Colour cosmetics

L’Oréal reports ‘historic’ full year for 2021: Net profit soars 29%

10-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal has reported a significant rise in full-year 2021 sales and net profit globally, with Latin America and North Asia performing particularly well and business in its Luxe and Active Cosmetics divisions leading the surge.

Flower extracts promising as natural multi-functional cosmetic dyes: Study

10-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Plant extracts offer plenty of active cosmetics promise, but the colourful flowers of some plants also offer up natural dye potential in addition to providing a bioactive punch, say researchers.

A dramatic C2C ‘powershift’? Consumer voice holds ‘biggest influence’ in retail purchases, finds report

09-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Peer-to-peer insight on a product or brand is the most powerful influencer in global retail purchases, signalling significant promise for beauty to provide more user-generated content in-store and online, says an expert.

Green Claims Code: Environmental beauty messaging must be ‘data-led’

04-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Green beauty’s insatiable rise is now subject to additional scrutiny in the UK under the Green Claims Code, and industry ought to carefully consider the guidance, says the head of the UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA).

Lush investing €5.9+m in 2022 store refits: ‘You have to be inspirational’

02-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Cosmetics major Lush will heavily invest in brick and mortar modernisation across its European store network this year, in a clear nod to the potential it sees for the high street.

British Beauty Council unveils online trade hub to unpick post-Brexit woes

02-Feb-2022 By Kacey Culliney

The British Beauty Council has developed an online hub to help UK beauty and personal care businesses navigate through post-Brexit confusion and concerns around evolving trade costs and rules.

Pretty different: Urban Decay enters travel retail channel in China amid animal testing changes

01-Feb-2022 By Guan Yu Lim

L’Oréal brand Urban Decay has made its first mark in China’s travel retail channel, following previous launches on Tmall and in Sephora outlets, after being buoyed by changes to the animal testing regime.

Special Edition: ETHICAL BEAUTY – VEGANISM, CRUELTY-FREE AND PLANETARY GOOD

Beauty can drive 'holistic' sustainable action with life cycle and social focus

31-Jan-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Cosmetics companies are aware and invested in sustainable action, but more can be done to drive better beauty consumption and take a more holistic approach, according to findings in Brazil that offer wider valuable learnings, say researchers.

Prioritizes soil as much as skin: B corp coalition aiming to collaborate on improving industry

26-Jan-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

While B corps are generally working towards improved social and environmental impacts in their industry, the newly formed B Beauty Coalition believes open collaboration could mean real progress.

Financial focus: Coty, Yatsen, L’Occitane and more feature in our latest beauty business and finance update

26-Jan-2022 By Amanda Lim

Coty, Yatsen, L’Occitane and more feature in this round-up of financial results, M&As and funding drives in the cosmetics industry.

MS Beautilab transitioning into US market, looking to bring heavy R&D to mfg space

11-Jan-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

European cosmetics manufacturer MS Beautilab is moving into the US market with strong R&D and recalibrated formulations.

End of an era? Lush social media shutdown part of wider beauty shift, says expert

06-Jan-2022 By Kacey Culliney

The decision by Lush to close several of its global social media accounts last year marks part of a wider beauty movement favouring more personalised and flexible consumer engagement, says a communications expert.

Special Edition: ETHICAL BEAUTY – VEGANISM, CRUELTY-FREE AND PLANETARY GOOD

E-commerce startup Counter Culture Store wants to make ethical beauty ‘convenient’ and ‘discoverable’

04-Jan-2022 By Kacey Culliney

UK sustainable e-commerce specialist Counter Culture Store is on a mission to make ethical beauty products more discoverable and convenient to buy online – aspects that appeal to a broad set of consumers, its founder says.

Avon: ‘Science as a saviour’ and ‘staying on the cusp’ of consumer trends key NPD priorities

16-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Global beauty major Avon will continue to invest in scientific proof and clinical trial data and work hard to react to fast-evolving consumer trends as it edges forward with NPD in 2022, says an exec.

Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to have ‘significant consequences’ on entire value chain: BASF

15-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Supply giant BASF says that whilst the European Green Deal’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability opens plenty of innovation opportunities, it will also cause significant disruption and challenges given the simplification of risk assessment and shrinking...

Avon: Beauty as therapy, skin health and return of colour the ‘biggest’ industry trends to watch

15-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and accelerated consumer priorities in beauty, and self-care, skin nourishment and playful colour have gained ground as key movements industry must consider, says Avon’s global trend forecaster.

12-MINUTE WATCH

WATCH – 15 Global beauty trends 2022: Key cosmetic insights from CosmeticsDesign editors

15-Dec-2021 By Amanda Lim

From hybrid cosmetics to menopause beauty to upcycled ingredients, CosmeticsDesign’s global editors take you through the top 15 global trends to watch for 2022.

The rise of Amazon beauty: A fast-paced world where consumers want ‘everything yesterday’

13-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Amazon has long been an e-commerce goliath but as it edges deeper into beauty, brands should take note, especially given its model offers a lot of what today’s consumer wants, an expert says.

SPECIAL EDITION: NATURALS & NATURALLY-DERIVED – SOURCING, CHEMISTRY AND CLAIMS

Ecovia Intelligence founder: ‘It’s no longer just about natural and organic, it’s about the wider green issues’

10-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The natural and organic cosmetics category will continue its growth in coming years, but broader green sustainability issues will become central for brands operating in the space, says the founder of Ecovia Intelligence.

Financial focus: Shiseido, Estée Lauder and more feature in our latest beauty business and finance update

07-Dec-2021 By Amanda Lim

Shiseido, Estée Lauder, LG Household & Health Care and more in this round-up of financial results, M&As and funding drives in the cosmetics industry.

Retail expert: Unified commerce, data connectivity and the metaverse to be future for beauty

06-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Unified commerce where online and offline are intrinsically linked, a sharper and smarter focus on data, and investment in the metaverse must be the future focus for beauty brands and retailers, says a retail expert.

Groom boom: Beauty and cosmetics ‘fastest-growing interest’ amongst male consumers globally – GWI

02-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Male consumers worldwide are showing serious signs of increased interest in beauty and cosmetics, so brands must take note and invest in inclusivity efforts for this group, and beyond, says a trend expert.

Snap Inc: ‘Beauty seekers’ use our app as a virtual mirror 30+ times per day

01-Dec-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty brands must start to create camera-first digital strategies because consumer interaction with the tool is evolving fast, particularly amongst Gen Z and Millennial beauty seekers on Snapchat, say executives at Snap Inc.

L’Occitane H1: China sales rise 23% on the back of new launches such as Osmanthus fragrance

01-Dec-2021 By Amanda Lim

L’Occitane International has recorded sales growth of 23% in China during the first half of its 2022 fiscal year aided by investments and new launches of core brand L’Occitane en Provence.

SCS Formulate 2021

Society of Cosmetic Scientists president: ‘The supplier is the formulator’s best friend’

29-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty formulators must continue to strengthen supplier relationships, particularly amidst the push for greener and more sustainable product development, says the president of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS).

World beauty’s green agenda: Environmental claims, blockchain transparency and local sourcing

24-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty markets around the world are sharply focused on sustainability, with substantiated claims, smart lifecycle analysis and closer-to-home sourcing some of the top priorities.

SCS FORMULATE 2021

Supply and transport disruptions ‘biggest’ 2021 challenge for UK beauty

23-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Supply and transport disruptions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and compounded by Brexit have been the most difficult hurdle for UK beauty and personal care businesses this year.

Lush closing several major global social media accounts – these platforms are the ‘antithesis’ of relaxation

23-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Cosmetics major Lush will close all global social media accounts across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat this month, stating they will remain closed until the platforms provide a safer environment for users.

Maximising recovery: Shiseido will increase marketing investments by $132m after ‘holding back’ in previous year

22-Nov-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty and personal giant Shiseido will be making “aggressive marketing investments” in the fourth quarter to capitalise on what it believes is the beginning of market recovery from this year’s COVID-19 resurgence.

Special Edition: NATURALS & NATURALLY-DERIVED – SOURCING, CHEMISTRY AND CLAIMS

Beyond ISO 16128: Industry ‘can’t ignore’ biodegradability in natural and organic cosmetics, says expert

18-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

As the beauty industry continues its push forward with natural and organic cosmetics innovation, focus must be placed on the biodegradability of ingredients – still surprisingly overlooked in the field, says a formulation expert.

SCS FORMULATE 2021

Going greener: The Body Shop investing in ‘regenerative’ supply chain innovation

17-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Natura &Co’s The Body Shop will heavily invest in regenerative business innovation over the next decade, including advanced use of biotech and carbon capture, its head of innovation and sustainability R&D says.

SCS FORMULATE 2021

Post-Brexit chemical safety: SAG-CS and UK REACH now in place for ingredient management

16-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

In the wake of Brexit, the UK formed a Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) and established its own REACH regulation – both of which need to be understood and navigated by industry carefully, says the Cosmetic, Toiletry...

Shiseido Q3 2021: Operating profit surges by over 190% as sales improve in all regions except Japan

15-Nov-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido has recorded a 194.8% surge in operating profits as sales grew in all regions except for its home market thanks to its skin beauty and prestige brands, as well as the strength of its e-commerce business.

‘Electric growth’: UK beauty and grooming e-commerce surged 42% in 2020 – GlobalData

08-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

E-commerce now represents the second-largest channel for cosmetics and toiletries in the UK, with growth outpacing pharmacies and drugstores, creating important opportunities for brands and e-tailers, says GlobalData.

Lottie London founder: We react to beauty trends ‘blowing up’ on socials

08-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

UK high street cosmetics brand Lottie London is expanding fast, developing trend-forward beauty items inspired by social media buzz amongst its Gen Z target audience, its founder says.

‘Credible’ net zero plans: L’Oréal, Natura &Co and Unilever awarded Terra Carta Seal by HRH The Prince of Wales

05-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty majors L’Oréal, Natura &Co and Unilever have received the inaugural 2021 Terra Carta Seal for their commitment and momentum towards achieving net zero status ahead of 2050.

Special Edition: INSIDE-OUT BEAUTY – THE RISE OF EDIBLES AND FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Physical appearance ‘no longer the defining factor of beauty’ – Euromonitor International

04-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Consumers worldwide now believe a healthy appearance, hygiene and cleanliness and feeling comfortable in yourself is what defines beauty, opening plenty of opportunities for functional, efficacious and authentic innovations, according to Euromonitor International.

SEPAWA 2021

Mindful moves: Sustainable beauty success relies heavily on consumer perception, says expert

03-Nov-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty that is better for the planet and people is surging, with great industry strides made in ingredients and packaging, but efforts need to be met with positive consumer perception to truly succeed, an expert says.

Closing the loop: How beauty is accelerating the transition towards circular beauty in the post-pandemic era

03-Nov-2021 By Amanda Lim

Over the last couple of years, we have seen beauty companies radically scale up sustainable action and pledges, shifting from linear to circular ways of working. While the push for circularity is stronger than ever, there remains a host of challenges...

Beauty Bites Gallery

The future of animal-free chemical testing? There’s a ‘big frustration’ in the scientific community, say Unilever execs

20-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The beauty industry continues to be stuck between conflicting requirements on animal testing, with bans under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and new data calls under the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) REACH Regulation, and the scientific community is...

Beauty sample ‘opt-ins’ higher from major influencer campaigns: Odore

18-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The number of Instagram followers opting in to receive beauty samples and information from brands is higher when campaigns are led by large-scale influencers versus micro influencers, according to beauty sampling tech startup Odore.

Catrice Cosmetics ending ULTA partnership to focus on DTC & Amazon in 2022

14-Oct-2021

European color cosmetics brand Catrice Cosmetics has announced a shake-up to its retail strategy for 2022, with the company focusing on making it products available only through its own website and via Amazon.

SEPAWA 2021

Pharmacy power? Natural & organic cosmetics to grow outside of specialty retail – Ecovia Intelligence

14-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The natural and organic cosmetics category will expand in pharmacies, beauty stores, salons, spas and e-commerce over the coming years, shifting outside of its traditional speciality retail setting, says Ecovia Intelligence.

‘Important milestone’: ECHA publishes advice on applying OECD non-animal skin sensitisation assessments under REACH

13-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published advice on how industry can reliably combine non-animal data from different sources to assess skin sensitisation of chemicals in the EU, using the new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...

Blurred lines: Post-COVID consumer concerns shift spotlight onto make-up that works beyond the surface

13-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

Concerns for personal health and the health of the environment are blurring the lines between make-up and skin care as consumers seek out colour cosmetics that provide more than just superficial benefits.

A ‘strong comeback’ to travel retail: L’Oréal debuts Valentino Beauty in Dubai and Seoul

12-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

L’Oréal couture brand Valentino has launched its first makeup collection in Dubai and Seoul airports, laying the path for a strong return to beauty travel retail for the conglomerate, an executive says.

Natura &Co: Environmental and social impact ‘the next chapter’ for cosmetics

12-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Understanding and communicating the impact cosmetics production has on people and planet is the next chapter in industry’s journey towards full circularity, says Natura &Co’s VP of sustainability and group affairs.

HENKEL, L’OREAL, LVMH, NATURA &CO AND UNILEVER EXECUTIVES WEIGH IN

Beauty majors say brand-agnostic environmental impact system will make industry more 'transparent' and 'comparable'

07-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Executives from Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, Natura &Co and Unilever say co-developing an industry-wide environmental impact assessment system is critical for the sustainable future of cosmetics.

How beauty coped with moving digital ‘overnight’ and why NPD needs to 'work that consumer journey': Expert

06-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

COVID-19 forced huge swathes of beauty brands and retailers online overnight, changing long-established market models and shifting shopper mindsets. Industry must now plan and deliver on innovations that cater to this new environment and fresh opportunities...

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