HCT unveils top beauty trends for 2013 and 2014

C&T packaging supplier and project developer HCT Group explored future cosmetics trends at its Spotlight on Innovation Beauty & Cosmetics event, held yesterday at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Attendees, including representatives from House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Dior and El Corte Inglés, among others were given the opportunity to test sample skin care, make-up and fragrance products demonstrating upcoming trends and advances in formulation techniques. For example, one formulation combines the clarity of a gel with the richness and comfort of a cream – a texture HCT said was ideal for skin care products carrying purifying claims – while the colour cosmetics stand featured variations on the lip stain concept, namely a liquid, a more emollient gel, a balm, a multi-purpose lip and cheek stick and a combination product which marries a lip gloss shine, the intensity of a lipstick and the staying power of a lip stain.

Something HCT predicts will be big news in coming months is ‘daily defence’ or DD cream. In addition to colour, UV protection and moisturisation, HCT’s version includes actives claimed to act against the negative effects of both environmental pollution and waste products excreted from the skin.

Nails is considered such an important sub-sector of colour cosmetics for innovation that HCT devoted an entire stand to innovations in this area. The company said bright and primary colours would dominate spring/summer 2013, replacing last year’s ubiquitous pastels, while forest green would be the nail varnish shade of autumn/winter 2013/14. When it came to texture, HCT predicted that sand effect, holographic and new generation glitter polishes would prove popular. Today’s glitter polishes, said HCT, feature larger particle sizes in coloured bases, which are not only easier to remove but offer better coverage in fewer coats.

Spotlight on Innovation Beauty & Cosmetics also featured conceptual packaging including a hybrid mini-lipstick/lip liner, an upgraded version of HCT’s cooling Zamac Tip Applicator and a variety of nail polish packaging concepts, such as one that can be held between fingers for application on-the-go and another with a concealed mini-brush for a polka-dot effect.

Among the brushes on display were hybrid variants. These, said HCT, combine the effectiveness of synthetic brushes for applying liquid products and the effectiveness of natural ones for picking up and applying powder. The synthetic element also means the brush tips can be dyed for branding purposes.

Elsewhere, Quintessence Fragrances Ltd, which works with HCT on fragrance development highlighted key upcoming olfactory trends for 2013/14. The floral trend would give way to more complex, sexy floriental fragrances, said Director Francois Robert, while oud and aldehydes will continue their respective comebacks, although the use of both would be more subtle than in the past, he added. Gourmand scents like liquorice and tea will also find their way into fine fragrance in the next few months, he predicted, while men’s fragrance will begin to borrow more heavily from the women’s market, specifically fruity notes like melon and mango.