Next in Beauty brings together leading professionals from the beauty industry for an immersive conference dedicated to exploring the present and future of beauty.
With a lineup of international speakers, the event features industry experts from top global and regional brands who share fresh perspectives, groundbreaking insights, and advanced business strategies.
Each edition spotlights pivotal themes such as Market Trends, the evolving Business Landscape, and in-depth discussions on Marketing and Innovations shaping the beauty sector both locally and globally.
Keynote speakers inspire attendees with their journeys and expertise, while honoured guests deliver compelling messages on important topics like sustainability.
Next in Beauty serves as a hub of inspiration, collaboration, and forward-thinking, setting the tone for the future of the industry.
Introducing our 2025 Keynote Speaker, Sara Al Rashid
Introducing Sara Al Rashid, founder of Asteri Beauty, will deliver the keynote address at our upcoming Next in Beauty conference, offering her unique perspective on clean, vegan, and desert-proof beauty.
In her session, she will share insights from Asteri’s rapid growth, 13 stores across the GCC in just two years and reveal the vision, values, and creativity behind building a brand celebrated for truth, inclusivity, sustainability, and sisterhood.
This session will be moderated by Andrea Nagel, Chief Content Officer, CEW.
2025 Highlighted Speakers
Anita Baker
Managing Director, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Michael Curella
Sr Director MENAT Commercial Strategy, Marketing, CMI, Coty
Pooja Rawat
Director Category Management, Chalhoub Group
Anne Tulloch
Divisional Marketing Director Beauty & Wellness, Alshaya Group
Layal Akouri
Partner & CEO, Nadine Njeim Beauty
Lavinia Popescu
Chief Science Officer, Olaplex
Schedule
Day 1
27 October 2025
10:45 - 11:00 | The World Beauty Market and the Rise of Arab Beauty
11:00 - 11:45 | What Retail Buyers & Distributors Expect in 2026
11:45 - 12:30 | The Future of Personal Care: Trends & Shifts to Watch
12:30 - 13:30 | Breaking Down Formulas: Ingredients that Drive Results
13:30 - 14:15 | Global Dealmakers: Inside Beauty’s New Investment Playbook
10:45 – 11:00 | The World Beauty Market and the Rise of Arab Beauty
The global beauty and personal care market continues to experience strong growth, driven by key regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Consumers are increasingly value-conscious, yet they seek products that effectively support long-term beauty and wellness — enabling them to age gracefully and healthily.
This key opening session will explore the latest trends shaping industry developments both globally and locally. It will examine market differences and similarities, highlight the evolution of Arab Beauty, and uncover future opportunities on the horizon.
Join to discover the latest beauty trends such as recession glam, healthspan plans, clinical confidence, loyalty immersion, and eco-evaluation. Learn how, despite macroeconomic challenges, businesses continue to innovate, renovate, and expand to unlock new growth opportunities.
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
Salmeh Vakilian, Head of Endemic Business, Amazon Ads
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.
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 Milet, General Manager, COSMOS-standard AISBL
Faiza Hussain, Founder and Head of Product Innovation, NEX Skincare
Toufic Braidi, Founder and CEO, Antati Skincare
Moderator:
Eva Lagarde, CEO & Founder, re-sources.co
13:30 – 14:15 | Global Dealmakers: Inside Beauty’s New Investment Playbook
Against the backdrop of the global gathering of the beauty industry at Beautyworld Middle East, this investor panel brings a truly global lens to beauty’s capital markets. Moderated by John Cafarelli, President + Co-Founder of BeautyMatter, top investors from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia unpack where capital is flowing now, how deal terms are evolving, and what signals they’re watching across channels, geographies, and categories. We’ll explore growth themes— science-backed skincare and wellness convergence, fragrance momentum, and tech-enabled retail—alongside the realities of valuation, margins, global supply chains, and the path to profitability. Attendees will leave with a pragmatic map of today’s funding landscape, regional differences in investor focus, and actionable guidance on what makes a breakout brand financeable in 2025.
Speakers: Cristina Nuñez, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, True Beauty Ventures
Presca Ahn, Global Investment Director, BOLD, L'Oréal
Shubham Poddar, Founder & CEO, AÏZA by Amaani
Ahmad Shamieh, General Partner, Homegrown Ventures
Moderator: John Cafarelli, President & Co-Founder, BeautyMatter
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
Jane Henderson, Chair of Beauty and Wellness, Mintel
Alexandra Jane Reynolds- Head of CPG, Amazon ads
Moderator:
Ritu Upadhyay, Middle East Bureau Chief, WWD
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.
Speaker: Shari Jafari, Advisor, Mind The Beauty AG
Eva Lagarde, CEO & Founder, re-sources.co
Elizaveta Fadeeva, Skincare Brand Development Director and Project Lead, Incenta
Moderator:
Flo Akinbiyi, Presenter and Communication Coach
15:45 – 16:30 | Transforming Beauty: Insights from Asteri Beauty
Join us for a fireside chat with Sara Al Rashid, the visionary founder of Asteri Beauty. Explore the journey of building a brand that’s redefining the beauty landscape—its philosophy, innovations, and commitment to empowering individuals. Sara shares the story behind the brand, the challenges overcome, and the principles that make Asteri Beauty more than just products, but a movement in modern beauty.
Speaker: Sara Al Rashid, Founder, Asteri Beauty
Moderator: Andrea Nagel, Chief Content Officer, CEW
Discover how spas and beauty brands can collaborate to deliver innovative wellness experiences. Industry leaders will share successful partnership strategies, emerging trends, and approaches to creating memorable and impactful customer journeys.
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
10:30 – 11:00 | Driving Success Through Collaboration: Navigating Growth and the Role of Sustainable Investment
Next-generation beauty is seeing an evolution with investors, from prioritising ethical businesses to developing a more collaborative and transparent structure, brand founders have more choices on how to navigate their growth.
In this Fireside Conversation two pioneers in beauty and finance, will share their approach to building the future of beauty and how, through collaboration they are creating a new code in sustainable beauty investment.
Speakers: Élodie Carpentier, General Manager and Co-Founder, Maison Le Rouge Français
Harvey Knight, Founder & CEO Sustainable Wealth Group
Moderator:
Valerie Kaminov, Founder & Managing Director International Luxury Brand 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.
13:30 - 14:15 | This Shifting Paradigm Of Global Beauty Retail
Consumers are unaware of our industry playbooks; for them, discovery and shopping are not defined by geographic borders, product categories, or points of purchase. For them, DTC, online, offline, and social platforms are all sources of discovery and points of purchase. The battle for the beauty wallet has moved beyond an omnichannel pursuit, with the confluence of consumer behavior and technology collapsing the concept of a conversion funnel. While the retail paradigm as we know it is witnessing a seismic shift, what remains constant is the symbiotic relationship between retailers and brands. In this panel we’ll unpack what it takes to thrive in today's beauty retail landscape.
Speakers: Bettina O’Neill, EVP of Business Development & Merchandising, SCENTBIRD
Suze College, Head of Commercial, Space NK
Jessica Phillips, Vice President, Merchandising – Strategic Initiatives, Ulta
Moderator: Kelly Kovack, Co-Founder & CEO, BeautyMatter
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
Arun Sasikala , Senior Manager-Business Development , SGS Gulf Limited
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, Lóvi
Stacy Vason, Founder, Beauty Operations & AI Consultant, Vason Global Strategies
Elizabeth Schmidt, Creative Director and Beauty Futurist , Former L’Oreal Creative and Founder of LluMina Studios
Moderator: Angela Thomas, CEO & Founder, Angel Success Consulting
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.
Speakers:
Lana A Kerr, Founder & CEO, Lumisque, Inc./ CO2Lift®
Said Al-Jundi, Chief Physician Vascular Surgery
Ewelina Aiossa, Founder & General Manager, Topical Skin
Jessica Hamati, Head of Strategy, Rite
Moderator:
Mariela Marcantetti, CEO & Founder, Furless Permanent, Furless Beauty Institute, The Trading Corner
11:00 – 12:00 | 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
12:00 - 12:30 | Advancing Beauty with Biotechnology: From Lab to Consumer
With deep expertise in pioneering haircare technologies, Lavinia Popescu leads research and innovation at Olaplex, where she advances biotech-driven formulations that bridge science and consumer needs. Her insights will shed light on how biotechnology is shaping the next generation of beauty innovation.
Moderator:
Katie Godfrey, Business Strategist & Coach
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
Aleena Khan, Co-Founder, CTZN Cosmetics
13:30 – 14:00 | Where Beauty Meets Wellbeing: Unilever’s Bold Vision for a Holistic Future
In a world where consumers no longer separate how they look from how they feel, Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing Category is leading a transformative shift. With 90% of people believing the beauty industry prioritizes appearance over health, Unilever is rewriting the narrative—merging cutting-edge science with a deep understanding of human needs. Discover how the Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing category is pioneering a new era where beauty and wellbeing are not just connected—they’re inseparable.
Speaker: Priya Sarma, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Head, Unilever
Moderator:
Katie Godfrey, Business Strategist & Coach
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.
Speaker: Jana Arden, CEO and Founder, Arden Bay Advisory
Haifa Addas , Founder & CEO, INSTAGLAM
Janet Milner-Walker, Founder & Managing Director, Bespoke Advantage
Carolyn Aronson, CEO& Founder, It’s a 10 Haircare
Moderator: Faiza Hussain, Founder and Head of Product Innovation, NEX Skincare
15:00 – 15:45 | The Future of Skincare AI: Building accurate, unbiased & personalised advice for consumers
As AI moves beyond foundational models, the next challenge is building intelligence that truly understands individual needs. In skincare, this means creating technology that can offer accurate, personalised recommendations while avoiding the industry’s current pitfalls of bias and exclusion. This talk will explore how to expand the market by making AI-powered skincare accessible to more consumers, and why transparent, aligned methodologies are essential for trust, inclusivity, and lasting impact.
Speaker:
Namita Khosla- Partner, GrowthWorks
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
Aankith Aroraa, Founder & CEO, Streamline Beauty India Private Limited and Saniolla Naturals
Nadeem Qureshi, Founder & CEO, Leather & Lather
Moderator:
Flo Akinbiyi, Presenter and Communication Coach
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 Laurene Joie, CEO & Founder, Gaudia Beauty
Elisavet Gogou, CEO & Founder, Glow Bar
Ashwajeet Garg, Founder & CEO, Kheoni
Moderator:
Flo Akinbiyi, Presenter and Communication Coach
