South Korean firm All Grace Co Ltd recently opened the first multi-indie brand store at Incheon International Airport and hopes to serve as a bridge for K-beauty SMEs to enter overseas markets, following sales that have “exceeded expectations”.
CJ Olive Young has collaborated with the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) to establish a KRW100bn (USD74.3m) fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized (SME) beauty companies.
We round up the latest beauty innovations and developments from made-in-Asia beauty brands, including a new men’s serum from Re:erth and B&B Lab’s latest microbiome complex.
While the number of US indie beauty business closures continues to climb, the sexual wellness category is hotting up, as is competition in the historically slow over-the-counter (OTC) space, says trendspotter Claire McCormack.
Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing smaller independent beauty brands such as Shakeup Cosmetics, which says it is doing as much as it can not to pass on rising costs to its consumers.
Contract manufacturer Voyant has launched a new division intended to identify the most promising indie brands and partner with them up until acquisition.
UK-headquartered indie brand TAKK is on a mission to carve out a new way of beauty consumption, minimising choice via genderless, simplified ranges via subscription.
Irish indie brand Spotlight Oral Care is continuing to expand across Europe and the US and wants to focus future new product development on bridging the oral health and beauty gap.
Indie brand Solidu wants to deepen its retail presence across Europe and the US, but also innovate further into solid face care – a space its founder says still holds plenty of promise.
Working with and mentoring startups like Clear will be key to driving change in beauty, particularly on issues like diversity, inclusion and sustainability, says L’Oréal UK & Ireland’s chief marketing officer.
Personal care major Unilever has widened the call for startups, scaleups and entrepreneurs to engage with its collaboration initiative, inviting those specialised in sustainable ingredients and packaging to join.
UK indie brand Faace is on a mission to address real consumer need states through simple, targeted products, and the company is eyeing continued expansion this year, its founder says.
UK-based startup Chāmpo has secured funding it says will be used to drive retail growth, international expansion and NPD during an exciting and pivotal time for the hair care market.
Amazon has long been an e-commerce goliath but as it edges deeper into beauty, brands should take note, especially given its model offers a lot of what today’s consumer wants, an expert says.
On this episode of Indie Pioneers, we chat with Mele Olivetti, the founder of Tongan beauty brand Feniu, who is on a mission to use her brand as a platform to share the heritage and culture of a tiny island nation with the world.
Beauty major L’Oréal has signed an agreement to acquire US superfood skin care specialist Youth to the People in a move set to deepen its ethical offering in an increasingly competitive market, say experts.
The CEO of New Delhi-based beauty brand Earth Rhythm joins the Indie Pioneers Podcasts to discuss her passion for NPD, the brand’s innovation process and talks about why she takes an active role in the creation of products.
Personal care major Unilever has launched a collaboration initiative to partner with forward-thinking beauty startups, scaleups and entrepreneurs specialised in social commerce to drive next-generation in-house innovation across its portfolio of brands.
The founders of 5 to 5 Skincare drop by the Indie Pioneers Podcast to give their two cents and more on the controversy stirring up between clean beauty brands and the cosmetic science community.
UK e-commerce major The Hut Group has acquired premium British online retailer Cult Beauty in a deal that forms part of an incredible digital surge in beauty and healthcare for the group, says the retail research head at Mintel.
UK startup The Fellowship has developed a line of inclusive personal care products aimed at overturning outdated masculine ideals and supporting men to take care of their health and wellbeing.
Fragrance major Firmenich has developed an AI-powered, digital tool to speed up and simplify the scent creation process for independent beauty brands and entrepreneurs, though the platform is also generating interest amongst big beauty players too, a...
WATCH ON DEMAND NOW – EXCLUSIVE COSMETICSDESIGN CIRCULAR BEAUTY WEBINAR
Working in a collaborative and open way will be pivotal in industry’s push to mainstream circular beauty and future-proof business for years to come, says the founder of UK indie brand Beauty Kitchen.
Swedish eco-startup Lifelong has developed a range of powdered personal care products that need to be mixed with water by consumers and stored in durable containers, drastically overturning traditional habits, its founder says.
A Taiwan-based tech start-up is helping smaller beauty brands create ready-to-market products and packaging remotely with the help of its desktop vacuum forming machine, the FORMART 2.
In this episode of Indie Pioneers, we chat with the co-founder of Inna Organic about the brand’s challenging journey towards pioneering the concept of an organic-certified facial sheet mask.
Demand for eco-friendly packaging steadily is increasing in China’s indie beauty space, claims a US-based packaging firm, which says such brands are striving to meet the expectations of younger consumers.
Digital marketing and communications agency The Beauty Makers has launched a brand incubator to help build out future innovation-led companies in an increasingly competitive but exciting space, its founding partner says.
Asian indie brand Native Essentials has undergone a total brand overhaul to give consumers a minimalist, wallet- and eco-friendly collection of skin care products.
The founder of direct-to-consumer (D2C) hair care startup Chāmpo says it’s an exciting time to innovate in a category that has traditionally lacked creativity, as consumers seek out high performance, modern and visually aesthetic brands.
A Singapore-based beauty brand has credited its partnership with micro-influencers in helping it gain brand awareness online during the tough conditions of launching in the midst of a country-wide lockdown.
A Singapore-based skin care brand has launched a DIY facial experience kit aimed at beauty consumers without access to professional treatment during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A Singapore-based cosmeceutical brand specialising in acne solutions is gearing up for international expansion on its route to becoming a top of mind brand for acne sufferers.
Singapore-based colour cosmetics brand Kuby Beauty believes it has plenty of room to grow locally, where it believes the make-up category is less developed compared to other APAC markets.
Indie brand La Fervance has developed its first clean skin care product – a gold dust-infused facial mask targeting the luxury beauty market that it wants to take global.
Independent beauty brands are fiercely nimble and highly engaged with their consumers, which has given them power to face business difficulties during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, an indie expert says.
Singapore-based organic beauty brand FrankSkincare says it will rely on online channels and pop-up stores to tide through the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
Following the success of last year’s Indie Trail feature, the show organizers have teamed up with the online cosmetic science education venture to expand the programing and resources available to indie beauty brand leaders at this year’s edition of in-cosmetics...
As we look ahead to 2020, let’s not forget the stellar year that 2019 has been for the independent beauty movement. Here Cosmetics Design reviews 10 top 2019 news items about all things indie.
On this episode of Indie Pioneers, we speak to Shinji Yamasaki, the founder of skin care brand re:erth about his philosophy to skin care, the influence of fast fashion in beauty and the unique ingredients that sparked his epiphany.
In the very first episode of our Indie Pioneers podcast, we chat with Marilyn Ng and Christabel Chee, the people behind Individual Collective to discuss the value of face-to-face interaction, influencer marketing and crowdfunding.
It’s no longer unusual for multinational raw material suppliers to work with indie beauty brands; but it’s still not the norm. Here Cosmetics Design looks at an array of legacy specialty chemical companies doing business directly with cosmetics, personal...
Fragrance makers big and small from Latin America, Asia, and the States were in the headlines on Cosmetics Design this month. Here are the highlights, including an Indie Beauty Profile of Georgia-based Othús Perfumery, 3 new fragrances from Shiseido,...
This year’s New York City edition of the Indie Beauty Expo will take place August 21 and 22 at Pier 94 on Manhattan’s West Side. And, brands from nearly every continent will be exhibiting at show – more than 225 of them, all hoping to capture the attention...
Cosmetics Design recently predicted that ‘all things Australian’ will be good for the personal care and cosmetics business this year. Before this trend fully catches hold, here’s a look at some of the indie brands from Australia and New Zealand that are...
Consumer hunger for the latest niche offering in the naturals and organics beauty space has never been higher. Here are our top picks for independent companies leading the pack.
The rise of independent brands has been called everything from a competition to a revolution and by several monikers much better or worse (depending on the perspective). Here, Cosmetics Design examines all things indie—what’s winning, what signifies,...
The independent beauty movement is unstoppable. It’s no longer niche and it’s no longer negligible. Here Cosmetics Design examines all things indie—what’s trending, how conventional beauty is responding, and more.
![CJ Olive Young has collaborated with IBK to establish a KRW100bn fund to support beauty SMEs. [Olive Young]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/business-financial/cj-olive-young-establishes-74m-fund-to-support-k-beauty-smes/17095625-1-eng-GB/CJ-Olive-Young-establishes-74m-fund-to-support-K-beauty-SMEs.png)
![Latest beauty innovations and developments from made-in-Asia beauty brands, [Re:erth]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/brand-innovation/made-in-asia-beauty-innovation-and-developments-from-asian-cosmetic-companies/16458461-1-eng-GB/Made-in-Asia-Beauty-innovation-and-developments-from-Asian-cosmetic-companies.jpg)
![Ulta, Sephora, Bluemercury and Bloomingdales have all launched sexual wellness categories in the past 18 months and indie brands will continue to play into the space [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/article/2023/01/16/indie-beauty-brand-trends-to-watch-in-2023-with-claire-mccormick-from-beauty-independent/16086104-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brand-trends-to-watch-in-2023-with-Claire-McCormick-from-Beauty-Independent.jpg)
![Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing indie brands like Shakeup Cosmetics. [Shakeup Cosmetics]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/business-financial/indie-beauty-brands-weighed-down-by-increasing-costs-and-logistical-issues/15954104-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brands-weighed-down-by-increasing-costs-and-logistical-issues.jpg)
![TAKK offers a range of simple and genderless bathroom essentials via its online subscription service, including hand soap, shower gel, toothpaste and shaving gel [Image: TAKK]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/10/28/indie-beauty-brand-takk-wants-to-tackle-choice-overload-with-essentials-range-and-subscriptions/15894155-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brand-Takk-wants-to-tackle-choice-overload-with-essentials-range-and-subscriptions.jpg)
![Spotlight Oral Care offers a range of oral care products and is best-known for its teeth whitening products [Image: Spotlight Oral Care Facebook]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/business-financial/spotlight-oral-care-expansion-plans-in-europe-us-and-beauty-category/15707031-1-eng-GB/Spotlight-Oral-Care-expansion-plans-in-Europe-US-and-beauty-category.jpg)
![Solidu offers a range of zero-waste waterless, solid bars across the hair, body and face care categories [Image: SOLIDU Facebook]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/08/19/solid-beauty-brand-solidu-eyes-europe-us-expansion-for-zero-waste-products-in-hair-care-body-care-and-face-care/15698631-1-eng-GB/Solid-beauty-brand-Solidu-eyes-Europe-US-expansion-for-zero-waste-products-in-hair-care-body-care-and-face-care.jpg)
![The UK 'social' skin care app enables consumers to track and share routines with other individuals, creating a “more social, transparent and inclusive” forum [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/03/25/l-oreal-uk-ireland-takes-on-clear-social-skin-care-app-into-accelerator-programme-at-the-good-business-festival/15275953-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-UK-Ireland-takes-on-Clear-social-skin-care-app-into-accelerator-programme-at-The-Good-Business-Festival.jpg)
![Successful applicants would have the chance to kickstart innovation projects with a number of leading Unilever brands, including Dove, Rexona and Love, Beauty & Planet [Image: Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/unilever-positive-beauty-growth-collaboration-platform-seeking-sustainable-startup-partners/13310242-1-eng-GB/Unilever-Positive-Beauty-Growth-collaboration-platform-seeking-sustainable-startup-partners.jpg)
![Faace offers face care products for a range of specific need states, including menstruation, menopause and tiredness [Image: Faace]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/02/07/uk-beauty-brand-faace-launches-on-lookfantastic-planet-organic-and-eyes-expansion/13221887-1-eng-GB/UK-beauty-brand-Faace-launches-on-Lookfantastic-Planet-Organic-and-eyes-expansion.jpg)
![Chāmpo offers a range of shampoos, conditioners and hair oils made using active botanicals based on Ayurvedic principles [Image: Chāmpo]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/business-financial/ayurvedic-hair-care-brand-champo-secures-1m-pre-series-a-funding/13092572-1-eng-GB/Ayurvedic-hair-care-brand-Champo-secures-1m-pre-Series-A-funding.jpg)
![All of the benefits of Amazon, notably next-day free deliveries, are why consumers are using the platform for a range of purchases, including beauty [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/13/amazon-beauty-rising-fast-with-experience-led-focus-and-richer-content-offerings-says-croud/13088493-1-eng-GB/Amazon-beauty-rising-fast-with-experience-led-focus-and-richer-content-offerings-says-Croud.jpg)
![LA-based skin care brand Youth to the People offered a range of superfood-charged products, including kale, green tea and spinach cleansers and exfoliants [Image: Youth to the People]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/09/l-oreal-to-acquire-youth-to-the-people-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care/13081556-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-to-acquire-Youth-to-the-People-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care.jpg)
![Unilever wants to team up with innovators in the field of social commerce, specifically livestreaming, shoppable media and gaming to drive in-house innovation across its brands [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/unilever-opens-submissions-for-positive-beauty-growth-startup-collaboration-platform/12883807-1-eng-GB/Unilever-opens-submissions-for-Positive-Beauty-Growth-startup-collaboration-platform.jpg)
![The Hut Group will onboard Cult Beauty's 300+ independent and emerging beauty brands by the end of the year, adding to a string of acquisitions in the beauty and healthcare space in recent years [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/09/the-hut-group-acquires-cult-beauty-for-275m-adding-to-its-meteoric-rise-says-mintel/12718170-1-eng-GB/The-Hut-Group-acquires-Cult-Beauty-for-275m-adding-to-its-meteoric-rise-says-Mintel.jpg)
![The Fellowship soft launched last month with a full launch scheduled for September of its natural personal care range aimed at empowering men [Image: Free The Birds/The Fellowship]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/men-s-grooming-brand-the-fellowship-launches-natural-personal-care-range-and-eyes-expansion/12682339-1-eng-GB/Men-s-grooming-brand-The-Fellowship-launches-natural-personal-care-range-and-eyes-expansion.jpg)
![The Scentmate platform simplifies fragrance creation for a range of beauty products, including body care and air care, providing access to expert perfumers along the development phase [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/07/01/firmenich-scentmate-ai-fragrance-tool-aims-to-empower-indie-beauty-brands/12612473-1-eng-GB/Firmenich-Scentmate-AI-fragrance-tool-aims-to-empower-Indie-beauty-brands.jpg)
![MY YARD is helping smaller beauty brands create ready-to-market products and packaging remotely. [MY YARD TECH]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/packaging-design/my-yard-aims-to-empower-indie-beauty-brands-with-portable-vacuum-former-machine/12280581-1-eng-GB/MY-YARD-aims-to-empower-indie-beauty-brands-with-portable-vacuum-former-machine.jpg)
![Demand for eco-friendly packaging steadily is increasing in China’s indie beauty space. [GettyImages]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/packaging-design/younger-consumers-driving-china-s-domestic-beauty-brands-to-tap-into-eco-packaging-trend/11998907-1-eng-GB/Younger-consumers-driving-China-s-domestic-beauty-brands-to-tap-into-eco-packaging-trend.jpg)
![Amika is targeting localised innovation to drive success in SEA. [Amika]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/brand-innovation/amika-on-quest-to-address-diverse-hair-needs-in-sea-with-sea-buckthorn-range/17339003-1-eng-GB/Amika-on-quest-to-address-diverse-hair-needs-in-SEA-with-sea-buckthorn-range.jpg)
![Latest developments from the South Korean beauty market. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/article/2024/04/19/korean-wave-able-c-c-kolmar-and-more-in-this-k-beauty-round-up/17357973-1-eng-GB/Korean-wave-Able-C-C-Kolmar-and-more-in-this-K-beauty-round-up.jpg)
![Able C&C has furthered its partnership with Japanese discount chain Daiso with new makeup launch. [A'pieu]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/brand-innovation/a-pieu-and-daiso-launch-exclusive-2-makeup-line/17339117-1-eng-GB/A-pieu-and-Daiso-launch-exclusive-2-makeup-line.jpg)
![Down Under Enterprises is setting sights on the Asian market as environmental sustainability and traceability become increasingly important. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/market-trends/down-under-enterprises-shifts-focus-to-china-as-environmental-sustainability-traceability-come-into-the-spotlight/17304932-1-eng-GB/Down-Under-Enterprises-shifts-focus-to-China-as-environmental-sustainability-traceability-come-into-the-spotlight.jpg)
