Hair care

Shiseido's new R&D hub represents 'Vision 2020' plan

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

After curbing its R&D spending in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, Shiseido is now investing in R&D again with hopes to boost group sales above the 1 trillion yen mark by 2020.

HK businesses losing out as tensions continue over 'parallel traders'

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As some Hong Kong protesters continue to harass tourists, retailers are baring the brunt, as shoppers from the mainland and even local residents are put off by the confrontation at malls.

China's 'House call' beauty services are making serious profit...

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Beauty service companies offering a portfolio of manicurists or beauticians that visit customers at their own home are gaining momentum in China as women are reported to be more comfortable with letting a 'stranger' into their home. 

Indonesia invests in women: ANGIN fund helps start-ups

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Angel Investment Network Indonesia is investing in the early stages of women-led start-ups, backing entrepreneurs across various industries including cosmetics.

How to get your green marketing strategy bang on

30-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

We spoke to Raphael Bemporad co-founder of BBMG, a consultancy specialized in green brand strategies, who lifts the lid on the importance of tapping into 'aspirational' consumers as a means of getting the right message out effectively.

Special newsletter - Men's grooming

How to keep male grooming products on the right side of the law

25-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

We talk to an expert about regulation in the male grooming category, throwing light on some of the specific challenges that anti-aging, hair loss and shaving products present in the U.S. and Europe.

L'Oréal reveals plans to look beyond ASEAN markets

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Cosmetics maker L'Oréal has announced it will be exploring markets outside of ASEAN with the ranges it produces in Indonesia.

CFDA to tighten supervision around cosmetics

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

China's FDA has announced its' plans to tighten the regulation around cosmetics in the country.

Jumei sees slump in orders despite Q4 tipped to be the strongest..

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The fourth quarter is reported to be the strongest for China’s online retailers, thanks to shopping holidays like Singles' Day. However, Jumei seen a decrease in total orders in 2014 by 5.9% to 9.6 million. 

Scientists say fish embryo test can screen more than 1,000 toxins at one time

19-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Hong Kong based biotech company, Vitargent has developed a technology that uses fish embryos to test for toxic substances in everything from cosmetics to food. 

Increasing women in the workforce to turn Japan's economy around

19-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Despite repeated attempts to revitalize the economy, Japan remains mired in weak growth. However, analysts now say increasing the number of women in the workforce will turn things around. 

Post PCHi: we talk technology and e-commerce with show organisers

18-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

The PCHi 2015 event has continued the strong growth pattern with organiser Reed Sinopharm claiming visitor numbers were up 12% in the first two days as e-commerce and the role of technology prove to be key show themes.

LG Household & Healthcare reveals plans for growth in China

18-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Korean consumer goods giant LG Household and Health Care has revealed China to be its' main focus this year with new products. 

South Korea's Memebox focused on taking success global

17-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Memebox, is looking beyond South Korea's market, which accounts for 80% of its sales, to strengthen its' efforts in China and the US.

New cosmetics Bill in South Korea has regulatory 'loopholes', says HSI

17-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While a cosmetics Bill requiring the mandatory use of alternatives in South Korea has been introduced, the Humane Society International says there are still regulatory loopholes that must be closed.

Korean brands scaling down in Japan due to weak Yen

12-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While more and more Japanese cosmetics brands see value in Korea’s markets, Korean companies are scaling down their business in Japan, due to the weak yen.

L’Oréal still investing in women: first Vietnamese scientist awarded fellowship

12-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Dr. Tran Ha Lien Phuong is the first Vietnamese scientist to be acknowledged by L'Oréal, as part of a programme that supports young female researchers around the globe.

University of Karachi sets up dedicated Halal product testing lab

11-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The University of Karachi’s (UoK) International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), has turned its attention to dedicated testing of Halal cosmetics and other Halal products by setting up a special laboratory at its Industrial Analytical...

AmorePacific splits shares to boost trading in Seoul

10-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

AmorePacific, a personal care giant with a strong foothold in Asia due to a firm marketing strategy and focused products, has announced it is splitting its' stock, to further boost the value of the brand. 

Japan's tax free stores boosting cosmetics spending

05-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japanese stores offering tourists tax free shopping have hit their government target five years early, as the number offering the service shot up by 60% in the last six months. 

Clearasil maker challenges India's call for 'animal origins' to be declared in cosmetics

05-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Delhi High Court has been challenged on a notification that requires cosmetics packaging to indicate if it contains any ingredient of animal origin; - a green dot for 'vegetarian' and a red/brown one for 'non-vegetarian'.

AkzoNobel aims for better service and sustainability with new China plant

04-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Chemicals company AkzoNobel is targeting the China market and looking to better serve its personal care customers there with a new alkoxylation facility in Ningbo bringing the company’s total investment in the strategic multi-site to more than €400 million...

China cosmetics market continues to post double-digit growth

03-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

Although the slowdown in the growth of the China economy has put the brakes on the cosmetics market, growth last year still registered in double-digit figures and is forecast to remain so until 2017.

Online cosmetics purchases accounts for 60% of Vietnam's $3bn revenue

03-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

In 2014, each consumer spent $145 on average, shopping online in Vietnam, with fashion and cosmetics accounting for 60 per cent of the country's $3b revenue.

Beauty Expo to highlight Asian Brand Building Lab

03-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

The China Beauty Expo will highlight innovation in new Asian brands with a dedicated floor area that will platform the latest launches thanks to a partnership with Centdegres.

Singapore based hair salons turn to Gamurai for creative tech solutions

03-Mar-2015 By Deanna Utroske

A need to serve digitally savvy consumers, empower busy staff and connect it all to the business behind the brand is leading companies around the globe to opt for customizable apps for their associates.

Southeast Asia pushes for Union to encourage regional ties and investment

26-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations moves towards a unified 10-member state, measures are being put in place to reduce trade barriers, ease investment, and ensure the free flow of goods, services and skilled labour.

Japan's biggest beauty website launches Chinese-language service to conquer market

26-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japan's largest beauty community website, @cosme has invested in a Chinese-language service on e-commerce platform Tmall, as it tries to conquer the Chinese market.

Glossybox finally reports profit after ‘over-expansion' problems in Asia

25-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to beauty sampling brand Glossybox, after an expansion in Asia that nearly took the business under, the company has finally started to see a profit.

Taiwan to revise cosmetics statute following major inspection

18-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Following 'relatively high rates of reports of violation' with consumer products, Taiwan's FDA has carried out a major inspection of the labeling and content quality of some widely-used cosmetics.

Chinese New Year spending - Chanel a favourite with shoppers

17-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As the holiday approaches fast (Feb 19), various luxury brands are investing in increasing their visibility to fight off the competition. Something, perhaps Chanel isn't too worried about, due to its' popularity with Chinese consumers.

Asia in Focus

WeChat is re-inventing China's direct sales model, says expert

12-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

China is already the second largest online retail market in the world, and the fastest growing. There, the details lie in creating more active events, promotions and digital marketing strategies, especially through social media platforms like WeChat.

"Made in Korea” cosmetics viewed as sophisticated and of high quality

11-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As domestic markets inch closer to saturation, numerous Korean brands have really started to recognize their own R&D and manufacturing capabilities, which is transforming how “Made in Korea” products are viewed.  

Coffee-based hair range takes ‘green’ to another level with bottles that sprout into trees

10-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

It’s a case of gastronomy meets beauty again! Hair care line; ‘O’right Recoffee’ featuring recycled coffee grounds from Taiwan has analysts flagging it up as the ‘innovation of the week’ due to its’ green aspirations. 

Japan's tourism trade to reach 3.8 trillion yen by 2020

05-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Spending in Japan by international visitors increased in 2014, with tourists reportedly spending 2.03 trillion yen on souvenirs ranging from premium goods to cosmetics.

Korea plows ahead with some 'serious brainpower' in cosmeceuticals

04-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Korea’s commitment to beauty is placing it a cut above the rest in Asia, seeing it lead the way with some serious brainpower and cool technology in the cosmeceuticals area.

Unilever invests €40 million in catering to China's western markets

03-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Phase I of Unilever’s facility in the company’s global manufacturing base in Meishan has been completed, which will mainly cater to China's western markets.

Soybean oil-based surfactant proven to improve cleaning, foaming and conditioning in shampoo

28-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Scientists have developed a new non-toxic, environmentally friendly soybean oil-based polymeric surfactant (SBPS) and having studied it for potential application as a surface-active ingredient for shampoos, found that it improves cleaning, foaming, and...

Part II

'Brands MUST stay out of China in order to speed up change,' says HSI

22-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Yesterday, Cosmetics Design spoke to Alain Khaiat about cosmetic brands opting out of China over animal testing. On his advice that the bigger players ‘cannot afford not to be present’, the HSI disagrees, claiming that on the contrary, brands can and...

Henkel beauty business moves into newly opened Shanghai center

22-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Henkel’s beauty care business based in Asia will move into its new home at the company’s new Management Center which opened in Shanghai this week.

Can cosmetic brands afford to opt out of China over animal testing?

21-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While the ruling to end mandatory animal testing for most cosmetics in China came as good news on June 30 - the law only refers to domestic firms, meaning international ‘cruelty free’ brands were faced with having to go against company policy or miss...

South Korea's cosmetic exports are on the up!

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to South Korea’s customs office, cosmetic exports made it out of the red in 2014, giving the country its first annual surplus in the sector.

Thailand viewed as the gateway to ASEAN's markets

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises see Thailand as the hub of ASEAN’s markets and are currently investing in partnerships as a result.

ASEAN cosmetics committee updates safety bill

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Cosmetics Committee has agreed to new regulations on cosmetics in a bill that will improve consumer safety and crack down on misleading advertising.

CFDA looks into consumers view of China's cosmetics industry

15-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The China FDA has been working on legislating a set of regulations to monitor cosmetics following a survey where Chinese consumers revealed quality and safety are top priority.

Are beauty from within beverages useless?

14-Jan-2015 By Simon Pitman

A new study reports little or no benefits from the nutrient addition in functional beverages, many of which are marketed with beauty from within claims.

Thai cosmetics exports look set for strong growth in 2015

13-Jan-2015 By Simon Pitman

The Thai Commerce Ministry is looking forward to a significant rise in exports during the course of 2015, and lists the cosmetics industry as one of the sectors most likely to benefit from growth.

Rice - the latest 'go to' ingredient in Japanese cosmetics

09-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Oryza sativa, the annual herbaceous plant that produces rice has been gaining momentum as an emollient for its sebum restitutive properties.

DSM Personal Care signs distribution agreement with Mascot in South Asia

07-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

DSM Personal Care is upping its presence in South Asia having announced that Mascot Universal Pvt. Ltd will be its sole distributor in in the region.

China's 'Hai tao' shoppers boosting cosmetic sales

07-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

'Hai tao' shopping, otherwise known as online buying from overseas, is fast growing in China as consumers are eager to buy products that are either unavailable or over-priced in their own country.