Ulta Beauty says consumers are being more selective in their spending but show “continued willingness to splurge and treat themselves.” The company is implementing additional mitigation strategies in its stores – including placing fragrances in locked cabinets – to combat organized retail theft that is expected to slightly reduce its operating margins for the full year.

E.l.f. cosmetics climbed to No. 3 brand in US mass market cosmetics, up two slots from a year ago as it surpassed Revlon and CoverGirl. In its recent sales and earnings presentation, it announced sales in its fiscal 2023 fourth quarter jumped 78%.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law HB 1047 on 15 May, implementing the most aggressive cosmetics ingredient ban in the country. The Personal Care Products Council and Independent Beauty Association are concerned about a lack of alternative preservatives to replace targeted formaldehyde-releasing substances effectively and affordably and the law’s inconsistency with FDA over lead levels, among other impacts.

Sally Hansen has seen a 300% increase in shades viewed on its website, and a 120% increase in intent to buy, since it introduced Perfect Corp.’s AR-based virtual try-on tool, the beauty tech firm says. French nail-color specialist Manicurist is the latest to partner with Perfect for its Green Flash brand.

Per Lisa Hau, Bidstack’s chief strategy officer, “Gaming has an audience that is undeniable. It reaches one-third of the world's population and continues to grow.” And the average gamer is not the popularly imagined anti-social teenage male, as “45% of gamers are now female, and the average age sits comfortably at 34 years old.” It’s a compelling opportunity for beauty brands, Bidstack says.

John Villafranco, partner at Kelly Drye & Warren LLP, says the US FTC’s ability to obtain monetary relief using the penalty offense mechanism is questionable both on statutory and Constitutional grounds. Marketers faced with civil penalties – for example, for alleged inadequately substantiated health claims – should stand their ground, he suggests in a recent interview.