Last week in beauty Estée Lauder decides against selling three brands while Chanel and Valentino launch new fragrances.
ESTÉE LAUDER DECIDES AGAINST SALE OF TOO FACED, SMASHBOX & DR.JART
Estée Lauder has decided against selling Too Faced, Smashbox and Dr.Jart, instead opting to restructure their operating models with Too Faced moving to New York, Smashbox staying in Los Angeles, Dr.Jart operating from Korea, and Origins moving under Deciem. The company believes a more agile, entrepreneurial structure will better position the brands for innovation and long-term growth.
CHANEL UNVEILS COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU
Chanel is launching Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu, a new amber-vanilla variation of its iconic fragrance, created by perfumer Olivier Polge and launching August 19. The scent marks a new chapter in the franchise and is projected to generate €100 million in retail sales in its first year.
CHANEL NAMES SINGER GRACIE ABRAMS COCO MADEMOISELLE AMBASSADOR
Chanel has appointed singer Gracie Abrams as the face of its new Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu fragrance, the first new scent addition to the collection in six years, launching August 19. The ambery fragrance features notes of grapefruit, lychee, rose and vetiver, with Abrams described by the brand as embodying the free-spirited and instinctive elegance of Gabrielle Chanel.
VALENTINO BEAUTY LAUNCHES VENDETTA FRAGRANCE FRANCHISE
Valentino Beauty has unveiled Vendetta, its first new prestige fragrance franchise in six years, featuring a duo of scents, Vendetta Donna and Vendetta Uomo, created by master perfumers Dominique Ropion and Marie Salamagne. The launch, fronted by Dakota Johnson and Alexander Skarsgård, marks a significant expansion of the brand’s luxury fragrance portfolio with the collection debuting in the U.S. in late August.
MYNTRA BEAUTY ADDS CHLOÉ TO PREMIUM FRAGRANCE PORTFOLIO
Indian beauty e-retailer Myntra Beauty has expanded its luxury beauty offering by adding French perfume house Chloé to its e-commerce platform, with fragrances including Chloé Eau de Parfum, Nomade and Lumineuse now available through its Luxe storefront with prices starting at Rs9,000. The launch reflects growing demand for premium beauty products in India and strengthens Myntra’s position as a destination for international prestige fragrance brands.
MEDIK8 LAUNCHES INTO SEPHORA NORTH AMERICA
UK-founded premium skincare brand Medik8 is launching into Sephora in the US and Canada, debuting online August 11 and in 397 stores across North America on August 21. The L’Oréal-owned brand aims to become a top ten skincare brand at Sephora, projecting retail sales to exceed $100 million by 2029.
RITUALS INVESTS €40M TO REFURBISH 1,500 EUROPEAN BOUTIQUES
Dutch beauty brand Rituals is investing €40 million to refurbish 1,500 boutiques across 30 European countries in just 30 working days, starting August 3, with a new “Beauty World” concept centralizing skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance offerings. The company plans a similar refit in Asia and the Middle East in early 2027, while reusing existing materials in line with its B Corp certification.
AIR FRANCE EXPANDS BEAUTY PARTNERSHIPS WITH SISLEY & CLARINS
Air France has introduced new premium amenity kits across its long-haul cabins, featuring Sisley skincare for La Première passengers and Clarins products for Business class, with pouches made from over 90% recycled materials. The enhanced programme strengthens Air France’s premium travel offering while providing Sisley and Clarins with additional exposure to high-value international travelers through exclusive onboard and lounge experiences.
CLARINS LAUNCHES BEAUTY CONCIERGE AT CHANGI AIRPORT
Clarins Travel Retail has partnered with Changi Airport Group and The Shilla Duty Free Singapore to debut its Beauty Concierge Singapore Edition, an immersive experiential pop-up running until August 16 at Terminal 1. The activation features personalized consultations, Singapore-inspired makeup looks and exclusive travel retail sets, aiming to transform the airport shopping journey into a memorable destination experience.
EASYJET LAUNCHES K-BEAUTY BOX INFLIGHT
easyJet has partnered with Luneia Brands to launch an exclusive six-step K-beauty skincare box called “Passport to K-Beauty,” featuring Korean brands including Beauty of Joseon and Skin1004, sold onboard for £44. The move makes easyJet the first airline in the UK and Europe to offer a bespoke K-beauty collection inflight, tapping into growing consumer demand for Korean beauty products.
FRASERS GROUP ENTERS HARVEY NICHOLS SALE PROCESS
Frasers Group has joined the sales process for luxury department store Harvey Nichols, alongside other interested parties including NEXT, despite concerns from some brand partners about a potential acquisition by the group. The sale follows five consecutive years of losses, with Harvey Nichols currently undergoing a turnaround under CEO Julia Goddard.
BATH & BODY WORKS ENTERS BRAZIL
Bath & Body Works has opened its first store in São Paulo and launched a dedicated Brazilian e-commerce platform, marking its entry into one of the world’s largest fragrance markets. The retailer has tailored its assortment to local preferences for fruity and tropical scents, including Brazilian-inspired products, as it continues expanding its international presence beyond 550 stores globally.
O BOTICÁRIO LAUNCHES PERFUMERY CLUB
O Boticário has launched the Perfumery Club, a new initiative bringing together fragrance experts and enthusiasts in Grasse, France, to explore innovation, natural ingredients and consumer trends. The program builds on the Brazilian brand’s long-standing connection with Grasse and aims to strengthen its global positioning in the fragrance market.
TAKASAGO TO DEVELOP J-POP FRAGRANCES
Takasago International has entered a strategic partnership with Handcraft Entertainment to develop fragrances, flavors and consumer products inspired by the global J-Pop movement, combining sensory innovation with music and culture. One of the first projects will be a fragrance created with Japanese artist Mia Takarabe, following her collaboration with Steve Aoki.
LANEIGE BRINGS BESPOKE LIP SLEEPING MASK TO US ON AMAZON
Laneige has launched its customizable Bespoke Lip Sleeping Mask experience exclusively on Amazon in the U.S., allowing shoppers to create personalized combinations from five scents for $28. The digital experience extends the brand’s personalized beauty concept from its Seoul flagship to the American market, offering 10 unique combinations and 12-hour overnight hydration.
URBAN OUTFITTERS LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE YES DAY SKINCARE
Urban Outfitters has become the exclusive U.S. brick-and-mortar retail partner for Gen Alpha-focused skincare brand Yes Day, launching the brand in 60 stores and online. Founded by 14-year-old Coco Granderson with cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, the brand targets younger consumers seeking age-appropriate skincare, aligning with UO’s fast-growing beauty category.
GUINNESS ATKINSON FILES FIRST US-LISTED K-BEAUTY ETF
US asset manager Guinness Atkinson has filed plans to launch the first US-listed ETF dedicated exclusively to the K-beauty sector, tracking South Korean companies across the beauty value chain. The filing comes as South Korea’s cosmetics exports reached a record $7 billion in the first half of 2026, with Korean brands accounting for half of the top 50 best-selling skincare products during Amazon Prime Day.
BRITISH ARTIST LITTLE SIMZ NAMED MIU MIU BEAUTY UK AMBASSADOR
British rapper and actress Little Simz has been appointed Miu Miu Beauty’s UK ambassador, fronting the campaign for the brand’s Fleur de Lait fragrance composed by Master Perfumer Daniela Andrier. The partnership extends beyond the fragrance launch, with Simz slated to front future product releases including Miutine and the Beauty Holiday Collection.
