Today, in her latest column for CEW, Money Matters with the Fiscal Femme’s Ashley Feinstein Gerstley shares seven ways to build your financial knowledge, and work towards your money goals. “In honor of Financial Literacy Month, let’s make strides in our financial literacy, and as a result, see progress towards our money goals,” writes Gerstley. “Financial literacy also means having confidence in your plans as well as the self-awareness to follow through and make them happen.”
As we prepare to honor Carol Hamilton with a 2025 CEW Lifetime Achievement Award, CEW sat down with the L’Oréal legend to discuss her inspirational career journey, and how hearing the words ‘Because I’m Worth It’ first lit the spark. Also at CEW, we talk to virtual makeup pioneer and global team leader, Alice Chang, who revolutionized the beauty industry by creating the technology that allows consumers to try on products via their mobile devices. Chang will be honored with a 2025 Game-Changer Award as part of this year’s Achiever Awards program on Wednesday at the Marriott Marquis.
In product news, the CEW April 2025 Product Watch has dropped. Our reporter Polly Blitzer breaks down the month’s newcomers of note— including some nostalgic comebacks — across all categories.
At WWD today, CEW president Carlotta Jacobson reflects on 50 years of recognizing women working in beauty and discusses how CEW’s 2025 class of Achiever Awards reflects the industry’s progress toward gender parity. “The leadership is more diverse, we’re honoring people in adjacent businesses, and we aim to reflect the composition of the industry now across large and small businesses,” said Jacobson.
Puig has announced an 8% increase in Q1 sales. “Losses in the Spanish conglomerate’s makeup business were offset by strong demand for its fragrance and fashion division, which grew 10% in the first quarter of 2025,” reports Business Of Fashion (its fragrance brands include Carolina Herrera, Byredo and L’Artisan Parfumeur). Meanwhile, Coty is to streamline its beauty operations as part of the next phases of its “All-in to Win” transformation program, which will result in the loss of approximately 700 positions globally.
In sustainability news, with the worldwide cosmetics packaging industry estimated at $47.3 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $61.9 billion in 2030, according to Happi, market analysts have reported a shift towards recyclable, refillable and biodegradable materials in line with environmental awareness. And in tech updates, OpenAI has unveiled a new ChatGPT shopping update which will recommend products to consumers, and where to buy them.
Catch up on these news stories by clicking on the links below.
7 Ways To Reach Your Money Goals. Ashley Feinstein Gerstley shows us how to be financially literate in her latest column for CEW. (CEW)
Carol Hamilton Talks To CEW. The L’Oréal legend shares her journey of following her passion and redefining what it means to be ‘worth it.’ (CEW)
Alice Chang On Blazing A Trail In Beauty Tech. The virtual makeup pioneer and 2025 Game-Changer Award Honoree sat down with CEW. (CEW)
CEW’s April 2025 Product Watch Drops. CEW reporter Polly Blitzer reveals the newcomers of note, across all categories. (CEW)
Carlotta Jacobson Reflects on 50 Years Of Celebrating Women In Beauty. CEW’s President was interviewed by WWD in advance of CEW’s 2025 class of Achiever Awards. (WWD)
Puig Sees 8% Rise in First Quarter Sales. “Losses in the Spanish conglomerate’s makeup business were offset by strong demand for its fragrance and fashion division, which grew 10 percent in the first quarter of 2025,” reports Business Of Fashion. (BUSINESS OF FASHION)
Coty Cuts 700 Positions In Streamlining Operations. The company has announced the next phase of its “All-in to Win” transformation program. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
The Shift Towards Sustainable Packaging. Market analysts have reported a shift towards recyclable, refillable and biodegradable materials. (HAPPI)
OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Shopping Update. It will be able to recommend products to consumers, and tell them where to buy them, reports Vogue Business. (VOGUE BUISINESS)
