Beauty entrepreneur Courtney Adeleye, founder of The Mane Choice — acquired by MAV Beauty Brands in 2019 for $29 million — is launching another venture, Watch & Sea. Based on ocean-derived ingredients, the hair care brand is estimated to generate $4 million in gross sales in the first 12 months, according to industry sources. It will go into Target stores nationwide on February 2.

In marketing news, Roar Forward — the membership and content platform founded by Michael Clinton, former President and Publishing Director of Hearst Magazines — has named the Top 12 age-inclusive ads of 2024, including beauty and fashion categories. Among the brands to have made the list are Donna Karan New York, for its Supermodel-led, In Women We Trust campaign; Estée Lauder’s Because Of My Age campaign, featuring Daisy Fuentes; Jones Road for its No Fuss Beauty TV spot with Bobbi Brown; and Dove Beauty Bar, for Beauty Never Gets Old.

In executive updates, Linda M. Katz, FDA Cosmetics and Colors Director, will retire in January. “Dr. Katz’s efforts at FDA have advanced fragrance science and addressed critical issues like fragrance allergen safety in cosmetics, enhancing consumer safety through robust scientific assessments and industry and public education,” said Farah K. Ahmed, President of the Fragrance Creators Association (FCA), in a statement. “She was instrumental in preparing the groundwork for key regulatory advancements, including the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).” Meanwhile, in Germany, medmix has tapped Nande van Aken as its new Head of Global Operations Beauty, overseeing global manufacturing. 

After handing over the reins as Ilia’s CEO last week to Paul Schiraldi, Lynda Berkowitz has entered “semi-retirement.” In an interview with Beauty Independent, she talks about working successfully with brand founders. Berkowitz has been working in the beauty industry for more than 30 years. 

On the fragrance front, DSM-Firmenich has revealed that it has created a Mocha Mousse scent, inspired by Pantone’s Color the Year 2025, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. The nose behind the fragrance, which includes notes of cocoa bean, salted peanut and vanilla bean, is DSM-Firmenich Master Perfumer Honorine Blanc.

Courtney Adeleye’s Hair Care Comeback. The former nurse and beauty entrepreneur who sold The Mane Choice for $29 million five years ago is launching a new hair care brand, Watch & Sea. (WWD)

Roar Forward Honors 12 Top 12 Age-inclusive Ads Of 2024. Those that made the list include Donna Karan New York, Estée Lauder, Jones Road, and Dove. (ROAR FORWARD)

Linda Katz To Retire From FDA. The FDA Cosmetics and Colors Director will be succeeded in the role by Prashiela Manga, Ph.D., as Acting Director of OCAC in her place. (BEAUTY PACKAGING)

Medmix Appoints Nande van Aken Head of Global Operations Beauty. Van will oversee the German company’s global manufacturing. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)

Lynda Berkowitz On Working With Beauty Founders. The outgoing Ilia CEO has given an interview to Beauty Independent. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

Why 2025 Is Smelling Sweet. DSM-Firmenich has revealed that it has created a Mocha Mousse scent, inspired by Pantone’s Color the Year 2025, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. (HAPPI)

The Untapped Market Of The Older Millennial. Beauty Matter reports that consumers who are now in their late 30s and early 40s “hold deep brand loyalties and significant purchasing power.” (BEAUTY MATTER)