Retail buyers and local cosmetics and personal care brands flocked to IBE Dallas
Some 20% of the exhibiting brands at IBE Dallas were local to Texas. The small-batch personal care brand Source Vitál Apothecary, which launched in 1989, is just one example. Source Vitál Apothecary, under the direction of managing owner Kathy Pope and CEO Paul Colgin, makes synthetic-free facial skin care, bath and body care, and more. “The products,” according to press material IBE shared, “combine potent plant extracts, seaweeds and essential oils.”
The local hair and scalp care brand PRODjin was also on hand at IBE Dallas earlier this month. Founded by Frank Tavakoli, “PRODjin is a natural hair care brand utilizing plant extracts to stimulate a healthy scalp environment in order to promote hair thickening and regrowth.”
Other local brands at IBE Dallas included Honey & Sage Co., milk + honey, Chalet Cosmetics, Skinveda, and My Magic Mud.
Notable buyers
Securing retail partnerships is paramount among the challenges indie beauty brands face. Accordingly IBE events help brands connect with the right people. During Trade Indie (one day of the three-day expo devoted to press and retail buyers) exhibiting brands have the opportunity to make connections that could lead to a spot on the shelf or a feature in the media.
In Dallas over 50 press professionals came to the expo that day, as did 150 retail buyers. According to IBE, buyers from Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Target, Dillard’s, Rue21, CAP Beauty, Credo, Forty Five Ten, Free People, and Nordstrom were on hand.
New territory
As the local brands mentioned above illustrate, beauty from the heartland is on the rise. “We had over 14 brands from Texas alone, which means that not only is it a great place to discover beauty, but local brands in the state are making an impact in their communities,” affirms Jillian Wright, cofounder of Indie Beauty Expo, in a statement to the press.
The IBE team was wise not to exclude the entire middle of country from their events circuit. “Dallas, being a major hub of beauty, fashion, art and design, was a perfect fit for Indie Beauty Expo alongside Los Angeles and New York,” says Wright. “The city welcomed us, supported the brands and prompted the show to bring awareness to indies.”
She goes on to observe that “we held the show at the perfect venue for our inaugural event, and retailers and consumers both had a great time learning and discovering what indie beauty is.”
The 70 brands exhibiting at IBE Dallas came from not only Texas and the greater US but also from around the world. Monte Carlo Beauty, which has its headquarters in Monaco was there as was Ayuna, as skin care brand from Barcelona. The full spectrum of brands at the event highlighted trends from sheet masks to products formulated with CBD and from feminine personal care to natural deodorant.
IBE will next open in New York City on August 22nd. To learn more visit indiebeautyexpo.com.
