An image from a church on the background.
Trends & Insights • January 9, 2026

Where the magic lives.

I was somewhere in the 15th arrondissement when I realized I had no idea where I was going. This wasn’t my first time in Paris. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower—I’d done all that. This afternoon, I wanted something different. So I got on the train with my camera and just… rode. No destination. No plan. Just the decision to get lost and see what happened. I ended up at a local park I’d never heard of, watching the sunset bleed behind a clock tower. The light was perfect. The composition wrote itself. It became one of my favorite photographs from continue reading ->
Diego Lapetina • 2 minutes
An illustration showing who to hire
Cosmetics • January 9, 2026

Who Should You Hire to Start a Skincare Brand?

Most people don’t fail in skincare because they lack passion or taste. They fail because they hire the wrong type of help at the wrong stage. And the industry doesn’t make this easy. Titles are vague. Capabilities overlap. Some businesses intentionally blur lines. Others simply don’t know what they don’t know. This guide exists so you can make an informed decision before money, time, and momentum are lost. The Independent Formulator What this usually means: What they’re good at: This is often a cost-effective starting point and they enjoy researching ingredients. They are great and creating 500 g batches and continue reading ->
Annie Graham • 4 minutes
But how much?
Cosmetics • January 4, 2026

What Are The Costs Of Starting A Beauty Brand?

Every week we talk to founders who are excited, inspired, and ready to take their idea to market. And every week, we find ourselves explaining the same thing: building a beauty product isn’t cheap, quick, or linear. Timelines depend on material lead times, shipping, package production, testing timelines — there are lots of moving parts and no one can supply you with a smooth map from beginning to end. Here’s what it really takes, stage by stage.Everyone loves the idea of creating a beauty product. It’s glamorous, creative, and potentially life-changing. But the reality is that building a cosmetic line continue reading ->
Annie Graham • 4 minutes
Diego Looking at Camera
Trends & Insights • February 17, 2026

Indie Brands are the Future of Luxury

Is luxury dead? Our data-driven analysis of earning reports & Google searches reveals how indie brands built on trust are winning. continue reading ->
Diego Lapetina • 4 minutes
5 mistakes to avoid when starting your beauty business
Cosmetics • January 4, 2026

Top 5 Mistakes Indie Beauty Brands Make

The Start. Launching an indie beauty brand is exhilarating but, also terrifying. One minute you’re dreaming of viral sell-outs and Sephora shelves, the next you’re wondering if anyone will even notice your launch. If you’ve ever thought, “Why do some brands take off while others fade away?”, you’re not alone. After helping countless founders develop and launch products, we’ve noticed the same five mistakes trip up indie beauty brands again and again. The good news? They’re all avoidable. Especially with a little help from Atomic Pom Labs. Here’s how to dodge the pitfalls and give your brand the best chance continue reading ->
Annie Graham • 3 minutes
A little robot AII scene
Cosmetics • February 18, 2026

Formulating Cosmetics with AI

Why AI Is Not a Replacement for a Cosmetic Chemist Sometimes I would love to put my feet up on the desk all day and let AI run my life. But, here is why I don’t think that’s going to happen right now. In an age where algorithms write ad copy, AI tools draft formula suggestions, and entire skincare lines claim to be “AI-developed,” it’s tempting to believe that machines can replace the human minds behind beauty innovation. But here’s the truth, artificial intelligence is a tool, not a formulator. And when it comes to the actual craft of cosmetic continue reading ->
Annie Graham • 6 minutes