It may have been two of the coldest days of the year in Southern CA—with uncharacteristic warnings of black ice and snow flurries—but as the crowd stood bundled up in hats and parkas outside the LA Convention Center on February 23 and 24, spirits were high. It was time to get back to in-person business after the two-year hiatus caused by Covid-19. Both exhibitors and attendees at the co-located Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in LosAngeles event were raring to network, collaborate and go! Attendees arrived from Chicago, New York and Florida—but most were LA-centric.

Event organizers reported a total of 4,183 attendees; 76 exhibitors for LPLA; 99 for MULA. Educational sessions were jam-packed throughout the two days.

Participants’ warm embrace of the show did not surprise Sandra Maguarian, MakeUp In show director. She told Beauty Packaging, “After a successful MakeUp in Paris last

October, we were sure we’d see the same enthusiasm in the U.S. What a wonderful time we spent together with suppliers and brands! Innovations and new projects were back with a lot of new ideas to build the future of beauty: less water, safe ingredients, plastic substitutes, mono-material packs, sustainability… no trends were left behind. Congrats to all of the participants.”

Exhibiting companies specialized in packaging, ingredients, formulation and accessories. There were also many contract-packaging specialists, offering full-turnkey services. Makeup and skincare categories were strongly represented, but innovations in Hair Care and Personal Care also had a noticeable presence.

Sustainable solutions were a top priority for many attendees.

Sustainable packaging terms and components heard and seen around the show floor included paper handles, paper pencils, paper bottles, paper tubes, paper compacts, bamboo, recyclables, refillables, PCR, aluminum mono-material sticks, mono-material bottles, mono-material mascara, non-metal pumps, airless pumps, light weight, ocean plastics. Collaboration and circularity were also mentioned frequently. Glass showed a serious breakthrough in color cosmetics as well as a boom expansion in skincare and fragrance.

Even the water bottles at the Convention Center’s snack bar were made of “endlessly recyclable” aluminum.

On the Show Floor

Lots of Spring-y pastel components and products echoed the signs of optimism and new beginnings throughout the show. In particular, WWP Beauty, Elcos and Premi all offered a light, fun atmosphere. After all, we’re all looking—and hoping—for a little more joy this year…

Color & Skincare

Things were lively, bright and happy at WWP Beauty, especially with the presentation of 9 new sustainable product collections, including the “Playground” turnkey collection, which features “fun, on-the-go sensorial products” with added features such as heat-activated changeable-color packaging. Playground transformative products include the Healthy & Happy Skin collection, including a milk-to-oil cleanser that dispenses as a cream, but has an oil finish. Refillable sticks for numerous items were popular as was a sustainable accessories bag made from cork.

Beauty Bites is a collection of small, sustainable turnkey makeup packages designed for portability, fun and convenience.

In Haircare, WWP Beauty also presented two transformative products: A hair cleanser that looks like white mousse but is actually a dry shampoo; and a hair mask with a “whipped cream” applicator.

Cosmetic Group USA, Inc., known for their colorful cosmetics is also now offering an array of skincare formulations—all designed to get a fun message across. From raw materials to pressed powders, Kikey Bello, marketing and innovation manager of the company, says the focus is on innovation. They are creating many new products for brows now, “as there is such an emphasis on eyes these days.”

Additional product highlights at Cosmetic Group USA: Sun-Kissed Souffle Upper Body Primer, Pastel Pop Kaleidoscope Mascara, Marshmallow Highlighters and Facial Frosting.

GEKA says that as “a pioneer of high precision beauty application solutions,” they know what it takes to achieve the perfect mascara match. Delivering market leading mascara requires an optimal combination of brush, packaging, wiper and formula. This unlocks the volume, length, definition, separation and curling that make truly stunning eye lashes.

The supplier leverages its extensive in-house capabilities to provide a full turnkey service for mascara development and delivery. This incorporates applicator design, packaging, formulation, lab expertise, graphics, finishing and filling. Beauty brands can select services as required—ensuring an efficient process and a product that “perfectly matches the DNA of their beauty brand.”

One of the latest innovative mascaras from Brivaplast is their Click and Go Mascara, similar to a “click pen.” Just push down on the cap to release the brush. Also available for lip gloss, simply push down for easy access to the lip brush. The injection blow molding can be enhanced with any deco, metallized or silkscreen.

Balance Inc. showed an array of sustainable cosmetic palettes at LPLA. Each palette is built entirely out of molded fiber paper and incorporates a removable paper tray and the opportunity to extract the pans so that the base can be recycled and the outer palette can either re-used or recycled in the paper stream. All paper components are made using FSC-certified materials, and contain 40% post-consumer waste. Decorative details include embossing, debossing and foil stamping.  

Wood & Bamboo

One-hundred percent recyclable bamboo caps with no plastic inside were a feature at Elcos, where Michele Joo, general manager, showed Beauty Packaging how heat stamping on bamboo created a decorative effect that looked like pyrography. Lipstick tubes made of bamboo and mono-material airless (no metal parts so no need to disassemble for recycling) were popular, as were refillable and recyclable PCR jars.

Quadpack was featuring a number of sustainable solutions at this year’s show, including Woodacity, a new line of wood packaging where all plastic inners have been removed, and which has a removable liner, allowing the pack to be 100% sustainable; this line is available for glass jars as well as Quadpack’s line of wood fragrance caps. Also, on display: The updated Regula Airless line which is now refillable; and aluminum bottles (both stock and custom), made from 100% recycled aluminum and fully recyclable.

Brushes & Accessories

Dual-duty was another trend, due to both convenience and sustainability.

As consumers are traveling “lighter” and with safety top of mind, Anisa International revealed The Sanitizer Brush, which was created as a dual-function item housing a brush + liquid formula within one product. The component was designed to hold any liquid that fits consumer needs, from brush refresh to setting spray. Easily remove the handle from the ferrule to sanitize your hands or freshen up your brush, on-the-go. The holder can be refilled with any liquid product; recommended are cleansers, sanitizers or setting spray.

The brush head can be customized to perform with any liquid, powder or cream formula.

Bottles, Jars & Closures

Green glass was a highlight at Coverpla Inc., especially for its light weight and refillable features. The supplier continues to develop new models, including Vertigo, which allows screw-neck pumps to fit a variety of crimp caps (surlyn, metal, wood, etc.). As far as the light weight glass, you can tell instantly from the shape and feel of the glass, and the lack of wall thickness, that there is 50% less weight, thus less CO2 expended. These are also refillable. A luxe classic glass bottle is made with 25% PCR and features a screw neck and low profile. Bruno Diepois, president of Coverpla Inc., also showed Beauty Packaging a new pump with a special groove, which any cap can fit. He also revealed non-petrol, pure vegetal biopolymer caps that can biodegrade (available in red, black, white and natural).

Korea-based Olive Packaging, which has an office in CA, introduced their patented heavy PET nail polish bottle. It’s BTX-, BPA- and DEHP-free, and only one-third the weight of glass bottles, which saves on transportation costs as well. The bottles are made of recycled material and can be recycled. Caps can be PP or PCR.

Baralan offers sustainable components in varying post-consumer recycled (PCR) percentages. The primary packaging supplier’s range of closures are produced in their facility in Italy, and are now available in three PCR levels in polypropylene: a base level of 30%, an intermediate level of 60% or a full level of 100%.

The new Sifter 70 Series for glass jars was developed for powdered skincare and makeup products, and is available in two varieties—an adjustable two-part sifter and a standard one-part sifter. The adjustable two-part sifter is the first of its kind in Baralan’s offerings to be paired with glass jars. The two-part sifter has an additional rotating twist-and-lock feature which helps to control how much product is dispensed, and when closed, prevents from spilling or collecting the product under the cap. Users can twist the inner component of the sifter to open and distribute the product and turn again to close and lock.

Baralan’s Sifter 70 Series is a mono-material item, made in polypropylene, designed for ease of recyclability. Aside from standard black and white, the sifters can be produced in any color making them the perfect accessory for a wide range of glass jars with GPI 70/400 neck finish.

Lumson showed a wide variety of packaging options at LPLA, including sustainable and refillable packs. A line of glass jars with inner cups made from recycled material can be easily recycled; the 3 pieces can be separated and recycled in different chains. The inner cup can be decorated, and a new travel size will be available in 15ml. The supplier’s popular Envers jar has now been upscaled, to all glass, and can have a metal effect interior. Also, big now, said Emanuele Mazzei, CEO Lumson U.S., are mono-material packaging, airtight lipsticks and PCR.

SIGN, a new lipstick from Lumson, features a metal insert on the cap that can be customized with logos, designs, and icons through debossing technology, making it truly exquisite and one-of-a-kind.

Verescence displayed its patented red glass at Luxe Pack LA. Concentrated with red camellia extract, the new Chanel No. 1 Revitalizing Serum is housed in an elegant red glass bottle manufactured at Verescence’s glass manufacturing site in Mers-les-Bains, France. Melted in a glass tank, red glass unveils its coloration after the annealing. Red glass is patented and exclusively made by Verescence for more than 30 years.

Sustainably designed to minimize carbon footprint, the lightweight bottle is 30% lighter than Chanel’s packs of similar capacity. The bottle is decorated using organic inks requiring low energy for polymerization.

Packtory offers a wide range of sustainable packaging options, including metal-free airless pumps (up to 50% PCR PP) in assorted sizes ranging from 5- to 150ml, refillable PP jars that can be had in up to 100% PCR, and refillable fine mist pumps (60ml – 150ml). There’s also a BIOMASS (bio-based) jar selection molded with 51% paper/49% PP.

Glass Refillables

SamHwa continues to expand its airless glass range. The supplier’s glass refillable airless package was created to maximize the sustainability aspect of the package. As a refillable, the consumer can reuse the cap, pump and outer bottle, by replacing the inner bottle. The Eco-pump contains no metal, so it is easy to recycle. Most of the parts are made of PP, also adding to its recyclability. SamHwa can also suggest how to maximize PCR for this design. Products shown in LA included airtight cushion compacts and dispenser pump containers.

At ICS (International Cosmetic Suppliers Limited), Tara Stein, vice president of sales and business development, told Beauty Packaging, “Every single person at LPLA asked about sustainability.” She said bamboo was very popular among attendees—particularly glass bottles with bamboo covers—and noted: “Everyone is liking glass.” In addition to glass bottles and jars, ICS also offers glass mascara and lip packages. ICS’s Elevation Collection features mono-material, recycled, recyclable and refillable packaging options with a high-end look.

At APC Packaging, Rick Ponte showed Beauty Packaging the supplier’s glass refillable jar with polypropylene inners—disc and cap. In addition to the outer jar, the clear, inner pod can also be decorated to achieve 3D looks. Ponte said the package is especially good for subscription-based refillables. A thick-wall PET jar was also an attraction.

Bormioli Skincare has expanded its eco bottle, and added larger sizes, including 150ml. They also offer a “glass-on-glass” refillable jar with a PP double-walled cap, which does not require gluing due to an all-friction fit, ideal for sustainability stories.

Formulations

At iKs (Innovative Korean Solutions), part of Yonwoo/PKG, Curt Altman showed Beauty Packaging some of the latest trends in skincare formula solutions, including a plethora of peel pads, many for acne. “Peel pads are really hot in Korea right now,” said Altman. An innovative pad jar not only houses the pads, but the consumer can push up the pads from the bottom of the jar, so everything remains hygienic; the product is available turnkey. What’s next? Altman says silicon patches will be the next wave, as will biodegradable sheets in biodegradable pouches (with water removed).

MS BEAUTiLAB USA, which recently acquired the Italian cosmetic company Gi Picco’s, a leader in the design and development of powders has now expanded into the North American market.

In addition to obtaining access to Gi Picco’s flagship technologies, the merger expands MS BEAUTiLAB’s total global footprint, with 3 R&D laboratories located in France, Italy and Switzerland and 4 production sites.  A 4th R&D lab is scheduled to launch in Los Angeles this year.

At MULA 2022, MS BEAUTiLAB USA introduced color, skincare, and powder products, as well as launching products specific to the North American market. 

Sprayers & Dispensers

APR’s patented Airless Powder Pump sprayer won an IT award for packaging at MakeUp in LosAngeles. Mono-material airless, it allows a precise and directional diffusion of the powder. APR Packaging’s CEO John Shen, explained that it is a great aerosol alternative for dry powder formulations, such as dry shampoo or body powder, especially good for travel. Bottles with a  paper airless overshell and PP inner are refillable. Shen noted: “Refillables and PCR are major trends.” 

At Virospack, Joanna Milne, sales manager U.S. & Asia, told Beauty Packaging that their R&D teams have been “zooming away on materials.” For example, she showed us a dropper made with 80% PCR and an aluminum shell collar, available in gold or silver standard colors.

AFA Dispensing presented an innovative fine-mist sprayer called Flairosol, a “next-generation spray” for personal care and home products that offers a sustainable alternative to aerosol-based solutions. “Flairosol’s built-in pre-compression engine provides a continuous, fine-mist spray without the need for pressurized gases, making it both safer and healthier,” said Peter Messacar, head of sales and marketing, Americas at AFA Dispensing. “Also, the spray device can be recharged and reused, enabling a cost-effective and sustainable consumer experience. Recharging is simply a matter of replacing the liquid container with a new bottle of ready-to-use product.” Flairosol’s trigger locks on top for portability convenience.

Metals & Aluminum

ABA offers eco-friendly, 100% recyclable aluminum bottles, jar packages, caps, certified PCR content plastic bottles, tubes, caps, and jars, as well as PCR content glass bottles and jars. They maintain shelf-stock on hundreds of items, and can decorate what they sell.

Anomatic has co-developed the new “Eco-Alloy,” which contains a minimum PCR of 60%, and a total recyclable content of 90% (80% PCR). The Ohio-based supplier has a 2-year exclusive on the material, and is currently in production. The Eco Family is available in all-aluminum constructions or as a complement to glass jars.

NF Beauty, with offices in the U.S. and globally, was highlighting products from their new 2022 catalog. One standout item, the mono-material Celeste dropper, features a TPE pumping system with a piston—ideal for viscous products.

Ocean Plastics

Ocean waste, primarily discarded items made of plastics, has become a sustainable source for packaging, as it helps clean the water while foregoing new materials.

SeaCliff Beauty highlighted sustainable packaging, much of it made from 100% ocean plastic waste from water bottles. Amanda Deak, senior marketing manager, explained that the material is similar to PCR but has traceability; the user can know exactly where it came from, and what its original use was. Refillable cosmetics at SeaCliff included their award-winning Refillable Mascara, which features metallized decoration foiled detail on the unit carton to represent this newly launched brand’s vision. Each refill uses 50%+ less plastic packaging than a regular mascara. The mascara was even featured in Forbes in an article on the “Future of Refillable Cosmetics.”

SR Packaging North America Inc. showcased its OWP75 Airless Bottle at Luxe Pack Los Angeles, featuring 75% recycled HDPE made from post-use fishing nets, ropes and trawls collected from the maritime industry. It matches with an airless pump or a 360-degree airless sprayer.

Melissa Ferguson, senior packaging engineer manager, explained that according to statistics, these items account for 46% of ocean plastic pollution. SR is also now working with chemically recycled resin.

SR’s Airless Shuttle is a set of personalized skincare products assembled within one reusable case that makes a customizable set of cartridges for consumers to mix and match their own personalized clean beauty solutions. Airless Shuttle 4s can be constructed for one delivery of 4 skin-care items, one personalized scheme of 4 step treatments, or the makeup pro kit of lotion, base primer, SPF foundation, and perfecting concealer.

Tubes

At Luxe Pack LA, Albéa featured their wide variety of sustainable tubes. The collection included offerings with different percentages of PCR, including “Timeless,” with 60% PCR in the sleeve. Currently available out of Europe, one of the supplier’s latest innovations is the Eco Fusion Top, with a fusion between the cap and head for a low-profile dispensing system, and a reduction in both plastic and cost; the feature is available in 4 tube styles.

Express Tubes, known as specialists in sugar cane packaging, also showcased a variety of solid aluminum tubes. John Turville, general manager, Express Tubes, said aluminum tubes “tell an instant sustainability story,” and described sustainability as “a significant trend driven by consumers.” Hair Care and Men’s have been on the rise over the last few years, and Turville showed us a new line of men’s products launched out of LA, with geometric tubes unlike traditional ones, as well as different tips/applicators for each type of product.

Machinery

At Coven Egidio, Paolo Pagetti was highlighting his family-owned company’s automatic filling machines for small vials. He told Beauty Packaging that they are always working on new versions of crimping and filling  machines. They do a lot of business on the West Coast—but are expanding across the U.S.

Deco

Nissha highlighted its heat transfer film, which allows brands to include unique CMF designs (achieved via gravure printing technology) on the surface of their cosmetic packaging, such as metallized shiny effects, fine gradation, satin-matte finishes, and versatile graphics—simplifying the decorating process. Multi-color and shiny effects can be achieved on glass, metals and plastic—and on lipsticks, mascara, bottles, jars, compacts and more. The deco is impervious to water.

See You Next Year in LA

Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in LosAngeles will once again be co-located, February 16-17, 2023. In the meantime, see you at Luxe Pack in New York and Monaco; and MakeUp in Paris and New York.