In today's health and wellness conscious world, beverages and skin care are being increasingly linked. A new trend in upscale markets, Sephora, the perfumery chain, owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton will unveil a new, in-store concept featuring nutritional supplements and drinks. Sephora in France plans to offer up a consulting nutritionist who will create beauty regimens combining nutritional supplements and drinks as well as skin care for a total health program. If it works, the good-for-you concept could roll into America, too. The Sephora department consists of a healthy beauty bar stocking 10 brands of nutritional supplements and drinks. The lineup includes Fushi, Dr. Perricone and Dr. Murad, plus the house brand called 24H Slimming Program.Leading the pack is a line of 'drink your way to perfect skin' beverages from Borba. At the core of the eponymous line are a half-dozen zero-calorie waters, rendered murky with pulverized vitamins, extracts and other ingredients designed to improve your complexion. When Borba launched last spring, Fred Segal Beauty sold more than 3,000 bottles in two weeks. Sephora stores often run out of the sweets, Jelli and Gummi Boosters. Expensive? 14 8-ounce bottles cost $35; a bag of 275 jellybeans is $25. Yes, but Borba is convinced that their clientel doesn't have a problem spending on new technologies and premium products, as long they see that it's effective.
They might be onto something... Not far behind, Coca-Cola and L'Oreal are working on a beauty elixir called Lumae to improve the skin. Whole Foods has been merchandising beauty and supplements side by side for many years. Another new concept is Danone's Essensis, vitamin-rich yogurt positioned as an oral beauty supplement. Mmm, now if only I could get my Botox in my morning latte. Starbucks are you listening? Make mine a Grande, proto!
