Prada Beauty 2.0: Is Prada Beauty making a big fragrance play? Followers of the new @pradabeauty Instagram account seem to think so. With 1,007 followers and just three posts, commenters seem enthusiastic about the idea of the Italian luxury fashion house building on its aspirational beauty goals. “#PradaBeauty questions what beauty is and can be to unlock new possibilities for self reinvention and self-expression,” stated one post by the brand, accompanied by digital artwork by PostHuman Studio, a London-based creative house.  Prada currently offers a selection of fragrances, including Prada Candy, La Femme Prada L’Eau EDT, and Prada Amber Pour Femme EDP. In January 2021 Prada S.p.A. and L’Oréal signed a long-term license agreement for the creation, development, and distribution of luxury beauty products for the Prada brand. The agreement allows the two companies to combine their expertise in each of their own sectors.

Indeed Labs Lands at Target: Canadian skin care brand Indeed Labs is rolling out to Target stores across the U.S. beginning August 15. Entering into Target’s premium skin care section are five hero products, including TikTok’s cult-favorite Nanoblur Instant Skin-Blurring Cream. Indeed Labs items are cruelty-free, fragrance-free, responsibly-sourced, and created with science-backed formulas. Target was a natural fit for the brand for the brand as it “continues to evolve its beauty position by challenging existing department stores on pricing, and challenging the mass channel on assortment,” said Indeed Labs President and COO, Dimitra Davidson. “Since inception, our mission is to fill a gap in this market, and be the brand that consumers turn to for their skin care journey. We know this is the right partnership as the brand will resonate with the Target shopper, who is discerning and is looking for these unique and high-quality products, at an affordable price.” A pioneer in science and innovation, Indeed Labs uses high levels of actives to yield results. In addition to Nanoblur Instant Skin-Blurring Cream, Peptalash Lengthening Lash Treatment,  Snoxin II Facial Line & Wrinkle Fighting Serum, Vitamin C Brightening Drops, and  Hydraluron Moisture Jelly will also enter the mass retailer. Prices range from $19.99 to $29.99. Indeed Labs launched more than 10 years ago with its blurring cream, and is now sold in Boots in the UK, Mannings in Asia, and H&M in EU.

Miami Beach Bum Raises $2M: Miami-based skin and sun care brand Miami Beach Bum has secured $2 million with a female angel investor, keeping with its mission to be 100 percent women–owned. The brand offers reef-safe, vegan, and cruelty free products that feature plant-based formulas to restore skin and hair health. Founded by Miami Beach marine scientist Ayssa DiPietro, the brand addresses the full skin paradigm: acid mantle, skin barrier, and microbiome. The raise will be used to scale sales, marketing, and product development –and secure an anchor retail partnership. “After three years of sole ownership, bringing on an investor that aligns with and elevates our brand values was essential for me. It is important that they believe in what we are creating,” stated Ayssa. Miami Beach Bum’s assortment includes sun care products Save Face and Blocked, both of which are formulated with SPF 30, as well as broccoli, to prevent oxidative damage. Blocked, which is designed for the body, contains coconut oil and orange peel, while Save Face is a fragrance-free items utilizing hydrators such as squalane and jojoba. Both are reef-safe with no impact on coral or marine life and come in PCR plastic tubes. Save Face and Blocked will retail for $38 and $32, respectively on miamibeachbum.com and at the brand’s Miami Beach boutique location.

NGS Expands Roll Out: After a successful launch at Free People with their gender-fluid fragrance named “Flooid”, Non Gender Specific has expanded with their entire skin care range at the retailer. Products include the Everything Cream, a moisturizing face cream packed with 23 botanicals to brighten skin; and Everything Mask, formulated with apricot seed and mineral clay. According to NGS, the desire for genderless beauty solutions is fueling channel growth for the brand.

Tower 28 Announces 3rd Annual Clean Beauty Summer School Winner: Two years ago, LA-based brand Tower 28 launched a program to support the growth of majority Black-owned small beauty businesses whereby entries could compete for a chance to win a grant as well as mentorship opportunities. (Last year, the program, called Clean Beauty Summer School) expanded to include BIPOC-owned beauty brands.) This week Tower 28’s founder Amy Liu has announced that this year’s winner is Mexican botanical bath and body brand Nopalera. The company, founded by Sandra Velasquez, looks to elevate and celebrate Latinx culture. Products are inspired by the beauty and richness of Mexico and take inspiration from the nopal cactus, an ancient symbol of Mexican culture and one of the most sustainable, nourishing, and versatile plants in the world. Nopalera will receive a $10,000 grant from the New Voices Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization offering women of color entrepreneurs access, capital, and expertise to build, grow and scale their businesses. The small beauty brand will also receive $15,000 worth of services from Headkount, which helps beauty brands successfully grow their retail business through strategic relationship building; and $10,000 worth of legal services from Weinberg Gonser LLP, a full service law firm specializing in the beauty industry. Finalists included Sincerely, Bädé; Vive Cosmetics; Squigs Beauty; m’Chel Haircare; Look Good Live Well; Bathe Brand; Ammu Beauty; Lamik Beauty, and Flora and Noor.