While the runway and front row beauty looks from Paris Fashion Week are making headlines, in industry news, hair care brand Seen has raised a $9 million Series A funding. The company was founded by Dr. Iris Rubin, after the dermatologist discovered that her hair care regime was causing her skin to break out. Participants in the round included George Mrkonic, a board director of Ulta Beauty. “I am delighted to become an investor in Seen and believe they are setting a new standard for performance hair care,” he said. “Seen is applying skin science to hair care, which is exactly the kind of category-defining innovation that gets Ulta excited.”
In other breaking news, makeup brand Youthforia, founded by Fiona Co Chan, has appointed Oby Jemedafe as its new Product Development Director. The company, which received $400,000 investment from Mark Cuban last year, is hoping to recover from the viral backlash that followed the launch of its darkest foundation shade (since discontinued) this spring, sparking widespread controversy. “One of our priorities is to rebuild the trust of our community,” said Co Chan. “We’ve learned a lot from this process.” Jemedafe previously held positions at Uoma Beauty and as Marketing and Product Development Consultant for Cécred, Beyoncé’s hair care brand.
With sustainability in mind, Saie has launched a Climate Initiative, a three-year partnership with rePurpose Global, which aims to recover five million pounds of verified plastic, across coastlines in India, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Colombia. “As a lifelong lover of mother nature, I believe it’s our duty to be responsible for the impact we at Saie leave on the planet,” said Saie founder and CEO Laney Crowell. “My hope is that this unprecedented commitment inspires the beauty industry to clean up the 120 billion pieces of plastic we produce annually, and ultimately find a solution to our plastic addiction.”
In executive news, Noyz, the niche, Gen-Z-centric scent brand, has tapped Malena Higuera as its CEO. Previously, Higuera was General Manager of Urban Decay at L’Oréal, and has also been Senior Vice President of Marketing for L’Oréal Paris, as well as Global and U.S. General Manager for Dermablend Professional. And in manufacturing updates, Revolution Beauty has announced that it will manufacture products for its former CEO’s associated brands, Carbon Theory and Delhicious. The deal is anticipated to result in revenues and profits of £530,000 and £50,000 respectively.
Read more about these and other stories at the links below.
Seen Raises $9 Million Series A. The hair care brand founded by Dr. Iris Rubin has closed a $9 million Series A funding. (WWD)
Youthforia Appoints New Product Developer. The Mark Cuban-backed makeup company founded by Fiona Co Chan has tapped Oby Jemedafe as its new product development director. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)
Front Row Report From Paris. The international fashion and beauty pack has descended on the capital for Paris Week. (EVENING STANDARD)
Saie’s New Mission For Sustainability. The clean beauty brand has launched the Climate Initiative, which aims to recover five million pounds of verified plastic, across coastlines in India, Indonesia, Cameroon and Colombia. (HAPPI)
Malena Higuera Goes To Noyz. The niche fragrance brand has tapped the L’Oréal veteran as its CEO. (CHAILEEDO)
Revolution Beauty’s Manufacturing Move. The US make-up company will manufacture and supply products for Carbon Theory Limited and Delhicious. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone And Neutrogena Give Back. McLaughlin-Levrone and the skin care brand marked the first anniversary of of their partnership yesterday, by hosting a run club for young girls at at McLaughlin-Levrone’s alma mater – Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, N.JZ – from a non-profit organization, Girls on the Run. (SPORTSKEEDA)