From Jay-Z looking to buy LVMH stake in Fenty Beauty to the first new sunscreen ingredient approved by the FDA in decades this was last week in beauty.
JAY-Z-BACKED MARCYPEN IN TALKS TO BUY LVMH’S FENTY BEAUTY STAKE
Jay-Z’s MarcyPen Capital Partners is reportedly in negotiations to acquire LVMH’s 50% stake in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, which has a valuation estimated between $1 billion and $2 billion. The venture capital firm, formed from the merger of Marcy Venture Partners and Pendulum Opportunities, manages nearly $1.1 billion in assets and already counts Savage X Fenty among its portfolio investments.
FDA APPROVES FIRST NEW SUNSCREEN INGREDIENT IN DECADES
The FDA has approved bemotrizinol as a new sunscreen active ingredient, the first since the late 1990s, providing broad UVA/UVB protection with low skin absorption. Dsm-firmenich holds 18 months of exclusive US marketing rights, and sunscreens containing the ingredient are expected to hit store shelves within two to three months.
SAKS GLOBAL WINS COURT APPROVAL TO EXIT CHAPTER 11
Saks Global has received court approval for its restructuring plan, allowing the luxury retailer to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a nearly 75% reduction in debt and a renewed focus on long-term growth. The company aims to generate $9 billion in gross merchandise value and achieve double-digit adjusted EBITDA by fiscal 2030, supported by streamlined operations and improved sales trends.
BOOTS SCRAPS IPO, REPORTEDLY IN TALKS FOR $10 BILLION SALE
Boots has allegedly abandoned its IPO plans and is instead in discussions for a potential $10 billion sale, with Australian pharmacy group Sigma Healthcare and the billionaire Weston family reportedly among the interested parties. The UK health and beauty retailer became a standalone company in August 2025 following private equity firm Sycamore Partners’ acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
L’ORÉAL INDIA OPENS LARGEST BEAUTY TRAINING CENTRE IN MUMBAI
L’Oréal India has inaugurated its largest beauty training centre in northern Mumbai, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 students per year as part of its “Beauty for a Better Life” program, aimed at empowering women from disadvantaged communities through professional skills in hairdressing, makeup and aesthetics. The company also released its first socio-economic impact study, revealing that each direct job at L’Oréal India supports 39.5 additional jobs across the country.
SEPHORA LAUNCHES EUROPEAN PRIZE TO BOOST EMERGING BEAUTY BRANDS
Sephora has launched the Sephora Prize, a new initiative to identify and support promising European beauty brands, offering a three-year program including R&D support, mentorship and exclusive pan-European retail launch visibility. The winner will be announced at Sephoria Europe and receive a dedicated stand, while two additional brands may also receive recognition and one year of strategic support.
EU UNVEILS ROADMAP TO PHASE OUT ANIMAL TESTING FOR CHEMICALS
The European Union has published a roadmap outlining 22 actions and over 30 recommendations to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, with plans to adapt legislation by 2029 to incorporate validated non-animal methods. The initiative aims to position Europe as a leader in next-generation safety testing using AI and human-relevant data models.
ESTÉE LAUDER REORGANIZES ITS US FRAGRANCE OPERATIONS
Estée Lauder Cos. has established a North America Fragrance Cluster to strengthen its regional market share, appointing Vérane de Marffy as senior vice president and general manager to oversee Kilian Paris, Frédéric Malle, and partner closely with Jo Malone London, Tom Ford Beauty and Balmain Beauty. The move comes as fragrance sales grew 10% in the third quarter, though the company lacks any of the top 10 prestige fragrances in the U.S., facing intense competition from rivals like YSL Beauty.
MAC COSMETICS FACES PRIVACY LAWSUIT OVER VIRTUAL TRY-ON
A federal court has allowed a proposed class action lawsuit against MAC Cosmetics to proceed, alleging the brand collected consumers’ facial geometry data through its virtual makeup try-on technology without obtaining proper consent under Illinois biometric privacy law. The lawsuit claims MAC failed to provide written disclosures, obtain informed written consent, or publish a data retention policy, and the judge rejected MAC’s attempt to dismiss the case.
NYKAA ADDS RARE BEAUTY TO ITS PREMIUM PORTFOLIO
Nykaa has partnered with Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty to offer the brand’s products across its online platform and 30 retail stores nationwide, strengthening its premium beauty offering in India. The launch comes as Nykaa continues to grow its prestige beauty business, with the retailer recently reporting 28.4% revenue growth and nearly quadrupled net profit.
LANEIGE REOPENS HYPER PERSONALIZED FLAGSHIP IN SEOUL
Amorepacific-owned Laneige has reopened its Seoul flagship in Myeongdong after an 18-month renovation, offering AI-powered skin analysis and bespoke beauty services including custom Lip Sleeping Mask creation and robot-made cushion foundation from 150 shades. The store also features personalized Cream Skin toner blended from 25 formulations based on individual skin condition, reflecting the brand’s vision for the future of beauty, technology and design.
JUDYDOLL OPENS FIRST PHYSICAL STORE IN HONG KONG
Chinese beauty brand JudyDoll has opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Hong Kong as part of its global expansion strategy, offering over 800 products across eye, lip and face categories. The brand, owned by Joy Group and already present in Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and North America, chose Hong Kong for its influence on beauty trends and trusted retail market.
MICROFLUIDICS FIRM CAPSUM STRENGHTEN ITS US PRESENCE
French microfluidics pioneer Capsum, in which Chanel is reportedly seeking to sell its majority stake while retaining a minority holding, has acquired U.S. product development firm KKT Labs to deepen its North American footprint. The combined entity will offer an integrated innovation pipeline from concept to global scale, leveraging Capsum’s proprietary microfluidics technology and KKT’s formulation expertise, with KKT founder Krupa Koestline appointed CEO of Capsum USA.
FASCENT RAISES €1.3M FOR ACCESSIBLE NICHE FRAGRANCE
Niche perfume brand Fascent has raised €1.3 million to accelerate commercial development and international expansion, offering eight unisex fragrances priced from €55 for 30ml in a refillable, eco-designed bottle. The brand is already present in over 350 points of sale across 26 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.
ESTÉE LAUDER BRINGS CANDLE PRODUCTION IN-HOUSE
Estée Lauder Cos. is investing in its Whitman facility in Hampshire, England, by integrating expertise from supplier Contract Candles and hiring around 50 employees, making the UK the primary manufacturing base for candles across its prestige brands including Jo Malone London, Tom Ford and Aerin. The move enhances operational control and long-term resilience in home fragrance, a category driven by growing consumer interest in premium scent experiences.
PRINTEMPS NAMES RÉMY BAUME AS NEW CEO
French department store Printemps has appointed Rémy Baume, former CEO of Zadig&Voltaire, as its new CEO following a nine-month vacancy, effective June 9, 2026. Baume takes the helm amid a restructuring plan involving 229 job cuts and the closure of the Rennes store, as the retailer faces intense competition and market instability.
NEILL CORPORATION EXPANDS AVEDA DISTRIBUTION TO 14 STATES
Neill Corporation, an independent Aveda distributor since 1979, is adding six states and Washington, D.C., to its territory effective July 1, expanding from its original seven-state footprint. The move strengthens the salon professional channel by offering business resources, advanced education and operational support to Aveda salons in the newly added regions.
L’ORÉAL LUXE CREATES AI-POWERED FRAGRANCE ART WITH DATALAND
L’Oréal Luxe has partnered with DATALAND, the world’s first omni-sensory Museum of AI Arts, as its exclusive founding olfactory partner, developing 12 bespoke rainforest-inspired scents that respond dynamically to artworks and visitor movements. The collaboration, debuting June 20 in Los Angeles, showcases how fragrance can be a cultural and experiential medium through AI, smart diffuser systems and immersive technology.
