NATIONAL
VLCC India joins government’s skilling mission with guaranteed placements
VLCC India has integrated into the Government of India’s skilling and vocational mission to bridge the skills-employability gap in beauty, wellness and allied sectors. The initiative offers 100 per cent guaranteed job placements for eligible students and up to 100 per cent scholarships for meritorious and underserved candidates.
Key features include industry-recognised courses aligned with NSDC and B&WSSC standards, university-certified degree programmes, entrepreneurial support, on-the-job training and three-month ‘Job Ready’ courses. VLCC has also launched 14 new VLCC School of Beauty institutes, expanding its network to 106 nationwide, with a strong focus on tier II and III cities.
The programme aims to empower youth and women with industry-relevant skills, create meaningful career pathways and support self-employment opportunities. This expansion aligns with India’s Skill India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, reinforcing VLCC’s commitment to nation-building through skill-based education, job creation and women-led economic growth.
Casmara and Esskay Beauty host Skinomics 2025
Casmara, the Spanish dermo-cosmetic brand, in partnership with Esskay Beauty Resources, hosted the inaugural Skinomics 2025 on 17-18 July in Gurugram. The two-day salon conclave, themed ‘The Business of High-Return Facials’, brought together leading salon owners, skincare entrepreneurs and experts from over 250 cities.
The event focused on strategies to boost recurring revenues, strengthen pricing power, and build client loyalty through premium skin services. A key highlight was a panel discussion addressing industry challenges like declining footfalls and hesitancy towards high-value treatments, with insights from stalwarts including Samir Srivastava (Looks Salon) and Neeru Radhakrishnan (Play Salon).
Skinomics 2025 also marked the Indian debut of Casmara’s global bestsellers — Golden Age Agueda’s Secret, Retinol PROAGE, and the Q10 Rescue Range. The event set a new benchmark for salon industry growth, blending education, innovation and business transformation.
BEAUTY&YOU India returns for its 2025 edition
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., through its New Incubation Ventures arm, has announced the fourth edition of BEAUTY&YOU India, themed ‘Beauty Frontiers.’ The programme seeks visionary beauty entrepreneurs in skincare, makeup, hair care, and fragrance, offering funding, mentorship, and market access. Applications are open until August 24, 2025, at www.beautyandyouawards.com.
Nykaa returns as lead partner, with Startup India joining via a first-ever MoU between a global beauty company and the Government of India’s DPIIT. This year introduces the Visionary Women’s Award to honour women founders driving impactful change.
The Awards span four categories — Grow, Imagine, Breakthrough,and the new Visionary Women’s Award — with a combined prize pool of up to $500,000. Winners gain mentorship from global leaders, brand-building support through Nykaa’s ecosystem, and national visibility via Startup India. Since 2022, the initiative has drawn 1,500+ applications from over 150 cities, predominantly from women entrepreneurs.
L’Oréal India appoints Jacques Lebel as Country Manager
L’Oréal India has announced a leadership transition effective 1 October 2025, appointing Jacques Lebel as Country Manager and elevating Aseem Kaushik to the newly created role of Chairman. The move underscores the beauty giant’s strategic focus on India’s fast-growing beauty and personal care market.
Lebel, previously General Manager of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division in Mexico, brings global growth expertise from roles at L’Oréal, Procter & Gamble and AB InBev, with experience spanning Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa.
Kaushik, who has led L’Oréal India since January 2023, will now focus on corporate reputation, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and CSR to strengthen the company’s long-term presence in India.
In FY24, L’Oréal India posted a 12.6 per cent revenue rise to ₹5,576.47 crore, with net profit at ₹487.46 crore — reflecting both the potential and challenges in the dynamic Indian beauty market.
India amends cosmetics rules
Effective July 29, 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, introducing stricter safety measures, clearer labelling and stronger manufacturing accountability.
Key updates include:
• Clearer shelf-life labelling: “Use before” now refers to the first day of the month, while “expiry date” refers to the last day — eliminating consumer confusion.
• Batch-wise testing: Mandatory for raw materials and finished products, ensuring consistent quality. Non-compliance may lead to licence suspension or cancellation.
• Record-keeping: Manufacturers must maintain detailed batch records for at least three years (or longer if shelf life exceeds), available for inspection.
• Centralised testing: The Central Drugs Laboratory is now the Central Cosmetics Laboratory, standardising nationwide testing.
• Export flexibility: Products for overseas markets may follow importing country regulations, with deviations reported to Indian authorities.
The overhaul aims to boost consumer trust, align India with global standards, and balance safety with industry growth.
Hyderabad launches India’s first spa for babies
Hyderabad has unveiled India’s first spa exclusively for infants aged newborn to nine months, offering hydrotherapy, baby massages and guided movements to support early physical and cognitive development.
The spa provides a calm, womb-like environment to counter overstimulation, using patented floatation devices that let babies drift safely in warm water. The focus is on relaxation, improved mobility and brain stimulation — not swimming or standing. Parents report benefits like enhanced awareness, immunity, and overall growth.
Inspired by a 2005 South African concept by Laura Sevenus, later popularised in London, the spa combines gentle aquatic exercise with massage to promote faster learning and happier dispositions.
This initiative marks a progressive step in early wellness, giving India’s youngest citizens a serene start to life.
Esskay Beauty launches Esskay Hairdressing School
Esskay Beauty has unveiled the Esskay Hairdressing School (EHS) in Gurugram, setting a new benchmark in hairdressing education. Launched at Professional Beauty India, the academy builds on over 20 years of training expertise and a legacy of 50,000+ professionals.
EHS offers globally recognised RICA–Italy certifications, 100% placement support, and skill-based programs for all levels. Courses include 12-week foundation programs for beginners, 3-5-day advanced specialisations and customised learning paths. Training combines live model practice, professional portfolio building, and backstage exposure at industry events.
With flexible fees, weekend internships, and metro pickup/drop facilities, EHS ensures accessibility while delivering international-standard education. Its mission: to upskill India’s hair industry talent and shape the next generation of salon professionals through hands-on, career-focused learning.
INTERNATIONAL
Lindsay Lohan joins Schwarzkopf as Brand Ambassador
Schwarzkopf has named Lindsay Lohan its newest Brand Ambassador, celebrating her long-standing collaboration with celebrity colourist Tracey Cunningham. Known for her dramatic hair transformations, Lohan debuts a radiant ‘Soft Gloss Blonde,’ which is a luminous, Hollywood-inspired summer hue timed with her return in Freakier Friday.
For the first time, Schwarzkopf and Cunningham are revealing the exact colour formula, enabling fans and professionals to recreate the look. This marks a milestone in the brand’s history, blending celebrity style with professional hair expertise.
Efi Davies crowned International Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year
TONI&GUY International Artistic Director Efi Davies has added a third prestigious honour to her 2025 tally, winning International Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year at the International Hairdressing Awards. Presented by Mikel Luzea, Sergi Bancells, and industry legend Anthony Mascolo, the award celebrates her cutting-edge creativity, technical mastery, and editorial excellence.
This win follows her British Hairdressing Awards’ Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year and Australian Hair Fashion Awards’ Global Hairdresser of the Year titles. Her award-winning Kalopsia collection, along with standout editorial work, stage performances, and intricate braiding, reinforces her reputation as a trailblazer in global hairdressing.
A key figure in TONI&GUY’s creative vision, Efi continues to redefine session styling while sharing the brand’s educational and artistic philosophy worldwide, proving that originality and imagination remain the hallmarks of true hair artistry.
Redken launches Artistic Ambassador Network
Redken has unveiled its Artistic Ambassador Network, which is a collective of 20 leading colourists and stylists set to drive the brand’s vision of artistry, innovation, and education in the US. This elite group blends rising talent with industry icons, uniting under a shared mission to elevate professional beauty.
Ambassadors will play a key role in major brand initiatives, from creating digital content and leading social media campaigns to headlining education at industry shows and mentoring through workshops. They’ll also contribute to product launches, trend storytelling, and consumer engagement via tutorials and takeovers.
Showcasing expertise in bold colour, precision cutting and editorial styling, the network reinforces Redken’s colour leadership, particularly through its iconic Shades EQ. More than a brand initiative, this is a purpose-driven movement designed to empower, educate and inspire the next era of hair professionals.
L’Oréal acquires majority stake in Medik8
L’Oréal Groupe is set to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, founded by scientist Elliot Isaacs and renowned for its Crystal Retinal serum and CSA Philosophy© — vitamin C and sunscreen by day, vitamin A by night. The brand’s results-driven formulas and professional heritage have made it a leader in premium dermatological beauty.
Inflexion, the European private equity firm, will remain a minority shareholder, while Isaacs stays on the board alongside the existing management team to ensure continuity.
Rooted in professional skincare, Medik8 has a strong European presence and is growing rapidly in the US. The deal — pending regulatory approval — will allow L’Oréal to consolidate Medik8’s sales and fully integrate it into its luxe division, with an option to buy out minority shareholders in the future. This acquisition strengthens L’Oréal’s science-backed luxury offering and positions Medik8 for accelerated global growth.
Shakira launches isima, a conscious haircare brand
Colombian music icon Shakira has unveiled isima, a premium haircare line inspired by her personal curl journey and the diverse spectrum of Latin hair textures. Debuting with eight products — including Curls Don’t Lie, a curl perfector nodding to her 2006 hit Hips Don’t Lie — the range focuses on hair health from scalp to cuticle.
Priced at US$32-42, isima hits all Ulta Beauty stores and ulta.com on July 6, with a global launch via isima.com on June 16 and entry into Ulta Beauty Mexico this August.
Certified by Leaping Bunny and The Vegan Society, the products are vegan, cruelty-free, clean-ingredient-based, and sustainably packaged. As part of the Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty program, isima meets all five pillars, including community giveback, blending Shakira’s artistry with her advocacy for ethical beauty.
Dyson launches Omega™ Nourishing Haircare Collection
Dyson has unveiled its second formulations haircare range, the Dyson Omega™ Nourishing Collection, blending 13 years of agricultural expertise with 12 years of hair science research to tackle dry hair using natural, omega-rich oils.
The collection features two products:
• Hydrating Hair Oil – boosts and restores moisture
• Leave-In Conditioning Spray – nourishes, detangles and smooths
At the heart of the formula is the Dyson Oli7™ blend, a combination of seven plant-based oils, including sunflower seed oil harvested from Dyson’s own nine-hectare fields in Lincolnshire, UK, alongside olive, abyssinian, corn, avocado, sesame and macadamia oils. Dyson Farming’s sunflowers, grown with precision agriculture techniques, are rich in omegas 6 and 9, which deeply moisturise, smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz without build-up.
This marks the first Dyson product to feature a homegrown ingredient, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation that merges ingredient science, technology and sustainable farming.
CIPI
Functional cosmetic ingredients market to reach new heights
The functional cosmetic ingredients market, valued at US$ 3.3 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at over 3.3 per cent CAGR between 2023 and 2032. The growth is driven by rising consumer demand for natural, sustainable, and plant-derived ingredients such as botanical extracts and fruit-based actives. This surge is further fuelled by the clean beauty movement and a growing preference for safe, eco-friendly formulations. A key growth driver is the booming anti-ageing segment, with ageing populations seeking peptides, antioxidants, and collagen boosters to achieve youthful, radiant skin.
However, the industry faces challenges, including navigating complex global regulatory frameworks, ensuring ingredient compatibility and product stability, and keeping pace with rapidly shifting beauty trends.
Success in this evolving market will hinge on the ability of ingredient manufacturers and cosmetic brands to deliver innovative, science-backed solutions that combine efficacy with sustainability, meeting both performance expectations and the ethical values of increasingly conscious beauty consumers.
India’s beauty and personal care market to hit US$ 34 billion
India’s beauty and personal care market, valued at US$ 28 billion in 2023, is projected to reach US$ 34 billion by 2028, growing at an annual rate of 10-11 per cent. S The cosmetics segment alone is expected to hit US$ 24.3 billion by 2033, growing at 5.9 per cent annually from 2025 onward. kin and sun care products remain dominant, while e-commerce is emerging as the fastest-growing sales channel, forecast to expand at a 25 per cent CAGR over the next five years. A major trend shaping the industry is the rise of skincare-infused makeup.
This includes products that deliver both cosmetic enhancement and active skincare benefits. They are now accounting for around 30 per cent of SKUs for many Indian brands. This reflects a shift in consumer preferences, with younger Indians seeking more than just coverage, gravitating toward multifunctional products that combine performance, care, and wellness in a single offering.
Global refillable packaging market
The global refillable packaging market, valued at US$45.59 billion in 2024, is projected to reach US$62.60 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7 per cent from 2025 to 2030. Rising consumer awareness of environmental issues, particularly plastic pollution and waste reduction, is driving brands and retailers to adopt sustainable packaging models. Eco-conscious shoppers are increasingly prioritising sustainability, recyclability and reusability, boosting demand for refill stations, refillable bottles and pouches that offer both environmental benefits and convenience.
The personal care and beauty sector leads this shift, with major introducing refill stations, aluminium bottles, and compostable refills for shampoos, conditioners, body washes and skincare products. This evolution positions refillable packaging as a mainstream, waste-reducing alternative without compromising product quality or consumer experience.