As Britain separates from the EU,
Siân Ranscombe takes stock of the UK
beauty industry and honours our thriving
home-grown brands
t’s fair to say that Britain’s departure from the EU has left
many unresolved questions for businesses, and beauty
brands are no exception. While the industry is working
h a r d t o e n s u r e t h a t b e s t s e l l i n g p r o d u c t s f r o m i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o s m e t i c
labels remain available in the UK, our home-grown companies can
expec t a strong yea r a head, a s buy ing British increa singly becomes
the most cost-effective – as well as the most sustainable – choice.
‘We have a rich history in brand development,’ says Millie
Kendall, the CEO and co-founder of the British Beauty Council.
‘Look at our leading entrepreneurs, such as Charlotte Tilbury and
Pat McGrath, or our amazing hairdressers – John Frieda, Sam
McKnight, Josh Wood. We have the credentials and our products
have fantastic shelf appeal. We’re less likely to market something
with vacuous buzzwords, which resonates with the consumer.’
The British skincare offering in particular has come on leaps and
bounds in the past year. In 2019, the London-based GP and skin
I
Nat ion a l
treasures
Colognes, £50
for 30ml;
Lavender &
Musk Pillow
Spray, £25, all
Jo Malone
London
Relaxing
Salt Scrub,
£38 Espa
Cheek to Chic
in Love Is the
Drug, £30
Charlotte
Tilbury
LARA MULLEN
FRAN SUMMERS
KUKUA WILLIAMS
214 | HARPER’S BAZAAR | April 2020