Gabriella TermineThe beauty business is having a global moment — and the money is following.
Investor appetite for India’s fast-growing beauty sector continues to intensify. RAS Luxury Skincare, the Indian farm-to-face brand, closed a 65 Crores, or $7.5 million, Series B funding round led by Dabur Ventures. Dabur Ventures is the venture arm of the largest Ayurvedic and natural health care company, Dabur India Ltd., which is India’s fourth-largest, fast-moving, consumer goods conglomerate. It operates in more than 60 countries, Unilever Ventures, Unilever’s global corporate venture capital arm, invested further into RAS this round. “This indicates a strong signal of continued institutional confidence in the brand’s trajectory and potential,” RAS said in a statement. (WWD)
Main Post Partners, a leading private equity investment firm focused on partnering with high-growth consumer brands, announced it has reached an agreement to sell DeMert Brands, parent company of Not Your Mother’s (“NYM” or the “Company”), to Henkel. Launched in 2010 by Rocky and Bethany Pagliarulo and based in Tampa, FL, Not Your Mother’s is a high-growth, modern hair care brand dedicated to transforming everyday routines with high-performance formulas that deliver results. The company has built a loyal consumer following through its targeted, benefit-led franchises addressing key hair needs including curl definition, texture and volume. Main Post invested in NYM in 2019 and partnered with the founders and management team to scale the business into the largest independently-owned mass hair care brand, achieving top brand rankings at key retail partners, broadening international distribution and garnering widespread industry and customer recognition.
The RAS Luxury Skin care deal comes on the heels of The Estée Lauder Cos. announcement to acquire the remaining stake in Forest Essentials, an Indian luxury skin care brand it first invested in back in 2008. The move reflects Estée Lauder’s long-term strategy to grow the brand and expand its global reach. Founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni, Forest Essentials is known for blending traditional Ayurvedic beauty practices with modern luxury products and retail experiences. The brand has grown to nearly 200 stores and is now considered India’s top prestige skin care brand. Estée Lauder said it believes strongly in the brand’s reputation, sustainability values, and integrated production model. Once the deal closes later this year, India is expected to become Estée Lauder’s largest emerging market. (Seeking Alpha)
Investment momentum isn’t limited to conglomerates. KYT Group, a consumer-focused investment firm, recently acquired professional skin care brand Glo Skin Beauty in a deal advised by TKO Miller. KYT Group is known for investing in and growing promising beauty and personal care brands, with experience tied to companies like HAUS LABS by Lady Gaga, The Honest Company, and Charlotte Tilbury. Glo Skin Beauty brings more than 25 years of clinical heritage, originally created for use in treatment rooms and medical spas before expanding into advanced at-home skin care products. Today, the brand sells premium skin care through professionals, direct-to-consumer channels, and major e-commerce platforms. With its presence already in more than 15 international markets, the acquisition supports KYT Group’s goal of accelerating global growth. (Global Cosmetics News)
As capital flows into emerging markets and fast-growing brands, the geography of the beauty industry is also shifting. South Florida is rapidly emerging as a premier global beauty industry hub, shifting from a consumer market to a command center for corporate leadership, manufacturing, and distribution, according to the South Florida Business Journal. Key drivers include the relocation of major companies like Galderma to Brickell, high concentrations of medical spas, and strategic access to Latin America. (South Florida Business Journal)
To read more about these articles, please click the headlines below.
RAS Luxury Skincare Raises $7.5 Million in Series B Funding
Main Post Partners Sells DeMert Brands, Parent of Not Your Mother’s Hair Care
Estée Lauder Acquires a Full Stake in Forest Essentials as India Becomes a Key Market
KYT Group Acquires Professional Skincare Brand Glo Skin Beauty
