When it comes to beauty, we currently live in a legal gray zone. The dilemma of creative copyright has plagued other disciplines such as music or artwork, but in an industry where a majority of ingredients—unless created as a captive or trademarked, are up for grabs—where is the line between a reference point and outright plagiarism? Couple that with the fact that counterfeit products make up more than 10% of the beauty—and that is just what is known. We will unpack the intricacies of legal protection for brand founders and creators, ethical considerations around dupe products, and whether, in 2023, the idea of an original product concept still exists.

As beauty retail gets increasingly competitive, emerging brands are looking for new channels of distribution to fuel growth. Spas, salons, and medical practices go above and beyond the experience a customer can get in a retail environment. They provide access to expertise and high-touch immersive experiences, but what it takes for a brand to be successful in a retail environment or a professional treatment room is not the same. Unlocking the potential requires understanding the ins and outs of the professional channel and the ability to earn the respect of the community of service providers who will make or break your success.

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) as part of the 2023 omnibus spending bill. This legislation is the first major update to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority over cosmetic products since 1938. The Independent Beauty Association has had a seat at the table as the FDA has gone through the rulemaking process and will provide a download of what cosmetic manufacturers and brands need to know. 

In the hypercompetitive beauty landscape, what are the building blocks of an authentic and innovative retail model? The strategic partnership between JCP and Thirteen Lune has ushered in a new age of beauty retail where representation surpasses mere percentages, and true indie brands have a retail partner that can provide national exposure and scale. Together they have reimagined the beauty experience—from the highly curated assortment to the seamless integration of technology—all in service of delivering a hyper-personalized experience to America's diverse beauty consumers.

The Metaverse was perhaps one of the most hotly debated topics of recent beauty years—a new digital frontier with infinite potential, a chance to reinvent the Web 2.0 as a more democratic and inclusive medium. However, claiming a spot in this new digital landscape has not been without its challenges, as brands attempted (and some failed) to adapt to this nascent infrastructure. Those who are harnessing its full potential are managing to bridge the worlds of Web 3.0 with its predecessor, connecting physical goods with digital equivalents to ensure optimal sell-through rates. We dive into how  brands can best merge these two online worlds with Web 2.5 strategies and tools to traverse this new digital territory.