Editors' Top Reads: News from L’Oréal, Charlotte Tilbury, The Fragrance Shop and more...

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

Charlotte Tilbury opens biggest-ever store with debut 'Skin Spa'

At first I thought it was a protest and then I thought maybe some superstar singer was arriving at the Royal Opera House. However, as I got closer, I realised that the chanting, flag-waving hordes in Covent Garden Piazza on a freezing Thursday morning this week were in fact there to catch a glimpse of global makeup supremo Charlotte Tilbury, who was due to cut the ribbon of her biggest-ever store, featuring a debut 'Skin Spa'.

I'd strolled over from TheIndustry.beauty HQ around the corner expecting to see a polite ceremony and maybe a moderate queue of die-hard fans. I should have known better. Charlotte Tilbury is nothing if not a fantastic self-publicist. After half an hour of standing in freezing temperatures, while the crowds were encouraged to wave flags and chant "Magic Cream" and "Flawless Finish" at the top of their voices, the diminutive, flame-haired entrepreneur arrived. She did not emerge from a taxi, instead she wafted beautifully into view accompanied by a marching band and a troupe of ballerinas (of course she did). She called us "Darlings!" (of course she did) and invited us to join her in the "store of the future", which she disappeared inside doing a celebratory dance (of course she did).

Given the queues resembled something you'd see at a large-scale festival, I've decided I'll go back next week when maybe the queues will be shorter (but the fans will be no less excited).

It was, frankly, a brilliant piece of promotion and I am very excited to return. You've got to love the energy this woman brings to our market; right now in a depressed retail landscape, you only wish there were many more Charlotte Tilburys out there. But there can be only one, and she's fabulous, Darlings.

Read more about the store here. Better still, go visit!

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

In depth: The secret to a successful pop-up

With 47% of shoppers seeking more immersive, entertainment-driven retail options, there's plenty of demand for experiences that go beyond simple transactions - and brands and retailers that respond with engaging activations are expected to benefit from this growing trend.

This concept is particularly popular across beauty, with more and more businesses hosting activations like pop-ups to entice consumers and drive brand awareness, engagement and sales. From a grocery-themed pop-up by Benefit Cosmetics and spa experience by Debenhams to an ice cream parlour by Saie and Barbie-themed beach house by NYX Professional Makeup, and more, these activations are not only frequent but often unique too!

I took an in-depth look at the benefits of pop-ups and what beauty businesses should consider when developing these concepts, with exclusive commentary from Beauty Pie, VIEVE, Glow For It and Jo Malone London, as well as James Barnes, co-founder and business director at creative agency Backlash, on the secrets to a successful pop-up.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

New L’Oréal skin analysis tool can help predict ageing and cosmetic issues

The early 2000s generation was overly obsessed with staying slim. Now, (thankfully) we've moved on from those darker days. But our fixation swiftly turned to anti-ageing. Like many others, I clamoured to pile on the SPF a tad too late, with the delusional hope of reversing years of sun damage. So, when L’Oréal unveiled its latest skin analysis tool that promised to alert early signs of ageing, my ears perked up.

A new analysis tool from the beauty giant can give users a breakdown of how their skin is ageing and which cosmetic ingredients they are more responsive to. Unveiled ahead of the CES technology show in Las Vegas, the L’Oréal Cell BioPrint is a tabletop, portable device that can analyse a skin sample gathered from a facial tape strip placed on the cheek.

L’Oréal said that, as well as telling users their skin’s biological age (although ignorance can sometimes be bliss) and predicting responsiveness to different cosmetic ingredients, the new device could help users be more proactive, rather than reactive with their skincare by predicting potential cosmetic issues before they become visible and offering advice on how to protect themselves.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

10 retail trends set to shape the fragrance industry in 2025

I've lost count of how many trend pieces I have put together over the past few weeks, from makeup and skincare to cosmetic surgery, sustainable beauty, and more. Each interesting within their own right, I have to say this new data from The Fragrance Shop is particularly noteworthy.

From cost-conscious purchases and the growing impact of AI-powered personalisation to retail innovation, creator content, and more, the fragrance category is becoming more creative, immersive, and sustainable than ever.

Helping brands and retailers navigate this evolving space, The Fragrance Shop's latest report provides insight into ten retail trends set to define the industry in 2025 - summarised by yours truly and available to read here.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.