Cultivated Talent

Early-stage beauty brands carry high investment risks but offer substantial potential rewards. Private equity firms like Elevate Beauty, Provenance, and Alliance Consumer Growth invest in these brands, focusing on high margins, repeat purchases, and strong exit opportunities. A valuation exercise of three hypothetical beauty brands revealed differing investment strategies. See article below for more insights: 

Prestige Beauty’s Top Sales Growth Categories in 2024: At-home beauty devices led prestige beauty sales growth, with brands like Solawave and SkinGym at the forefront. Reflecting a broader consumer shift toward professional-grade skincare tools and at-home treatments. Fragrance also saw strong growth, with the popularity of fragrance extended to body washes and body oils, as consumers sought a sensorial experience in their routines. The "skinification" trend was another key driver, contributing to the rising demand for neck creams, body washes, and body oils. Click through the article to see the full list: 

In 2024, Amazon’s beauty and personal care sector thrived, fueled by the platform’s massive reach and the influence of TikTok. Amazon's beauty sales were estimated to generate between $2.4 and $3.8 billion per month. These insights reveal the evolving landscape of beauty on Amazon, highlighting the importance of visibility, control, and consumer trust in driving success. See more here:   

Concerns arise among Black beauty brand owners regarding Target’s recent pullback on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. Brand owners now worry about losing opportunities and whether customers will continue to support Target, as some fear it could jeopardize their sales and future retail opportunities. Other entrepreneurs warned that boycotts could weaken Black brands’ presence in major retail, urging consumers to remain strategic. See more insights from the Founders of Donnas Recipe , The Lip Bar Inc., and The Honey Pot Company in the article below: 

Even though some major retailers scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and Sally Beauty remain committed to these efforts, recognizing DEI as a business necessity. Despite legal challenges and political opposition, grant programs supporting BIPOC beauty entrepreneurs persist, with companies like Briogeo’s Dream Makers Founder Grant partnering with Sephora, emphasizing the business benefits of inclusivity. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Beauty Brands are navigating the uncertainty surrounding TikTok following a U.S. law mandating its sale or ban, highlighting the platforms profound impact it's had on business. TikTok has driven trends, sales, and marketing innovation for brands, but the potential ban forces businesses and influencers to explore alternative platforms that will perform. While TikTok’s future remains unclear, its influence on the beauty sector is undeniable. Do you think TikTok is here to stay? Let us know in the comments

Amazon is increasing influence in the beauty retail sector, emphasizing its growth in beauty replenishment and its potential as a discovery platform. Despite competition, Sephora remains a leader due to its in-store experience, customer loyalty, and role in product discovery. However, last year, Morgan Stanley predicted Amazon would become the leading beauty retailer in the US for 2025, with 14.5% market share to Walmart’s 13%. Amazon's ease of use, especially for younger brands, and its innovative AI tools are reshaping how consumers shop for beauty products. See for more insights below:

Due to the LA wildfires, Beauty Independent is transforming its BITE LA event into the "Beauty ❤️ LA: Summit for Recovery" on January 30, 2025, at the Conrad Hotel, Los Angeles. This one-day event supports recovery efforts for families, businesses, and wildlife affected by the recent LA wildfires. Featuring top industry leaders, the summit fosters unity within the beauty community while highlighting charitable efforts and resilience during challenging times.    We love seeing the community come together in the face of such tragedy, offering continued strength and support.

It's incredible to see the LA Beauty community come together in such a meaningful way during these challenging times. Led by Tower 28 founder Amy Liu, Beauty brands have rallied together to support those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles including fundraising and providing essential supplies to those in need.   We are strong, we are resilient, we stick together in crisis. #staystrongla  

Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating fires. We know this is an incredibly challenging time for so many, and we’re keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. To help those in need, we’ve put together a Master list of trusted resources offering support. We've also made a donation to LAFD to assist their heroic efforts in protecting our community. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help in any way we can. LA is more than just a city; it’s our home. In the midst of this tragedy, we’ve already seen the incredible strength and compassion of this community coming together. We know that, united, we will get through this. Stay safe, and please take care of one another. With love and support, Cultivated Talent LA Master List of Wildfire Relief Resources: