K-Beauty and J-Beauty: When Exoticism Becomes Markup
Korean and Japanese skincare have genuine innovations, but the blanket premium applied to anything Asian-branded is often just marketing dressed up as quality.
What the beauty industry doesn't want you to know
6 articles
Korean and Japanese skincare have genuine innovations, but the blanket premium applied to anything Asian-branded is often just marketing dressed up as quality.
The 'professional' skincare range in salons is often the same formulation as retail products, just with clinical packaging and higher prices.
That quirky indie brand with the founder story? There's a good chance it's owned by L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, or Unilever. Here's why that matters.
Serums command premium prices despite being simpler and cheaper to manufacture than creams. The pricing logic doesn't match production reality.
The skincare industry's biggest players have largely stopped innovating. Instead, they wait for small brands to prove concepts, then write a cheque.
"Let me analyse your skin and recommend a personalised routine."
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