Ulta Beauty’s challenges include increased competition

Oct 17, 2024
In an effort to counter rivals, the retailer is opening more stores.
Ulta Beauty is facing softer consumer demand and increased competition.
Mike Mozart/Flickr

Does lipstick still have economic staying power?

Aug 19, 2024
Historically, when the economy gets rough, sales of lipstick go up. But for luxury beauty brands, that may not still be the case.
Luxury skincare and makeup was doing well a couple years ago. But now, with the price of everything up, consumers are reassessing what counts as a "little luxury" purchase.
Larry French/Getty Images for NYX Professional Makeup

Kids want $70 wrinkle creams. Parents and lawmakers are "fighting a losing battle"

Jul 9, 2024
Elementary and middle school kids are flocking to stores to buy products recommended on TikTok. But they may be harming their skin.
Drunk Elephant is one of the most popular skin care brands among children.
Caleigh Wells/Marketplace

Why Egypt's Queen Nefertiti is one of the original beauty influencers

Nov 24, 2023
When Queen Nefertiti's bust was revealed to the world in 1920's, she caused a commotion in the fashion and beauty industry. "You would see hair salons, for example, in America have replicas of her bust in their windows," said journalist and author Zahra Hankir.
When it was unveiled in the 1920s, Queen Nefertiti's bust was a sensation in the beauty industry. "You would see hair salons in America have replicas of her bust in their windows," said Zahra Hankir. "You would see fashion houses craft lines that were entirely inspired by Nefertiti."

Why are there so many celebrity beauty brands?

Jan 17, 2022
Beauty reporter Cheryl Wischhover says social media and industry profits are behind the abundance of celebrity makeup and skincare lines.
A display of Fenty Beauty products, a brand launched by Rihanna, is seen in the United Kingdom.
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

What is makeup for during a pandemic?

Feb 10, 2021
Social distancing has made some women more aware of what wearing makeup means for them, whether it's peer pressure or self-care.
For some women, makeup provides an escape. For others, it's a social nicety.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for NYX Professional Makeup

For sale: A brand that pioneered cosmetics for women of color

Apr 11, 2019
The company that launched Ebony and Jet magazines — Johnson Publishing Company of Chicago — has filed for bankruptcy. Johnson sold off its magazines in 2016, but held on to Fashion Fair, its cosmetics brand. When the brand hit the market in 1973, the department store counters that sold it were among the few places where […]
Mike Simons/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Red lipstick and gold hoops: attitudes toward makeup are changing at work

Feb 19, 2019
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has started a conversation about the standards placed on women in the workplace.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

How to be a cosmetic scientist

Feb 15, 2019
Beauty and science aren't mutually exclusive.
Balanda Atis serves as the director of face innovation and multicultural beauty at L'Oréal USA.
Courtesy of L'Oréal USA

Young shoppers are giving the makeup industry a makeover

Oct 8, 2018
With big chains like Sephora and Ulta on the move, department stores are playing catch up.
Mario Tama/Getty Images