On October 16th, 2019, CIBS hosted a luncheon at The Manhattan Club in NYC, sponsored by Global Cosmetic Industry. In addition to recognizing industry milestones and new member inductions, the event served to offer insights into the indie beauty boom.
To begin, Global Cosmetic Industry's editor in chief, Jeb Gleason-Allured, spoke about emerging opportunities among upstart brands, particularly in the wake of Drunk Elephant’s $845 million acquisition by Shiseido.
Offering his impressions of the latest Indie Beauty Expo in NY, Gleason-Allured noted that indie brands have opened up new avenues for the beauty world beyond the traditional categories.
Notably, sexual wellness and feminine hygiene are on the upswing on the power of the burgeoning self-care movement that is inclusive, clean, Instagrammable and personalized. This creates new cross-marketing opportunities for everything from feminine wipes to personal lubricants and mood-setting CBD oils, and beyond.
He noted that this year's IBE NY event featured massage candles and intimate skin care alongside so-called “personal massagers” and period cups, signaling a new day for the industry.
At the same time, the show featured countless takes on products that address the emotional wellness of consumers, particularly in the areas of sleep and calming.
For instance, Asutra, which has backing from Venus Williams, offers a Sleep Tight Kit to help users power down at night, as well as aromatherapy mists for the home, gym or even car. It even introduced a CBD cream to help users stay “chill” on long flights.
And Way of Will, a CBD brand, has formulated sleep-supporting products, including a full-spectrum hemp oil blend with sweet orange and lavender essential oils.
Finally, Black Chicken Remedies’ De-stress Essential Oil Blend and De-stress Nasalette Essential Oil Inhaler are designed to offer a calming experience. The formulation comprises lemongrass, peppermint and sweet orange.
In an age of anxiety and burnout, brands are finding new, exciting ways to expand beauty’s value proposition. For the full report, click here.
Next up, the headline speaker, Jillian Wright, co-founder of the IBE, discussed the evolution of indie and the profiles of its founders, many of whom are women.
Wright noted the challenges these brands have in connecting with the supply chain, as well as their deficit in practical business skills, which can create barriers to growth.
Finally, she covered the wide range of brands launching across the IBE shows, featuring unique takes on ingredients, product formats and more.
For upcoming events from CIBS and IBE, click here.
