L'Oréal Showcases Beauty Technology Innovations At Industry Event

L'Oréal exhibited a number of its latest digital services and products at the Viva Technology Paris 2018 in May. The ‘New Beauty Experience’ highlighted how the beauty company is incorporating new technology, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, for personalization, new services and connected devices. Examples include try-on beauty using its recently-acquired Modiface AR platform; a smart mirror; virtual hair color try-on technology using 3D AI, for the Professionnel Division; a digital voice-based butler for the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert brand; a virtual mirror with a direct link to Alibaba’s Tmall platform in China; customized skin care for SkinCeuticals called Custom D.O.S.E; a new shower concept from La Roche-Posay; and a salon-based scalp and hair diagnostic test for the Kérastase brand.

"8 leading augmented reality innovations for beauty: L’Oréal’s latest efforts", Cosmetics Design Europe, May 25, 2018

L’Oreal Receives Approval To Buy Bon-Ton Stores Mailing List

French beauty brand L’Oreal has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to acquire customer data from bankrupt department store chain The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. L’Oreal has agreed to pay $312,900 for the information after winning the right to buy the mailing list in an auction in July 2018. However, the purchase price could still change, with L’Oreal having to pay 35 cents per customer if the customer count falls below 894,000.

"L’Oréal USA, CSC Ink Deals for Bon-Ton’s IP Assets", Women’s Wear Daily, September 07, 2018

Paula’s Choice Faces Fan Discontent And Growing Competition From New Skincare Brands

Skincare brand Paula’s Choice is facing growing consumer complaints over some steps taken by the company and its founder Paula Begoun. After the company was acquired by private equity firm TA Associates in 2016, Begoun was replaced by Tara Poseley as chief executive officer in 2017. Negative consumer reaction began when the company started raising the prices of its products and after the company launched an eye cream. Also, the direct-to-consumer brand is facing growing competition from emerging skincare brands, such as The Ordinary, Cosrx, and Drunk Elephant. According to Poseley, the company urgently needed a rebranding and speeding up the rate it brings new products to the market.

"The Original Internet Beauty Brand Is Under Attack", Beauty of Fashion, September 08, 2018

Subscription Service MoonBox Sells Beauty And Holistic Well-Being

MoonBox offers a subscription box service that includes beauty and personal care products that consumers can use depending on the lunar cycle. Company founders Paula Pavlova and Katie Huang believe there is an incredible potential market in the “growing intersection of holistic wellness and beauty”. For them, beauty and wellness are linked to an increase in demand for products that offer mental wellness in addition to the usual physical benefits.

"MoonBox: a look at the metaphysical beauty movement", Cosmetics Design Europe, September 11, 2018

Rituals Cosmetics Plans To Open Kings Cross Store In London

Rituals Cosmetics plans to open a new store at London’s Kings Cross train station. Part of the beauty brand’s efforts to attract tourists, the store will offer customers with a “unique and immersive” shopping experience. According to the  company, the store will embody the company’s holistic and well-being ethos.

"Rituals entices tourists with new Kings Cross store", Cosmetics Business, September 12, 2018

Pharmacies Go Beyond Selling Medication, Transform Into Wellness Centers

Drugstores are expanding their lineups of products and services to address the shift in consumer concept of health and wellness. According to the 2017 report, “Well Economy,” by JWT Intelligence, 77 percent of respondents link health with physical condition; however, 75 percent say mental health comes to mind when they think of health. Also, only 17 percent of consumers seek out prescribed medication when they are ill. Casino Group partnered with L’Oreal in June 2018 to launch Le Drugstore Parisien in Paris where customers can avail themselves of personal care services, including light therapy, dry cleaning, and shoe shining. In August 2018, pharmacy chain CVS launched BeautyIRL, a retail concept designed to highlight the company’s locations as beauty destinations where customers can receive treatments, test products, and access information about new brands.

"The destination drugstore", JWT Intelligence, September 12, 2018

Natura Cosmeticos Proposes Takeover Of Struggling Avon Products

Brazil-based beauty company Natura Cosmeticos SA has expressed its interest to acquire Avon Products Inc. With its market value having dropped to $900 million, the once powerful direct-sales beauty brand has gained the interest of other companies seeking to take over the company. For its part, Avon has been focused on turning its business around and resuscitating its shares.

"Brazil’s Natura Recently Approached Avon About a Takeover", Wall Street Journal, September 17, 2018

Perfect365 Allows Users To Earn Kin Cryptocurrency When Using App

Perfect365 has announced its integration of Kin, the cryptocurrency for consumer apps, allowing the company to become the only augmented reality beauty platform to offer built-in ways to transact using the cryptocurrency. Users of the Perfect365 app will be able to earn Kin within the app and use it to buy premium Perfect365 features. According to Perfect365, the move also aims to encourage women to use cryptocurrencies.

"Perfect365 to Integrate Kin and Bring Cryptocurrency to Beauty Enthusiasts", Business Wire , September 19, 2018