Jamie Matusow, Editor-in-Chief05.01.17
In the midst of a rainy stretch in Southern California, the sun came out for two days and warmed the scene and the mood at MakeUp in LosAngeles as exhibitors and visitors gathered to discuss, browse and plan for new beauty launches.
The megatrend in eyebrows was especially evident at the West Coast beauty show, with a sculpt-worthy assortment of formulations and tools, as well as an impressive brand category success story presented by “eyebrow queen” Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills. But lips, face and lids; in-demand packaging; and cosmetic bags also drew avid interest as attendees made their way around the show floor and into the sessions tent.
Jean-Yves Bourgeois and Sandra Maguarian, co-managers of the MakeUp In…cosmetic-centric tradeshows, told Beauty Packaging that any qualms they may have originally had about launching a West Coast beauty event in the U.S. in 2016 had been completely allayed with this year’s second annual edition of MakeUp in LosAngeles, held February 8-9. Maguarian said on Day 1, alone, more than 1,000 beauty industry visitors walked the Red Carpet into the Quixote movie studio venue in West Hollywood. Over the two days, a total of 1,650 people—slightly more than the number of pre-registered visitors—crowded the exhibitor aisles and attended the many educational workshops and panel discussions.
This year’s event was the 21st MakeUp In… show. Since the premiere of MakeUp in Paris in 2010, the team went on to launch annual events in New York, Asia and Sao Paulo. Bourgeois and Maguarian said that they see the two coasts of the U.S. as seemingly “separate countries,” with different needs and influences, and with one impacting the other. West Coast beauty brands—several of which have been acquired in recent years by global brand manufacturers—retain their reputation as industry think tanks, acting quickly and creatively to launch new products in innovative packaging—and often using social media to quickly raise awareness and profitability.
The event also doubled in size from 2016 in terms of exhibitors, with 60 this year as opposed to the original 30. According to Bourgeois, 20 potential exhibitors had to be turned away due to lack of space, leading to the conclusion: “We will have to have a bigger place next year.”
While expansion continues, the show has not lost its low-key charm.
At Baralan USA’s stand, marketing manager Jim Slowey told Beauty Packaging: “I’m so happy to see that the show has grown but not lost its intimate feel.”
Show Talk
In addition to distinct packages and tools, and formulation advances, Beauty Packaging also noted a few industry-wide movements: The continuing trend toward turnkey; former formulation-only suppliers now getting into packaging; the growing global market and the necessity for suppliers from around the world to open U.S. offices and showrooms, especially in the New York vicinity; and specifically, many looking to staff California sales offices.
Lumson, for example, has opened a new corporate office in Great Neck, NY, and operates a sales office in Calabassas, CA.
At Seacliff Packaging, which has offices on both Coasts, owner Vonda Simon told Beauty Packaging that they are expanding their whole concept, specializing in full turnkey services. She said they can basically create a brand—or step in for large brands “that are launching so fast they can’t keep up.”
Denis Richard-Orliange, of 90-year-old France-headquartered Strand Cosmetics, told Beauty Packaging that they are going back to their roots, now opening an office in Brooklyn, where the company started. He explained that the company is growing rapidly due to “unique formulas that can’t be found anywhere else.” With the demand for full service, he says they are developing “more and more partnerships with packaging companies to bring innovation in formula and in packaging.”
Aircos, a family-owned company based in France, which owns its own factories, specializes in makeup, with about 80% being pressed and loose powders. Thomas Sirot, sales and marketing manager, said the company is now offering their customers all-custom injection plastic packaging to meet full service or contract manufacturing demand. Sirot said having a rep or an office in the U.S. “is becoming critical.”
Of course, much of the conversation throughout the Quixote Studio focused on indie brands.
Exhibitors, however, said show attendees represented a range of brands—from small to large. While some were looking for minimums below 5,000, others were placing orders for custom products and new shapes in large quantities.
At first-time MakeUp in LA exhibitor Cosmetix West, owner Ron Chavers said the show had been “very busy, very exciting.” The contract manufacturer, which specializes in turnkey solutions for skin care, hair care and personal care, said they had been visited by both East and West Coast brands interested in their “Made in California” products.
Packaging & Product Watch
Was it my imagination—it seemed that many attendees stood out for their carefully manicured brows—surely it was undeniable. But there was also a twist on the trend. A number of people at Quixote had added color above their lids. Brows popped even more with pink or yellow tints. One set of arches sported tiny pale blue feathers with mini rhinestones. Even at the airport and on the plane, there was a recognizable display of well-groomed brows. What will be next?
As mentioned, a number of exhibitors offered products for brows—from formulations to packaging.
Ningbo Jieli Cosmetical Package Company, from China, was highlighting a 3-in-1 eyebrow pen. David Zhang told Beauty Packaging that the multi-purpose pencil had been designed to “make brows perfect.” There’s a pencil to draw, a powder to fill and a brush “to perfect.” Zhang added: “The package was designed with a unique sponge applicator, a container with eye shadow powder, and a brush that grooms and defines brows into shape to create a dramatic look. One product covers all eyebrow functions.”
At Alkos, felt tip markers were all the rage. A new Filling Brow Marker, available with various tips, can outline and fill for buildable results. The versatile eyebrow marker features a beveled tip for optimum control and precision, for sculpted brows and defined arches. The flat part of the tip easily fills in sparse areas for fuller-looking brows. The thin edge of the tip draws precise lines for a polished result. Its long-lasting formula clings to both skin and hair, dries quickly, and stays put for hours without smudging.
Eyes Have It
Allison Kieffer of Alkos also showed us the supplier’s whole new collection of felt tip liners, available with different tips to achieve various effects, such as dots and wings. She said that following the success of their black eyeliners, they had introduced color versions—eyeliners in blue, olive and brown, with others in the works. The pen-like felt-tip is easy to control for thin or bold lines, and its formula is quick-dry, waterproof and long-lasting.
A microbristle precisionLINER was drawing interest at Geka. This eyeliner is made of 19 delicate microbristles which avoid any spreading. Longer bristles in the middle and shorter ones on the outside guarantee maximum precision.
Lips Align
Presto Packaging Solutions had set up shop featuring their full-size airtight lipstick cases for long-lasting formulas; the case closes tightly so no air gets inside. The lipstick cases have a luxurious look and feel as they are magnetized to ensure that the cap and base are always oriented. The rounded design has a window in the cap to reveal the shade of the lipstick. As liquid lip formulas are gaining speed, Presto offers a patent-pending lip oil package that uses an application system with an NBR sponge. Carli Windsor, vice president of sales and marketing, Presto, explained that two balls inside mix the formula, while the sponge also acts as a plug when the package is closed. The sponge can even be washed.
Alkos took on “the natural lip” with a tattoo lip contour tool. The stain-like formula, in a natural rose shade, has a matte finish. It can be layered, or worn alone, and there’s no transfer. This lip stain features a pencil-like tip and an easy grip to draw precise lines and neat contours. The long-wearing moisturizing formula does not dry out lips and lasts all day, without feathering or smudging.
Sonia Cerato, category manager, makeup division at Quadpack, showed Beauty Packaging a special preview of a product in development—a wooden lipstick case that’s not yet commercially available. The supplier is also now introducing color cosmetic palettes and will offer tubes with applicators with cushion sponges and various tips, including an eyeliner tip currently under development.
Sample Sale
Arcade Beauty had developed a new sampling kit—and gesture/applicator—for the rapidly growing root touch-up/hair color category. A package for Madison Reed included root touch-up applicators that stick to your finger so you can easily apply to your head to determine the correct color match.
Upscaling
With the Prestige market for Color Cosmetics outpacing Mass, Empire Emco has partnered with FR & Partners, out of Italy, and was launching a new array of Prestige packaging for compacts, eye and lip products.
Cho Chuang offered a broad range of color cosmetics formulations and packaging for face, lip, eye and cheek.
First-time MakeUp in LA exhibitor Asquan Group, based out of Hong Kong—and with offices around the globe, including LA—launched a year ago. At the show, they touted their strength in creating an innovative approach to cosmetics products, specializing in four categories: Primary, Turnkey, Cosmetic Brushes and Beauty Tools. Henri Tinchant, president, told Beauty Packaging that their Hong Kong location provides an edge as employees represent a variety of nationalities and speak seven different languages. “There’s always someone who can communicate in a native language,” he said.
One interesting product at Asquan, which was still in its mockup form, was a pack with two bullets—rather than a split bullet—that come up individually and can be used with one hand. It incorporates two mechanisms in one barrel, and can be utilized for two different colors or even a treatment.
MakeUp in LA 2018
While this year’s show floor configuration was re-arranged to accommodate the increased number of exhibitors over 2016, Magourian and Bourgeois said they are looking forward to as many as 100 exhibitors next year—and wouldn’t be surprised if the LA show becomes larger than New York’s. “Brands and suppliers are proud to have something here,” said Bourgeois, “but we have to be reasonable to match the ratio of exhibitors to visitors.” As they contemplate their next steps, he added: “The adventure goes on.”
The megatrend in eyebrows was especially evident at the West Coast beauty show, with a sculpt-worthy assortment of formulations and tools, as well as an impressive brand category success story presented by “eyebrow queen” Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills. But lips, face and lids; in-demand packaging; and cosmetic bags also drew avid interest as attendees made their way around the show floor and into the sessions tent.
Jean-Yves Bourgeois and Sandra Maguarian, co-managers of the MakeUp In…cosmetic-centric tradeshows, told Beauty Packaging that any qualms they may have originally had about launching a West Coast beauty event in the U.S. in 2016 had been completely allayed with this year’s second annual edition of MakeUp in LosAngeles, held February 8-9. Maguarian said on Day 1, alone, more than 1,000 beauty industry visitors walked the Red Carpet into the Quixote movie studio venue in West Hollywood. Over the two days, a total of 1,650 people—slightly more than the number of pre-registered visitors—crowded the exhibitor aisles and attended the many educational workshops and panel discussions.
This year’s event was the 21st MakeUp In… show. Since the premiere of MakeUp in Paris in 2010, the team went on to launch annual events in New York, Asia and Sao Paulo. Bourgeois and Maguarian said that they see the two coasts of the U.S. as seemingly “separate countries,” with different needs and influences, and with one impacting the other. West Coast beauty brands—several of which have been acquired in recent years by global brand manufacturers—retain their reputation as industry think tanks, acting quickly and creatively to launch new products in innovative packaging—and often using social media to quickly raise awareness and profitability.
The event also doubled in size from 2016 in terms of exhibitors, with 60 this year as opposed to the original 30. According to Bourgeois, 20 potential exhibitors had to be turned away due to lack of space, leading to the conclusion: “We will have to have a bigger place next year.”
While expansion continues, the show has not lost its low-key charm.
At Baralan USA’s stand, marketing manager Jim Slowey told Beauty Packaging: “I’m so happy to see that the show has grown but not lost its intimate feel.”
Show Talk
In addition to distinct packages and tools, and formulation advances, Beauty Packaging also noted a few industry-wide movements: The continuing trend toward turnkey; former formulation-only suppliers now getting into packaging; the growing global market and the necessity for suppliers from around the world to open U.S. offices and showrooms, especially in the New York vicinity; and specifically, many looking to staff California sales offices.
Lumson, for example, has opened a new corporate office in Great Neck, NY, and operates a sales office in Calabassas, CA.
At Seacliff Packaging, which has offices on both Coasts, owner Vonda Simon told Beauty Packaging that they are expanding their whole concept, specializing in full turnkey services. She said they can basically create a brand—or step in for large brands “that are launching so fast they can’t keep up.”
Denis Richard-Orliange, of 90-year-old France-headquartered Strand Cosmetics, told Beauty Packaging that they are going back to their roots, now opening an office in Brooklyn, where the company started. He explained that the company is growing rapidly due to “unique formulas that can’t be found anywhere else.” With the demand for full service, he says they are developing “more and more partnerships with packaging companies to bring innovation in formula and in packaging.”
Aircos, a family-owned company based in France, which owns its own factories, specializes in makeup, with about 80% being pressed and loose powders. Thomas Sirot, sales and marketing manager, said the company is now offering their customers all-custom injection plastic packaging to meet full service or contract manufacturing demand. Sirot said having a rep or an office in the U.S. “is becoming critical.”
Of course, much of the conversation throughout the Quixote Studio focused on indie brands.
Exhibitors, however, said show attendees represented a range of brands—from small to large. While some were looking for minimums below 5,000, others were placing orders for custom products and new shapes in large quantities.
At first-time MakeUp in LA exhibitor Cosmetix West, owner Ron Chavers said the show had been “very busy, very exciting.” The contract manufacturer, which specializes in turnkey solutions for skin care, hair care and personal care, said they had been visited by both East and West Coast brands interested in their “Made in California” products.
Packaging & Product Watch
Was it my imagination—it seemed that many attendees stood out for their carefully manicured brows—surely it was undeniable. But there was also a twist on the trend. A number of people at Quixote had added color above their lids. Brows popped even more with pink or yellow tints. One set of arches sported tiny pale blue feathers with mini rhinestones. Even at the airport and on the plane, there was a recognizable display of well-groomed brows. What will be next?
As mentioned, a number of exhibitors offered products for brows—from formulations to packaging.
Ningbo Jieli Cosmetical Package Company, from China, was highlighting a 3-in-1 eyebrow pen. David Zhang told Beauty Packaging that the multi-purpose pencil had been designed to “make brows perfect.” There’s a pencil to draw, a powder to fill and a brush “to perfect.” Zhang added: “The package was designed with a unique sponge applicator, a container with eye shadow powder, and a brush that grooms and defines brows into shape to create a dramatic look. One product covers all eyebrow functions.”
At Alkos, felt tip markers were all the rage. A new Filling Brow Marker, available with various tips, can outline and fill for buildable results. The versatile eyebrow marker features a beveled tip for optimum control and precision, for sculpted brows and defined arches. The flat part of the tip easily fills in sparse areas for fuller-looking brows. The thin edge of the tip draws precise lines for a polished result. Its long-lasting formula clings to both skin and hair, dries quickly, and stays put for hours without smudging.
Eyes Have It
Allison Kieffer of Alkos also showed us the supplier’s whole new collection of felt tip liners, available with different tips to achieve various effects, such as dots and wings. She said that following the success of their black eyeliners, they had introduced color versions—eyeliners in blue, olive and brown, with others in the works. The pen-like felt-tip is easy to control for thin or bold lines, and its formula is quick-dry, waterproof and long-lasting.
A microbristle precisionLINER was drawing interest at Geka. This eyeliner is made of 19 delicate microbristles which avoid any spreading. Longer bristles in the middle and shorter ones on the outside guarantee maximum precision.
Lips Align
Presto Packaging Solutions had set up shop featuring their full-size airtight lipstick cases for long-lasting formulas; the case closes tightly so no air gets inside. The lipstick cases have a luxurious look and feel as they are magnetized to ensure that the cap and base are always oriented. The rounded design has a window in the cap to reveal the shade of the lipstick. As liquid lip formulas are gaining speed, Presto offers a patent-pending lip oil package that uses an application system with an NBR sponge. Carli Windsor, vice president of sales and marketing, Presto, explained that two balls inside mix the formula, while the sponge also acts as a plug when the package is closed. The sponge can even be washed.
Alkos took on “the natural lip” with a tattoo lip contour tool. The stain-like formula, in a natural rose shade, has a matte finish. It can be layered, or worn alone, and there’s no transfer. This lip stain features a pencil-like tip and an easy grip to draw precise lines and neat contours. The long-wearing moisturizing formula does not dry out lips and lasts all day, without feathering or smudging.
Sonia Cerato, category manager, makeup division at Quadpack, showed Beauty Packaging a special preview of a product in development—a wooden lipstick case that’s not yet commercially available. The supplier is also now introducing color cosmetic palettes and will offer tubes with applicators with cushion sponges and various tips, including an eyeliner tip currently under development.
Sample Sale
Arcade Beauty had developed a new sampling kit—and gesture/applicator—for the rapidly growing root touch-up/hair color category. A package for Madison Reed included root touch-up applicators that stick to your finger so you can easily apply to your head to determine the correct color match.
Upscaling
With the Prestige market for Color Cosmetics outpacing Mass, Empire Emco has partnered with FR & Partners, out of Italy, and was launching a new array of Prestige packaging for compacts, eye and lip products.
Cho Chuang offered a broad range of color cosmetics formulations and packaging for face, lip, eye and cheek.
First-time MakeUp in LA exhibitor Asquan Group, based out of Hong Kong—and with offices around the globe, including LA—launched a year ago. At the show, they touted their strength in creating an innovative approach to cosmetics products, specializing in four categories: Primary, Turnkey, Cosmetic Brushes and Beauty Tools. Henri Tinchant, president, told Beauty Packaging that their Hong Kong location provides an edge as employees represent a variety of nationalities and speak seven different languages. “There’s always someone who can communicate in a native language,” he said.
One interesting product at Asquan, which was still in its mockup form, was a pack with two bullets—rather than a split bullet—that come up individually and can be used with one hand. It incorporates two mechanisms in one barrel, and can be utilized for two different colors or even a treatment.
MakeUp in LA 2018
While this year’s show floor configuration was re-arranged to accommodate the increased number of exhibitors over 2016, Magourian and Bourgeois said they are looking forward to as many as 100 exhibitors next year—and wouldn’t be surprised if the LA show becomes larger than New York’s. “Brands and suppliers are proud to have something here,” said Bourgeois, “but we have to be reasonable to match the ratio of exhibitors to visitors.” As they contemplate their next steps, he added: “The adventure goes on.”
