Culture
Crayola issues statement warning against using crayons and pencils as lipsticks or eyeliners. Analyst sees potential for Crayola branded makeup.
Jessica Alba and The Honest Company respond to $5 million class action lawsuit. The suit claims their products were misleading labeled as natural.
Reshma Quereshi shares beauty tutorials aimed to raise awareness and to help end acid attacks against women. Reshma was attacked by her sister’s estranged husband only a year ago.
Rihanna says that “[she] would love to do a makeup line” at the launch of her new fragrance ‘RiRi’. The artist continues, “…It’s a part of my life, it’s a part of my career, it’s part of every video, every visual, every red carpet, so it’s something I’ve gotten to know quite well. I ask a lot of questions and I spend a lot of time in the makeup stores.”
LUSH gets backlash from social media and Battersea MP Jane Ellison after launching an incense inspired by the 2011 London Riots. The product Lavender Hill Mob is described as “calming and meditative lavender and sandalwood incense to aid quiet contemplation amidst the violence of the world.”
Indiana University researchers use Instagram to predict the next big fashion model. The study also found that height increased success, whereas larger dress, hip and shoe sizes didn’t.
Crime
FDA reprimands Kim Kardashian for Instagram post promoting Diclegis, a morning sickness drug. The celebrity was required to make a new Instagram post with side-effect and drug limitations.
Cosmetics factory in Riyadh shut down due to undisclosed raw materials and unhygienic conditions. The inspection team found bottles filled with sulfonic acid, a lack of safety equipment, and sewage near the production floor – among other violations.
Jakarta police arrest man who ran counterfeit cosmetics factory in Tangerang. Some of the products used labels from Garnier.
Retail
French cosmetics and beauty line black|Up to launch at 10 Sephora locations in the US. The brand caters to people of color. Some controversy surrounds the launch as some writers have called in to question whether or not the brand is still owned by its black founder.
Japanese skin care brand Isshin-do Honpo launches a Marvel’s The Avengers themed line of sheet masks. The products include a Captain America sheet mask and an Iron Man sheet mask. The masks retail for 900 yen.
Panasonic set to launch new beauty device. The device will have a cleaning brush on one-end, similar to a Clarisonic, and a heated makeup removing pad on the other. The device can also be filled with cleanser to generate “micro-foam”.
Chinese personal care brand Herborist expands to Europe to increase appeal back home.
Entrepreneur Amy Errett launches subscription based hair dye service, Madison Reed.
Entrepreneur Bill Rinehart launches DUFL service, which helps travelers selectively ship their clothing, cosmetics and personal care items to their destination.
Model Lindsay Ellingson, famous for being a Victoria’s Secret angel, launches her own make-up line. “Wander Beauty” is designed to be multi-functional and for people on the go. The line will be sold on TV shopping channel QVC.
Miradry treatment launches in the UK. Using electrical currents the manufacturer claims sweating can be reduced by more than 80%.
Research and Development
Local news station tests claims that Minion’s banana bubble bath attracts bees.
Beijing study links three phthalates to increased rates of miscarriage. Phthalates are common in nail polish, lotions, fragrances, plastics, and other consumer goods.
Patent application filed that enables facial recognition software to digitally remove makeup. Also contains algorithms to assess facial beauty.
Researchers at Glyndwr University develop polymer which could replace synthetically created polymers. The raw material, chitin, is sourced from shrimp shells, a waste product.
Scott Shim of Ohio State University, wins an environmental award for his easily cleaned MAZE Hairbrush. He found most people threw away hairbrushes after 6 to 12 months. His brush design aims to reduce waste, and his team is currently looking for commercial partners.
Below the Fold: Men are buying less deodorant, Indian cosmetics ban donkey hide, California state moves to ban microbeads, the history of the nose job, and more!
Sustainability and Standards
An amended bill banning the use of microplastics in cosmetics by 2020 was approved by 24 to 14 votes. Amendments included the removal of requirements for natural alternatives to be used to replace microplastics, as well as state oversight to review the alternatives. The bill will brought back to the floor for a concurrence vote.
An estimated 80 tonnes of microplastic waste due to cosmetic use alone in the UK, according to new study from Professor Richard Thompson of Plymouth University. Researchers found up to 2.8 million microparticles per product.
Pakistan lawmakers propose resolution to ban the use of donkey hides in the manufacturing of cosmetics. Bollywood actor Meera announces that she will no longer use cosmetics due to her disgust of its use.
Blue-green algae encroaching into Greater Sudbury area lakes in Ontario. Experts say it is due to run-off from detergents, personal care, and fertilizer.
L’Oreal and chemical company Solvay team up to promote sustainable guar bean manufacturing in India. Guar beans are used to produced guar gum, a useful thickener and texture modifier for cosmetics and skin care.
New US standard for liquid laundry detergent packets will require them to be opaque, or otherwise obscured to discourage accidental ingestion.
China FDA releases third-revision of hygienic standard for cosmetics. Includes new limits for lead, arsenic, cadmium, 1,4 dioxane, 80 more banned ingredients, and 20 more banned plant and animal-derived ingredients. Invites public and industry input.
Clorox redesigns its palm oil sustainability policies. By 2020 its suppliers will require to be verified against deforestation and peatland destruction, business ethics and human rights, and traceability back to the plantation.
L’Oreal announces its goal reduce its carbon footprint by 60% by 2020.
Market Trends
Large international beauty companies like L’Oreal and Unilever offer more diverse products when entering developing markets, such as Brazil. Globalization may mean that people worldwide will be able to find products that cater to them.
Beards may be slowing down the male grooming market. Deodorant, hair care, and skin care sales on the decline.
NDP report on male grooming market finds that 42% of men surveyed had no issues with their skin. 17% still believed skin care products were only for women.
Asia Pacific is currently the largest consumer of methylparaben. Continued growth in the region, especially in the personal care market, will likely see its continued dominance.
Corporate Changes
LUSH to open a manufacturing plant in Russia.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP hires former ‘Lucky’ beauty editor.
Changes at Chanel: Evelyn Couzijn has been named senior VP of sales, Fragrance and Beauté at Chanel, and Eric Hogan has been named vice president, marketing point of sale for Chanel Fragrance and Beauté.
Graeme Pitkethly named as new CFO of Unilever. Gina Boswell, who oversaw the launch of Simple skin care and Clear hair care, set to replace him.
Former COTY president Marc Rey will become the president and CEO of Shiseido Americas. He will also oversee NARS and Bare Escentuals.
Markwins International Corporation names Jeff Rogers as president of the Physicians Formula Group.
Finance
Major holder JAB Cosmetics increases holding of COTY. COTY recently acquired 43 beauty and personal care brands from P&G, in a $12.5 billion USD deal.
Chinese company Fosun to acquire Israeli dead sea personal care company Ahava. The deal is estimated at 300 million ILS or $76 million USD.
A.I.I., owner of China Glaze, acquires Hollywood Fashion Secrets brand.
Swiss personal care and fragrances company, Givaudan, acquires cosmetic actives company Induchem.
Indian online beauty retailer Nykaa attracts around $3.5 million USD from TVS Capital Funds.
Accutec Blades acquires the industrial blades division of Edgewell. Edgewell’s portfolio includes brands like Skintimate, Edge, Schick, Personna, Wilkinson Sword, Banana Boat, and Hawaiian Tropic.
Large outflow of money at ULTA, director Robert DiRomauldo unloads stocks worth almost $1 million USD.
Interesting Reads
How L’Oreal Got Its “Because You’re Worth It” Strapline
