New and Established Indie Brands Are Driving Growth In Beauty

The indie beauty industry is thriving, driven by 90s brands like Urban Decay that are becoming mainstream, as well as emerging brands focused on specific areas and needs, all fueled by social media. A June report from Tribe Dynamics stated that independent brands saw double-digit growth between 2009 and 2014, over four times the pace of the cosmetics market as a whole. Big beauty companies, like L’Oreal, and other large companies with ambitions in beauty, like Unilever, are also snapping up indie brands, but there are concerns about whether these new parents will retain the brands’ independence. The Internet is intensifying customer empowerment, with the younger generations particularly skeptical of advertising claims and more willing to accept influencer opinions and reviews. In return, the brands are improving transparency and communication. The Internet is also allowing brands to sell without retailer accounts, by launching direct-to-consumer platforms and leading engagement online. Tribe Dynamics highlights Anastasia Beverly Hills as the fastest growing brand with over $10 million in sales annually. It engages regularly with over 400 influencers and is in top spot at Instagram with more than 11.5 million followers. Retailers are realizing the indie brands’ appeal, with Sephora, for example, rolling out its indie brand distribution platform, Scouted by Sephora, in 2015.