Facebook, Instagram Invest To Help Beauty Companies Reach Consumers

Facebook and Instagram are emerging as powerful platforms for sellers of beauty products. Both platforms are rich with beauty content and Facebook (which owns Instagram) is investing to help beauty companies reach beauty consumers. AI, and especially its face recognition software, is enabling Facebook to better target user interests. It is also letting businesses have “real-time, one-to-one conversations with their customers over Messenger” (Karin Tracy, head of industry for beauty, fashion, luxury and retail, Facebook). Instagram Stories proved an effective way to deliver fun and behind-the-scenes content to young, mobile users. The number of followers on IS has grown rapidly, now standing at 300 million with more than a third of the most viewed stories provided by businesses. Facebook is also beta testing and trialing with Sephora an AR-enabled camera effects for use in Messenger. 

"Facebook Builds Beauty Without Boundaries", Women’s Wear Daily, May 29, 2018

Beauty Brands Should Consider AI, Personalization, To Adapt To Industry Changes

Beauty brands should take advantage of developments such as artificial intelligence, personalization, and the rise of indie brands in order to adapt to a changing market. According to Terry Young of Sparks & Honey, beauty brands should try to emulate the success of Instagram, Amazon, and Netflix by thinking “exponentially" rather than incrementally to create a competitive edge in the industry. Young, who is the CEO of the cultural consultancy company, said brands can achieve a 10X status by offering more personalized experiences, customized products, and actively engaging smaller brands in the fragmented, yet rapidly growing, marketplace. 

"Beauty Needs to Keep Up With the Speed of Change", Women’s Wear Daily, May 29, 2018

Sephora Employs Five Digital Tools To Give Customers Personalized Omni-Channel Experience

Beauty retailer Sephora uses five ways to provide customers with personalized services and tools, according to chief engineering officer Raghu Sagi. With everything starting with what the customer wants, the company lets customers virtually try on products through its Virtual Artist virtual reality tool. Launched in 2017, the Beauty Insider Community provides a virtual social network for customers, allowing them to link up with each other, ask questions, and receive recommendations. Whenever a customer approaches a Sephora store, the company's mobile app becomes the Store Companion tool which offers customers tips and product recommendations. 

"5 ways Sephora creates a seamless customer experience", National Retail Federation, July 23, 2018

Avon Names Conversano Head Of Company's Expanded Digital Operations

Avon Products, Inc. announced the appointment of Benedetto Conversano as SVP and Chief Digital and Information Technology Officer effective September 3, 2018. Conversano will succeed GVP and Chief Information Officer Sue Liddie and will assume additional duties and responsibilities as head of the company's digital strategy. He was Chief Global Information Officer at Jeronimo Martins where he was in charge of the international food, health and beauty retailer's B2C transformation.

"Avon to step change digital with appointment of new Chief Digital Officer", PR Newswire , July 30, 2018

Aloette Cosmetics Launches A-List Loyalty Program With Subscription Boxes

Aloette Cosmetics said it has launched Aloette A-List, a loyalty program exclusive for members only. Featuring bi-monthly subscription boxes, the program also provides members with product discounts and offers, as well as for-their-eyes-only updates. Priced at $19.95 per month, the subscription box is valued up to $150 and comes filled with full-sized Aloette products and a surprise gift.

"Aloette Cosmetics Announces the Launch of A-List, An Exclusive Beauty…", Virtual-Strategy Magazine, August 02, 2018

Clarisonic Has Unveiled Two New Skincare Devices

L’Oréal’s Clarisonic brand has launched two new skin care devices: Mia Smart and Mia Prima. Mia Smart uses the Clarisonic sonic technology to offer anti-aging and makeup applications, with personalization provided by a mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Mia Prima is a 60-second daily face cleansing tool for all skin types. Clarisonic was founded on blending technology with beauty, and these two new tools come some 15 years after it introduced its first device. The recommended retail price for the Mia Smart is $199 and the Mia Prima $99.

"Clarisonic Introduces Mia Connected Skin Care Tools", homeworldbusiness.com , August 08, 2018

Chanel Launches New Male Beauty Line, Starting In South Korea

In September, Chanel will launch its first male beauty line, Boy de Chanel, in South Korea. It will feature three products: a lip balm, eyebrow pencil and a tinted fluid. The line will also be rolled out online from November on the Chanel site. The range is named after Gabrielle Chanel’s lover, Boy Capel.

"Chanel Set To Launch First Men’s Beauty Line Boy De Chanel In South Korea", Global Cosmetics News, August 23, 2018

L’Occitane Is Opening A Concept Store In New York

The L’OCCITANE Group is opening a concept store for its L’OCCITANE en Provence brand on Fifth Avenue, New York. The natural cosmetics brand aims to provide a destination that will communicate to visitors its key features and encourage consumer engagement. The brand is following a “glocal” approach in creating exclusive brand experiences and has recently opened new concept flagship destinations in France, Brazil, China, Singapore, Canada and the United Kingdom. The Paris store, for example, offers food inspired by some of the brand’s iconic ingredients. Christina Polychroni, the brand’s North American Chief Marketing & E-Commerce Office, says that visitors to the New York store can use immersive installations to explore the brand’s history and signature products.

"L’OCCITANE raises the bar on customer experience and disrupts New York’s Fifth Avenue with its new experiential concept store", World Press OnLine, August 23, 2018