Interviews
ON THE ‘HUNT’ FOR ‘REDEFINING BEAUTY’
Jemima Hunter
August 2, 2021
Twenty-four-year-old, model and social media influencer, Jess Hunt is ‘redefining beauty‘ as the founder of the new cosmetic brand ‘REFY Beauty’, specialising in brows. ‘Innovation, simplicity, and inclusivity are at the heart of REFY. ‘
The Plymouth-born entrepreneur, started out on social media with little knowledge, posting fashion looks with friends and family snapping shots of the styling. ‘It started off as a hobby for me and I feel so grateful to have been able to grow my Instagram and to turn it into my full-time job. It’s something I’m so passionate about and I love what I do.’
With consistent posting on Instagram, Hunt has amassed a following of over 1.4 million which has opened opportunities to model for widely known brands and collaborate with other social media stars. Hunt is now the recognisable face of Boohoo, Oh Polly and Pretty Little Thing. ‘You get to meet so many amazing people, and I really have made friends for life from being in this industry.’
Whilst creating a name for herself in the influencer industry, Hunt began a YouTube channel which has been ongoing for the past four years and has accumulated over 27K subscribers. Hunt covers topics including discussions of her personal life, as well as beauty routine videos and Q&A’s. Hunt teamed up with her now business partner, Jenna Meek in 2018 to start REFY Beauty. The idea behind the name is a collection focusing mostly on the niche eyebrow market with three simple products that champion diversified beauty, including Brow Sculpt, Brow Pomade and Brow Pencil.
‘I wanted to create a beauty brand in line with my values of quality and authenticity that would break boundaries and develop never seen before products. REFY encourages everyone to be confident enough to celebrate themselves and embrace their natural beauty.’
Since beginning the brand, Hunt has tried to maintain a consistent relationship with customers. Asking for feedback from customers about what they liked and didn’t like about the products, as well as bringing a fresh approach to inclusivity in the cosmetic industry, Hunt has used her platform to promote and establish her brand. ‘Self-belief is vital to starting a successful business.’
Meek and Hunt have recently secured a deal with Sephora across all stores in Canada and the US, as it achieves the ‘no makeup makeup look’ that is now sought after by major companies. The brand has also quickly gained recognition from large influencers including Jesy Nelson, Molly-Mae Hague and Desi Perkins.
Following the launch of REFY, Hunt has been showing social media fans behind the scenes glimpses of product launches and her busy lifestyle schedule, to keep supporters involved in her entrepreneurial journey.
‘My personal inspirations of beauty, fashion and photography informed the REFY aesthetic, and I am so proud of the brand, the products we have developed, the growing community and our mission.’
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