Jenni Baden HowardToday show host Jenna Bush Hager is making headlines this morning with the news that she has partnered with ResortPass, the spa booking app. WWD describes it as “a collaboration that aims to rewrite the laws of not just motherhood, but the gamut of self care, by encouraging people to hit the reset button on their busy lives with treatments and daylong staycations, alone or with friends and family.”
Paving the way for a more sustainable beauty future, Danish biotech firm Cellugy has received a $9.25 million grant (8.1 million euros) from the European Union to eliminate the use of microplastics in personal care formulations. Using alternative, bio-based ingredients, Cellugy’s materials have a range of uses, from enhancing the efficacy of organic UV filters (EcoFlexy Sun SPF), to creating product viscosity, and providing a “luxurious skin feel” (EcoFlexy Rheo).
Speaking of innovation, the CEW June 2025 Product Watch Beauty has dropped, showcasing the month’s newcomers of note, across all categories. CEW reporter Polly Blitzer unpacks the newness, which includes impressive, science-based skin care, the return of a lipstick icon in a new shade for summer 2025, and a just-launched DTC brand offering perfectly portable and sustainable skin care.
In executive news, Ulta Beauty has tapped Chris Lialios as its Interim Chief Financial Officer, after Paula Oyibo stepped down. Lialios, who has been Ulta Beauty’s Senior Vice President – Controller since 2018, will take over the helm as the interim CFO, effective immediately. Ulta is now looking externally for a permanent replacement, with the assistance of an executive search firm, according to Global Cosmetics News. In other breaking news, Kenvue has announced that it will be cutting 69 positions from its new company HQ in Summit, New Jersey. “The layoffs are estimated to occur between October 10 and December 19 of this year,” reports Beauty Packaging.
Chain Store Age (CSA), which provides retail news and analysis for executives across all sectors, celebrated 20 outstanding female executives at its 2025 Retail’s Top Women Awards presentation, which it hosted virtually yesterday. Female leaders were recognized in corporate leadership, technology, marketing, supply chain and finance. Among those honored were Barbie Cameron, chief stores officer, Macy’s (corporate leadership); Samantha Abrams, global VP, omnichannel & digital in-store excellence; Sephora (technology), and Susan Chason, VP, accounting, Ulta Beauty (finance).
Ren Clean Skincare, the British beauty company being shuttered by its owner, Unilever, has announced the final date that shoppers can purchase products from its official website.
Read more about these news stories by clicking on the links below.
Jenna Bush Hager Partners With ResortPass App. “I think it’s important to have these experiences in the real world and not live everything on social media and our phones,” Bush Hager told WWD. “For me personally, it’s my goal to have a summer where I’m doing less swiping and more living.” (WWD)
Danish Biotech Firm Cellurgy Blazes A Trail For Sustainable Beauty. The company has received a $9.25 million grant (8.1 million euros) from the European Union to eliminate the use of microplastics. EcoFlexy Color, for example, enriches the true color of pigments in cosmetics. (HAPPI)
CEW June 2025 Product Watch Drops. Newcomers of note spotlighted in our report include the introduction Clinique’s Nude Honey, a new shade in its Almost Lipstick collection. (CEW)
Ulta Beauty Taps Chris Lialios As Interim Chief Financial Officer. Lialios joined Ulta in 1999, and has held a range of senior roles in finance and accounting. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
Kenvue Announces New Layoffs In New Jersey HQ. “This decision is a part of Kenvue’s transition and consolidation to its new Global HQ in Summit,” reports Beauty Packaging. (BEAUTY PACKAGING)
Chain Store Age Honors 20 Outstanding Female Executives. “The recipients of CSA’s Retail’s Top Women Awards are leaders in every sense of the word,” commented Chain Store Age editor-in-chief Marianne Wilson. (CHAIN STORE AGE)
Ren Announces Website Closure Date. Ren Clean Skincare shared the news via Instagram, stating that “You can still shop with us over at renskincare.com until 31 July 2025.” (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
