Colour evolution: Top 10 stories on APAC makeup developments in 2024

Covering all bases: L’Oréal R&I Japan develops new way to evaluate foundation coverage

Check out this round up of our biggest stories on makeup this year, featuring advancements from brands including L’Oréal, Clinique, and Perfect Diary.

Covering all bases: L’Oréal R&I Japan develops new way to evaluate foundation coverage

Covering all bases: L’Oréal R&I Japan develops new way to evaluate foundation coverage

L’Oréal’s Japanese research and innovation team developed a new method objectively evaluating the coverage of makeup foundation using hyperspectral imaging (HSI).

The research proposed HSI as a powerful tool for objective coverage assessment, surpassing the limitations of traditional colour imaging.

This technology captured the full spectrum of light, measuring the intensity of each wavelength in the visible range, enabling a more detailed and precise colour analysis.

This was unlike conventional imaging technology, which measures the brightness of red, blue, and green components of each pixel.

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Not just a skin care brand: Clinique targets Gen Z with latest Lash Power, Black Honey launches

Clinique leveraged new Lash Power mascara and Black Honey launches to engage and bring in newer, younger consumers in Asia.

On July 29, beauty brand Clinique hosted an event to introduce its new Lash Power High-Fi Full Volume Mascara.

It also surprised audiences by unveiling the new Black Honey collection, which consisted of all new spin-off products from the iconic Black Honey Almost Lipstick, including the limited-edition Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey and High Impact Mascara in Black Honey.

These makeup launches were a strategic focus on attracting a younger audience.

Perfect Diary improves bionic film tech and expands to skin care, new lipstick

Perfect Diary improves bionic film tech and expands to skin care, new lipstick

C-beauty major Perfect Diary launched the second-generation version of bionic film technology and applied it to a new skin care range and lipstick.

Parent company Yatsen Holdings held an event to announce its new and improved film former, Biotec.

According to Cheng Jing, chief scientific offer of Yatsen Group, the new technology “activates the regeneration of myogenic stem cells to achieve all-round anti-ageing of the skin”.

The company said Biotec was the result of the cooperation of 23 scientific research institutions and 42 scientists.

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‘Gone are the days of high coverage’: Consumer base makeup preferences shift towards with skin-enhancing natural finish – IT Cosmetics

Consumers have moved away from a heavily made-up appearance, choosing foundations that enhance their natural skin over high-coverage formulas, said IT Cosmetics.

This change highlighted a broader movement in beauty towards a natural, effortless aesthetic that is in line with the quiet beauty trend.

“Gone are the days of high coverage, perfectly airbrushed skin. Today consumers just want to enhance what they have. It’s not about looking too made up, just well put together,” said Sophia Chia, education manager, IT Cosmetics, L’Oreal Singapore.

Chia said this trend was observed across age demographics, especially in the tropical climates of South East Asia.

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From east to west: US consumers showing more interest in C-beauty rituals – Florasis

C-beauty brand Florasis aimed to capitalise on American beauty consumers’ rising curiosity about Chinese beauty rituals and ingredients.

Florasis, known as 花西子, started expanding overseas in 2021 with the US as one of the main markets it focused on.

“The US market’s openness to global beauty trends and its reputation as a melting pot of cultures aligns perfectly with Florasis' vision. The trend towards inclusivity and diversity in beauty preferences presents an unprecedented opportunity for Florasis to bring a fresh perspective with our C-Beauty heritage,” said Gabby Chen, president of global expansion for Florasis.

“Our expansion in the US is fuelled by the desire to introduce our unique blend of traditional C-Beauty philosophy and modern aesthetics to a broader audience. The increasing interest in C-beauty and diversity in beauty standards presents an exciting opportunity for Florasis.”

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Drop Zone: Hourglass, Clinique, Hera, ABH new blush innovations mimic healthy skin

CosmeticsDesign-Asia looked at the new blushers from Hourglass Cosmetics, Clinique, Hera and Anastasia Beverly Hills that were answering the trend for blushers that enhance natural and healthy skin.

As healthy skin becomes the hallmark of beauty, achieving glowing skin and rosy cheeks have become a must.

If you search ‘natural blush’ on TikTok, you will find users pinching their cheeks and noses to get an all-natural flush.

For those looking for a more lasting and painless method, techniques like the ‘boyfriend blush’ are the way to go.

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Amorepacific’s Hera outlines Thailand expansion plans with Sephora, EVEANDBOY, Shopee, TikTok

Amorepacific’s luxury beauty brand Hera accelerated its expansion in Thailand with Sephora, EVEANDBOY, Shopee, and TikTok Shop this year.

Hera officially launched in Thailand at the start of August with its first counter at major department store, Central Chidlom in Bangkok.

Additionally, the brand hosted a separate pop-up to increase engagement with Thai consumers.

The brand also partnered with multi-brand beauty retailers Sephora and EVEANDBOY to expand the brand’s reach in Thailand.

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‘Luxury for everyone’: Zoeva returns to Asia with new makeup products, vegan upgrade

German makeup brand Zoeva returned to Asia this year with a new range of makeup innovations and vegan iterations of its makeup brushes.

Zoeva was founded in 2008 by Zoe Boikou and is best known for its line of accessible professional makeup brushes.

It relaunched in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore through retail partner Sephora.

The brand was made available both online and offline in some stores, including Sephora ION in Singapore.

As part of the relaunch, the brand introduced five products, including a mascara, brow gels, lip pencils, blushes, and eyeshadow quads.

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Opportunity blooms: Viral C-beauty brand Flower Knows international expansion a ‘major focus’

C-beauty brand Flower Knows pursued international expansion fuelled by interest from young consumers embracing its ‘unique’ story and identity.

Chinese beauty brands have grown beyond their own shores and are entering international markets, including brands such as Florasis, Perfect Diary, and Skintific.

Flower Knows (花知晓), one of C-beauty’s most buzzworthy brands, announced its entry into the US market through retailer Urban Outfitters this year.

The colour cosmetics brand is a favourite of Generation Z beauty lovers for its ornate and whimsical products.

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Go bold or go home: Younger consumers drawn to lip, cheek makeup for self-expression - Chioture

C-beauty brand Chioture saw growing demand for lip and cheek makeup which it believed was driving by the younger consumers’ desire for experimentation and self-expression.

Chioture was established in 2009 but relaunched in 2018 to target beauty consumers aged 18 to 24 with affordable makeup products at around RMB30 to RMB50 (USD4 to USD7).

The brand’s biggest sellers today are its many lip and cheek makeup products.

“The biggest trend today among younger consumers is that they want to do things for themselves. Putting on makeup is not for anyone else, and they are not pursuing it to be beautiful. Makeup is for their own self-expression, to show their moods and attitudes,” said Susie Jiang, head of overseas marketing, Chioture.