. At present, 60% of Spectrum’s commercial activity occurs in the UK, 30% in the United States, and 10% across Canada and other international regions. The sisters are now seeking to further broaden the company’s global reach. Sophie described working together as “the best part of the business.” She elaborated, “We normally agree on everything because we’re very, very similar. Neither one of us would want to do it without the other.” “We definitely come as a pair.”