Beauty’s Olympics Marketing Playbook
Beauty brands may not have their logo on an athlete’s uniform, but they’re still finding ways to market around the Olympics through partnerships with top athletes and social-media friendly campaigns.
The Business of Beauty
In-depth analysis, news and advice for beauty and wellness professionals around the world.
Highlights
How Bootstrapped Beauty Brands Are Growing
As the beauty industry has grown in value and saturation, emerging brands have often leant on outside investment to grow. But for those who don’t want – or can’t access – external funding, a more roundabout path is needed.
Remedy Place Will Open New SoHo Location
The “luxury social wellness club” is expanding in response to growing consumer demand for self-care treatments.
Case Studies & Reports
Latest News & Analysis
The Business of Beauty Haul of Fame: Live from New York, It’s Drugstore Mascara!
Can sketch comedy sell makeup? Maybelline and E.l.f. Cosmetics are finding out.
Why L’Oréal’s Meteoric Skincare Growth is Coming Back to Earth
L’Oréal’s dermatological beauty division is usually a blockbuster, but the impact of increased competition and the decline of drugstore distributors on its recent earnings show the company can’t rest on its laurels.
An Instagram Beauty Brand Navigates a TikTok World
Since 2016, Kristin Noel Crawley has grown KNC Beauty slowly and steadily. Now, she’s ready for its big break.
How Anastasia Beverly Hills Lost Its Footing
The influencer-favourite brand seemed on rocket-like trajectory in the 2010s, culminating in a reported $3 billion valuation in 2018. But since then, trends have shifted, sales have slid, debt has mounted and its main investor, the private equity firm TPG Capital, is ready to move on.
How Anastasia Beverly Hills Lost Its Footing
The influencer-favourite brand seemed on rocket-like trajectory in the 2010s, culminating in a reported $3 billion valuation in 2018. But since then, trends have shifted, sales have slid, debt has mounted and its main investor, the private equity firm TPG Capital, is ready to move on.
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The TikTok ‘It Boy’ Who’s Getting Men to Wear Makeup
19-year-old Bach Buquen’s ‘hetero dude’ image could push more of his male Gen-Z peers to buy into cosmetics, creating growth opportunities for brands with genderless lines.
Inside Ulta Beauty’s Turnaround Plan
As Sephora and Amazon encroach on its territory and draw younger shoppers, Ulta Beauty’s investor day covered strategies to enhance physical stores and keep Gen-Z and Gen Alpha’s attention.
Unlocking Innovative Pathways for the Beauty Professionals of Tomorrow
The award-winning educational programme Lead, created by Rolfs Global Institute and powered by L’Oréal USA, is designed to provide accelerated and affordable pathways to higher education for beauty professionals. Now, BoF speaks to founder and CEO Francis Tesmer and three of its graduates to learn how Lead is shaping the future for beauty professionals.
Unlocking Innovative Pathways for the Beauty Professionals of Tomorrow
The award-winning educational programme Lead, created by Rolfs Global Institute and powered by L’Oréal USA, is designed to provide accelerated and affordable pathways to higher education for beauty professionals. Now, BoF speaks to founder and CEO Francis Tesmer and three of its graduates to learn how Lead is shaping the future for beauty professionals.
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The Debrief | How Beauty Blunders Go Viral and What Brands Do Next
Senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young sits down with beauty correspondent Daniela Morosini to explore how brands handle the fallout from product launch failures and hair loss claims.
The Founders Pushing African Fragrance Into the Mainstream
Across the continent, a handful of nascent brands are attempting to kickstart the continent’s own niche perfume moment. Success will take mastery of retail, e-commerce and branding across borders.
‘Clean-Girl’ Beauty’s Next Stop: Ultra-Glam Dubai
Saie, Kosas, Ilia and Glossier are among the beauty brands launching at Sephora Middle East this fall as the GCC countries become a priority for global expansion.
Refy Bets the Indie Beauty Boom Isn’t Over Yet
Despite a slowdown in the M&A pipeline and rising pressure on indie brands, British cosmetics company Refy thinks it can buck the trend and become a breakout star. Pulling it off will require careful calibration to help it broaden its presence without denting its status.
Refy Bets the Indie Beauty Boom Isn’t Over Yet
Despite a slowdown in the M&A pipeline and rising pressure on indie brands, British cosmetics company Refy thinks it can buck the trend and become a breakout star. Pulling it off will require careful calibration to help it broaden its presence without denting its status.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Cetaphil Owner Galderma Sales Lift 9.2% on Strong Skincare and Injectable Demand
In the first nine months of the year, the Swiss beauty firm saw its sales rise to $3.26 billion thanks to robust performance in Europe and gains in China and Latin America.
Unilever Sales Rise 4.5%, Narrowly Beating Expectations
The consumer goods giant reported sales slightly ahead of expectations, with some growth in prestige beauty, but maintained its modest full-year guidance.
Beiersdorf Sales Rise 6.5%; China Still Drags
The German beauty conglomerate saw its sales lift ahead of analyst expectations, led by a north American rebound and skincare, but continued pressure in China weighed on overall growth.
L’Oréal Third Quarter Sales Miss Expectations as China Buys Less
The North Asia region, dominated by China, accounts for a quarter of group sales, but persistently weak demand in the world’s No. 2 economy has curbed consumer spending.
Interparfums Sales Rise 15%, Buoyed by Fragrance Demand
The European fragrance licensee beat analyst expectations in its third-quarter earnings, with sales lifting to $425 million.
Venrex and the British Beauty Council Launch Beauty Venture Fund
The fund, Venrex BBCo I, will make investments of around $130,000 to $1.3 million in a variety of consumer and B2B beauty businesses.
Beauty On-Demand Provider Ruuby Raises $2.6 Million
The investment was led by Praetura Equity Finance, a Manchester-based fund dedicated to British businesses.
Report: Activist Investor Starboard Targets Neutrogena Owner Kenvue
Per The Wall Street Journal, the hedge fund has taken a stake in the ailing consumer products firm, which has seen its stock price slide more than 18 percent since going public last year.