The notion that beauty consumers have a fresh appetite for hyperrealist standards and tackling taboo topics head-on continues to gain ground in 2023. But what exactly does this mean for industry?
International beauty major L’Oréal has acquired a minority stake in Korean temporary tattoo tech startup Prinker to fast-forward its vision of advancing beauty tech that empowers self-expression.
The return of in-store shopping, growth for ‘taboo’ products and demand for at-home salon treatments are just some of the industry trends we can expect to see this year, says NielsenIQ.
Lynda Searby talks the democratization of science, the rise of intimate personal care and ‘tweakments’, and what beauty stores of the future need to look like, with Mintel’s Andrew McDougall.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from November 2022 shows interest in L’Oréal’s skin science research around tightness and UV protection, Superdrug own-brand makeup launch and future sustainable beauty trends.
‘Skintellectual’ Muslim consumers are showing strong interest in multi-purpose products that are dedicated to their specific needs, and moving away from a purely makeup-centred approach, according to market experts.
Shaved heads, no eyebrows and messy makeup are some of the latest visuals popping up in beauty as Generation Z emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic looking to flip the lid on dated, traditional narratives.
Cosmetics contribute more to Middle Eastern women’s sense of attractiveness and self-confidence than ever, but not in the ways typical of social media-shaped Western trends, according to research.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from May 2022 shows interest in big beauty’s take on the future of the metaverse, predictions on the future of beauty and fragrances, and brand action on green cosmetic analysis.
The beauty industry has waded through a tough two years but come out stronger and more resilient as it edges deeper into a very different consumer landscape, says the executive editor of market insights firm Beautystreams.
Everybody is talking about the metaverse - a new, mysterious and still largely undefined space, but one that is brimming with beauty opportunities, says a marketing expert.
The next two years will see a range of beauty cohorts take centre stage – lazy skinimalists, beautyversals, protopians and universals – carrying with them an increased focus on self-care, the environment and diversity, says a WGSN exec.
African-Beauty will soar in the coming months and years, as the diverse and ancient rituals and ingredients across the region draw in consumer curiosity, says WGSN’s head of beauty.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from December 2021 shows interest in L’Oréal acquisition plans and global beauty trends across skin care and male grooming.
Increased focus on self-care and wellbeing, a desire to find back joy and push forward with the green agenda are just some of the key trends set to shape the European, Middle East & African beauty market next year – here are our Top 5 EMEA trends...
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and accelerated consumer priorities in beauty, and self-care, skin nourishment and playful colour have gained ground as key movements industry must consider, says Avon’s global trend forecaster.
The next two years will see five cohorts of beauty consumers take centre stage - skinimalists, refillutionaries, beautopians, super basics and skillusionists - drawing a sharper focus on core desires around frugality, sustainability, gender fluidity and...
![Underboob sweat, pimple popping, shaved heads and sexual health are just some of the topics consumers are diving into head-first this year as traditional beauty ideals unravel [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/wgsn-beauty-trends-2023-highlights-unsexy-beauty-as-movement-to-watch-adding-to-mintel-nielseniq-and-verve/16077779-1-eng-GB/WGSN-beauty-trends-2023-highlights-unsexy-beauty-as-movement-to-watch-adding-to-Mintel-NielsenIQ-and-Verve.jpg)
![The investment comes as beauty standards continue to morph as consumers demand products and devices that help with self-expression and building identities [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/10/l-oreal-minority-investment-in-korea-s-prinker-to-drive-beauty-tech-for-self-expression-personalisation/16069643-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-minority-investment-in-Korea-s-Prinker-to-drive-beauty-tech-for-self-expression-personalisation.jpg)
![Beauty for 'taboo' topics like acne, menopause and sexual wellness will be one important trend to watch in 2023 [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/article/2023/01/04/nielseniq-beauty-trends-2023-highlight-retail-shift-taboo-beauty-and-at-home-salon-treatments-as-key/16054634-1-eng-GB/NielsenIQ-beauty-trends-2023-highlight-retail-shift-taboo-beauty-and-at-home-salon-treatments-as-key.jpg)
![Intimate personal care and hormonal beauty are set to rise in importance next year as consumers look for products in previously taboo categories [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/headlines/market-trends/mintel-talks-beauty-trends-for-2023-highlighting-expert-science-self-care-sexual-health-and-smart-retail/16024334-1-eng-GB/Mintel-talks-beauty-trends-for-2023-highlighting-expert-science-self-care-sexual-health-and-smart-retail.jpg)
![The COVID-19 crisis has fuelled important shifts among Gen Z beauty consumers around gender, image and mental health [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/08/25/beauty-trends-gen-z-post-covid-show-unconventional-gender-fluid-escapism-important-says-verve/15710946-1-eng-GB/Beauty-trends-Gen-Z-post-COVID-show-unconventional-gender-fluid-escapism-important-says-Verve.jpg)
![Self-confidence-boosting beauty products are popular amongst Arab women in the Middle East, but multinational marketing campaigns don't always hold appeal [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/08/11/middle-east-beauty-trends-see-attractiveness-pigment-and-ageing-key-finds-study/15671709-1-eng-GB/Middle-East-beauty-trends-see-attractiveness-pigment-and-ageing-key-finds-study.jpg)
![Despite a very different post-pandemic landscape, there are key consumer and planetary needs driving trends in beauty [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/31/beauty-trends-after-covid-19-feature-fun-sensory-personalised-and-eco-friendly-says-beautystreams/15459838-1-eng-GB/Beauty-trends-after-COVID-19-feature-fun-sensory-personalised-and-eco-friendly-says-Beautystreams.jpg)
![Three decades of gaming have proven that consumers want escapism, so beauty can and should follow suit [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/30/metaverse-beauty-marketing-promise-in-escapism-immersive-experiences-and-creativity-says-swipe-back/15457420-1-eng-GB/Metaverse-beauty-marketing-promise-in-escapism-immersive-experiences-and-creativity-says-Swipe-Back.jpg)
![These four beauty cohorts are globally relevant and driven by strong needs and beliefs around the environment, wellbeing and self [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/25/wgsn-beauty-personas-of-2024-feature-lazy-skinimalists-protopians-and-beautyversals/15445009-1-eng-GB/WGSN-beauty-personas-of-2024-feature-lazy-skinimalists-protopians-and-beautyversals.jpg)
![Africa - with its 54 countries - is a diverse and rich beauty movement very different from others [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/20/african-beauty-to-boom-with-interest-in-ancient-ingredients-and-rituals-says-wgsn/15435703-1-eng-GB/African-beauty-to-boom-with-interest-in-ancient-ingredients-and-rituals-says-WGSN.jpg)
![CosmeticsDesign-Europe spotlights the top five beauty and personal care trends to watch in 2022 - think skin, menopause and innovative retail [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/21/beauty-trends-2022-emea-region-include-skin-health-menopause-and-refills-says-cosmeticsdesign-europe/13112961-1-eng-GB/Beauty-trends-2022-EMEA-region-include-skin-health-menopause-and-refills-says-CosmeticsDesign-Europe.jpg)
![The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many mass beauty movements, including the increased focus on self-care, skin health and joy in colour cosmetics [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/15/avon-global-trends-highlight-beauty-as-therapy-skin-health-and-return-of-colour-key-for-2022-and-beyond/13096701-1-eng-GB/Avon-global-trends-highlight-beauty-as-therapy-skin-health-and-return-of-colour-key-for-2022-and-beyond.jpg)
![These five future beauty cohorts cross geographies, age-groups and genders with very deep desires and needs in cosmetics and personal care that they will be looking to brands to fulfil [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/05/wgsn-beauty-personas-of-2023-include-skinimalists-refillutionaries-and-super-basics/12900807-1-eng-GB/WGSN-beauty-personas-of-2023-include-skinimalists-refillutionaries-and-super-basics.jpg)
![L'Oréal has unveiled two prototype smart makeup application devices - one for lipstick and another for brows - both designed to make the category more inclusive and accessible [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/04/l-oreal-and-johnson-johnson-launch-smart-inclusive-beauty-devices-at-ces-tech-tradeshow-2023/16054832-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-and-Johnson-Johnson-launch-smart-inclusive-beauty-devices-at-CES-tech-tradeshow-2023.jpg)
![The European-wide industry initiative is focused on three key areas - climate, nature and packaging - with a series of goals, guidelines and tools available to companies throughout the value chain [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/07/cosmetics-europe-launches-sustainability-eco-initiative-commit-for-our-planet-to-drive-sustainable-beauty-collaboration-and-change/16006172-1-eng-GB/Cosmetics-Europe-launches-sustainability-eco-initiative-Commit-for-Our-Planet-to-drive-sustainable-beauty-collaboration-and-change.jpg)
![More consumers worldwide have companion animals in today's 'touch deprived' society, and so pet care will continue to rise in importance [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/future-beauty-trend-opportunities-in-pet-care-lab-grown-ingredients-and-skin-cycling/15976028-1-eng-GB/Future-beauty-trend-opportunities-in-pet-care-lab-grown-ingredients-and-skin-cycling.jpg)
![Weleda has created a small internal startup to build out fresh innovations across packaging and formulation [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/05/weleda-r-d-head-says-circular-green-beauty-possible-with-sustainable-definitions-and-beauty-collaboration/15997160-1-eng-GB/Weleda-R-D-head-says-circular-green-beauty-possible-with-sustainable-definitions-and-beauty-collaboration.jpg)
![Unilever's invention features a cleansing wash-off step with a composition comprising high levels of water-soluble UVA and UVB sunscreens [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/13/unilever-files-international-patent-for-two-step-spf-uva-protection-via-cleanser-and-sunscreen/16019153-1-eng-GB/Unilever-files-international-patent-for-two-step-SPF-UVA-protection-via-cleanser-and-sunscreen.jpg)
![A number of retailers have introduced ethical beauty schemes with in-house standards outlining ingredients allowed and disallowed, as well wider environmental requirements [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/07/beauty-retail-ethical-certification-standards-rising-fast-with-plant-based-halal-and-eco-important-says-ecovia-intelligence/16004465-1-eng-GB/Beauty-retail-ethical-certification-standards-rising-fast-with-plant-based-halal-and-eco-important-says-Ecovia-Intelligence.jpg)
![L'Oréal is heavily invested in advancing UV protection offerings, including for consumers with dark skin phototypes [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/uv-protection-market-shows-daily-use-skin-care-growth-beyond-sun-care-says-l-oreal-ceo/15884636-1-eng-GB/UV-protection-market-shows-daily-use-skin-care-growth-beyond-sun-care-says-L-Oreal-CEO.jpg)
![A beauty citizen could be considered 'an individual who is conscious of their role in society and is keen to protect the beauty of nature as to improve their own sense of beauty' [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/11/29/b-corp-beauty-coalition-wants-to-drive-concept-of-beauty-citizen-for-sustainable-change/15979430-1-eng-GB/B-Corp-Beauty-Coalition-wants-to-drive-concept-of-beauty-citizen-for-sustainable-change.jpg)
![Beauty products targeting menopausal women have to be based on sound science and not just marketing chatter [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/menopause-beauty-and-wellbeing-needs-open-source-science-r-d-say-experts/15897479-1-eng-GB/Menopause-beauty-and-wellbeing-needs-open-source-science-R-D-say-experts.jpg)
![Many precursors of the metaverse already exist - the likes of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) - but the true potential remains some years off [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/09/13/meta-and-instagram-talk-metaverse-beauty-potential-over-next-10-15-years/15765246-2-eng-GB/Meta-and-Instagram-talk-metaverse-beauty-potential-over-next-10-15-years.jpg)