Welcome to Beauty Packaging Magazine’s January/February 2026 issue!

It’s always exciting to start a new year with the collective voice of our print and online community as we reveal which brand they have honored with the title of Beauty Packaging’s “Beauty Company of the Year: Excellence in Packaging.”

This year’s selection was amika, a brand born in trend-setting Brooklyn, NY.

amika (with its “rebellious” lowercase “a”) stands out not only with its bold, trendy, eye-catching, distinctive graphic packaging, but also with its “clean formulations,” sustainably focused ethics, inclusive products, a torrent of Gen-Z social media accolades, and a firm grounding in Sephora and Ulta. And highly rated product reviews!

amika got its start with haircare tools. The brand’s owners soon saw its potential for salon expansion, and along came targeted formulations that captured attention on-shelf and at stylists’ stations. The attractive graffiti-like colorful packaging led customers to inquire, “What is this brand?”

Nearly two decades later, amika holds many No. 1 titles and is headed for expansion via new categories.

Instantly recognizable packaging plays a key role in amika’s connection with the customer, says Chelsea Riggs, CEO and founding member of amika. She tells Beauty Packaging, “amika packaging is unlike anything else in pro or prestige haircare—you know it when you see it.” She adds, “2025 was a year where amika packaging didn’t just stand out—it showed up everywhere.”

In 2026, amika is positioned for additional success, as the outlook for the beauty industry continues to be bright.

Larissa Jensen, Senior Vice President, Global Beauty Industry Advisor at Circana, tells Beauty Packaging, “As 2025 draws to a close, the U.S. beauty industry continues to defy expectations, delivering growth across both mass and prestige channels despite broader economic pressures. Beauty remains one of the few discretionary categories where consumers are willing to spend, reinforcing its resilience and emotional relevance.”

Stay tuned for all the latest beauty news, especially as we start the year with a full calendar of industry events, starting with Cosmoprof/Cosmopack Miami, then on to LA and Bologna. Publisher Jay Gorga and I look forward to seeing you on the show floor.

We wish you a joyous and prosperous year. Stay in touch!

Jamie Matusow | Editor-in-Chief
jmatusow@rodmanmedia.com

IN THIS ISSUE: January / February 2026

Here’s what you’ll find—and more—in Beauty Packaging Magazine’s Jan/Feb 2026 issue:

Congrats to amika—our Beauty Company of the Year for Excellence in Packaging! Distinctive packaging has been a major factor in amika’s skyrocketing growth, from an innovator in salon tools to an international haircare sensation. 

Fragrance Packaging: Trending Shapes & Deco for Glass Bottles—Fragrance brands collaborate with packaging suppliers, who are experts in glass molding, to tell a story about the scent inside the bottle. We asked experts about the latest developments in bottle design, glass decoration—and balancing luxury and sustainability.

Packaging Materials for an Unconventional & Sustainable Path—Heightened consumer preferences and a deeply competitive market make the beauty segment uniquely positioned to experiment with new, more sustainable packaging materials.

Show Review: Beautyworld Middle East 2025 Reaches New Global Heights—More than 2,500 exhibitors from 68 countries took part in the 29th edition of the beauty industry’s flagship event.

Show Preview: Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna’s 57th Edition Opens in March—Visitors can expect to network with over 3,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries at the show on March 26-28.

Larissa Jensen Reports: What’s Key to Beauty’s Success in 2026? Dupes, mass market, premium fragrance: A look into key trends in 2025 predicts a continuing growth path.