*Disclaimer: Guys, not many of you will find this particular post very interesting, but for the females in the class, this example of big data will make plenty of sense to you and demonstrates the importance of data mining.

http://www.happi.com/articles/2010/10/cosmetics-companies-get-active

Above is the link to the article I have read and am blogging about.

Cosmetics is a billion dollar industry. It seems that every time I turn on the tv I see at least one commercial for the latest and greatest anti-aging cream, super-stay lipstick, or life changing mascara. How do companies develop these products? Why are they so great? Until now, I assumed that these were claims made by various companies seeking to legitimize their product. However, after reading this article, it's obvious that cosmetic companies invest millions of dollars into research and development. This is not just limited to market surveys and purchasing histories; it extends to a broader range, including not only the aforementioned factors but pharmaceutical research as well. Today's leading pharmaceutical discoveries also prove to be cutting edge for cosmetic companies. For example, anti-aging creams are sold by most cosmetic companies, not just grocery store brands, but high-end department store brands as well. Releasing the latest and greatest anti-aging cream first is crucial in developing market share. Technology in molecular growth and skin rejuvenation is a huge factor for a successful product. Enter data mining. By studying and mining data from pharmaceutical initiatives, companies are able to develop comparable anti-aging creams, but there is more than just that. Women look for other product enhancements such as sunscreen, moisturizer tinting, etc. Through data mining, researchers have the opportunity to correlate cutting edge pharmaceutical technology, observe market trends, and then correlate these two factors in order to separate their corporation from the competition. When I think about all of the reasons I buy a particular make-up or moisturizer, I realize that there are many contributing factors. Cosmetic companies, in order to be successful, must not only consider this, but also successful formulas for individual products, across a wide range of products. The data mining opportunities in this field are endless. Next time you go to buy a new mascara or blush, think about all of the thought that went into color selection, product formulation, and marketing. It really is astounding.