PERFUME AND COSMETICS
One of my first clients ever was Cacharel and perfume and cosmetics are another love story that has lasted. I’ve worked for the top French brands from L’Oréal and Dior to manufacturers like Fareva, without forgetting the packaging industry. I have translated marketing books, trend reports, technical sheets, PPT launches and presentations to international fairs and meetings.
A little anecdote. One day I was confronted with the translation of pépites d’or for a shower gel and I suggested golden nuggets. The client wasn’t happy with my translation, because it made them think of McDonalds. I tried my best to explain that for a British/American public (the target in this case), the world was bigger than McDonalds and that a nugget was first and foremost associated with the Wild West and the Gold Rush, before being fast food intended to increase the rate of obesity in the world. The discussion was tough, but I won my case. However, I would have accepted the client’s point of view, if the document had been intended for an international public, among which a majority of French, as is sometimes the case…