L Catterton invests nearly $30 million in Il Makiage

The pro makeup company itself has in recent years made a concerted effort to leverage its brand heritage, product line, and retail presence to become a global cosmetics player. “When I acquired IL MAKIAGE a few years ago, I had a clear vision for the future – to build a global, professional, high-end makeup brand,” ​explains, Oran Holtzman, CEO of Il Makiage, in a recent press release.

Along the way the company has “invested significant resources to further develop IL MAKIAGE, building a state of the art R&D division, enhancing our product offering, and creating a unique shopping experience in our mono-brand makeup boutiques,” ​adds Holtzman.

New money​

Now L Catterton, the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity firm, has put $29m into the brand to further Il Makiage's objective of being a global beauty leader. “We are thrilled to partner with L Catterton and are confident that the firm's unparalleled experience in building premium brands and global expertise make L Catterton the ideal partner for us,” ​says Holtzman. “This significant investment indicates a tremendous expression of confidence in the brand, its positioning, the management team, and above all, the products and their uncompromising quality.” ​

L Catterton is, of course, the private equity firm formed just last year by LVMH, Groupe Arnault, and Catterton​. The firm and controls more than $14bn of equity capital. Funding prestige beauty is part of the firm’s strategy. And, L Catterton has to date invested in manufacturers and brands including the probiotic product line TULA​, Bliss, Cover FX, CLIO Professional, Intercos Group, and StriVectin.

New partnership ​

“Oran and his talented team have reinvigorated the brand on the strength of IL MAKIAGE's rigorous R&D process, professional quality products and personalized customer experience. We see significant opportunity to expand this successful formula in the United States by driving brand awareness and leveraging IL MAKIAGE's high-touch, experiential retail model,” ​Michael Farello, co-managing partner of the L Catterton Growth Fund, tells the press.

Farello conveys that the firm is “excited to partner with IL MAKIAGE," ​which he describes as "a rapidly growing brand with a distinct heritage that is uniquely positioned at the intersection of luxury and professional color cosmetics.”​