When Cosmetics Design outlined the 2019 trends to watch in beauty and personal care late last year, one of those trends was Indie Integration. And that’s exactly what we’ll be seeing at this years in-cosmetics Global tradeshow. “For the first time, the show will play host to an Indie Trail, curated in response to the growing presence of indie brands in the industry,” explains a media release from the event organizers.
The same but different
For the past 26 years, in-cosmetics has been the go-to global tradeshow where industry insiders discover novel ingredients, learn about new formulation technologies, and sit in on educational programing to keep pace with the speed of innovation in all things cosmetics, personal care, and fragrance. But who is and isn’t an industry insider is changing as the independent beauty movement (led by individual entrepreneurs, savvy biotech companies, and calculating investment firms) nudges in on the market share that legacy brands have commanded for so long.
“This year, we wanted to reflect the shift in the market as more indie brands continue to break through, though this is not without challenges,” acknowledges Roziani Zulkifli, exhibition manager of in-cosmetics Global. “Our Indie Trail has been curated to help representatives of smaller and start-up brands overcome these difficulties as their success is rejuvenating the industry and escalating innovation.”
But at the same time, nothing has changed: “Above all,” says Zulkifli “in-cosmetics Global is a one-stop-shop for gathering information, being introduced to new ingredients and innovations and networking with peers, new and old.”
More help for creative formulators
Not only will the in-cosmetics Global team be helping indie brand leaders find suppliers offering products at volumes smaller than 100kg production this year; there will also be improved tours, tailored to meet the needs of product development professionals.
For 2019, each R&D Tour has a set topic and will focus on one-of-three industry trends. “Each tour will guide participants through the entire exhibition, with some of the best and most relevant innovations and exhibitors handpicked by expert guide Rouah Al-Wakeel,” according to the release.
The 3 themes for this year’s tours are: protection (ingredients that help guard against the damaging effects of UV light, blue light, airborne pollution, etc.), healthy aging (the industry’s turn away from anti-aging products toward ingredients that help consumers “live better lives longer,” as Cosmetics Design forecast in late 2015, and preservatives (an often necessary but increasingly problematic ingredient category).
This years in-cosmetics Global tradeshow runs April 2 - 4 in Paris, France. And the event's media release notes that “The Indie Trail Guide will be available for pick-up at registration across all three days of the event.” You can learn more about the upcoming tradeshow and R&D Tours, as well as find a link to register online here.
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Deanna Utroske, CosmeticsDesign.com Editor, covers beauty business news in the Americas region and publishes the weekly Indie Beauty Profile column, showcasing the inspiring work of entrepreneurs and innovative brands.