When you slather that trendy beauty lip balm on or try a new shampoo for the first time, perhaps you’re under the impression that the federal government has a process in place that ensures that cosmetic or personal care product is safe before it touches your body. But the reality is that cosmetics manufacturers don’t have to obtain premarket approval before selling most new products — and whether or not they report adverse events related to those items is pretty much up to them. Some in the industry think it’s time for this to change. [More]
beauty products
Dumpster Diving For Beauty Products: Is It Legal And Safe?
By 5.31.17
Sure, it’s always nice to get a great deal on beauty products, and what’s a better deal than 100% off? “Dumpster Diving” — the art of sourcing still-usable items from the trash — is nothing new, but there are growing reports from beauty bloggers and YouTubers claiming to score free lipsticks, nail polishes, eye shadows, and other items by sorting through the items that Ulta, Sephora, and others throw out. Is this legal, and if so, is it safe? [More]
Watch Out: That “Free” Trial Of Wrinkle Cream Could Cost You Big Bucks
By 3.6.17
It’s always good to keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Like an empty subway car on a hot summer day, or the email telling you you’ve just inherited millions from a dead Nigerian king. Or an offer for a “free” trial of beauty cream that ends up actually costing you hundreds of dollars. [More]
The FDA Doesn’t Actually Have The Power To Recall Cosmetics That Harm People
By 8.15.16
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would be investigating claims from consumers that the “cleansing conditioner” Wen, purportedly developed by celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean, had caused scalp irritation and even made some users’ hair fall out. The FDA looked into the situation after receiving 127 complaints about the product, but didn’t know that the marketer, Proactiv maker Guthy-Renker, had received more than 21,000 complaints about the product that it wasn’t obligated to report to the FDA. [More]
Julep Subscribers Mad After Receiving Almost-Expired Sunscreen Lipstick; Will Get Refunds
By 7.8.16
Sun-loving subscribers to the Julep beauty products service were psyched to see they could get lipstick with SPF 30 sunscreen protection. That is, until they opened their orders and found that the sunscreen would only be effective for a few more weeks. [More]
Revlon Decides To Change Up Its Beauty Routine, Buys Elizabeth Arden For $870M
By 6.20.16
What’s a global beauty brand to do when it’s time to get a new look? Revlon decided to go shopping for something to change up its routine, picking up fellow cosmetics company Elizabeth Arden in a deal worth $870 million. [More]
Personal Care Companies Say It’s Not About What’s In Beauty Products These Days, It’s About What Isn’t
By 5.26.16
We’re used to seeing beauty product labels that tout special ingredients — this one has added vitamins for soft skin, that one uses a certain oil to calm frizz — but the new trend these days is focused more on what isn’t in those items. [More]
Say Goodbye To Microbeads: President Signs Act To Ban Microscopic Plastic Particles
By 12.29.15
If your favorite face wash includes tiny microbeads, you better savor it. After playing catch-up with several states, the U.S. has finally passed a measure that would keep the microscopic plastic spheres from going down the drain and possibly into the stomachs of our seafood. [More]
Birchbox Wants Customers To Help Decide Where Next Stores Will Be
By 7.15.15
Birchbox, the company to blame for the current subscription beauty box trend, opened a retail store last year in Manhattan, where shoppers can create their own boxes in person and shop for other beauty products. Now the company wants to expand, and wants customers to tell them where to build their next store. [More]
Which Beauty Subscription Boxes Are Actually Worth The Monthly Fee?
By 4.23.15 — Updated: 5.23.17
Monthly subscription boxes are currently a hot category in retail: vendors exist that can send you curated selections of everything from pet treats to razors to healthy snacks to butt wipes. One popular subcategory of these boxes are beauty sample boxes, which send you trial-size versions of beauty products to enjoy, and perhaps buy full-sized versions later on. Beauty brands and consumers both love these boxes…but which ones offer the best value for your subscription fee? [More]
Report: Avon Looking At New Business Strategies, Including A Possible Sale
By 4.14.15
Once upon a time, Avon was the household name when it came to direct-sale beauty and personal care items. But those days are gone and the company has struggled in recent years to remain relevant and profitable. It appears those issues may be taking a toll on the once prominent company, as a new report claims the company is looking into alternatives for business. [More]
Survey Says: Shoppers Prefer Cosmetics With Cruelty-Free, All Natural Labels
By 3.27.15
When it comes to what we slap on our faces, a new survey says we’ve got more than just beauty on our minds when choosing which cosmetics to buy: Turns out a love for plants, animals and all things natural is the guiding force when shoppers are making decisions in the beauty aisle. [More]
Macy’s Buys Beauty & Spa Company Bluemercury For $210M
By 2.5.15
Just a month after Macy’s announced it would implement a restructuring plan by closing 14 stores and focusing on online sales, the department store says it has inked a deal to purchase a spa and beauty chain. [More]
Beauty Brands Pushing Anti-Aging Hair Care Products To Combat “Old Hair” Days
By 4.5.13
As if women aren’t already freaked out enough about aging, the beauty industry is now messing with our heads even more. Along with the various anti-aging creams, serums, balms, wrinkle smoothers, moisturizers and treatments for your skin, the latest trend in product pushing comes in the form of anti-aging hair care items. [More]
Target Thinks You Want To Be Hassled By A “Beauty Concierge” While You Shop
By 7.18.12
Taking a cue from department store beauty counters, where employees ply customers with samples and tell them they look fabulous, Target has begun testing the deployment of so-called “beauty concierges” at its stores in the Chicago area. [More]
Don't Let Your Manicurist File Down Your Nerve Function
By 4.29.10
Consumer Reports Health medical adviser Orly Avitzur, M.D. has both a medical practice and a lovely set of manicured nails. It’s this combination that gave her unique insight into the possible problems with manicures that are purportedly fancy “gel manicures,” but are actually something else more dangerous entirely. [More]
Testing Infomercial Beauty Products So You Don't Have To
By 8.6.09
Since Consumer Reports hasn’t yet stepped up and recruited big-hair aficionados and large-breasted side-sleepers to test infomercial beauty products such as Bumpits or the Kush Support, Lemondrop has stepped up to test these products, as well as beauty and weight loss products ranging from the PedEgg to Colonblow.
