In an era of rapid technological advancements, market growth and fragmentation, supply chain realignments and consolidation, and more, beauty’s manufacturing space (turnkey, contract manufacturers, white label producers, etc.) has never been more dynamic. To keep track of emerging innovations, services and capabilities, Global Cosmetic Industry has launched an ongoing series of roundups, providing brands with inspiration and information to support future product development or strategic production decision-making.
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In an era of rapid technological advancements, market growth and fragmentation, supply chain realignments and consolidation, and more, beauty’s manufacturing space (turnkey, contract manufacturers, white label producers, etc.) has never been more dynamic. To keep track of emerging innovations, services and capabilities, Global Cosmetic Industry has launched an ongoing series of roundups, providing brands with inspiration and information to support future product development or strategic production decision-making.
Keeping Beauty Manufacturing Sustainable
GAR Labs (ISO 9001:2015; certified by DQS Inc.), a hair and skin care manufacturer based in Riverside, California, provides formulating, mixing, filling, packaging and palletizing services for brands producing face and body creams, serums, hair styling products and sprays, self tanners, and more, with minimums beginning at 5,000 pieces.
Notably, the manufacturer is solar-powered thanks to more than 2,000 solar panels that provide the multi-building campus with 565,000 watts of clean electricity. To conserve that energy, all lights inside and out are motion-activated LEDs. These are among the ways the company manages to keep its carbon footprint small.
On the water front, GAR Labs has switched its water purification system from reverse osmosis to a deionization process. Reverse osmosis “filters out all the minerals from ½ of the water into a 200% concentrate,” according to the company. This is a process analogous to sea water desalination. The resulting mineral concentrate is then pumped back to the city sewer system or the ocean.
That process uses two to three times more water GAR Labs’ new deionization system, which “attracts, or ‘Grabs’” the minerals and while allowing 100% of the water to pass through, according to the company. This reportedly saves the operation 10,000 gallons a day compared to the reverse osmosis system
GAR Labs’ sustainable efforts are purportedly being recognized and valued by retailers like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, to which many of its customers now ship.
Meanwhile, GAR Labs is reporting a shift in packaging, with ocean waste plastic and recycled/upcycled materials beginning to surface in projects. However, these advances can be limited by the typically higher cost of sustainable materials compared to cost-efficient virgin plastic.
Formats are reportedly shifting, too, with pouches on the rise for refills. Tom Raffy, GAR Labs’ founder and owner, says that presentation is everything with pouches to make the format feel on par with original package and get it out of the commodity positioning.
On-trend Formulations
According to Circana, makeup spend per buyera increased by 10% in the first nine months of 2023, while purchase frequency rose by 4%. For these reasons and more, makeup was the fastest-growing sales revenue performer in prestige beauty, driven by skin-forward lip product formats like balms and oils, as well as lip gloss and other lip products.
To tap into the growth, private label manufacturer Lady Burd has developed its Lip Stains. The formulations deliver long-lasting color, gliding on silky-smooth for all day wear and a smudge-proof pout, per the company.
Meanwhile, according to Precision Business Insightsb, the false lash/extension market was valued at $1.4 billion in 2022 and has been forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.0% through 2029.
Trends in the space are driving growth, including anime and cat eye lashes, as well as the advent of segmented lashes that allow for more precise shaping compared to conventional full-strip products.
Addressing the growth in the market, Lady Burd has developed its own Lash Glue. The fast-drying, latex-free formula reportedly ensures a seamless application and keeps lashes in place with precision and comfort. The formulation is available in black and clear variants.
Streamlined US-based Manufacturing
Anna Young is a New York-based private label manufacturer offering a range of pre-developed skin care and makeup formulations, as well as fragrance. Focused on assisting brands in speed-to-market, the manufacturer offers a streamlined process that relieves brands of overseeing production on their own.
Anna Young also offers custom solutions, including differentiated bespoke formulations, packaging and branding developed in collaboration with the manufacturer’s team.
Viewing itself as a “strategic partner” to its brand clients, Anna Young tracks trends in beauty and ingredients to ensure market relevance, while setting rigorous quality control processes to ensure smooth production and launches.
Meanwhile, brands can also tap Anna Young’s shelf-ready products to get to market faster.
In addition, the manufacturer can help brands infuse their products with sustainable elements in line with their goals.
Manufacturing Acquisitions & Appointments
Albéa's Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) has boosted its U.S. West Coast footprint by acquiring LA-based Roberts Beauty, a specialist in custom-designed packaging and turnkey solutions.
Bret Hadley, Roberts Beauty’s CEO, said, “Our team at Roberts Beauty is excited about the opportunities that come with joining forces with IBG. We are confident that brands will gain considerable value from this partnership. IBG brings a dynamic new vision to the beauty space along with a specific approach to customer development. We believe Roberts Beauty will be an excellent growth platform for IBG on the West Coast, and we are delighted to combine our capabilities from U.S., China, Korea and 40-plus years of success with the IBG team.”
“With Roberts Beauty, we are strengthening our Los Angeles IBG team while creating an interesting cross-selling platform that uses both our areas of expertise to enhance service for each customer's portfolio,” said Xavier Leclerc de Hauteclocque, CEO of IBG. “Roberts Beauty’s activity fits in perfectly with the strategy and positioning of IBG by completing our existing offerings: Orchard Custom Beauty for turnkey solutions in Americas, Europe and Asia, and Fasten Packaging for turnkey and packaging solutions in Europe and Americas. In addition, Roberts Beauty brings its own ‘boutique innovation lab’ where customers can work directly with chemists to develop original formulas tailored to their brand’s specifications–a real added-value in terms of efficiency and time management.”
Elsewhere, contract manufacturer TaikiUSA has named Siti Khalid as CEO and president.
Khalid, a graduate of Fordham Business School with an MBA in finance and management, joined the company in 2006, holding roles such as account manager and executive director of product development.
She has also been part of the company's executive committee over the last year and has been responsible for day-to-day decisions and operations.
Moving forward, Khalid will be responsible for overseeing all facets of the organization, including growing product innovation and boosting sustainability.
Angela Kazimir, executive director of sales, says, “Siti has a deep understanding of Taiki’s sales, products, supply chain and development that will add value to the organization’s growth. She is a highly respected member of the beauty industry and a credible voice in working with customers, suppliers, partners and employees.”
“I am honored and excited to lead TaikiUSA on our journey of helping brands succeed," says Khalid. "We are now an all-women organization, and we are all very passionate about the beauty industry. We have first-hand knowledge of what consumers want and use this to create strategies to build our business."
Meanwhile, Florida-based private label beauty and personal care manufacturer Cosmetic Solutions Innovation Labs (CSIL) has named John Puckett as CEO.
Puckett has more than 30 years of industry experience and most recently served as COO of Captech Softgel International and CEO of Barleans.
CSIL has also appointed Matt Unger as president and chief commercial officer. He has more than 30 years of commercial and product development experience in beauty contract manufacturing and at P&G.
In addition, Mark "Hazen" Hauman has been named CFO. He has more than 30 years of industry experience at companies such as Avon and Unilever.
"Cosmetic Solutions provides unparalleled formulation expertise, cutting-edge innovation and top-notch production capabilities," said Puckett. "We are thrilled to harness the full potential of our remarkable facility, our dedicated workforce, and our extensive innovation library, to make a significant impact on the dynamic and rapidly growing skin, hair and personal care markets in North America and beyond. We extend a warm welcome to all clients to visit us in Boca Raton and see what's occurring here."
Warren Becker, executive chairman of CSIL's board of directors, said, "Since my father, Mervyn Becker, founded Cosmetic Solutions Innovation Labs more than 30 years ago, the company has grown to become a leader in outsourced skin care solutions. We are thrilled to welcome John Puckett, Matt Unger, and Mark Hauman to lead the company and continue its tradition of excellence in product formulation and contract manufacturing. CSIL will continue providing exceptional service to its clients, while elevating its innovation and production capabilities across skin, hair and personal care product categories."
Footnotes
awww.gcimagazine.com/consumers-markets/news/22879218/us-beauty-sales-will-remain-strong-through-end-of-2023-circana
bwww.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/false-lashes-extension-market