British Beauty Week is back—here's everything we think you should know

British Beauty Week is back from the 26th October - 30th October. It's not just about the products—it's about recognising the monumental role the beauty sector plays in the UK economy. To start with, it's a powerhouse industry worth a whopping £25bn to our GDP. That's more than our arts, entertainment and even aerospace sectors. So, whether you're a fan of a fierce red lip or work behind the scenes, this is the perfect moment to come together to celebrate and elevate the transformative power of beauty in our lives and communities.

What not to miss

Join the conversation with the brains behind your favourite beauty brands

The Trade Hub in Covent Garden will be buzzing with free, bookable discussions and deep dives featuring the UK's most influential in beauty. There will be important discussions around sustainability, diversity, aesthetics licensing and responsible content in the world of beauty. These panel talks will be hosted on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th October, and can be signed up via Eventbrite - limited tickets are available.

Beauty Night Out for discounts and masterclasses 

Mark your calendars for the 26th of October for Beauty Night Out. Brands from all over are coming together to shower us with discounts, exclusive events, masterclasses and so much more. It's a night you won't want to miss, with Space NK, Benefit, the flagship Boots on Long Acre and Neal's Yard all extending their hours. Fancy a game? Dive into a Covent Garden treasure hunt with KMI Brands. And don’t forget to embark on a self-guided tour around Covent Garden’s beauty hotspots like MAC, Skin Laundry, Too Faced, Kiehl's and the Experimental Perfume Club. It's a beauty lover's dream. 

Take a look behind the scenes with career advice and mentoring

The week will spotlight the UK’s major beauty brands, taking you behind the scenes to unveil hidden careers and innovations. Top brands will release exclusive content, highlighting their teams and offering mentoring opportunities for young enthusiasts. Don't miss a chance to join a webinar with beauty icon, Bobbi Brown, and delve into her success journey. Lucky attendees might snag a personal mentoring session with her. 

Ahead of the festivities, the Council will showcase its Future Talent Programme at No10 Downing Street through a Dragon's Den-inspired event for school kids, emphasising innovation and science. This aligns with the PM's praise of the beauty sector as an “essential service” uplifting both its consumers and workers.

Millie Kendall, OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council said: “We are so excited about this year’s event. We hope this year’s British Beauty Week will not only highlight the industry’s success but also launch it into a whole new era of growth, prosperity and innovation. Few industries in the country are as diverse, inclusive and life-enhancing as the beauty industry – it’s time people realised its power.”

See here for all Beauty Night Out events.

Panel Discussions (all free)

Thursday 26th October

11.45am – 12.30pm

Female Founders and Funding, supported by Elemis

Speakers: Oriele Frank, Noella Gabriel, Nicola Maddox

Friday 27th October

10:30am - 11:15am

Stylists as brand founders: A Journey to Success

Speakers: Nicky Pope (Tribute Magazine), Adam Reed

12.00pm – 12.45pm

Encouraging Diversity, Inclusivity and Opportunity within Beauty 

Speakers: Winnie Awa, Tumi Siwoku and Billie Bhatia

1.30pm – 2.15pm

Creator Collective: The Power of Influencer Education 

Speakers: Zak Heath, Elise Gill, with more TBC

3pm – 3.45pm

Aesthetics: Raising the Reputation of the Industry cia Regulation 

Speakers: Debbie Thomas, Alice Hart-Davis and Victoria Brownlie

4.30pm – 5.15pm

Accessible Beauty: Making A Beauty Industry That Looks Like You 

Speakers: Joseph Harwood, Millie Flemington-Claire, with more TBC