Jenni Baden HowardIn breaking news, Coty has announced a wave of leadership changes. Jérôme Auvinet has been promoted to the role of Chief Information, Digital Innovation & Business Services Officer, Stéphane Delbos has been tapped as Chief Performance and Operational Excellence Officer, and the company has appointed Fatima Zahri as Chief Procurement Officer.
Also making headlines, Givaudan has seen a positive half-year of trading in 2025, including an “outperformance” of its fine fragrance category. The Swiss company reported a 10% overall increase in sales. Speaking of scent, the fragrance world is mourning the loss of Jean Kerléo, former Jean Patou Perfumer and c-founder of Osmothèque. “His name is inseparably linked to the revival of the Jean Patou brand and, more broadly, to a deep respect for the preservation of perfumery heritage,” reports Fragrantica.
In acquisitions news, Waldencast plc, the brand platform with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup in its portfolio, has announced that it has acquired Novaestiq Corp., a firm which specializes in aesthetic and medical dermatological innovations.
Here at CEW, we sat down with Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, to talk about the retailer’s pioneering Quiet Hours initiative, designed to create a calmer beauty shopping experience for neurodiverse shoppers. “Sensory overload isn’t just about sound – it’s also about light and motion,” Boyd told CEW, who reports that the twelve week pilot program has been a big success. “By dimming lights and reducing digital screen activity, we’re creating a space that feels gentler on the senses. These small changes make a big difference in helping more people feel at ease and able to enjoy the beauty experience our stores offer on their own terms.”
With online retail in mind, WWD talked to Christos Garkinos about the live fashion and beauty shopping platform he is looking to make “the “Netflix of Shopping”. Garkinos brought on board his friend, beauty editor Kelly Atterton, to help lead the trail-blazing vertical which WWD describes as “part QVC, part trunk show and rooted in engagement.”
In product innovation news, French makeup artist Violette Serrat, founder of VIOLETTE_FR, has unveiled Balm Amour, a lip balm/treatment hybrid which has been six years in the making. And, in tech updates, L’Oréal Turkey has teamed up with AdCreative.ai, owned by the Appier Group, to “transform its creative production process using next-generation generative technology,” according to Beauty Packaging.
Read more about these news stories by clicking on the links below.
Coty Makes Leadership Changes. “The leadership restructure highlights Coty’s strategic commitment to digital transformation, operational efficiency, and procurement excellence as it continues to position itself competitively in the evolving beauty landscape, reports Global Cosmetics News. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
Givaudan Sees 10% Sales Increase In Half-Year Of 2025 Trading. Givaudan CEO Gilles Andrier commented: “We are very pleased with our continued strong financial performance in the first half of 2025, despite an environment with ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges.” (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
Fragrance World Mourns The Loss Of Jean Kerléo. The legendary perfumer began his career at the age of 22 in New York with Helena Rubinstein. (FRAGRANTICA)
Waldencast plc Acquires Novaestiq Corp. According to Global Cosmetic Industry, “The acquisition significantly expands Obagi Medical’s portfolio beyond medical-grade skin care into the U.S. dermal filler market, which is projected to reach $2 billion by 2029, per Waldencast.” (GLOBAL COSMETIC INDUSTRY)
Christos Garkinos On Scaling His Live Shopping Empire. “It’s definitely a big growth area for us,” said Garkinos of the beauty side of the live shopping platform. (WWD)
Sephora UK’s Quiet Hours Transform Shopping For Neurodiverse Customers. “It’s incredibly exciting – and deeply meaningful – for all of us at Sephora UK,” Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, told CEW. “We know the impact something like this can have, and to be the first global beauty retailer to pilot Quiet Hours is a milestone moment that shows our commitment to listen, evolve, and lead with intention.” (CEW)
Say Bonjour To Balm Amour. “I began the journey to develop Balm Amour six years ago,” said Violette Serrat, founder of VIOLETTE_FR, of the new lip balm treatment, which drops today. “I teamed up with the lab, tested countless samples, and kept going until it was just right.” (VIOLETTE_FR)
L’Oréal Turkey Partners With AdCreative.ai. “This partnership isn’t just about automating workflows. It’s about enabling bold creativity and smarter marketing, and we’re proud to support L’Oréal Turkey as they lead that charge.” Chih-Han Yu, CEO and Co-founder of Appier. (BEAUTY PACKAGING)
