Unilever comes closer to becoming a beauty pure player while perfume dupes success is here to stay. This was last week in beauty.
UNILEVER MERGES FOODS UNIT WITH MCCORMICK IN $20BN DEAL
Unilever has finalized the $20bn merger of its foods business with McCormick & Co. transforming Unilever into a pure-play home and personal care company focused on beauty, wellness and high-growth categories. The transaction, structured as a Reverse Morris Trust, gives Unilever and its shareholders a 65% equity stake in the combined entity and $15.7bn in cash, which will support share buybacks and debt reduction as the company sharpens its strategy around brands including Dove, Vaseline, Paula’s Choice and Hourglass.
UNILEVER IMPLEMENTS GLOBAL HIRING FREEZE CITING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Unilever has instituted a global hiring freeze for at least three months, citing significant challenges from the escalating conflict in the Middle East which has disrupted global trade and energy supplies. The move adds to an existing cost-cutting program aimed at saving €800 million over three years, as the company continues to streamline operations.
KERING AND L’ORÉAL FINALIZE THEIR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Following regulatory approval, Kering and L’Oréal have finalized their strategic beauty partnership, with L’Oréal acquiring Kering Beauté, including Creed and the beauty and fragrance licenses for Kering’s luxury houses, for €4 billion in cash,. The two groups will continue exploring development opportunities in wellness and longevity through a joint venture, as L’Oréal aims to strengthen its global luxury beauty leadership while Kering leverages its partner’s R&D, production and distribution expertise to accelerate growth for its iconic brands.
BEIERSDORF LAUNCHES €100M SKINCARE INNOVATION FUND
Beiersdorf has launched a second-generation venture capital fund with a €100 million commitment, doubling the volume of its 2020 fund to drive innovation in skin care through investments in life sciences, biotechnology, sustainability, AI-enabled technologies and digital health. The fund, which invests globally from early- to growth-stage companies with initial investments typically ranging from €500,000 to €5 million, provides portfolio companies access to Beiersdorf’s R&D expertise and global brand platforms to accelerate breakthrough solutions.
AMERICAN PACIFIC GROUP INVESTS IN DUPE PERFUME BRAND DOSSIER
Dossier, the dupe fragrance brand known for its $30-$50 designer-inspired scents, has secured a strategic investment from private equity firm American Pacific Group, believed to be for a controlling stake, with founder and CEO Sergio Tache continuing to lead the company. The brand plans to accelerate growth by expanding products, categories and retail channels, building on its current success as Walmart’s number-one perfume brand and a top-three brand at Target.
SUNSCREEN BRAND VACATION SECURES INVESTMENT FROM VMG PARTNERS
Sunscreen brand Vacation has received new investment from VMG Partners, which joins existing investors True Beauty Ventures and Silas Capital in taking a minority stake in the company. The brand, which sources said had net sales between $60 million and $75 million in 2025, is known for its nostalgic marketing approach and viral social media presence generating approximately 5 million TikTok views per week.
BOTOX PROVIDER PEACHY SECURES INVESTMENT FROM STRIDE CONSUMER
Botox provider Peachy, which operates 15 locations across six U.S. cities with a flat-fee pricing model, has received a new investment from Stride Consumer Partners—an early investor in Drybar—as revenue grew more than 60% last year. The brand plans to expand nationwide, targeting both male consumers and further penetration in existing markets to redefine preventative skincare through specialized neuromodulator services.
DERMA SKINCARE BRAND ERLY LANDS AT ULTA BEAUTY
Dermatologist-founded skincare brand Erly will make its first major retail debut at Ulta Beauty on April 19, launching online and in 750 stores nationwide with its full lineup including the bestselling Night Moisturizer with Peptides and Daily Dew. The brand, created in response to overly aggressive skincare routines, focuses on gentle, barrier-friendly formulas with a playful minimalist aesthetic, aiming to simplify effective skincare for all ages.
NATURA FOUNDERS STEP DOWN FROM BOARD AS ADVENT TAKES STAKE
The three founders of Brazilian beauty giant Natura have stepped down from the company’s board to join a newly created advisory council without decision-making power, as part of a broader board restructuring following the divestment of Avon’s non-Latin American operations. Meanwhile, global private equity firm Advent International has committed to acquiring an 8-10% minority stake in the company through the repurchase of outstanding shares, which would entitle Advent to appoint two additional board members.
GOTHA COSMETICS EYES US ACQUISITION & SKINCARE EXPANSION
Italian contract makeup manufacturer Gotha Cosmetics, which generates over €100 million in revenue, is pursuing a US acquisition to establish local production capabilities and has already acquired a Chinese skincare company as it diversifies beyond makeup. The company unveiled its new “Neuroaura” concept at Cosmoprof 2026, focusing on the mind-body connection in beauty, alongside new product launches including the Flat Iron Concealer Stick and Juicy Putty Bronzer.
BASF RAISES AMINE PRICES IN NORTH AMERICA
BASF has announced price increases of $0.10 to $0.20 per pound for a range of amines in North America, effective April 6, 2026, citing rising logistics costs, higher raw material feedstock prices and ongoing pressures in the global petrochemical market exacerbated by Middle East instability. The affected products, used across cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other industries, will see the adjustments applied immediately or as existing contracts allow.
L’ORÉAL AND INSTITUT PASTEUR FORM HISTORIC SKIN HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
L’Oréal and Institut Pasteur have announced a landmark research partnership, marking the first major scientific alliance between the world-renowned biomedical research institute and a beauty industry player. The collaboration will combine expertise in immunology, microbiology and skin science to explore the skin as a vital organ reflecting overall health, while accelerating the discovery of new biological targets and next-generation active ingredients for advanced skin health solutions.
L’ORÉAL SEEKS TO KEEP COLOR WOW DEAL PRICE CONFIDENTIAL
L’Oréal is asking a US court to keep the acquisition price of Color Wow confidential, arguing that disclosing the value, which a former executive claims was around $1 billion, would reveal sensitive commercial information and harm its negotiating position in future deals. The request comes amid a lawsuit filed by Shelley Waln, who alleges she is owed more than $1.2 million based on the deal’s proceeds.
L’ORÉAL ITALIA, ISTITUTO MARANGONI PARTNER FOR BEAUTY EDUCATION
L’Oréal Italia has partnered with Istituto Marangoni and celebrity hairstylist Rossano Ferretti to launch new educational programs aimed at training future beauty professionals, including a three-year undergraduate course combining technical, creative and managerial skills in hair design, makeup and brand management. The initiative addresses growing demand for skilled talent in the hair category, with students gaining access to L’Oréal’s professional division network and facilities starting this October at the Milan campus.
L’ORÉAL BOOSTS LUXURY PERFUME WITH MARGIELA’S SCENTSORIUM
L’Oréal has unveiled Scentsorium, a new six-fragrance luxury collection from Maison Margiela priced at €330 for 75ml, developed by John Galliano and Glenn Martens with a “surgical sensoriality” approach using limited ingredients and a fragmented glass bottle design. The launch marks a paradigm shift in high perfumery for L’Oréal, complementing its existing luxury portfolio including Armani/Privé and Valentino Anatomy of Dreams, as the brand targets consumers seeking radical exclusivity and distinctive products.
K-POP STAR JANG WONYOUNG AMBASSADOR FOR MIU MIU BEAUTY
Miu Miu has appointed IVE’s Jang Wonyoung as its beauty ambassador for South Korea and Japan, with the 21-year-old K-pop star set to front the campaign for the new Miutine fragrance launching in April. Described by the brand as embodying modern femininity and unapologetic individuality, Jang boasts over 15.6 million Instagram followers and significant influence across Asian social media platforms.
THG RETURNS TO GROWTH WITH 2.3% REVENUE INCREASE TO £1.7BN
THG, the owner of Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty, reported full-year 2025 adjusted revenue of £1.71 billion, up 2.3% driven by a standout performance in its beauty division with robust momentum in the UK and US markets, particularly through Lookfantastic’s success on TikTok Shop. Adjusted EBITDA reached £76.6 million ahead of guidance, and the company expects continued growth in 2026 with revenue forecast at £1.78 billion and adjusted EBITDA of £101.4 million.
JOY GROUP REPORTS 2025 REVENUE OF OVER $620M, UP 22%
Chinese beauty group JOY GROUP achieved total revenue surpassing $620m in 2025, a 22% year-on-year increase, driven by its makeup brands JUDYDOLL and JOOCYEE along with strategic acquisitions including Italian hair brand Foltène and dermatology-led skincare label Biophyto-genesis. The company also advanced its globalization efforts with overseas retail sales exceeding $87m and three standalone stores opened in Singapore.
BEAUTY FARM REPORTS 2025 REVENUE GROWTH OF 16.7%, PROFIT UP 41%
Chinese beauty and wellness group Beauty Farm reported full-year 2025 revenue of $417m (RMB3bn), up 16.7% year-on-year, with adjusted net profit surging 41% to $53m (RMB380m), driven by its “dual beauty + dual wellness” service model and acquisitions including Naturade and Siyanli. The company, which generated RMB 1.66 billion (US$231 million) from beauty and wellness services and $186m (RMB1.34bn) from consumer healthcare, continues to invest in digitalization, AI and supply chain optimization to support long-term scalability.
