Time and Trends: Know the Changing Face of the Beauty Market
Even a mere change in the popular shade of lipstick strikes the beauty industry by a wave!
Sweeping away all but few notions of beauty that had set trends earlier; the new wave has brought with itself transformations from the grass-root level till the top.
While it is true that no two time periods hold the same epitomes of beauty in equal regard, transformations as large scale as this have completely renovated the idea of beauty – as the modern audience knows it.
True to the quote that it borrows from: time and tide wait for none, the idea that time and trends never remain static stands valid as an unchanging reality in every passing moment.
With the evolution of market systems and progress made in delineating economic theories which are mankind’s best bet at comprehending and predicting future trends, some changes have become less obscure than others.
A few of them are currently being recorded to eventuate mass-scale innovations in the entire system which had been rusting under stale and obsolete concepts of beauty. These changes are not only affecting the list of beauty and skin care brands lined up for sale, but also revolutionizing the consumer base which is willing to implement these changes in their lifestyles.
It is hard to say what is beautiful and what is not, because that would unnecessarily dive into dangerous waters about another debate over beauty not being skin deep, and diversity being beautiful.
The bigger concern of this writing is to discern between old and new customs in the beauty industry and demarcate what changes make a distinction between the past and the present of beauty’s evolution. However this only pertains to the segment of the population at the receiving end of all this
When it comes to the products being used, and the parties having a direct stake in deciding this, the question is not about what is beautiful but rather how is it beautiful. It focuses more on the process than the end result which is achieved after long hours of serious study of the features and dedication.
Here is a piece that details some of these stage-wrecking trends that have hit the beauty industry.
Not Hers Alone; His Too
As firmly as it may jolt conservative notions of beauty, this trend is shattering every known construct of what vanity means to each sex.
Introducing men as potential consumers of the product range for skin care and makeup, the beauty industry has surely set foot in territories left untouched in the past. Anchoring its base in the male population of the world, the industry is set to embark on a new journey filled with adventures unknown to man before.
Beauticians and stylists now have a new canvas to showcase their skills on, which is marked by alien contours and features that look and feel new to the artists’ brush. This is truly a thrilling and exhilarating experience for both producers and consumers alike because it is the equivalent of discovering a new dimension to our reality and fearless explorers ready to venture forth.
Welcoming the male population into the realms of vanity largely dominated by women until now will create greater awareness globally about the standards of beauty, means of attaining vanity and the importance of it in our social culture.
With the competition to do good while looking good increasing in every walk of life, the same social expectations will now be set for men and women alike.
This is a rather inclusive move in the industry because like every other field of life, humanitarians should exert to gain equality in this region as well.
However, it is important to note that this segment of the industry is not going to progress and compete with others as swiftly right from the start. Being new to the world of cosmetics, the male population will need some time settling in and absorbing the idea of using products to refine the raw look.
It would be a sweeping overstatement to say that men at this stage are comfortably able to walk with female runway models adorned with makeup, accessories and lavish clothing.
It must be realized that having been largely a female area of expertise, this industry will take some time getting used to the idea of having him walking down the ramp, instead of her!
From K to J: Regression Is The New Progression
Even though beside one another on the keyboard, movement from one character to another has demanded catastrophic changes in the industry! The shift was not merely hovering your finger, one moment, over K and, in another, over J.
A deeper understanding of what these alphabets stand for will clarify the confusion.
K-beauty stands for Korean beauty which had been center-stage for the past few changes of calendars, has now been substituted by its close counterpart i.e. J-beauty, which is centered in Japan.
Safe to say that Asian standards of beauty have had held an empire of beauty for as far back as memory serves, J- and K-beauty brands are not entire substitutes but signify a change of throne from one ruler to another in the same family, over the same land.
Anna Guanche from the Bella Skin Institute has given her verdict that both J- and K- products aim at the same goal: lesser pigmentation and greater hydration of the skin. The only difference lies in the approach both take to accomplishing the same objectives.
While J- focuses on quality, efficacy, and durability of results, K- used to emphasize on rapidly changing trends and innovation. By concentrating focus on organic ingredients and utilizing Japan’s long-standing legacy of using indigenous recipes coupled with minimalist regimens, J-beauty as become the North that the beauty compass points towards.
Even though this means the beauty industry will now operate at a pace slower than that in the past, it is going to guarantee quality Asian beauty with standards preferred by beauty connoisseurs.
Alliance Of The Thrones
With mass-scale beauty brands that monopolize the markets and widely followed beauty influencers joining their forces, the world of beauty is set to witness a Big Bang.
Even though Hollywood celebrities had long held the power to sway crowds with the single wave of a hand flashing an accessory that began a momentous trend instantly, influencers have recently replaced them. Now these new rulers of the beauty empire have collaborated forces with renowned beauty brands to attract the millennials that have become the new target market.
While brands constantly compete to secure the largest proportion of the generation Z as its loyal buyers, social influencers have tactfully created their own market. It is social media influencers like Aimee Song partnering with brand Laura Mercier, Becca Cosmetics taking on board Jaclyn Hill, and Nikkie de Jager collaborating with Maybelline that can now orchestrate market trends with a twitch of the fingers.
With acquisition plans laid out to acquire brands associated with J-beauty instead of K-beauty, market leaders and beauty giants are increasingly motivated to ally with influencers, paying them millions of dollars to navigate their follower base towards their products—all the while focusing on ways to incorporate the male diversion in beauty trends.
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