Top 20 Makeup & Beauty News Stories — Thursday, September 24, 2026

Here are 20 notable makeup, skincare, cosmetics, haircare, fragrance and beauty-business stories making headlines today, covering India and international markets.

1. L’Oréal India gets approval to acquire Onesto Labs

The Competition Commission of India has approved L’Oréal India’s acquisition of 100% of Onesto Labs, the parent company of digital-first personal-care platform Innovist. Its portfolio includes Bare Anatomy, Chemist at Play, SunScoop and Anecdote, strengthening L’Oréal’s presence in India’s rapidly expanding beauty market.

2. Indian beauty entrepreneur Aashka Goradia discusses inclusive beauty

Actor and Renee Cosmetics co-founder Aashka Goradia is highlighting the need for beauty products designed around Indian skin tones and conditions. She says innovation should make beauty more accessible while emphasising that skincare cannot transform skin overnight.

3. Gurugram beauty startup Firi raises $3 million

Beauty and personal-care quick-commerce startup Firi has raised $3 million in a funding round led by 360 ONE Asset. The company is operating in India’s fast-growing beauty-commerce market, where consumers increasingly expect rapid access to cosmetics and personal-care products.

4. Svérve Beauty enters India’s D2C market

Makeup artist Sukanya Manerikar has launched Svérve Beauty, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand focusing on products developed for Indian skin types, weather conditions and everyday routines. The launch reflects the growing number of specialised Indian beauty brands targeting local consumer needs.

5. Yatsen keeps acquisition options open as skincare becomes a bigger focus

Chinese beauty company Yatsen, owner of Perfect Diary, says it remains open to acquiring additional beauty brands. Founder and CEO David Huang indicated that expanding its existing portfolio remains the immediate priority as the company places greater emphasis on skincare.

6. Sephora expands into TikTok Shop

Sephora is among the beauty retailers expanding its presence in social commerce, with TikTok Shop becoming an increasingly important channel for beauty discovery and purchasing. The move highlights how cosmetics brands are increasingly combining entertainment, influencers and direct shopping.

7. SKIMS Beauty launch pushed to 2027

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Beauty launch has been delayed until 2027, according to the latest industry reporting. The postponement adds to the attention surrounding SKIMS’ planned expansion from fashion and shapewear into a broader beauty portfolio.

8. Joe Jonas partners with Kenneth Cole for new fragrance

Singer and actor Joe Jonas is partnering with Kenneth Cole for the brand’s new INSPIRE fragrance. The collaboration reflects the continued use of musicians and celebrities to connect fragrance launches with younger consumers and popular culture.

9. Lashify appoints celebrity makeup artist Ernesto Casillas

DIY lash-extension brand Lashify has named celebrity makeup artist Ernesto Casillas as a brand ambassador. Casillas is expected to share professional techniques and approaches to customised lash looks through Lashify’s digital channels and social platforms.

10. Dr Sam Bunting launches FLAWLESS

Dermatologist and skincare entrepreneur Dr Sam Bunting has released her debut book, FLAWLESS. The book aims to provide practical guidance on skincare and address what Bunting describes as misleading or unnecessarily expensive approaches to beauty.

11. Fall 2026 skincare shifts toward skin-barrier recovery

Beauty experts are seeing a move away from aggressive skincare routines toward barrier repair, resilience and long-term skin health. Ingredients and approaches receiving attention include PDRN, ectoin, peptides and other skin-supporting technologies, alongside treatments designed to stimulate collagen.

12. SPF makeup questioned as a substitute for sunscreen

New dermatology guidance is again drawing attention to the limitations of SPF-infused makeup. Experts note that people generally apply cosmetics in quantities insufficient to achieve the protection indicated on the label, making dedicated broad-spectrum sunscreen important for reliable sun protection.

13. “Office-air face” becomes a new skincare conversation

Vogue India’s latest beauty coverage examines “office-air face”, referring to the effects that indoor environments may have on the skin. The discussion reflects the growing beauty focus on environmental exposure, hydration and maintaining the skin barrier.

14. Proper makeup removal gets renewed attention

Beauty experts are emphasising the importance of removing makeup properly without damaging the skin barrier. Vogue India’s latest skincare coverage focuses on techniques intended to remove cosmetics while minimising irritation and unnecessary friction.

15. Indian personal-care products get new vegetarian/non-vegetarian labels

India’s updated packaging rules require soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and other toiletries to carry symbols indicating whether their ingredients are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The change is expected to give consumers additional information when choosing personal-care products.

16. Concerns continue over unregistered Pakistani skin-whitening creams

Indian regulators have raised concerns about certain Pakistani cosmetic creams being sold in the Indian market without required registration and containing excessive levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. The development has renewed attention on the safety and regulation of skin-lightening products.

17. Beauty brands increasingly focus on Indian skin tones

The Indian market is seeing growing demand for products that account for local skin tones, climate and consumer habits rather than simply adapting products developed for Western markets. Industry voices say greater shade and formulation diversity is becoming an important competitive factor.

18. Beauty brands turn increasingly toward social-commerce creators

YouTube and other platforms are expanding tools that allow creators to connect beauty recommendations directly with shopping. India’s creator economy is increasingly moving from traditional advertising toward discovery-to-purchase models, giving influencers a larger role in cosmetics sales.

19. Luxe Pack Monaco highlights premium beauty packaging innovation

GEKA and AXILONE are presenting “Symbiosis,” a premium packaging concept combining advanced bottle technology with aluminium design. The development illustrates how luxury beauty companies are using packaging not only for functionality but also as part of the product experience.

20. Beauty retail continues moving toward global and premium brands

International beauty brands continue expanding their retail footprint and partnerships as consumers seek premium skincare, cosmetics, fragrances and K-beauty products. The trend is particularly visible in India, where online platforms are expanding access to international beauty portfolios.