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58 TOP FIVE Must-Have Hair Essentials Driving Retail Demand

16

Four Unintended

Consequences

of a Mis-Hire

By: Margaret Graziano

Businesses are currently facing one of the most severe employee engagement crises in history. Burnout, dissatisfaction, transactional mindsets, and a global political climate that leaves people either raging with anger or paralyzed by fear, are colliding with a “doom scroll” culture fueled by social media. Add in the lingering effects of Long COVID, a complex generational baton pass and shifting workforce expectations, and the challenge for leaders is clear: business-as-usual thinking no longer works.

22 Watch Out for That Rock Biases That Sabotage Your Thinking—and How to Outsmart Them

By Kate Zabriskie

Ever feel like you’re stuck pushing the same rock uphill, only to watch it roll back down? Maybe it’s that failing project you just can’t abandon or the trendy initiative you pursued without question. These struggles often stem from cognitive biases—mental shortcuts that skew our thinking and keep us clinging to flawed decisions.

The good news? These biases aren’t unbeatable. With a little awareness and some simple strategies, you can spot the traps, sidestep the pitfalls, and sharpen your choices. Let’s break down seven common biases with real-world examples and actionable fixes to get your decisionmaking back on track.

60 OTC BOOK CLUB

Ignite Culture: Empowering and Leading a Healthy, HighPerformance Organization from the Inside Out (Keen Alignment Culture Series)

By Margaret Graziano

COUPONS

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VANILLA INDULGENCE, YOUR SIGNATURE HAIR SCENT

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CEO: Ann Jhin

Editor: Allyson Leak

Art Director: Sam Choi

Columnists: Sophia Winston

Contributors: Margaret Graziano, Kate Zabriskie

To subscribe, call us at 678-805-3291 or visit www. otcbeautymagazine.com .

Subscriptions are no charge for businesses (including retailers, manufacturers, and distributors) in the U.S. of the beauty and barber supply industry.

For all other subscribers, yearly subscriptions (12 issues) are $48.00.

Please send a check payable to OTC Beauty Magazine to: OTC Beauty Magazine; attn: subscriptions; 3587 Oakcliff Rd.; Doraville, GA 30340. Cover price is $6.00.

OTC Beauty Magazine offers useful business tips and effective selling tools to boost revenue and customer traffic for OTC retailers. The magazine also provides invaluable product knowledge, industry news and insights for retail store owners, manufacturers, distributors and professionals in the barber and beauty supply industry.

OTC Beauty magazine is published monthly by Jinny Corp. Postage paid at Auburn, AL and at additional mailing offices. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photographs or illustrations without written permission from a staff member is strictly prohibited.

Post Master: Please send address changes to: OTC Beauty Magazine Attn: Subscriptions 3587 Oakcliff Road, Doraville, GA 30340

Tel: 770-734-9222 Fax: 678-805-3292

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Care is What People Remember

Afew years ago, I stopped by a store to pick up a headlight bulb for my car. I had every intention of trying to replace it myself following an online tutorial, but I was nervous about doing it. When I got to the counter, the associate could have just rung me up and sent me on my way. Instead, he said, “I can help you with that.” He came outside, installed the bulb for me, and even walked me through what he was doing so I’d know how to do it next time. That wasn’t his job, but he did it anyway. And because of that, I remember what I bought and I will always remember his act of kindness.

When a customer walks through your doors, they’re walking in carrying everything they’ve been holding all day. It could be stress and worry about their long to-do list, work, or family related issues. And layered on top of that, the world keeps moving at a relentless pace with news alerts, uncertainty, constant noise, and one heavy moment after another before the last one has even settled. Most people aren’t coming into stores fully present or fully at ease. They’re coming in trying their best to stay steady in a world that rarely slows down long enough for them to catch their breath.

ALLYSON LEAK EDITOR

Remember, when a customer steps into your space, they are entering a moment where they will either feel added pressure or feel a small release from it. And in today’s world, that difference is everything.

This is where kindness comes in. It’s an opportunity to set you apart from other stores. Kindness in how someone is greeted. Kindness in how questions are answered. Kindness in how overwhelmed customers are guided instead of rushed. Kindness in remembering that not every decision needs urgency, and not every interaction needs to be transactional.

We often talk about customer experience in terms of displays, merchandising, and product selection and those things absolutely matter. But what often defines whether someone returns isn’t just what they bought, but how they felt while they were buying it. Did they feel seen? Did they feel rushed? Did they feel judged? Or did they feel understood?

This doesn’t require a complete reinvention of retail. It requires intention which could be, a warmer greeting, a little more patience, and a willingness to meet people where they are.

To help you lead with clarity and intention, take a look at Four Unintended Consequences of a Mis-Hire and Biases That Sabotage Your Thinking and How to Outsmart Them.

Wishing you a successful and productive month ahead.

expert ADVICE

Night Care Kits: The Easy Add-On That Boosts Sales

When it comes to healthy hair, what happens at night matters just as much as what happens during the day. Frizz, dryness, and breakage often occur while your customers sleep—making nighttime care one of the most overlooked opportunities in hair retail. By creating a “Night Care Kits” campaign or in-store display, you can introduce shoppers to simple overnight solutions that protect their hair while driving effortless add-on sales.

Why Nighttime Care Matters

Cotton pillowcases, friction, and lack of protection can strip moisture and damage strands overnight. The right nighttime routine helps maintain styles, lock in hydration, and reduce breakage. You can position your messaging with phrases like: “Protect your hair while you sleep” or “Better hair by morning.” This shifts the focus from styling to maintenance and opens the door to new product categories.

Build the Perfect Night Care Kit

Step 1: Protect

How to Merchandise Night Care Kits

Ready-to-Go Bundles

Pre-pack kits in clear bags so customers can easily grab and go. This removes guesswork and speeds up purchasing decisions. This makes the concept accessible to every shopper.

Display kits near checkout or high-traffic areas to encourage purchases.

Price Tiers

Offer options at different price points:

• Basic Kit (bonnet + small oil)

• Complete Kit (bonnet + pillowcase + treatment)

• Deluxe Kit (full routine + styling tool)

Make It Interactive

Start with the foundation—satin or silk bonnets, scarves, or pillowcases. These reduce friction, retain moisture, and help styles last longer.

Step 2: Treat

Add a lightweight oil, serum, or leave-in conditioner designed to hydrate overnight without buildup.

Step 3: Preserve

Include tools like wraps, edge bands, or flexi rods to help maintain styles while sleeping.

Position these kits as a complete nighttime routine, not just individual items.

Touch & Feel Station

Let shoppers feel the difference between cotton and satin. This simple comparison often leads directly to purchase.

Quick Tips Signage

Include easy, actionable advice:

• “Wrap hair loosely to avoid tension”

• “Use a small amount of product overnight”

Before

& After Visuals

Show the difference between unprotected vs. protected hair after one night. Visual proof drives conversion.

Why This Works

Night Care Kits turn small, often overlooked items into must-have essentials. They simplify the shopping experience while encouraging customers to purchase multiple products at once. More importantly, they solve a real problem, helping shoppers protect their hair, extend their styles, and wake up with better results. For retailers, it’s a loweffort, high-impact way to increase basket size and introduce customers to a routine they’ll come back for again and again.

THE NEW RULES OF BEAUTY RETAIL: SELLING SOLUTIONS, NOT JUST PRODUCTS

In today’s retail landscape education and experience drive sales just as much as product selection. Customers are no longer simply browsing, they’re looking for solutions, and the stores that win are the ones that can translate product benefits into real, everyday results.

That means success on the sales floor often comes down to storytelling and demonstration: showing how a product solves a specific concern, how it fits into a routine, and why it delivers better outcomes than alternatives. Whether it’s curl care, protective style maintenance, or men’s grooming products, positioning items around need-based solutions rather than category alone—helps build trust and increases basket size.

For retailers, the opportunity lies in training teams to speak in results, not just features, and to merchandise in a way that mirrors how customers actually use products.

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Vitale Perfect Braids Calm Itch Relief Spray

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business TIPS

BY MARGARET GRAZIANO

Now more than ever, you have to make sure you’re hiring the right people, for the right reasons, for the right role, because opting out of the job and continuing to get paid for that job is easier than ever in remote and hybrid environments.

Most CEOs and managers understand the financial cost of a bad hire. However, the deeper, systemic damage often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Outdated hiring practices can lead to four costly consequences.

1. Fragmented Customer Service

Great service begins with understanding your product or service and why customers use it. Skills and knowledge can be taught. Caring cannot.

Four Unintended Consequences of a Mis-Hire

Behavioral and performance research shows that excellent service flows from a set of values, attitudes, and beliefs aligned with your service philosophy. When someone takes a customer service role for the wrong reasons, no training will overcome their lack of connection to the work. Customers feel it in the form of apathy, indifference, and mechanical responses.

In today’s market, expectations are higher than ever, and a single bad interaction can be broadcast instantly across social channels. When a mis-hire ends up in customer service, your brand reputation, retention, and revenue all take a hit.

Hire for the “Service Centralizer” trait— people who genuinely value connection, measure success by the customer’s experience, and recognize that products and services matter only because of the benefits they create. These individuals are loyal, mission-driven, and committed to serving both customers and community.

Interview tip: Early in the process, ask candidates how they measure success, how they know customers are satisfied, and how they handle challenges. Look for solution-oriented, empathetic responses that reflect a service-oriented mindset.

2. Depleted Problem Solving

When you hire purely on resume keywords without screening for values, conceptual thinking, and adaptive problem solving, you risk bringing in someone who doesn’t want or know how to solve problems.

Instead of initiative, you get excuses. Instead of collaboration, you get finger pointing. These are the people who see obstacles rather than opportunities, resist change, and let deadlines slip because “the system” is at fault.

The truth is, problem-solving competencies are difficult to teach. That’s why you must assess them before hiring. The best problem solvers are proactive rather than reactive. They focus on what they can control, refuse to waste time blaming, and look for ways to influence outcomes.

Key competencies to hire for: initiative, self-confidence, and practical thinking.

Interview tip: Ask candidates to share a situation where they encountered a major obstacle. Listen for how they took ownership, generated options, and

followed through, not just what the result was.

3. Eroding Workforce Productivity

Rushed hiring decisions almost always lead to turnover. The wrong fit may take months to reveal itself, but by then the damage is done.

Gallup reports that only 31% of U.S. employees are actively engaged, while 17% are actively disengaged. Hybrid work, shifting generational expectations, and the lasting effects of Long COVID are reshaping productivity norms. Some employees are managing chronic health conditions, energy fluctuations, and cognitive fatigue, all of which affect output and morale.

Generational differences further complicate the picture. What motivated Boomers may not resonate with Gen Z. Leaders and now people must navigate a workplace that requires adaptability, empathy, and clarity about performance expectations.

Leaders themselves are also under pressure. This year, has seen a spike in C-suite terminations, hostile work environment claims, and executive-level

turnover. Many leadership missteps aren’t new. They’re simply less tolerated in today’s environment.

In a world full of distractions, leaders need the behaviors that inspire others to engage fully in their roles, and, for non-managers, the skills to direct their own work, avoid distractions, and deliver results.

Hire for resilience, initiative, and self-direction. Look for candidates who can recover from stress, adapt to shifting demands, and stay on track without constant oversight.

Interview tip: Use open-ended questions like, “How much direction do you need to get started?” or “If circumstances changed at the last minute and you needed to work outside normal hours, how would you handle it?”

4. Time and Energy Losses for the Team and Leadership

You’ve heard the saying: 80% of a manager’s time is spent with the bottom 20% of performers. The competition for talent can tempt you to hire the first decent resume that comes across your desk. However, filling a seat quickly can result in empty seats later, or worse: full seats with no payoff.

This is also creating exhaustion for managers. In a survey done at the end of 2024, 53% of managers reported feeling burned out. Many are stuck in roles of correction, babysitting, and micromanagement, which stifles creativity, erodes culture, and turns leadership into damage control.

This exhaustion often stems from repeated mis-hires, a lack of coherent hiring strategy, and a broken feedback loop. Too many

leaders delegate “fixing people” to HR or wait too long to address performance issues, allowing disengagement to spread.

Leaders need to act as coaches, not commanders, and organizations that are responsive, not reactive. That requires hiring systems rooted in clarity, cultural alignment, and conscious decision-making.

Conscious Hiring in a Distracted, Fast-Moving World

Distractions and disruptions aren’t going away. We’ll be navigating generational transitions for at least the next 5–6 years, and AI and technological advancements will only accelerate the pace of change.

This makes clarity in hiring more critical than ever. You must know exactly who you are hiring, why you are hiring them, and what you need from them. That begins with starting with the end in mind.

Ask yourself:

If the company could talk, what would it say is the purpose of this role?

What return on investment should this role produce?

If the role could speak, what competencies, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences would it ask for?

The first step in Conscious Hiring is role analysis. From there, design interview questions that reveal how a candidate thinks, acts under pressure, and aligns with your mission and values.

If hiring the right people for the right role matters to you (and it should), then you need to hire slowly, hire mindfully and hire with the end in mind.

Meet Margaret Graziano

Margaret Graziano, known as the Evolutionist, is the founder and CEO of KeenAlignment, as well as a Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author for her book “Ignite Culture.” She has been recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s Top 100 Women Leaders. Magi’s groundbreaking work is driven by her power to uncover and catalyze human potential. Go to https://www.keenalignment.com/ for more information.

By Kate Zabriskie

BIASES THAT SABOTAGE YOUR THINKING—AND HOW TO OUTSMART THEM Watch Out for That Rock

1. Sunk Cost Bias: Why Am I Still Doing This?

You’ve put a lot into something—a project, a relationship, a subscription you never use. Even though it’s no longer working, you double down because of what you’ve already invested. This is sunk cost bias in action.

The Scenario: You’ve poured six months and thousands of dollars into a marketing campaign, but the data shows it’s a flop. Instead of cutting your losses, you push forward, hoping it’ll somehow turn around. Spoiler: it won’t.

You highlight the one project it helped move faster, while ignoring feedback that it’s slowing everyone else down.

The Fix

• Actively seek out opposing perspectives. Ask, “What might I be wrong about?”

• Assign someone to play devil’s advocate in meetings.

• Use open-ended questions to challenge assumptions, like, “What are the risks of this approach?”

4. Overconfidence Bias: Believing You’ve Got It All Figured Out

Overconfidence often leads to blind spots, especially when you assume your expertise is enough to handle any challenge.

The Scenario: A leader decides to handle the rollout of a complex new system without consulting IT. When the system fails to integrate, the fallout is costly and avoidable.

The Fix:

• Practice humility. Ask, “Who knows more about this than I do?”

By learning to spot these biases and applying strategies to counteract them, you can make sharper, more deliberate decisions.

The Fix

• Ask yourself, “If I hadn’t already invested in this, would I choose it today?”

• Focus on future value, not past effort. Let data drive your next steps instead of emotion.

• Bring in a neutral third party to review the situation—someone without a stake in the game.

2. Confirmation Bias: Seeing Only What You Want to See

Once we form an opinion, we tend to cherry-pick evidence that supports it and ignore anything that contradicts it. This bias is a productivity killer, especially in problem-solving.

The Scenario: You’re convinced that a new team workflow is a game-changer.

3. Anchoring Bias: Stuck on the First Number

When the first piece of information you encounter sets the stage, everything else feels relative to it—even if it’s arbitrary.

The Scenario: During budget planning, the first department to submit a proposal sets their target at $100,000. Now every other team’s request is measured against that, even though their needs might be wildly different.

The Fix

Gather data before discussions, so you’re not swayed by the first figure on the table. Generate multiple scenarios or options to create a broader context. Take a beat before reacting to initial proposals or estimates.

• Consult with people outside your immediate team or expertise for fresh insights.

• Regularly revisit past decisions where overconfidence led to mistakes.

5. Recency Bias: Falling for What’s Fresh

It’s easy to overvalue recent events or data and forget the bigger picture.

The Scenario: During performance reviews, you focus on an employee’s last two weeks of missed deadlines, overlooking months of consistent stellar performance.

The Fix

• Track performance over time, not just what’s fresh in your mind.

• Use tools or data to provide a fuller

picture.

• Ask, “Is this trend or event consistent, or is it a one-off?”

6. Halo Effect: Letting One Good Trait Overshadow the Rest

The halo effect occurs when one positive impression influences how you view someone or something as a whole.

The Scenario: A team member who’s charming in meetings is assumed to be a high performer, even though their actual output is mediocre.

Meet Kate Zabriskie

The Fix

• Evaluate performance based on measurable outcomes, not surface impressions.

• Seek input from others who might see what you’re missing.

• Separate personality traits from job performance in evaluations.

7. Bandwagon Effect: Following the Crowd Without Question

When everyone else is jumping on a trend, it’s tempting to join them, even if it’s not the right move for you or your team.

The Scenario: Your competitors are pouring resources into a new technology. You invest heavily to keep up, even though your customers don’t need it and your infrastructure can’t support it.

The Fix

• Ask, “Does this align with our goals, or are we just following the herd?”

• Evaluate decisions independently from what others are doing.

• Prioritize what brings the most value to your team or organization.

How to Make Bias-Free Decisions

1. Pause and Reflect: Before making a decision, ask yourself, “Am I being influenced by a bias here?”

2. Get Feedback: Involve a diverse set of voices to help you see what you might be missing.

3. Document Decisions: Writing down your reasoning can help you spot patterns of flawed thinking over time.

By learning to spot these biases and applying strategies to counteract them, you can make sharper, more deliberate decisions. Remember, better thinking isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being aware and intentional. And that’s what separates great leaders from the rest.

Kate Zabriskie is the president of Business Training Works, Inc., a Virginia-based talent development firm. She and her team provide onsite, virtual, and online soft-skills training courses and workshops to clients in the United States and internationally. For more information, visit www.businesstrainingworks.com.

Driving Growth Through Engagement and Experience

The Jinny Expo continues to be an outstanding event, bringing together store owners, vendors, and industry professionals in a dynamic, relationship-driven environment.

The Jinny Expo in your city brought incredible energy—what were some of the standout moments or highlights from this year’s show?

One of the most memorable highlights was the enthusiastic response from guests to the interactive experiences created by our vendors.

From blowouts and raffles to spin-the-wheel games and thoughtfully curated samples, each element added a layer of excitement to the show floor.

In particular, given the current economic climate, these special promotions and hands-on experiences not only brought moments of joy but also offered genuine value, making the event both engaging and meaningful for our attendees.

How did the turnout and engagement from store owners and vendors in your region reflect the strength of the Jinny Expo?

The strong turnout and high level of engagement from both store owners and vendors clearly reflected the continued strength of the Jinny Expo. With a growing number of vendors participating in the trade show each year, customer anticipation and attendance have steadily increased—and this year was no exception. We received consistent feedback that the event not only met but exceeded expectations. In today’s challenging economic climate, the Jinny Expo has also played a meaningful role in supporting the beauty supply industry, offering both momentum and opportunity.

Brandon Ok

Sales Manager

New

Jersey Branch

From your perspective, what makes the Jinny Expo different from other trade shows in the industry?

What truly sets the Jinny Expo apart from other trade shows is the exceptional level of collaboration from our vendors, many of whom make a concerted effort to offer exclusive deals and more competitive pricing. As a result, attendees have come to recognize that they can consistently find better value here compared to other shows. In addition, the Expo provides a unique opportunity to discover products carried by vendors who partner exclusively with Jinny. This not only broadens the product landscape for attendees but also reinforces a distinct identity giving the event a signature character and a strong sense of being a truly exclusive Jinny only show.

In New Jersey, the Jinny Expo came alive with interactive booths, exciting promotions, and a highly engaged crowd. Attendees enjoyed a mix of entertainment and real business opportunities, making the event both dynamic and impactful. Brandon Ok offers insight into what made this year’s show so successful.

What opportunities or advantages did attendees gain by participating in the Jinny Expo in your city?

Attendees gained valuable opportunities to purchase products at highly competitive prices through exclusive deals offered at the Expo. Beyond the immediate financial benefits, the event also contributed to energizing the beauty supply industry, creating a sense of momentum during a challenging economic period.

After the success of this show, how do you see the Jinny Expo continuing to grow and raise the standard in the industry? Looking ahead, we see the Jinny Expo continuing to grow as a key platform that not only elevates industry standards but also supports the vitality of local economies. By introducing even more engaging events and compelling promotions, we aim to create greater value for both participating vendors and attendees.

Daniel Lee

Sales

Manager

Dallas Branch

In Dallas, the Jinny Expo delivered a vibrant blend of interactive booths, strong vendor participation, and an energized crowd. Attendees experienced meaningful networking opportunities alongside engaging product showcases and exclusive promotions, making the event both productive and memorable. Sales manager Daniel Lee shares insight into what made this year’s Dallas show a standout success.

The Jinny Expo in your city brought incredible energy—what were some of the standout moments or highlights from this year’s show?

What made this year’s Jinny Expo stand out was its shift toward experience over display. It wasn’t just about showcasing products or promotions. It focused on immersion and interaction. The most memorable moments came from spaces where attendees could actively participate and connect, giving the event a more dynamic and human feel. Another highlight was the increase in out-of-state visitors. You could really feel the difference, it brought a more diverse crowd, sparked new conversations, and created a stronger sense of momentum. Overall, it felt like the Jinny Expo is evolving into a destination event rather than just a local one.

How did the turnout and engagement from store owners and vendors in your region reflect the strength of the Jinny Expo?

The strong turnout from both store owners and vendors really highlighted the Jinny Expo’s growing influence in our region. More importantly, the level of engagement through conversations, networking, and on-site interactions showed that attendees weren’t just there to observe, but to actively participate. That kind of involvement is a clear indicator of the Jinny Expo’s relevance and its value as a platform for building relationships and driving business forward.

From your perspective, what makes the Jinny Expo different from other trade shows in the industry?

What sets the Jinny Expo apart is its focus on experience and engagement rather than just display. Instead of simply presenting products, it creates an environment where vendors, store owners, and attendees can actively connect and exchange ideas. That level of interaction, combined with the growing diversity of participants, makes it feel more dynamic and relationship driven than many other trade shows in the industry.

What opportunities or advantages did attendees gain by participating in the Jinny Expo in your city?

Attendees gained valuable opportunities for networking, business development, and product access by participating in the Jinny Expo. The event brought together store owners, vendors, and industry professionals in one space, making it easier to build new relationships, explore partnerships, and stay informed on emerging trends. Another key advantage was access to exclusive discounts and deals that extended beyond the event itself. With promotions remaining available for a longer period, store owners had the flexibility to manage cash flow and place larger and more strategic orders over time rather than feeling pressured to purchase everything during the Jinny Expo. This added flexibility made the experience more practical and business friendly for attendees.

After the success of this show, how do you see the Jinny Expo continuing to grow and raise the standard in the industry?

I see the Jinny Expo continuing to grow by expanding its reach and strengthening engagement between Jinny, vendors, and store owners. Moving forward, I believe that it will continue elevating the overall experience, showcasing products in more engaging ways, and adding value beyond the event through ongoing deals and flexible ordering. Ultimately, it has the potential to set a higher standard in the industry by becoming a long-term resource for building relationships and supporting business growth.

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Smooth Blowout Lotion Heat Protector

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SLOANE STEPHENS ON WELLNESS IN MOTION

Some people live with intention. For them, wellness isn’t aspirational, it’s essential. For tennis champion and entrepreneur Sloane Stephens, that philosophy has evolved into something tangible. From her In Motion Wellness Journal to her Doc & Glo haircare line, her approach is rooted in simplicity and real life. The journal isn’t about perfection or performance, it’s about presence. It reflects a modern approach to balance, one that embraces consistency and living with intention. In this interview, she opens up about creating healthy habits that travel with her, the power of small daily check-ins, and why staying grounded has less to do with where you are and everything to do with how you show up for yourself.

What inspired you to create the In Motion Wellness Journal, and how does it reflect your personal approach to staying grounded?

The In Motion Wellness Journal was really inspired by the reality of my life, constantly moving between training, travel, competition, and everything happening off the court. I wanted to create something that feels approachable and real, because wellness does not always look like an hour long morning routine. For me, staying grounded comes from small intentional moments throughout the day: checking in with myself, recognizing how I am feeling, and making space for gratitude and reflection. The journal reflects that exact approach, simple, honest, and designed to fit into real life.

between meetings, or time before bed.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause and ask yourself, How am I feeling today? What do I need right now? Keeping it simple makes it sustainable.

What do you hope users take away from the In Motion Wellness Journal, and how do you envision it helping people stay grounded and focused in their daily lives?

I hope people walk away feeling more connected to themselves. My biggest goal is to help people create a habit of checking in mentally and emotionally, especially during busy or stressful seasons. Even a few minutes of reflection can help you reset your mindset, celebrate small wins, and move through your day with more intention. I want it to be a tool that reminds people that wellness does not have to be perfect, it just has to be consistent.

Your journal focuses on quick daily check ins. Why was it important for you to keep the process simple and realistic for everyday use?

Because life is busy. I know firsthand that when something feels too complicated or time consuming, it is hard to stay consistent. I wanted this journal to feel like something anyone can actually use, whether you have five minutes in the morning, a moment

Between training, travel, and competition, how do you personally make time for wellness and mental resets?

For me, it is all about finding small moments throughout the day. Wellness does not always happen in big blocks of time. Sometimes it is a quiet cup of tea in the morning, a journal

when life gets busy or overwhelming?

check in before practice, a good stretch session, or simply putting my phone away for a little while. Travel can be hectic, so I try to create routines that travel with me: skincare, hair care, movement, hydration, and mental resets that help me feel centered no matter where I am.

Who or what keeps you grounded

My family and my foundation work keep me incredibly grounded. The work we do through the Sloane Stephens Foundation is such an important reminder of purpose and perspective. Giving back to young people and seeing the impact of mentorship always brings me back to what truly matters. Beyond that, my close circle, family, friends, and my team, keeps me centered.

What has been the most memorable or defining moment of your tennis career so far?

Winning the 2017 US Open will always be one of the most defining moments of my career. It was a moment that represented resilience, belief, and everything I had worked for. Coming back from injury and being able to achieve something so special made it even more meaningful. It is a reminder that setbacks do not define you, how you come back does.

As someone constantly on the move for training, matches, and travel, what does your typical hair care routine look like while you are on the road? Are there any must have products or essentials you always keep with you?

for me.

I always keep my essentials with me: a gentle cleansing shampoo, a hydrating conditioner, our hair supplement, and hair oil. The supplement supports healthy growth from within, while the oil helps keep my hair hydrated, nourished, and protected on the outside. For me, it is about creating a full routine that supports healthy hair from root to finish, no matter where I am.

How do you protect and maintain your hair during tournaments and intense training periods?

Protective styling is key, along with making sure my hair and scalp stay hydrated. Between sweat, sun, and frequent styling, I focus on moisture and scalp health. I love using oils and serums that nourish the scalp, plus silk wraps or bonnets at night to reduce friction. It is really about consistency and making sure I am caring for my hair the same way I care for the rest of my body.

What beauty or hair trends are you currently loving, and which ones do you think are especially relevant for women with an active, on the go lifestyle?

I am loving the shift toward wellness first beauty, products that not only look good but actually support your lifestyle. Scalp care is a huge one for me right now, and I think it is so important for women who are always on the go. Beauty that fits into real life, whether it is multi use products, easy protective styles, or skincare and body care that works after workouts, is where I think the industry is moving.

Hair care is such a huge part of my routine, especially with how often I am training and traveling. Honestly, that is a big part of why I started the hair line. Hair has always been such an important part of my life, and I know firsthand the struggles that come with maintaining healthy hair while constantly being on the move, sweating, styling, and traveling from city to city. Creating products that truly work together and fit into an active lifestyle felt like such a huge opportunity

Through your Sloane Stephens Foundation, you are helping young girls gain access to sports and mentorship. What inspired you to start this work, and what impact do you hope it has on the next generation?

The foundation was inspired by my own journey and the opportunities that sports gave me. I know how powerful access, mentorship, and belief can be in shaping a young person’s future. I wanted to create spaces where young girls feel seen, supported, and empowered to dream bigger. My hope is that through sports, education, and mentorship, we are helping build confidence, leadership, and opportunities that last far beyond the court.

the trend Report

Heatless Styling Sells: EDUCATE TO CONVERT AND TURN ROLLERS INTO A MUST-HAVE ITEM

Heatless styling isn’t just a passing trend, it’s becoming the standard for customers who want healthier, more sustainable hair routines. More shoppers are intentionally stepping away from daily heat tools and looking for alternatives that protect their hair while still delivering polished, defined styles.

That’s why rollers, especially flexi rods, are gaining renewed attention. The demand is already there. Customers are seeing soft, spiral curls everywhere—styles that look effortless, bouncy, and natural. What they don’t always have is the confidence to recreate that look on their own. That gap

between inspiration and understanding is where real sales happen.

Customers Want the Look—But Need the Process

Most customers walking into a beauty supply store have already seen the result they want. It’s the kind of curl pattern that looks like it came from freshly washed hair, set neatly on rods, left to dry, and then gently separated into soft, touchable spirals. The curls don’t look stiff or overly styled. They fall naturally, with movement and shine, and most importantly, without visible heat damage. Customers begin to question whether they

can actually achieve that same look. They may wonder if the process is too complicated, too time-consuming, or simply not meant for their hair type.

Educate to Convert

This is where education becomes the most powerful sales strategy in the store. Customers don’t need a hard sell. They need clarity and when the focus shifts from simply selling rollers to explaining the result they create, everything changes. Instead of seeing a product they don’t understand, customers begin to see a solution that makes sense. A simple, confident explanation can remove uncertainty. When they learn that the process starts with clean, damp hair, followed by a styling product, then wrapping sections around flexi rods and allowing the hair to dry before separating the curls, the entire experience feels more approachable. It’s no longer complicated, it’s achievable.

Make Education Visible InStore

Not every customer will ask questions, which means the store itself has to do some of the teaching. Clear, simple signage that explains the result and shows an image of the result while briefly describing the process can make a major impact. When customers can see the finished look and understand how to achieve it, they move from curiosity to confidence much faster. Even a short message that connects “soft, heatless spiral curls” with a simple method can be enough to shift a buying decision.

AlmayMirandaAnnounces Kerr as the Face of Its Brand Relaunch

This new chapter spotlights Almay’s modern packaging, evolved design language and skin-conscious positioning

Almay announces a transformative new chapter that builds on the beauty brand’s decades-long commitment to gentle, skin-friendly makeup. With a refreshed visual identity, updated packaging across its core lineup and the debut of its new global brand ambassador – internationally renowned model, entrepreneur and wellness advocate Miranda Kerr –Almay strengthens its promise with a new campaign, “Clean Makeup That Thinks It’s Skincare*.”

“Almay has always been trusted for its dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested formulations designed with skin sensitivity in mind,” said Erika Woods, SVP of Mass Marketing at Revlon. “This evolution brings our skin-first legacy into a more contemporary beauty space – one rooted in performance, transparency and ingredient simplicity. Miranda reflects the effortless, ingredient conscious approach to beauty that has always defined Almay.”

The refreshed campaign underscores Almay’s commitment

to thoughtful formulation, highlighting its selective use of skin-loving ingredients and its long-standing belief that makeup should care for skin as much as it enhances it. As the face of this next chapter, Kerr brings a modern, naturally radiant perspective that aligns seamlessly with Almay’s vision of effortless, everyday beauty.

“I’m very intentional about the brands I partner with,” said Kerr.

“What resonated with me about Almay is its commitment to clean beauty, alongside its long-standing focus on gentle, breathable formulas. It’s a brand people have trusted for many years, and I love that it’s clean and dermatologist tested.”

With this renewed creative direction in place, Almay is introducing refreshed packaging across several of its most loved products throughout the year. The streamlined, minimalist design features clearer on-pack communication, making it easier for shoppers to navigate products by benefit, while preserving the formulas they know and trust.

Clear Complexion Foundation & Concealer (MSRP $17.59, $12.59):

ABOUT ALMAY:

Almay is a pioneer in skin-friendly makeup, known for creating high-performance color cosmetics designed for sensitive skin. Founded in 1931 by chemist Alfred Woititz in partnership with dermatologist Dr. Morris Sulzberger, Almay has long believed that makeup and skincare work better together. Today, Almay delivers Clean Makeup That Thinks It’s Skincare™*—combining impactful performance with skin-loving benefits at accessible price points. The Almay brand is highly selective in its formulations, using fewer than 500 ingredients out of more than 20,000 available. All Almay products are always dermatologist-tested and thoughtfully designed to support even the most sensitive skin. Almay empowers consumers to make confident, mindful beauty choices without compromising on quality, efficacy, or value.

With a modernized look, Clear Complexion Foundation and Concealer feature the same trusted formulas and key ingredient, salicylic acid, providing breathable coverage for blemish-prone skin.

Length & Lift Mascara (MSRP $11.59): Featuring plant-based brush fibers and a lash conditioning complex, Length & Lift Mascara delivers lifted and defined lashes while remaining suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The formula now comes in a sleek, monochromatic tube made from environmentally conscious packaging partially made from post-consumer recycled materials in a modern design.

Oil Free Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads (MSRP $7.59, 80 count | $11.59, 120 count): Oil-free micellar pads that gently remove eye makeup, made from 100% plant-based fibers and suitable for sensitive eyes, now in newly designed packaging.

Products featuring the updated packaging will roll out throughout 2026, and will be available on Amazon, Almay.com and most major retailers, including Target and Walmart, with prices ranging from $7.59 and $17.59.

ABOUT MIRANDA KERR:

Miranda Kerr is an internationally renowned model, entrepreneur and wellness advocate. Best known for her celebrated global modelling career, she made history as the first Australian Victoria’s Secret Angel and has since built a multifaceted career spanning beauty, business and philanthropy. A pioneer in the clean beauty space, she founded and independently launched KORA Organics in 2009, a certified organic skincare brand born from her passion for holistic health, which she continues to lead with a handson approach. A certified health coach, Miranda’s work is guided by her belief in the connection between inner wellbeing and outer beauty. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting causes focused on women, children, health and the environment. As a mother of four, she uses her platform to inspire a more conscious and balanced way of living. @ mirandakerr

*For more information, visit: Almay.com/OurValues

company where growth would translate into opportunity for others.

Through partnerships with local organizations including Atlanta Mission and Hey Atlanta, Ecoslay has hired team members transitioning out of homelessness into production and shipping roles, creating access to stable employment as the business expands.

The need for these pathways remains significant. Atlanta has invested millions in recent years to address homelessness, with initiatives aimed at moving hundreds of residents into stable housing –underscoring the ongoing need for employment opportunities that help people stay housed long term. Ecoslay’s hiring model reflects how small and mid-sized businesses can play a direct role in that effort.

Ecoslay Founder Uses Growing Business to Create Employment Pathways for Atlanta’s Unhoused Community

After nearly losing her own home, Adria Marshall now creates opportunities for people rebuilding their lives.

As homelessness continues to impact Atlanta, an Atlanta entrepreneur is using her growing business to create jobs for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Adria Marshall, founder of Atlanta-based natural haircare brand Ecoslay, has grown the company into a sevenfigure business generating more than $3.6 million in revenue and selling over 3,000 products monthly to customers around the world. But the company’s growth is rooted in Marshall’s own experience.

In 2008, she was laid off from her corporate tech job during the recession and came close to losing her home while navigating a prolonged job search. After later building her career at Cox and Mailchimp, she launched Ecoslay in 2015 – determined to create a

“As Ecoslay grows, I want that growth to create stability and opportunity for others,” Marshall said. “I know how quickly circumstances can change, and I want our success to open doors for our neighbors and community.”

“Working at Ecoslay has given me more than just a job — it’s given me stability and support during one of the hardest seasons of my life. While navigating housing challenges and being away from my family, I’ve found this to be a safe, welcoming space,” Travis Johnson said. “The team genuinely supports one another, and that has meant everything to me. Being here has helped me grow, rebuild my confidence, and move closer to the goals I have for my future.”

Marshall represents a growing wave of female founders scaling businesses while centering community reinvestment and workforce access.

About Ecoslay: Founded by Adria Marshall in 2015, the hair line – based on homemade products for her own naturally, curly style –has grown to more than 100 retailers across the globe and has received quite a following from those with curly and wavy hair textures. No matter how much her business grows, one aspect remains the same. Each product is still handmade using carefully chosen and thoroughly-explained ingredients. The result is hair care that’s as innovative as it is natural and sustainable. Follow them on Instagram @ecoslay.

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NEW YOU 2026 Beauty Awards Honor Farouk Systems with a Life Time Achievement Award and The Best AI Beauty Innovation Award

These

prestigious Awards honored both the Founder of Farouk Systems, Dr.

Farouk Shami and their innovative creation of the LG CHI Color Master

On March 28, 2026, Farouk Systems’ CHI and BioSilk brands proudly sponsored the 2026 NEW YOU Beauty Awards, held at the eco-luxury 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami. Both brands played a central role throughout the event, delivering elevated brand experiences that reflect their legacy of innovation, performance, and professional credibility.

“Partnering with the NEW YOU Beauty Awards aligns perfectly with our mission to empower beauty professionals, innovators, and consumers through high-performance products and education,” said Mego Ayvazian on behalf of CHI and BioSilk. “We’re honored to be part of an event that celebrates

creativity, entrepreneurship, and excellence in beauty.”

The NEW YOU Beauty Awards 2026 brought together leading beauty brands, visionary founders, industry executives, influencers, and media to celebrate excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the beauty and wellness space.

The one-day, star-studded event featured a red-carpet arrival, immersive brand activations, exclusive gifting experiences, industry networking, and the highly anticipated awards ceremony honoring standout leaders and products shaping the future of beauty.

Among the evening’s most prestigious honors, Dr. Farouk Shami was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of innovation that have transformed the professional beauty industry.

In addition, his groundbreaking creation, the LG CHI Color Master Factory, received the Best AI Beauty Innovation Award—a gamechanging fusion of artificial intelligence and professional color technology, delivering unmatched precision and personalization in salons worldwide.

The LG CHI Color Master Factory is the genius of Dr. Farouk Shami, and LG H&H’s team of top engineers. Together, they created the world’s first-ever color machine called The LG CHI Color Master Factory (patent pending). It is a digitally controlled color customization system that has 30,000 recommended formulations with the possibility to create unlimited color formulations with exact precision to make stylists’ artistry come to life.

“Being recognized at this respected event is truly humbling,” said Dr. Shami, Founder of Farouk Systems, Inc. “I have dedicated my life to creating tools and products that make a meaningful difference while delivering exceptional results.”

About CHI and BioSilk

CHI and BioSilk, brands under Farouk Systems, Inc., are globally recognized leaders in professional haircare and styling technology.

CHI revolutionized the beauty industry with the introduction of ammonia-free hair color and advanced ceramic styling tools, while BioSilk is celebrated for its iconic Silk Therapy line, known for delivering strength, shine, and healthier hair through silk proteins and botanical ingredients. Together, CHI and BioSilk represent decades of science-driven innovation trusted by salon professionals and consumers worldwide.

www.CHI.com or www.BioSilk.com

About NEW YOU

NEW YOU serves a sophisticated, motivated, and entrepreneurial audience of beauty and wellness enthusiasts of all ages. The brand champions the belief that health—physical, mental, and financial— and beauty should be lived, worn, and celebrated. NEW YOU delivers inspirational entrepreneurial stories, practical tips, and trend-driven content, alongside curated, shoppable products from standout brands. Reflecting its continued growth, NEW YOU has evolved beyond a beauty-focused platform into a 360-degree media company, encompassing NEW YOU Studios, NEW YOU Brands, and the upcoming launch of NEW YOU Products.

industry NEWS

in-cosmetics Global delivers largest edition to date in Paris

Over 12,500 global visitors unite around the trends and innovations shaping the future of beauty

in-cosmetics Global 2026, organised by RX, concluded a recordbreaking edition in Paris, welcoming 12,559 unique visitors and reinforcing its position as the leading destination for personal care ingredients and trends.

Sponsored by KSM-66, the event attracted a highly international audience (67% international vs. 33% domestic), creating a truly global exchange of ideas across the show floor.

Bringing together brands, manufacturers and suppliers from across the personal care value chain, the show floor was filled with innovations and concepts that set the global benchmark for beauty’s future.

Attendees included leading global beauty and cosmetic houses such as L’Oréal, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Coty and Puig, alongside a diverse mix of ingredient suppliers, indie brands, cosmetic scientists, manufacturers, formulators and R&D specialists. This year’s edition also highlighted the industry’s expansion into new verticals including nutricosmetics, neurocosmetics, health and wellness, reflecting a broader evolution across the global beauty landscape.

Introducing inner beauty

This year saw the debut of the Inner Beauty Zone, a new area bridging beauty and nutraceuticals.

Within the zone, innovations in beauty-from-within filled the zone with gummies, drinks, powders and capsules targeting slow-ageing, hyperpigmentation, hydration, hair/skin quality, and stimulated

skin cell production, powered by ingredients such as collagen, vitamin C, astaxanthin, ashwagandha, turmeric, and more.

The Taste Bar invited visitors to sample a range of supplements from Mibelle Biochemistry, KSM-66 Ashwagandha, Bionap S.R.L., Lubrizol, Symrise and more. Building on this, the new Taste Bar Award recognised standout innovations with Lubrizol awarded Best Tasting Nutricosmetics Food for its Curcushine gummies and Symrise winning Best Tasting Nutricosmetics Beverage for its AceRoselle.

The momentum around beauty-from-within was further reflected across the show floor. “It’s been a success story for Activ’Inside - it is our first time exhibiting here in the Inner Beauty Zone. We’re riding the huge trend in the beauty-from-within market [...], and in-cosmetics Global is a great way to help brands enter an industry that is growing exponentially. The quality of encounters has us really satisfied with our participation – we’re already booked for next year,” said Karine Laurent, Sales Director, Europe at Activ’Inside.

Supporting this growing category, the in-cosmetics Global Nutricosmetics Ingredient Index launched at the event, offering a clear snapshot of the ingredients driving momentum in the fast-evolving category.

Beauty through a broader lens

The event highlighted beauty’s growing role within wellness, spanning sleep, mood, fragrance, mind & neurological support, gut health, ovarian health, longevity and more. Mintel set the tone with a trends-led session projecting 8.6% growth in the wellness market by 2029, highlighting the convergence of beauty, nutrition and consistent-use formats. Key areas included muscle health as a metabolic driver, evolving gut microbiome support, and ovarian health as part of preventative, lifestage-focused care.

Exhibitors across the show floor brought these concepts to life through increasingly science-backed and emotionally driven innovations. Brain Impact Neuroscience demonstrated how fMRI and AI can measure emotional responses to beauty products, while Næmos introduced SYNATIS™, a neuroprotective, plant-based extract targeting skin ageing at a sensory level. iNGR Inc. unveiled its next-generation bio-platform integrating inner and outer beauty solutions.

dsm-firmenich further blurred beauty-wellness lines with its ALPAFLOR® NEUROSOOTH (skin-mind stress interrupter) and EXOVIVE LIFT, an extracellular synergy system harnessing the power of Alpine Apple, Mediterranean Tangerine and Sicilian Papaya.

Record-breaking Innovation Zone

in-cosmetics Global set a new benchmark in the Innovation Zone this year with a record-breaking 233 entries; the highest ever, mirroring the event’s historic scale and signalling the beauty industry’s rapid pace of innovation.

As consumers demand greater efficacy, transparency, and emotional resonance, suppliers responded with truly groundbreaking ingredients spanning scalp-focused actives, longevity science, neurocosmetics, invisible SPF, pet care, natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients, and much more.

All entries were automatically considered for the in-cosmetics Global 2026 Awards, recognising leading advances in cosmetic science.

Winners across nine categories were selected by an expert judging panel and announced at the ceremony on 14 April.

In the Active category, RAHN AG took Gold for CALNEURIN SENSE, Næmos earned Silver with SHISOME, and Bronze went to Chemyunion’s Peptid4 Light MB and dsm-firmenich’s EXOVIVE LIFT.

The Functional category saw PolymerExpert claim Gold for ViscoPure, SEPPIC take Silver with Solagum X+, and Evonik secure Bronze for RHEANCE Soft GO.

From lab to launch

The show floor was alive with launches and announcements, with major players unveiling new ingredients and products for the very first time. Sustainability and biotech led the conversation, with natural, microplastic-free, circular and upcycled solutions alongside high-performance actives.

Standout launches this year included Upcycled Beauty Company’s microbiome-friendly Cherry NECTA™ active oil made from cherry stones and zero-waste Cherishd Cherry-Up Eye-Elixir; SETHIC’s ILLUMETA super-metabiotic from premium Koshihikari rice for glass-skin; and COLIPI’s Climate Butter™, a scalable alternative to tropical butters via circular fermentation.

Mibelle Biochemistry also unveiled EpiSnow™, an advanced skinrejuvenating active targeting seven key hallmarks of ageing, while Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant introduced AlgaSurge, a nextgeneration skin longevity active derived from extremophile microalgae via blue biotechnology.

Symrise introduced three new ingredients including its SymConcentrole® Barrier Boost, a 100% natural-origin liquid oil which blends upcycled pineapple hearts with organic coconut/MCT oil to strengthen skin barrier, structure and elasticity.

Givaudan Active Beauty, in collaboration with Haut.AI, unveiled an interactive experience powered by generative AI, enabling visitors to digitally “try on” PrimalHyal™ NeuroYouth and visualise its effects on their own skin over time. Ravetllat Fragrances also launched “From Space to Place,” a new collection where light, volume and texture converge to create a sensory narrative.

Korean manufacturing giant Cosmax and HelloBiome spotlighted a new partnership bringing AI-powered microbiome intelligence directly into skincare formulation, integrating HelloBiome’s clinical research platform to optimize product development, reflecting the growing role of biotech and data-driven innovation in Korean beauty manufacturing.

Meanwhile, members of the Circular Cosmetic Collective featuring Lignopure, Gaia Tech, Kaffe Bueno, Swedish Algae Factory, The Upcycled Beauty Company and others made their debut in the Upcycling Hub, underscoring the collaborative momentum toward circular beauty.

Elevating scent

Fragrance played a strong role this year, with an enhanced Fragrance Zone and the introduction of the new Scent Bar, a dedicated space designed to explore scent as a compelling and emotionally engaging component of personal care.

Across the zone, exhibitors showcased how fragrance is evolving beyond traditional scent into a strategic ingredient for wellbeing, mood and sensory experience. Insights from Fragrance Oils highlighted growing demand for clinically supported claims, with brands increasingly seeking accessible fragrance solutions that deliver measurable wellness benefits alongside emotional impact. This transition was brought to life through innovations from leading fragrance houses. LUZI showcased “The Play of Sweets”, demonstrating how gourmand fragrances are being reimagined with twists that balance nostalgia with discovery, creating scents that feel comforting and joyful.

Expressions Parfumées presented its Longevity Collection alongside AgeAura™, a new fragrance technology supporting the emerging “active perfumery” space by integrating functional ingredients into scent compositions.

Meanwhile, IFF and Eurofragance showcased scent’s growing role in wellbeing, from mood-enhancing and sleep-supporting fragrance technologies to immersive emotional experiences underlining sensory design’s integral place in next-generation beauty.

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http:// www.relx.com/investors

Clariant’s “Let True Beauty Glow”

formulations celebrate authentic radiance and multifunctional innovation

lariant presents its “Let True Beauty Glow” Formulation Concept 2026, a comprehensive beauty innovation strategy that celebrates natural radiance and authentic self-expression. The concept centers on “hacking nature’s secret of radiance,” where glowing up isn’t about changing who you are but bringing out what’s already there. This approach celebrates positivity, self-care, and the confidence that comes from feeling good in your own skin.

The formulation concept responds to two significant shifts in consumer behavior. Value-conscious consumers increasingly want products that work harder and deliver multiple benefits, moving beyond traditional category boundaries to focus on what actually matters in their routines. Today’s informed and creative beauty consumers are repurposing products and seeking smart, multifunctional formulas that earn their place when budgets are tight. Simultaneously, consumers are embracing simple, authentic beauty with minimal ingredients and maximum trust, replacing complex routines and overhyped promises with straightforward, personal products.

Clariant’s concept features 15 innovative formulations designed to address these evolving consumer needs across multiple categories. The portfolio includes hair care solutions like GlowRay Hair Mist, which protects hair during beach days and FreshUp Body Spray, delivering an instant cooling effect with a velvety touch.

“The ‘Let True Beauty Glow’ concept reflects a fundamental shift in how consumers approach beauty,” said Petra Kudla, Global Marketing Manager Hair Care at Clariant. “We’re seeing people move away from heavy transformation toward celebrating their authentic selves. Our formulations support this movement by providing multifunctional solutions that enhance natural beauty through thoughtful chemistry. These aren’t just product ideas, they’re tools that empower formulators to create experiences that honor both individual wellbeing and the planet.”

The formulations leverage Clariant’s advanced ingredient technologies, including Aristoflex™ variants for lightweight textures and superior performance, Plantasens™ range for plantbased emulsifiers and emollients, Eclipsogen™ UV filters for advanced encapsulated protection, Glucotain™ and Hostapon™surfactants for mild cleansing, and Nipaguard™ preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. Each formulation has been developed with detailed technical specifications, including complete ingredient lists, manufacturing procedures, stability data, and challenge test results.

mild formulations is reflected in the GlowRenew facial cleanser that enhances the natural glow while being gentle to the skin. Americas demand FDA-compliant UV filters and performance-driven products, such as make up remover wipes, whereas APAC’s drive towards innovative textures and multifunctional benefits resulted in a mochi-inspired facial cleanser. Consumers in China are looking for specialized formulations such as a multifunctional cleanser. This regional approach ensures that formulators worldwide can access market-ready solutions that address specific consumer needs and regulatory requirements.

The concept takes its cue from how consumers “hack” beauty routines through smart shortcuts, flexible formulas, and effortless results. Each formulation supports a natural, nonmakeup look with soft skin, subtle radiance, and beautiful real-life authenticity. This philosophy aligns with the slow beauty movement, where innovation moves with intention through thoughtful formulas that honor both wellbeing and the increasing consumer awareness of environmental aspects such as ingredients with a high natural origin index.

Clariant will showcase the “Let True Beauty Glow” formulation concept at NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026 on May 19-20 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Booth #841. Visitors can experience the formulations firsthand and discuss how these innovations can support their product development goals.

Clariant has designed these formulations for global reach, with products tailored for different regional markets. Europe’s focus on

™ ARE TRADEMARKS OF CLARIANT.

Must-Have Hair Essentials Driving Retail Demand

Today’s top-selling hair products reflect exactly what consumers are prioritizing— performance, versatility, and professionalquality results at home. From heat protection and long-lasting styling control to rich color and high-shine finishing care, these standout essentials continue to dominate shelves. Each product in this lineup delivers proven results that keep customers coming back for more.

Mousse Def Texture Foam

MOUSSE DEF Texture Foam® brings that perfect hold without the helmet hair energy. This awardwinning foam defines curls, slicks edges, and keeps your customers’ style bouncing from sunrise to sunset. No crunch, no flakes, just pure texture magic.

Oriental Black Bigen Permanent Powder

Bigen Permanent Powder Hair Color is ideal for those looking for beautiful, long-lasting results with excellent gray coverage or to enhance natural hair color. The unique powder formula is activated by water and deposits rich, natural-looking color into even the most stubborn gray hair. With no ammonia, this depositonly color is the gentle choice for rich color and optimum shine regardless of your customers natural hair color, consistency, condition, length or style.

Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Spray

This hair polisher and heat protectant leaves hair silky soft with vibrant shine and eliminates frizz. It prevents static and reduces drying time improving body and manageability. The easy application works well on finer hair and when flat ironing.

AllDay Locks™️ Braid Gel

It smooths and tames frizz while the improved extreme hold formula helps styles look better, for longer. It leaves braids, locs, twists, and cornrows looking sleek, lustrous, and defined. It’s fantastic for flake-free, extreme hold for all your customers go-to braided hairstyles and fabulously doubles as an edge control when they need it. It’s infused with lavender, peppermint, witch hazel, and sage to help alleviate dryness, itchiness & flakiness.These styling products were made specifically to celebrate every one of your customers unique styles and looks, to make them feel beautiful, confident, and one of a kind.

Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion

It saves drying time, prevents hardening of the hair and hair breakage, eliminates combing discomfort for your customers and adds fantastic silky sheen instantly with Nairobi’s Wrapp-It.

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Ignite Culture: Empowering and Leading a Healthy, High-Performance Organization from the Inside Out (Keen Alignment Culture Series)

By Margaret Graziano

A Wall Street Journal Bestseller

Learn how to Empower and Lead a Healthy, High-Performance Organization from the Inside Out in this Wall Street Journal Bestseller!

Sometimes corporate leaders forget that businesses are human systems. Revenue, innovation, and growth are all generated by human beings. Every organization is a human system, an amalgamation of personalities, behaviors, moods, actions, and interactions. All too often, personalities when on overdrive, cause defensive aggressive or passive defensive polarities in how people work together. This causes relational friction, dysfunction, dissatisfaction, and stress - all adversely impacting organizational culture.

Offering a unique combination of experiential coaching, evidence-based leadership tools, and actionable strategies, this book empowers business leaders with the wisdom and insights they need to assess how personality overdrive is causing relationship breakdowns and unnecessary conflict. Ignite Culture gives CEOs, HR, and Business Leaders a firsthand view into what causes dysfunction in the workplace and what to do about it. You learn how to cultivate a healthy company culture, increase employee engagement and performance, spark innovation among teams and align people towards a common cause.

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4. You’ll

5. NO RETURNS will be accepted on coupon purchases.

I. Purchase the required amount of the vendor’s products. Coupon good

Trends will come and go, but a business that adapts without losing its vision will always thrive.

We are pleased to announce that Jinny Beauty Supply is offering special pricing on SULFUR-8 products. Please contact your sales representative today to take advantage of this offer.

The Makeup Show

themakeupshow.com/nyc

New York, NY

China Beauty Expo

chinabeautyexpo.com

Shanghai China

Beauty Istanbul beauty-istanbul.com

Istanbul, Turkiye

Afro Hair & Beauty Live afrohairshow.com

London, UK

Premiere Orlando www.premiereorlandoshow.com

MAY & JUNE

Redken Symposium powernetwork.redken.com

May 3-4

May 12–14

May 7–9

May 24–25

Orlando, FL May 30–June 1

Las Vegas, NV

FEGOBEL 2026

fegobel.com.br

Goiânia, Brazil

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN cosmoprof.com

Bangkok, Thailand

Be + Well Beauty and Wellness Show bewellshowlasvegas.com

Las Vegas, NV

Hair Expo Australia hairfestival.com.au

June 13-15

June 14–16

June 24–26

June 27-29

Sydney, Australia .................................................. June 28–29

reader FEEDBACK

Community Corner

Let your voice be heard!

매월 몇 가지 질문을 통해 의견을 수렴하여, 더욱 발전된 잡지를 만들어 가고자 합니다. 잠시 시간을 내시어 귀하의 생각을 공유해 주시기 바랍니다.

답변은 질문지 작성 후 저희 사무실로 보내주시거나, 이메일로 전달해 주시면 됩니다. (연락처는 본 페이지 하단을 참고해 주세요.)

What are some of the most popular general merchandise items in your store?

Why do you think those items have been successful?

Is there any other topic that you would like to see covered in OTC Beauty magazine?

In this segment, OTC Beauty Magazine wants to find out what is important to you, our loyal readers. Posing a handful of questions each month, our goal is to learn through feedback how to better serve you. We ask that you take a few minutes to share your thoughts; write responses on this sheet and mail it back to us, or send it via email. Mail this form to: ( 보내실곳: )

When we receive your feedback we will choose a few answers to feature in the next month’s issue. You could be famous just by answering a few questions – simple as that! We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for supporting this publication.

SUMMER STYLES START WITH

S t re n g th

Before the braids, twists, and installs — start with a solid foundation on wash day. Our Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner with castor oil care for hair, leaving it feeling stronger for every summer style.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

SCAN ME