Color cosmetics

Korean giant LG closes door on Elizabeth Arden bidding process

01-Jul-2014 By Simon Pitman

Korean consumer goods giant LG Household and Health Care has said it is no longer interested in bidding for Elizabeth Arden, after the cosmetics player revealed its restructuring plan.

Maybelline preparing to launch new mobile-optimised site

01-Jul-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Colour cosmetics company Maybelline has entered a partnership with one of India’s leading tech development firms, Infosys, to create a new mobile optimized site for the brand.

Sephora to focus on male consumers in Australia expansion

11-Jun-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

During its upcoming expansion into Australia, international beauty brand Sephora will focus on young and male consumers, the brand has said.

Colour cosmetics adoption rates soaring in India

11-Jun-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

A report from cosmetics giant L’Oreal observes that the consumer enthusiasm for colour cosmetics in India is rising sharply, with the growth of mascara’s penetration from 17% in 2004 to 60%  in 2013 one of the key increases highlighted. 

Indonesian Minister and RSPO open to collaboration on joint sustainable palm oil standard

10-Jun-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade have announced that they are open to a collaboration to produce a joint sustainable palm oil standard.

Is it time up for beauty boxes in Asia already?

03-Jun-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Just last year we were reporting that beauty boxes were making in-roads in Asia, particularly in the Southeast and Korea. Now, some analysts say the market may be over saturated with the ‘all too easy to replicate’ subscription services.

Could new law make celebrities cautious with brand endorsement in China?

03-Jun-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Though globally the rise of celebrity brand ambassadors is proving a key trend for beauty brands, China’s recently implemented ‘Revised Consumer Rights Protection Law’ means that in the key emerging region, celebrities are now liable for the claims made...

New app helps Muslims in Japan track down halal cosmetics

22-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

For Japan’s 150,000 Muslims and the one million Muslim tourists who visit the country each year, sourcing halal still poses a problem particularly when it comes to cosmetics.

El Nino will have no effect on Malaysian palm oil production… just yet

21-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, the weather phenomenon referred to as ‘El Nino’ will have no immediate effect on palm oil output in the country.

Digital a ‘necessary platform’ for beauty brands in India

20-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Digital has been called up as an essential tool for the marketing of beauty brands in India, with the CEO of one of the region’s key players in marketing, VML Qais, recently stating that a strong online presence is key for the industry.

Innovation: from 3D packaging to 3D colour cosmetics…

15-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

'3D' seems to be the buzz word of the moment for the cosmetics industry. Just last week we reported innovation in 3D printing, now we’ve discovered a new invention that makes it possible to use it for colour cosmetic formulations.

Certified Sustainable Palm Oil use increases 49% on last year

14-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The uptake of certified sustainable palm oil has seen a 49% increase in the first quarter of 2014 compared to last year which many believe is a positive landmark for the industry that has been threatening to destroy rainforests in Indonesia and around...

Australia recommends ban on DMEP phthalates in cosmetics

13-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has assessed the health risks of DMEP, particularly from repeated or prolonged exposure, from its use in cosmetics and recommended a ban.

Attention turns to the growing trend of green actives

12-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

With the demand for green actives growing at a quick rate and many ingredient suppliers producing innovative ingredients, the topic will become a key focus at this week’s Sustainable Cosmetics Summit in New York.

Japanese cosmetic innovation leading the way

07-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Regional experts predict Japan’s knack for innovating product textures, concepts and formulas, particularly in the hair and skin care segments, will be tempting consumers from its fellow markets.

India’s FMCG market slowdown a concern for personal care

06-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

The most recent financial quarter saw a slowdown in India’s fast moving consumer goods market’s growth, with personal care brands listed among those which are losing out as a result. 

Could LG Household be weighing up a bid for Elizabeth Arden?

24-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The way to grow in the cosmetics industry is to acquire stock with an already good standing, and now South Korean household firm LG Household & Healthcare is considering a move to buy Elizabeth Arden.

Halal cosmetics on the rise in APAC region

21-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

A recent report from market research firm TechNavio has highlighted the rise of cosmetics able to make halal claims, noting it expects the category to see growth at a CAGR of 11.08% over the period of 2014 – 2018.

Sephora expands into Australia: region continues to diversify

15-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

International beauty brand Sephora’s upcoming expansion into Australia participates in the ongoing diversification of the region’s cosmetics market, and will mean domestic players will need to continue to up their game with innovation.

First ever 'Kosmetica' beauty event caters to India's rapid growth

09-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

With the Indian cosmetic industry forecaste to reach $200 billion by 2020, more beauty focused events are springing up all over the country, Kosmetica being the first of its kind in New Delhi. 

Exclusive Insight

Estée Lauder on the look-out: Ready to acquire… if the deal is right?

03-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The rumour mill is in full swing but it is not too ridiculous to suggest that Estée Lauder could be ripe to join the acquisition trail given its history and the current state of the market. It is not exactly out of character for the big players either…

Colgate-Palmolive commended for sustainable palm oil sourcing plan

27-Mar-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Colgate-Palmolive has become the latest company to join the movement towards deforestation-free palm oil, which many believe adds weight to the movement towards a more sustainable industry.

Asia in Focus

Expert reveals the power of TV in Korean beauty buying

25-Mar-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

In this month's Asia in Focus, a series that hones in on the segments offering the most opportunities for the industry right now, we look at the power of Korean TV when it comes to influencing makeup trends and purchasing behaviour.

*Cosmetics Vision Special*

Time for brands to look outside the box

19-Mar-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

When it comes to marketing and advertising, brands need to abandon the pre-existing rules that their categories have, and focus on engaging with the consumer and their needs.

*Cosmetics Vision Special*

Suppliers need to stay on top of trends to win over consumers

18-Mar-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Ingredient suppliers need to stay on top of the trends and work with finished goods manufacturers to ensure they win over consumers, says Lubrizol’s Adrian Holland.

Asian cosmetic brands to see 'top table' success with Korean wave

18-Mar-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

A 'Korean wave' is helping Asia's brands to take a strong foothold of the market share which will see them take their place at the top table amongst Western players once and for all.   

UBM Asia launches Thai beauty show

11-Mar-2014

A key exhibition organiser in Asia, UBM, has announced its intention to launch a further show in Thailand, 2015.

Industry association works towards forging greater ties between Japan and China

05-Mar-2014 By Simon Pitman

According to Jianzhong Yang, founder of the Japan-China Cosmetics Exchange Association, there is much that cosmetics players in these two countries can offer one another.

ASEANbeauty first to cater to fast evolving market in Thailand

04-Mar-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

UBM Asia has launched ASEANbeauty, a trade event supported by the Thai Cosmetics Manufacturers Association in an effort to keep up with the growing cosmetics sector in Thailand.

Rural consumers to lead India's boom: Unilever looking to profit

27-Feb-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Unilever has announced its intention to join the Facebook-led alliance ‘Internet.org’, which seeks to provide web access to India’s rural population, in a move which looks to make the most of reaching the key consumer group.  

As Shiseido refocuses on Asia, L’Oréal snaps up brands

27-Feb-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

In a mutually beneficial agreement, Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido has announced the sale of two of its luxury beauty brands, Carita and Decléor, to French beauty brand L’Oréal.

Avon still hopeful in Asia

25-Feb-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Avon has announced a shake-up of its Thailand approach, suggesting the beauty giant is seeking new avenues for boosting sales in Asia after its recent exit from South Korea and Vietnam.

Mary Kay further invests in China

20-Feb-2014

In a move which counters that of some of its retreating rivals, US beauty brand Mary Kay is looking to establish itself further in China with the purchase of an office building in Shanghai.

China’s online market still ripe at home

18-Feb-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

VIPshop, a prominent Chinese flash sales site, has acquired a majority stake of cosmetics e-store Lefeng for $132.5 million, in an expansion which confirms that China’s e-commerce beauty market continues to strengthen.

China luxury goods market to slow down in 2014

11-Feb-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

According to market consultants, Bain & Co, China’s luxury goods market has slowed from 7% growth in 2012 to around 2% in 2013, with expectations of similar figures in 2014.

The squalene debate: China under the spotlight for cosmetics focused slaughters

30-Jan-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Despite various cosmetic companies investing in more sustainable alternatives to squalene, some specialised producers have been found to still be dealing in the shark liver in China.

CFDA publishes amendment of cosmetic registration

29-Jan-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

China’s FDA has welcomed public comments on the amendment of new cosmetic ingredient registration management rules.

Halal holds just 4% of cosmetics market despite vast Muslim population

22-Jan-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

With the global cosmetics market placed at $335 billion, the halal segment still remains relatively small in comparison to the 1.6 billion Muslim population made up of potential consumers.   

India’s cosmetics industry set to treble

14-Jan-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

The retail beauty and cosmetics market in India,  currently estimated at $950 million, is predicted to grow to $2.68 billion by the year 2020.

Update: India to ban importing animal-tested cosmetics

19-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

India is in the process of developing a bill which will prohibit animal-tested cosmetics from being imported into the country, according to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.

2013: A year of rising awareness for sustainable palm oil

19-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

With palm oil becoming one of the most important ingredients used by many cosmetics companies, sustainability has become a hot-button issue in 2013.

Hong Kong cosmetics market 'yet to reach its peak'

18-Dec-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

Specialty cosmetics chain Sa Sa reckons the HK market has yet to peak as it sees a major shift in shopping trends amongst certain consumer groups.

Online retail the wave of the future for Asia-Pacific region

18-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

E-commerce is becoming an increasingly important trend throughout the world, but nowhere more than in the Asia-Pacific region with its fast-growing base of internet users and enormous population.

South Korea proposes to recognize animal testing alternatives

17-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

Another country may soon be moving towards alternatives to animal testing, as South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has created a policy proposal to recognize these methods for functional cosmetics.

Popularity of multifunctional products expected to continue in China in 2014

12-Dec-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The ‘Mixologiste’ trend of multifunctional products blurring the lines between different markets and technologies is on that is already popular and China and is expected to grow in the future in the region.

Revlon ordered to test cancer-linked cosmetics in Vietnam

11-Dec-2013

Cosmetics company Revlon is facing another obstacle as the Vietnamese Drug Administration orders an investigation into claims that their personal care products contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Oriflame warehouse fire will affect service in 2014

04-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

A fire which destroyed one of Oriflame’s main warehouses in the vicinity of New Delhi is likely to have an effect on service levels in India in 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, according to the company.

Korean cosmetics continues success on AP markets

04-Dec-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

As Korean cosmetics brands continue to see success on their neighbouring AP markets, factors such as affordability and an ever expanding male grooming segment are found to be the key driving forces.

DTAB recommends ban on importing animal-tested cosmetics

03-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

The Indian Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has recommended an import ban on cosmetics which have been tested on animals, according to animal rights organization Humane Society International.

AmorePacific reports sales increase, profit slump

28-Nov-2013 By Chris BARKER

South Korean cosmetics company AmorePacific has reported a decrease in Q3 profits as a result of poor overseas markets and investment and marketing activities for new products.