03.31.09
Kawaii Tokyo Cosmetics Earns Halal Certification
SINGAPORE: Force 10’s Kawaii Tokyo cosmetics and skin care brand is available in Singapore, marking the first line of Japanese produced skin care products to earn certification under the Halal standards of Islamic law. The products are available at more than 80 department stores and cosmetics specialty shop in Singapore. The line’s star product is the “Brighten-Up” Series “of skin care treatments. More info: www.kawaii-tokyo.jp
Cognis Opens Branch Office in New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND: Cognis has opened a branch office in Auckland, New Zealand to manage the marketing and sales of its products in the country. The company says the move will further strengthen its ties with its local customers, and improve its understanding of local consumer markets. Cognis’ products had been distributed by Henkel New Zealand, but with the opening of the new office, it will manage the marketing and sales of its products in New Zealand directly.
The office will represent the interests of all three of Cognis’ strategic business units (SBUs)—Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, and Functional Products. In addition, New Zealand market segment manager have been appointed for each SBU. They are: Peter Gibson (Care Chemicals), Vinod Sareen (Functional Products) and Domnic Lobo (Nutrition & Health).
According to Roger Taylor, Cognis’ Legal Representative for Australia, who is also responsible for the company’s operations in New Zealand, the new branch office will enable Cognis to better understand the local market and anticipate developments there.” A local presence will further strengthen our customers’ trust in us, and help us give them the competitive edge they need to succeed. We see a significant opportunity to profitably grow our existing business plus develop new business, and by taking direct control of sales and distribution, we hope to exploit this,” he said in a statement.
More info: www.cognis.com
NaTrue Certifies First 100 Products
BELGIUM: As of Feb. 1, the first 100 products had been certified with the NaTrue Label, a designation that defines transparent and strict criteria for natural and organic cosmetics.This international, not-for-profit certification process was developed by the Scientific Committee of the International Natural Cosmetics Grouping, NaTrue, and was first published in May 2008. The NaTrue-Label is based on the principle of split responsibility—The NaTrue Scientific Committee is guardian of the criteria while independent Label Management Partners manage the certification process by country or region.
The list of certified products includes cosmetics, personal care and skin care products from companies such as Primavera Life GmbH, Weleda and Oceanwell, among others. A full list of the products is available at http://www.natrue-label.com/products
More info: www.NaTrue.org
Companies Add Virtual Makeup Portals
JAPAN: Virtual makeup websites are making an impact in the Japanese cosmetics market. According to a report in the Nikkei Weekly,to address concerns about trying new shades in drugstores, where there is no consultant, cosmetics makers are offering makeup simulation services online.
Kose’s “Makeup Trial online” website, which launched in August, enables women to try out different makeup patterns using items in its Esprique Precious line. Women can try on the makeup using either their own photo or a model’s image. If users like their makeup trial, they can print out a list of the products to take to a retailer.
Kao’s Aube couture website takes users through a beauty evaluation designed to analyze photos of their faces to assess if their cosmetic application techniques are sufficient. At another website for Sofina Primavista, Kao analyzes uploaded photos to let users know how much younger they could look by improving their cosmetics choices.
Beautyworld Attendance Up, Lindner Given Beautyworld Cup
GERMANY:According to Messe Frankfurt GmbH, 10,400 visitors from 78 countries—an increase of 1400—attended Beautyworld 2009, which was held Jan, 31-Feb.1. Of the European nations, Italy, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands and France were the top countries in terms of visitor numbers. The trade show featured 323 exhibitors from 29 countries.
According to Messe Frankfurt, this year’s special highlight for buyers was the wellness and spa, natural cosmetics and anti-aging product segments. The trend forum, designed specifically for these product ranges, was popular with visitors.
Michael Lindner, managing director, Annemarie Börlind and an exhibitor in the natural cosmetics area, expressed his satisfaction. “We held some excellent discussions and made a host of new contacts. For us, Beautyworld was a successful event,” Mr. Lindner said.
The Beautyworld Cup 2009 was presented to Annemarie Linder. From l-r: Dr. Michael Peters (member of the board of management of Messe Frankfurt GmbH), Ms. Linder and family, Reinhard D. Wolf, Andrea Malinverno (president of the European Perfumery Association) and Laudatorin Ute Kempf-Uhlig. |
Udo Heuser, managing director of new company Beauty Brands Inter-national, posted good business and many new contacts: “For us, Beautyworld is the most important contact point in terms of perfumeries. All the decision-makers who are important to us visited our stand. Not only were we able to service our existing contacts but we acquired a lot of new customers as well,” he said.
At the event, this 2009 Beautyworld Cup was presented to entrepreneur and company founder Annemarie Lindner, who is considered a pioneer of natural cosmetics and an innovator of skin-typed, natural facial skin care. The Beautyworld Cup honors the outstanding achievements of an individual, group or company from the perfumery and cosmetics sector.
Beautyworld 2010 will be held Jan. 30-Feb.2 at the Messe Frankfurt.
More info: www.beautyworld.messefrankfurt.com