Jenni Baden HowardIn breaking news, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has announced the appointment of Aude Gandon as its Chief Digital & Marketing Officer. In this newly created role, Gandon will “lead the transformation of the company’s digital, marketing and media ecosystem, shaping end-to-end strategies across its powerful brand portfolio, and will oversee global digital commerce,” according to an ELC press statement.
An iconic fragrance franchise is evolving. Ralph Lauren is expanding beyond its ‘Polo’ scent portfolio, with the launch of the new Ralph’s Club New York. Fronted by the musician Usher, the new men’s fragrance was created by Nadège Le Garlantezec and Shyamala Maisondieu, senior perfumers at Givaudan, with top notes including blackcurrant and mandarin.
Last night, at Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas, the winners of the Cosmoprof Awards (for Makeup & Nail Products, Green & Organic, Skin & Body Care, and Hair Products), along with the Cosmopack Awards (for Formulation and Packaging Design & Materials), were announced. Happi has a full listing of the winners in each category.
Here at CEW, we go behind the scenes of the Walmart beauty boom, as new pop-ups, premium brands and elevated store experiences are making it an omnichannel beauty presence to be reckoned with. With a new advertising campaign launching, “Walmart. Who Knew?”, starring actors Walton Goggins and Stephanie Beatriz, CEW reporter Faye Brookman sat down with Walmart’s VP of Beauty, Vinima K. Shekhar, to discuss the retailer’s beauty evolution. “We have an extensive assortment of premium brands, delivery in 30 minutes on everything such as a $10 mascara, and Beauty Bars [pop-ups held during the recent Walmart Beauty Event],” said Shekhar.
Global Cosmetics News reports that Macy’s, Inc. has announced that Macy’s Retail Holdings, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, “has priced a private offering of $500 million in 7.375% senior notes due August 1, 2033.” And, in international updates, L’Oréal has tapped Aseem Kaushik as its new Chairman and Country Manager of L’Oreal India, effective October 1, 2025. It has appointed Jacques Lebel as Country Manager.
Givenchy has revealed that its new global brand ambassador is Chinese actress Zhao Liying. The appointment marks the brand’s first celebrity partnership since the arrival of Sarah Burton at Givenchy, last November. Liying appears in her first campaign for Givenchy wearing the new Le Rouge Velvet Matte lipstick.
In other news, Jen Atkin’s Mane range of hair tools is expanding to include hair styling products and fragrance mists, making it more a fully-fledged lifestyle company.
Read more about these news stories by clicking on the links below.
The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) Appoints Aude Gandon As Its Chief Digital & Marketing Officer. “Aude is an exceptional and accomplished global marketing leader with extensive experience transforming major consumer-facing businesses in the digital age,” said Stéphane de La Faverie. “Her deep expertise across all facets of marketing—from brand strategy and creative development to digital transformation and data analytics—will be instrumental as we continue to build stronger consumer connections.” (THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES)
Ralph Lauren Launches Ralph’s Club New York. “Piper Sandler and Boston Consulting Group surveys conducted this spring both showed that teenage boys rank Ralph Lauren among their top 10 favorite fragrance brands,” reports WWD. “With this launch, the brand is doubling down on reaching young fragrance lovers.” (WWD)
Cosmoprof And Cosmopack Award Winners Announced. Award winners included, for Makeup & Nail Products, AGE20’s Signature Essence Pact, Aekyung Industrial, for Cosmoprof, and for Cosmopack, Artemisia Calming Serum, ICure Pharm & Cosmetics. (HAPPI)
Why Beauty Is Booming At Walmart. “The buzz around Walmart is palpable. Indie brands such as Lola from Rio are picking Walmart for their physical launch,” writes CEW reporter, Faye Brookman. (CEW)
Macy’s Retail Holdings, LLC Prices Private Offering. According to Global Cosmetics News, the offering is expected to close on July 29, 2025. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
L’Oréal Appoints New Chairman And Country Manager Of India. Aseem Kaushik will join L’Oreal India on October 1, 2025, and Jacques Lebel has been tapped as Country Manager. Lebel previously served as General Manager for L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division in Mexico, playing a key role in accelerating growth. (BEAUTY PACKAGING)
Zhao Liying Is Givenchy’s Latest Star. The 37-year-old new global ambassador has appeared in TV and film roles, including Wild Bloom (2022), for which she gained a “Best Actress” award. (FASHION NETWORK)
Jen Atkin’s Mane Expands Into Lifestyle. “We started by building trust with our community – tools got us traction, Jen brought credibility and our Sephora partnership gave us the stage,” commented Mane CEO Rachel Jonas Gilman. “Once we had momentum, we knew the next chapter was about completing the routine. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
