Fashion Consumer Insights

Trend - Phonecore, the latest style trend, is taking social media by storm with nearly 130 million TikTok posts. This trend features over-the-top accessories inspired by smartphones such as HMD's Phonecore range, as well as smartphones adapting to become accessories themselves, like Hailey Bieber's lip gloss-holding phone case, blending tech and fashion in innovative ways.

Insight - The rise of the "smartphone as an aesthetic" reflects a growing consumer desire for fashion that integrates cutting-edge technology in visually impactful ways. In an era where personal devices are central to daily life, accessories inspired by smartphones, as well as smartphones functioning as accessories, resonate deeply with tech-savvy, fashion-forward individuals. This trend taps into the intersection of nostalgia and futurism, appealing to those who appreciate both retro design elements and modern innovation.

Trend - Brands are launching products influenced by the "skinimalism" trend, which advocates that a few well-formulated products can be more beneficial than numerous ones with redundant or unnecessary functions. This approach claims to promote radiant skin by preventing skin irritation and product overload.

Insight - With the surge of social media content highlighting "skinimalism" and the adverse effects of excessive skincare, consumers are looking for ways to streamline their routines without compromising skin health. In response, brands are developing products marketed as "multi-use" and "all-in-one," appealing to those who seek alternatives to the myriad products promoted on social media. By emphasizing simplicity and effectiveness, brands can meet the needs of shoppers who reject excessive consumerism.

Trend - Personal care companies are creating haircare products with a larger focus on unique, strong fragrances. The companies aim to increase fragrance customization and variety without compromising on function or price, thus further enabling personal expression through scent

Insight - Consumers that participate in daily health and beauty routines, particularly across the Asia-Pacific regions, are increasingly prioritizing unique fragrances in products. These consumers desire strong fragrances that last throughout the day and complement their personality, as prolonged exposure to the fragrances improves their moods and makes regular tasks more enjoyable. The ideal product for these consumers features a strong fragrance and does not compromise on function or affordability.

Trend - Brands in the personal care space are creating organic sunscreens designed for infant use. These sunscreens are devoid of harmful ingredients and are easy to wash off. These sunscreens are designed to reduce sun damage for infants, preventing skin irritations and ensuring healthy development.

Insight - While sunscreen has always been a popular part of consumers' daily skincare routines in the summer, social media platforms have drawn attention to the damaging effects of the sun, with such videos going viral. Consumers are now more actively wearing sunscreens, while parents ensure their children do the same. With a focus on regions with more sun exposure throughout the year, brands are now releasing specially formulated infant sunscreens for year-round daily use, even outside of the summer.

Trend - Personal care brands are creating leave-in hair treatments designed to detangle, protect, and vitalize hair. The key ingredient is soy protein which has been shown to produce more resilient and healthy hair, resulting in fewer split ends or breakages, particularly for consumers with longer, thicker hair.

Insight - The ever-growing popularity of the self-care and haircare industries has led to products becoming refined and mature, with consumers becoming intimately knowledgeable of commonly-used ingredients and their specific effects, whether in general or to their specific bodies. The sophistication of the industry leads consumers to opt for more organic ingredients with proven positive benefits. Brands are recognizing these desires and are turning to natural inclusions such as soy protein.

Trend - Cosmetics brands are creating haircare products with microbiome-supporting formulas. By including probiotics, prebiotics, and stem-cell supporting ingredients, these products are designed to provide both a balanced pH level and a natural protective barrier for the scalp.

Insight - Health and beauty consumers, particularly from younger generations, are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of preventative care. This leads to practices such as wearing sunscreen, moisturizing, and using organic products, to get ahead of skin imperfections. This has led to these consumers recognizing the importance of scalp care in terms of healthy hair development. Brands are addressing the needs of these groups with scalp microbiome-supporting care products.

Trend - Haircare brands are creating helmet and hat-style caps with built-in light therapy to stimulate hair growth. Often incorporating red light to speed up cell division, these caps claim to help hair grow thicker and healthier while also preventing hair loss.

Insight - Consumers with thinning, balding, or damaged hair often seek products that help to improve the health of their scalp without the use of harsher treatments and medications. In response, hair care brands are experimenting with light therapy to deliver targeted scalp treatments that are less invasive and safer than traditional hair transplant procedures. Businesses that cater to the demand for non-invasive products can appeal to consumers who desire tech-based solutions in the personal care space.

Trend - Self-care products are being offered in aluminum cans to enhance sustainability. Often coupled with refillable designs, these cans reduce packaging costs and are nearly infinitely recyclable. Additionally, the resilience of aluminum packaging simplifies shipping and logistics systems.

Insight - The majority of consumer cosmetic products are packaged in bright plastic cases. Consumers in this space are accustomed to these designs. However, they are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of single-use plastics, and as a result, are now gravitating toward more sustainable solutions, such as refillable or recyclable packages. Brands in the self-care and beauty industries are recognizing the ever-increasing importance of sustainable packaging, and are turning to aluminum.

Trend - Synthetic biology is revolutionizing the personal care industry by making products more sustainable and personalized. Companies are using biosynthesis, a process where engineered organisms like yeast convert sugar into various useful substances, to produce ingredients traditionally derived from petroleum or animal sources.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly driven by the tension between their need for effective personal care products and their ethical and environmental values. They are no longer willing to compromise on sustainability or animal welfare for the sake of performance. This growing awareness and concern for the planet and ethical sourcing practices are pushing consumers to seek out products that reflect their values.

Trend - Breathing necklaces are designed to aid in mindfulness and relaxation through breath control. The wearer takes a deep breath while holding the tip of the hollow pendant to their lips and then exhales. The necklace contains a small air channel that slows down the exhale, helping the user achieve a slower breathing rhythm.

Insight - Due to increasing stress levels, consumers are increasingly prioritizing mental well-being and stress reduction, seeking products that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. These products offer stress relief, improved focus, and emotional balance, aligning with trends in self-care and mental health awareness. Additionally, the appeal of mindfulness products is enhanced by their integration into daily routines, making them accessible and practical for modern lifestyles.