Maybelline New York is welcoming a new spokesmodel, Charlotte Free, who will promote the brand’s product with her iconic extravagant touch. To announce the partnership, the brand has launched a bizarre spot staring the newcomer and Patrick Pope, P’Trique of viral videos ‘Sh*t Fashion Girls Say’ on Maybelline New York’s official channel on YouTube. Titled ‘#TopChicret —Announcing Charlotte Free as New Face of #1 Cosmetic Brand in the World,’ it is telling the good news in a humorous and light-hearted manner, mimicking the way the information spreads in the chick gals world.

The Virgin Group, which has expanded its business to a range of fields including air flights, vacations, gaming and space to name a few, is now stepping into the cosmetics world. The company in collaboration with bareMinerals has launched a new lipsgloss, Upper Class Red, which is the first-ever cosmetics item produced by the airline—the new product will be available both to the crew (it will become part of the Virgin Atlantic cabin crew uniform) and passengers either for pre-order on board Virgin Atlantic flights through the brand’s in-flight shopping guide, Retail Therapy, or in select Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse spas for as much as £15. The product, which is now being promoted Virgin Atlantic hostess Vanessa White in ads, will also arrive in bareMinerals stockists later this year.

Two are better than one—creative collaborations of leaders from various fields can really benefit the market and the history of the industries on the whole, and this approach to developing new products is most frequently used in the design sphere. This spring sees two beauty giants, Sephora and Pantone, which both focus on colour, combining their expertise and views to create a unique Sephora+Pantone Universe collection centered on the Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango, #17-1463.

The article is written by Dave Timothy, Senior Account Director at strategic packaging and design consultancy Anthem Worldwide

Looking back at previous times of austerity, our lives and shopping habits seemed a lot simpler then. People used to save up for what they wanted and ‘make do and mend’ was a way of life, rather than a fashionable hobby. However, with so many years of boom before the bust, we have tasted the good life, and we liked it!

L’Oréal Paris has tapped another beautiful lady, fashion super-model Natasha Poly, as its new international spokeswoman. The company, which has collaborated with a roster of fashion, music and cinema celebrities, including Doutzen Kroes, Claudia Schiffer, Gwen Stefani, Patrick Dempsey, Jane Fonda, Hugh Laurie and Beyoncé Knowles to name but a few, invited 26-year old Poly to represent its promotional efforts. The new ambassadress is a truly great fit for the company, considering her impressive career—after winning a modeling competition in Moscow at the age of 15, Poly collaborated with over 54 fashion houses, including leading international brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel and Valentino.

Nivea, the iconic cosmetics brand, which turned 100 last year, is launching new limited-edition packs designed by a fashion designer and leading brand and packaging design agency Bulletproof. The new ‘Nicola de Main’ packaging for Nivea Soft will arrive in stores across UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and The Netherlands in mid-May. The light-hearted and colourful design, which features springs birds, adds to the feeling of the season, sunny cheerfulness and warmth and echoes with the brand’s attitude of making life beautiful.   

Coke Zero, the no-calorie drink from the beverage giant, has kicked off a new campaign in Great Britain, following on the heels of the new round of Diet Coke ‘Love It Light’ promotion in the country, launched in partnership with the Benefit Cosmetics beauty company. The new marketing effort targeted at young male will be rolled out on video on demand services and online until early March and will be offering the drink’s fans to ‘Taste the Possibilities’ (as the strapline says).

In 2011, a number of global market giants celebrated their anniversaries—Coca-Cola, Avon and Mercedes-Benz turned 125, Starbucks marked its 40th birthday and Nivea entered its centennial, with grandiose advertising campaigns and promotional efforts. This year, another cosmetics giant, Oriflame, is marking a milestone—the company, which now operates all around the globe, is celebrating its 45th year of presence on the market and launching the ‘45 Years of Fulfilling Dreams’ campaign dedicated to this occasion.