What are Forever Chemicals and why are they used in Beauty? Turns out they help make a product long-wearing or waterproof, and they break down very slowly in the environment, hence their nickname. They have come under fire recently as being harmful both to users and to the environment, but are the concerns legitimate? A cosmetic chemist and toxicologist weigh in on this hot topic.

COVID and economic issues may have caused China’s luxury market to slow down in 2022 but analysts are expecting a rebound as restrictions ease and consumer confidence improves. The taste for high end goods hasn’t diminished and it’s one reason why luxury brands must provide superior service and stellar experiences everywhere and every time.

Called a disruptor, self-taught perfumer and brand founder Carina Chaz shares her thoughts on sustainability, consumer behavior and the concept of a signature scent in addition to her secrets on building a challenger fragrance brand.

Color, emotion and scent align in Givaudan’s new trademarked algorithm which capitalizes on a decade’s worth of academic research into brain imagery and Artificial Intelligence. The new technology interprets olfactory connections with color, ultimately bringing fragrance creation closer to sensory perception, and strengthening the emotional response in the process.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but is the current dictionary definition outdated? The folks at Coty think so and they are on a mission to change it. The new #UndefineBeauty campaign seeks to change dictionary terms that are considered ageist and sexist in the hopes of moving towards more inclusive terminology.

In a frightening opening sentence, it is made clear that natural ingredients can actually be harmful to our skin because there is a risk of allergic reactions, irritation and even infection. It’s a misnomer that synthetic ingredients are “bad” and in many cases they are actually more planet-friendly than naturals! Get the lowdown on naturals, organics and synthetics in this enlightening article.

Iberchem Perfumer Ana Gomez shares the untold story of oud through her personal and professional experiences. Little known in Europe and America until recently, the precious ingredient is actually the result of an infection an agarwood trees. Gomez recounts the fascinating story of harvesting, distilling, and working with this surprisingly versatile ingredient.

The link between scent and magic is rooted in history going back to ancient civilizations. Today a handful of brands are finding new ways to bring these two invisible forces together. Inspired by myths, legends and true practices, new scented products take a cue from mysticism, ceremonies and spiritual rites to bring modern magic into our lives.

It’s only the early days of 2023 but we’ve already seen Sephora pull the plug on two big brands while makeup titan Morphe shuttered all doors in the US and its parent company declared bankruptcy. The love affair with influencers appears to be on the wane as consumers seek more authenticity from brands along with founders that have a true interest in product over and above financial gain.