A Glimpse at 2014 from Beauty Trendsetters

It’s that time of year again, closing out one year and starting a new one. To me, the best part of January is the promise of everything the next twelve months have to offer. Everything has yet to happen…

In looking ahead and wondering about all of the fabulous things that are to come, I turned to some of my beauty industry mentors for their insights.

Skin Care

Sarah Kugelman, a skin care guru and founder of Skyn Iceland, is excited about 2014, which she sees as a particularly dynamic year for skin care. “At-home devices were an area of growth in 2013, and I certainly see that continuing in 2014. The consumer wants to do more in the convenience of her own home.”

We always brainstorm about ingredients, and here she sees innovation in stem cell technology (“We are just beginning to understand what they can do for the skin”), as well as new peptides and new technologies in natural actives.

In terms of product categories, Kugelman is bullish on “masks of all kinds,” “body treatments” (body masks, perhaps?), more alphabet creams, and “new, semi-permanent self-tanners.”

Nail Care

The nail care category has been among the hottest categories in beauty recently, and it is showing no sign of slowing down. New brands continue to emerge (notably, VinlyLux by CND), and the technology continues to evolve—soak-off gel polishes infused with nutrients, including GelFX by Orly and Essie Gel Nails by Essie, are worth mentioning.

My go-to brand for lacquers is SpaRitual, and my go-to beauty entrepreneur for a sanity check is Shel Pink, SpaRitual’s founder. She spoke to me about what is going on in the nail category, as well as about our general state of beauty and being. Apparently, we are thirsty for adventures and voyages.

“2014 is all about the journey... Whether literal or spiritual, people are feeling untethered and are seeking adventure both externally and internally. Color, too, will be taking us on a miraculous journey. For spring, colors are spontaneous, vivid and radically present in saturation. Summer will fade out a bit; colors will be more subtle, languid and poetic. Fall looks rich, sophisticated, creative and warming. Holiday brings us home, where we find traces of color from the earlier seasons that have, in some way, evolved and evoke a festive and communal spirit,” Pink says. “2014 is sure to bring exciting changes and transformations to those who heed the call to adventure. You have to take the journey in order to come home.”

Color Cosmetics

And Marla Malcolm Beck, co-founder of Bluemercury and fellow Harvard graduate, talked about color cosmetics, saying, “For spring color, as usual, it is a tale of two cities: nude, nude, more nude or bright color pops straight out of Studio 54. The nude, clear skin runway trend has been translated directly to the color launches. From Bobbi Brown’s Nude Glow collection and new CC cream to Laura Mercier’s high coverage concealer and invisible pressed setting powder to the Nars duo blush contouring powders and matte multiples, makeup artistry brands are offering everything the consumer needs for a clean, clear, contoured natural look. Warm weather will bring tremendous bright colors. Think bright teal and sky blue eyeliner, lilac, turquoise blue and lime green shadows, orange nectarine lollipop lips and cheeks to add a little bit of the disco whimsy into the consumer’s lives.”

What is your beauty brand bringing to consumers for 2014? Share with us on GCI’s Facebook page.

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