When people talk about “raising money,” the conversation almost always centers on venture capital. The headlines, the rounds, the valuations—it can feel like VC is the only path to building and scaling a brand. But here’s the truth: not every brand needs to—or should—go the VC route. There are other ways to access capital that allow founders to maintain more ownership, more control, and often more sanity along the way.

The beauty world is in the midst of a quiet revolution. What began on social feeds as savvy shoppers sharing “look-for-less” finds has grown into full-blown dupe brands that move from concept to shelf in mere months and now command six- and even seven-figure revenues.

In today’s evolving beauty retail landscape, brands are leveraging neuroaesthetics—a field exploring how the brain perceives beauty—to capture attention, deliver meaningful experiences, and build lasting loyalty.

In recent years, beauty and skincare packaging has undergone a notable transformation, with niche brands drawing inspiration from the world of high-end fragrances.