"In this corner, we have industry goliath LVMH, pledging to donate 12 metric tons of hand sanitizer to 39 Paris hospitals in under a week. And in this corner, we have tiny, farm-based indie Beekman 1802, flipping the switch on its "live baby goat cam" for the world to see. You know, to alleviate stress? To transport you, at least temporarily, to a world in which Covid-19 doesn't exist? And in another corner, AP reports that "Germany-based Beiersdorf, whose brands include Nivea and Coppertone, says it is launching production of medical …
The Apothecary Pivot: Macy’s Starts Thinking Small
"Flexible retail store format." Is that Macy's-speak for "We're gonna try something new, and by some act of God, if it actually works, we'll shift from 'flexible' to 'inflexible'"? Or is it the trending new business strategy of "try often, fail fast and go bold?" In a roll of the dice that sounds not just brave but pretty smart, the department store announced earlier this month that it would debut a riff on its Market @ Macy's in-store concept with a lone freestanding unit in the Lone Star State. Southlake, Texas, to be more …
Big Beauty Is in Serious Trouble
I don't make too many brilliant decisions in my life but opting to record this year's Golden Globes while I nipped out to watch "Little Women" at my local multiplex proved to be genuine goodie. Not only could I enjoy the feast-for-the eyes scenery and fine acting in Greta Gerwig's bracing take on the Louisa May Alcott classic (Saoirse! Timothée Chalamet!), I could also later watch - and rewind, multiple times - the jaw-dropping, scorched-earth Ricky Gervais opening monologue that had woke Hollywood squirming in its seats. Yikes. But because …
As We Reach “Peak CBD,” What, If Anything, Is Really & Truly In It for Beauty Consumers?
For the past year and change, my inbox has been pelted with notices of at least - at. least. - five new cannabis-related beauty brand launches per week. But it was in the Men's department of my local Dillard's this past August that I realized we'd reached "peak CBD." As I helped my eternally preppy husband shop for Ralph Lauren polo shirts (since we've moved to Florida, the brightly hued numbers have become a staple of his wardrobe), I was bombarded by little green signs tucked discreetly all over the department. "CBD has arrived. Come to the …
As We Reach “Peak CBD,” What, If Anything, Is Really & Truly In It for Beauty Consumers?Read More
The Hyper-Minimalist Trend
In the immortal words of Canadian angst-rocker Alanis Morissette, "isn't it ironic" that the same country that brought us insanely elaborate, 11-step skincare routines - Korea - is now serving up the polar opposite in the form of the "skip care" trend? It seems Korean millennials are severely over spending two hours to double-cleanse and de-age their decidedly wrinkle-free 25-year-old mugs after a long day at the office, followed by an even longer night out partying with their pals. And forget attempting all that before they rush out the door …
Men’s Makeup: Fad Gone Mad or Legit New Category?
I don't pat myself on the back for much these days, but when the James Charles/Tati Westbrook YouTube influencer dustup set the world ablaze a few weeks ago, I have to admit I was filled with pride that I, unlike so many millions of clueless others, knew exactly who James Charles was. Why was I so ahead of the pop-culture curve? Because last autumn, at the demand of my then 12-year-old daughter, I'd spent an entire weekday afternoon welded to the chair in my office trying to buy a limited-edition, online-only James Charles eyeshadow palette …
The Macy’s Makeover
In New York City proper at least, it's becoming the norm for storied retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's to spend gazillions of dollars creating stunningly beautiful new beauty departments featuring the coolest-of-cool brands and chicest-of-chic spa service providers. In need of a little "remodelage" on your love handles? Head to the Martine de Richeville outpost at Saks on your lunch hour for a little Parisian pummeling. And then there's Macy's. While its competitors are opting for star-studded media reveals on their …
Beauty’s Great Beyond
If the reports are accurate - that he intentionally plunged to his death from the balcony of his 32nd story downtown Toronto penthouse - it was a really sad, shocking end to Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe's 40 years on this Shakespearian "mortal coil." Was it wholly unexpected? No, not by those close to the charismatic Wizard of Products. This manically creative individual, who'd launched 15 brands virtually simultaneously and lured Estée Lauder Cos. as an investor, had been publicly dissembling for a good 18 months before the alleged …