Beauty
Coverage from the Beauty desk.
Estée Lauder Debuts First Gourmand Fragrance Glimmer Eau de Parfum
The beauty giant enters the gourmand category with Glimmer, featuring notes of macaron rose and raspberry mousse, priced at $160. Hailee Steinfeld fronts the campaign.
Rhode Climbs, L'Oréal Paris Holds Top Spot in Q2 Social Media Rankings
L'Oréal Paris remained the number-one beauty brand on social media for the second consecutive quarter, with Rhode moving up to third place, according to Traackr.
Unilever Raises Outlook After Strong First Half and Landmark World Cup Sponsorship
Unilever reported nearly 5% underlying sales growth to €25.6 billion in the first half, driven by beauty power brands and a historic FIFA World Cup sponsorship, prompting an upgraded outlook.
PlusOne Launches at Ulta Beauty in Premium Retail Push
Clean Beauty Boutique Pretty Well Beauty Seeks Buyer as Founder Plans Exit
Pretty Well Beauty, a clean beauty retailer highlighting BIPOC-owned brands, is up for sale. Founder Jazmin Alvarez announced she will close the business if a buyer is not found before her relocation to Barcelona in September.
Gap Returns to Beauty with Relaunch of Fragrance Collection
Gap Inc. is re-entering the beauty category with Gap Beauty, reviving its iconic fragrance line.
Peach & Lily launches senolytic ‘Zombie Cream’ at Ulta Beauty
Peach & Lily has introduced a $59 moisturizer called Advanced Rebound BioGlow Zombie Cream, available exclusively at Ulta Beauty in over 1,500 stores and online.
FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Six Peptides for Compounding Use
An FDA advisory committee has voted to recommend easing regulatory restrictions on six peptides, adding them to the 503A bulks list despite agency scientists citing insufficient safety evidence.
TikTok Influencers Katie Fang and Aliya Rachinski Invest in ESW Beauty
Gen-Z TikTok stars Katie Fang and Aliya Rachinski have taken stakes in skin care brand ESW Beauty, becoming its first outside investors. The brand reported revenue exceeding $11 million in 2025.
Indie Beauty Brands Generate Over $500 Million on TikTok Shop in Past Year
Indie beauty brands on TikTok Shop have collectively earned more than $500 million in the past year, driven by a shift toward practical problem-solving products.
Global After-Sun Market Surges 30% as Post-Sun Care Goes Beyond Aloe
Partner Season II Uses Celebrities to Push C-Beauty Brands Global with London Pop-Up
A new reality docuseries, Partner Season II, follows six Chinese celebrities—including top livestreamer Austin Li—as they operate a temporary C-beauty store in London to help 14 Chinese beauty brands gain international exposure beyond traditional livestream commerce.
Former Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo Launches Atwater, a Streamlined Men's Skincare Brand
Atwater, founded by former Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo, offers high-performance, straightforward men's skincare. Launched in August 2022, the brand has earned over 30 industry awards and secured placements at Saks, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury.
Shiseido Discovers Ring-Shaped Collagen, Unveils AI Visualization Platform
Japanese beauty giant Shiseido has identified a new ring-shaped collagen structure in facial skin and developed an AI-powered platform to map skin forces, shifting anti-aging research toward preserving structural architecture rather than simply boosting collagen levels.
Beauty Standards Through a Philosophical Lens
A new analysis draws on philosopher Martha Nussbaum’s work to examine how beauty standards, branding, and objectification influence autonomy and human flourishing.
Faye Wong’s 1998 Aesthetic Prefigured Today’s Y2K Revival
Hong Kong singer Faye Wong’s 1998 album art, featuring sunburn makeup and sci-fi futurism, anticipated the Y2K look now popular among Gen Z.
Katia Beauchamp Unveils Nail Care Brand Buff Beauty
Birchbox cofounder Katia Beauchamp has launched Buff Beauty, a 22-SKU nail care line that applies skincare principles to nails, featuring designer tools created with jewelry designer Susana Vega.
Snif to Launch Notewrks Men's Fragrance Line at Ulta Beauty
Snif is bringing its masculine-leaning Notewrks cologne line to Ulta Beauty, targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha male fragrance enthusiasts with $74 masstige scents.
Dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton Launches Science-Backed Skincare Line for All Skin Tones
After 30 years of clinical practice, New York dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton founded Rose Ingleton MD in 2019 to provide simple, effective skincare tailored to every skin tone.
Chanel Expands Les Extraits Line With Limited Boutique Distribution
Chanel is rolling out its Les Extraits fragrance line in select stores via appointment-only sales, with 50 locations in China and 200 globally, following a Shanghai event that highlighted the new 1957 Extrait and Extrait-to-Wear spray.
Cosmetic Chemist Laura Lam-Phaure on Solving Beauty’s Toughest Product Problems
Cosmetic chemist Laura Lam-Phaure, founder of LPB Group, reveals the most common technical challenges she helps beauty brands fix, from stability issues and packaging incompatibility to scaling problems.
New Lawsuit Targets Unilever's TRESemmé Over DMDM Hair Loss Claims
A product liability lawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court alleges that Unilever's TRESemmé hair products cause hair loss due to the preservative DMDM hydantoin, despite scientific evidence and prior court rulings undermining the link.
Curie Unveils Gender-Neutral Rebrand as Mass-Market Beauty Evolves
Body care brand Curie has refreshed its identity with a gender-neutral, 'clean performance' rebrand after eight years, reflecting its expansion beyond deodorant and the growing sophistication of mass-market beauty.
Ex-Grooming Writer Nick Burns and Beauty Vet Ye Jin Launch Hair Longevity Brand Manuscript
Nick Burns and Ye Jin, armed with deep industry experience and personal frustrations with hair loss products, are launching Manuscript, a brand focused on effective, sustainable hair longevity for both men and women.
Aesop Women's Library Makes Travel Retail Debut with CDFG in Hainan
L'Oréal-owned beauty brand Aesop has launched its Women's Library initiative in travel retail for the first time, partnering with China Duty Free Group at the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex in Hainan. Throughout July, shelves are stocked with books by female authors instead of products.
Beauty Brands Embrace Experiential Marketing in June Campaigns
Beauty brands shifted from traditional advertising to experiential, creator-led, and community-driven campaigns in June 2026, with highlights including Laura Geller’s nostalgic Grease-themed promotion featuring actress Didi Conn.
Beauty Brands Urged to Rethink PR Boxes as Creator Fatigue Mounts
As influencers grow weary of generic or over-the-top PR mailers, beauty brands are being pushed to create memorable, brand-aligned unboxing experiences that avoid environmental waste.
WNBA's Lexie Hull Brings Forta Cosmetics to Sephora Accelerate
Fragrance Emerges as Beauty's New Loyalty Driver
Beauty brands are leveraging signature scents to build loyalty and expand categories, with the global personal care fragrance market reaching $58.9 billion in 2025.
Cayla Gray Fragrance Aims to Redefine Fragrance with Clean Ingredients and Layering
Founded after a personal tragedy, Cayla Gray Fragrance combines transparency, wellness, and emotional storytelling in a fragrance layering system. The brand projects $2M-$5M in revenue by 2026.
Neko Health Raises $700M Series C Ahead of US Expansion
The health technology company co-founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek has secured $700 million in Series C funding as it prepares to open its first US clinics in New York and other cities this year.
Nigeria Halts Raw Cocoa Exports to Boost Domestic Processing
Nigeria has joined West African neighbors in agreeing to stop exporting raw cocoa beans, aiming to capture more value from its cocoa production through domestic processing and manufacturing.
Beauty Brand Baudie Cuts Skincare Line to Focus on Single Deodorant Enhancer
Bella Skin Beauty has rebranded as Baudie and discontinued its entire skincare range to concentrate on one best-selling product: a probiotic underarm toner renamed Deodorant Enhancer.
Heinemann and Sydney Airport Unveil Major Duty-Free Overhaul; MECCA to Enter International Terminal
Heinemann Oceania and Sydney Airport have embarked on an 18-month transformation of duty-free shopping at Australia's busiest gateway, with Australian beauty retailer MECCA making its first duty-free appearance.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Offers Free Driving Lessons to UK Learners in New Campaign
e.l.f. Cosmetics launches 'Grip, Set, Go' with RED Driver Training, giving away thousands of free driving lessons to combat rising costs in the UK.
Kids’ Personal Care Market Grows as Ingredient-Conscious Parents Reshape Category
Millennial and Gen Z parents are driving growth in the kids’ personal care market by demanding ingredient transparency, efficacy, and modern branding, fueling a new wave of brands.
Amazon Q2 2026 Beauty Rankings Show Prime Day Impact and Suncare Revival
Medicube Toner Pads retained the top spot as Amazon's Q2 2026 top beauty product, while suncare products surged and bodycare expanded beyond lotions.
Why Cutting Horse Investor Is Passing on Prestige Skincare
Cutting Horse VP Jimmy Shen explains why the investment firm is avoiding prestige skincare, citing overcrowding, high customer acquisition costs, and a looming M&A bottleneck.
UK Proposes Tougher Sunbed Rules and National UV Safety Strategy
The UK government is considering stricter sunbed regulations, sunscreen tax reforms, and a national UV safety strategy as part of a push to reduce melanoma cases, which number over 20,000 annually.
Estée Lauder-Puig Merger Collapse Highlights Beauty M&A Challenges
The proposed Estée Lauder and Puig merger fell apart in May, sending Lauder shares up 4% and Puig shares down 4%. Industry insiders are now debating which beauty and wellness companies could successfully combine.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Takes Over Nolita Café for Portofino ’97 Celebration
Victoria Beckham Beauty has launched a limited-time pop-up at Caffe Paradiso in New York's Nolita neighborhood to celebrate its signature fragrance, Portofino ’97.
Exoceuticals Launches with Regenerative Skincare Powered by Biotechnology
Exoceuticals has entered the beauty market with a science-driven range that applies regenerative medicine and longevity research to skincare and haircare. The brand launched in April 2024 in New York City.
David Beckham's IM8 Secures $1 Billion Growth Financing
Funmi Monet Launches Influxious, a Fragrance Brand at Sephora
TikTok perfume influencer Funmi Monet is launching her own fragrance brand, Influxious, exclusively at Sephora. The four-scents line is priced at $150 per bottle and launches on July 27.
Urban Outfitters Deepens Beauty Push with Yes Day Launch; Coty Transfers Gucci Beauty Back to Kering
Urban Outfitters has expanded its beauty assortment with the brick-and-mortar debut of tween brand Yes Day, while Coty has returned the Gucci Beauty license to Kering ahead of schedule. Separately, Bobbi Brown’s son has stepped down as CEO of Jones Road, and Sol de Janeiro is entering the men's fragrance market.
Biotech Firm ProTransit Launches Échelon Skincare Brand Targeting Free Radicals
ProTransit introduces Échelon, a science-backed skincare line that uses a patented delivery system to release antioxidant enzymes over 192 hours, neutralizing excess free radicals.
AI-Driven Commerce Reshapes China's Beauty Market, Says Yaso Co-Founder
Adam Knight, co-founder of Yaso, advises beauty brands to adopt an AI-first approach as China's market shifts away from legacy retail routes, with AI integration far ahead of the West.
Indian CDMO Naturis Cosmetics Secures $10.4 Million Investment
Naturis Cosmetics, a leading Indian contract development and manufacturing organization, has raised Rs 100 crore ($10.4 million) in its first institutional funding round led by Sharrp Ventures.
cdf Beauty Celebrates Seventh Anniversary with Hong Kong Artist Collaboration and Charity Coffee Box Set
cdf Beauty marks its seventh anniversary at Citygate Outlets in Hong Kong with a campaign featuring artist Maysum and an exclusive coffee drip bag box set that supports deaf baristas and staff with special needs.
Superdrug Expands Beauty Playground Concept with New Brands
Superdrug is marking the first anniversary of its Beauty Playground concept by introducing a range of new brands and products to enhance the immersive beauty retail experience.
Baduanjin Rave: Chinese Youth Swap Nightclubs for Morning Qigong Sessions
A new wellness trend in China fuses the ancient qigong practice of baduanjin with ambient electronic music, drawing Gen Z and millennials seeking mindful movement and stress relief.
Chanel opens standalone beauty boutique at Toronto Pearson in partnership with Avolta
Gen Z Prioritizes Beauty as Essential Spend, Outpacing Other Generations
Generation Z is now the largest spender on health and beauty products, viewing these purchases as a daily essential rather than a luxury.
Clarins Launches Beauty Concierge at Changi Airport with Singapore-Inspired Pop-Up
Clarins has debuted its Beauty Concierge concept globally at Changi Airport, featuring a Singapore-themed pop-up with personalized skincare services and exclusive travel retail offerings.
S.A.F.E. Seal and Prestige Testing Partner to Strengthen Beauty Claims via Independent Validation
The S.A.F.E. Seal has teamed with clinical research firm Prestige Testing to help beauty brands substantiate product efficacy through independent scientific review, aiming to meet rising expectations from consumers, retailers, and investors.
AS Watson Leverages Data and AI to Fast-Track Beauty Brand Launches
The global retailer is using its vast consumer data, artificial intelligence, and 17,000-store network to help beauty brands move from concept to commercialization more efficiently.
Shades By Shan Expands Inclusive Beauty Line to 600+ JCPenney Stores
Latina-founded cosmetics brand Shades By Shan is scaling nationwide, now available in over 600 JCPenney stores, while supporting single parents through its Mamaberries Foundation.
Year-Round Demand Drives Global Suncare Growth, Circana Data Shows
Daily SPF use is becoming a skincare staple, boosting suncare sales year-round with premium, facial, and mineral formulas leading the charge, according to new Circana data.
Liberty Appoints Laura Simpson as CMO, Expanding Beauty Role
Laura Simpson has been named chief marketing officer of Liberty London, adding the title to her existing role as managing director of the store's beauty division, LBTY.
TechnicoFlor Acquires Grasse-Based Fragrance House Azur Fragrance
French fragrance compounder TechnicoFlor has acquired Azur Fragrance, a family-owned perfume composition company based in Grasse, France, to bolster its natural perfumery capabilities and international reach.
Belle Brands Acquires Skincare Label Versed
Belle Brands acquires direct-to-consumer skincare label Versed, expanding its beauty portfolio while maintaining the brand’s independent operations.
Symbiome Marries Regenerative Sourcing and Microbiome Science in Skincare
The New York City-based startup combines sustainably harvested Amazonian botanicals with clinical research to target root causes of chronic skin conditions.
EU Completes Phase-Out of Cyclic Silicones in Cosmetics
The European Union is finalizing its restriction of cyclic silicones D4, D5, and D6 in cosmetics, with full bans on leave-on products by June 2027, signaling a broader regulatory shift against environmentally persistent ingredients.
South Africa's $4.2 Billion Beauty Market Faces Growing Unrest Risk
Anti-migrant protests in South Africa since April 2026 are disrupting supply chains and deterring investors in the country's $4.2 billion beauty market, threatening its status as Africa's leading cosmetics hub.
Costco Emerges as a Strategic Beauty Retail Channel
The warehouse retailer is quietly expanding its beauty offerings, attracting prestige and emerging brands seeking access to affluent shoppers and high-volume growth.
Code8 Beauty Opens Second London Store in Canary Wharf
Code8 Beauty has opened its second London store in Canary Wharf, featuring a bespoke lipstick experience, following its flagship debut in Covent Garden in May.
Maesa Opens Applications for 2027 Magic Incubator
Maesa has launched the fourth edition of its Magic Incubator, offering grants, AI education, mentorship, and industry access to underrepresented beauty founders.
Konckier Family Acquires German Perfumery Chain Stadtparfümerie Pieper
The Konckier family, reference shareholders of French beauty group Bogart, has acquired 100% of German perfumery chain Stadtparfümerie Pieper, which operates more than 110 stores across Germany.
CK Hutchison in Talks to Sell Marionnaud to Beauty Investor David Konckier
CK Hutchison Holdings is exploring the sale of European prestige beauty retailer Marionnaud to David Konckier, founder of BEHN and principal shareholder of the Bogart Group, signaling further consolidation in the sector.
Style Capital Invests in French Fragrance Brand Essential Parfums
Milan-based private equity firm Style Capital has entered the beauty sector for the first time by taking a stake in Essential Parfums, a French fragrance house known for accessible luxury and transparency.
NCLA Beauty Expands Clean Bodycare with Retail Partnerships and Accessible Luxury
NCLA Beauty is broadening its clean bodycare line through founder-led innovation and major retail distribution across the US and international markets.
Lush Returns to Social Media on Bluesky After 2021 Exit
Lush has joined Bluesky, marking its first return to a major social platform since abandoning Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and X in 2021 over mental health concerns.
Korean Fragrance Brands Rise as Next K-Beauty Export Wave
South Korean fragrance brands are gaining global traction, blending traditional ingredients with modern luxury. UK interest in Korean perfumes rose 20% year-over-year as of April 2026, and exports reached $635 million in 2024.
Olive Young Festa to Debut in Los Angeles as K-Beauty Goes Experiential
South Korea's largest beauty retailer Olive Young will host its first US edition of Olive Young Festa in Los Angeles this August, bringing 55 K-beauty and lifestyle brands to a 50,000-square-foot immersive exhibition.
Very Group Partners with Estée Lauder to Boost Premium Beauty Range
The Very Group has added Estée Lauder to its premium beauty lineup, expanding its offering for online shoppers.
Chinese Youth Adopt Mango Seeds as Low-Maintenance Pets
A growing online community in China is treating mango seeds as pets, grooming and dressing the pits as alternatives to traditional animals.
Melanin Haircare Named to Next50 2026, Projects Under $2M Revenue
Melanin Haircare, co-founded by sisters Whitney White and Taffeta White, has been recognized in BeautyMatter's Next50 2026 list. The brand projects full-year 2026 revenue under $2 million, primarily distributed through independent retailers.
Grunge Beauty Resurges as Consumers Reject Perfection and Wellness Pressure
Smudged eyeliner, lived-in hair, and deliberate dishevelment are replacing the polished 'clean girl' aesthetic as a cultural backlash against aspiration and optimization drives a darker, more grunge-led beauty mood.
AI Startups Certo and Certivo Help Beauty Brands Navigate Regulatory Complexity
Fashion and beauty sales lifted as Britons prioritise summer holidays, KPMG survey finds
Despite gloomy economic conditions, UK consumers are spending on clothing, shoes and beauty products in preparation for summer trips, according to a KPMG survey.