Three students from ITB who are members of the Ganara Team have won the National Winner title in the L’Oréal Brandstorm 2025 event on April 16. The team consists of Muhammad Nabil Razhin (Agricultural Engineering), Afifah Hasna (Management), and Anindya Sekar Putri (Industrial Engineering).
In June, they will represent Indonesia in the international final round in Paris, France, along with representatives from 63 other countries. Their innovation, titled “L’Oréal ReviveMist”, a practical product for men’s facial care without the need to rinse, has won praise from the judges.
One of the team members, Afifah Hasna, commonly known as Aha, shared that this was her first experience participating in a business case competition. Aha is actively involved in various campus activities and social organizations.
“I was motivated to join Brandstorm after seeing SBM alumni, Kak Saskia, who won last year. At first, I was hesitant because it was difficult to find a team with the same vision. However, I realized this could be my last opportunity before graduating, so I decided to give it my best effort,” said Aha, a Management student at SBM ITB, on Thursday, April 24th.
L’Oréal Brandstorm 2025 features the theme “Men, Beauty & Care: Game On.” This theme challenges participants to develop innovative products or technologies specifically for men’s beauty and grooming. In response to this challenge, the Ganara Team created Revive Mist, a facial cleanser designed for men that does not require rinsing or wiping.
The product is not a substitute for face wash but rather a practical solution for men who may be too lazy to wash their faces. This innovation received direct praise from Junaid Murtaza, the CEO of L’Oréal Indonesia, who believes that the product is highly relevant for the Indonesian market and has the potential for global use.
“It was certainly challenging to participate in this competition, especially since I was also finishing my thesis and felt overwhelmed. Additionally, our team members came from different faculties, so we had to be strategic about coordinating our schedules,” said Aha.
Despite the challenges, the Ganara team consistently went through the competition process seriously. They conducted in-depth market research, sought insights from professionals such as dermatologists and lecturers, and prepared presentation materials and pitch deck videos until they were finally selected for the top 10 national round.
“The most intense moment was the week leading up to the final. We practiced every night until we had everything memorized. This way, even though we were nervous during the presentation, we were able to perform smoothly,” Aha said.
In addition to winning, Aha expressed her gratitude for the chance to receive numerous free products and to connect with upper management at L’Oréal.
“Our current focus is on preparing for the final in Paris. After all, we represent Indonesia, and we want to showcase our best and take pride in our performance,” she stated.
After the competition, Aha plans to complete her thesis and defense so she can graduate soon. Her goal is to pursue a career in the FMCG industry, specifically with companies like L’Oréal. Aha also shared a message for students who may be hesitant to participate in competitions.
“There is often a sense of fear when starting something new. Fear of not being able to succeed or of the results not meeting expectations. However, I encourage you to try it anyway. If you give it a shot, the results will not let you down. During the competition, you will meet a team that feels like family. Whether you win or lose, the experience will be incredibly meaningful,” she concluded.
