Luxe Pack LA (officially called Luxe Pack Los Angeles) joined once again with MakeUp in LA (also known as MakeUp in LosAngeles), on March 4-5 at the LA Convention Center. Together, the two shows, held side by side on one exhibit floor, welcomed 5,470 visitors.

This robust attendance was an increase of 11%, compared to the previous edition. According to show organizers, the increase “reinforced the annual event’s role as a vital meeting point, especially for professionals in the West Coast packaging sector.”

The combined trade show also hosted two days of beauty-expert presenters, in back-to-back, standing-room-only educational conferences.

A Hub for Innovation

Over two dynamic days, the show floor became a hub for innovation, high-level networking, and concrete business opportunities. The show brought together brands, suppliers, and industry leaders.

Participants explored new formulations, ingredients, packaging solutions, turnkey products, and manufacturing capabilities. Visitors “identified partners able to accelerate the development and launch of next-generation skincare and color cosmetics.” 

The show floor featured everything from concepts to ready-to-market solutions. Organizers said, “The event is a place for strategic meetings, sourcing opportunities, and new collaborations across the entire beauty value chain.” 

Show Floor Talk

At first glance, color was everywhere–from palettes, to formulations, to bottles, boxes, and jars.

Colorful novelties, including keychain cosmetic holders and tiny plush creatures, were everywhere. There were neon hues for both packaging and product. They lent a spirit of optimism to the beauty industry. Visitors and suppliers shared stories of pending orders and signed-on-the-dotted-line agreements. 

As far as trends spotted, it seemed that more suppliers and brands are offering inclusive packaging. It’s a democratic effort to help users with mobility issues, aging, or sight impairments. These design details and decorations include embossing words on the bottle and developing simple one-handed openings/closures.

Dispensing and delivery remained hot topics. Advances are enhancing both formulation textures and precise dosages. Different applicator tips in various sizes, shapes, and materials “guarantee” that the application is sensuous and smooth. Some dual-ended components highlighted the growing heating/cooling delivery trend. Some packaging delivered treatment products via dip-in metal applicators.

For brands and developers, high-tech package-driven innovation was everywhere. Red light and blue light therapies illustrated how secondary applicators can extend product performance. These can differentiate offerings—and respond to the growing demand for tech-enabled, wellness-focused haircare and skincare. 

Paper-Based Packaging, Fragrance Demand & More

There were also more paper-based packaging solutions shown, from compacts to mailers. More exhibitors offered Made in NA services. Sticks remain popular, for everything from fragrance to skincare.

The fragrance category reflected its sustained growth and heightened consumer demand. According to show organizers, this year’s fragrance presence more than doubled from last year. This “reflects a growing demand for innovation, bold scents, and new opportunities across the category.”

Some exhibitors reported that orders were stalled because brands hesitate to sign purchase orders or submit year-long forecasts. This is due to factors such as tariffs and the economy. Another slowdown is that some brands are developing fewer SKUs or fewer pieces per SKU.

Sustainability remains a strong talking point. There’s increasing attention on refillables, though some say “green” is not always a priority when brands weigh pricing. 

Above all, networking and knowledge are essential to the cosmetic industry — and to the success of the Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in LA experiences. 

Up Close with Exhibitors

Following is a rundown of suppliers and highlights we spotted at Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in LA. Beauty Packaging’s publisher, Jay Gorga, and I paid visits around the show floor.

Companies are arranged in alphabetical order:

Act Beauty

Act Beauty, a B2B specialist in premium bags, makeup, and beauty accessories, highlighted its full turnkey services at MakeUp in LA. For 30+ years, Act has delivered “elegant, responsible solutions,” and earned EcoVadis Platinum status. The company’s in-house design team develops bespoke collections backed by global production capabilities. 

Albéa Cosmetics & Fragrance

Albéa presented a wide range of packaging solutions. These designs “support American skincare and makeup brands in their sustainability, performance, and design ambitions.” The company has opened a second Beauty Lab in Matamoros, Mexico, strategically located to serve North American and LATAM customers. 

New mascara and lip gloss collections were on display, and the Lolli Tottle Family range (shown) now includes multiple formats in a variety of sizes. Sharing the same design and features, this expanded family allows brands to address a wider variety of applications, from makeup and skincare to personal care. 

The supplier showcased its refillable and mono-material stick packaging designed for skincare and makeup. Offerings include Skinstick 2.0, a solid skincare stick with a round format and refillable system. The package allows users to apply a product exactly where needed while keeping their hands clean. The entire stick, including the refill, is polypropylene (PP). 

Endless Kiss is a versatile lipstick pack that can be tailored to products from lipstick and lip balm to concealer. Made entirely of polypropylene, it is both refillable and recyclable in the PP stream. It features Albéa’s new Rouge Green mechanism—a mono-material lipstick mechanism, made of three pieces.

Anisa International

Anisa International introduced the ProPress Collection at MakeUp in LA. The new brush design delivers “seamless versatility.” Its innovative shape enables broad, effortless blending and precise detailing, with each brush supporting multiple application techniques. The supplier’s recent consumer testing shows that “intentionally paired brushes can improve both application and sales performance, and ProPress offers several power-duo options to maximize results.” 

APC Packaging

At Luxe Pack LA, APC Packaging’s team demonstrated its UV-reactive ink technology to visitors. It reveals hidden decorative elements when exposed to sunlight, adding an unexpected and engaging visual effect to packaging. Under normal indoor lighting, the design appears minimal, but natural UV light activates additional graphics, patterns, or branding details. This innovation enhances product storytelling on-shelf while giving brands a dynamic way to surprise and delight consumers outdoors.

Arcade Beauty

Arcade Beauty exhibited at Luxe Pack LA. The company made big news when it introduced “the first recycle-ready sampling solution for skincare, haircare, and color.” The paper-based item reduces plastic while maintaining product integrity and ease of use.

Once known primarily for its sample solutions, Arcade now offers a plethora of services, including mixing, filling, and retail size options—made both in North America and globally. The NJ-based company even produces its own glass vials. (See interview at BeautyPackaging.com)

Asquan 

Asquan’s Michelle Wong showed us some popular packs at MakeUp in LA. Offerings include a powder drop jar, which is a 1-dose system with loose powder that’s gravity-fed. The Bondi is a system for low-viscosity formulations that starts and stops; open the cap, and it flows.

Brivaplast

Brivaplast, a specialist in mascaras and fiber technology, introduced a member of their Fiber Mixology family at MakeUp in LA. The Blue Pixie APP650 (shown) is a mascara brush uniquely crafted by blending two distinct fibers. Black fibers make up the brush’s solid section and soft body, while blue fibers boast an X-shaped cross-section and a harder body.

This balanced mix allows Blue Pixie APP650 to pick up “a great amount of product for a one-stroke application.” The thicker blue fibers comb and separate lashes, while the thinner black fibers trap the product for a full, one-coat release.

The winding curve profile creates a slim peanut shape that effortlessly follows your eye’s natural curve, making application easy.

Club Kuma

Club Kuma is a full-service creative and manufacturing studio founded in 2023 by industry veterans Tim Thorpe and Jenny Hsu, alongside Creative Director Jeremy Wilson and Head of Design Megan Langdon. They offer branding, design, product development, and manufacturing across all beauty categories. Hsu told Beauty Packaging, “While we’re happy to respond to a brief, we’re most effective as a strategic partner. Our best work comes from closely collaborating with brand stakeholders to create products that stand out in a saturated market.”

Cosmogen

Cosmogen showcased a variety of applicators and systems for makeup and skincare at Luxe Pack LA. All are designed for speed-to-market. The Tense Cushion (shown) features a dual-sided applicator that combines a canula with a soft, washable sponge. It allows accurate application with the canula, then immediate blending for a smooth, natural finish. The combined system supports touch-ups while limiting product waste. 

Drop to Drop features a transparent PET applicator. It stands out for its drop-shaped tip, enabling targeted and controlled application. Transparency allows direct visibility of the formula during application, ensuring precision on delicate areas.

Powder Pack is the first patented watertight powder packaging, made from recyclable polypropylene and designed for rehydratable powder formulas. Its push-button dispensing system delivers a clean, single-controlled dose. The pack is refillable to reduce environmental impact. 

Cosmopak

At Cosmopak, Walter Dwyer, CEO, showed us an array of mini cosmetic items and charms. Many have been commercialized, as they’re geared for speed-to-market. Many of the brands they work with are indies. Solid fragrance is another favorite, as are small jars with different applicator tips. A turnkey SPF pack is “ready-to-go.” Dwyer emphasized that their turnkey service is rapidly growing.

Coverpla

LuxePack LA 2026 was especially meaningful for Coverpla’s team, as it marked the first time their CEO, Sebastien Saussereau, traveled from France to join them in Los Angeles.

One of the highlights of the week was the introduction of the Emeraude bottle, created in collaboration with Groupe Pochet to celebrate the two glass suppliers’ 40-year partnership.

Coverpla also shared several new developments focused on refillable fragrance packaging. For instance, the Laura 100ml bottle is now available in a refillable neck finish, “offering a more sustainable option while maintaining the familiar proportions and presence of the original design.” In addition to Laura, Coverpla introduced the Verdi 50ml, the smaller counterpart of the popular refillable Verdi 100ml.

To round out their eco-friendly additions, they also introduced the Neo 50ml refillable, which pairs naturally with the new Fit wood cap, featuring a cork lining.

“These options give brands greater flexibility as refill programs continue to grow,” said Gilda Mirra Cutri, VP of Operations & Business Development, Coverpla.

CTK

In LA, CTK focused on its OTC factory and white label. Jackie Paterno told Beauty Packaging, With CTK OTC Laboratories, you can launch FDA-approved OTC skincare and suncare products faster, safer, and smarter.” All are made in CTK’s certified California facility with strict quality and regulatory compliance” from formula to compliance, with U.S. manufacturing excellence.”

Elcos

Elcos showcased its EAJ-400RK glass jar at Luxe Pack LA. Howard Kim, International Director of Sales & Marketing, says the jar “elevates beauty packaging with a refined glass airless design built for modern sustainability.” Its innovative rotation-free refill system reduces bulk and enhances usability, creating a smooth, rounded silhouette that feels both contemporary and intuitive. 

A registered Korean patent underscores its technical originality, while the metal-free pump, glass outer vessel, and PCR PP inner container combine premium materials and responsible design. “Thoughtfully engineered for effortless use and clean separation after disposal, the EAJ-400RK represents a new standard in refillable luxury,” says Kim.

Fusion PKG

Kelly Kopa, Director of Marketing at Fusion PKG, told Beauty Packaging that they had just won an innovative packaging award for their needle-nose tube, which is designed for smooth application. She also said that of late, there’s been a ramp-up in sprayers, and Fusion had many to offer, some with “a plush look.” Their Mist Master received lots of attention. 

Geka 

Geka was a finalist in the Innovation & Trends (IT) Awards at the MakeUp in Los Angeles show. Designed to deliver a powerful mechanical lifting effect, Geka’s lift-up FIBER filament (shown) for mascara application features a solid round base with a tip split into four fine ends. This structure allows lashes to fall naturally into the gaps at the tip, lifting them while supporting even product pick-up. A porous fiber surface further improves bulk pick-up, helping to deliver visible results with control and consistency. Geka’s Lea Bogenreuther, Junior Marketing Manager, said customers have recently been requesting more items for the face category. They also have a tool to “make freckles.”

GPI Beauty

It was like a playful fantasy land at GPI Beauty’s stand as they showcased “Bubbleverse,” a “bouncy” new hybrid color-skincare collection, at MakeUp in Los Angeles.

Designed for brands looking to capitalize on the continued growth of skincare-infused makeup, the Bubbleverse turnkey collection showcases a blend of advanced texture systems and high-impact, shelf-ready packaging innovations.

According to the global supplier of custom packaging and turnkey solutions for the beauty and personal care industry, “Bubbleverse responds to key market drivers: lightweight complexion enhancement, breathable wear, and sensorial formats that translate across retail and social channels.” 

Packaging-wise, the collection emphasizes translucent components, pastel-forward color stories, and light-reflective design details that enhance shelf visibility and consumer engagement. The collection is designed for turnkey scalability, with customization options across packaging formats, decoration, and claims positioning.

“As hybrid makeup continues to outpace traditional color categories, brands are seeking next-generation textures and thoughtfully engineered packaging that deliver both performance and clear shelf differentiation,” said Megan Gunn, Sr. Director of Strategic Marketing, GPI Beauty. 

As part of their commitment to vertical integration and U.S.-based production, GPI operates R4 Industrial USA, their wholly owned tube manufacturing facility in Las Vegas.  

ICONS Beauty Group

ICONS always shows a bright array of packaging, from bottles to tubes to charms. Many options are refillable. IML tubes are manufactured in the U.S. Jay Gorga, and I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Lingren, who is Chief Executive Officer of ICONS Beauty Group, succeeding Sue Nichols, the company’s founder.

Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) 

Innovative Beauty Group (IBG), a global brand development ecosystem serving mass to prestige beauty, exhibited at MULA with a message that signals its next chapter: Agency, Innovation, and Intelligence. This showing marked the North American introduction of centdegrès creative capabilities, the debut of IBG’s Beauty Intelligence Division, and the unveiling of first-to-market packaging concepts from IBG’s design and engineering teams, alongside the data-driven MakeUp in LA’s Matcha Mode collection (shown).

With over 400 beauty professionals across 12 global offices, and a network of more than 200 industrial partners, IBG has long operated as one of beauty’s most comprehensive turnkey solution providers. Its presence at MakeUp in LA 2026 represented “a deliberate evolution, one that brings world-class brand strategy, proprietary consumer intelligence, and breakthrough packaging design together under one ecosystem for the first time in the North American market.”

“Centdegrès changed the model for IBG. We were a product development company. Now we are a brand development company,” said Jennifer Raphael, CEO North America. “MakeUp in LA is where North America meets that capability for the first time.”

IBG’s Matcha Mode Collection

The MakeUp in LA Matcha Mode collection is the first product line developed entirely through this methodology. The collection was born from a demand signal that was impossible to ignore: matcha-related searches, consumer craze, and wellness convergence. U.S. beauty alone grew into one of the fastest-accelerating trends, supported by spikes in search volume and social engagement across every major digital platform.

The collection spans skincare, makeup, body care, hair care, and accessories, with each product validated against category-specific data, including individual search trends, market sizing, and consumer behavior signals. The collection draws on K-beauty formulation principles and textural innovation rooted in IBG’s Seoul-based expertise, translating Korean skincare philosophy into unique formats that appeal directly to consumer preferences.

“We built the Beauty Intelligence Division because we believe the future of beauty product development belongs to companies that can read consumer signals in real time and translate them into market-ready products at speed,” said Raphael. “Matcha Mode is the proof of concept.” 

Inoac

Inoac offers closures and snap over-caps, along with bottles. A wide variety of sustainability options are available, as is extrusion in multiple layers. Tactile digital printing, in any design, grabs consumer attention. 

Lumson 

Lumson spotlighted its new pump named “Free,” which was designed without metal components. It is the result of five years of research to redefine pump mechanics without metal components. 

At its core lies an innovative, tried-and-tested material from cutting-edge fields such as aerospace and medical, adapted for the beauty industry. The material is durable, lightweight, flexible, and resistant to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stress.

Developed entirely in-house, Lumson says “Free” delivers long-term dosage accuracy, effortless actuation, and enhanced user comfort, and has obtained RecyClass Technology Approval. It is also fully compatible with PP stream and Letter of Compatibility (LoC)– Class A. 

Nuon Medical

Nuon Medical says its Active Applicator, Precision Light Therapy for Eye Care, “redefines how advanced skincare technologies can be seamlessly integrated into packaging.” This applicator combines LED phototherapy with micro-vibration to enhance the efficacy of eye care treatments.

Designed for precision, the applicator ensures targeted delivery of the formula, particularly for delicate areas like the eyes. The integrated cream outlet allows for controlled dispensing, while the lid system prevents product leakage, offering both convenience and hygiene.

The combination of LED light therapy and micro-vibration promotes collagen production and reduces puffiness. Micro-vibration helps enhance ingredient absorption, ensuring the formula works as intended.

According to Nuon, early clinical studies indicate a 25% improvement in skin hydration within the first week of use, demonstrating the tangible benefits of integrating advanced delivery technologies with skincare routines.

By incorporating these technologies into a unified applicator, Nuon provides a solution that elevates both product performance and user experience, positioning brands to meet the growing demand for precision skincare solutions. (See video interview at BeautyPackaging.com)

SR Packaging

As part of the project for the KAO Curél Softening Lotion, SR Packaging provided the tailored curvy-shaped EBM Airless Bottle (shown). It is crafted specifically for this gentle, hydrating formula. Weighing just 23.4 g with an OFC of 219 ml, the chemically neutral Bag-in-Bottle design protects the delicate lotion from oxidation. 

Recognizing the “chaotic nature of parenting,” the bottle is shaped for an easy one-handed grip and features residue-free, 360° dispensing, allowing it to work perfectly even when held upside down.

SR Packaging showed an assortment of Made in USA and advanced packaging offerings including their PCS PET Jar. The jar, plus its PCR PP cap, was tailored into “a matte pink lure” for Fenty Beauty’s Jumbo Butta Drop. 

SR emphasizes that they reduce virgin plastic consumption by diverting plastic waste from landfills and oceans. This lowers carbon footprint with PCR production, which “requires significantly less energy than virgin resin.” Plus, “the PET jar remains recyclable in most municipal streams.”

The ergonomic jumbo form was designed for a comfortable grip despite the larger volume, ensuring easy access to the product. The PCR PP cap offers a smooth, high-end opening experience consistent with luxury skincare standards.

Texen-Quadpack

At Texen-Quadpack, an elegant panstick drew attention for “an elevated makeup experience.” The Linea PP Panstick (shown) blends sustainability, sophistication, and performance, featuring an ultra-smooth, refillable mechanism wrapped in an elegant casing made in Europe.

It is described “as a stylish packaging solution for makeup brands seeking high-end aesthetics, recyclable materials, and reliable performance.” Quadpack says that the refillable stick “combines European-crafted design with a proven mechanism, to meet the demands of today’s beauty market.”

The Panstick is designed for a variety of makeup formulas, including stick foundations, blushes, highlighters, and contour products. And sustainability is inherent in the mono-material design. 

Quadpack’s Dropify bottle opens with just a simple twist; presses for controlled dosage, and is excellent for one-handed use.

Tokiwa 

Tokiwa welcomed attendees to experience how its “world-class formulation science is redefining both makeup and hair care.”  They said the company’s “performance-driven” philosophy, which has set the standard in the makeup category, is now being applied to hair. 

Yukinobu Akita, Tokiwa’s CEO and President, said, “MakeUp in Los Angeles marks an exciting moment for Tokiwa. We are bringing the performance, texture, and formulation expertise our partners expect in color cosmetics to the hair category. We invite brands to see how our heritage in mechanical technology and cosmetic science creates market-ready solutions that consumers can see and feel.” Some of this year’s key makeup and haircare showcases included Liquid Bronzer with Stain, Silicone-Free Highlighter, Silicone-Free Eyeshadow Stick, Hair Slick Gel, and Powdery Finish Hair Mascara. 

Verescence

Verescence is the only glassmaker with local production in the USA, supporting both established and emerging beauty brands with custom developments and a range of customizable standard bottles, all with short lead times. With sustainability being a focus, they use recycled glass, develop lightweight designs, and continuously improve processes to reduce their environmental footprint.

At Luxe Pack LA, visitors saw the latest makeup packaging solutions in glass, including Verescence’s new IVY mascara bottle. The IVY mascara bottle is a recyclable glass bottle for mascaras and lash/brow serums developed in partnership with HCP Packaging. It features a round section and an elongated silhouette, offering a wide surface for customization (lacquering, silk-screening, or hot stamping).

See You Next Year!

Next year’s Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in LA are scheduled for February 23-24, 2027, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Read Next

Cosmoprof Miami Heats Up in Its Third Edition