Best friends Manny Barbas and James Hachem have sold $25,500 worth of their new foaming cleanser in the first hour of launching it – and are on track to make $2million this month.
The Sydney-based duo behind Alya Skin, who are known for creating the ‘world’s best pink clay mask’ in 2018, have expanded their range this month with the $19.99 Foaming Micellar Cleanser.
It contains powerful acne-fighting ingredients like witch hazel, watermelon seed oil and rose geranium oil which collectively remove impurities and brighten the skin, minimising the appearance of large pores.
‘We sold 16,000 units on pre-order already and another 500 units in Priceline in our first week of launch,’ Mr Barbas, 24, told FEMAIL.
Best friends Manny Barbas (right) and James Hachem (left) have sold $25,500 worth of their new foaming cleanser
The Sydney-based duo behind Alya Skin, who are known for creating the ‘world’s best pink clay mask’ in 2018 (pictured), have expanded their range this month
The $19.99 Foaming Micellar Cleanser
The cleanser is meant to be the first step in their customer’s skincare regime, with their Pomegranate Exfoliator ($29.99), Pink Clay Mask ($49.99) and Native Berries Moisturiser ($24.99) to complete the process.
Manny and James, 23, started their company at the age of 22 with the Kaolin-infused face mask.
It earned them an impressive $7million in their first 14 months of business as word of mouth and Instagram caught onto the trend.
Now they are available in 1,500 retailers globally, including Australian pharmacy Priceline and online.
Manny and James, 23, started their company at the age of 22 with the Kaolin-infused face mask (results pictured)
‘Business is not easy… but working with a best mate has made our journey some of the best months of my life. We are so excited and humbled by the support shown from family, friends and our loyal customers,’ Mr Barbas said.
Mr Hachem added: ‘Expanding our Australian skincare line to 10-15 products globally is what we have dreamed of and that continues to be our main focus’.
Mr Barbas remembered noticing pink face masks ‘trending’ on social media, much like teeth whitening kits had done the year before, and decided that this was the market they should be involved in.
They spent seven months perfecting the formula, which contains aloe vera and pomegranate to assist in removing acne and inflammation and witch hazel to heal the skin faster, before they sent the mask to 1,000 influencers.
Mr Barbas remembered noticing pink face masks ‘trending’ on social media and decided that this was the market they should be involved in
The response was instant and rewarding with hundreds of posts about the pretty coloured skincare being shared online (results of the face mask pictured)
‘Influencers were vital during the launch phase of our brand. We used nano and micro influencers and were sending out to approximately 500 influencers a week,’ Mr Barbas said.
‘Never underestimate the power of those with less than 5,000 followers. These days its not all about larger paid influencers.’
The response was instant and rewarding with hundreds of posts about the pretty coloured skincare being shared online.
Alya Skin’s mask retails for $49.99 per 120g tub and while the boys don’t outwardly ask influencers to share their product once it’s gifted, they manage to get featured on Instagram and YouTube nonetheless.
Many of its users claim the product has reduced redness on their face, cleared up hyper pigmentation and acne.
At the end of last year the founders took things one step further with the release of two new products – making the brand a three-part routine.
The pomegranate facial exfoliator – which retails for $26.99 – can be used on a daily basis and works to reduce skin inflammation and eczema.
The range has sold out once – sometimes twice – in Priceline stores across the nation
The mask also uses aloe vera and pomegranate to assist in removing acne and inflammation, with witch hazel added to heal the skin faster
Meanwhile the native berries moisturiser – which is $24.99 – contains macadamia oil and shea butter to rehydrate the face after the mask is used
Meanwhile the native berries moisturiser – which is $24.99 – contains macadamia oil and shea butter to rehydrate the face after the mask is used.
The range has sold out once – sometimes twice – in Priceline stores across the nation.
Mr Barbas and Mr Hachem are equally as excited about the release of their cleanser to create a four-step routine.
‘This is a product that does what it says. I noticed a difference in my skin in only a few days. The longer I use it the better it works,’ one reviewer said of the moisturiser.
‘I have super dry, sensitive skin that can flake and gets red and irritated easily. But when I tried this product, my skin feels so smooth and no flakes or dry patches, and it actually feels clean,’ someone said of the exfoliator.
You can find the new Alya Skin product, and a giveaway they are conducting, here.