“Makeup is a fashion accessory. You buy a bag, you buy shoes, you put on eyeliner, you buy lipstick, and makeup compliments the clothes.” — Francois Nars, founder of NARS Cosmetics.
It would be hard to find the separating line between fashion and beauty. You pay as much attention to clothes and accessories as you do to make-up. The same applies in the fashion industry. Take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest fashion shows. Designers work in close collaboration with cosmetologists to bring the final look together. It is all about hair, make-up, nails, and attire. Here are the cosmetics trends and opportunities in the fashion industry? Let’s check out some of them in our article below.
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1. New Career Opportunities Opening Up
Getting started in the fashion and beauty industry can be exciting. There are so many opportunities available. Cosmetologists can come on board as hairstylists, makeup artists, nail technicians, and estheticians.
But, it is a very competitive field. You must have patience and persistence. Breaking through the fashion industry glass ceiling can be very difficult. That is why it is important to undertake the right training.
Signing up to reputable institutions can get you started on the right path. For certification, you must pass both written and practical exams. Take advantage of free, state board-certified online practice tests to prepare. You can get more information on the tests by clicking on the link.
Being able to take a practice test will help you simulate what will happen when you take the actual cosmetology state board exam. It’ll help you practice work under pressure, make fast but good decisions, and make educated guesses.
Business and job opportunities
With some of the emerging trends, new job opportunities will also come up. Technology adoption is changing the industry. We will discuss this a little later. There will be tons of career opportunities for innovators and app developers.
2. No Signs of Slowing Down
2020 was a year when many businesses struggled to stay afloat. The Corona pandemic came like a raging bull, hitting everyone in the worst way. But, it is interesting to note that the beauty industry continued to thrive and grow.
Earnings reached a remarkable $511 billion in 2021, up from $483b in the previous year. Industry experts predict that by 2027, it could reach $784.6 billion.
Skincare and personal care products were some of the most lucrative segments. There is an interesting shift in the market. Younger people are starting to use skincare products.
Anti-aging products are becoming very popular amongst these demographics. The aim is to delay aging signs as long as they can. In 2014, Procter & Gamble’s Olay Regenerate was one of the leading anti-aging brands.
In that year alone, it brought in over $103 million in sales. Yet, that was not the only segment that continues to thrive. Some of the other categories are also doing very well. They include moisturizers, serums, CBD skincare products, and exfoliates.
There has also been an increase in DIY trends. The Corona pandemic came with social distancing and stay-at-home orders. But, staying indoors did not mean letting go of the beauty regime.
Business and job opportunities
How-to tutorials became the go-to source for tips. Popular videos included make-up, hair dyes, nail care, shaving, and body waxing. There is a massive opportunity for vloggers and influencers.
Cosmetologists have an opportunity to set up online consultancy businesses.
3. Greater Focus on Development of New Technologies
Beauty tech is a term that is catching on in the cosmetics industry. Augmented and virtual reality is quite popular already. You can try on makeup without touching the physical products. But, things are getting better.
Companies like L’Oreal have AI-powered skincare devices. Such allow for better personalization and recommendation of products. They base this on past customer purchasing behavior. The same company has wearable sensors for tracking skin pH levels and sun damage.
Optune, from Shiseido, is an AI mobile app for detecting skin conditions. Users then have access to 80,000 personalized formula combinations. Johnson and Johnson have products like Neutrogena MaskiD and Neutrogena Skin 360. The latter allows for skin scanning while the MaskiD is a 3D face mask. The printed mask is customizable to face shape, unique skin types, and needs.
Business and job opportunities
The main challenge with such technologies is the cost implications. Some of the premium products range from $50 and above. Customer demand and adoption remain pretty low. The opportunity for Industry players is to come up with more affordable products.
4. Shift to Organic or Natural Products
The internet has opened up sources of information that are so easy to access. That means the modern consumer is more aware and demanding of quality products. Many are no longer accepting of ingredients that contain chemicals. The need to protect the environment is also a key concern.
There is now a higher demand for all-natural or organic products. There is also a significant shift to the digital or e-commerce space. Digital marketers have plenty of opportunities to create targeted messages.
Such include:
- Use of content marketing to increase awareness of natural or organic products
- Influencer marketing to get endorsements on the natural products
- Video content and how-to-tutorials
- Educative campaigns on how to identify natural products. Some companies position their products as natural/green/eco-friendly. But a closer look shows they are not
- Knowledgeable articles, whitepapers, or case studies on the different natural ingredients and their benefits
- Showcase partnerships with farmers for locally produced ingredients.
Business and job opportunities
Plant-based ingredients are taking over. You will find normal pantry items like coconut oil, moringa, and turmeric in the cosmetics. The farm-to-fork movement has now found a sibling with the farm-to-face movement.
Brands like Ogee, Tata Harper, and Juice Beauty are at the forefront of adoption. They are renting, buying, or working with research firms to produce organic products.
Final Thoughts
The cosmetics and fashion industry is an exciting space to watch. The present and emerging trends present many opportunities for industry players. The use of technology will have a significant impact.
Product personalization and recommendation will be easy with AI technologies. Choosing, trying, and buying products is now possible without leaving the house. Augmented and virtual reality provides a convenient way to reach customers.
There is also a greater demand for organic or natural products. Farm to face movements will continue to catch on due to increasing demand. If the current trends are anything to go by, the sector will continue to grow. The opportunities available are plentiful for all the stakeholders.
