This issue of Beauty Packaging—one of our largest of the year—heads to press with an invigorating redesign that we hope you’ll enjoy. Thanks to our incredible art department, your favorite features and columns have been re-energized, resulting in a crisp, clean format that helps you quickly locate details and contact information, and calls increased attention to all of the very beautiful and innovative packages highlighted in every issue.And this month, in particular, there’s a lot to take in!

Product shots abound as we take an in-depth look at finalists in the HBA International Package Design Awards, and survey creative launches in Color Cosmetics, Tubes and Fragrance Packaging.

The heartfelt (pardon the pun) design of Mary J. Blige’s recently released fragrance, My Life, pictured on this month’s cover, offers proof that packaging plays a key role in influencing consumers to purchase. The striking bottle, which successfully communicates the singer’s love for her multitudinous fans, broke all records for first-day sales—even before the scent arrived on retail shelves. Read more about the launch in the article that begins on page 40, in which three members of Beauty Packaging’s Board of Advisors—Jon Dinapoli of Coty, Scott Widro of Chanel and Philippe Bonningue of L’Oréal—share packaging details on some of their brands’ latest fragrance entries.

We are also thrilled that three additional members of our Board of Advisors have contributed to this issue. Karen Grant, vice president, NPD Beauty, provides perspective on the fragrance market; while Nica Lewis, head consultant, Mintel Beauty Innovation, and Maureen Kelly, CEO and founder of Tarte Cosmetics, offer insight into recent trends in color cosmetics and green packaging.

As always, HBA Global Expo and Luxe Pack Monaco add to fall’s packaging excitement. We’ve provided a preview of each to get your creative thoughts flowing—and look forward to speaking with you at these major industry events. Please stop by our booth at HBA, number 1006, and say hello.

In the meantime, we hope our newly designed package adds to your enjoyment of this issue! If you have a moment, please let me know your thoughts.

Jamie Matusow
[email protected]