Editors' Top Reads: News from Skin Cupid, ROCCO, Puig and more...

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

The Interview: Skin Cupid founder Melody Yuan on expansion, John Lewis partnership and future of K-beauty in UK

Skin Cupid has established itself over the past six years as a trusted destination for Korean skincare enthusiasts, curating some of the region’s most in-demand and innovative brands.

In recent years, the UK-based retailer has pursued an ambitious expansion strategy that moves well beyond its digital roots. Last year, it opened its first flagship store in London, described as "the largest and most premium Asian beauty destination in the UK".

Now accelerating its nationwide growth, Skin Cupid recently entered an exclusive partnership with John Lewis, aimed at making K-beauty more accessible to consumers across the UK.

As part of the rollout, approximately 20 brands now available via John Lewis online. The partnership also extends into physical retail, with upcoming shop-in-shop locations planned for stores in Cambridge, Kingston and Leeds, where customers will be able to receive personalised guidance from trained skincare specialists.

In this interview with TheIndustry.beauty, founder Melody Yuan discusses Skin Cupid’s continued expansion, the growing global appeal of Korean beauty, and the emerging brands and trends that Western audiences have yet to fully discover, among other topics.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

Move over matcha: Here's beauty’s latest food-inspired obsessions

I loved reading my colleague Sophie Smith's in-depth analysis on beauty's long-running fascination with food and drink, and how this is now evolving from matcha (which arguably has been everywhere for the last few years) and is now embracing new ingredients.

From beauty brands going bananas for, well bananas, to the growing popularity of ube, the purple Filipino yam (no I have also never heard of this before) - ingredients that attract attention for both their novelty and visual appeal are gaining more traction.

According to new insights from Fresha, banana-based beauty products align with growing demand for what it describes as "edible" beauty - products that feel more natural, approachable and recognisable to consumers, rather than relying on ingredients that may be unfamiliar to mainstream audiences.

There is so much to discover in her piece. I'm now going to be trailing down the make-up isles in Boots and SpaceNK to see what other food-inspired products I can find.

Camilla Rydzek, Senior News and Features Writer.  

Puig explored beauty tie-up with Kering before Estée Lauder talks

I was intrigued by news this week that Puig and Kering had previously held potential merger talks, which ultimately failed. Kering famously went on to secure a strategic beauty partnership with Estée Lauder Companies.

According to Marc Puig, the family owned group (owner of brands such as Byredo, Charlotte Tilbury and Dries Van Noten) could not align with luxury conglomerate Kering on all the points that mattered, such as governance, leadership and the appropriate value of the business for shareholders.

I had also heard on the beauty grapevine that should Puig have entered into a deal, it could trigger a potentially tricky ownership clause for Charlotte Tilbury, who sold a majority stake in her brand to Puig in June 2020 in a transaction that valued it at more than £1 billion. Clearly that is a prize not worth risking, if indeed that is true.

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

New brand ROCCO debuts with ‘neurocosmetic’ skincare range

New brand ROCCO is launching exclusively at Boots later this month, introducing what it calls a “neurocosmetic” approach that blends skincare ingredients with sensory-focused formulation.

Founded by broadcaster and entrepreneur Laura Jackson, the brand was created in response to her frustration with increasingly complex skincare routines and products that often prioritise performance over experience. ROCCO aims to simplify skincare while making it more enjoyable, pairing effective formulations with a focus on emotional wellbeing and daily ritual.

Designed for consumers who are ingredient-savvy but overwhelmed by multi-step regimens, the range balances clinically supported actives with plant-based ingredients and sensory elements intended to enhance the overall user experience.

A key feature of the collection is “FaceFeels”, a proprietary fragrance developed using Aroma Wellness technology, designed to enhance the emotional and sensory impact of each product alongside its skincare benefits. It also features refillable packaging, supported by a community-led approach with a focus on transparency, sustainability and consumer engagement.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.