Social platforms like TikTok Shop have “completely reshaped product discovery, creating a new shopping paradigm” for beauty and taking share from traditional beauty retailers, according to retail brand experience agency ChangeUp, Inc.
As firms in OTC drug, dietary supplement and personal care/beauty sectors reported results for January-March period after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, they buckled up for more changes in the president’s thinking likely to affect consumer spending as well as their costs.
Retailer Ulta Beauty, Inc. reports net sales in the fiscal first quarter beat consensus estimates, rising 4.5% to $2.85bn, as the company sees benefits of its recently announced ‘Beauty Unleashed’ initiative.
E.l.f. Beauty, Inc. has agreed to acquire celebrity and model Hailey Bieber’s rhode lifestyle beauty brand for $1bn, the firm reported during a 28 May fiscal fourth quarter earnings call, during which it also announced plans to raise product prices to ‘partially’ mitigate the impact of tariffs.
After a Texas judge denied a bankruptcy plan, Johnson & Johnson attorneys plan to focus on debunking what they see as dubious scientific claims in civil court.
The FTC’s Green Guides proposed update was expected by the end of the Biden Administration and there’s no indication it will be unveiled soon, says Mary Engle, BBB National Programs Exec VP, Policy. She also discussed the importance of industry self-regulation of artificial intelligence.
The National Advertising Division expects cases involving ‘Made in the USA’ claims to increase given US tariffs, says NAD VP Phyllis Marcus. The topic was also addressed by BBB National Programs’ Mary Engle during IBA’s Cosmetics Convergence Virtual Spring Conference 14-15 May.
US Customs and Border Protection’s program allowing companies to recoup fees for imported goods that were destroyed or exported is applicable in the case of most of President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. However, most cosmetic companies don’t make use of it.
MAC Cosmetics Appoints ‘Iconic’ Creative Director Nicola Formichetti as global creative director, while Revlon Consumer Products LLC partners with four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, Ice Spice, in a “major step” in the revitalization of Revlon’s fragrance business.
Shiseido’s Drunk Elephant premium skin care range – acquired in 2019 – and its NARS brand dragged sales in the Americas region down almost 20% in the first quarter, the firm reported in a 12 May earnings presentation.
New York-based International Flavors & Fragrance, Inc. has shifted procurement to alternative supply sources and is balancing production across its global network in response to US tariffs, though company executives say ingredients for discretionary products face risk.
Coty lowers its revenue and profit outlook for FY25, though it believes FY26 will be a better year thanks to a return of ‘blockbuster’ product launches, market expansion and mitigation strategies for current economic uncertainties.
The Estee Lauder Companies reported a 10% drop in reported sales during its fiscal third quarter presentation on a 28% decline in travel retail organic sales. The firm, which lowered its FY 2025 sales expectations, says it expects positive growth in FY 2026.
Coty’s ‘All-in to Win’ program enters the next phase, which sets aggressive savings over the next two years in part by simplifying and scaling its operating model, in addition to boosting its innovation impact.
The Procter & Gamble Company is working to mitigate the impact of tariffs, which will add up to $1.5bn in costs annually. The firm has lowered its fiscal 2025 outlook.
Plano, Texas-based Simpler Hair Color Inc. may face FTC enforcement action after it failed to comply with the National Advertising Division’s recommendations it discontinue the claim, “Rated #1 Men’s Hair Color,” associated with a consumer review website.
Beiersdorf AG hit some initial bumps with a repositioning of its business in China, but the firm is optimistic about the rollout of Thiamidol Skin Care In 2026.
Revlon Group Holdings LLC announces Dana Medema, formerly VP and head of Personal Health in North America for Philips, will serve as president, North America. Separately, Shiseido Company, Ltd. reports Ron Gee has resigned as Americas Region CEO and will be replaced on an interim basis by Alberto Noe.
L’Oréal Groupe reports in a first quarter presentation that its US business was more challenging than anticipated, while China “was slightly less bad” and Europe represented the best growth contributor. Separately, LVMH's Sephora sees ‘less momentum’ in its US business as competitor Amazon takes an aggressive position on beauty pricing.