QVC and HSN’s The Big Find is a program where the on-air direct sellers search far and wide for new, independent beauty brands they think might just be the next big thing. To kick off the program, this week the retailers showcased their latest and greatest brand additions, all of which are small companies that launched within the last few years. Here, the five brands (out of 11) that caught our eye at the event.

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner Vitamin C Treatment ($80)
Founder: Ron Robinson, who is also a cosmetic chemist
HQ: New York, New York
Point of difference: Ron created a lightweight gel cream serum, which boasts vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and other key ingredients in a patented formulation that helps skin appear brighter, firmer and more even-toned. BeautyStat utilizes a stable form of vitamin C in a waterless formula that won’t oxidize.
Distribution: The brand launched on QVC this month, and Ron said it sold well and exceeded expectations. It is also sold on Violet Grey and SkinStore, as well as on his own site, beautystat.com.
Vital stats: Ron owns a majority of the company.
Lesson learned: “Keeping up with demand while keeping up with costs to buy packaging, components, etc. I’m still learning that,” he said.

Tok Classic Medium Magnetic Lashes with Magnetic Liner ($49)
Founder: Tara O’Kelly
HQ: Toronto, Canada
Point of difference: The Tok Classic lash duo works together to give consumers the look of lash extensions without the use of glue. While there are other magnetic lash sets, there are no other clean magnetic liquid liners on the market.
Distribution: Launching on QVC on February 28. In addition to QVC, the lashes set are sold in 55 locations throughout Canada, in addition to her online site.
Vital stats: Tara owns 100 percent of the company.

CurlMix 5 Piece Try Me Kit (Travel-Sized) ($52)
Founders: Kim Lewis, Tim Lewis.
HQ: Chicago
Point of difference: Featured on “Shark Tank,” this four-step hair care kit helps consumers achieve a wash-and-go look, complete with moisturized, bouncy, defined curls that last. The kit includes one shampoo, two conditioners, one moisturizer and one gel available in three scents: Lemon Creme, Lavender and Vanilla Berry.
Vital stats: “We own 76 percent of the company. Our employees own 10 percent,” said Kim, who in true partnership fashion said her husband was home looking after their kids. The brand has a team of 20. Investors include one of the founders of LinkedIn.
Lesson learned: “You are only as strong as your team.”

Alkaglam Vitamin C Refillable Facial Mist ($55)
Founder: Michelle Vidal
HQ: Valencia, California
Point of difference: This refillable atomizer changes the composition of water to create a mineral-infused facial mist. The bottle houses two chambers of beads made up of magnesium, zinc and tourmaline, a combination known for its anti-aging properties. The minerals are activated in 20 seconds as it’s shaken.
Vital stats: Michelle is the majority owner and manufactures everything in the U.S. The mist also helps with eczema and rosacea, said Michelle, who created the product after working at a water filtration research company.
Lesson learned: “There’s a lot of trial and error you have to be prepared for. But it was worth it. We’ve sold out seven times on HSN.”

Mented Skin by Mented ($30)
Founders:
K.J. Miller and Amanda E. Johnson
HQ: New York, New York
Point of difference: Cosmetics that work for all shades of skin.
Distribution: The New York City-based brand launched in 2017 and is sold on HSN; their site, mented.com; and at Macy’s Herald Square.
Vital stats: Mented, a play on the word “pigmented,” was co-founded by the two Harvard Business School graduates who didn’t feel there was a brand speaking to them when it came to nude lipstick, which sparked the idea for Mented. The co-founders are majority owners and have raised more than $4 million dollars and are now in their third round of funding. The biggest disagreement between the two was over the shape of the lipstick bullet—whether to make it round with a soft-touch finish or square and glossy. They compromised in the end.
Lesson learned: “It’s not as hard as you think it’ll be, it’ll be 10 times harder,” said KJ.