Jenni Baden HowardBack-to-school beauty has taken on a whole new meaning, reports WWD, with an increasing number of brands hosting pop-ups and other activations on college campuses across the US. “With brands increasing their focus on Gen Z consumers, colleges have become a crucial place for many to market,” reports WWD. Companies who have got on board with the on-campus trend include Bath & Body Works, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Bubble, and Poppi.
In financial headlines this morning, Kohl’s has reported a slight decline in its quarter’s sales, although it has seen “improved gross margin performance, strengthened cash flow, and confirmed Michael J. Bender as its new CEO while raising its full-year 2025 outlook,” according to Global Cosmetics News.
In beauty executive news, hot on the heels of its recent rebrand and the launch of its new Serum Drops, Weleda UK has tapped Aneurin Smith as its new Managing Director for its Cosmetics arm. He will oversee the Swiss natural beauty brand’s natural and organic cosmetics division in the UK, taking over at the helm from current Managing Director, Jayn Sterland. Smith has over 15 years of senior beauty executive experience, having served as General Manager and Global Commercial Director at L’Occitane Group, and was Global Business Development Director at the No7 Beauty Company.
Coty has plans to make a splash in 2026 with a series of new fragrance releases, across Infiniment Coty Paris, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Adidas and Marc Jacobs. “The new fragrances come as Coty enters its next phase of its transformation, which company CEO Sue Nabi says is about “clarity and focus”,” reports Happi. “She said the fragrance category continues to outperform the global beauty market and already drives the majority of company revenues and profits.”
The filmmaker behind some of the most iconic and cinematic fragrance and beauty ads, Thomas Kelly, is spotlighted in a special report by Film Daily. “When luxury brands invest millions in a campaign, every frame must do more than showcase a product. It must embody identity, spark emotion, and leave a visual legacy,” it reports. “For over a decade, international director Thomas Kelly has been the creative partner entrusted by the world’s top beauty houses to deliver exactly that.”
Read more about these news stories by clicking on the links below.
Why Beauty Brands Are Popping Up On College Campuses. “Over 75 percent of folks around that just-before-college age are already using skin care and fragrance on a daily basis and are spending 50 percent more than prior generations, and 60 percent of them are already buying prestige,” Jeff Lindquist, a partner in Boston Consulting Group’s New York office, told WWD. “Even teen boys are buying prestige fragrance.” (WWD)
Kohl’s Reports Q3 Sales. “Kohl’s also reconfirmed the appointment of Michael J. Bender as CEO, effective immediately, following his tenure as interim CEO since May 2025,” reports Global Cosmetics News. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
Weleda UK Appoints Aneurin Smith As Managing Director For Cosmetics. “With the 100-year anniversary of Skin Food next year, it is a truly special moment to accelerate the next chapter for Weleda’s cosmetics business, driving growth while staying true to the authenticity and values that make this brand so unique,” said Smith. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
Coty To Make A Fragrant Splash In 2026. “To maximize growth prospects, Coty says it plans to initiate organizational changes to drive closer integration and coordination between Prestige & Consumer Beauty fragrances, which account for 69% of Coty’s sales, officials said,” reports Happi. (HAPPI)
Thomas Kelly, Beauty’s Iconic Filmmaker, In The Spotlight. “Kelly has built his reputation by transforming beauty and fashion campaigns into cinematic experiences. His work spans the industry’s most influential names: Armani Beauty, L’Oréal Paris, MAC Cosmetics, Shiseido, Estée Lauder, Givenchy, Chanel, and Garnier,” reports Film Daily. (FILM DAILY)
