From Macy’s upgraded outlook and THG’s TikTok-fuelled growth to new L’Oréal–Cosmax innovation and expansion across India and Morocco, that was last week in beauty.
BLOOMINGDALE’S AND BLUEMERCURY LIFT MACY’S Q2 AS OUTLOOK IMPROVES
Macy’s has raised its full-year 2026 guidance after second-quarter comparable sales rose 2.7%, with growth across Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury. Group net sales increased 1.1% to $4.9 billion, with Bloomingdale’s the strongest performer at 11.3% comparable growth and Bluemercury up 6.2%, while GAAP net income nearly doubled to $169 million, boosted partly by $116 million in tariff refunds.
LOOKFANTASTIC FUELS THG GROWTH AS SKINCARE AND TIKTOK SHOP SURGE
Lookfantastic drove THG Beauty’s 5.9% revenue growth to £500.2 million in H1 2026, with skincare sales up 17.4% year-to-date and TikTok Shop revenue rising 26% year-on-year, while the retailer added over 50 new brands and acquired more than 64,000 new customers through K-beauty. Loyalty membership increased 9%, with around 90% of beauty revenue from returning customers, though new EU customs charges are expected to weigh on performance in the short term.
L’ORÉAL AND COSMAX PARTNER ON NEXT-GEN BEAUTY INNOVATIONS
L’Oréal and South Korean cosmetics ODM Cosmax have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop next-generation beauty products, ingredients and sensory innovations for the global market. The partnership will focus on K-beauty-inspired products, new cosmetic raw materials and active ingredients, and new sensory signatures and formats, combining L’Oréal’s beauty science with Cosmax’s agile R&D capabilities.
HINDUSTAN UNILEVER INCREASES CAPEX TO EXPAND IN HIGH-GROWTH SEGMENTS
Hindustan Unilever plans to increase capital expenditure from around 2% to 3% of turnover under its “Winning in New India” strategy, directing more than 75% of future capex toward growth and savings initiatives with a focus on premiumisation and quick commerce. The company is targeting expansion into adjacent high-growth categories including skincare and male grooming, having already acquired digital-first skincare brand Minimalist to strengthen its position in India’s evolving consumer market.
GIVAUDAN OPENS CASABLANCA DEVELOPMENT HUB
Givaudan has opened a new development hub in Casablanca, Morocco, featuring modern application and perfumery laboratories along with a dedicated commercial team to strengthen its South Asia, Middle East & Africa presence. The facility aims to accelerate innovation across fabric care, home care, personal care and fine fragrance while bringing the company closer to local and regional customers.
L’ORÉAL FUND ACQUIRES STAKE IN MOYOM BIOTECHNOLOGY
L’Oréal’s China Beauty & Innovation Fund has acquired a 3.52% stake in Shanghai-based Moyom Biotechnology, marking its third investment since the fund launched in March 2025. Moyom developed aphranel, a calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler that secured China’s first Class III approval for facial soft tissue augmentation and EU MDR certification, with first-year sales of approximately 150,000 units across 28 provinces and 600 clinics.
HIGHSTOCK RAISES $30M SERIES A LED BY A16Z
Highstock, a B2B marketplace helping beauty brands discreetly sell surplus inventory to vetted buyers through channels like Whatnot and TikTok Live, has raised a $30 million Series A led by a16z. With more than $1 billion in inventory listed and over 100 major brand partners including Laura Geller, Bliss and Versed, the company plans to use the funding to expand into the apparel category, which it says is five times the size of the beauty liquidation market.
CAUDALIE TAKES MAJORITY STAKE IN SENSITIVE-SKIN BRAND TALM
Caudalie Group has acquired a majority stake in Talm, the French premium skincare brand for sensitive skin founded by Kenza Keller in 2021, marking the group’s first brand acquisition after taking a minority stake in 2022. Keller will remain CEO with a minority share as the brand stays operationally and creatively independent, with the partnership set to accelerate distribution—particularly through Caudalie’s French pharmacy sales force—and international growth.
BELLE BRANDS ACQUIRES HAIR WELLNESS BRAND VEGAMOUR
Belle Brands, the beauty platform backed by Windsong Global, has acquired biotech-powered hair wellness brand Vegamour, adding it to a portfolio that includes JVN Hair, Pipette, KVD Beauty and Versed. Vegamour, which has exclusive retail distribution through Sephora, will benefit from Belle Brands’ shared operating infrastructure as the platform invests in product development and strengthens its Sephora relationship.
CVC EXPLORES $2 BILLION SALE OF DR. TEAL’S PARENT ARTHEA
CVC Capital Partners is exploring a potential sale of personal care platform Arthea, owner of Dr. Teal’s, Cantu and Bodycology, in a deal that could value the business at around $2 billion, working with investment banks Moelis and William Blair. CVC acquired the business, formerly known as PDC Brands, from Yellow Wood Partners for $1.43 billion in 2017, with products now distributed in more than 80 countries.
NYKAA INCREASES STAKE IN EARTH RHYTHM
Nykaa parent FSN E-Commerce Ventures has increased its stake in Indian personal care brand Earth Rhythm by approximately 25 percent, further strengthening its investment in the digital-first beauty business. The move reinforces Nykaa’s strategy of building a broader portfolio of owned and invested brands alongside its core retail platform, following a recent Rs 32 crore investment for a 51 percent stake in Mumbai-based skincare brand Aminu.
SEPHORA ROLLS OUT QUIET HOURS ACROSS EUROPE
Sephora has rolled out its “Quiet Hours” initiative for the neurodivergent community across Europe, following a pilot in 32 stores spanning eight markets, making it the first global beauty retailer to do so. During the pilot, most neurodivergent shoppers reported significantly improved in-store experiences, with 90% of clients overall saying it makes Sephora more inclusive and welcoming.
SEPHORA NAMED OFFICIAL BEAUTY PARTNER OF DANCING WITH THE STARS
Sephora has been named the Official Beauty Partner of Dancing with the Stars, appearing throughout season 35 from the September 15 premiere with on-air integrations, custom social content and experiential activations including on-site vanity stations and a new “last looks” set activation. The partnership gives the LVMH-owned retailer a platform to reach an engaged, cross-generational audience with its message of beauty as a source of confidence and self-expression.
NATURA APPOINTS ALESSANDRO CARLUCCI AS NEW CEO
Natura has appointed former CEO Alessandro Carlucci to lead the company from October 1, replacing João Paulo Ferreira who steps down after a decade during which the company tripled revenue and strengthened its Latin American leadership. The leadership change signals a shift from consolidation and restructuring towards a renewed growth cycle.
SPACE NK PROMOTES ITS CMO EMMA SIMPSON-SCOTT TO CEO
Space NK has named chief marketing officer Emma Simpson-Scott as its new CEO, succeeding Andy Lightfoot, who stepped down after a decade with the British beauty retailer including seven years as chief executive. Simpson-Scott, who brings more than 20 years of luxury retail and brand marketing experience, takes over as Space NK also appoints Hannah Quy as CFO and Tiff Ruis as SVP of retail and e-commerce, reinforcing its growth ambitions under Ulta Beauty ownership.
