Jenni Baden HowardThe wait is over. Over 1,0000 beauty power players will gather today at this year’s Beauty Expo at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, to celebrate more than 278 Finalists across 35 categories for CEW’s 2025 Beauty Awards program. Don’t miss all of the products on display for industry insiders “to swatch, sample, spritz, and experience firsthand,” writes CEW’s Andrea Nagel.
In breaking beauty headlines this morning, Sephora has unveiled its new, creator-powered affiliate platform. My Sephora Storefront will be integrated into Sephora.com and the Sephora app, enabling U.S.-based influencers to curate shoppable storefronts within the Sephora ecosystem. Meanwhile, The Gap Inc. said it plans to launch beauty at Old Navy this fall as well as accessories across its portfolio. The company has tapped an all-star beauty and fashion team for the venture, including Deb Redmond, John Demsey, Michele Parsons, and Reed Krakoff.
In product news, Bobbi Brown is to debut Jones Road’s first-ever lipstick, called The Classic Lip. Containing peptides and vitamin E for comfort and moisture, Brown told British Vogue that the formula provides a “satin finish that is as natural as a lipstick finish can get, while being flattering on all lip types.”
In other product news, Perricone MD is expanding into hair care, with the launch of a new product range targeting mature, dry, and damaged hair. The focus is on strength, repair, and hydration. “This launch is more than a category expansion — it’s a reflection of our commitment to meeting consumers where their needs are evolving,” commented Jennifer Trovel, Chief Marketing Officer at Perricone MD. “We saw an opportunity to bring our scientific credibility into the category, creating a haircare collection that empowers people to treat their hair with the same level of care and intention as their skin.”
WWD has a special report today on The Sol de Janeiro Foundation, which launched in 2024 with a pledge of $7 million, and its commitment to women and environmental protection. “Since then, $5.77 million in grants have already benefited the Atlantic and Amazon rainforests in Brazil, as well as the Girls Opportunity Alliance that has been disseminated to almost 70 organizations and up to 150,000 women globally,” reports WWD.
In U.K. beauty industry headlines, Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma has “paid herself dividends of more than £20m in the past year following the entrepreneur regaining full brand ownership from British business magnate Lord Alan Sugar,” reports Cosmetics Business.
Closer to home, Washington has become the first state to ban formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in beauty and personal care products, reports Beauty Matter. The new rule will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Read more about these news stories by clicking on the links below.
Beauty Expo Celebrates CEW’s 2025 Beauty Awards Finalists. The partners for this year’s prestigious event include New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Cosmoprof North America, Beauty New York, PIMS, WWD/Beauty Inc., RPG, Spa Chicks on the Go, and Tonnie’s Minis. (CEW)
Sephora Launches New Affiliate Program For Creators. “My Sephora Storefront represents both a distribution channel and a data-rich environment that could shift how products are discovered, endorsed, and sold in the U.S. prestige market,” reports Global Cosmetics News. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)
The Gap Inc. Bets Big on Beauty and Accessories. The retailer plans to launch beauty at Old Navy this fall in 150 stores and a Gap-branded beauty line in 2026; accessories, including handbags, jewelry and leather goods, will be unveiled in phases. (BUSINESS OF FASHION)
Jones Road Drops First Lipstick. The Classic Lip comes in 12 shades, designed to match The Lip Pencil colours. (BRITISH VOGUE)
Perricone MD Moves Into Hair Care. The new hair care range features four products designed to “enhance the look and feel of hair from root to tip.” (BEAUTY PACKAGING)
How The Sol de Janeiro Foundation Gives Back. “As it pertains to women and girls, there are so many ways to help empower and create access for this demographic,” said Angela Peterson, who leads the Foundation. “We’re funding organizations that create access and provide resources to women and girls to achieve their full potential.” (WWD)
Susie Ma, Tropic Skincare Founder, Pays Herself Over £20m After Buying Back Her Brand. “The payout came amid a bumper year of trading for the skin care business, founded in 2004, with pre-tax profit jumping 30% to £8.7m in 2024. Revenues also increased an estimated 8.75% to £68m compared with the same period in 2023,” reports Cosmetics Business. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
Washington Is First State To Ban Formaldehyde-Releasing Cosmetics Chemicals. “Washington’s move, combined with MoCRA implementation and parallel efforts in other states, intensifies the pressure on beauty brands to eliminate all traces of formaldehyde from their products,” reports Beauty Matter. (BEAUTY MATTER)
