Coty

As companies lower their forecasts, brace for tariffs and undertake layoffs, the industry is realising its tried-and-true categories and markets will need reinforcements.

Rumours have swirled in recent weeks that the American cosmetics company is looking to offload its consumer and prestige brands. In a cooling market and with a mixed portfolio, finding buyers is a hard sell.

While nowhere near as dire as luxury fashion, beauty is seeing consumer momentum wane globally.

In Paris, leaders in talent acquisition from Chanel, Christian Dior Couture, Coty, Kering, Louis Vuitton, Rimowa and Saint Laurent among many others, attended an exclusive presentation and networking event at Hôtel Plaza Athénée.

Rising rents and low vacancy rates have made it prohibitively expensive for many emerging brands to open retail locations — even temporary ones. Scrappy companies have found creative, low-cost ways to reach their consumers, from hotel partnerships and trunk shows to activations on college campuses.

In search of greater ownership — both of image and revenues — more fashion houses are wresting back control of their beauty licences. But running a beauty business can stretch otherwise well-resourced, powerful companies beyond their capabilities.

A recovery is still out of reach in Asia, but other regions and cruises see a spending surge.

From makeup bags that double as clutches to pre-tax health savings, brands and retailers are leaning into consumer demand for more affordable prices.

E.l.f.’s $355 million acquisition of Naturium doesn’t change the fact that most influencer, actor and musician-fronted brands need to radically rethink their approach.

Coty is preparing to relaunch the designer’s cosmetics line, which closed abruptly in 2021 to the dismay of its small but devoted fan base.