Today at CEW, we’re celebrating 40 years of MAC’s iconic creativity, industry disruption, and charitable trailblazing by talking to André Branch, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MAC North America. “When you think about what MAC was founded on — sustainability, diversity, inclusion, artistry, giving back to the community — those things are as relevant today, if not more so, than they were when the brand was founded,” Branch told CEW reporter Celia Shatzman. Besides reflecting on the brand’s history, Branch hints at how MAC is looking to the future. “At retail, we’re reimagining the future of shopping for makeup,” he said. “We’re leading the transformation of beauty retail with a new and unique retail concept that is going to combine the physical and digital worlds to offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.”

In hair care news, Jaimee Lupton, founder of MONDAY Haircare and Osāna Naturals, has launched Being, a budget-friendly product range delivering formulas for all hair textures and types that will be sold in the U.S. exclusively at Walmart. “We know hair care isn’t one size fits all, and consumers deserve more than a blanket approach to products, which often ignores a myriad of hair types, textures and needs,” said the New Zealand-based beauty entrepreneur. “We offer fun, effective, solution-based haircare for hair types 1a to 4c, all under $7.”

Perfume brand The Maker, founded by Fresh co-founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, has secured its first investment from True Beauty Ventures, after reporting an annual turnover of $12 million. The duo sold Fresh to LVMH in 2000. Not ones to take a break, the duo opened The Maker Hotel in Hudson, New York, and launched a range of scents and candles that are now sold online at Sephora U.S. and Sephora Canada. The Maker is also sold at BlueMercury, Goop, and Bergdorf Goodman. “There’s something special about backing founders who’ve done it before,” said Rich Gersten, co-founder of True Beauty Ventures.

In other business news, Shiseido is reported by multiple industry sources to be interested in acquiring OSEA, the botanically-based product range, hot on the heels of its acquisition of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. Meanwhile, West Lane Capital Partners has bought Beauty Bakerie, and Unilever Ventures has invested a further $4 million in ESQA, the Indonesian vegan beauty brand.

When it comes to store brands, new sales data from Circana shows that the beauty category is leading growth, with an impressive 10% gain in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ending June 16, 2024.

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

MAC, Then And Now. CEW marks 40 years of MAC Cosmetics by talking to André Branch, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MAC North America. (CEW)

Being Hair Care Launches. The new budget hair care range, founded by the creator of MONDAY Haircare and Osāna Naturals, offers formulas for all hair textures and types. It will be sold exclusively available at Walmart. (PR NEWSWIRE)

First Investment In The Maker. After reporting an annual turnover of $12 million, the perfume brand founded by Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg has secured its first investment from True Beauty Ventures. (CHAILEEDO)

Shiseido Said To Be Exploring OSEA Acquisition. Hot on the heels of acquiring Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, the company is reported to be considering the acquisition of the mother and daughter brand. (WWD)

Beauty Bakerie Bought By West Lane Capital Partners. Terms of the deal remain undisclosed. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

Unilever Ventures Invests A Further $4 million In ESQA. The Indonesian vegan beauty brand was founded in 2016 by Cindy Angelina, CEO, and Kezia Trihatmanto, Chief Product Officer. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)

Beauty Blazes A Trail For Store Brands. New data from Circana shows that the beauty category dollar sales are up the most, by 10% for the 52 weeks ending June 16, 2024. (HAPPI)