Glossier cuts one-third of workforce as new CEO begins reset

Glossier has laid off approximately 54 employees, nearly one-third of its 170-strong workforce, as newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Colin Walsh begins a sweeping restructuring of the business.

The reduction marks Walsh’s first major action since taking the helm in October, as he looks to restore growth at the once high-flying direct-to-consumer beauty brand.

"Glossier is being reshaped so the best ideas can move faster and the brand can lead again. The renewed focus is on reigniting the fearlessness, freedom and brand magic that transformed the beauty industry a decade ago.

"This means smaller, more agile teams that can move with the speed of culture and allow investment where it drives the business most. The company is not shrinking its ambition; it is strengthening its ability to realise it," a company spokesperson told WWD.

Walsh, who was appointed to Glossier in September 2025, was previously CEO of DevaCurl and Ouai and, most recently, head of Procter & Gamble’s speciality beauty division.

Under prior leadership, Glossier had expanded aggressively, entering wholesale partnerships with Sephora, Space NK and Mecca, while accelerating product launches across foundation, fragrance, body care and flavoured lip balms. While certain categories, such as fragrance, performed well, other launches struggled to stand out in an increasingly saturated beauty market. Insiders expect Walsh to return the brand closer to its original minimalist, lifestyle-led DNA.

Founded in 2014 by Emily Weiss as a spin-off of her blog Into the Gloss, Glossier became one of the most prominent beauty start-ups of the past decade. By 2021, it had raised 265 million dollars from investors, including Sequoia Capital and Forerunner Ventures, reaching a peak valuation of $1.8 billion (£1.3 billion).

Growth stalled during the pandemic, which led to the layoff of around 200 retail employees, followed by further corporate cuts in 2022. The latest cuts signal a sharper focus on operational discipline and a bid to restore the cultural relevance that first propelled Glossier to global attention.