CVS HEALTH

Your Skin Stuff

“I was immediately drawn to the authenticity and passion of the founder, Ellen Kavanagh Jones, as well as the beautiful and bright packaging that drew me to her booth. Ellen’s focus on skin safety with pre-teens is done in a super approachable, clear and fun way. As a mom of a pre-teen, I value her focus on the younger generation given their interest in skin and in building them a brand that is safe, tested with dermatologists and, importantly, teaching them the importance of healthy skin routines. This brand knows who they are and who they are focused on. That is very powerful.”

Alfheim

“I cannot wait to try this product line. The founder story here is a powerful one and the focus on high-quality at accessible price points really resonated with me. I also loved the simplicity of the lines and high-quality scents throughout the brand and was particularly impressed with their Saw Palmetto Follicle Boost Scalp Serum, especially the thoughtfulness that went into the application tool for the product. Kudos to their design and innovation team for truly solving an unmet shopper need in the space.”

Caldera + Lab

“I loved the sleekness and simplicity of this brand’s packaging. Then, the more I learned about its blending of science and nature, even having clinical testing, I was impressed. I also love their focus on designing a skincare brand that’s made for men’s skin, which is unique, and building that into their formulations.”

THE DETOX MARKET

Caldera + Lab

“The compelling narrative of Caldera + Lab’s founder, stemming from his personal experience with luxury skincare and a broader male trend, piqued my interest. While the product’s quality, packaging and concept are strong, my initial reservations centered on its target demographic and distribution. The conventional assumption that women are the primary purchasers of household personal care items warrants reevaluation. My inclination leans towards a dedicated men’s skincare line addressing common male concerns such as post-shave care, beard maintenance, fundamental hydration and essential personal hygiene products.

Despite these considerations, Caldera + Lab exhibits significant potential, particularly through product range expansion. A refined, purpose-driven men’s line could substantially enhance existing customer purchases. However, with numerous suitable male-focused brands already in our inventory, a key question remains: Would Caldera + Lab genuinely attract a new customer base?”

Cool as a Cucumber

“Engaging with the founders of Cool as a Cucumber provided invaluable insight into their authentic, necessity-driven entrepreneurial journey. I perceive substantial potential in this product category, especially given the widespread prevalence of adult acne and the scarcity of effective clean beauty solutions.

While the demographic of aging, acne-prone customers may appear niche, the reality is that many women experience acne or periods where it becomes their primary skincare concern across all life stages, necessitating a robust array of options. The product packaging is commendably executed, showcasing a modern and refined aesthetic.

My personal experience with the gel cleanser at the event was highly positive, and I find the brand name itself compelling, surprisingly unused until now. I eagerly anticipate evaluating the serum, given its promising ingredient profile and extensive testing.”

Novos

“Novos presents a compelling proposition within the longevity sector, underscored by a groundbreaking study where Novos Core extended aged mouse lifespan by nearly 20%, an unparalleled achievement among studied supplements. Their synergistic ingredient combinations are designed to bolster DNA integrity and support cellular health.

The brand has cultivated a comprehensive longevity ecosystem, encompassing supplements, convenient at-home aging tests, and readily accessible educational resources. Their core mission is to empower individuals to proactively manage their longevity journey, ushering in an era where scientific rigor and innovative solutions converge to facilitate a ‘Younger For Longer’ experience.

I particularly commend the brand’s pronounced scientific focus and robust backing. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to evaluate the samples as this is the most comprehensive brand of its kind I have encountered. I foresee it as a potentially highly relevant addition to our wellness offerings. While the breadth of the product assortment might initially appear extensive, this is often characteristic of many wellness and supplement brands, especially within nascent categories such as longevity.”

JooY

“JooY is a brand I’ve encountered previously, having emerged during the COVID. My interaction with the founder [Jennifer Yen]—an incredibly impressive individual—left a strong impression. Her vibrant personality undeniably permeates and elevates the brand’s identity. I particularly appreciate the concise and well-curated nature of the product assortment, coupled with clear and unambiguous messaging.

Given our strategic objective to expand our haircare category with purposeful additions, the current timing appears opportune for a potential partnership with JooY. I remain hopeful of discovering a brand that effectively addresses dandruff within the clean beauty sector. While I initially admired the product’s performance, quality and aesthetic, I harbored reservations about its precise positioning within our existing assortment and its target consumer.

However, since its launch, there has been a notable surge in consumer focus on overall scalp and hair health. This growing awareness of both internal and external factors influencing hair concerns suggests an increasing market relevance for JooY’s offerings.”

C.O. BIGELOW

Lasai Fragrances

“Their scents are all gourmands, which is personally my favorite type of scent to wear and layer. They have so many to choose from—marshmallow, vanilla, cherry, pistachio—and the bottles are colorful and fun. Lasai translates to ‘take it easy,’ and the fun bottles and scents put you in the mood to do just that. I think our customers would love these, especially those who love to collect gourmands, with the price point being very approachable.”

Barb

“Their focus is on creating products for short hair. Short hair products are often marketed to men, so it was refreshing to see something in this space being marketed to women. Pixie cuts and short bobs are so on-trend right now. We have so many customers looking for products to help style their short hair. This would be a perfect brand to add on to our consultations. The packaging is very fun!”

Fountain of Waters

“Another brand that caught our eye was Fountain of Waters, a body care brand from California that works with local farms to source ingredients for their products. Our customers love everything tomato, so it was exciting to see that they have a tomato collection that contains upcycled tomato seeds and peels.”

Knemo

“They use rose PDRN as an alternative to salmon DNA as a main ingredient. Their Liplock Jelly Serum and Square One Soothing Toner were products that we are excited to try.”

Cell Fusion C

“Their FDA-approved sunscreens created for sensitive skin were standouts as were their cooling products that use glacier water instead of menthol to reduce redness and cool the skin.”

Medicube

“This brand is all over social media, and I am a big fan. Their toner pads and PDRN serum are personal favorites I’d love to introduce to our customers.”

QUINCE

Medicube

“I was really excited to see so many K-Beauty brands at BITE this year. Medicube’s 6-in-1 face booster device really stood out. They married best in class tech with the ease of at-home use, showcasing the kind of forward-thinking approach that continues to make K-Beauty such a global trendsetter.

Alfheim

“Haircare continues to be one of the most exciting categories for me. At BITE, scalp care was leading the charge. I loved seeing so much innovation in the category. Alfheim’s Follicle Boost Scalp Serum was a standout. The natural formula with proven results, paired with an easy-to-use applicator, felt truly unique.

Jooy

“Jooy also impressed with their approach to treating hair as an extension of the skincare routine.”

SPACE NK

Hello Klean

“Expanding its tech-driven water filters into wet goods featuring on-trend ingredients like matcha and kombucha.”

Fountain of Waters

“Cali-coded brand, engaging packaging and ingredient transparency within a tightly curated assortment within body care.”

Knemo and Cell Fusion C

“K-Beauty at its most innovative. The Cell Fusion C Airy Sunscreen Stick was one of the best formulas I’ve tried, while Knemo’s touch-free spot patches and vegan Rose PDRN lip jellies felt perfectly positioned for younger consumers.”

Medicube

“A viral sensation in the U.K., with buzzworthy hero products like the collagen wrapping mask alongside inventive PDRN serums and capsule creams.”

Fawn

“A beautiful, authentic skincare line created by a dermatologist for her daughters, with a focused and thoughtful assortment. An example of skincare for the young consumer done right.”

My Neighbor’s

“An indie brand from the Hudson Valley spotlighting tallow as its USP, with elevated packaging and a soft, giftable aesthetic. One our more heritage customer would adore.”

Innersense Organic Beauty

“A pleasure to reconnect with and to see the brand continuing to evolve its clean, ritual-based haircare.”

Aramore

“Putting NAD+ at the centre of its story, one of today’s most talked-about ingredients.”

Sublime Oils

“Sublime Oils made a mark with their botanical-rich, organic formulations featuring over 40 potent plant ingredients. Their products, including the Trilogy Facial Serum, stood out for their beautiful natural scents and effective skincare benefits. Spas and clean beauty fans would definitely be drawn to this eco-conscious, high-performance collection.”

Caldera + Lab

“Caldera + Lab impressed with its advanced men’s skincare that uses plant biotech and exosome technology for better ingredient absorption and anti-aging effects. Their science-driven approach paired with smart branding will make them a strong player in the men’s category.”

Aramore

“Aramore stood out thanks to its cutting-edge NAD+ Cell Energizing Treatment, which is backed by serious science from Harvard and MIT. Their products showed impressive clinical results, especially around skin barrier repair and rejuvenation. I was genuinely impressed by both their innovation and the storytelling behind the brand.”

Fountain of Waters

“Fountain of Waters’s farm-to-skin products have a nice fresh ingredient story, and the products are very appealing.”

Virginskin

“Virginskin really caught my eye with its dermatologist-developed luxury skincare, especially their focus on hydration and radiance. Their packaging felt like a true reflection of the brand’s clean and elegant spirit. It’s impressive how they combine high performance with a strong commitment to sustainability, including refill options that help reduce environmental waste.”

Sunday Glow “Sunday Glow brought a fun and youthful vibe to the expo. They told a compelling story by blending traditional Chinese herbs, which felt fresh and engaging. Their enthusiasm was infectious; I really enjoyed their positive energy and approachable brand personality.”

Alfheim

“Alfheim offering a blend of natural ingredients and advanced science in their haircare line paired with the brand’s eco-conscious and sleek, sustainable packaging made for an appealing and interesting haircare option.”