Sisters Sophie and Hannah Pycroft have transformed Spectrum Collections, a beauty business they started in a garage in south Wales 10 years ago, into a global company with millions in annual sales. The company has sold over two million make-up brushes and accessories, with £2.5m in UK sales and £1.5m in US sales this year.
The sisters, who previously worked in photography, videos, and website design in London, were always interested in beauty products. Their backstage experiences with hair and make-up artists led to a “lightbulb moment” – creating distinctive, brightly colored make-up brushes at an affordable price point.
They deliberately chose synthetic fibers for their brushes, which was innovative at the time when most professional brushes were made from animal hair like squirrel, goat, or sable. Their goal was to create professional-quality products accessible to a mass market, pricing brush sets affordably compared to expensive individual brushes.
Despite having no prior product experience, they worked with existing brush factories, developing their range through extensive sampling and feedback from make-up artists. Their commitment to staying in Wales remained strong, maintaining an all-female, all-Welsh team of nine employees based in Barry.
The company’s marketing strategy leveraged social media, providing brushes to influencers and make-up artists who would tag the brand. Marketing the products as vegan and cruelty-free also aligned with broader industry trends away from animal-derived materials.
Spectrum created unique “personality-led collections” with vibrant designs, including licensed collections like Disney’s Little Mermaid and Frozen ranges. However, they’ve recently moved away from licensing to focus on their own product lines.
The business has observed changing consumer behaviors, particularly during the cost of living crisis. While customers were initially enthusiastic about bright colors, they now prioritize longer-lasting, more practical products.
Currently, Spectrum’s business is distributed across 60% UK, 30% US, and 10% Canada and other global markets. The sisters aim to expand further internationally.
A key strength of their business is their close relationship. Sophie emphasizes that they “normally agree on everything” and are “very, very similar,” with neither wanting to run the business without the other. Living on the same street and maintaining a family-oriented approach has helped them stay grounded.
The company conducts regular audits of their Chinese suppliers to ensure ethical working conditions and regulatory compliance. Their journey from a garage startup to a global brand demonstrates their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to creating innovative, accessible beauty products.
Sophie and Hannah continue to work together, viewing their partnership as the most rewarding aspect of their business, always moving forward as a pair.
