Welcome to the Cosmetic Chronicles!

In this episode we're exploring the fascinating journey of elf cosmetics, a brand that has achieved remarkable and continued success from its founding in 2004 to its expansion into retail and strategic acquisitions, including that Rhode deal that broke the internet.

My sources:

• ​​https://beautymatter.com/articles/start-up-to-ipo-the-story-of-elf-beauty

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.l.f.

• https://www.allure.com/story/elf-cosmetics-facts

• https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/elf-cosmetics-brand-history

• https://hbr.org/2025/01/the-ceo-of-e-l-f-beauty-on-maintaining-a-startup-culture-while-scaling

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2024/11/26/what-makes-elf-beauty-a-sticky-brand-besides-its-power-grip-primer/

• https://investor.elfbeauty.com/stock-and-financial/press-releases/landing-news/2025/05-28-2025-210536607#:~:text=e.l.f.%20Cosmetics%20founded%20in%202004,world's%20leading%20global%20prestige%20retailer.&text=Under%20the%20terms%20of%20the,million%20on%20March%2031%2C%202025.

• https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/09/otr.elf/index.html

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moo80FP9M_Q

• https://angelusnews.com/local/california/scott-vincent-borba-seminarian/

• https://freetrade.io/news/e-l-f-and-the-big-business-of-beauty

• https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200224005813/en/e.l.f.-Acquires-Clean-Beauty-Company-W3LL-PEOPLE-to-Expand-Brand-Portfolio

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠
• elf x jennifer coolidge reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1IOVvxuM2Q/

.

.

Elf Cosmetics, beauty industry, marketing strategy, direct-to-consumer, revenue growth, product innovation, retail expansion, acquisitions, community engagement, affordable beauty

Welcome to the Cosmetic Chronicles!

In this episode, we're covering the easy, (not always) breezy, beautiful history of CoverGirl. From its origins as a Noxema-produced medicated cosmetic to outselling Maybelline in the United States to a failed rebrand in 2017, we're hitting all the company's highs and lows.

My sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoverGirl

• https://www.covergirl.com/about-us

• https://www.doublexeconomy.com/post/cover-girl-makeup-a-classic-story-of-women-in-advertising

• https://sirismm.si.edu/EADpdfs/NMAH.AC.0374.pdf

• https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/cover-girl.php

• https://www.allure.com/story/covergirl-amy-deanna-model-vitiligo

• https://www.glossy.co/beauty/why-covergirls-rebrand-fell-flat/

• https://www.businessinsider.com/cover-girl-has-ditches-its-signature-easy-breezy-slogan-2017-10

• https://www.glossy.co/beauty/a-complete-breakdown-of-the-covergirl-relaunch/

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvteH-rDGHo

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ObzbqFP5Y&t=6s

Connect with me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠

Substack: ⁠⁠⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠

.

.

CoverGirl, beauty industry, Noxema, makeup history, iconic products, beauty trends, makeup artist, cosmetic brands, beauty journalism, makeup innovation

Welcome to the Cosmetic Chronicles!

In this episode of Cosmetic Chronicles, we delve into the fascinating history of NARS Cosmetics, founded by Francois Nars. From its humble beginnings with just 12 lipsticks to becoming a multi-million dollar brand, we'll explore the brand's iconic products, the visionary behind it, and the impact NARS has had on the beauty industry. Listeners will learn about the evolution of NARS products, the significance of the brand's marketing strategies, and Francois NARS's legacy as a revolutionary makeup artist.

My sources:

• https://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/about-nars

• https://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/francois-nars.html

• https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2011/nov/14/brief-history-of-nars

• https://www.allure.com/story/francois-nars-interview-makeup-brand-history

• https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/Fashion/beauty/nars-no-ordinary-make-up-brand-1.3542774

• https://ecdb.com/resources/sample-data/retailer/narscosmetics

• https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/francois-nars-1

• https://web.archive.org/web/20161202040429/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/fran-ois-nars-is-celebrating-20-years-of-his-make-up-line-and-hes-still-ahead-of-the-game-9709456.html

• • https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26420121/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl
  • https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/3882/nars-twenty-years-of-lipstick

Welcome to the Cosmetic Chronicles!

This episode of Cosmetic Chronicles delves into the rich history of Estée Lauder, exploring the brand's evolution from its inception to its current challenges. Listen as I explore Estée Lauder's early life, the founding of the cosmetics company, the introduction of iconic products like Youth Dew, and the brand's strategic growth amidst competition, particularly with Revlon. The episode also highlights the Lauder family's legacy and the future direction of the brand in a competitive beauty market.

My sources:

• https://www.esteelauder.com/blog-article-how-estee-lauder-got-her-start

Connect with me:

Instagram: ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠

Substack: ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠

.

.

Estée Lauder, cosmetics history, beauty industry, skincare, Youth Dew, brand evolution, family legacy, beauty marketing, Revlon rivalry, innovation in cosmetics

Welcome to the first episode of The Cosmetic Chronicles!

This episode delves into the rich history of Maybelline, a brand that has shaped the cosmetics industry for over a century. Listen as I explore the brand's origins in Chicago, their innovative products and marketing, the infamous Lash Lure scandal that led to significant changes in cosmetic safety regulations, and its evolution into a global powerhouse in the beauty market.

My sources:

• https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/maybelline-co/
• https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/maybelline.php
• https://www.aao.org/lifetime-engaged-ophthalmologist/perspective/article/lash-lure-paraphenylenediamine-toxic-beauty
• https://www.loreal.com/en/consumer-products-division/maybelline-new-york/

Connect with me:

Instagram: @glowandflowbysarah

Substack: Glow + Flow Collective

.

.

Maybelline, cosmetics history, beauty brands, Lash Lure scandal, celebrity marketing, makeup innovations, cosmetic safety, global expansion, beauty journalism, makeup products