Next in Beauty Conference

10:45 – 11:00 | Opening Remarks

Speaker:
Amna Abbas, Senior Consultant- Beauty & Health, Luxury & Fashion, Euromonitor International

11:00 – 11:45 | What Retail Buyers & Distributors Expect in 2026

Hear directly from top retail buyers and distributors about what they’re looking for in 2026. They’ll share what makes a brand stand out—from product trends and pricing to packaging, sustainability, and more. Get practical tips to help your brand get noticed, get stocked, and grow.

Speakers:
Lina Gallagher, Managing Director, Emerce Consulting
Lora Garrard, Head of Luxury, Beauty Solutions
Pooja Rawat, Director- Category Management, Faces

Moderator:
Daniel Leese, Founder, &SOM Skin

11:45 – 12:30 | The Future of Personal Care: Trends & Shifts to Watch

Personal care is evolving fast. In this session, industry experts break down the key trends shaping the future—what’s fading out, what’s here to stay, and what brands need to focus on to stay relevant and connect with today’s beauty-conscious customer.

Speakers:
Amna Abbas, Senior Consultant- Beauty & Health, Luxury & Fashion, Euromonitor International 

12:30 – 13:30 | Breaking Down Formulas: Ingredients that Drive Results

Cosmetic chemists, brand founders, and ingredient experts pull back the curtain on the formulas behind your favorite products. From powerhouse actives to trending naturals, we’ll explore the ingredients that actually deliver results—and how to tell the difference between marketing buzz and real science.

Speakers:
Laurent Millet, General Manager, COSMOS-standard AISBL
Faiza Hussain, Founder and Head of Product Innovation, NEX Skincare
Toufic Braidi, Founder and CEO, Antati Skincare 

13:30 – 14:15 | Behind the Beauty Deals: Growth, Partnerships & M&A Trends

How do some beauty brands grow from small startups into industry leaders—while others stay in the shadows? This session looks at the real stories behind beauty business deals. You’ll hear from founders, investors, and big companies about what it takes to grow, partner, or get acquired. We'll explore what makes a brand stand out, why global players are focusing on the Middle East, and what’s shaping the future of beauty deals.

14:15 – 15:15 | Inside a Successful Product Launch – Strategy & Execution

Brand founders, marketers, and product teams share how they turned an idea into a successful launch. From early research and product planning to getting the word out and landing on shelves, this session gives a clear look at what really makes a product take off.

Speakers:
Florence Roghe, Founder and Director, Collateral Projects
Gaelle Dore, General manager Middle East & India, Centdegres
Jane Henderson, Head of Beauty, Mintel

15:15 – 15:45 | Packaging for Innovation: Functionality, Sustainability & Wow Factor

Great packaging does more than just look good—it needs to work well and respect the planet. In this session, experts share how smart design and sustainable materials come together to create packaging that catches the eye, keeps products safe, and meets today’s eco-friendly expectations.

15:45 – 16:30 | Keynote speaker

16:30 – 17:30 | Wellness for All: Creating Inclusive Spa & Beauty Experiences

This session explores how spas and beauty brands can create welcoming experiences that celebrate diversity and meet the needs of all customers—regardless of age, skin type, background, or ability. Hear from industry leaders about the steps they’re taking to make wellness more inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

Speakers:
Metta Murdaya, Founder, Juara
Soraya Jouzy, Founder, Pearl Tree
Sammy Gharieni, CEO and Founder, Gharieni Group
Sara Codner, Area Director, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Moderator:
Valerie Kaminov – Managing Director, IL Brands Consultancy

11:00 – 11:45 | The Second Wave of K-Beauty: How Korea’s Beauty Innovation Is Reshaping the Global Market

K-Beauty is no longer just a trend—it’s a global category reshaping beauty standards, retail strategies, and consumer expectations across continents. In this session, Sarah Chung Park, CEO of Landing International, unpacks the forces driving the second wave of K-Beauty—from long-term brand building and inclusivity to regional shifts in demand and retail readiness. Learn how Korean brands are evolving to meet global needs—and what it takes to lead in the next era of beauty.

Speaker:
Sarah Chung Park, CEO, Landing International Inc. 

11:45 – 12:30 | BeautyGPT Meets Retail: The Rise of Conversational Commerce as Your BA

What if the most consistent, on-brand Beauty Advisor wasn’t human—but an AI trained in your brand’s voice, values, and product science?

Speaker:
Sadaf Shaikh, Head of Department : Retail Education, Artistry, Service Innovation, CX Excellence & Strategy, Tira

12:30 – 13:30 | The CEO’s Guide to Leading a Beauty Brand in a Fast-Changing Industry

Running a beauty brand today means staying one step ahead—while staying true to your roots. In this candid conversation, CEOs share real stories about adapting to change, connecting with consumers, making tough calls, and keeping their brands both grounded and forward-looking.

Speakers:
Anisha Oberoi, CEO & Founder, Secret Skin
Iryna Kremin, CEO & Founder, INNOCOS

Moderator:
Daniel Leese, Founder, &SOM Skin

14:15 – 15:15 | An Interactive Guide to Global Cosmetics Law

Thinking of taking your beauty brand global? This hands-on session makes the complex world of cosmetics law easier to understand. With a focus on the USA, Europe, and the Middle East, we’ll walk through the essentials—like product claims, labeling, and safety requirements—so you can expand confidently and avoid costly mistakes. Expect real examples, expert tips, and plenty of time for questions.

Speakers:
Kamal Kaur, Managing Director & Principal Regulatory Consultant, The Cosmetic Regulator
Simone Swafford, CEO & Founder,  Vogue Regulatory
Eliza Gilmour, Regulatory Director, Huda Beauty

Moderator:
Caroline Bassoni, Director Of Regulatory Affairs, Association COSMED

15:15 – 16:00 | Unlock the Future: Mintel’s 2026 Beauty & Personal Care Trends

Mintel will unveil its eagerly awaited 2026 beauty & personal care trends. These trends will shine a light on the emerging beauty behaviours and innovation opportunities that are set to shape the industry in the next 3-5 years.

Speaker:
Shiyan Zering, Senior Research Analyst, Mintel

16:00 – 17:00 | AI-Powered Beauty: The Future of Skincare, Haircare & Makeup

What if your skincare knew exactly what your skin needed—or your phone picked the perfect foundation shade in seconds? In this session, we explore how AI is changing the way we discover, use, and shop for beauty. From personalized routines to smarter shopping experiences, we’ll look at how technology is making beauty more intuitive, inclusive, and fun. 

Speakers:
Marina Fallahi, Founder, Bhive London
Myriam Rezgui, CEO & Founder, cAIre Solution
Nadia Kapleva, Medical Director, Lovi

Moderator:
Angela Thomas, CEO & Founder, Angel Success Consulting

17:00 – 18:00 | Inside-Out Beauty: Cosmeceuticals, Supplements & Longevity Skincare

Beauty isn’t just skin deep—it starts from within. This session explores the growing world of cosmeceuticals, beauty supplements, and science-backed skincare designed to support skin health and longevity. From collagen powders to active ingredients and anti-aging innovations, we’ll dive into what’s real, what works, and what’s next in the future of inside-out beauty.

11:00 – 11:45 | The Business of Beauty: What Every Salon Leader Needs to Know in 2026

Running a successful salon today takes more than great service—it takes smart strategy. In this session, we’ll dive into what’s shaping the salon world in 2025, from rising customer expectations and tech tools to staffing, retail, and client loyalty. Whether you’re a salon owner or a manager, get the insights you need to grow your business, stay ahead of trends, and lead with confidence.

Speakers:

Eve El Gemayel, Head Department, House of Beauty
Layla Al Hajjaj, Founder & Managing Director, Boho Salon
Charbel Khoury, Regional Education & Development Director, Schwarzkopf Professional
Maria Dowling, Founder, Managing Director, Creative Director, mariadowling

Moderator:
Daniel Leese, Founder, &SOM Skin

12:30 – 13:30 | Influencers, Experts & Evidence: Who Do Consumers Trust?

In a crowded beauty market, trust is everything. This session explores how consumers navigate advice from influencers, experts, and scientific claims. Who truly shapes decisions—and how can brands build lasting credibility?

Speakers:
Michael Curella, Sr Director MENAT Commercial Strategy, Marketing, CMI, Coty
Anne Tulloch, Divisional Marketing Director Beauty & Wellness, Alshaya Group

Moderator:
Ahaana Khosla, Beauty & Lifestyle Editor

13:30 – 14:00 | Beauty & Wellbeing (B&W) Narrative

We as the Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing Category are taking the lead by converging beauty and wellbeing to meet consumers’ evolving needs. We’re transforming our organization to bring beauty and wellbeing together. We’re advancing new thinking through market-leading science which harnesses this convergence. And we’re delivering for consumers by providing them with products that address the desire for beauty while delivering the demand for wellbeing benefits. 

Speaker:
Asima Haq, Marketing Director, Unilever

14:00 – 15:00 | Women in Beauty Leadership: Breaking Barriers & Driving Change

Behind many of today’s most impactful beauty brands are women rewriting the rules. This session celebrates the journeys of female leaders who’ve broken through barriers, built powerful brands, and are shaping the future of the industry. Join us for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to lead with purpose in a fast-changing beauty world.

Moderator:
Faiza Hussain, Founder and Head of Product Innovation, NEX Skincare

15:45 – 16:45 | Men’s Beauty: The Next Big Segment

The men’s beauty market is evolving rapidly—from skincare and cosmetics to wellness and self-expression. No longer limited to basic grooming, today’s male consumers are embracing a wider range of products and redefining beauty standards. This session explores what’s driving this shift, how brands are innovating to meet demand, and why men’s beauty is emerging as one of the industry’s most promising growth opportunities.

Speakers:
Daniel Leese, Founder, &SOM Skin
Kenneth Hoellmann, Founder & Co- Formulator, MANN Skincare

16:45 – 17:45 | Building Beauty Communities That Last

Today’s beauty fans want more than products — they want to feel part of something. This session explores how brands are creating real, lasting communities by leading with authenticity, shared values, and genuine connection. From co-creation to inclusive storytelling, learn how to turn your audience into loyal advocates who grow with your brand, not just buy from it.

Speakers:
Ines Diogo, Founder & CEO, NES Skin
Anita Baker, Managing Director, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics