Today at CEW, we celebrate the legacy and leadership of L’Oréal Groupe’s Carol Hamilton, who has announced her retirement after a 40 year career. Hamilton will be the recipient of CEW’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented at our 50th annual Achiever Awards Luncheon on April 30. “Her legacy is filled with not just countless achievements, but also her influence on the beauty industry as a whole, particularly in how luxury brands approach marketing, sustainability, and consumer engagement,” writes CEW’s Andrea Nagel. “She is known among her peers to have thrived in every position she held at L’Oréal over the past four decades, with her final two roles tapping both her creative and commerce sides.”

Also at CEW, we spotlight Bolt’s Universal Shopper Network, which recognizes and accesses rich, actionable data and insights on shopper behavior from 80M+ US shoppers. CEW reporter Justin Grooms unpacks the leading checkout technology company’s new report, which explores the future of retail in 2025.

On the celebrity beauty front, Billie Eilish’s second scent, Your Turn, is available today for pre-order from the brand’s website, and Beyoncé’s hair care brand Cécred also drops a new line-up of styling tools today. “My entire life and career, I’ve worn my hair in so many different ways: natural, flat-ironed, braids, colored, weaves, wigs,” said the singer. “I want everyone to have the freedom to express their hair in ways that make them feel good, so I began by creating the essentials for hair and scalp health.”

In female leadership news, three independent female fashion designers discuss their processes, challenges, and successes in an article on Vogue.com. And in Diversity and Equity Inclusion (DEI) updates, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and Sally have reaffirmed their commitments to DEI, according to Beauty Independent, while The New York Times in an article today explores why Black-owned brands are concerned about policy changes.

Making market headlines, the German beauty giant Cosnova has reported sales surpassing $1 Billion in 2024. Best known for its brands Essence and Cartice Cosmetics, Cosnova is now the second-biggest manufacturer of color cosmetics in volume worldwide, after French beauty giant L’Oréal. “We believe that the U.S. will be — and most probably must be — our biggest country one day,” said Christina Oster-Daum, cofounder and president of Cosnova.

Read more about these and other stories at the links below.

L’Oréal Groupe’s Carol Hamilton Retires After 40 Year Career. Hamilton will receive CEW’s Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s annual Achiever Awards Luncheon. (CEW)

The Future Of Retail, According To Bolt. Bolt’s Universal Shopper Network accesses data and insights on shopper behavior from 80M+ US shoppers. (CEW)

Billie Eilish Launches Second Scent. Your Turn, is available from today to pre-order from the brand’s website. (I FRAGRANCE)

Beyoncé’s Cécred Debuts Hair Tool Collection. The new range of brushes and combs drops today. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)

Three Independent Female Designers Share Their Stories. They discuss their “processes, challenges and triumphs” in an article at the Vogue website. (VOGUE)

Ulta Beauty, Sephora, And Sally Beauty Reaffirm DEI Commitments. The three retailers have affirmed their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

How Black-Owned Retailers Are Feeling About DEI. The New York Times asks, “Where do black brands go when DEI fades?” (THE NEW YORK TIMES)

Cosnova Sales Surpass $1 Billion In 2024. The German beauty company is best known for its brands Essence and Cartice Cosmetics. (WWD)

Revlon Canada Taps Olympian Sarah Nurse As New Face. The pro hockey player will be a face of the ColorStay collection in Canada. (HAPPI)

The Body Shop To Open Store In Nigeria. The retailer’s first store in West Africa will open in March. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)