LYRA MAG.

The annual late summer trade show- MakeUp in NY -was more crowded than in past years-with the ease of launching indie brands -getting even easier since we've been covering this...and other supplier trade events for the past decade+. WHAT: A nice format-of private labs with custom options, biz consultants, packaging and marketing services geared towards individuals ready to carve out their place in the DTC world---all under one roof-with USA, European and S. Korean brands- knowledgeable in the particular cosmetic and labeling requirements on a global basis. We felt that one's natural skin-only better still ruled at the show geared towards American customers-with the concept of 'just the right amount' aka 'not too much' 'perfect simple' =mantra. For Schwan Cosmetics , these Swedish concepts of  HYGGE and LAGOM  -ties into WELLNESS-  for their 2019/20 theme-including a new palette packed shimmery mineral-y eye shadows, and matte  muted autumnal col...

  The best indie Beauty brands blend natural botanicals and sustainably sourced ingredients-cruelty free.   YON-KA s an established French multi-tasking skincare entity since 1954-always had a mission-to make skincare products that are  "a perfect symbiosis of science and nature." With many different product collections for face-body-suncare---their full and travel sized products include the popular Essentials line. Pictured above-the refreshing alcohol free-essentials oils' blessed toner spray mist, YON-KA individual products target every kind of skin concern-for men and women. LOVE- a whimsical graphic-on the limited edition Lotion Yon-Ka that delivers right in time for the holidays.  Like the specialty food industry-eco and ethically sourcing and paying fair labor wages is a concern-a reason why we don't see mineral mica in makeup much anymore (child slave labor). TOOGGA  sources key ingredients from African co-ops and plants one tree per produ...

CBD oil in hair care-is new to the market. SMOOTH & STRONG Professional had many cool 'clean' products. Similar to a few well established private label makeup-skincare companies covered from prior tradeshows-this company has launched their own DTC brand! It's difficult to gauge what really is the effective amount of CBD OIL per ounce in a specific product- to really have an anti-inflammatory healing impact. We're assuming the CBD quality  source is as equally important. Smooth & Straight Professional h air care products promote smooth-shiny anti-frizz-hydrated locks. All of the company products -are color safe, unisex, good for all hair types (multi-cultural)- and made without gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors or DMDMH (a microbial/preservative derived from formaldehyde). The mask pictured above-is lightweight but adds a lot of hydration-and on hair- CBD oil improves elasticity (too). The Hair Masque-has 1000mg CBD 4oz-def on th...

The indie beauty market for skincare, makeup and 'wellness' is booming-and part of the reason is that it is easier than ever to launch one's own line-thanks to private label manufacturers -with ready made formulas (yes-there are a lot of similar products/buzzwords) -or the ability to customize-which is why (imo) some makeup/skincare brands manage to be unique. Two companies visited at the recent Indie Beauty Expo---showed us what's trendy...  Lipotec Skin Essentials (a  Lubrizol division since 2012-all  owned by Bershire Hathaway)  has a turn-key good to go- brand accelerator program with advanced science-y formulations for skin care. Cooling, hydration-creamy light gel-fast absorbing-and time releasing are desired cream -serum-moisturizers textures/characteristics. Also-pretty cool-tinier than shot glass size (hence the name SHOTZ) anti aging serum-different ingredients=different colors-shake up-the colors blend- and then use. Lubrizol -has sing...

 Balms and creams deliver relief for aches and pains-where you need it-and work speedily too.  There are a slew of DIFFERENT kinds of hemp plant derived hemp oil ( Cannabis Sativa seed oils) that are having a marketing  moment. Despite much information-consumers still can mix-up the differences between the THC loaded hemp plant one, and the CBD loaded one...and plain ole' hemp oil without any cannabinoids- that's been around the USA in products- for years, and years. Think of it like fruit-all related but different (apples vs oranges) Of common importance-is the purity of the hemp source-as hemp picks up whatever is in the soil it is grown in-and that includes bad stuff like pesticides, toxic metals + chemicals...etc. Look for organic, full spectrum third party verified CBD (on the label -smart code etc) to ensure potency and purity. Currently there aren't any USDA organic standards for hemp. With that general info-one  easy to rub in cream tried-that helpe...

Like the food/specialty food industry-the beauty/skincare biz is booming for small time companies. Nimbleness, fast to market trend driven products-fit categories =clean, 'simple ingredients,' hemp + CBD, eco+ sustainable packaging, detox from urban-or digital life- parallels the food as medicine phenom   and /or J and K beauty favs like facial masks-for the masses. Part One: One of the Indie Beauty Expo favs-with a perpetually packed booth... Oral Hygiene masters- Terra & Co . showed biodegradable dental necessities...like the nifty packaged  bamboo +activated charcoal dental floss. in recycled paper-recyclable packaging with the bamboo charcoal floss threaded via the top of the zero-waste paper board box. $10 SMART. FYI-works just as well as the landfill clogging plastic kind. 32 yards. Terra & Co. other dental products...a bamboo wood handled toothbrush with biodegradable BPA-free nylon bristles, Brilliant Black Toothpaste  $15 (with baking soda ...

Scorchers require better hydration: Think Hydrogen. NEW:   HyVIDA . a canned refreshingly sparkling water has Hydrogen and Magnesium infused molecules which give it a higher pH and better taste. Available in two certified organic flavors -zero calories. Why it's good? As an anti-inflammatory-hydrogen/magnesium in water-is blessed with natural anti-oxidants-good for skin + body cells. Reportedly it aids vitality(ATHLETE ESSENTIAL)-as drinking hydrogen water results in a more alkaline state -better for health + theoretically anti-aging too.  Tasty + thirst quenching:   Available now Another type of 'functional foods-nutritional supplements-as well as health beverages-are popular. In Japan-cult fav company Pink Cross (toner mists are bestsellers and available here)-has a new Oral Drop Hydrogen-a lemon flavored tablet to drop in water-aiming to (similarly)-boost hydrogen levels in the body-reducing oxidative stress-and pop up energy levels. Scorchers require lo...