Welcome to Haul of Fame, your weekly roundup tracking the new products and ideas driving the beauty industry forward.
Included in today’s issue: Colourpop, Crown Affair, E.l.f Cosmetics, Ellis Brooklyn, Heyhae, Kellon Deryck, Korres, Laneige, Marini Skinsolutions, Naturium, Moroccanoil and M.ph Phillips.
But first…
The violinist Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger was on a work trip to India when she began to notice unusually lightened patches of skin across her back. They were harmless, a result of a very common condition called tinea versicolor. Then they gave her an idea. “The epiphany was, could something natural and safe happening on my skin be leveraged to treat dark spots, which I also struggle with?”
Curiosity led to the discovery of malassezine, a molecule that lightens dark spots — and that would form the bedrock of Mother Science, Simpson-Einziger’s biotech skincare brand. Next week it will be listed on Sephora.com, followed by an in-store and online rollout in early March — marking the first time the brand has been available to purchase beyond its direct-to-consumer site.
Sephora’s investment into biotech came slowly, then all at once. The retailer recruited three biotech brands over the last 10 years; it will launch two in March alone, with U Beauty scheduled to join Mother Science on its shelves.
From left to right: co-founders Mike Einziger, Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger and Edna Coryell, who also serves as Mother Science’s chief executive. (Mother Science)
The surge of interest in biotech simply makes logistical sense for beauty companies: instead of reliance on a turbulent, tariff-plagued supply chain, production is guaranteed within the sanctity of the lab. But shoppers are also interested. Google searches for “biotech skincare” peaked in Dec. 2025, after being nonexistent a year before.
As demand for test-backed efficacy reaches new heights, Mother Science chief executive Edna Coryell believes brands like hers who are science first, product second are uniquely poised to meet the moment. As consumer education around skincare becomes increasingly more sophisticated, they’re also far more likely to understand the nuances of biotech innovation — and the allure of a new development.
“We know our clients value innovative brands with intentional formulation, and Mother Science delivers on that,” Sephora’s senior vice-president of skincare merchandising Brooke Banwart said in a statement.
But an even bigger draw for these brands, and the retailers that carry them, is that the buzziest ingredients can be owned. Mother Science’s malassezine is an industry-exclusive, that the brand works closely with a third party contract research and manufacturing organisation to produce. According to results from independent third party lab testing, it is an antioxidant 10 times more powerful than vitamin C.
Priced between $68 and $104, the brand’s three malassezine-powered core products — the molecular hero serum, retinol synergist and molecular genesis barrier repair moisturiser — sits at the luxury end of Sephora’s pricing spectrum. Hoping to entice new customers, the brand will also be launching with a discovery set, containing minis of its molecular hero serum and retinol synergist.
“It’ll be a great place to start if you haven’t tried the products,” said Coryell. “And within a few weeks, they’ll start to see results.”
What else is new…Skincare
Who: Marini Skinsolutions
What: Reboot Serum ($160)
When: Feb. 17
Why: Clinical skincare brand Marini Skinsolutions is the latest to see how far PDRN (salmon sperm-derived polynucleotides) can go with a rejuvenating serum. It’s designed to be used in conjunction with in-office treatments such as microneedling, or to heal post-procedure — hence the premium price point.
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Who: Korres
What: Smart Yoghurt Super Serum
When: Feb. 19
Why: Is your face hitting its protein goals? Korres is on hand to help, harnessing the protein power of Greek yoghurt to deliver a serum ($55) that will soothe the skin barrier in as little as 28 days.
Makeup
Who: Colourpop
What: Cloud Whip Blurring Liquid Lipstick
When: Feb. 15
Why: ColourPop’s nebula of cloud whip blurring lipsticks launched into Target this week. Priced at $11, they’re an inexpensive way to tap into makeup artist Nina Park’s blurred lip look that’s taking 2026 GRWMs by storm.
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Who: M.ph
What: Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation & The Foundation Brush
When: Feb. 16
Why: Colour cosmetics brand M.ph has added a foundation ($49) and foundation brush ($48) to its short-and-sweet roster. With a buildable medium coverage, it’s designed as the topper to founder Mary Phillips’ underpainting technique.
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Who: Laneige
What: K-Pop Pink JuicePop Box Lip Tint + Wristlet Keychain
When: Feb. 17
Why: Laneige’s newest lip tint is K-pop pink ($23). The Katseye-fronted, peptide packed lip oil also comes with a wristlet keychain, perfect for snapping onto a purse (or perhaps some Gap jeans). Not Katseye’s first lip gloss launch — that was Glossier last year — but still gnarly.
Katseye’s Yoonchae wears the new shade, K-Pop Pink. On Jan. 27, the girl group was announced as Laneige’s latest global partner. (Laneige) Fragrance
Who: Matiere Premiere
What: UK expansion, London store opening
When: Feb. 17
Why: Seven years after making its debut at Harrods, French fragrance house Matiere Premiere has opened its first standalone London location. All of its collections, from fine fragrance to hand and body, are stocked in the new Covent Garden boutique.
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Who: Moroccanoil
What: Lumière du Jour Eau de Parfum
When: Feb. 17
Why: A year-on from its maiden fine fragrance launch, Moroccanoil is back with a second scent ($105). Inspired by “Mediterranean mornings”, the fresh scent is fronted by actress Adria Arjona. And if like me you find yourself wondering why it seems every brand needs a fragrance these days, last year’s initial launch sold out in a day.
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Who: Ellis Brooklyn
What: Miss Strawberry Perfume Mist and First Date Perfume Mist
When: Feb. 20
Why: According to Forbes, Ellis Brooklyn grew 80 percent YOY in 2025, largely on scents such as banana milkshake that plucks beauty from something simple. Its latest launches — a strawberry and a first date perfume mist, each $26 — follow suit.
The Matiere Premiere Covent Garden fragrance bar, where shoppers can smell their way through a collection of 6 ml discovery bottles, and curate their own personalised sets. (Oskar Proctor via Instagram) Hair care
Who: Crown Affair X Jennifer Fisher
What: The Big Clip
When: Feb. 17
Why: Crown Affair is back with its biggest clip ever ($67). Designed in collaboration with luxury jewellery designer Jennifer Fisher, the clip is compatible with all hair types, and enters a market thriving with elevated hair accessory brands like Kitsch.
Nails
Who: Heyhae
What: Target launch
When: Feb. 15
Why: LA-born, K-Beauty powered nail brand Heyhae hit Target this week. Its gel nail strips are a tween dream: priced at $9.99, with no LED lamp required. Bestselling packs including Hey, Matcha Girly and Hey, Clean Girl will be available in 1,880 Target stores.
Heyhae’s flexible, polish-like stickers react to sunlight to create a lasting manicure. Select Target stores will also carry a trio of harder-to-find sets. (Heyhae via Instagram)
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