AGP Executive Report

Beauty-Tech & Safety: The Philippines’ NBI arrested a man in Cavite City for allegedly posing as a doctor and running an unlicensed clinic offering invasive cosmetic services like Jawtox, microblading, and glutathione drips—authorities say he lacked a medical license and the clinic had no FDA permit. Skincare x Makeup Collab: e.l.f. Cosmetics and e.l.f. SKIN teamed with Bubble for a limited-edition skincare-makeup hybrid collection built around community “holy grails.” K-Beauty Retail Expansion: CJ Olive Young is expanding its U.S. footprint with a second L.A. location in Century City, adding more personalized services as Korean beauty demand climbs. Beauty Brand Moves: Victoria’s Secret closed at Genesee Valley Center in Flint Township, but will reopen at Birch Run Premium Outlets on Aug. 14. Hair & Grooming How-To: A guide breaks down how to use men’s light-hold hair products for a natural, all-day style. Wellness Event: Watsons Malaysia drew 10,000+ to its Get Active Carnival, blending fitness, wellness, and beauty experiences.

K-Beauty Trade Win: Korea’s MFDS negotiated halal concessions with Indonesia ahead of the Oct. 18 halal labeling deadline, easing certification friction that could have slowed K-beauty exports. Clinic Tech Upgrade: VandS Clinic is expanding across Seoul with specialized centers for lifting, body contouring and regenerative “glass skin,” built for multilingual global patients. Derma Retail Push: CJ Olive Young’s “Advanced Derma” category is now live in 650 stores nationwide, with in-store consulting drawing heavy foreign interest. Beauty Retail Buzz: Charlotte Tilbury’s viral Beauty Light Wands are discounted at John Lewis, with extra savings via cashback. Makeup Base Shift: A Chanel Les Beiges Serum Concealer is being pitched as a lightweight, brightening alternative for people who avoid foundation. Hair & Beauty Community: Brown Beauty Barber School handed out backpacks packed with hair and beauty supplies to help families recreate styles at home. Beauty Meets Business: WOM Network rebrands as Upriva, positioning itself as “trust infrastructure” for beauty and other consumer brands. Wellness Tech in Practice: Aura 3D imaging is marketed as a faster, more visual way to align patients and practitioners on skin concerns and treatment progress. Viral Product Drop: Breeze Balm blind bags return after selling out in 24 hours, with pre-orders reopening.

Beauty Retail & Haircare Deals: Sally Beauty is pushing discounted blonde toners, including Unite Hair Blonde Toning Shampoo and Wunderbar’s sheer silver mask, as shoppers look to fight brassiness fast. Beauty Product Buzz: Amazon shoppers are calling Kérastase Elixir Ultime Originale Hair Oil a “game changer,” praising instant smoothness and shine. Skincare Trend Watch: Hailey Bieber’s Rhode pimple patches are getting a new use—blister care—after she shared that the hydrocolloid stickers “work for blisters.” Nail Industry Spotlight: A UK nail salon owner in south Essex, Michelle Brown of Chell’s Beauty by the Sea, won Home Nail Salon of the Year at the Scratch Stars Awards. Global Beauty Market Signals: L’Oréal and other FMCG giants are ramping up India investment, with L’Oréal citing strong acceleration and distribution gains. K-Beauty Growth: Reports say K-Beauty firms are expanding beyond products into distribution and curation, pushing further into new markets.

K-Beauty Retail Expansion: PURESEOUL opened at Lakeside Shopping Centre (its 17th UK store), pushing Korean skincare and cosmetics with 20% off and goodie bags for early shoppers. Beauty Safety Watch: Hong Kong authorities are warning about illicit injectables, with reports of unlicensed “beauticians” using botulinum toxin and filler via secret online groups. Haircare Trend: Merwave says many women are misreading their hair as straight, promoting a five-step wavy-hair starter kit after a survey found 47% didn’t realize they were naturally wavy. Base Makeup Shift: Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturiser with SPF 30 is getting near-perfect reviews for “no-makeup makeup” glow and long wear. Industry Outlook: Procter & Gamble forecasts slower growth in 2026/27, but highlights beauty/hair care as a bright spot in its latest results. Culture & Beauty History: A feature spotlights Helena Rubinstein’s rise from a poor Kraków girl to a global beauty empire.

Beauty Entrepreneurship: Harper Beckham, 15, is reportedly preparing to launch her own beauty brand “Harlo By Harper Beckham,” with Victoria Beckham guiding the project and a next-year rollout in the works. Skincare & Health Warning: Experts warn that children as young as five are being exposed to skin-lightening products linked to long-term damage and cases of squamous cell carcinoma, prompting calls for stronger action. Beauty Product Launch: Prada Beauty’s Touch Cream-to-Powder Blush is making waves after Zendaya’s red-carpet glow; the multi-use formula has landed in the Philippines with a masterclass. Beauty Retail & Loyalty: Sephora’s Beauty Insider tiers (Insider/VIB/Rouge) are getting fresh attention as shoppers weigh whether Rouge perks are worth maintaining. Beauty Culture: Portia M Africa hosted “Flaunt Your Glow” with skincare education, demos, and a fashion show aimed at confidence and self-expression. Travel Meets Lifestyle: Expedia’s 2026 island trend list crowns St. Lucia for romantic escapes, while Greece’s Athenian Riviera is pitched as a luxe, less-crowded alternative to Santorini.

K-Beauty Meets Pop Culture: BLACKPINK marks its 10th debut anniversary with a limited Heritage Collection made with MU:DS and the National Museum of Korea, featuring seven craft-inspired lifestyle pieces (fans can pre-order Aug 8 via YG SELECT). Dermatology & Sunscreen Reality Check: A dermatologist warns against using body sunscreen on your face, citing heavier, pore-clogging formulas that can trigger breakouts and irritation. New Eye Care Launch: Mad Hippie expands its peptide lineup with a Wrinkle Relaxing Eye Treatment positioned as a clean alternative to stronger retinols and procedures. Hair Tech for K-Hair: EastAid and Junoh Hair Japan team up to let customers preview hairstyles with AI before booking in-store. Beauty Retail Deals: Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale still has standout beauty tools on markdown, including red/light therapy and Dyson hair tech. Food-to-Beauty Trend: Pepsi partners with Glamlite for Pepsi-inspired body care and lip kits hitting TikTok Shop. Beauty Tools for Lashes: Tubing mascara coverage is getting a spotlight for smudge-proof wear and easy warm-water removal. Local Beauty Business Spotlight: The Beauty Studio at Bradbeers in Romsey celebrates 35 years and lands a Beauty Salon of the Year 2026 nomination.

Hair Color Trend: “Teddy bear bronde” is the seamless, lived-in summer hair color taking over feeds, blending blonde and brunette for a caramel, low-maintenance look. Beauty Retail & Deals: Ulta Beauty’s Target partnership is ending, but shoppers will still find Ulta in its own stores and via a new Pacsun collaboration featuring makeup from brands like Fenty Beauty and NYX. Beauty Tech & At-Home Care: Laneige is letting fans customize a Lip Sleeping Mask swirl on Amazon, while Sofwave continues to push non-invasive, no-downtime ultrasound skin tightening as a summer-friendly option. Market Watch: A new report projects the coloured contact lenses market growing from $4.2B (2025) to $4.66B (2026), driven by cosmetic eye enhancements and wider retail access. Safety Recall: Movie theater Captain America popcorn buckets and Fantastic Four cups with LED lights are recalled over battery access and missing warning labels. Community & Confidence: A Boots campaign highlights hygiene poverty’s impact on mental health, while a SmilePro whitening kit story spotlights how at-home LED whitening is boosting photo confidence.

Beauty Culture & Identity: Greece City Times launches “School of Beauty,” using philosophy and medicine to challenge how the “male gaze” shapes aesthetics, starting with Sappho’s legacy. K-Beauty Retail Expansion: PURESEOUL opens at Essex’s Lakeside Shopping Centre (July 31), bringing Korean skincare and makeup with in-store events and giveaways. Skincare Manufacturing Milestone: Kolmar Korea’s China Wuxi plant earns Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice recognition from South Korea’s MFDS, boosting confidence in overseas production. Beauty Industry PR Growth: S99 PR expands its guaranteed media and AI discoverability services across lifestyle, health, and tech. Consumer Protection in Beauty: Singapore’s CCS secures up to $1m in refunds for DNA Brands outlets after findings of pressure tactics that trapped customers in treatment rooms. Oral Care as Beauty: A new wave of “fancified” toothpaste and mouthwash turns oral care into a self-expression category, with premium scents and design-led packaging. Dermatology Warning: Doctors flag “cosmeticorexia,” a growing obsession with flawless skin among children driven by GRWM and skincare trends. Brand Investment: Iris Ventures takes a minority stake in Krème, a probiotic dermocosmetics brand for ultra-sensitive skin, as it plans European and later US expansion.

Retail Beauty Expansion: Magic Molecule’s FDA-cleared hypochlorous acid Daily Skin Spray is rolling into 4,500+ Walmart stores and Walmart.com, aiming to bring “science-backed” everyday skin support to millions. Tech Meets Beauty: L’Oréal says A.I. is now central to its innovation engine as it reports solid growth, with CEO Nicolas Hieronimus pointing to e-commerce and an OpenAI partnership. Clean Beauty, But Make It Plastic-Free: AORA México enters Sephora as the retailer’s first fully plastic-free beauty brand, leaning into bilingual packaging and bold, non-“beige” clean aesthetics. Beauty Retail Shake-Up: Target and Ulta Beauty are winding down their shop-in-shop partnership, with Target planning a new beauty studio rollout in hundreds of stores. Skincare Product Spotlight: Ole Henriksen debuts a solid-to-foam cleanser designed to support the skin barrier, while Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint continues to get love for shade-matching ease. Beauty Education Recognition: Milan Institute esthetics educator Lynnette Garrett is named N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year.

Beauty Deals & Viral Finds: Amazon shoppers are snapping up medicube’s Collagen No Cast Just Glow SPF50, while another viral pick—Cosmetic Consult Miracle Cryo Eye Masks—keeps selling out as cooling patches promise to depuff and brighten. Skincare Innovation: ALASTIN hosted an Innovation Brunch spotlighting regenerative skincare, and the brand also teased its next regenerative direction. Regulation & Consumer Protection: Singapore’s consumer watchdog secured refunds up to $1M for DNA Brands customers after alleged pressure tactics, including trapping shoppers with in-room mask applications. Safety & Compliance: A mobile court in Bangladesh fined Lady Zone Beauty Parlour Tk 10,000 for expired products and operating without a renewed trade licence. Hair & Beauty How-Tos: Experts warn slicked-back styles can trigger traction alopecia, and salicylic acid body sprays are being pushed as an easy fix for bacne and ingrowns. Industry Watch: L’Oréal reported sales momentum tied to haircare and skincare, while TikTok Shop continues to shape beauty buying habits.

Beauty Industry & Retail: L’Oréal posted better-than-expected quarterly sales, powered by a haircare boom and mascaras, with CEO citing the “lipstick effect.” Brand Moves: Too Faced is relocating its Irvine HQ to New York to join Estée Lauder’s offices. At-Home Beauty Upgrade: Shark Beauty refreshed its viral CryoGlow LED mask with wider coverage and a new CryoGlow Plus version. Beauty Deals & Staples: National Lipstick Day coverage spotlights editor-favorite shades and offers, while Erika Jayne calls Aquaphor Lip Repair a “forever staple.” Hair & Skincare Buzz: Give Me Cosmetics’ Recode Bonding overnight leave-in mask is getting attention for split-end reduction and “liquid gold” results. Beauty Tech/Wellness Market: A body contouring devices report projects strong growth through 2030, fueled by rising interest in aesthetic procedures. Consumer Safety: Lidl recalled Eridanous shortbread cookies in the U.S. due to undeclared allergens. Hospitality (Lifestyle): Cayo Levantado Resort appointed a new GM, Maria Lamarche, as the property leans into Dominican culture and guest experience.

Beauty Retail Shake-Up: MECCA has officially ended its 17-year partnership with Myer, signaling a major department-store beauty reset as Myer pushes ahead with a redeveloped Sydney Beauty Hall and new brand additions. Nail Health & Trends: Summer nail coverage turns practical, with experts warning that constant polish/gel/acrylic can damage nails and advising breaks plus healthier routines. K-Beauty Deals: Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm Stick is making waves on Amazon at under £12, promising plumping, hydration, and smoother-looking fine lines. Beauty Crime Watch: Two women face organized retail theft charges after allegedly stealing $75K in cosmetics from Ulta stores across the Valley. Tourism Meets Wellness: Seoul’s foreign visitor boom is lifting spending, with shopping and medical/wellness (including beauty) leading the lift. AI in Beauty Adjacent Sectors: OCBC plans to cut wealth onboarding to 15 business days using agentic AI—another sign of how automation is spreading across lifestyle industries. Colored Contacts Growth: Constar flags Southeast Asia as the fastest-growing market for colored contact lenses, driven by social media and e-commerce. Brand Expansion in China: Bluebell Group launches Bluespace, a multi-brand beauty and lifestyle concept store in Shenzhen.

K-Beauty Boom: Numerator says Korean beauty has topped $2B in U.S. sales, with 25% of households buying and repeat rates climbing—fuelled by younger, TikTok-active shoppers. Retail & Beauty Access: Sephora’s Accelerate program just named 12 emerging brands for mentorship and possible grant funding, signaling what’s next in skin, hair, makeup and fragrance. Beauty Spending Pressure: A Zenoti survey finds 46% of Americans would go into debt to maintain beauty routines, with many spacing visits, using memberships, or trading down. New Fragrance Launch: Ice Spice debuts her first fragrance, In Ha Mood Eau de Parfum, via Ulta’s TikTok Shop ahead of a wider August release. Makeup Deal Alert: Clinique’s cult Black Honey Almost Lipstick is spotted at a record-low $15, with the shade’s sheer, buildable finish driving renewed demand. Beauty x Everyday Life: e.l.f. teams up with RED Driving School for a “Grip, Set, Go” giveaway offering up to 5,000 learners a free one-hour lesson.

Medical Aesthetics Branding: Gambhir Cosmetic Medicine rebrands as Lunamé to scale multi-location care with a “Clinical Expertise. Natural Results.” promise. Skincare Buzz: Cosmetic Consult’s Miracle Skin Transformation body treatment is being touted for overnight resurfacing on bumps, breakouts, and rough texture. Beauty Retail & Commerce: Nykaa appoints Ankit Jain to lead NYKAA NOW quick commerce expansion, aiming to strengthen fulfilment with AI-led forecasting. Industry Watch: Unilever beats Q2 sales growth estimates as beauty and home care volumes rise. K-Beauty Focus: A dermatologist-backed roundup spotlights the best Korean eye creams for fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. Fragrance Launch: Estée Lauder debuts Glimmer Eau de Parfum (gourmand amber-floral) on Aug. 6. Creator Economy: Align Ventures closes $125M Fund II targeting beauty and personal care, while ESW Beauty brings in creator equity partners Katie Fang and Aliya Rachinski.

Beauty Packaging & Product Tech: Dermalogica is rolling out Aptar Beauty’s NeoDropper Autoload for its FutureCode Booster serum, aiming for more consistent dosing and less waste with an auto-loading, twist-and-push dropper. Brand Moves: Bubble names Diana Rubin its first chief marketing officer, tapping her L’Oréal/Kiehl’s and YSL Beauty background to drive growth. Fragrance Spotlight: Alisha Boe becomes YSL Beauty’s global ambassador for Black Opium, leaning into the scent’s “cool It girl” energy. K-Beauty Expansion: South Korea’s top beauty CEOs join President Lee’s Brazil trip to push deeper Latin America growth as Brazil’s cosmetics market surges. Hair & Nails Trends: A soft wavy bob is the “less is more” haircut moment, while the milky moon manicure swaps classic French tips for a cuticle crescent. Industry Growth: MARS Cosmetics targets Rs 750 crore this fiscal and plans a second Delhi R&D lab plus more offline retail and quick-commerce push. Retail/Commerce: Watsons unveils “Watsons Evergreen” with Pantone for 185 years of care, while Indonesia’s new e-commerce tax rules shift income tax collection onto major platforms.