Asia in Focus

Accelerating recovery: Kao outlines plans to raise cosmetics business back up to pre-pandemic levels by 2023

17-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese conglomerate Kao Corporation is working to put its cosmetics division back on a path of high growth with a series of moves including ‘structural reform’ and ramping up marketing spend.

Nail-biting future: Nail wrap market primed up for ‘exciting’ growth as awareness soars

14-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

The founder of a pioneering nail wrap brand in Singapore says the market for these convenient nail stickers is poised for ‘exciting’ growth on the back of increased awareness.

Laying the groundwork: Shiseido’s focus on ‘skin beauty’ pays off as Q1 2021 operating profits increase

12-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty giant Shiseido Group has reported an operating profit increase of 67.6% year-on-year to surpass US$100m after pivoting towards a focus on skin care following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Polish push: Nail Deck expects higher trajectory of growth for home manicures spurred by COVID-19

12-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Singapore-based nail care company Nail Deck is expecting to see higher demand for at-home use nail polish products after witnessing a boom in demand last year due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Make-up ‘renaissance’: How Estée Lauder expects colour to trend based on China’s COVID-19 recovery

12-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Beauty major Estée Lauder Companies has revealed how the rapid recovery of colour cosmetics in China has informed its global make-up strategy.

Bespoke Ayurvedic beauty: Vedix aims to capitalise on self-care and wellness shift as it makes its global leap

11-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

India-based personalised beauty and lifestyle company Vedix is gearing up to make its overseas debut in the Middle East and the US, believing it is well-positioned to tap into trends in self-care and wellness.

Top performers: High-end skin care brands domination expected to continue post-pandemic – Lazada

11-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Lazada expects demand for luxury skin care brands such as Estée Lauder, SK-II, and Sulwhasoo to continue on an upward trend, even as the COVID-19 pandemic eases.

Emerging trends: Cica creams, hair oils and eyebrow make-up among most popular products in Japan

10-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Cica creams, hair oils and eyebrow make-up are among the most sought-after products among Japanese consumers today, according to new data.

Indie Pioneers Podcast Episode 19

PODCAST – ‘Sea cucumber changed my skin’: Founder of Bescher on the ocean’s best-kept anti-ageing secret

07-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

On this episode of Indie Pioneers, we chat with the founder of Bescher about the brand’s hero ingredient, sea cucumber collagen, its amazing benefits and why she believes it is set to explode in the beauty world.

From Asia to the world: Why the next wave of niche fine fragrance brands will come from Asia

06-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

The unwavering appetite for niche perfumes and brand mastery of digital communication are some of the reasons why we can expect more niche fine fragrance brands from Asia vying for the international spotlight.

Scent of Siam: Fourth-generation Thai perfumer aims to introduce family legacy to a global audience

06-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

A fourth-generation perfumer with global ambitions has made it his life mission to introduce the modern consumer to his family’s legacy of traditional Thai perfumery through his contemporary brand.

GALLERY: Top 10 APAC cosmetic stories of April 2021

05-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Our recap of the most-read cosmetics stories of April, featuring the latest in beauty innovation, trends and regulations.

Fasio’s facelift: Kosé rebrands mass make-up brand to meet emerging ‘multifaceted needs’ of younger consumers

05-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Kosé Corporation has relaunched its mass make-up brand Fasio to meet the new needs of consumers that have accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

L’Occitane Q4 results: China now firm’s largest market after sales surge by 60%

05-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

Staggering fourth-quarter growth of 60% has propelled China to become L’Occitane International’s largest market in FY2021.

Top trends: Most-read stories on APAC beauty market and consumer insights

04-May-2021 By Amanda Lim

In our round-up of the recent trend developments in the Asia Pacific beauty and personal care market, we highlight the top-selling categories of Shopee’s mega festival, and brands looking to tap into a host of trends accelerating as a result of COVID0-19.