Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Top-hitting exclusive features

First up, when the big players talk, the industry invariably listens; and this was the case when this publication caught up with Horst Wenck, corporate vice president of R&D at Beiersdorf, to discuss the vast research the company is undertaking as it looks to develop innovative new product​s to meet consumer needs.

As with all the rival manufacturers, research and development plays a big role in product development and in this interview Horst reiterated that it is important to carry out advanced skin science research but that it needs to be in line with what the consumer demands.

Talks with the top​

It has been a summer of change at the personal care trade association Cosmetics Europe as Loïc Armand, President of L’Oréal France, took the reins as its President for the 2014 -2016 term replacing Fabio Franchina, and we were given an exclusive interview with the new boss - and his outlook was very positive.​

“My view of the industry is incredibly positive because I think we can be proud of what we are doing. Some people say cosmetics business is a futile business - we don't need cosmetics,”​ he tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

“In reality, the well-being of people is very important - if you look at yourself in the mirror and you feel good, it sets you up better for the day. It is incredibly important to feel comfortable with oneself.”​

Cosmetics Vision​

There was also the launch of the Cosmetics Vision event earlier this year, and this gave CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com a great chance to get exclusives with many different figures in the industry, including Jeanine Reckkio, the world's only beauty futurologist, who was very forthcoming in her views.​

Jeanine says it’s the industry’s big guys who need to stop complaining and better anticipate and plan for the future. With ‘all due respect’ of course!

At the same event, and turning back to Cosmetics Europe, Director General Beril Heerink also shared his view of a harmonized cosmetics industry.​

Heerink believes that the vision for the industry has to be built around meeting consumer demands and satisfying them, within the context of a fast-moving and constantly changing environment.

Making up our list of top-hitting exclusive features, CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com spoke with marketoonist Tom Fishburne, who says it is time for brands to think outside of the box when approaching their marketing​.

According to the man who attended Harvard and worked at Method Products, Nestle, and General Mills, brands are currently playing it safe.