Editors' Top Reads: News from Boots, Pat McGrath Labs, Lookfantastic and more...

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

From adaptogens to AI: How wellness is rewriting beauty routines

Beauty and wellness are becoming increasingly interconnected in consumers’ everyday routines, with Boots spotlighting five trends shaping the industry in its latest annual trends report this week.

Drawing on data from over 17 million active Boots Advantage Card holders, alongside in-house analysis, the new research reveals the most influential trends set to define the year ahead.

For the first time, Boots combines beauty and wellness data, revealing that wellness is now an essential part of consumers’ beauty routines. In fact, 40% say it’s a must-have in their regimen, while 84% agree they look better when they feel well.

"In 2026, you won’t be able to talk about beauty without talking about wellness. The boundaries between looking good and feeling good are not just blurring - they’re disappearing altogether," says Grace Vernon, Head of Boots Ignite, Foresight & Trends at Boots. And I couldn’t agree more!

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

REHAB launches first-ever haircare residency at Selfridges’ The Beauty Spot

REHAB’s arrival at Selfridges’ Oxford Street flagship isn’t just another brand pop-up; it signals the next phase of beauty retail. As the first-ever haircare residency at The Beauty Spot, the REHAB Prescription Bar marks a confident move from digital-first disruptor to experience-led authority.

Positioned on the ground floor of Selfridges Oxford Street, the space reimagines the traditional pharmacy counter through REHAB's lens. I mean, the colourful capsule wall takes aesthetically pleasing to a whole new level.

The full REHAB range is available to sample, while walk-in consultations allow customers to explore everything from scalp concerns and hair health to body rituals and skin-first formulations. The aim: to simplify routine-building through problem-solving products that fit seamlessly into everyday life.

Co-founders Vicky Ellis and Anastasia Tozer said: "This marks a defining moment in REHAB’s journey. This exciting activation drives meaningful engagement and education, and supports our ambitions to lead in prescriptive, routine-led beauty."

It’s definitely worth a drop-in if you’re passing by.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

Hybrid, high-tech and high-performance: 5 beauty trends shaping SS26

Beauty is shifting toward a “skin-first” approach, with products that enhance natural beauty while caring for skin. From hybrid makeup to innovative serums, the line between skincare and cosmetics is blurring.

Korean skincare continues to make waves globally, offering products that combine effective ingredients with standout results, while professional-grade at-home tools are bringing salon-quality treatments into everyday routines.

Consumers are also paying more attention to advanced ingredients and sun protection, with new formats and multitasking products redefining how we care for and protect our skin.

Read more from Lookfantastic's trend report here. 

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

Pat McGrath Labs secures investment after bankruptcy filing

US-based financial firm GDA Luma has announced a $30 million investment in Pat McGrath Labs, weeks after the beauty brand filed for bankruptcy, marking the start of what the companies describe as a new phase of stewardship and long-term growth.

I'm very curious to see what happens next for this brand as a result of the deal. There is no doubt that Pat McGrath is a generational talent when it comes to make-up artistry, but there seems no doubt mistakes were made with this brand that need to be addressed to ensure future success.

For all of McGrath's brilliance, it seems likely she became something of a limiting factor for Pat McGrath Labs, since her commitments outside of it would be overwhelming themselves. As well as running the brand, she is creative director of Louis Vuitton make-up and does the make-up for dozens of catwalk shows a year. And that's before we get to celebrity commissions and editorial work.

Analysts suggest this workload means the brand has been slow to react to trends – even those created by McGrath herself – and on top of that the products were too complex to use for mere mortals. Whether GDA Luma has had these tough conversations, I don't know for sure. However when announcing the deal, it promised a pipeline of new products that will begin to drop in the spring, so it seems some of the issues have been recognised and addressed.

Let's hope Pat McGrath Labs version 2.0 finds the right formula for success.

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