Prada is relaunching its Les Infusions line of fragrances. Relying on a social media push, the campaign includes a video highlighting the ingredients found in the fragrance range. When viewed online, the video includes various interactive features that allow viewers to control the pace of the video's playback. After viewing the video, consumers gain access to a website loaded with information about the fragrances.

Coty Inc. chairman and CEO Bart Becht said he believes he is the right man to lead his company and the $12.5 billion beauty brands the company has agreed to buy from Procter & Gamble. Replying to some industry analysts' lack of confidence in his ability to manage the merged company, Becht said he has no plans of recruiting somebody else to lead the company. Becht said the company might hire a new leader in the future, but there was no immediate timeframe for that. He has had significant experience in overseeing and running mergers, including the marriage between Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser in 1999.

Estee Lauder Cos. stands to benefit from rival Coty Inc.'s acquisition of several beauty brands from Procter & Gamble Co., according to market analysts. With Coty expected to be busy consolidating the ex-P&G beauty brands, Estee Lauder will see less competition and likely lower prices for other beauty brands available for acquisition in the future. In 2014, Estee Lauder had its most active year for acquisition deals, with the company expected to continue going after niche and luxury brands that would help it expand its market share further.

Procter & Gamble said it has signed a definitive agreement to merge 43 of its beauty brands with Coty Inc. Under a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, the deal includes P&G's global salon hair care and color, retail hair color, cosmetics, and fine fragrance businesses. Some of the company's hairstyling brands are also included in the deal. Valued at $12.5 billion, the RMT deal provides P&G shareholders with a tax-efficient way of divesting the company's beauty brands, while minimizing annual earnings dilution, the company said.

Beauty brand Smashbox partnered with YouTube vloggers to launch Made at Smashbox, a digital marketing campaign. As part of the launch highlights, YouTube “influencers” were given opportunities to mix and create their own lip gloss, with the brand pledging to produce 100 samples of each color the vloggers could hand out to their friends and fans. Made in partnership with The Collective Digital Studio, the campaign highlights Smashbox's marketing strategy that relies mainly on digital and social media platforms.

Unilever has partnered with British conservation organization WWF to boost consumer involvement to end deforestation globally, especially in Brazil and Indonesia. A basic goal of the one-year alliance is to protect a million trees. The partnership has created a Web site where consumers are invited to pledge their support. In August the partners will launch a social media campaign in the U.K., Brazil, Indonesia and the U.S. to engage consumers in the fight against deforestation. One of the pillars of the Web site’s effort is a campaign to make consumers aware of recycling opportunities in bathrooms.

Hugo Boss said it will launch the Boss The Scent fragrance for men at the end of August 2015. According to the company, the perfume's composition begins with a spicy note of ginger. Maninka fruit is mixed with tones of lavender in the heart to create a sensual scent, the company said. Also, the base intensive leather represents magnetic masculinity.

France-based lifestyle brand Lalique launched the Living Lalique fragrance for women. Inspired by the Art Deco movement, the perfume comes in a bottle designed to represent the spirit of the art movement. In addition to tonka bean, sandalwood, and cashmere wood, the fragrance includes notes of bergamot, black pepper, and nutmeg. Living Lalique is created and designed by perfumer Richard Ibanez and is available in two crystal bottles and a limited-edition carafe that comes with a gold leaf decoration.

Unilever said it has agreed to acquire clinical skincare brand Murad. Founded in 1989 in Los Angeles by dermatologist, pharmacist, and UCLA professor Howard Murad, the brand aims to provide consumers with “proven, efficacious products.” Murad developed products based on a recipe of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and hydrators. These products are designed to deal with virtually all skincare problems, such as acne and aging. Unilever's acquisition of Murad follows recent deals for the Dermalogica, Kate Somerville, and REN brands.

Unilever said it has agreed to acquire Dermalogica, the leading professional skincare brand in the world. Launched in 1986 in Los Angeles, Dermalogica skincare products are sold in more than 80 countries. Also, the company offers own-brand products and products for professional skincare therapists. Dermalogica, which reported revenue of $240 million in 2014, will become a part of Unilever's Prestige division.

Fragrance company Yardley London partnered with horticulture company Perennial to create the Yardley London Perennial Garden for the 2015 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Influenced by the 1840 book “Gardening for Ladies,” by Jane Louden, the garden is described as reflecting the floral fragrance of Yardley London's new Contemporary Classics range of fragrances. Yardley London reformulated, repackaged, and relaunched the range, which includes English Lavender, English Rose, and Lily of the Valley.

Cosmetics brand Lush is involved in a YouTube address dispute with video blogger Matthew Lush. Google, owner of the online video site, claimed the decision to award the right to use the “Lush” address was made by an algorithm. For its part, the brand said it had not requested to gain control of the Lush address, which has been used by the blogger since 2005. Fans of the video blogger are calling on Google to return the right to the address to Matthew Lush.

Unilever partnered with JDO Brand Design & Innovation to relaunch the Dove haircare brand with new packaging in Japan. Dove was first launched in Japan in 2011, and after a few years needed a rebranding to reconnect with consumers. JDO was told to design new packaging for the brand that would communicate a step change for Dove. To comply with the brand's requirements, JDO created a design that highlighted Dove as an “expert in superior moisture solutions.”

Birchbox's customers increase their spending on the online retailer's products by 38 percent after signing up for the company's beauty samples subscription service. However, according to data from Slice, other beauty retailers also benefit from this trend, with Sephora seeing a 5 percent boost and Ulta seeing a 6 percent gain among Birchbox's subscribers. Birchbox CEO Katia Beauchamp said she is happy that her company's subscription service helps other beauty retailers' businesses; however, Birchbox's loyalty program, which offers referral bonuses and points, helps ensure that subscribers head to the company's online store first before visiting those of its rivals.

Shiseido Co., Ltd., appointed Louis Desazars as president and CEO of Shiseido Europe Region, which covers Europe, Africa, and Middle East, effective September 1, 2015. At the same time, Desazars will function as president and CEO of Beaute Prestige International S.A., Shiseido Group's designer fragrance business. NARS Cosmetics SVP of global marketing Barbara Calcagni will succeed Desazars as president of the company.