NATIONAL

Parcos launches its first-ever luxury experience store

Parcos Luxe is a one-of-a-kind Luxury store featuring an exclusive niche range of beauty brands. This is the first Parcos concept store that offers consumers best in class experiences such as a virtual try on, a fragrance bar, makeup and skincare consultations and more.

This luxury store will provide a unique personalised service, giving its customers specially curated experiences. Parcos plans to expand its base to 100 stores by the end of 2023 by redefining luxury beauty across a strategically planned variety of store formats – Parcos Select and Luxe each of which will house a different segment of beauty brands.

The Parcos Luxe Store at The Collection, UB City Bengaluru, will house an extensive selection of international luxury brands and this association will provide the consumers with a uniquely holistic experience of luxury beauty and fragrances to suit their unique taste.

Bella Vita Organic onboards Milind Soman as its brand ambassador

According to a new research from 1010Data’s new report, ‘2022 eCommerce Prestige Beauty Spotlight: Online Sales in Decline in 2022’, the online beauty sales in the prestige beauty industry have significantly decreased over the previous year as more customers turn to brick-and-mortar locations for their beauty purchases. Brick-and-mortar stores once again dominated the beauty industry in 2021, while e-commerce sales remained higher than in 2019.

According to the 1010Data analysis, online beauty sales will fall by 14 per cent between 2021 and 2022, reversing the previous year’s 51 per cent growth. The conclusion of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and masking is blamed for the decline in sales of prestige beauty products purchased online.

The survey discovered that overall sales growth for luxury cosmetics merchants have increased by 36.7 per cent over the last two years due to the increase in brick and mortar sales. According to the 1010Data survey, prestige cosmetic retailers made more than USD 3 billion in sales online over the course of the previous year.

While the other businesses in the research saw reductions in click-and-collect orders, Sephora had a 7.8 per cent boost in share growth. According to Jonah Ellin, Chief Product Officer, 1010data, the data emphasises the need for retailers to improve the in-store customer experience while also improving their online presence with focused key search terms that highlight their value offer.

AIHBA’s Jury Training Seminar

The All India Hair and Beauty Association (AIHBA) has always been encouraging the Indian beauty industry by providing various platforms for artists to showcase their talent. Through AIHBA India Awards, or participating in OMC, World Skill competitions, and many more. And now yet again they have come up with a unique and niche concept of Jury Training Seminar called as Juror Seminar, which will open the door for Indian Beauty Experts to be on the judging panel of beauty competitions at International events.

The first aim of the jury education seminar is to align the jurors with the vision of AIHBA as to why we do competition and what is our goal behind it. Second is introducing them to our scoring system, which aligns with OMC so that when they progress from being a national judge to an international judge, they are able to make that transition smoothly. And last but not the least, to teach and inform them about the rules and regulations, the industry standards internationally where we are right now and how we can progress as a juror.

A jury seminar is a totally different ball game. Other AIHBA seminars in workshops are either hands-on or more look and learn. This is closer to a symposium or a conference. Already more than a hundred people from across India have been certified in the AIHBA jury seminar education system and our next stop looks like it’s going to be Kolkata, West Bengal, and Gujarat.

Maybelline’s launch event

Maybelline New York, a US-based cosmetics brand, launched its new product the sensational sky high mascara in Indian markets amidst a fanfare at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai.

The event was full of glitz and glamour, completely in sync with the brand perspective. The launch event witnessed a look and learn session by Elton Fernandes, Brand Ambassador, Maybelline India, where he demonstrated different application types of the best waterproof new sky high mascara.

In a candid conversation with Professional Beauty India, Zeenia Shroff Bastani, General Manager, Maybelline India stated, “Lash extensions are becoming a popular beauty service for young millennial consumers. Building on this insight, Maybelline New York was inspired to launch the sky high mascara.” She further added, “the name sky high is meant to cue the limitless length that the mascara adds to your lashes. With Maybelline New York sky high mascara, get a lash length that touches the sky, sensational from every angle!”

Speaking about the USP of this new mascara, Zeenia mentioned, “Maybelline New York sky high mascara is known for helping acquire limitless lash length with full volume from every angle. It has a unique flex-brush that reaches every lash and the formula is lightweight and infused with bamboo extract. This helps bring an outstanding lash length effect.”

Estée Lauder and Nykaa launch Beauty & You India

Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) and Nykaa have come together to launch Beauty & You India. This programme is aimed at discovering, supporting the next generation Indian beauty labels and entrepreneurs in developing their projects.

The programme was created by ELC’s New Incubation Ventures and it will support India-focused companies and entrepreneurs through a competitive application process. To submit their applications, the candidates have until September 30, 2022. This Incubation will focus on master classes, mentoring, as well as financial support and help with distribution through Nykaa. And, the total award money will be USD 500,000.

They have realised how hard it is for these companies to actually come to market and those who finally do, they not only have a very strong idea-to-concept but are also supported with a very strong network. Thus, both Estée Lauder and Nykaa want to do the same to these new budding brands.

Ananya Panday becomes Plum BodyLovin’s Brand Ambassador

Plum BodyLovin’ - the bath and body brand by Plum, has signed Bollywood actor and style icon, Ananya Panday as its brand ambassador. The star will be seen as the face of the brand, promoting its fragrance category that includes body mists, perfumes and deodorants, in a variety of engaging campaigns across media platforms.

Ananya Panday brings on board the perfect blend of charm and playfulness to endear these fragranced body sprays and perfumes to today’s young women! Ananya’s cheerful persona and dynamism blend perfectly with Plum BodyLovin’s brand personality, and this alliance is a step forward towards becoming the preferred choice for India when it comes to delightful and premium fragrances.

With 25+ fragrance products available in 7 fine fragrances across beachy, floral, fruity, musky fragrance profiles and multiple more launches lined up, Plum BodyLovin’ is looking to offer a variety and quality of fragrances like the Indian market has never seen before.

Aveda X Nykaa Salon Opens Store in New Delhi

Aveda, the global leader in prestige hair care, and Nykaa, India’s leading omnichannel beauty and lifestyle destination, have decided to open doors to Delhi’s first Aveda X Nykaa salon. The Aveda X Nykaa salon is spread across 1,400 sq ft in the Khan market to set a transformative haircare experience for its customers.

The Aveda X Nykaa salons will be a one-of-a-kind unisex lifestyle destination, providing 100 percent vegan premium hair services like colour, haircut styling, and haircare along with exclusive rejuvenating rituals.

The retail concept of the salon in Khan Market, Delhi, communicates the brand’s close relationship with nature, echoing quality, simplicity, and tranquillity. And this launch will build and expand Aveda’s global network of salons whilst leveraging Nykaa’s retail prowess and understanding of the Indian consumer.

The Aveda X Nykaa salon also houses various stations such as spa rooms, manicure pedicure stations, as well as hair and makeup stations. The customers will be able to enjoy several of Nykaa’s best-selling beauty offerings at the salon, besides the Aveda range of hair care products. The offerings available are also customizable, which include hair treatments such as Botanical Therapy that assist hair and scalp imbalances.

Annual Lotus Make -up Artist Awards honours extraordinary talent

The first Lotus Make-up Artist of the year 2021– 2022 competition was sponsored by the upscale vegan cosmetics company Lotus Make Up during a spectacular event on July 29, 2022, at the Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi. The top 3 aspiring makeup artists from India received awards from Lotus Make-up, which sought to recognise and honour extraordinary talent and creativity. In December 2021, Lotus Make-up held a digital competition, inviting different makeup artists from all around India to submit their looks for the previous wedding season and the upcoming new year. Over 5300 people registered for the brand’s services, and more than 4000 of those looks were shared on social media. In January 2022, a small panel selected 15 make-up artists from all around India from among the entries, and the finalists were asked to present their looks at this make-up extravaganza.

Celebrity make-up artist Chandni Singh gave a lesson before the grand finale of the Lotus Make-up Artist of the Year competition, showcasing the subtler aspects of bridal makeup. She designed a gentle appearance for modern metropolitan women while keeping in mind the current minimalism trends, adding definition with eyeliner and mascara. By selecting fashionable looks for the upcoming wedding season, the 15 finalists displayed their makeup ability. Along with five macro-influencers, slender and appealing fashion models paraded the area wearing stunning make-up made with Lotus colour cosmetics. Sanchita Hazra’s stunning wedding gowns suited the makeup looks well.

Following the judges’ evaluation of each contestant, S PMaitra, President Sales of Lotus Herbals, celebrity make-up artist Chandni Singh, and Dr Ipsita Chatterjee, Head Innovation and Brand Strategy, presented awards to the three lucky winners. Ashmeet Kaur Saini of New Delhi took home the top prize, which included a monetary award of Rs 1,000,000, products from Lotus Makeup worth Rs 20,000, and a one-year affiliation with the company. Kajal Jain of Gurugram won the first runner-up prize, which included a monetary award of Rs 50,000, Lotus makeup products, and a one-year association with the company.

Shweta Singh from Bengaluru received the second runner-up prize, which included a monetary award of Rs 25,000, $10,000 worth of Lotus Makeup products, and a 1-year engagement with Lotus Makeup.

Designer Masaba Gupta launches LoveChild

Masaba Gupta has launched her cosmo-wellness brand, LoveChild, which caters to all skin types and age groups. Masaba, with this launch, aims to nullify the barriers and social hesitations that come with approaching beauty and wellness for first-time enthusiasts.

The brand, LoveChild stands strong on the price points and the packaging. The packaging is quirky, cute and fun, making you want to experience the product inside. And not only that, the products are actually good for the skin because they have paid a lot of attention to the skincare ingredients, and what has gone into each product, making it an honest product for the customers.

For Masaba, inclusivity and efficacy have always been a top priority while creating LoveChild. According to her, a large part of the birth of LoveChild is to reach out to a new consumer set and also finally be able to cater to the existing brand loyalists who are young, evolved and wallet conscious without compromising on the product.

They intend on being a one-stop destination for all conversations on beauty and well-being, delving into self-love facets, nutrition and nourishment by experts, wellness mantras and more. The one thing Masaba plans to do differently with her audience is the wellness route, where she will be giving tips and tricks on her wellness blog, which is also a part of the LoveChild website.

Hairstyling Masterclass by Mr. Barber

The capital is still buzzing with beauty exhibitions, seminars and master classes. Post a successful wrap up of Professional Beauty Delhi Expo 2022, Delhiites witnessed yet another vibrant masterclass from Mr. Barber at Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar.

The masterclass hosted by Mr. Barber was a great learning experience for the north Indian beauty community. The masterclass imparted hairstyling knowledge from two renowned celebrity hairstylists, Amit Bhardwaj, Celebrity Hairstylist, and Gourav Bhardwaj, Creative Director, was attended by 250+ participants. It bestowed the attendees with knowledge about how to choose the right tools while styling and different tips and tricks for Bridal hairstyling look to Avant-garde hairstyling looks.

The masterclass was a prominent educational institution to empower artists and professionals socially, skillfully. Through its masterclass, Mr. Barber, aimed at imparting the best of the hairstyling knowledge and keeping pace with the latest trends and technology in the fashion and hairstyling industry to enable aspiring artists to become the trendsetters of tomorrow.

L’Occitane Group appoints Laurent Marteau as Managing Director

The L’Occitane Group has appointed Laurent Marteau as their group managing director and Marteau will be reporting to André Hoffmann, the Vice-Chairman and CEO of L’Occitane.

L’Occitane Group is pleased to welcome Marteau to further drive their transformation into a global, multi-brand group. Marteau’s in-depth knowledge of the global beauty industry will be an asset to accelerate their long-standing omni-channel strategy in their key markets.

Laurent Marteau has over 20 years of experience in the global beauty industry and he has worked for the LVMH Group for 15 years in various senior management roles and countries, before joining La Prairie Group in 2014 as vice president for global travel retail and special channels and becoming a member of the Board of Directors in the same year. Previously, he had expanded his responsibilities and was made vice president for Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa in the year 2020.