British beauty insiders, professionals and influencers flocked to the 2024 CEW Beauty Awards Product Demonstration Event yesterday, held at the Business Design Centre in London. The annual showcase of over 200 brands entered for this year’s UK awards featured product demos and testing, visiting sponsor stalls and much networking among a high-profile crowd, which included brand founders, such as Ruby Hammer, and industry experts including presenter Alison Young, the face of QVC Beauty in the UK. 

In executive news, The Estée Lauder Companies has announced the departure of Deirdre Stanley, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, who will remain in her position until April 2, 2024. “Deirdre is a highly respected leader and colleague across our organization and industry,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and CEO. “She has made many significant contributions to the company through her business acumen, knowledge of the legal landscape, and thoughtful counsel.” Meanwhile, Marla Beck has been appointed permanent president and CEO of BeautyHealth — which owns Hydrafacial — having been its interim CEO since last November. She succeeds Andrew Stanleick who left the company last year. And, at Procter & Gamble, Markus Strobel, head of the company’s skin and personal care businesses, will retire on August 1.

Speaking of beauty innovation, the new Brownkind skin care range, founded by Abhijit and Gauri Desai, addresses the unique signs of aging experienced by people with melanin-rich skin. Primarily, the focus is on “pigmentation in the form of uneven skin tone, dullness or loss of radiance, patchiness and dark spots,” says Abhijit, a dermatologist based in Mumbai. In hair care, meanwhile, African Pride has debuted a new Feel It Formula, a four-step “sensory regimen”, infused with essential oils, formulated for chemical, relaxed, or transitioning hair types to rehydrate, restore damage and treat scalp irritation. “With our latest innovation, we’re not just offering products,” said Jazzmene Ford, marketing manager. “I am very thrilled to present a line that everyone can experience, despite hair type.”

When it comes to influencer marketing, platforms which allow content creators to put posts behind a paywall — such as Substack and Patreon — are likely to impact the way they work with brands, according to Business of Fashion. “If the trend continues, it will give influencers more control and autonomy over their careers, as well as the ability to be choosier with their brand partnerships,” it reports.

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

British Beauty Pack Flocks to the 2024 CEW Beauty Awards Product Demonstration Event. The annual showcase of over 200 brands drew a large crowd to the Business Design Centre in London, yesterday. (CEW UK)

African Pride Debuts Feel It Formula Hair Care. With a focus on wellness as much as hair care, the four-step routine caters to chemical, relaxed, or transitioning hair types. (HAPPI)

Brownkind Targets Signs of Aging In Melanin-Rich Skin. The new skin care brand, is dermatologist-founded by Abhijit and Gauri Desai. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

Deidre Stanley Departs The Estée Lauder Companies. The Executive Vice President and General Counsel has decided to embark on a new chapter, effective April 2, 2024. (THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES)

Marla Beck Appointed Permanent CEO Of BeautyHealth. Beck has been in the role on an interim basis since last November. (MARKET WIRE NEWS)

P&G’s Markus Strobel Retires. Strobel, who is head of the company’s skin and personal care businesses, will retire on August 1. (WWD)

Douglas Sets Share Price Ahead of IPO Listing. The European cosmetic retailer is expected to begin trading from March 21 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with prices ranging between 26 to 30 euros per share on approximately 32.7 million newly issued shares. (FASHION UNITED)

Examining The Paywall Effect. How will the trend for content creators putting their posts behind subscriber paywalls affect brand partnerships in future? (BUSINESS OF FASHION)