Editor's Top Reads: News from Beauty Bay, Hourglass, PERS and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
How I started in beauty: CGC founder & CEO Clare Goodwin
CGC has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in public relations and communications, making waves across both the UK and US with an impressive roster of high-profile clients including Diptyque, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Westman Atelier, Summer Fridays, Augustinus Bader, and many more.
Founder and CEO Clare Goodwin launched the business in 2018, bringing with her extensive experience from Estee Lauder Companies-owned brands, including Jo Malone London and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.
Speaking with TheIndustry.beauty, Goodwin reflects on the lessons that shaped her during those formative years. She also explains why the next chapter for CGC represents a significant evolution for the business - driven by strategic new appointments and expanding international ambitions.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Beauty Bay's future secured with sale to French investment group
I was really pleased to see that the Manchester-based online retailer Beauty Bay was bought by the French investment firm AA Investments Group, thereby securing its future.
Founded in 1999 as Fragrance Bay by brothers Arron and David Gabbie, the retailer initially focused on luxury fragrances before rebranding as Beauty Bay in 2007 and expanding into a broader makeup, skincare and beauty offering.
Before it suspended its website, the retailer stocked more than 200 brands, spanning UK and international names, including Laneige, Sacheu Beauty, The Inkey List, and Wonderskin, alongside its own By Beauty Bay range.
Yet the beauty landscape has become much more competitive recently, with the likes of Sephora, Space NK, Boots, and Cult Beauty all building out stronger online and offline presences.
I am intrigued to see how the company will be developed under its new ownership and how it will fit into the highly competitive landscape when it reopens. For now, we know that joint founder Arron Gabbie will stay with the company for a short while during the transition, although the role of his brother David within the business is not yet clear.
Camilla Rydzek, Senior News & Features Writer.
Hourglass taps Olivia Dean for global brand partnership and new campaign
Beauty is evolving, but the role of celebrity ambassadors remains largely the same. While I’m not entirely bothered by this strategy, I will say that Olivia Dean added a fresh layer of appeal to Hourglass this week. With her Grammy-winning talent, Brit Award recognition, and an upcoming tour, Dean brings the cultural relevance and charisma that make her a compelling choice for the brand.
According to Hourglass, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to creativity and intention, with plans for multimedia storytelling, curated offerings, and immersive experiences with Dean at the centre.
The partnership launches with a campaign, accompanied by a curated edit showcasing Dean’s favorite Hourglass products. The first release highlights complexion essentials such as Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, Vanish Airbrush Concealer and Unreal Liquid Highlighter.
Beyond the products, the collaboration will feature a series of intimate events that blend music and beauty. Attendees can look forward to live performances, hands-on product experiences, and programming designed to foster creative exchange and community connection.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
The Interview: PERS founders Dr Antoni Calmon and Sophie-Lisa Precheur on creating the perfect skin protocol
I've never found a Retinol I can hang with and I tend to avoid Vitamin C, as my mildly rosacea-prone and highly temperamental skin just won't oblige. At least that was the case until Dr Antoni Calmon told me to use both, or at least use his versions from the PERS skincare line, as they have been designed to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin.
Given he's a bona fide doctor and some of the world's most famous women trust him with their faces, I decided to give it a go. What do you know? Zero irritation, and I do believe my skin is... glowier? Not a word, but it's totally a thing. What's more, Dr Calmon's Vitamin C and Retinol serums feel gentle and pleasant to use; they even smell divine. I am a convert.
I had the great fortune to interview Dr Calmon (and yes, he did spot my mild rosacea from the other side of the room) and his co-founder Sophie-Lisa Precheur at his London clinic to learn all about the founding of PERS and his general approach to aesthetics and skincare.
Dr Calmon's medical and scientific background and Precheur's expertise in international brand building and marketing make for a powerful partnership, and they have also produced a truly fantastic brand between them. PERS is different, it works and it looks lovely on the bathroom shelf. They don't oversell the benefits, but the results are real (I'm proof). Have a read of their story here.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
