L'Oreal Acquires Medik8
Byredo Founder steps down, Huda buys back Huda Beauty, Coty explores a split sale, & Rhode's latest launch.
Happy Summer!! Welcome to this week’s beauty aisle restock. If you’re new here, hello and thank you so much for subscribing. Think of this newsletter as your ultimate beauty in brief on Substack and in your inbox.
In less than nine days, I will be in Greece, kindle and mocktail in hand, soaking up sun and the kind of calm that only the Aegean can deliver. That means that there may or may not be an end of June newsletter. But don’t worry—if you have the Substack app, I will use Notes to break the latest, hottest beauty news.
Anyone else traveling this summer? Where are you going and what sunscreen are you bringing with??
6/1-6/21
As predicted, L’Oréal has taken a majority stake in U.K.-based Medik8, adding the results-driven, science-backed skincare brand to its Luxe portfolio as it eyes global expansion and renewed momentum in premium beauty.
Huda Kattan has bought back Huda Beauty from TSG Consumer, regaining full ownership to lead the brand with renewed independence, creative freedom, and a mission to make beauty exciting and community-driven again.
Frasers Group has officially withdrawn its bid to acquire U.K. beauty brand Revolution Beauty, who continue to face ongoing financial challenges, declining sales, and leadership changes.
Byredo founder Ben Gorham is stepping down three years after Puig’s acquisition, passing the creative reins as Puig aims to grow the brand while honoring its unique identity built over two decades.
Mr. Leonard Lauder, the visionary who helped build Estée Lauder Companies into a global beauty giant, passed away at 92 on June 14. Mr. Lauder oversaw the growth and acquisition of brands like Clinique, MAC, and La Mer, supporting women in leadership, and famously observing that lipstick sales as a recession indicator, as the kids say.
Latest Appointments
Colin Walsh is stepping down as CEO of P&G’s Specialty Beauty division after a year, with North America Hair Care SVP John Brownlee set to take over as the company looks to unify and scale its premium beauty brands under new leadership.
Kering announced Luca de Meo as its next CEO effective September 2025, part of a leadership restructure aimed at strengthening the group’s strategy and boosting growth during a tough period for its luxury brands.
Violet Grey has appointed Tracy Kline, a former Bluemercury executive, as its new Group President. The appointment is effective June 9, as part of Violet Grey's growth strategy.
Drew Elliott, former global creative director of MAC Cosmetics, will join Kiko Milano as Chief Brand Officer on September 1 to lead creative strategy and drive global growth.
Ulta Beauty posted a strong start to fiscal 2025 with Q1 sales up 4.5% to $2.8 billion, fueled by new store openings and brand launches as its ‘Ulta Beauty Unleashed’ strategy gains momentum in a shifting retail landscape.
Dolce & Gabbana has secured €150 million in financing to fuel growth in its beauty business, doubling down on fragrance and cosmetics as luxury fashion demand slows and the brand focuses on staying independent.
Clinique is reinvesting in its dermatologist-led legacy with a global strategy focused on innovation, community, and updates to iconic products, launching its first 3-Step TV campaign in a decade and building on viral hits like Black Honey (loveee) to sustain momentum as Estée Lauder works to regain growth.
Speaking of Coty…they’re reportedly exploring a split sale of its luxury and mass beauty divisions (impending loss of key licenses like Gucci, Kardashian regaining full control of Skkn by Kim, financial setbacks, market shifts..)
Milk Makeup has finally hopped on board the Amazon train. Great news for the Hydro Grip girlies.
So did Olive & June!
Self Glow by James Read has launched exclusively at Credo Beauty, marking the retailer’s first full sunless tanning collection with four skincare-focused, vegan formulas that align with Credo’s clean and sustainable standards.
Aussie body mist brand Smooch Body is launching in the U.S. with a new Revolve partnership, offering long-lasting, fragrance-rich mists inspired by ‘real personalities’ as it aims to rival Sol de Janeiro and tap into the booming body mist trend among Gen Z and millennials.
Alli Webb (Drybar cofounder) returns to haircare with Messy, a new brand launching at Sephora later this month that celebrates '“effortless, just-rolled-out-of-bed hair” through a five-product line designed to embrace natural texture.
French skincare brand Typology has launched its five-product hair care collection in the U.S. for the first time, offering shampoos, conditioners, and scalp scrubs.
e.l.f. Cosmetics teamed with Pinterest to launch ELF-nalysis, a free AI tool that uses selfies to match users with personalized, seasonally trending makeup shades.
e.l.f. and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine have partnered to launch Sunnie, a pioneering media and lifestyle brand designed to empower and support young women through an inclusive community focused on creativity, confidence, and authentic self-expression.
Maesa will open applications June 25 for its 2025/26 Magic Incubator, a hands-on program offering $35,000 grants, mentorship, and industry access to early-stage beauty (<$1M in sales) and wellness founders from underrepresented communities. Final day to apply is August 6!
Unilever has officially opened its new 111,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in Hoboken, welcoming over 1,100 employees to a hybrid-friendly, innovation-focused space. Ooof, I would crash out if I had to commute to NJ for work.
Ambassadors
Olympian Jordan Chiles has joined Hero Cosmetics as a global ambassador, marking a new chapter in the brand’s marketing strategy with live events and campaigns
Sabrina Carpenter teased a new Prada Beauty collab in her “Manchild” music video, dropping hints with branded banana candies and an unreleased lip product!
Charlotte Tilbury is making her debut in the sports world with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, launching the Charlotte Tilbury Darlings partnership that will feature the squad using Tilbury’s makeup and skincare products. A raise anddd a partnership?? The Dallas Cowboys are in their It-Girl era right now.
Byoma kicked off its second annual Skin Barrier Awareness Month with a bold new campaign and a 30-day Skin Barrier Reset challenge, aiming to educate consumers on the importance of clinically tested, skin-first formulas while pushing for higher industry standards. Loveee the campaign imagery!
Simone Biles will star in K18’s new (could have sworn they launched this last year, unless this is a reform) AirWash Dry Shampoo in the summer campaign targeting active lifestyles. Loveee, especially after their campaign last year that featured a model in box braids!
e.l.f. Skin is using humor to make SPF stick with Sunhinged, a comedy special starring Marie Faustin and friends that spotlights Gen Z’s sunscreen habits while promoting the brand’s Suntouchable SPF line.
launches you can’t miss (or can you?)
🛍️ Another week, another Fenty launch—well relaunch. Missed the Body Lava? It’s back for summer 2025 in four limited-time shades, including three new hues and one returning favorite.
🛍️ Rhode is dropping its new Glazing Mist on June 24—a hydrating, antioxidant-packed face spray made for glazed skin on the go, backed by clinical claims, sensitive-skin creds, and a campaign starring Harris Dickinson.
🛍️ Tatcha launched a Dewy Milk Moisturizer, that offers a fast-absorbing, glowing finish while improving elasticity and to help maintain a healthy skin barrier.
🛍️ Glowbar is turning the facial into a full routine with its first-ever product, a gentle gel cleanser made with input from 300+ aestheticians and designed to bring studio results home as the brand eyes retail shelves and national expansion.
🛍️ Diptyque’s Summer Fruit Garden collection brings fresh scents, playful packaging, and the brand’s first skincare collaboration with Susanne Kaufmann in the form of a citrus-mint Lip Oil, plus new bodycare, home fragrances, and seasonal accessories.
🛍️ Glossier is expanding its fragrance portfolio with new body mists, lotion, and wash in its popular Sandstone scent plus a fresh Orange Blossom Neroli spritz.
🛍️ OneSkin launched OS-01 Lip SPF, a moisturizing mineral sunscreen that fights aging and environmental damage with peptides and antioxidants, while its metal applicator soothes and depuffs lips.
🛍️ Tarte Cosmetics and Dunkin’ teamed up for the limited-edition “Guava Girl Summer” collection, featuring juicy lip products inspired by Dunkin’ Refreshers, complete with playful keychain charms, and launching with a nationwide VIP road trip starting June 24 in NYC.
🛍️ HigherDose has launched the Microcurrent Body Sculptor, a $399 device combining gua sha, red light, and microcurrent technologies to support lymphatic drainage, detoxification, and skin sculpting—expected to generate $1.5 million in revenue within seven months.
If you enjoyed this week’s restock, consider restacking, shooting me a text, or letting me know your thoughts on the latest beauty news and launches in the comments!
L'Oreal said gimme that retinal market.
An excellent news roundup!