With 2021 still unpredictable as far as Covid-19 and its ramifications on the Beauty industry—in particular, on Color Cosmetics—we asked some of our industry’s analysts and packaging suppliers for their thoughts on what they anticipate based on their insider knowledge.

Cheryl Bisset, Senior Vice President of Sales, HCP USA

“It’s difficult to predict where we will be by the end of 2021. However, if some semblance of normal life returns, we anticipate consumers enthusiastically embracing fun beauty looks that bring joy and self-expression—particularly colorful eyes and bold lips.”

Larissa Jensen, Vice President, Beauty Industry Advisor, The NPD Group—and a member of Beauty Packaging’s board of advisors:

“When consumers return to the workplace in major cities, when tourism rises, and when spend returns to experiences, we should see a slow return to spending in the makeup category. Once these things happen, there will be a need once again for makeup. Recovery will happen, but it will take time.”

Jensen also says: “From a packaging perspective, sustainability will play a bigger role in the future. It’s a tall order to stand out on shelf and on a scroll while also being refillable, recyclable, eco-friendly and/ or reusable, but it will be increasingly important. Sustainability initiatives are more important to younger consumers than older ones, and as that younger consumer becomes more dominant, it will become a cost of entry.”  

Andrea T. Stelluto-Pinto, SVP sales, NA, Asquan

“Most of the brands want to be ready for September… thinking that Covid-19 will be resolved. We are confident about the effect of the vaccines, and predict the situation will improve during the second quarter.”

Others feel it may be 2022 before we return to a semblance of our old notions of normalcy.

Robert Bulla, Director of Engineering & Innovation, APC Packaging

“We feel that 2021 will be a transition year, and do not see the market coming back to full normality till 2022.”

Vonda Simon, co-founder, SeaCliff Beauty

“I’m hopeful that consumers will want to get out of their sweats and get dressed up again once the pandemic starts to subside.  I also believe that by 2022, consumers will start to realize the cosmetics that have been sitting in their drawers are old or expired. Time to restock!

Still, others view the time beyond Covid as a new normal, a new era, in fact.

DK Tché, CEO & Creative Director of PURPLEPATCH, which is SamHwa’s turnkey division in Seoul 

“Many current futurists who have stated the example of the plague that terminated the 14th-Century medieval period, say that Covid-19 will end the modern era and be a new door to open the ‘ultra-modern’ era. I accept this as a new aspect of change that will change the trends of the times, and not dismiss it as a short-term event to be resolved within this year.”