Brand story: Updates from Kosé, Kao, Watsons and more top beauty brands

What investments in temporary tattoo printers tell us about how beauty is changing​

Investments in temporary tattoo printing technology by beauty bigwigs hint that the future of beauty will be influenced by experimentation, the metaverse, and heightened innovation in colour cosmetics.

The interest in semi-permanent tattoos stems from post-COVID-19 desire for fun and experimentation, mostly driven by younger consumers.

This behaviour is observed not just in Gen Zs, but also in younger millennials who may also be craving the nostalgia of such kitsch styles.

Ouai hair care observes rising interest in scalp care in SEA​

Luxury hair care brand Ouai say opportunities abound in scalp care as interest and awareness of scalp health grows in South East Asia.

Since the US brand launched in the SEA market around five years ago, its best-selling products have been its hair oil and leave-in conditioner, which help to control frizz.

However, Ouai’s latest scalp serum has overtaken its most popular products, even though it only launched in SEA in June last year.

Kosé-owned Visée develops new formulation for ‘long-lasting’ lipstick range​

Japanese cosmetics brand Visée is launching a range of lipsticks in bid to satisfy what it claims are unfulfilled consumer needs for lip products with strong staying power.
Visée performed extensive research in the formulation of ingredients that promotes separation, formulation design that prevents the layers from mixing, and viscosity design that maintains thickness of the film coat layer.

In a test conducted by the firm, it was found that the new product could maintain the glossiness and colour finish better and longer than a conventional product.

Concerns of makeup tester hygiene still heavy among Singapore’s beauty consumers – Watsons​

Health and beauty retailer Watsons is seeking to ease consumer concern over the hygiene of testers by piloting a ‘first of its kind’ makeup exchange programme that it hopes will encourage more purchases.

Consumers still face some obstacles towards purchasing makeup. While testers are back on the shelves, Watsons observed that consumers were still hesitant about using them as they are conscious about safety.

This month, the retailer partnered with insurance firm FWD to launch Retailssure, a makeup exchange assurance programme which allowed shoppers can exchange unsuitable makeup products bought in-store and online, even after it has been opened and used.

Kao applies RNA monitoring tech to non-invasive baby skin care testing kit​

Kao Corporation launches Babywell Check, a skin barrier test for infants based on its non-invasive ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing technology.

Babywell Check test kit would require a sample of sebum which can be extracted with oil-blotting film. After sending it in via mail, parents will receive a report.

Babywell Check was targeted at babies with atopic dermatitis. This condition would result in reduced skin barrier function, and it was important to empower parents with skin information in order to better care for their children’s skin.