The post What’s hot in beauty for 2017 appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

As is usual for December, a host of predictions have been forthcoming about what will be the new trends and innovations for the coming year.

As far as the beauty and bodycare sector is concerned, gender-neutral beauty is going to grow in popularity in 2017, according to the Innovation Group’s Future 100 report. Lucie Greene, worldwide director of the group and author of the report, says that as male make-up artists are breaking the social taboo about men wearing make-up, it is leading to beauty branding and packaging becoming less overtly feminine. She adds that repositioning make-up as a creative tool rather than a ‘feminine’ product could also boost sales across the board.

Technology is also set to revolutionize the beauty industry, with a wave of innovative connected products being launched that deliver the much sought after beauty ‘personalization’. An example is Wired Beauty which launched a connected face mask called Mapo that links with the user’s phone, analyzes the wearer’s skin and suggests the best beauty regime. Greene says that companies are just beginning to scratch the surface in this area.

With consumers demanding more choice and higher standards when it comes to nude offerings, the report also believes that brands will finally begin to offer make-up lines with a more diverse range of skin tones as they currently fail to reflect the population. “Although many brands are now beginning to incorporate ethnic shades as part of their ‘nude’ lines, it’s not enough to pay lip service,” says Greene.

She also flags up three hot beauty ingredients for next year: avocado oil; turmeric – which is now being recommended for facemasks and creams to combat acne and skin flare-ups; and by-products. The latter area includes ingredients such as red maple tree bark for anti-ageing; sorghum bran to soothe skin; and fermented coconut oil as a preservative. “All of the above are trends that started first in food and drink,” explains Greene. “Avocado toast, turmeric as a food ingredient, coconut oil and foods made from by-products have all caught on in recent years. Food and drink innovation remains a powerful predictor of the beauty trends coming down the pipeline.”

And as 2016 has seen the emergence of pollution-fighting skincare products, this will continue and grow into next year, says the report, along with further developments in anti-ageing solutions.

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The post Video interview: Jayn Sterland appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Natural beauty: The shock of the not new

The beauty industry is in a state of perpetual reinvention, the need for constant innovation and ‘newness’ unquestioned. To some extent that’s true for the natural and organic beauty sector too.

But just how sustainable is that relentless quest for the new? Not very, according to Jayn Sterland, MD at Weleda UK.

In a special video interview, Sterland, a participant at last week’s Natural Beauty Roundtable, says: “A really well established beauty brand will only grow their business, in the main, through adding newness. So a lot of the really mature brands will spend all of their time, energy and effort, and their main marketing effort, talking about the ‘new new’.

“How is that sustainable? Why aren’t we looking at last year, or even ten years ago, or 20 ­– and getting it right first time. I work for a company that rarely innovates, and when we do innovate it might take us 10 years to have a product that we know works. So, working to trends isn’t how we work.”

Sterland acknowledges that “what retailers want is something new and exciting every day, to get shoppers to come through the door, or go online.”But she says it creates an “imbalance” that natural beauty brands need to reconcile. “The critical thing,” she says, “ is to make a product relevant today, even if – like Weleda’s Skin Food – it’s 90 years old”.

“Organic and natural is just about the purity of an ingredient, it’s nothing to do with the whole process of the business”

Elsewhere, Sterland calls on the natural beauty sector to speak with a unified voice and pull behind a single certifying body. And she says that the wider natural beauty debate “needs to elevate itself away from the natural versus organic question, and instead be asking how sustainable is what we’re doing?” She adds: “Organic and natural is just about the purity of an ingredient, it’s nothing to do with the whole process of the business.”

Sterland also argues that natural and organic beauty brands should work harder to appeal to mainstream consumers “because the more mainstream we can make sustainability, organic and natural the more good will come of it.”

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The post Fresh faced award winners appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Winners of the 2016 Beauty Shortlist Awards have been announced, with a raft of both new and experienced brand names and products on the list.

The coveted Best Baby Brand UK went to stalwart Green People, while Best Eco-Friendly Baby Brand was a joint win for both Weleda and Neal’s Yard Remedies.

A new launch from Pai Skincare with its Petit Pai Apple and Mallow Hair and Body Wash managed to scoop the top spot in the Best Shampoo and Body Wash category, raising the profile of its newly launched baby and children’s range “developed to help set the foundations for healthy, happy skin right from the beginning.”

“Our annual Beauty Awards and Baby Awards are always such a fantastic barometer of what’s happening in beauty ‘now’ with regards to new trends, in vogue ingredients, new recyclable packaging and formula innovations,” says Fiona Klonarides, founder of The Beauty Shortlist. “Entries for our Mama & Baby Awards in July were up almost 150 per cent on 2015, and even more interesting was the wave of 100 per cent natural and/or organic-certified products that poured in.”

“The message is getting through that clean, green and sustainable is the way, and it made my heart sing to see these new gentle green brands take part,” she continued. “I do, however, think we need to somehow clarify organic certification, and I wish there was one, definitive organic accreditation process available, as it varies so greatly.”

You can find more information, including entries and voting for the 2017 Beauty Shortlist Awards, here.

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The post Waitrose becomes first supermarket to cut plastics in key beauty products appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Waitrose has pledged that by this September no branded cosmetic products will contain microbeads (its own-label range never has) in order to reduce plastics in its health and beauty ranges, the first supermarket to do so.

The retailer is also giving a facelift to its own-label cotton wool buds – one of its most commonly bought health and beauty items – changing the stems from plastic to paper. The new stems will be biodegradable and made from an FSC source of paper. The additional cost won’t be passed on to customers.

The supermarket’s move will save around 21 tonnes of plastic each year.

“Minimising our impact on the environment is a top priority and this is absolutely the right thing to do,” said Tor Harris, Waitrose’s head of sustainability and responsible sourcing. “Although the changes we’re making don’t seem dramatic, they are likely to have a positive impact for marine life. We know there’s more work to be done and we will continue to see how we can reduce plastics across our ranges.”

Dr Clare Cavers, who manages, The Cotton Bud Project, which aims to see brands and consumers switching from plastic to paper cotton buds commented: “This is an excellent example of a major supermarket chain taking a lead, and we hope that more companies will soon follow suit.”

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The post Mintel sees beauty and food boundaries blur with gastronomia appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Mintel’s study of Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends to 2025 has highlighted the trend of ‘gastronomia’ which it says is driving consumer interest in natural ingredients as people are becoming more involved in creating their own beauty products.

Brands are reacting to consumer interest in pure and natural ingredients, says Mintel’s Charlotte Libby in a blog, and are appealing to those wanting to be more involved with the creation of products.

The analyst also found that product launches are increasingly blurring the boundaries between beauty and food: “When it comes to natural ingredients, the in the past few years beauty markets have seen the use of botanical oils, such as coconut oil, in beauty routines blossom, at the same time as their popularity in cooking and baking has increased. The gluten-free claim also began to gain traction in the skincare market in 2013.

“There has been a continued blurring of skincare and food boundaries, particularly with regard to ingredients and storage. As these trends become cemented in the food market, similar claims are emerging in beauty markets as two thirds of UK women agree diet is a significant factor in determining the appearance of skin.

“Just like ‘raw’ and ‘cold-pressed’ have become buzzwords in the health food markets, the clean eating food trend is influencing the beauty and personal care markets, and there is increasing interest in products containing fresh ingredients and limited preservatives, which therefore have a shorter shelf life.”

Another key trend is bathing products with detox and antioxidant properties, which have driven growth in the sector despite declines in the number of baths people take.

And while vitamin and mineral-fortified bodycare launches have increased over the past couple of years, claims such as vegan, gluten-free and no additives are now seeing particular growth, says Libby.

Green food ingredients like spirulina are moving into the beauty market and fermented foods are now a popular beauty ingredient in Asia. Mintel expects the latter to be a growing trend in the UK.

Libby concludes: “Whilst food-inspired fragrances and ingredients have long been reflected in beauty and personal care launches, in 2016 an increased focus on diet has seen beauty begin to take influence from vegan and gluten-free diets. Further innovation is also expected in algae and fermented product launches, particularly in skincare. Free-from innovations, as well as appealing to health conscious consumers, also hold opportunity to appeal to other beauty consumers, such as those seeking halal-friendly products.”

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The post True Organic skincare from Sweden appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

True Organic of Sweden is launching its award-winning range of 100% natural and organic beauty products, balms and deodorants onto the UK market.

Originally launched in 2007 by Tina de Sousa, the range is said to combine pure, natural and organic ingredients with serious efficiency and a striking pack design.

The first product introduced from the range is All You Need Is Me, a rescue cream that works as a moisturizer, anti-ager, primer, cleanser and post shaver, baby balm and nipple cream as well as soothing gardeners’ hands and working on cuts, scrapes, nicks and sunburn. The company says it has been credited with being the first natural, organic multi-tasker and 24/7 miracle cream. It is available in a 15ml or 50ml tube.

“There are no legal standards for organic beauty products and some brands can label an item as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ even though it may contain as little as 1% of organic ingredients,” comments de Sousa. “It’s very confusing for consumers and for those in the health and beauty industry who only want to promote the very best in quality skincare and beauty products.

“The raison d’être behind True Organic of Sweden is about developing innovative and ethical solutions that will save our skin and our planet – and really work of course. Our first product, a fantastic rescue cream called All You Need Is Me, contains 100% natural and 95% organic ingredients and has been scientifically tested to ensure it performs efficiently as a skincare solution. And we have plans to launch further products in the next few months which share this same ethos.”

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The post Belnatur announces Essential Range appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Known for its use by top beauty professionals, Belnatur has now launched its Essential Range – available for use by customers at home.

The range of 14 retail products combines natural plant and marine active constituents to address the needs of all skin types: dry-alipic, oily, flaccid, combination, dehydrated and sensitive. There is also an all-skin variety formulated using marine collagen, equisetum extracts and Centella Asiatica to hydrated, soften and hydrate skin.

The offer includes Balance Cream for Combination Skin – available in a 200ml or a 50ml jar – which features laminaria saccharina algae extract, vitamins B3 and B5, betaine, fucose gel, mattifying micro-sponges in an SPF8 formula to balance the skin’s pH, moisturize dry zones and reduce shine.

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The post Pravera opens beauty training room appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Pravera, UK distributor for Primavera, has created a brand-owned training room in conjunction with the recently opened shop and spa The Bard’s Mistress in Stratford-Upon-Avon (link to story).

Esther Cooney, Primavera’s training manager, is offering one-on-one or small group courses to improve training and brand knowledge in the beauty sector.

Primavera products – which are certified organic and offer the benefits of aromatherapy – are suitable for all skin types and have options suitable for both men and women.

Therapists will be educated in Primavera Marma Point massage techniques and will receive a certificate at the end of each course. Retail staff are welcome to join in the theory part of the courses to build their confidence when talking to customer about the products and massage rituals.

For more information, email [email protected].

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The post One life, one voice appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Look around today and you’ll see a world in crisis. Divisive action in Syria and the Middle East, the news that British troops may be set to re-enter Iraq, and on the domestic front (at the time of going to print) Scotland is on the cusp of making history by voting for independence.

After more than 300 years as part of the United Kingdom, it looks like our Scottish cousins are set on breaking away for good. But while separation is on the cards for GB, it was a different story at the Natural Beauty Yearbook Round Table last month.

Held at Whole Foods Market in Fulham on the first day of Organic Beauty Week, key industry figures from the burgeoning world of natural beauty came together to discuss and dissect the latest topics and trends relevant to the natural beauty market. The subject of organic certification and its relevance to consumers was mulled over, as was the controversial presumption that all natural brands look to the multiples for shelf space. But throughout the course of the morning one resounding point repeatedly came to the fore, and that was for unified action from the industry as a whole.

It’s undeniable that huge progress has been made in the past ten years within product development, packaging, branding and the availability of ingredients that enables natural and organic beauty brands to stand toe-to-toe with mainstream cosmetic houses. Efficacy testing and scientific research is now avail-able as proof to the consumer that natural beauty products not only present their own benefits, but also deliver on results-driven consumer demands.

But while this may be true, and recognized by those in the know, it remains a complete unknown to the most important people of all: consumers. Brands, retailers, distributors and manufacturers need to be pulling together to present these findings in as simple a format as possible.

“We’re guilty of being too inwards facing,” said Tracey Robinson of Vert PR. “Yes we work in the industry, but we are all consumers as well.” Highlighting the fact that the industry is often guilty of preaching to the converted, it was agreed that the key messages, especially those that are actually of interest to the High Street shopper, need to be broken down and communicated to a wider demographic.

Yes, organic certification matters. Yes, it requires a lot of help, funding and marketing before it can be fully understood by customers, and retailers. And yes, we as an industry should be lobbying government to get organic beauty regulated. But the main reason customers buy organic beauty products is thanks to the lifestyle factor that they present – the ability to purchase a feel-good product. And as flimsy as that may sound, or as painful as it may be to accept the idea that sustainability, provenance and certification aren’t necessarily why many people buy organic beauty, it’s important to understand it.

Coming together as one voice to present our findings to a wider audience is one means of unification, but more importantly, retailers need to become united with their customers.

Julia Zaltzman is a freelance writer and editor of The Natural Beauty Yearbook

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The post As you like it appeared first on Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Next month Stratford-upon-Avon will see the opening of a new natural and organic spa and shop, The Bard’s Mistress.

Described as a luxury retreat, the new venture combines a shop and treatment room offering signature facials, massages and treatments, and is the brainchild of beauty therapist Esther Cooney who teamed up with organic skin expert and Pravera MD Graeme Hume for the project.

Commenting on the launch, Cooney says: “Opening The Bard’s Mistress has been a life-long dream for me and I can’t believe it is finally happening.  For many years now I’ve been training beauty therapists about skincare and wider health benefits of using natural and organic products.  Now that I’m opening up my own spa and shop I’ll be able to offer the very best of these products and treatments to people in my home town.  It is incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait for the official launch day!”

So, what makes The Bard’s Mistress different from other stores? “We have a quirky ethos and like to stand out,” explains Cooney, “so instead of going glitzy and girly, we want our fresh, revitalizing products and spa treatments to be accessible for men as well as women. Besides this, we have a passion for ethically and naturally sourced beauty products. I believe that organic skin care products work on the skin as nature intended, and that there are no worries about irritations from nasty chemicals. Our customers deserve the best treatment, so we’ll use the best products.”

The store will offer natural and organic cosmetics, skincare, make-up, perfumes, supplements, make-up brushes and beauty bathroom accessories, and stock a variety of natural brands including benecos, Primavera (which will also be used for treatments), Florascent, lavera and Viridian Nutrition.

Hume explains the background to the partnership: “Esther and I met some years ago and I offered her the position of training manager for Pravera due to her extensive knowledge of natural and organic ingredients and previous positions in the industry.  Initially Esther rewrote the procedures for Primavera treatments using their unique Marma point massage, and we endeavoured to secure spas and salons to offer Primavera treatments. Over the years we discovered that many individual therapists were enlightened to natural and organic products and we generated a loyal following and solid customer base.

“By 2013 we decided the solution was our own salon and retail outlet to prove there was a demand for natural and organic spas. and ten create a successful business model that can be rolled out. So fingers crossed! My background is business to business and Esther’s is consumer. With our joint expertise and knowledge of the brands stocked in The Bard’s Mistress, it was a no brainer really!”

The grand opening is on 2 September, and as an introductory offer, The Bard’s Mistress will be offering a free gift with purchase from 2-6 September.

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