About 25 years ago, a friend of mine presented me with a small, rust-colored, cork-plugged clay vessel filled with a reddish-brown iron oxide called Indian Earth. She showed me how the multi-purpose powder could be smoothed on as an all-over bronzer or dabbed on to punctuate cheeks, eyes or lips.

Who would have guessed that my novel gift would evolve into the literal foundation of the mega-mineral cosmetics firm Bare Escentuals, which our more than 20,000 online readers voted Beauty Packaging’s 2010 Beauty Company of the Year: Excellence in Packaging?

Bare Escentuals took mineral makeup to new heights, not only by refining the powders, but by developing innovative packaging components, many of which are highlighted in this issue’s Cover Story.

They also created highly stylized secondary packaging—with witty names, bold graphics and appealing colors—that consumers crave as much as the formulations. But it’s the authenticity and girl-next-door appeal of executive chairman Leslie A. Blodgett that seals the deal.

Wholearth Beauty, launched by environmental guru Danny Seo, shares certain similarities with Bare Escentuals. Seo is committed to his vision of product and packaging and, like Blodgett, aims to educate consumers by taking his message live via social media and television. Both personalities tell a compelling story, which has resulted in much more than a customer base—more of a community, whose members are often referred to as “fans” or even “addicts.”

The successful consumer connections made by these brands, and others, back up optimistic market research gathered for the final months of 2010, and indicate why The NPD Group’s Karen Grant, in her outlook for 2011, says, “We find ourselves equipped to continue driving beauty forward in all categories.”

At Beauty Packaging, we look forward to another exciting year of covering all your advances. After all, we believe in our vibrant beauty community—and are your greatest fans!

Publisher Jay Gorga and I wish you a happy, peaceful and profitable year!