Inspiration Tours: Introducing Berlin

Art Museum - Berlin - Copyright - Cosmetics IC / Pic by Solène Albecq

Renowned for its avant-garde art scene, cutting-edge nightlife and conceptual retail, Berlin never fails to inspire. Cosmetics IC recently visited the cultural capital to discover how one of Europe’s most vibrant cities is becoming a key hub for Beauty inspiration. Art Director Solène Albecq reveals her three must-visit stores.

1- HIGHSNOBIETY

Highsnobiety - Copyright - Cosmetics IC / Pic by Solène Albecq

Unter den Linden 40

10117 Berlin

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am-7pm 

www.highsnobiety.com

ID Sheet

Purveyor of street and sneaker culture Highsnobiety has opened a new flagship store in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte district.  With a raw, industrial aesthetic, the store’s interior embraces the type of utilitarian aesthetic synonymous with 20th-century Berlin architecture. The material palette includes concrete, styrofoam, glass and stainless steel, which provides the ideal minimalistic backdrop to the meticulously curated collection of menswear, womenswear, accessories, sneaker, lifestyle and beauty brands. 

Inspiration Seeds

Agility is a key component of the store experience - the vast space is designed for flexibility, and will become a space for community interactions and brand activations. The aim is to build a real-life cultural hub on par with Highsnobiety’s online profile. 

2- LAUNDROMAT

Laundromat - Copyright - Cosmetics IC / Pic by Solène Albecq

Stargarder Strasse 74

10437 Berlin

Open: Tuesday to Friday 2pm-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm

ID Sheet

Laundromat is a new store concept from Adidas that offers clothing rentals, curated second-hand items and collaborations with local artists. Adidas branding is kept to a discreet minimum - the aim here is to emphasise sustainability through rentals and by extending clothing lifespans. Local rental platform Pool offers a hand-picked selection of Adidas items, while the Berlin-based Westend Vintage provides an edit of cult retro streetwear and sneakers (collaborators will change regularly). 

Inspiration Seeds

This is a bold concept from Adidas, which leverages Gen Z’s appetite for re-sell and second-hand clothing to elevate its sustainability message. The store, designed to resemble a laundromat, is a constantly evolving space that is intended to platform local creatives, artists and brands that share a community-centric, planet-friendly approach.


3- FRAU-TONIS PARFUME

Frau-Tonis Parfume - Copyright - Cosmetics IC / Pic by Solène Albecq

Zimmerstraße 13

10969 Berlin

Open: Monday to Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 7pm

www.frau-tonis-parfum.com

ID Sheet

A must-visit for fragrance buffs, Frau-Tonis Parfume produces contemporary, unisex scents inspired by nature and the city itself. The minimalistic philosophy extends to the brand’s marketing (there is none) and their sales approach is one of customer-led exploration. All scents are made in Berlin. 

Inspiration Seeds 

Customers are invited to create their own perfumes, assisted by brand scent experts, and made at the in-store workshop. Everything here is about clarity and transparency - of ingredients and process.




INSPIRATION TOURS

Our Inspiration Tours are individually tailored guides to the world’s best beauty cities. From the K-beauty capital of Seoul to the laid-back cool of Los Angeles - we know where to shop and what to see to inspire your next innovation. Contact the team today for more information.


CONTACT US

For more information, email the team at contact@inspiration-creation.com or visit the website at www.inspiration-creation.com.

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TikTok: February 2024 Trend Inspiration

Source : @runscay / @milkydew / @daniellemarcan

Every month the agency listens in to the beauty conversation on TikTok to uncover the emerging trends to inspire your next innovation.  In February, inspiration came from corporate beauties and porcelain dolls, as Gen Z’s fascination with role-playing through makeup continued to propel beauty in artistic new directions. 



1. Office siren makeup

In keeping with the proliferation of office-friendly looks at Fashion Week (blazer, pencil skirt, tailored shirt...) corporate looks are all over TikTok. Inspired by Bella Hadid’s nod to Y2K office attire, users are recreating the serious but sophisticated makeup style, accessorized by skinny-frame eyewear and clean hair pulled back into a neat bun or accessorized with sensible clips. The makeup is characterized by cool-toned eye shadow in grey/blue hues and discreet liner, a matte powdered complexion, and lightly glossed lips. 

Characteristics: corporate dress code/ metal-framed eyewear/ skinny eyebrows/ cool-tone eyeshadow/ matte complexion

Hashtags: #officesirenmakeup: 7,6M views / #sireneyes: 408M views

Videos: @zoekimkenealy / @lottiestarrs / @lenkalul/ / @runsca

 
 

2. Rhode lip case

Hailey Bieber’s Rhode has developed a new accessory: a specially molded phone case designed to hold one of the brand’s signature Peptide Lip Tints or Treatments. The ergonomic phone case (which also features tactile buttons and a cushioned grip for easier selfie-taking) doubles as travel-friendly storage for quick, on-the-go touch-ups. Bieber’s original Instagram post featuring the Tint holder has clocked over 2.1M likes, proving once again, the influencer’s ability to create viral content linked to product drops.  

Characteristics: portable / travel-friendly / time + space-saving / on-the-go touch-ups

Hashtags:  #rhodeskin: 9M views / #rhodeliptint: 4M views / #peptideliptreatment: 30,1M views 

Videos: @britishvogue / @biebervelli / @milkydew / @justin_haber 

 
 

3. Pearl skin

Following Pat McGrath's iconic makeup look for the Margiela Haute Couture SS24 show in January, TikTok’s obsession with ultra-radiant, almost wet-look skin continues to intensify. An Instagram Live tutorial where the MUA revealed how to recreate the hyper-real porcelain skin effect was watched by 17,000 viewers. Interpretations of McGrath’s surreal, doll-like complexions are given a more achievable twist on TikTok, with creators building on the K-beauty #GlassSkin trend to create super-radiant skin that errs just on the right side of surreal. Using serum foundations, soft pink blush and highlighters, the aim is to achieve an allover ultra-fresh skin look with a radiant, pearlized finish.  

Characteristics: wet-look fresh skin / super-radiance / pearlized highlighters / pink-coral blush /  MAC Hyper Real serum foundation

Hashtags: #pearlmakeup: 9,2M views / #dewymakeup: 106M views / #glassskin: 1,3B views / #glassskinmakeup: 63,7M views

Videos:@daniellemarcan  / @saraorrego__/ @maccosmeticsusa/ @sunyatoo/ @hayleybuix / @sadelm3

 
 

The Cosmetics IC Take

Gen Z’s fascination with character play continues to inspire new levels of creativity and artistry, as they demonstrate a keen ability to translate catwalk inspiration and abstract concepts into achievable everyday looks.

We explore the evolution of luxury gestures and the growing appetite for extravagance in our 2024 White Book: the Age of Thrill, which is available now. Contact the team today to get hold of your copy.

Inspiration Tour: Paris Retail Snapshot

Source: Sephora Champs Elysées - Photo: Cosmetics IC

The CIC team opens the address book on our home city, Paris, revealing our top three destinations for beauty inspiration - from a reinvigorated flagship to a cult new favourite.  

Read on to discover 3 of the Cosmetics IC Paris retail highlights:


Mind Oasis by Rituals

33 Avenue des Champs-Élysées

www.rituals.com

Source: Rituals Champs Elysées - Image: Cosmetics IC

ID Sheet

With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the Mind Oasis spa from Rituals offers a unique experience dedicated to mental relaxation and well-being. Taking a holistic approach aimed at soothing both the body and the mind, the spa offers two distinct experiences: Mental Relaxation and Hydromassage. The space comprises a 250-square-meter Rituals boutique on the ground floor and a 300-square-meter spa on the upper floor, featuring six Mental Relaxation cabins and nine Hydromassage beds.

Inspiration Seeds

This immersive well-being space responds to contemporary aspirations for unique wellness experiences. Appealing to time-pressured consumers, the spa offers relatively short services that can be undertaken during a lunch break or between appointments - the Mental Relaxation treatment lasts for 30 minutes, while a Hydromassage session takes just 20 minutes. Involving the latest technologies, including 4D sound stimulations, haptic vibrations and LED lights, treatments are designed to relieve tension and reinvigorate the body.



Sephora

72 Av. des Champs-Élysées

www.sephora.fr

Source: Sephora Champs Elysées - Image: Cosmetics IC

ID Sheet

The iconic Sephora flagship on the Champs-Élysées (originally opened in 1996) recently reopened after a major renovation. Spanning 1,200 square meters, the new store design takes its inspiration from Parisian architecture - it features a 90-meter central aisle with stone paving and decorative details inspired by 19th century ironwork. The store comprises different thematic spaces covering fragrance, skincare, makeup, haircare, and beauty services, bringing together a lively and in-depth mix of over 300 luxury brands and cult labels. 

Inspiration Seeds

Despite the grand renovation and impressive interior that gives the store a very clearly defined sense of place, what really marks this store out is the commitment to service. Haircare, skincare and brow maintenance are all covered, while a VIP lounge provides exclusive services to top-tier clients, including massages and makeup sessions. Enhancing the experience are animations like "Hot on Social Media" and "Fragrance Discovery" while at the back, an engraving workshop allows customers to personalize their fragrance bottles. The reopening of the store coincides with the build-up to the busy Holiday period, and re-establishes Sephora as Paris’s foremost beauty destination just in time for the Olympics. 




Source: La French Beauty - Image: Cosmetics IC

ID Sheet

Founded by Sébastien Guerra, La French Beauty is a concept store that features a meticulously curated edit of 38 independent French cosmetic brands (known as “roommates”) that share a commitment to responsible practices. Described by Guerra as a "friendly, joyful, and passionate co-living space," La French Beauty captures France’s creative sensibility and commitment to craft. Categories covered include skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, supplement and babycare.

Inspiration Seeds

The store’s mix of cult and indie French brands makes it one of the best places in the city to source new product inspiration. Stocking well-known names such as All Tigers, Absolution, Huages (specializing in CBD), Madame la Présidente, Kadalys, Kerzon, and those catering to children and babies like Ouate and Poupon, it offers a diverse product range. Guerra hosts weekly in-store activities and events, including discussions, product trials, and meetings with brand founders, cultivating a lively and engaged community of French beauty fans.


The CIC Take

Paris has one of the most diverse beauty retail scenes, covering everything from legacy luxury brands to emerging independents, that proudly promote their “Made in France” credentials.

Our uniquely curated Inspiration Tours offer a comprehensive exploration of Paris and the richness of French craftsmanship - contact us today for your guide.     

INSPIRATION TOUR: SEOUL RETAIL SNAPSHOT

This month, CIC Chief Inspirations Officer Leila Rochet has been shopping and gallery hopping in Seoul, traversing the K-beauty capital to source the latest cult products, cutting-edge innovations and creative inspirations to feed the agency’s trend division.

When it comes to Beauty it’s hard to beat South Korea for innovation - from ground-breaking formulations, game-changing trend directions and awe-inspiring retail concepts. And retail has never been so dynamic, propelled by local brands that play with the codes of K-style.

Read on to discover 3 of Leila’s Seoul retail highlights:

1. ADER ERROR

518-11 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 

Image - Copyright - Cosmetics Inspiration & Creation

ID Sheet: Known for bold and ultra-creative in-store experiences and conceptual fashions, Ader’s latest store takes a sci-fi leap into the future of multi-reality store design. Part retail store, part art gallery, the space is dedicated to the brand’s progressive vision and challenges customers to interact with their surroundings. Ader is also phygital retailing pioneer - customers can shop and try on goods virtually via Zepeto, take an online VR tour, or interact with in-store digital artworks and interfaces.

Inspiration Seeds: The store’s emphasis on experience encourages customers to truly discover, and engage with, the products. The giant fountain at the centre of the store is a highlight, but in the Ader world nothing is quite as it seems: a changing room can also double as a noraebang singing room, fixtures and fittings move on demand. 

2. WIGGLE WIGGLE.ZIP

1 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Image - Copyright - Cosmetics Inspiration & Creation

ID Sheet: This joyful multilevel concept store truly lives up to the lifestyle brand’s motto of, “let's make the obvious fun”. And so, over four floors, you will discover a riot of super-colourful homewares, accessories, pet products, toiletries and trinkets featuring the brand’s signature flower or bear motif. 

Inspiration Seeds: A favourite with K-Pop icons including BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Wiggle Wiggle.Zip is unapologetically playful. The store features a number of key interactive areas that are primed for Instagram photos and TikTok videos, where shoppers can pose with props against colourful backdrops, hang around in ‘upside down’ rooms or try out toiletries in a section styled like a cutesy home bathroom. 


3. THE PERFUME CLUB BY SOOHYANG

28 Seongsui-ro 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Copyright - Cosmetics Inspiration & Creation

ID Sheet: This unique perfume gallery plays to rising connoisseurship by presenting a library of scents. Situated in a former perfume factory, the under-the-radar retail space and workshop is purposefully moody and mysterious, creating a sophisticated environment in which to discover luxury scents by Soohyang. 

Inspiration Seeds: This hidden gem in the upcoming neighbourhood of Seongsu is dedicated to the discovery of new scents. Presented as a social space where people can come together over a common interest in scent, it is a unique space that perfectly illustrates Seoulista’s rising interest in perfumes.

The CIC Take:

Our bespoke Inspiration Tours are uniquely tailored guides to key cities covering retail, galleries, museums, architectural hot spots, and the coolest places to eat and drink. Our partners, Latitude37, are our boots-on-the-ground in Seoul, and as local retail experts - we work closely with the Latitude team to ensure our guides are packed with the latest hotspots and openings.

Following our recent research trip, we can also compile a detailed Retail Report where we will explore the latest openings, consumer shifts and social influences impacting Seoul’s dynamic retail scene.

If you are interested in an Inspiration Tour of Seoul (or any other Beauty city) or a Retail Report please drop us a line today to discuss your needs!

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