Products and Reviews

Retailers, Brands, and Trends

Coty is said to be in talks for Kylie Cosmetics investment via WWD.com

Kylie Cosmetics may be homing in on a transaction after all.

Kylie Jenner is rumored to be selling Kylie Cosmetics via WMagazine.com

Coty , which owns O.P.I., Rimmel London, and Covergirl, is allegedly mulling over a $600 million purchase of a 51 percent stake.

Beauty giants cash in on wearable weed via Axios.com

CBD skincare products — which claim to hydrate, moisturize, cure acne, reduce wrinkles and even combat aging — are a big market, but nobody knows for sure if they really work.

Why it’s so hard for beauty brands to cross over from one category to another via BusinessOfFashion.com

Amidst a booming skincare market, makeup-first labels are angling to become purveyors of moisturisers and serums, too. But can a brand be an authority in both?

The Estée Lauder Companies partners with the Humane Society to end global animal testing via Allure.com

The beauty giant is joining the Humane Society International’s #BeCrueltyFree campaign.

Estée Lauder joins the fight against animal cruelty via PaperMag.com

“We are proud to partner with Humane Society International, an organization that has done such thoughtful work advocating for animals everywhere,” Anna Klein, senior vice president, global corporate affairs for The Estée Lauder Companies, said in a statement. “They have been a wonderful partner and advisor as we work together towards our common goal to bring an end to cosmetics animal testing, worldwide.”

Estée Lauder signs onto pledge to end cosmetic animal testing via TheHill.com

“I’m confident that by working together with beauty companies through our #BeCruelty campaign, we can help bring an end to cosmetics testing on animals by 2023.”

Estée Lauder CEO Fabrizio Freda on makeup trends and Chinese millennials via Barrons.com

Freda’s career has encompassed both mass and class; the Italian-born executive worked at Procter & Gamble (PG) and Gucci before joining Estée Lauder.

Beauty fans sound off on Mecca cosmetica’s use of the holy city in its name via Essence.com

Started by Jo Horgan in the mid-nineties, Mecca Cosmetica is sort of like an Australian Sephora, offering a beauty destination where you can shop countless prestige brands, and also take advantage of beauty experts on-hand. It also has a signature line of skincare products.

Exploring the rise of gender neutral beauty brands via HighSnobiety.com

Like a gender-reveal party in reverse, much of the beauty and grooming industry is cutting ties with prescriptive marketing and branding, moving towards a market that focuses on gender neutral beauty.

John Lewis & Partners launches new beauty product recycling scheme via GoodHouseKeeping.com

Teaming up with TerraCycle, who also work with The Body Shop, the retailer is trailing the scheme with members of its loyalty programme My John Lewis.

John Lewis has launched a BeautyCycle scheme and it’s exactly what we’ve been waiting for via GlamourMagazine.co.uk

The month-long trial begins on 14 June and all John Lewis shops with full-line beauty services will take part (36 shops) using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box solution. The trial’s purpose is to understand customer demand for beauty recycling, with a wider ambition to make the scheme permanent if successful – and we’re really hoping it will become a permanent fixture.

The rise of eco-friendly packaging in cosmetics via AdWeek.com

Cosmetics brands are creating packaging that’s sustainable, refillable, plastic-free and even package-free.

Two beauty brands are fighting over the exclusive right to use “BLUSH & GLOW” and “BRONZE & GLOW” via TheFashionLaw.com

In a complaint filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, “eco-chic” brand Tarte claims that its younger rival Natasha Denona Make Up – the brand behind the cult-followed $200 Sunset eye-shadow palette – is “intentionally and knowingly” making use of two of its federal registered trademarks

The beauty of Natura’s Avon acquisition: Appealing to Asia via Marketing-Interactive.com

Avon currently has stores in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan, among others cities in Malaysia. In 2018, the company had more than 200,000 sales representatives and 168 outlets in Malaysia.

Should we be annoyed at beauty brands marketing off Pride? via DazedDigital.com

How should we feel about all of these beauty brands turning the ethos of Pride into a product or a hashtag – is it a cynical marketing ploy or a real push for change?

Nose jobs are china’s newest luxury item. This company is cashing in via Barrons.com

Beijing-based company called So-Young International —there’s no pun in Chinese—raised $179 million through an initial public offering on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Think of it as the Yelp of China’s plastic-surgery market.

Net-a-Porter launches Net Sustain, a platform to help customers identify environmentally friendly brands via Independent.co.uk

New section aims to give a voice to brands making positive changes

Beloved NYC beauty store Ricky’s may not be long for this cold world via Jezebel.com

The New York City beauty store Ricky’s, with its iconic electric blue toothpaste logo, may end up closing all but two stores

L’Oreal taps its first female president for the world’s biggest beauty brand via Fortune.com

L’Oreal SA has named the first female president of its flagship cosmetics label, elevating Delphine Viguier-Hovasse to the top job at the world’s biggest beauty brand.

Beauty industry has more female leaders than most, but men still dominate via Marketplace.org

While the beauty industry does have better representation of women in leadership roles than other industries, men still dominate the C-suite and boardroom — at least at the biggest companies.

Allure is growing its beauty box subscriptions through influencer collaborations via Glossy.co

Allure, which is owned by Condé Nast, declined to share current figures around its beauty box subscribers, but in 2016, it reportedly had 30,000. Membership is at an all-time high, up 80% year over year in 2018, said Jill Friedson, vp of marketing for Condé Nast Beauty Collection.

YouTube rolls out augmented reality for viewers to virtually try on makeup via CNBC.com

YouTube will allow viewers to virtually try on makeup using an augmented reality program called AR Beauty Try-On.

Youtube created AR filters that let you try on makeup with beauty vloggers via GritDaily.com

Next time you find yourself watching a beauty tutorial on YouTube you may notice a new feature: try it on. A new augmented reality plugin will let users virtually try on new makeup and beauty products through a filter in their camera.

Perfect Corp. brings the Global Beauty Tech Forum to New York City for an innovative look at the future of AI & AR technologies upgrading the consumer beauty experience via Finance.Yahoo.com

Perfect Corp. hosted the Global Beauty Tech Forum at Metropolitan West in New York City on Tuesday, June 18th in partnership with leading specialized talent agency, 24 Seven.

South Korean retailer Olive Young now ships to the United States via Allure.com

Sadly, Europeans won’t have access to the site, as it doesn’t ship to countries that require them to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Why beauty mainstays like L’Oréal are enabling online consultations via PSFK.com

Catering to today’s digital-first audience with on-demand expectations, leading cosmetics and skincare brands are providing instant help with these digital appointments

How brands like Alibaba are using AI to further personalize skincare via PSFK.com

From interactive makeup mirrors to selfie-based skin analyses, leading brands based in Asia are bringing expert-led and personalized advice to consumers’ fingertips

‘It’s a challenge’: Kopari updates marketing strategy for sexual wellness launch via Glossy.co

Following moves into deodorant and oil puller in the last year, coconut-based, natural beauty brand Kopari is continuing its extension into personal care.

Sa Sa launches “Sa Sa Hong Kong Flagship Store” on HKTVmall via Finance.Yahoo.com

The Sa Sa Flagship Store on HKTVmall offers more than 1,200 SKUs consisting trendy skin care, make-up, fragrance and personal care products, catering the strong demand for quality beauty cosmetics products from local customers in Hong Kong.

Codex Beauty announces exclusive US retail partnership with Shen Beauty via Finance.Yahoo.com

Codex Beauty, a global, clean beauty skincare company, today announced that it has entered into their first exclusive retail partnership with SHEN Beauty, a Brooklyn-based beauty retailer specializing in natural and organic brands.

Skincare and Beauty

Microfibres found polluting the Great Barrier Reef via CosmosMagazine.com

How to not get sucked into the online skincare vortex via Mashable.com

Glass skin is not just erasure of ordinary faces – it’s the final step towards objectification via TheGuardian.com

A short history of manly beauty products for masculine men via Jezebel.com

The history of eyelashes: The tiny hairs that hold huge sway in the beauty industry via VirginMediaTelevision.ie

My locs aren’t dreadful, but navigating the beauty industry with them is via StyleCaster.com

Smearing cannabis on your face: the latest Asian beauty craze via Scmp.com

Japan enters the ‘makeup boy’ age with surge in makeup for men via Mainichi.jp

How the beauty industry is finally embracing menopause via Dazeddigital.com

Self-care and skincare aren’t always the same thing via VerilyMag.com

The age you should start using anti-aging skin care products, according to dermatologists via Finance.Yahoo.com

Stop buying into the idea of a skincare ‘holy grail’ via Mashable.com

The rise of “semi-bespoke” skincare via Vogue.co.uk

What are “cherry lips”? Your guide to South Korea’s biggest lip filler trend via Allure.com

Women spend 7 weeks of their lives washing their faces and applying moisturiser via TheSun.co.uk

Can DNA testing help you find your best workout, diet and skincare routine? via Vogue.in

The power couple of sun protection: Vitamin C and sunscreen via RealSimple.com

What exactly are antioxidants and their skincare benefits? via HypeBae.com

Gotu Kola is the new skincare ingredient and an Ayurvedic herb you may have used before via Vogue.in

Here’s what happened when I tried hyaluronic acid for the first time via HypeBae.com

Should you stop using a skincare product if you start breaking out? via Vogue.in

What the heck is squalane oil and why is it suddenly in all my skin-care products? via Self.com

Decoding the science behind skincare ingredients via DailyMaverick.co.za

If your skin routine doesn’t include vitamin E, you’re missing out via News.Yahoo.com

13 expert-approved ways to work glycolic acid into your skin-care routine via Fashionista.com

Is adding salt to your skincare routine good for your complexion? via Vogue.in

Are supplements the missing step to younger-looking skin? via Telegraph.co.uk

Can a Reiki facial heal your skin? via Vogue.co.uk

How your zodiac sign shapes your skincare & beauty regime, according to Soho House’s astrologer via Bustle.com

The ultimate summer haircare routine for afro-textured and curly hair via Independent.co.uk

How to safely remove acrylic nails, damage-free via Elle.com

I got my teeth professionally whitened and missed coffee desperately – but it was worth it via Popsugar.com

This makeup artist’s genius trick uses powder foundation to mirror the effects of contouring via Allure.com

What it’s like to get a facial for your scalp via Elle.com

How to take off your makeup the right way via Glamour.com

Celebrities, Influencers, and Interviews

#Sponcon: How beauty influencers are experiencing a crisis of authenticity via DazedDigital.Com

How is the industry moving forward in a bid to keep consumers buying in?

New Zealand plastic surgeon Dr Jonathan Wheeler says the industry gets regularly approached for free surgeries by influencers via Stuff.co.nz

Free procedures turned the relationship between the doctor and the patient, to an unhealthy one of a doctor and a client.

This is why Jaclyn Hill, James Charles, and Laura Lee don’t wear makeup in their apology videos via TeenVogue.com

Join us on this investigation into the intentional no-makeup looks of beauty YouTubers Jaclyn Hill, James Charles, and Laura Lee.

Authentically fake: Influencers are breaking boundaries between real and digital worlds via CampaignLive.co.uk

“The proliferation of AI and filters is trickling down to anyone with a smartphone and that speaks to a base interest a lot of people have bought into – the idea of transformation.”

Rachel Winard, founder of Soapwalla, on why we need to queer the beauty & skin care industry via MindBodyGreen.com

“We get a lot of the “shut up and sell me my skin care.” Any time I post anything queer, I’ll lose on average like 400 or 500 followers. Without fail. One hundred percent of the time. I get a decent amount of hate mail because I am so out.”

Queer Illustrator Wednesday opens up about their partnership with youth to the people for pride 2019 via Allure.com

“It was clear that they just wanted me to be me, and it made making the artwork so easy.”

SK-II’s new brand ambassador Yumi is not even real via PaperMag.com

Over the past few months, a new crop of virtual influencers have begun to replace the human kind. Last year, Balmain hired CGI modelsfor its campaign, and more recently, Calvin Klein had Bella Hadid make out with AI-generated virtual influencer Lil Miquela, who boasts close to 2 million Instagram followers.

SK-II taps virtual influencer Yumi as its new face via HK.AsiaTatler.com

SK-II is the latest brand to jump on the virtual influencer trend with its new ambassador, Yumi

NZ’s Soul Machines creates AI social media influencer Yumi for SK-II via Nzherald.co.nz

“The world’s first autonomously animated digital influencer.”

The new face of skincare brand SK-II is an AI avatar via DazedDigital.com

“YUMI is more than a digital influencer. She is a digital human capable of interacting and engaging in ways technology hasn’t been able to do until now.”

Kim Kardashian West announced a KKW Beauty collaboration with Winnie Harlow via TeenVogue.com

The moment in the episode, which was captured by fans and shared on Winnie’s Instagram Story, didn’t provide to many specifics regarding possible products, but the episode included a behind-the-scenes look at the pair’s photo shoot for whatever beauty goodies they’re working on.

Cardi B Says She’s Done With Plastic Surgery After Liposuction Complications via Allure.com

“Bitch I ain’t getting surgery again.”

6 beauty secrets I learned from Rachel Brosnahan via Elle.com

The new Cetaphil brand ambassador on where she saves—and splurges—in her skincare and makeup routine.

Chrissy Teigen shows us the lengths she goes to get makeup onto every inch of her body via Popsugar.com

Chrissy Teigen just gave a glimpse of her makeup routine from a different angle.

John Legend opens up about his beauty routine and the lessons he learned from Chrissy via Popsugar.com

“That’s why I moved to LA — to have a [big] bathroom.”

John Legend loved this skincare product so much, he wrote a song about it via Instyle.com

John Legend debuts his song “Oh Pitera,” an ode to the cult-favorite skincare product.

John Legend stars alongside James Corden in SK-II’s new skincare show via News.Yahoo.com

Even Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s shared skin-care routine is chill via Allure.com

YouTuber Nadine Baggott’s must-have skin care products for enviously clear skin via Heart.co.uk

The members of (G)I-dle are changing what it means to be in a K-pop girl group. via Allure.com

Model Aaron Philip reveals her favorite beauty products via Allure.com

How Tiyana Robinson is leaving a beauty mark on her industry via Entrepreneur.com

“I’m a makeup artist and international beauty educator based in Washington, D.C., best known for my “wearable glam” look for women of color.”

Troye Sivan mentions upcoming nail polish and candles in new video via Popsugar.com

“I’m testing out some scents and things for a little project.”

Five minutes with makeup artist Daniel Martin via WWD.com

The Dior brand ambassador and Honest Beauty chief color consultant shares beauty hacks and his best memory of working on Meghan Markle’s wedding makeup look.

Watch Jess Clements walk through her nightly skincare routine via HarpersBazaar.com

The ‘Dewy Dudes’ on every product in their skin-care routine via NYMag.com

“We are 25-year-old Emilio and 25-year-old Evan. We’re ordinary guys who live in New York. We’re also the Dewy Dudes, a meme account turned podcast that combines skin care with bro-speak.”

Steal former Miss Texas Daniella Rodriguez’s skincare routine via Parade.com

Facialist Teresa Tarmey is bringing her skincare techniques to India via Vogue.in

Teresa Tarmey has worked with Victoria’s Secret models like Alessandra Ambrosio and Josephine Skriver in the past. And now, you can reap the benefits of her expertise too

The business advice Evan Spiegel gave Miranda Kerr for her skin-care brand via Hollywoodreporter.com

The model launched a new serum with a Malibu pool party, where Katy Perry did a crystal reading.

Steal pop singer Kim Petras’ skincare routine via Parade.com

Model Aaron Philip reveals her favorite beauty products of all time via Allure.com

She also opens up about her new role with Unilever’s “United We Stand” campaign in new interview with Allure.

Dove Cameron’s makeup artist takes inspiration from strawberry shortcake, burnt toast, and sliced ham via TeenVogue.com

Ever wondered what it’s like to get ready for drag? Jan Sport sashays through the process via Popsugar.com

Bella Thorne’s guide to acne-prone skin care and glitter eyes via Video.Vogue.com

Bella Thorne says washing her face less helped reduce her acne breakouts via Allure.com

Phoebe Robinson on the 1 product she’d recommend to her favorite person, Bono via Popsugar.com

Halsey showed off unshaven armpits on her rolling stone cover via TeenVogue.com

The talented makeup artists behind your favorite celebrities’ beauty looks via Popsugar.com