THE SESSIONS
THE 2026 SESSIONS
BEAUTY’S LOST GENERATION: THE GENX OPPORTUNITY
Panel Discussion
For all the talk about Gen Z, one of beauty’s most powerful—and most misunderstood—consumer groups is hiding in plain sight: Generation X and Boomers. These shoppers hold enormous spending power and deep category loyalty. However, many brands misfire by talking down to them or assuming they’ve aged out of relevance. In reality, this demographic is digitally fluent, socially literate, and far cooler than the industry gives them credit for. They have integrated beauty and wellness into a seamless daily ritual, they know what works, they know exactly who they are—and they reward brands that respect that. We’ll dig into what it takes to win this consumer, what this generation actually wants, and how brands go wrong.
Moderator: Cristina Montemayor, Editor, BeautyMatter
Erica Taylor, Makeup Artist, Beauty Educator, + Digital Creator
Laura Geller Founder Laura Geller Beauty
Trinny Woodall, Founder + CEO, Trinny London
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM: THE PATH TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Panel Discussion
Indie beauty brands are, by their very nature, challengers, but some founders think bigger than others. The reality is that most companies don’t make it past the start-up phase. Launching a brand, breaking through the noise, and gaining initial traction is just the first step. As the launch momentum wears off, building a sustainable business is where the real work begins. Since these three brands appeared on the first BeautyMatter Future50 lists in 2023 and 2024, change has been the only constant. Amid this transformative landscape, these fierce leaders have proven they have what it takes to build brands that will last.
Carolina Reis de Oliveira, Co-Founder + CEO, OneSkin
Jeff Lee, Co-Founder + CEO, DIBS Beauty
Shai Eisenman, Founder + CEO, Bubble
MOVING BEYOND OMNICHANNEL: SCALING WHEN DISCOVERY, RETAIL, AND CHANNELS COLLIDE
Panel Discussion
For most consumers, there is no longer a distinction between beauty and wellness. On the limitless shelves of online retail, wellness has become a mainstay of beauty assortments, and now physical retail is following suit. As beauty retailers make a serious commitment to the category, wellness brands are now in a direct battle for the consumer beauty wallet, but what works in cosmetics or skincare doesn’t always translate. Unlike beauty, wellness products rarely offer instant results or immediate sensory payoffs, making it harder to catch a consumer’s eye or deliver that dopamine hit on first use. We’ll unpack what it takes to build a wellness brand that thrives on beauty retail shelves.
Genevieve Head-Gordon, VP of Digital, OUAI
Rina Yashayeva, SVP, Brand Strategy, Front Row
Reuben Carranza, Executive Chairman, Bansk Beauty
SOCIAL COMMERCE: THE STRATEGIC CENTER OF MODERN RETAIL
Panel Discussion
Shopping has never really been purely transactional, and today modern consumers aren’t following linear paths. Purchases have become performative, cultural, and social acts creating a paradigm shift upending the retail landscape as we know it. Social commerce is not a tactic; it is an ecosystem where commercial creators drive sales, curatorial creators imbue cultural meaning, and algorithms personalize discovery at sale. The confluence of these forces has the power to create dynamic flywheels of participation, cultural relevance, and growth. Social commerce is where culture, community, and shopping meet.
Bridey Lipscombe, CMO, P. Louise
Iskra Lawrence, Social Media Expert + Founder, Saltair
Dr. Muneeb Shah, Board Certified Dermatologist, Founder + CEO, REMEDY
THE WELLNESS SHELF: COMPETING IN THE BEAUTY RETAIL LANDSCAPE
Panel Discussion
For most consumers, there is no longer a distinction between beauty and wellness. On the limitless shelves of online retail, wellness has become a mainstay of beauty assortments, and now physical retail is following suit. As beauty retailers make a serious commitment to the category, wellness brands are now in a direct battle for the consumer beauty wallet, but what works in cosmetics or skincare doesn’t always translate. Unlike beauty, wellness products rarely offer instant results or immediate sensory payoffs, making it harder to catch a consumer’s eye or deliver that dopamine hit on first use. We’ll unpack what it takes to build a wellness brand that thrives on beauty retail shelves.
Moderator: Cristina Montemayor, Editor, BeautyMatter
Charlotte Cruze, Co-Founder + COO, alice mushrooms
Laura Beres, VP, Wellness, Ulta Beauty
Shizu Okusa, Founder + CEO, Apothékary
WE CAN DO BETTER. THE MANDATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Panel Discussion
Sustainability, ESG, and purpose are under serious pressure. But there’s a group of brands bucking this trend. For these founders, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it represents a strategic reorientation of business models built to serve the complexities of consumer expectations while upholding principles of environmental care and social responsibility. These brands are not looking for quick wins. They are doing the deep work in support of systemic change, debunking the myth that it’s not worth the investment. Sustainability has never been more pressing and leadership more vital to break rules, shift perception, and drive change. When done right, sustainability isn’t a limitation, it’s a creative springboard.
Moderator: Kelly Kovack, Founder + CEO, BeautyMatter
Alexandra Keating, Founder + CEO, Uni
Irene Forte, Founder + CEO, Irene Forte Skincare
Liah Yoo, Founder + CEO, KraveBeauty
WHEN WHERE YOU’RE FROM IS MORE THAN A BRAND NARRATIVE
Panel Discussion
Sense of place is a common creative lever, but for some businesses the fact that it’s more than a marketing differentiator is everything; origin and culture are their DNA. A well-designed brand is an act of intention. Every detail tells a story. The products, the spaces, and the narratives deliver a level of personal expression and aesthetic innovation that translates into emotional connections, turning curiosity into conversion and launches into cultural moments. These three founders dive deep into what makes the people and the place they call home tick, giving us unique insight into three of beauty’s hottest markets: Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Mexico.
Moderator: Kelly Kovack, Founder + CEO, BeautyMatter
Jun Lim, Founder + Creative Director, BORNTOSTANDOUT
Rémi Martini, Co-Founder + CEO, SARELLY
Sara Alrashed, Founder, Asteri