I recently read an article titled "6 Key Questions to Guide International UX Research," and it deeply resonated with me. It reflected many of my past experiences in conducting international user research, making the insights both relatable and highly valuable.

During my time at a digital marketing agency in China, I had an opportunity to collaborate with American singer Rihanna's beauty brand, on their expansion into the Chinese market. As a large local advertising agency, our first step was to engage with some influencers deeply embedded in the Chinese beauty industry. This individual helped us gain insights into customer needs and behaviors in the Chinese market.


The user research process proved challenging, consuming nearly half of our total project time. However, we deemed it invaluable, recognizing that comprehending the market's nuances is vital for steering clear of potential pitfalls. Inviting beauty influencers familiar with both the Chinese and US markets for the user study provided us with profound insights into the significant international disparities within the cosmetics industry, particularly regarding makeup styles and skin texture. This proved to be immensely beneficial for our project.

Just as we were optimistic about our progress, an unexpected setback occurred: the primary ingredient in the product we intended to recommend for a pop-up was discovered to be banned for cosmetic use in China. Additionally, the influencers who had contributed their insights disclosed the information we had discussed so that we were unable to use the previously selected product and the advice provided by the influencer, even though we signed a contract (caused by the difference in intellectual property laws in China). Consequently, we were compelled to restart the project from square one. This underscored the critical importance of ensuring legal compliance not only in participant recruitment and data utilization but also in the legality of the products themselves.

In conclusion, our collaboration with Fenty Beauty illuminated the intricate considerations involved in penetrating a new market. From understanding cultural nuances to navigating regulatory hurdles, each step was essential in crafting a successful market entry strategy.

Resource:

Shelly, E., Walshe, P., & Zhang, L. (2012, May 9). 6 Key Questions to Guide International UX Research. UXMagazine.


Have ideas to share? Or just want to say hi?

Copyright@Jin Xu 2025

Have ideas to share? Or just want to say hi?

Copyright@Jin Xu 2025