Beautycounter - Failure Museum

Beautycounter

Founded in 2013, Beautycounter, a leader in the clean beauty business, raised over $100M and was sold to a private equity firm for $1B in 2021. As the pandemic receded, consumer spending went down and sales slowed across the entire beauty sector. ...

Disco - Failure Museum

Disco

In 2023 and after 4 years of operation, the men's skincare brand Disco shut down. They didn't do enough customer research prior to building the product, it was tough getting men to change behavior, they focused on expensive paid ads for distributio ...

Reflect.com - Failure Museum

Reflect.com

In 2005, Procter & Gamble shut down Reflect.com after launching this customized cosmetics business in 1999. To find the right point of customer interaction was one of the largest struggles for Reflect. The company experimented with many differe ...

Rejuvenique

Rejuvenique

In 1999, this created electric shock therapy for a more toned, youthful-looking face.

bacon

Bacon Lip Balm

In 2009, bacon lip balm “lets you slather the taste of bacon on your chops even after your stomach literally can’t hold any more of the delicious meat.”

Bic perfume - Failure Museum

Bic perfume

The maker of disposable pens, razors and cigarette lighters, sought to extend its throwaway empire to French perfume in 1991.

Burger King

Burger King Cologne

In 2008, this cologne was proclaimed with “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.”

Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper Lip Balm

Created in partnership with Lip Smacker in 1975; initial popularity due to its subtle, berry tint that it produces.

Harley

Harley-Davidson cologne

In 1996, this extension of the brand was too far for lovers of the motorcycle; reeked the scent of tobacco.

Cheetos Cosmetics

Cheetos Cosmetics

In 2016, PepsiCo collaborated with clothing brand Forever 21 to launch Cheetos makeup products following KFC’s launch of edible nail polish. However, consumers preferred their lip balm to taste and smell like vanilla, cherry, mint & orange, not ...