Global Standing
Regional brand Huda Beauty has taken the top spot as the global Hottest Beauty Brand according to respected comparison platform, Cosmetify. The site, which produces a quarterly list, uses five factors in its determination of the rankings: increase in consumer interest as shown on Google Trends; overall brand searches each month; number of Instagram hashtags and followers; and the brand’s ‘engagement rate’ on the social platform. Not bad for a brand started just six years ago by a makeup artist who’s still in her mid-30s!
Cruelty-Free Breakthrough
International beauty brand Avon Products, Inc. has announced that it will no longer conduct regulatory-required cosmetic animal testing in every country, including China.
Instead, it will work with its suppliers to ensure that no ingredients are tested on animals.
A company statement said: “Avon will focus on working with suppliers on their animal testing policies for ingredients used in Avon’s products. Meanwhile Avon will continue to work with its partners to push for regulatory change and greater acceptance of alternatives to animal testing.”
The move comes as countries across the world are turning away from cosmetic animal testing. In October 2018, UK-based brand The Body Shop delivered an anti-animal testing petition with 8.3 million signatures to the UN. And in 2019, China, which has long required tests on post-market cosmetics, announced an end to the practice. It also approved two non-animal testing methods.
Kesha’s Line Is Here
After much online teasing, the new beauty line from singer Kesha has finally debuted with not so much a nod as a big loud shout-out to the star’s own personal style – animal-friendly and super colourful. Kesha Rose is produced in collaboration with Los Angeles-based cruelty-free cosmetics brand HipDot and so far we’ve seen a 12-pan eyeshadow palette, two dual-ended liquid eyeliner pens, a lipstick and a lip gloss.
So, what to expect? The star told billboard.com: “People know that I’m obsessed with rainbow, glitter, and all things extraterrestrial, psychedelic and bizarre, and I wanted to capture that in the makeup that I created, but still make it wearable.”
K-Pop Goes French
Singer Suelgi, of the latest K-Pop sensation, Red Velvet, has signed up with French beauty specialist L’Occitane as its latest brand ambassador. She will be promoting L’Occitane X OMY’s City Palette campaign for its shea butter hand cream. The product features limited edition packaging designed to highlight the role of nature that’s quickly disappearing within cities. It will be available in stores from January 9.
Halal Looks
Interest in Halal cosmetics is on the rise in the region as Muslim women become increasingly aware of what they are putting on their skin and are more conscious of the ingredients commonly used in beauty products. The use of animal derivatives, alcohol and other ingredients that are forbidden or that might obstruct the validity of Wudhu/ablution mean that women are actively searching for beauty solutions that are better aligned with their religious beliefs.
Halalbeauty.ae is the latest online store that specialises in selling Halal products, for hair, face, lips and nails, from a number of brands, including Tuesday in Love and Mine Vital, to Dubai, the GCC and around the world. The store mainly targets Muslim women who are on the hunt for Halal certified products that cater to their religious and cultural requirements. Halalbeauty.ae also offers chemical-free, vegan, cruelty- and child labour-free brands – all conveniently available under one roof.
