Editors' Top Reads: News from 111SKIN, Debenhams, Wonderskin and more...

Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.

The Interview: Wonderskin co-founder Marina Kalenchyts on viral products, TikTok growth and future plans

I don't do TikTok (too old, too tired and cannot do formation dancing). However, I do dabble in social media in general; mostly Instagram and more as a follower than a creator. In recent months, I have found myself transfixed by videos of creators painting their lips bright blue then wiping it off and revealing a perfectly plump, pink out. Or artfully grooming their sparse brows with some sort of miracle brush to reveal face-framers worthy of the most expert microblader.

These were of course videos from Wonderskin, the disruptive beauty brand co-founded by Marina Kalenchyts and her husband Michael. Wonderskin is focused on products that shake up the status quo, deliver great results and are fun to use.

It's particularly clever to me that the products mimic the effects of modish aesthetic makeup treatments (such as lip blushing and microblading) and makes them accessible to all. And while the results last, they are not permanent which enables users to experiment with different looks.

I was fascinated therefore to read this interview from our very Sophie Smith with Kalenchyts on what it was that motivated her to establish the brand, how she approaches product development and the secrets of creating a viral success. If she can grab the attention of even the most social media-shy customer like me, then she is clearly doing something very right.

Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.

Skinny Tan tweaks controversial name rebranding to Skin & Tan

Remember when Kim Kardashian launched her shapewear brand, Kimiono? 'Kimono', which was deemed culturally insensitive, was quickly rebranded to Skims and the rest was history. But this rebrand didn't come without significant costs and product delays.

In a similar vein, Skinny Tan announced this week that it is rebranding to Skin & Tan after receiving negative customer feedback over the brand's name for years. Though the brand preached that the 'Skinny' in Skinny Tan refers to its naturally derived ingredients, the public wasn't convinced.

So, after 13 years, the brand, which won funding on BBC's Dragons' Den in 2013, is ushering in a new era with a "new name and bolder vision" by rebranding to Skin & Tan. Alike Skims, the rebranding was seemingly all worth it. Anna Palmgren-Houel, Marketing Director at Skin & Tan, told TheIndustry.beauty: "We have been very pleased to see the positive response from customers and trade."

She added: "This year holds much in store for Skin & Tan, including the launch of a new gradual, skincare quality tanning range. A new name is only the beginning!"

The transition will begin with the launch of its new Face Glow range in late January 2025 and will roll out gradually. Several products have already switched to the new Skin & Tan branding, but no need to fret, its signature formulas remain the same.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

111SKIN secures investment from Kim Kardashian's SKKY Partners

News emerged this week that 111SKIN has received a "significant" minority investment from SKKY Partners, the consumer-focused private equity firm co-founded by Jay Sammons and Kim Kardashian, to drive growth in key markets.

Using the new investment, the luxury skincare brand will attempt to strengthen its direct-to-consumer business while expanding its customer base in locations such as North America and Asia, where it has seen "substantial" growth.

The two co-founders, Eva and Dr Yannis Alexandrides, will retain majority ownership and continue to lead the company, alongside Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Goddevrind.

It marks an exciting moment for the brand, which is widely recognised among consumers, celebrities, A-listers, and high-profile makeup artists, as it looks to strengthen its presence and offer its range of luxury skincare to even more consumers.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

TheIndustry.beauty Awards Winners' Interview: Alexandra Scolding, Director of Beauty, Debenhams

For my latest interview in this special series, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alexandra Scolding, Debenhams' Director of Beauty, about the benefits of digital-only trading, the strategies the retailer employs to maintain customer loyalty and retention in an increasingly crowded beauty market, and which esteemed products are filling her makeup bag (and by the way, Benetint is so back).

Debenhams won the Digital Retail award at TheIndustry.beauty Awards 2024. Since pivoting to an online-only business in 2021, the former stalwart of the UK high street had to adapt quickly to its new environment. However, Scolding extols the virtues of this shift and explains how it allows the business to remain agile and one step ahead of the customer at all times.

"Having a digital-first mentality enables agility and rapid change in the first instance," says Scolding. "And being able to respond to customer trends in an ever-evolving trading environment is paramount. We drive engagement with rich content, being able to add relevant brands into the assortment quickly means that we can help our customer discover newness and their trusted favourites."

Katie Ross, Content & Events Executive.