Cosmetics International articles from January 2005

Cosmetics International archives from January 2005

Germany faces another difficult year.(European News)
January 14, 2005... Sales of cosmetics and toiletries fell in Germany during 2004, despite the fact that the country's economy was predicted to show a 1.8 per cent gain for the year after a recession in 2003. According to the annual report of the Industrial...

Diana Ross starts chain reaction at MAC Cosmetics.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Rumours that soul diva Diana Ross has turned her back on a MAC Cosmetics deal because she is offended by the make-up line continue to be hotly denied by MAC. Ross is thought to have been particularly unimpressed at the colour names in the...

Space.nk.(European News)(has announced relaunch of its website www.spacenk.com )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... SPACE.NK HAS announced the relaunch of its website, www.spacenk.com. Work to upgrade the site began in early 2004 and it now offers users online consultations and the opportunity to purchase products. Following the opening of a regional...

Jaroslav Bartak, ceo of the Rossmann chemist chain in the Czech Republic, has cited data from AC Nielsen which reveals that sales of toiletries in the country totalled around Kc20bn (US$860m) between January and October 2004.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... JAROSLAV BARTAK, ceo of the Rossmann chemist chain in the Czech Republic, has cited data from AC Nielsen which reveals that sales of toiletries in the country totalled around Kc20bn (US$860m) between January and October 2004. This was Kc725m...

Ukraine's state Statistics Committee reports that perfumes and cosmetics produced in the country accounted for 33.7 per cent of the domestic fragrance and cosmetics market in the first nine months of 2004, up slightly on the previous year.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... UKRAINE'S STATE Statistics Committee reports that perfumes and cosmetics produced in the country accounted for 33.7 per cent of the domestic fragrance and cosmetics market in the first nine months of 2004, up slightly on the previous year. The...

In order to ensure that consumers have access to domestically produced goods, Belarus has set minimum retail sales quotas.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... IN ORDER to ensure that consumers have access to domestically produced goods, Belarus has set minimum retail sales quotas for a range of products made in the country, including beauty soap.

Intercos sees its plans take shape.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Intercos, the Italian group that produces make-up for major international cosmetics brands on a contract basis, has inaugurated a new facility near Cremona in northern Italy. In 2002, Intercos turned over (150m [Euro], and for 2004, the...

Henkel joint venture buys Chemtek.(European News)(Charteredbrands)
January 14, 2005... Henkel, the Dusseldorf headquartered international manufacturer of Schwarzkopf shampoos and conditioners, and Charteredbrands, the Edinburgh based brand-value management company, have bought Chemtek, an independently owned formulator and...

Russia's Kalina takes a stake in Dr Scheller.(European News)(Kalina cosmetics in Dr Scheller Cosmetics)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Russia's Kalina cosmetics manufacturer is to purchase a minority stake in Germany's Dr Scheller Cosmetics. It is understood that the stake will be around 20 per cent. Kalina says the acquisition is part of its development strategy, the aim...

ABC Farma eyes European market.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Spanish-based manufacturer of cosmetic patches ABC Farma is planning the introduction of its products on the US market in February. Launches in pharmacies throughout Europe are expected to follow, with an agreement for supply to Germany...

Statistics in focus.(European News)
January 14, 2005... 1 Germany is the key court try for hand care products. Over one third of German women aged 11-74 use hand care products in an average week. More than 1 in 10 men in Germany use hand care products in an average week 1 German men use hand...

Chinese representative addresses British aerosol manufacturers.(European News)(British Aerosols Manufacturers Association conference)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The latest annual forum for the British Aerosols Manufacturers Association (BAMA) played host to chief representative from the Chinese office of Swallowfield plc, Ms Qungfang Yan. During her visit, Ms Yan briefed the audience of around 400...

CPL Aromas funded an exhibition at the London College of Fashion recently in which students were challenged to design fragrances.(European News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... CPL Aromas funded an exhibition at the London College of Fashion recently in which students were challenged to design fragrances. The exhibition was named 2nd Skin because it was based around the rationale that fragrance is a layer of identity...

Artisan Parfumeur enters Milan.(European News)(opening new stores)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The first Artisan Parfumeur perfume bar in Italy is opening for business in the country's epicentre of fashion--Milan's Via Bagutta. Italian distributor for the brand which was recently divested by Cradle Holdings (see full story, page 8)...

CavinKare expands across Asia.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... CavinKare, the Chennai, India-based company that markets a range of hair care, skin care and personal care products, is to begin operations in Bangladesh and Indonesia through wholly owned subsidiaries. In Bangladesh, CavinKare has set up a...

US demand to hit $7bn.(International News)(cosmetics)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Demand for cosmetics in the US is expected to hit the $7bn mark by 2008, according to a study entitled Cosmeceuticals published by The Freedonia Group. This signifies an 11 per cent hike year on year from 2003. Cosmeceuticals identifies...

Bright future for LG Vina.(International News)(LG Vina Cosmetics sales reports and expansion plans)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The LG Vina Cosmetics manufacturing joint venture in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai province says that its sales in the first eleven months of 2004 were around 30 per cent higher year on year, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. LG Vina...

Chinese market expected to outpace other world markets.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... China's personal care and cosmetics industries are set to grow at a rate of about 17 per cent this year. The growth can be attributed to a larger number of foreign brands seeking to increase their presence in China and more consumers...

VLCC Personal Care has launched its ayurvedic skin care, hair care and body care products in Kerala, India.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... VLCC PERSONAL Care has launched its ayurvedic skin care, hair care and body care products in Kerala, India. Previously available only at the recently opened VLCC centre in Kochi, the care range comprises more than 100 products and will now be...

Coty Inc and Lancaster Group have appointed Jonathan Holland of Associates to manage their travel retail business in the burgeoning Asian market.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... COTY INC and Lancaster Group have appointed Jonathan Holland Associates to manage their travel retail business in the burgeoning Asian market. The company will be drawing on 22 years of experience in the area in order to multiply cosmetic and...

US-based market analyst Kline has embarked on the second stage of a global market research study to analyse raw material usage in cosmetics and toiletries.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... US-BASED market analyst Kline has embarked on the second stage of a global market research study to analyse raw material usage in cosmetics and toiletries. The first part of the study was published in 2003 and 2004 and the follow-up promises to...

Thailand's Minor makes major investment.(International News)(plans to spin off brands to companies)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Minor Corporation, a distributor of imported cosmetics and clothing lines in Thailand, is planning to spin off its profitable brands into separate companies next year. Such a move is expected to make decision making more flexible. The...

Biotherm adds US distribution points.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Biotherm has opened its first US freestanding boutique at the Glendale Galleria mall in Southern California. The store joins Biotherm's new e-commerce Web site, www.biotherm-usa.com, which was launched recently. Both offer Biotherm's...

Alberto-Culver acquires CosmoProf.(International News)(Beauty Systems Group)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Ilinois-based Alberto-Culver Company has acquired professional beauty products distributor CosmoProf through its Beauty Systems Group. With the acquisition, Beauty Systems Group and its Sally Beauty division move one step closer to becoming...

Brazilian beauty is buoyant again.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Having recorded one of the worst results in its history in 2003, the cosmetics and toiletries market in Brazil ended 2004 with record figures. The best results in ten years saw the country sell 1.14bn tonnes of products and rake in sales...

Love is in the air.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... What started out as a promotional gimmick for a national campaign to encourage romance has received such a positive response in Singapore that it is to make its way to worldwide markets. In February last year, the Singapore government...

Freeman restores Phebo's glamour.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Christopher Freeman, the British owner of Brazilian company Casa Granado, wants to revamp the glamour of the Phebo glycerine soap brand, which it bought from Sara Lee last year. Previously, Phebo belonged to Procter & Gamble, who moved it...

Lauder targets younger women with new store design.(International News)(Estee Lauder)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Estee Lauder has unveiled a new store and spa at the Americana Manhasset mall in New York that will serve as a prototype for store and counter design moving forward. The 1,700-square-foot space features an Estee Lauder Spa, the brand's...

MAAD idea encourages at home trial.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... An interactive DVD which allows consumers to try cosmetic colours and ranges from the comfort of their own sofa looks set to impact heavily on the industry. The UK-based company responsible for creating the prototype iStyle program,...

Cradle Holdings spins off L'Artisan Parfumeur.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... New York-based Cradle Holdings has spun off L'Artisan Parfumeur as an independent, privately held company just two years after buying the brand. The company's other brands--Luxury retailer Penhaligon's and the high-end skin care line Erno...

Disney World provides perfect backdrop.(International News)(International Federation Societies of Cosmetic Chemists )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... In excess of 2000 people participated in the last International Federation Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) congress, held in Orlando, Florida. Attendees saw awards in recognition of research go to Ken-Ichi Tanaka, Y Tango and K Shimmoto...

Expansion into retail could prove a costly venture for cosmetics manufacturers.(Stock Watch)
January 14, 2005... Retail strategy can take various forms Cosmetics manufacturers under our coverage have, overall, had limited retail presence until now. Most have opened a few 'flagship' stores in key cities around the world. Some have gone one step...

New Gucci ceo aims to double sales.(Financial News)(Gucci Group)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... No new brands and no chopping of old ones. But new Gucci Group ceo Robert Polet is determined to more than double Gucci Group sales by 2012. Polet has said that he is deter mined to revamp the Yves Saint Laurent beauty and fashion arm of the...

Limited Brands sees modest Christmas sales rise.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Limited Brands saw a marginal increase in sales--2 per cent up--in the five weeks up to 1 January 2005 compared with the same period last year. Limited Brands, which includes Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Express retail stores and White...

Tajik traders get new line of credit.(Financial News)
January 14, 2005... The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has granted a third credit line worth US$2m to a commercial bank in Tajikistan which will provide micro credits to small-scale enterprises there. The Tajik Micro and Small...

Stelios's new cosmetics line is cleared for take off.(Financial News)(Stelios Haji-Ioannou on Easy4men from EasyGroup)(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 14, 2005... How far can a brand stretch? He's done cheap airlines, hire cars and Internet cafes but Stelios Haji-Ioannou, head of EasyGroup, is now targeting men's cosmetics. The rationale behind Easy4men products, available via Boots--which is...

Russia's Federal Financial Markets Service has given permission to the Kalina cosmetics producer to trade 23.3 per cent of its shares abroad, according to the Interfax news agency.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... RUSSIA'S FEDERAL Financial Markets Service has given permission to the Kalina cosmetics producer to trade 23.3 per cent of its shares abroad, according to the Interfax news agency. This percentage figure is equivalent to 1,949,487 shares....

Kruzas Nordic Cosmetics Distribution (KNCD), which began operations in Lithuania at the start of this year.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... KRUZAS NORDIC Cosmetics Distribution (KNCD), which began operations in Lithuania at the start of this year, is forecasting sales worth around LTL19m (5.5m [euro]) in 2005, according to the LETA news agency.

Despite solid volume growth of 18 per cent in 2004, Airspray's consolidated results are expected to be around 30 per cent lower than they were in 2003, thanks largely to a weak US dollar.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... DESPITE SOLID volume growth of 18 per cent in 2004, Airspray's consolidated results are expected to be around 30 per cent lower than they were in 2003, thanks largely to a weak US dollar. However, the Dutch company expects an inflow of...

Analyst in Moscow say that the Russian cosmetics market could increase in size from US$5.2bn in 2003 to US$18bn by 2010, according to BISNIS, part of the US Department of Commerce.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... ANALYSTS IN Moscow say that the Russian cosmetics market could increase in size from US$5.2bn in 2003 to US$18bn by 2010, according to BISNIS, part of the US Department of Commerce. Imported products currently have a 53 per cent share of the...

Modi Revon aims high.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Modi Revlon is upbeat about the Indian cosmetics market. After achieving breakeven last fiscal following an eight year stint in the country, the joint venture between Modi Mundipharma and Revlon has laid out expansion plans. As part of the...

UK lags behind in skin care.(Financial News)(forecasts)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... British consumers spent 631m [pounds sterling] on skin care in 2003 and spending is forecast to increase by almost 100m [pounds sterling] in 2008. This growth of 16 per cent would take the market to an all-time high value of 730m [pounds...

Avon US sales under pressure.(Financial News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Don't rely on the US consumer for more sales growth. That's the tough message for Avon, amongst other major international cosmetics players. Last month, Avon's share price slipped by almost 4 per cent in just 24 hours after it predicted...

Imedeen responds to consumer demands.(Product News)(skin care solutions from Ferrosan A-S)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Ferrosan is taking its Imedeen[R] brand in a whole new direction. In April, it will start the global roll out of its first ever topical skin care range, Imedeen Expression Line Control[TM]. The four-sku line was developed in response to...

Thrill seeker ...(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Bold and fruity body fragrance Thrill will join the eight others in the Impulse range in the UK this month. According to sources from the Unilever-owned brand, Thrill is aimed at young women who 'can dare to have fun, live fast, be spontaneous,...

Juvena extends the appeal of Juvedical.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... In March last year, Juvena (Beiersdorf) introduced its Skin Nova Technology to the market in a range of skin care products called Juvedical. Now, it is extending the appeal of the technology, which marries first aid medicine with...

Givenchy launches night-time alternative to surgery.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Givenchy is taking another foray into the anti wrinkle market by launching its night recovery care cream, No Surgetics Night, internationally in February. A No Surgetics face cream, a lotion, two anti-wrinkle creams, a serum and an eye...

Mariels Moller (Juvena) will extend its hair care offering in February across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France with Shiny Hair Shine Spray (18 [euro], 125ml).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... MARLIES MOLLER (Juvena) will extend its hair care offering in February across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France with Shiny Hair Shine Spray (18 [euro], 125ml). Containing panthenol and phytantriol, the spray is said to give hair an...

Since its inception almost 17 years ago, the biannual charity affair Red Nose Day has become a British institution.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... SINCE ITS inception almost 17 years ago, the biannual charity affair Red Nose Day has become a British institution. In 2005, the theme is Big Hair and Beyond and to mark the date (11 March), Wella is producing Official Wella Red Nose Day Red...

DKNY is following the launch of Be Delicious for women with a version for men.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... DKNY IS following the launch of Be Delicious for women with a version for men. Launching in select US doors in February, Be Delicious Men has top notes of crisp apple and coffee, a heart of pomarose apple and African coffee, and a drydown of...

Cosmopolitan Cosmetics Prestige has introduced a body care trio to complement its Montblanc Femme Individuelle fragrance.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... COSMOPOLITAN COSMETICS Prestige has introduced a body care trio to complement its Montblanc Femme Individuelle fragrance. The Bath & Shower Gel (25 [euro], 200ml), Body Lotion (33 [euro], 200ml) and Deodorant Spray (24 [euro], 150ml) are...

Guerlain follows one Instant success with another.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Following the success of L'Instant de Guerlain eau de parfum, Guerlain is planning the worldwide launch of the women's scent in eau de toilette form in February. According to a spokesperson, the company is extending the fragrance line to...

YSL introduces 'first cosmetic nutritionist'.(Product News)
January 14, 2005... According to Yves Saint Laurent Parfums, the skin needs a regular dose of proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates to keep it in top condition. That's why it is launching Nutri Systeme Creme Nourrissante Profonde, and billing it as 'the first 100%...

La Prairie hopes to repeat US success in Europe.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Following success in the US, Swiss skin care manufacturer La Prairie is rolling out three face masks designed to energise, revitalise, calm, de-stress, clarify and purify in Europe. Formulated with Cellular Complex technology, Energizing...

Nivea's New Skin reaches Asia.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Following the success of Nivea Visage Q10plus, the latest anti-ageing face care product from Beiersdorf to hit shelves in Asia relies on the effectiveness of a familiar compound--Vitamin C. Laboratory studies at Nivea's Anti-Ageing Research...

Sebapharma looks after very dry skin.(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Sebapharma has expanded its Sebamed line with Sebamed Sensitive for very dry skin. Comprising three care products and one wash, the line is formulated with concentrated phystosterols extracted from rape seed oil by a patent-pending...

Isadora is Happy to be Chic.(Product News)(IsaDora Happy Chic)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Shimmering aquarelles, watercolour tints, classic sheer pinks and beige, caramel and nougat hues. These will form the basis of IsaDora's spring make-up collection, Happy Chic, which will be available internationally from mid-February. The...

Lauder heads for a new Island with Kors.(Product News)(Island Michael Kors)(Michael Kors L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The US fragrance market will be besieged by the latest scent from Michael Kors, Island Michael Kors, when it is launched in April. This is according to sources at brand owner Estee Lauder. Industry experts estimate that sales in the first...

L'Occitane switches sides.(Technology & Packaging)
January 14, 2005... After ten years of L'Occitane using only the non-bleached, matt, brown reverse of AssiDoman Frovi kraftboard for its packaging, the French brand has decided to switch to the bright, white, right side of the board. Only on certain ranges such as...

Full on ...(Technology & Packaging)(packaging for Britney Spears' Curious scent.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... A full matt black acetate film contrasting with a metallised inner carton finish is how Clarifoil has described the look of the packaging it produced for Britney Spears' Curious scent. The company was hoping to achieve a glossy and...

Swallowfield shows the shape of cans to come.(Technology & Packaging)(Swallowfield PLC)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Swallowfield plc is shaping the future of aerosols by moving away from standard cylindrical cans towards more exciting and innovative silhouettes. Indeed shelves will not only be filled with different shaped can isters, they will also house...

Bespoke boxes hit Professional target.(Technology & Packaging)(Professional Packaging Services)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The cosmetics industry will continue to be a target for Professional Packaging Services (PPS) in its on-going campaign to win contracts for the supply of bespoke rigid boxes. PPS has spent two years establishing manufacturing partnerships...

New Jersey honours its Hall of Fame.(Technology & Packaging)(New Jersey Packaging Executives Club)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Outstanding packaging professionals will be honoured at the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club (NJPEC) Annual Hall of Fame Dinner in New Jersey on 19 May. Awards will go to Joe Norton of O Berk Company for his achievements in the purchasing...

Trade Promotion Services (TPS) Ltd.(Technology & Packaging)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... TRADE PROMOTION Services (TPS) Ltd has announced the death of its group sales manager for the Spring Fair Birmingham, Derek London. Having joined the company over 15 years ago, Derek built up a wealth of experience, as well as the instinct to...

National Starch Personal Care.(Technology & Packaging)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... NATIONAL STARCH Personal Care has appointed Charles Aaron Jr as senior customer support manager and Theresa DeBellas-Edris as customer support and demand manager at its Connection group, which provides customer care. Aaron joins National Starch...

Independent Can Company.(Technology & Packaging)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... AS PART of a plan to place greater emphasis on drawn metal packaging, Maryland, US-based Independent Can Company has appointed senior sales representative Neil DeFrancisco as its Drawn Can Man. As part of his responsibilities, DeFrancisco will...

Freeman Technology.(Technology & Packaging)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... THE UK'S Freeman Technology has appointed James Cooke as applications scientist.

Hill will head up Boxes expansion.(Technology & Packaging)(Chris Hill joined The Boxes Group.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The Boxes Group is announcing a major programme of investment in central Europe with the appointment of Chris Hill in the newly-created role of European sales and marketing manager. Based in Warsaw, Poland, Hill will be a key member of the...

YSL taps Hermann from Christian Dior.(Technology & Packaging)(Yves Saint Laurent.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Valerie Hermann has been appointed ceo of Yves Saint Laurent (Gucci). She will join the company during the second quarter of 2005. 41-year-old Hermann joins Yves Saint Laurent from Christian Dior, where she has been head of women's ready-to...

Diary dates.(Cosmetics industry)(Calendar)
January 14, 2005... DIARY DATES * 26-30 JANUARY 2005 Venue: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany BEAUTYWORLD Tel: +49 69 7575 6803 INTERNATIONAL FRANKFURT Fax: +49 69 7575 6433 FAIR ...

Kao's Frieda completes hair care trilogy.(John Frieda )
January 28, 2005... John Frieda (Kao Brands Europe) is extending its colour expertise to a new line of hair care products specifically targeting redheads. Radiant Red follows in the footsteps of Sheer Blonde (1998), Beach Blonde (2001) and Brilliant Brunette...

Bourjois to close Italian operation.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Make-up brand Bourjois's Italian adventure has come to an end. Two and a half years after the official launch, the brand that specialises in sumptuous French-style make-up, has announced the closure of its Italian operation. The company...

Brazil's Natura to open first European outlet.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Natura, the major Brazilian cosmetics producer, is extending its international reach with the opening of its first European retail outlet. The Paris store is slated to open this April and is being considered a pilot project to gauge the...

Limited Brands in corporate shake-up.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Limited Brands Inc., Columbus, Ohio, announced a company-wide reorganization recently that establishes three separate business groups for its lingerie, apparel and beauty and personal care brands. Each group will be led by a group president....

NewBeauty magazine focuses on US cosmetic enhancement trend.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Americans' interest in cosmetic surgery and other forms of cosmetic enhancements is so great it needed its own newsstand magazine, according to the publisher of the recently launched NewBeauty magazine. He may have a point. There are...

Kao Biore reformulates in home market.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Japan's Kao Corp will be relaunching its best-selling Biore brand of facial cleanser this February with an updated formula to keep up with changing consumer demand. According to Kao, Japanese consumers prefer facial cleansers which are...

P8N8 line hits US mailboxes.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... For its US launch, a European skin care range called P8N8 Bio Energized Oxygen is using direct-mail catalogues to introduce itself to customers. Paula Haines, president of New York-based Shepard Jones Ltd., acquired the exclusive US...

CI looks back at the main events of 2004.(2004 In Review)(Calendar)
January 28, 2005... JANUARY > LVMH triumphs in its battle with Morgan Stanley which is ordered to pay the luxury goods group 30m [euro] > Estee Lauder signs pop diva Beyonce to front Tommy Hilfiger's new scent True Star FEBRUARY > Kanebo and Kao...

Skin care manufacturer Estee Lauder and Californian spa and cosmetic treatment company, Epicore, are under scrutiny.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... > SKIN CARE manufacturer Estee Lauder and Californian spa and cosmetic treatment company, Epicore, are under scrutiny after a law suit was brought against them in the US, claiming they falsely advertised anti-ageing products. It has been...

Sephora customers will be the latest to benefit from an online scent-matching service.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... > SEPHORA CUSTOMERS will be the latest to benefit from an online scent-matching service, created by the author of Fragrances of the World, Michael Edwards. The website will now match 350 of the fragrances carried by Sephora to the 4,000...

Merger talks are allegedly underway between Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores in the US.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... > Merger talks are allegedly underway between Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores in the US. Both refused to comment, but speculation is rife, with the price tag for May estimated at anything up to $17bn.

Sa Sa takes first step into Chinese market.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... After over a year of planning and detangling of government red tape, Hong Kong's leading cosmetics retailer and beauty services group Sa Sa will finally be opening its first store in mainland China. The new store will be located in...

Virgin Cosmetics breaks record for group massage session in Thailand.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Hua Hin, one of Thailand's most popular spa destinations, now holds the record for the world's largest group massage session. Organised by The Virgin Cosmetics Co, some 100 staff and invited guests from the UK-based company were treated to a...

Flying high in South America ...(International News)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2005... Flying high in South America... L'Oreal's Luxury Products Division for the Americas (Parbel) and Interbaires Duty Free have opened a joint men's skin care store and wine cellar in Buenos Aires International Airport. The 25[m.sup.2] skin...