For years, the narrative around the beauty business has been one of accessibility: It has never been easier to start a brand. Social media lowered the barrier to entry, direct-to-consumer made distribution easier and a strong point of view or the right TikTok mention could turn a single product into a viral hit. But scaling a beauty brand is a different story. “It’s never been easier to launch a beauty brand, yet at the same time never been harder to grow one,” says Will Henderson, founder of the brand Skincare Generics. Converting attention into a scalable business, he adds, requires operational and financial infrastructure that many emerging brands simply do not have. Across skin care , fragrance and cosmetics, founders are navigating a new reality defined by rising costs, constrained supply chains, stricter retail expectations and a widening gap between independent brands and well-funded competitors. Growth is still possible, but it now requires far more than a strong product. I...
Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making. Team Fashionista is summermaxxing: Our PTO is booked, our vacation responders are set and our summer wardrobes are officially restocked. This June, our editors welcomed soaring temperatures with a breezy lace-trim blouse, a neon halter top, paracord-adorned jorts, a linen matching set and a nostalgic floral tee. Our standout footwear finds included shoes for every summertime activity: strappy heeled sandals for happy hour, ballet sneakers for Eurosummer travels and waterproof hiking boots for all-day excursions. A suede shoulder bag, a BookTok-inspired locket and a sleek leather clutch also stood out as our must-have warm-weather accessories. Ahead, see (and shop!) all of our editors' favorite fashion discoveries from June. Rixo Ellery Cotton Blouse, $220, ava...