THE LATEST ARTICLES
NEWSLETTERS
Pat McGrath
Rachel Strugatz January 21, 2026
It wasn’t so long ago that the namesake beauty line of the fashion industry’s go-to makeup artist was a market leader, with a frothy valuation to match. Next week, it will hit the auction block. What went wrong? And can it be resurrected?
Mario Dedivanovic makeup by mario
Rachel Strugatz January 14, 2026
Mario Dedivanovic created one of the most successful beauty brands in recent years—reportedly profitable, a consistent top performer at Sephora, adored by consumers, etcetera. So why hasn’t that projected $1 billion exit happened yet?
wonderskin lip peel-off
Rachel Strugatz January 7, 2026
Sacheu’s viral “peel-off” lip liner has been a rare category success at Ulta: Billie Eilish is posting about the product, the brand is profitable, and bankers are circling. But for an exit to actually happen, does the brand need to evolve beyond its made-for-TikTok vibe?
Trish Goff Carolyn Murphy whisper
Rachel Strugatz December 17, 2025
A roundup of pressing reader questions about the beauty industry’s biggest players, strategic gambits, talent turnover, M&A fantasies, potential exits, and more.


John Demsey
Rachel Strugatz December 10, 2025
In 2022, the legendary Estée Lauder Companies executive got himself canceled—and temporarily exiled from the industry’s polite society. With a new appointment at Gap Inc. and multiple consulting gigs, he’s back on the scene.
Mazdack Rassi
Rachel Strugatz December 3, 2025
Milk Makeup, the once very cool and extremely fashion-adjacent beauty line, has suffered the slings and arrows of the post-wunderkind blues at Sephora and the Ulta rebound that wasn’t. Now, one of the cool-guy founders is back involved, but is it already too late?
Chiara Ferragni
Rachel Strugatz November 26, 2025
Chiara Ferragni, the founder of the seminal fashion blog The Blonde Salad, is facing a potential 20-month prison sentence over her alleged involvement in an Italian charity scandal. Is there a Martha Stewart–esque redemption arc in her future?
Estee Lauder Paulina fragrance
Rachel Strugatz November 19, 2025
The Estée Lauder Companies’s latest niche fragrance investment has all the trappings of a potential next big thing, but the deal begs the question: Why does the company keep ignoring the frothy middle market?


Victoria Beckham beauty
Rachel Strugatz November 14, 2025
With its beauty business booming, the brand has engaged a banker to facilitate a deal.
Victoria Beckham netflix documentary
Rachel Strugatz November 12, 2025
Victoria Beckham Beauty is winning discerning customers and finding new channels to grow into the luxury brand it has long aspired to be. It’s increasingly clear that if Beckham cashes out, it’s going to be thanks to makeup—not apparel.
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