We’ve already approached our second month of 2017. With all sorts of New Year resolutions floating around, some broken and others stronger than ever – we thought we’d explore what we believe 2017 will bring for the natural beauty game!

 

It’s all about the oils

It’s about time that the humble plant, botanical and essential oil gets its prime time in beauty sphere. With the average consumer savvier than ever, the multitude of benefits that these natural oils possess will earn them huge brownie points. Beauty shoppers want to move away from chemicals and get back to basics and back to natural. We think that natural oils will finally become the ingredient of choice with the majority of shoppers looking to minimise the amount of harmful substances that they apply on their skin. We think mainstream brands will also shift their thinking in line with most green beauty enthusiasts and follow suit. Expect to find more choice and ‘natural extracts’ creeping their way into cosmetic ingredient lists. But remember green washing has become widespread, so make it a habit to read the ingredient lists of your favourite products to be certain of what is going onto your skin.

 

Back to British

With Brexit looming over our heads and the uncertainty that it brings we feel that 2017 will be the year that consumers go back to British and search for the Best of British on offer. This isn’t just applicable to the beauty market – oh no, it’s far greater and goes beyond the beauty realms into homeware, clothing, food, crafts and gifts. It’s about boosting our local economy and helping one another out in the process. Consumers will feel extra love towards quintessentially British Brands that are trying to make their way in the world. There is a plethora of undiscovered home grown talent and collaboration is key to spreading the word and the love!  Keep your eyes peeled make 2017 the year you discover your favourite unsung British Brand.

 

Affordability vs Luxury

Who doesn’t want the very best without having to take out a small mortgage? We think it’s time that beauty enthusiasts shouldn’t have to choose one or the other. 2017 is all about life’s everyday luxuries without the exorbitant price tag. Expect brands which offer the ‘bang’ without penalising the consumer. It’s the year where snobbery takes the side seat and inclusivity is all the range. Which helps us move swiftly onto our next prediction…

 

The Story, The brand, The Journey

Expect to find more brands that are engaged with their audience. Be they small (they’ll definitely be mighty), you’ll find brands that have a story, a purpose and are embarking on a journey they want to share. These are the brands that genuinely listen, are constantly striving to tweak and improve and offer their customers what they want. 2017 will be the year when it stops becoming them and me, but just a collective us – sharing mutual benefits for both brands and their customers. What’s not to like about that?

 

What are your big beauty predictions? What would you like to see and what are you keen to say goodbye to?