ESTÉE LAUDER IS LOOKING TO SELL TOO FACED, DR. JART AND SMASHBOX
The Estée Lauder Companies is seeking to sell three of its brands, Too Faced, Smashbox, and Dr. Jart, in a low nine-figure package deal. This move is part of a strategic portfolio review to divest underperforming assets and focus resources on core brands amid broader industry consolidation.
HENKEL RUMOURED TO BE IN TALKS TO ACQUIRE OLAPLEX
German conglomerate Henkel is in talks to acquire hair care brand Olaplex, causing Olaplex’s stock to surge over 36% after having lost more than 90% of its value since its 2021 IPO. This would be a strategic move for Henkel to expand in prestige haircare, but Olaplex’s market challenges and execution risks are reasons for caution.
KISS BEAUTY GROUP ACQUIRES NAIL CARE BRAND CHILLHOUSE
Kiss Beauty Group has acquired Chillhouse, a nail and self-care brand known for its press-on nails and SoHo flagship. Chillhouse will continue to operate independently under its founder, supported by Kiss Beauty Group’s resources for retail and digital expansion.
RARE BEAUTY TO LAUNCH AT ULTA ON FEBRUARY 1ST
Rare Beauty, the brand of Selena Gomez, will launch nationwide at over 1,500 Ulta Beauty stores on February 1, expanding its accessibility after being exclusive to Sephora. The partnership includes Ulta’s first guest donation program, splitting contributions between the retailer’s charitable foundation and Rare Beauty’s mental health-focused Rare Impact Fund.
FENTY LAUNCHES AT SPACE NK IN JANUARY
Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin will launch at Space NK on January 19, with a curated selection of best-selling products available in select UK stores and online. This partnership marks a strategic retail expansion for Rihanna’s brands, allowing them to connect with a new luxury beauty audience and meet consistent customer demand.
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN’S WELLNESS BRAND LEMME ENTERS WALMART
Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s wellness supplement brand, Lemme, has expanded its US retail footprint by launching in over 2,000 Walmart stores. This rollout gives the brand mass-market exposure beyond its direct and specialty channels, tapping into the growing women’s wellness category.
TARGET ANNOUNCES A MAJOR EXPANSION IN WELLNESS IN 2026
Target is launching a major wellness expansion for 2026, increasing its assortment by 30% with new brands across nutrition, skincare, and fitness. The retailer is emphasizing affordability with thousands of items under $10 and introducing personalized digital and in-store experiences to make wellness routines more accessible.
MACY’S TO CLOSE 14 UNDERPERFORMING STORES IN 2026
Macy’s has identified 14 stores it will close this year as part of its ongoing strategy to shut underperforming locations. The company is focusing its investments on renovating and improving the remaining 350 stores to drive growth.
L’ORÉAL UNVEILS TWO NEW LED INNOVATIONS AT CES
L’Oréal unveiled two new near-infrared technology products at CES: a Light Straight + Multi-styler hair tool and LED eye masks. These innovations, launching in 2027 under specific L’Oréal brands, are designed to style hair with less heat damage and target under-eye aging.
AMORE PACIFIC INVESTS IN SKIN DATA ANALYSIS
Amorepacific is showcasing two major beauty tech innovations at CES 2026: Skinsight, an award-winning “electronic skin” platform co-developed with MIT, and an AI skin analysis solution created in collaboration with Samsung Electronics. These technologies aim to provide personalized skincare by analyzing real-time skin data and recommending tailored product and device routines.
L CATTERTON PARTNERS WITH CHINESE BEAUTY GROUP MAO GEPING
L Catterton, the private equity firm backed by LVMH, has entered a strategic partnership with Chinese beauty group Mao Geping to support its overseas expansion into high-end retail. The deal includes creating an investment fund for the global luxury beauty sector and caused Mao Geping’s shares to rise.
MOROCCANOIL EXPANDS INTO SKINCARE
Moroccanoil is expanding into skincare for the first time with the launch of a lip balm infused with its signature argan oil. This marks a strategic category extension for the brand, moving beyond its established haircare, body, and fragrance lines.
BEIERSDORF LAUNCHES A NATURAL & VEGAN VERSION OF ITS NIVEA CREME
Beiersdorf has launched a vegan and natural version of its iconic Nivea Creme in Germany, formulated with 99% naturally derived ingredients and packaged in 95% recycled aluminum. The new “Nivea Creme Natural Touch,” which took six years to develop, aligns with the company’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
BOBBI BROWN’S MAKEUP BRAND JONES ROAD LAUNCHES BODY CARE
Bobbi Brown’s Jones Road is expanding into body care with a five-product collection that includes a scrub, shower gel, cream, lotion, and oil. This launch is part of the brand’s strategic growth plan, which includes tripling its retail stores in 2026 as it aims to reach $200 million in revenue.
CLEAN BEAUTY BRANDS ILIA EXPANDS ITS LIP CATEGORY
Ilia is expanding its lip category with the launch of Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss. This move aims to reclaim market share in a key category and build upon the success of existing hero products like the Lip Sketch crayon.
FRANCE REGULATOR MANDATES BRAND-INFLUENCER CONTRACTS
A new French regulation mandates written contracts for any commercial collaboration between brands and influencers exceeding €1,000 in value per year. This rule, effective January 1, 2026, aims to increase transparency and carries penalties for non-compliance, with the fashion and beauty sectors being the most affected.
KENDALL JENNER BECOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FOR ARMANI FRAGRANCE
Kendall Jenner has been named the global fragrance ambassador for Emporio Armani. She will front the campaign for the brand’s new women’s scent, Power of You, stating the message aligns with her personal ethos.
LABORATOIRES VICHY NAMES MODEL EMILY DIDONATO GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
Model and wellness advocate Emily DiDonato has been named the new global brand ambassador for Laboratoires Vichy. Her role aligns with Vichy’s strategy to emphasize the connection between health and beauty, as she will front campaigns for hero products like the Collagen 16 Bonding Serum.
CLAUDIA SCHIFFER INVESTS IN WELLBEING PLATFORM HEALF
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer has joined UK wellbeing platform Healf as both an investor and Ambassador for Women’s Health & Longevity. This high-profile appointment, part of a campaign that also names Calvin Harris Chief Wellbeing Officer, aims to build cultural relevance and differentiation in the competitive wellness market.
SKINCARE BRANDS TOPICALS RAISES FUNDING ROUND WITH CELEBRITIES
Skincare brand Topicals has raised a new funding round from celebrity investors including WNBA star Angel Reese and musician Rema. The brand’s founder framed the investment from these “cultural leaders” as a strategic move amid dwindling institutional funding for Black-owned businesses.
GIVENCHY APPOINTS AMANDINE OHAYON AS NEW CEO
Givenchy has appointed fashion and beauty veteran Amandine Ohayon as its new chief executive officer. This change is part of a managerial reshuffle within LVMH, as her predecessor Alessandro Valenti moves to a deputy managing director role at Christian Dior Couture.
