Elements Showcase, a highly-curated trade show for established and emerging artisans in fragrance and skin care, produced an event in Manhattan last week at the Skylight West’s Hudson Yards’ showroom that drew more than 60 vendors to exhibit their wares. The event, which happens twice a year, has become well known within the beauty community, especially as niche, luxury and artisan brands continue to drive sales within the prestige beauty market. Attendees range from department store and museum shop buyers, to design, lifestyle and fashion boutique owners looking for beauty’s next up and comers.

February’s show, held February 4 to February 6, explored the academy of nature. Exhibitors were put into categories reflective of “metals of antiquity”: Gold, Silver, Lead and Mercury, among others. For example, fine fragrances such as Absolument Parfumeur, Kat Burki, Morph Italia and Grandiflora represented Gold, while Silver was made up of cosmetic folks including Ellis, Kjae Weis, Londontown and MINE Luxury nail lacquers.

Based out of the Hudson Valley, MINEwas one of the most spectacular new products at the show, in terms of packaging and design. Veleta Vancza, an artist, goldsmith and enamellist, released a nail line based on rich colors exclusively pigmented with the finest raw materials and precious metals, such as 24-karat gold, pewter and graphite. Seven years in the making, each item is hand-mixed and poured into a hand-crafted Austrian crystal bottle, which range in price from $100 to $500.

“The biggest challenge was the packaging,” said Veleta. “What’s in the polish is so exquisite we really needed the packaging to be as worthy as what’s inside. And I’d never seen a crystal bottle for a nail polish before.”

According to beauty website beautypress.com, Londontown exhibited their clever nail care brand that started from owner Natasha Dillon’s grandmother’s original nail remedies. Kur is the name of the nail treatment system and Lakur is the name of the color nail polish line. Complete with their Strengthening Lacquer Remover, Nail Hardener, Protective Top Coat, Nourishing Cuticle Oil and Restorative Nail Cream, Kur Nail Treatment System by Londontown is designed to have hands and nails refreshed in no time.

Meanwhile, Kjaer Weis exhibited their Intelligent Refill System, a concept that asks consumers to invest in refillable and gorgeous packaging, and once done with the first product, the only thing necessary to purchase is the refill, beautypress.com said.

The Lead category was composed of men’s grooming products, with brands represented by CRW Distribution, including hairbond’s Sculptor, Moulder, Distorter and Shaper styling items, to handy Dude Wipes, refreshing wipes designed for men needing a quick freshen up between the office and an evening out, said beautypress.com.

As with each show, most participants came with hopes and goals. Located in Maine, Portland General Store has been manufacturing natural men’s grooming products in skin care, beard care, aromatherapy and smelling salts, and the 40-sku line will now have some competition. Before creating Rayman, Ray Simons created high-end skin care for ladies.Eight years ago he switched gears and formulated an organic multi-use product for men. “The scalp can get chapped, cracked and red,” he said, running his hand over his bald, but well-conditioned scalp. “It’s also a face moisturizer and shaving oil.” Only six months in the making, Rayman contains ingredients such as argan oil, sandalwood oil, antioxidants and minerals.

The Mercury section of the event consisted of skin care, bath and body brands including Rouge Bunny Rouge, which beautypress.com said introduced extensions of their Fragrant Confections collection with a light and crispy scent, Allegria; and Muse, a more muddled amber scent. Rouge Bunny Rouge offers a unisex line called Provence Tales and an extensive color collection. For this spring/summer they’re debuting the Raw Garden Palette. Then there’s Indie Lee, who was exhibiting her Indie Lee skin care line. Newly launched products include Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash and the Sweet Almond Massage Oil.

Regardless of one’s expectations, Elements’ organizer Frederick Bouchardy, a manufacturer and designer, who, along with business partners Ulrich Lang and Jeffrey Lawson, have always aimed for Elements to accomplish a consistent goal.

“The show is meant to have the cohesiveness and aesthetics of an art fair, paired with the feeling of an intimate gathering,” he explained. “We’re setting up the vendors for long-term relationships instead of one night stands. It’s not a giant trade show. These people are all vetted, the exhibitors and the visitors.”