NEW YORK, March 6, 2024 -- Defiance Beauty by Nechami - a Specialty Aesthetics company dedicated to developing and marketing innovative, clinically-tested, toxin-free, organically sourced skincare products, announced the introduction of a brand-new line of color cosmetics that cater to women of all ages, races, and ethnicities. Nechami was driven by her desire to empower, uplift, and celebrate women's individuality, thus redefining conventional beauty standards. 

"We are one of the first companies to recognize the significant gap in the beauty industry - that women come in many colors and make it our mission to bridge that divide,” said Nechami Tenenbaum, CEO and Visionary at Defiance Beauty. "Our breakthrough science, skincare innovation, and talented team of employees at Defiance Beauty sets us apart from all competitors, establishing ourselves as a leader in an industry that has long overlooked the unique needs of women. We recognize that beauty that comes in every shade and form." 

Each product is thoughtfully formulated to target the unique concerns faced by women every day. Our transformative formulas extend their benefits to all skin types, addressing issues like dehydration, pigmentation, and signs of aging. The revolutionary power of Defiance Beauty transcends boundaries, delivering remarkable results for all skin types. To that end, we have created a range of shades that flatter all skin tones. 

At the core of Defiance Beauty is a proprietary formulation with three hero ingredients: Argan Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, and Collagen Peptides. Along with the Argan Oil, we infuse Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E, which provide a long-lasting, high-gloss, color-rich shine while moisturizing the lips. 

Defiance Beauty has launched a new website and massive social media campaign to amplify the message of inclusivity. The new website not only showcases products but tells stories of empowerment, resilience, and women's journeys, embracing their unique beauty. 

Nechami added, "We proudly support the nonprofit organization, "Find Your Fabulosity," which stands as a beacon of hope and support for abused and distressed women, empowering them to reclaim their strength and dignity." 

Additional information can be found at Defiancebeauty.com 

MIAMI, Feb. 29, 2024 -- Nancy Twine, entrepreneur, executive, investor, and philanthropist, has launched the Dream Makers Founder Grant, an innovative initiative aimed at empowering and supporting female entrepreneurs. The grant, which spans four years, from 2024 to 2027, will distribute $250,000 annually to selected recipients, specifically focusing on Black and BIPOC founders in the consumer goods industry.

Twine's inspiration for the grant stems from her experience navigating the challenges of early-stage business funding while building Briogeo over the past decade. She understands the importance of providing critical, early-stage funding to underrepresented female founders, which led her to create a grant that doesn't require surrendering rights or equity or entail payback obligations. This structure allows founders to focus on their vision while receiving initial funding to bridge crucial startup needs.

In its inaugural year, the Dream Makers Founder Grant will collaborate with Sephora's 2024 Accelerate program and the Fifteen Percent Pledge, both known for supporting diverse entrepreneurship.

Priya Venkatesh, Sephora’s Global Chief Merchandising Officer, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting underrepresented beauty entrepreneurs through its partnership with Twine's initiative.

Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, highlighted the importance of direct investment in the growth of Black-owned businesses, emphasizing the impact the Dream Makers Founder Grant will make in overcoming barriers entrepreneurs of color face.

Twine expressed her gratitude for her opportunities and desire to pay it forward by inspiring and empowering underrepresented female founders through mentorship and the Dream Makers Founder Grant.

For more information about the grant, including eligibility and deadlines, visit https://nancytwine.com/thegrant/

ABOUT NANCY TWINE 

ENTREPRENEUR, EXECUTIVE, INVESTOR, ADVISOR & PHILANTHROPIST 

Nancy Twine has carved her unique path in the business world. Pivoting from her first career as a VP at Goldman Sachs, she sought a different life filled with inspiration and purpose. Tapping into her mother's roots in natural product formulation, Nancy created Briogeo — the clean, high-performance hair care line that pioneered the "skinification" of hair movement. At the age of 29, Nancy became the then-youngest Black woman to launch a product line at Sephora, and the brand has gone on to win dozens of awards for innovation, including one of the highest number of Allure Beauty Awards in the prestige hair care space. 

In 2022, less than ten years after launch, Nancy sold Briogeo to The Wella Company. Nancy is one of the few Black CEOs and businesswomen who have launched & scaled a global business, raised over $20M of Private Equity Funding and sold her company in a strategic M&A process – all before age 40. 

While Nancy continues in her role as Founder & CEO of Briogeo globally, she is now evolving once again, harnessing the power of her business expertise and life experience to enrich the lives of her community. By providing meaningful connections to information, tools, and resources on NancyTwine.com and through her upcoming podcast, Makers Mindset, Nancy is helping open up a world of possibilities for others and empowering everyone to create a well-lived life. 

Today, Nancy is an active investor in multiple startups across the Beauty, Wellness, Food & Beverage, Tech, and Real Estate industries. She is also considered a leading expert in entrepreneurship, growth mindset, and female leadership. She has been sought out for profiles and opinions from publications such as Inc., Forbes, WWD, NPR, Allure, and Vogue. Nancy receives the Goldman Sachs Builders + Innovators Award, Entrepreneur's 100 Women of Impact, Inc.'s Female Founders 100, Essence Magazine Power 40, Black Enterprise 40 Under 40, and Gold Stevie Awards for Best Female Solo Entrepreneur. Nancy serves on the board of Cosmetic Executive Women and the philanthropic organization Room to Grow. 

For more information, visit nancytwine.com or @NancyTwine on social media. 

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 -- The definitive beauty authority, NewBeauty, announces the NB100 initiative, a groundbreaking platform designed to discover and promote the most innovative and impactful new brands in the beauty industry.

NewBeauty Magazine, renowned for its authoritative voice in beauty trends, innovations and breakthroughs, unveiled its NB100 initiative today. This new endeavor is dedicated to identifying and showcasing the beauty industry's next major brands, offering unparalleled exposure and recognition within the highly competitive beauty market.

The NB100 initiative aims to spotlight emerging beauty companies that demonstrate unique brand identities, high-quality products and a strong vision for the future. With a rich history of highlighting future giants in the industry, such as IT Cosmetics and Drunk Elephant, NewBeauty now seeks to extend its influence by supporting the next wave of beauty innovators.

Submissions are now being accepted until March 31, 2024. A selection process will follow, culminating in the announcement of the winners, who will receive significant coverage across NewBeauty's extensive platforms.

Eligible companies must have been founded after January 1, 2018, and exhibit a combination of the following criteria: a unique brand identity, a meaningful value proposition, dedication to quality, consistent investment in product development, a proven track record of growth, a strong consumer following, a commitment to their community, and exceptional leadership.

Mike Glaicar, Chief Executive Officer of NewBeauty, emphasized the initiative's significance, stating, "The NB100 initiative is not only about recognition—it's a driving force for the future of beauty. We are dedicated to discovering and promoting innovative brands. By providing a platform for these brands to showcase their strengths, we demonstrate our commitment to growth, creativity, and the unique stories each brand has to tell."

Learn more about NB100 and the application process HERE.

In our ever-evolving world, businesses are on a constant quest for growth and innovation. At Norman Fox, we recognize the importance of leading the way and providing our clients with the latest and most innovative solutions.

We're ecstatic to announce our groundbreaking partnership with Fumei Wax Products, a supplier that epitomizes excellence in every way. Fumei's extensive lineup of wax products, meticulously crafted for the personal care industry, is extraordinary. With unrivaled formulation flexibility and an unwavering commitment to product quality, Fumei is poised to redefine industry benchmarks.

But that's not all. We have exciting news for our clients in the Western United States. Norman Fox & Co. is proud to be appointed as Fumei's distributor for a vast region that includes Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii.

At the core of this collaboration lies competitive pricing, ensuring that our clients have access to cost-effective solutions without any compromise on quality. We firmly believe that success should be within reach and affordable to all. If interested, please contact your dedicated Norman Fox Account Manager, or call +1 (800) 632-1777.

Fumei's relentless dedication to industry certifications and unwavering commitment to upholding stringent quality standards underscore their unwavering pursuit of excellence. It's a matter of pride for us to be associated with a partner that consistently delivers products that exceed expectations.

What truly distinguishes Fumei is their steadfast devotion to environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. Their eco-conscious initiatives resonate profoundly with our values, ensuring your business can flourish while making a meaningful contribution to a greener planet. 

Click here for more information.

OSEMONT, Ill., Feb. 6, 2024 -- A recent American Academy of Dermatology survey revealed that nearly one in five adults are not aware that you can get sunburned during the winter, and even fewer protect themselves from the sun before common outdoor activities in cold weather.

According to the survey, one in seven Americans are unaware that the sun's UV rays are reflected by snow, water, and sand.

"Many people don't realize that you need to use sun protection in the winter," said Dawn Davis, MD, FAAD, a board- certified dermatologist and professor of dermatology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. "It's easy to get sunburned during colder months because snow reflects the sun's damaging rays."

Only 13% of Americans plan to use sun protection when going for walks or hikes in cold weather. Four percent plan for it when shoveling snow, and only 6% during outdoor games, exercise, or sports in cold weather.

"Sun protection is vitally important because ultraviolet (UV) rays are always present, regardless of the season or time of day," said Dr. Davis. "Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays can penetrate the clouds. If you do not protect yourself, UV light increases your risk of skin cancer and can prematurely age your skin."

Skin cancer is one of the most common and easily preventable forms of cancer. At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Unprotected sun exposure can also cause skin aging, such as wrinkles and age spots.

To protect yourself from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer, the AAD and Dr. Davis recommend that people:

Seek shade: Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also look at your shadow. Any time your shadow appears shorter than you, seek shade.

Wear sun-protective clothing: Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.

Apply sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Remember to reapply every two hours or after sweating.

"My sun protection habits for winter and summer don't change very much," said Dr. Davis. "If I'm outdoors in the winter, I'm wearing a thick coat, gloves, and cap on my head that block the UV rays. I also make sure that I wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 on sun-exposed areas of my body, like my face and neck. I wear sunglasses that offer UVA/UVB protection year-round. If I am not wearing a cap for thermal protection, then I wear a wide-brimmed hat."

People should be mindful that sunscreen expires and look for the expiration date on the bottle, she said. Sunscreen is also temperature-sensitive and should not be exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold, because it will be less effective in protecting you from the sun.

"It's important to remember that dermatologists are the experts in the detection and prevention of skin cancer," said Dr. Davis. "If you have a question about how to best protect yourself from the sun, make an appointment to see a board- certified dermatologist."

To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 15, 2024 -- It is a little-known business story that sounds too good to be true. A small start-up company from Minneapolis transforms consumer product safety across an entire industry – and then goes on to lead seismic shifts in two additional industries and counting. And it all began with a tainted bottle of Tylenol.

"I don't think there is any one organization that has had a greater impact on the safety of products than we have," said Dr. Richard Kingston, co-founder of SafetyCall International and Pet Poison Helpline. "Our expertise and assistance with adverse event reporting not only helps the businesses that are required to report, but benefits consumers with significantly improved product safety."

On December 29, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began requiring cosmetic companies to document any health-related adverse events associated with their products, along with other new reporting requirements. This major piece of legislation, called the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, or MoCRA, is the latest example of the life-changing impact SafetyCall International, and its subsidiary Pet Poison Helpline (PPH), has had on consumer and pet product safety in this country. The SafetyCall team works with companies to not only meet government reporting requirements, but to manage adverse events. They then analyze adverse event data and work directly with product development and company leadership to improve and confirm product safety.

In addition to working with the FDA and various trade associations on the MoCRA legislation, SafetyCall/PPH was instrumental in developing and implementing the reporting requirements for dietary supplements and before that working with EPA on adverse event reporting for pesticides in the 1990s.

The company is officially celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, but its co-founders have been advocating for human and animal safety since the early 1980s when they were colleagues at the University of Minnesota. These two visionaries, Drs. Leo Sioris and Richard Kingston, created Minnesota's first public poison control center while with the University of Minnesota and eventually created SafetyCall/PPH, along with their partners and colleagues Drs. Dean Filandrinos, John Gualtieri and Lynn Hovda. They continue to lead the company today. 

"SafetyCall is the only triple-licensed medical practice in the country -- perhaps in the world – meaning that we can consult on any medical incidents involving humans or animals," explained Dr. Sioris. "Not only do we provide poison control response to consumers, human health and veterinary professionals, but we consult with product manufacturers on how to improve product safety, labeling, testing and reporting. In fact, our work led to the first medical emergency phone number on an EPA-approved label." 

Two hours after they started taking calls at their first poison control center located in a university affiliated hospital in the Twin Cities, the 1982 Tylenol cyanide poisoning story broke. The center received more than 2000 calls in the first 24 hours, launching the team's success. 

"We believe that MoCRA will have an enormous, positive impact on the safety of cosmetics, significantly changing how cosmetic providers deal with product safety, labeling and reporting," Dr. Sioris added. "We're proud to be an integral, if not well-known part of that process."

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 -- Counter Brands, parent company of Beautycounter, the pioneer in clean beauty, shared that Founder, Gregg Renfrew, will return as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), officially assuming the role on February 1st.  

Renfrew addressed Associates at the Company expressing her excitement to return as CEO and inviting the Community to join her in embracing the Company's next phase of growth, grounded in her mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone. She shared, "Without question, Beautycounter's greatest opportunities are ahead of us. Consumers are demanding, now more than ever, the things that we have brought to the industry from the very beginning: transparency, health & safety for people and the environment, innovative products, an engaged community and a business that is much more than its bottom line. Who we are, and the work we do, truly matters to so many people. I'm energized to build on our history of disrupting to create a movement for change and a higher industry standard," Gregg Renfrew, Founder of Beautycounter.

Previously, Renfrew led Beautycounter as CEO for over a decade driving year-over-year growth since she launched the Company in 2013. During this time, Beautycounter led the industry with a vision for a world where all beauty is clean beauty. Under her leadership, Beautycounter created the first-of-its kind Never List™, a list of more than 2,800 questionable or harmful ingredients not used in the company's product formulations, pushing other brands to begin taking steps to increase their own safety and transparency. Despite the many awards for both the products and the business alike, perhaps Beautycounter's most significant impact to-date is the use of the Company's innovative business model to drive systemic change through legislative reform. Beautycounter, and its community of Advocates, worked tirelessly to influence the passage of 16 pieces of health and environmentally-protective cosmetics regulation, including the milestone passage of MoCRA (the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act), the first major update to industry regulation since 1938 which goes into effect this year. Renfrew is known for leading a community of Brand Advocates who simultaneously drive sales and make a significant impact on educating their communities about safer beauty.  

" We are thrilled to welcome back Gregg to lead Beautycounter in this important next phase of growth. Gregg, as the Founder and inspiration of Beautycounter's mission, also has a proven track record at the Company for driving results and engaging both Advocates and Associates who work alongside her to make meaningful change," shared Roberto Marques, Board Chair. "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Mindy Mackenzie for her service, stepping in as Interim CEO and making meaningful contributions that will no doubt poise Beautycounter for its continued success." Effective February 1st, Mackenzie will continue to champion the brand as a member of Beautycounter's Board of Directors.

"I am looking forward to getting back to working with the team (including some familiar faces joining me again). It's not going to just be business as usual, and I'm looking forward to raising the bar even higher for our company and the industry at large," Gregg Renfrew, Founder of Beautycounter.

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the launch of its Cosmetics Direct electronic submission portal for registration and listing of cosmetic product facilities and products, mandated by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).

The Cosmetics Direct portal, now available for industry, is dedicated exclusively to cosmetic product facility registration and cosmetic product listing electronic submissions to FDA. Cosmetics Direct is accessed at https://direct.fda.gov/. 

Cosmetics Direct is an FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) authoring tool, for cosmetic product facility registration and cosmetic product listing, with user-friendly data entry forms that creates, validates, saves, submits, processes, and automatically transmits the SPL submission to FDA for internal processing without having to use the Electronic Submissions Gateway (ESG).  

FDA is also accepting cosmetic product facility registration and cosmetic product listing submissions via SPL-formatted submissions through the ESG. In addition, FDA is also developing SPL-X forms that is anticipated to be available soon. 

FDA strongly encourages electronic submissions to facilitate efficiency and timeliness of data submission and management for the agency.

FDA is also developing paper forms for cosmetic product registration and cosmetic product listing as an alternative submission tool that are anticipated to be available soon.

Delayed Enforcement 

On November 8, 2023, FDA issued guidance on its intent to delay enforcement of the requirements for cosmetic product facility registration and cosmetic product listing requirements under MoCRA for six months to help ensure that industry has sufficient time to submit such facility registration and product listing information.

FDA does not intend to enforce the requirements related to cosmetic product facility registration and cosmetic product listing for an additional six months after the December 29, 2023, statutory deadline, or until July 1, 2024, to provide regulated industry additional time to comply with these requirements.

In addition, FDA does not intend to enforce the registration requirement for owners or operators of facilities that first engaged in manufacturing or processing a cosmetic product after December 29, 2022, or the listing requirement for cosmetic products first marketed after December 29, 2022, until July 1, 2024.

Today (Nov. 8, 2023) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will delay the enforcement of the requirements for cosmetic product facility registration and product listing requirements under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) for an additional six months after the Dec. 29, 2023, deadline (i.e., July 1, 2024) to ensure the industry has sufficient time to submit such information.

In addition, the FDA does not intend to enforce the registration requirement for owners or operators of facilities that first engaged in manufacturing or processing a cosmetic product after Dec. 29, 2022, or the listing requirement for cosmetic products first marketed after Dec. 29, 2022, until the July 1, 2024 deadline. 

Read more: 

https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/regulations/safety/news/22878741/fda-delays-mocra-enforcement-by-6-months?utm_source=newsletter-html&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CT+E-Newsletter+11-08-2023 

Debut, a synthetic biology company, has partnered with DIC Corporation to biomanufacture and sell many rare and natural polyphenol ingredients for the beauty industry. The partnership will deliver novel, high-performing, and clinically backed polyphenols that are too expensive or environmentally unsustainable for consumer products. The multiyear agreement focuses on bringing rare naturals made possible through Debut's Bio2Consumer™ platform. This partnership aims to win on cost and performance relative to established cosmetic ingredients, targeting the personal care market valued at $416B, with a 5% CAGR. Debut's platform combines cell-free enzyme catalysis and precision fermentation to eliminate the bottlenecks currently associated with synthetic biology, requiring far less land, water, and energy than traditional manufacturing.

The partnership will see Debut build a commercial biomanufacturing site owned and operated by the company, with construction beginning in the coming months. DIC, whose customers include brand owners that prioritize safety, efficacy, and sustainability, will lead ingredient sales, marketing, and distribution of these ingredients globally. The biomanufacturing site will allow the company to deliver new cosmetic ingredients with revolutionary capabilities to the beauty industry, realizing its goals.

DIC, a fine chemical company with a top global market share for printing inks, organic pigments, and other compounds, is committed to creating new businesses that respond to environmental, social, and health-related issues and social changes. DIC's Managing Executive Officer, Kiyofumi Takano, said, “Debut's vertically integrated synthetic biology platform technology and commitment to transition from discovery to scaled-up biomanufacturing, combined with clinical testing and formulation is a huge leap for biomanufacturing and will allow us to start seeing synthetic biology derived products on shelves in the global marketplace. They are the only company that goes from novel ingredient discovery to commercial manufacturing, clinical testing, and formulation - that's the future.”

Debut’s CEO, Dr. Britton, said, “DIC understands the complexities and demands of the beauty industry. We’re excited to move forward with them to grow and advance new sustainable and high-performance ingredients. Brands need access to new and rare natural ingredients that allow them to win in the marketplace based on their performance and not just a marketing story. Synthetic biology allows access to incredible products found only in trace quantities in nature. To date, consumers have been using traditional active ingredients when better-performing ingredients are available in nature - we just had to work out how to make them for consumers.”

Debut and DIC's partnership aims to create a sustainable future for the beauty industry by offering rare and natural cosmetic ingredients concurrent with constructing a commercial biomanufacturing facility slated to come online in 2024. This facility will allow the companies to provide access to sustainable, natural ingredients that cannot be obtained through traditional cultivation or chemical production, setting a new standard for a profitable business to face an ever-changing world.