Wales


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Sophie-Hannah.png" alt="Sophie and Hannah Spectrum Collections sisters" class="wp-image-1782" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Sophie-Hannah.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Sophie-Hannah-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Sophie-Hannah-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Sophie-Hannah-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>From a Barry garage to the global shelves of Sephora – not bad, eh? Sisters&nbsp;<strong>Sophie and Hannah Pycroft</strong>, founders of&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.spectrumcollections.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spectrum Collections</a></strong>, have built a candy-coloured beauty empire that blends ethics with aesthetics and puts Wales firmly on the beauty map. Their cult brushes are as gorgeous as they are good-for-the-planet, and with collabs spanning&nbsp;Disney,&nbsp;<em>Mean Girls</em>&nbsp;and make-up artist&nbsp;<a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/collections/katie-jane-hughes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Katie Jane Hughes</a>, it’s safe to say these Welsh women have the world in their make-up bag.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spectrum-had-some-seriously-humble-beginnings-spill-the-tea">Spectrum had some seriously humble beginnings – spill the tea!</h4>



<p>Spectrum quite literally started from our garage in Barry, South Wales. My sister and I wanted to create makeup brushes that were not only amazing to use but looked beautiful too, something you’d be proud to display on your dressing table, not hide away in a drawer and actually use every day. Before Spectrum, we were both working in creative roles; I was a fashion and beauty photographer, and Hannah was in creative branding and TV production, so combining beauty, colour, and design just felt natural.</p>



<p>The first few years were equal parts exciting and chaotic, lots of long nights packing orders by hand, learning everything on the go, and surviving on caffeine and biscuits in the garage. We didn&#8217;t sell a single brush for the first six months, but then Instagram started taking off and people really noticed our colourful designs. The rest is history!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-product-gave-spectrum-its-superstar-status">Which product gave Spectrum its superstar status?</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Essential-Brushes.png" alt="Spectrum Collections essential makeup brush set" class="wp-image-1783" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Essential-Brushes.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Essential-Brushes-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Essential-Brushes-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Spectrum-Essential-Brushes-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Our <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/10-piece-essential-set" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10-piece essential brush set</a>&nbsp;was the game-changer. It went viral early on because people loved the pastel handles and &#8216;unicorn hair&#8217;; it was unlike anything else out there. It wasn’t just about the tools; it was about the feeling of owning something special. That set really put us on the map and is still our bestseller.</p>



<p>There&#8217;s no real secret behind it, just a lot of thought, love, and high standards. Every brush is designed to feel soft, balanced, and luxurious, but we also obsess over performance. As beauty lovers, we wanted our brushes to appeal to both the pros and the everyday person who wants makeup to feel accessible and fun.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-golden-rule-for-getting-the-most-out-of-your-tools">What’s your golden rule for getting the most out of your tools?</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Brushes.png" alt="Spectrum Collections makeup brushes on shelf" class="wp-image-1786" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Brushes.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Brushes-200x300.png 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Brushes-683x1024.png 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Brushes-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Clean them!&nbsp;It sounds obvious, but keeping your brushes clean not only makes your makeup go on smoother, it protects your skin. Use a gentle brush soap, like our new <a href="https://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/velvet-rose-makeup-brush-soap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">velvet rose scented one</a> and make sure you rinse properly, and air dry them upside down or flat. And, don’t be afraid to experiment, brushes aren’t one-use tools. Your eyeshadow brush might be brilliant for concealer, too.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desert-island-scenario-you-can-only-take-five-brushes-with-you-which-ones-are-surviving-the-cull">Desert island scenario: You can only take five brushes with you. Which ones are surviving the cull?</h4>



<ol start="1">
<li>A fluffy blending brush for perfect eyeshadow transitions, such as <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/tall-tapered-blender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">B06</a></li>



<li>A buffing foundation brush for smooth, even coverage and a natural skin-like finish, such as <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/buffing-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">B01</a></li>



<li>An angled cheek brush for contour or blush, such as <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/all-about-the-brush-a05-all-in-one-cheek-brush">A05</a></li>



<li>A big fluffy powder brush for a flawless finish without the fuss, such as <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/domed-powder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A01</a></li>



<li>A lip brush, your lipstick stays on so much longer when applied with a brush! Our <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/products/core-range-black-retractable-lip-brush" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retractable lip brush</a> is handbag-friendly and does the job perfectly.</li>
</ol>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-some-of-the-collections-you-re-most-proud-of">What are some of the collections you&#8217;re most proud of?</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes.png" alt="Spectrum Collections pro pantherine makeup brush set" class="wp-image-1784" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Pro-Brushes-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/collections/pantherine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Our pro collections are really established in the industry, </a>and our <a href="http://www.spectrumcollections.com/collections/pantherine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pantherine sets</a> are always working hard behind the scenes of most TV, film and photography studios. There are so many A-list looks created with our tools, we always get those pinch-me moments seeing makeup come to life with our brushes.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-conquered-the-global-beauty-scene-what-s-the-magic-behind-keeping-it-local">You’ve conquered the global beauty scene. What’s the magic behind keeping it local?</h4>



<p>Because Spectrum was built here! Staying in Wales was always the goal; we wanted to thrive in the beauty industry without having to relocate. There’s a real sense of home for us in Wales that keeps us grounded. We love showing that you don’t have to move to London to build a global brand. Our biggest market is the USA, and we&#8217;re living proof that you can take a brand global from a small town, which we love to shout about.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-local-hotspots-please-where-in-wales-do-you-love-to-spend-your-downtime">Your local hotspots, please! Where in Wales do you love to spend your downtime?</h4>



<p>We love Barry Island for beach walks, fish and chips and an ice-cream.&nbsp;Cardiff is getting better all the time for shopping and cocktails; we now even have a Sephora! <a href="https://www.theparkgatehotel.wales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parkgate Hotel</a> is a favourite for a spa day. For food, <a href="https://pasturerestaurant.com/locations/parallel-cardiff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parallel</a> does amazing small plates as we love to share food, and recently, we are loving <a href="https://www.pianoworks.bar/bars/cardiff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Piano Works</a> to end the night with a silly sing-along!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-welsh-brands-are-giving-you-all-the-heart-eyes-right-now">Which Welsh brands are giving you all the heart eyes right now?</h4>



<p>Again, staying close to home, we love <a href="http://goodwash.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goodwash</a> for bathroom essentials and <a href="https://bloomhill.shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomhill</a> for home fragrance. <a href="http://kiticymru.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiti Cymru</a> have some amazing fashion finds, and <a href="http://alicat-jewellery.myshopify.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alicat Jewellery</a> has the most amazing vintage pieces.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-a-top-tier-weekend-in-barry-look-like-for-you">What does a top tier weekend in Barry look like for you?</h4>



<p>We love staying local. You can&#8217;t beat a walk on the beach, especially in the winter when there are fewer crowds. We&#8217;ll have a coffee and an ice-cream in <a href="http://www.instagram.com/scoopbarry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scoop</a> on Barry Island. If you love a trip to Barry Island, make sure you stop in our local, <a href="https://www.finnegansinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finnegans</a>, for a drink in the sun and to do some great people watching. There&#8217;s even karaoke on a Sunday, which is always fun!&nbsp; In the evening, <a href="https://www.front-room.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Front Room</a> does the best pizza, and we love a drink in <a href="https://www.wearecraftrepublic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craft Republic</a> – you can&#8217;t beat being able to walk home!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-coming-up-next-for-spectrum">What’s coming up next for Spectrum?</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters.png" alt="Sophie and Hannah Spectrum Collections sisters" class="wp-image-1785" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2025/11/Sisters-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We’re always looking ahead. We&#8217;ve been focusing on refining exactly what we believe to be the best beauty tools you can buy, but always ensuring they feel accessible and encouraging our customers to use their brushes, get them dirty and incorporate them into their everyday routine. We want a Spectrum brush in every makeup bag. We want to keep surprising people, staying fun, colourful and on-trend but always with that Spectrum flair and quality that makes our brushes feel extra special. We want everyone to feel their best when applying their makeup.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://wales.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/totally-fab-things-to-do-in-wales-this-november/">Totally fab things to do in Wales this November</a></li>



<li><a href="https://wales.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/art-culture/music-gwenno-interview-tour/">My Cultural Kicks: Gwenno, Mercury-nominated musician</a></li>



<li><a href="https://wales.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/stylish-welsh-beauty-fashion-brands-hiut-black-beech-ambela-corgi-toast-mabli/">13 stylish Welsh beauty and fashion brands we’re totally obsessed with</a></li>
</ul>


Meet the Spectrum sisters: Taking the beauty world by storm

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