Innovative Packaging continues to play a critical role in the Cosmetic Industry. The first moment of connection with a product is its packaging, and whether online or in-store, it must stand out from the crowd in some way in order to capture consumers’ attention.
In addition to innovative shapes, sizes, dispensing and decorative embellishments, sustainability can also be an alluring attraction: According to Edelman's Trust Barometer Report, beauty brands need to care about what consumers care about, and show it. Eco-conscious packaging, with decorations that won't affect recyclability, is one way for brands to meet sustainability goals while also aligning with a cause consumers care about—saving our planet. Refillables, keepsakes and unique designs also deliver.
The beauty launches featured below all use innovative design and techniques—and are all memorable in their own way.
(For more on Innovative Packaging, read Beauty Packaging’s exclusive interview with Laszlo Moharita, Vice President of Fragrance and Haircare Package Development, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), as he discusses current and future packaging criteria for delighting cosmetic consumers.)
Either way, they'll melt, you'll soak, and your skin will emerge moisturized thanks to a simple blend of cocoa butter, plant-based oils, and natural exfoliants. Pebbles are available in four scents for an aromatherapeutic soak that will bring “a magic moment of self-care into your daily routine.”
The Pebble utilizes an innovative refill system that is completely plastic-free: your first purchase
comes in a beautiful bamboo-topped green canister that provides easy storage, and
can be restocked with Pebbles over time, or used to store personal care items.
Simihaze Beauty products are intuitively and artfully designed, housed in custom, raw resin-like, sculptural packaging, inspired by Simi & Haze’s love of fine art, to provide consumers with a multi-sensory experience from the exterior through the innovative and skin-loving formulations.
The packaging for this product addresses a very particular aspect of sustainability: longevity of design. When creating the packaging, the design team considered that the packaging design would be able to be used by the brand for years to come and that the design itself is one that consumers wouldn't quickly tire of.
Gavrelis tells Beauty Packaging, “From the start of conceptualization through the development of iero Beauty, we knew we wanted to keep our commitment to sustainability front and center, while creating products with the highest naturality levels we can, that are clean, plant-based, crystal-derived mineral skincare and color products with next-level transparency.”
By incorporating a gradient heat transfer label from opaque blue at the top of the packaging fading to transparent at the base, Gavrelis says, “We are able to wrap the metallic violet flower of life pattern over the whole surface and reveal the chromotherapy cues and little botanical, or crystal treasures, that visually inspire calm, peaceful serenity and intuitive perception.”
Gavrelis explains, “Everything needed to celebrate the romance of the light and calming energy of the moon is further animated through the effect of adularescence, the glow on the surface of rainbow moonstone that we were able to recreate on the logo’d overcaps of our Moonkissed Serene Essence Replenishing Mist and Moonkissed Luminous PH Lip Comforter packages.
Through digital printing under clear plaques with an iridescent coating on top, he says they were able to bring the magical and soothing look of moonstone to life. “We worked for almost a half a year to achieve the Moonstone effect. A debt of gratitude indeed, as you can’t imagine how much patience our manufacturer had with us, as we strived to have a consistent result across package profiles,” says Gavrelis.
Formulas are vegan and cruelty-free, and to reduce their use of virgin plastic, the packaging is “consciously crafted” from 100% tin. Palettes can be customized—just choose shades and animal. The gorgeous designs nearly guarantee they’ll be re-purposed once empty.
In addition to innovative shapes, sizes, dispensing and decorative embellishments, sustainability can also be an alluring attraction: According to Edelman's Trust Barometer Report, beauty brands need to care about what consumers care about, and show it. Eco-conscious packaging, with decorations that won't affect recyclability, is one way for brands to meet sustainability goals while also aligning with a cause consumers care about—saving our planet. Refillables, keepsakes and unique designs also deliver.
The beauty launches featured below all use innovative design and techniques—and are all memorable in their own way.
(For more on Innovative Packaging, read Beauty Packaging’s exclusive interview with Laszlo Moharita, Vice President of Fragrance and Haircare Package Development, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), as he discusses current and future packaging criteria for delighting cosmetic consumers.)
1. The Pebble
Draw a warm bath and drop a Pebble or two into the water. This solid bath & shower oil provides a deep conditioning body treatment “to support smoother, more nourished skin.” Don't have a tub? Bring your Pebble with you into the shower and apply directly onto your skin for all-over moisture.Either way, they'll melt, you'll soak, and your skin will emerge moisturized thanks to a simple blend of cocoa butter, plant-based oils, and natural exfoliants. Pebbles are available in four scents for an aromatherapeutic soak that will bring “a magic moment of self-care into your daily routine.”
The Pebble utilizes an innovative refill system that is completely plastic-free: your first purchase
comes in a beautiful bamboo-topped green canister that provides easy storage, and
can be restocked with Pebbles over time, or used to store personal care items.
2. Simihaze Beauty Focuses on Dualities
Based in Milan, Italy, Simihaze Beauty launched in July 2021. Twin sisters and founders, Simi and Haze Khadra, created the brand “as a journey through dualities:” AM and PM, form and function, minimal and maximal. Products that enhance, not cover, and textures as unique as you are.Simihaze Beauty products are intuitively and artfully designed, housed in custom, raw resin-like, sculptural packaging, inspired by Simi & Haze’s love of fine art, to provide consumers with a multi-sensory experience from the exterior through the innovative and skin-loving formulations.
3. ShinkoQ Awarded Pentawards Platinum
ShinkoQ, by Grand Design, Japan, is described as a functional "anti-pollution" product created in response to the demand for anti-virus measures with a product range of shampoo, treatment, oil and mist, with two different fragrance ingredients. The minimalist design with only a "slash" marks the front of the bottle, without a product name. With the theme of anti-pollution, designers say this is a minimalistic and symbolic expression of the "ban" symbol. ShinkoQ was created to blend into homes with the aim of creating a design that would stand out on the sales floor with its own unique world view.The packaging for this product addresses a very particular aspect of sustainability: longevity of design. When creating the packaging, the design team considered that the packaging design would be able to be used by the brand for years to come and that the design itself is one that consumers wouldn't quickly tire of.
4. ieró Beauty: Innovative & Sustainable, Holistic & Glowing
Former MAC executive, cosmetic innovator, makeup artist and “visionary” Nick Gavrelis recently launched a new beauty and lifestyle brand called ieró. (E-air-OH) means “Sacred” in Ancient Greek, and the brand says the name “is an homage to the extraordinary, authentic radiance we all possess.” ieró Beauty’s premiere Moonkissed Collection is grounded in 5 holistic core beliefs and accompanied by spiritual rituals.Gavrelis tells Beauty Packaging, “From the start of conceptualization through the development of iero Beauty, we knew we wanted to keep our commitment to sustainability front and center, while creating products with the highest naturality levels we can, that are clean, plant-based, crystal-derived mineral skincare and color products with next-level transparency.”
By incorporating a gradient heat transfer label from opaque blue at the top of the packaging fading to transparent at the base, Gavrelis says, “We are able to wrap the metallic violet flower of life pattern over the whole surface and reveal the chromotherapy cues and little botanical, or crystal treasures, that visually inspire calm, peaceful serenity and intuitive perception.”
Gavrelis explains, “Everything needed to celebrate the romance of the light and calming energy of the moon is further animated through the effect of adularescence, the glow on the surface of rainbow moonstone that we were able to recreate on the logo’d overcaps of our Moonkissed Serene Essence Replenishing Mist and Moonkissed Luminous PH Lip Comforter packages.
Through digital printing under clear plaques with an iridescent coating on top, he says they were able to bring the magical and soothing look of moonstone to life. “We worked for almost a half a year to achieve the Moonstone effect. A debt of gratitude indeed, as you can’t imagine how much patience our manufacturer had with us, as we strived to have a consistent result across package profiles,” says Gavrelis.
5. Gaultier: Design Fantasies Come to Life
Puig has reimagined the iconic bottle for Jean Paul Gaultier Limited edition Le Male Eau de Toilette in a red Gaultier puffer jacket, containing the original Le Male scent—"a reassuring fragrance with an extremely modern trail.” The power and freshness of mint and lavender, which evoke the familiar, comforting scent of shaving soap, is transformed by the sensuality of vanilla.6. Christian Louboutin Beauty Evokes a Mermaid Tail
From Puig’s luxe brand Christian Louboutin Beauty, surfaces Rouge Louboutin Matte Fluids. These lip colors are each enclosed in a crystal-clear bottle, carved with an intricate mermaid tail pattern “to encapsulate the opulent matte color like an elixir” ($85).7. Sprout World: Packaging That Grows
Sprout World, which lays claim to “the world’s first plantable pencil” recently launched what they say is the “first plantable makeup liner.” The Sprout Liners are sold in single or double packs in both brown and black. According to the company, which has offices in Copenhagen and Boston, these are the only liners in the world with a capsule at the end with seeds, so it can be planted after use and grown into wildflowers. The patented liner is AC-tested (allergy-friendly), with a natural formula, free of microplastics, and contains natural oils that are good for the skin. Additionally, it gives something positive back to nature and strengthens the idea of giving a product a “second life.” To-date Sprout World has sold more than 35 million plantable pencils in over 80 countries.8. From Deco to Donations, Hourglass Holiday Sets Shine
Luxury beauty brand Hourglass is known for its innovation and commitment to luxury cosmetics and packaging. The brand’s Holiday 2022 Unlocked Collection introduces three Ambient Lighting Edit Palettes ($85 each) with blush, bronzer, and highlighter, to create “your perfect flush and lit-from-within glow.” Designed by London-based artist Katie Scott, the limited-edition palettes support Hourglass's mission to unlock the cages of wild animals in captivity—and feature the butterfly, tiger, and elephant to celebrate the animal kingdom. In sync, Hourglass will donate 5% of annual profits from this collection to the Nonhuman Rights Project, a U.S. organization working to secure fundamental rights for animals.Formulas are vegan and cruelty-free, and to reduce their use of virgin plastic, the packaging is “consciously crafted” from 100% tin. Palettes can be customized—just choose shades and animal. The gorgeous designs nearly guarantee they’ll be re-purposed once empty.
