Many of us might be using this last week of summer to take things slowly (or switch off entirely if you’re lucky), but the beauty news is still hurtling through at breakneck speed. Just this morning, news broke that E.l.f. is acquiring indie skin-care brand Naturium in a $355 million cash and stock deal — highlighting that E.l.f., which owns W3ll People and Keys Soulcare, still has ambitions of becoming the next big multi-brand beauty conglomerate. Natura & Co contemplates a potential sale of The Body Shop, Madison Reed expands into Walmart, and Lancôme partners with Louvre (yes, the world-renowned museum) on its exquisite holiday 2023 collection. You can read these stories and more in the links below. 

Lancôme Releases Louvre Collection. For its 2023 holiday offering, Lancôme collaborated with the Louvre museum, resulting in a sophisticated range of the brand’s iconic products fashioned into miniature works of art, from the packaging to the embossing of the eye shadows. (CEW) 

E.l.f. Acquires Naturium in $355 Million Bet on Skin Care. Naturium is one of the fastest growing skin-care brands on the market, growing at an 80 percent CAGR the last two years and expected to hit $90 million in net sales in 2023. This morning, E.l.f. announced a definitive agreement to acquire the indie skin-care brand company that was launched in 2019 by influencer and journalist Susan Yara. (CEW)

Avon Owner Natura & Co Considers Sale of The Body Shop as Revenue Declines. Natura & Co’s board of directors recently authorized its management to “explore strategic alternatives for The Body Shop”, which may include a potential sale of the business. The Brazilian company has owned The Body Shop since 2017. (CNBC) 

LoveShackFancy Unveils Fragrance Trio. The clothing brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary by entering into the beauty category with the launch of three fragrances, which will be sold on sephora.com as well as its own website and stores. (WWD)

Is Slowing Inflation Easing Costs for Beauty? Since the post-lockdown inflation era, companies have had to raise their prices, with the cosmetics category seeing the highest increases. But as inflation in the US starts to ease, brands are grappling with whether to continue to up their prices, find alternatives to be able to hit their margins, or simply grin and bear it. (Glossy) 

Madison Reed, America’s Best Loved Hair Color Brand, Expands Into Walmart. Founder and CEO Amy Errett explains why Walmart is a great partnership for her brand, as well as how the retailer will allow greater access to the products across the US. (Forbes)

How the Growth of Click and Impression Farming are Getting Worse With AI. Click farming and impression farming are nothing new in digital advertising, but artificial intelligence will likely play a big role in helping bots and bad inventory to scale massively — something agencies and brands need to be aware of. (Digiday) 

Clean Beauty Summer School Program Selects 4AM Skincare as 2023 Winner. Amy Liu’s Clean Beauty School Summer program aims to provide support to BIPOC-founded brands, and this year’s winner is 4AM Skincare, a New York-based company that aims to offer beauty lovers a streamlined-yet-effect routine. (CEW)