Retail Recap: The big beauty launches of March 2023
This month saw a variety of new beauty launches across the UK, from new brand launches and retail expansions, to tech and product innovation.
TheIndustry.beauty has created a round-up featuring March's highlights from brands including ASOS, No7 and Lush.
Launches at UK retailers
SBTRCT's zero-waste beauty products arrive at Sephora and Bath & Unwind
SBTRCT, the zero-waste beauty brand that creates solid alternatives to skincare fundamentals, added Sephora and Bath & Unwind to its line-up of stockists. Formulated and manufactured in the UK, the SBTRCT line includes a solid Cleanser, Moisturising Balm, Exfoliator, Make-Up Melt, Vitamin C Serum and Retinoid.
ASOS expands Face + Body range and launches pop-up as viral trends drive demand
ASOS is adding to its Face + Body category to capitalise on the growing demand from viral trends and products on social media. The retailer is making over 210 brands available with a series of new launches in April and May 2023, including Malin + Goetz, Megababe and The Beauty Crop.
Mirror Water by Estée Lalonde lands at Liberty
Mirror Water, the business based around bathing rituals created by original beauty blogger Estée Lalonde, launched in-store and online at Liberty. The gender neutral brand was conceived by Lalonde, who has a social media following of over two million, during the pandemic when she found solace in bathing during the difficult lockdown period.
Boots to add premium male brands to online and in-store offering
Boots UK expanded its men's grooming offering with the launch of Hanz De Fuko and Anthony. The brands mark the health and beauty retailer's "first premium men's offering". Anthony is a men's skincare and bodycare brand, which uses "cutting-edge, scientific ingredients to address every male concern from head to toe". Hanz de Fuko is a men's haircare brand, aiming to "bring out the individual artist in everyone".
Kosas expands UK presence with Space NK and Sephora deals
Following a "rise in global consumer demand", US-based beauty brand Kosas expanded its presence in the UK with Sephora and Space NK. The roll out of Kosas began online at Sephora and in the beauty retailer's new store at Westfield London. Kosas also launched online and in 22 Space NK stores from 14 March, with plans to be over 30 stores by the end of 2023.
New brands
My Skin Feels launches and addresses food waste with product line-up
My Skin Feels, a new skincare brand featuring ingredients destined to becoming food waste, launched in the UK with two products. The Brighton-based business focuses on creating "less products with bigger, better results for both your mind and body". It uses natural and organic ingredients, including those rescued from the food and drinks industry that would otherwise go to waste.
SKINWORK launches first skincare line in response to client demand
SKINWORK launched its first skincare line, created to target the common skin concerns seen in the company's treatment rooms. Founded by Eilidh Smith, SKINWORK focuses on "highly effective, zero-downtime treatments in a relaxing setting". In response to demand from treatment clients, the brand's new range initially features three products.
Tech & Innovation
Clinique continues to champion digital retail and brings in-store experience to the Metaverse
Clinique championed the Metaverse with a global digital retail concept, bringing its in-store experience to consumers via a new virtual world. The Clinique Lab allows consumers to discover, interact, play, learn and shop in a photorealistic 3D environment.
Neal’s Yard Remedies unveils "most innovative skincare launch to date"
Neal's Yard Remedies launched its latest skincare innovation, unveiling a collection of high-performing Skincare Boosters to target specific skin concerns. The three Skincare Boosters include a Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster, Vitamin C Brightening Booster and Organic Rosehip Oil to "help you get the most out of your skincare routine".
The Inkey List unveils "first-of-its-kind" SPF featuring Polyglutamic Acid
The Inkey List unveiled its latest innovation with a "game changing" Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 for "protected, primed and dewy skin". After two years in development, the "first-of-its-kind" SPF aims to provide inclusive, effective and affordable sun protection, building on the brand's mission to provide accessible skincare solutions
No7 unveils "biggest science innovation in 86-year history"
No7 unveiled its new "world-first" peptide technology to support skin's natural self repair. Created with skin scientists at the University of Manchester, the novel matrix derived peptide blend is the result of 15 years of research into skin ageing and repair. According to No7, it is proven to "bio-hack the skin’s natural repair process".
Channel 4's new digital brand names E.l.f. Cosmetics as Official Beauty Partner
Channel 4.0, Channel 4’s new digital-first brand for YouTube, signed its first branded deal with E.l.f. Cosmetics. The new commercial partnership is the first for Channel 4.0 and sees E.l.f. Cosmetics become its ‘Official Beauty Partner’. As part of this, Channel 4.0 released a YouTube video announcing the news with E.l.f. Cosmetics branding throughout.
Diptyque unveils first new fragrance since 2021
Diptyque launched its first new fragrance since 2021, developed by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin and artist Alix Waline. The fragrance is designed to be a "flawless portrayal of paper and a way for each wearer to express their unique individuality". Just like ink permeating different sheets of paper differently, the Eau de Toilette produces different results from one skin to another and over time, due to the way the white musks keeps developing.
Lush moves away from big tech and advocates for ‘digital divestment’
As part of its "big tech rebellion", Lush announced its plans to cut its advertising spend with big tech firms. The announcement came as the brand backed its decision to move away from tech giants, such as Meta and TikTok. Lush's social media accounts have been deactivated since November 2021, as part of its policy to address the negative effects of social media.
Dove challenges TikTok's 'Bold Glamour' filter with new campaign
Dove introduced a global campaign to help "transform our toxic, digitally distorted feeds" and push towards keeping beauty real. The #TurnYourBack campaign launched in response to the TikTok trending 'Bold Glamour' filter. It calls for social media users to take action by posting a video "turning their back to the filter", using the #TurnYourBack, #BoldGlamour and #NoDigitalDistortion hashtags.
THG introduces new BNPL scheme to improve checkout experience
THG partnered with financial services company NewDay to offer its customers a "flexible and regulated way to pay at checkout". The company's Newpay system has been integrated into the checkout experience of several THG businesses, including online beauty retailer Lookfantastic and sports nutrition brand MyProtein.
Features
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- The Interview: How Zach Charalambous of Discovered Brands helps beauty brands bring their visions to life.
- In-depth: Skin Bureaux, the launch of the first doctor-led CBD and CBG cosmeceutical skincare range.
- The Interview: Danielle Clementina Close, Founder of My Skin Feels.
- Is this the beginning of the end for Dame Sharon White at John Lewis?
- The Interview: Globally renowned creative colour director Nicola Clarke.
- The Interview: Edward James, Hairstylist & Co-founder of The Hair Consult.
- International Women's Day 2023: Beauty leaders on the importance of female empowerment.
- The Interview: Lisa and Lauren Goldfaden, Co-founders Goldfaden MD.
