Whereas the UK beauty industry has benefited from enormous changes in terms of new brand launches and innovative NPD, the ethnic cosmetics, skincare and haircare markets have lagged behind. Many ethnic brands have changed little since their introduction in the 1980s and there have been few new brand introductions.

Yet, women of ethnic origin are big spenders of beauty products and mainstream brands are starting to recognise this with the introduction of their own specialist ethnic lines. However, high street retailers have yet to spot the potential of the ethnic beauty market, which remains concentrated within the independent retail sector.

Whereas the UK beauty industry has benefited from enormous changes in terms of new brand launches and innovative NPD, the ethnic cosmetics, skincare and haircare markets have lagged behind. Many ethnic brands have changed little since their introduction in the 1980s and there have been few new brand introductions.

Yet, women of ethnic origin are big spenders of beauty products and mainstream brands are starting to recognise this with the introduction of their own specialist ethnic lines. However, high street retailers have yet to spot the potential of the ethnic beauty market, which remains concentrated within the independent retail sector.

The report focuses on beauty products specifically designed for and targeted at non-Caucasian women. The following terms are those employed in official government statistics and are, in turn, based on self-ascription:

Black refers to people of black Caribbean, black African and black Other (mixed or not mixed) ethnic origin.

Asian refers to people of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin.

Market sectors included in the report include:

Make-up. The retail make-up (or colour cosmetics) market is defined as all colour cosmetics for women and includes facial make-up (foundation, blushers, illuminators, creams and powders, loose and pressed powders), eye make-up (eye shadows, eyeliners, eyebrow pencils, kohl and mascara), lip make-up (lipstick, lip glosses, lip pencils, lip plumpers, pots and palettes) and nail make-up (nail varnishes and polishes, hardeners and strengtheners, base and top coat).

Skincare. Facial and body. Includes skin lighteners and whiteners as well as moisturisers and skin food products.

Haircare products (shampoos and conditioners as well as styling products such as oils, relaxers, braid sheen sprays, as well as hairspray and hair gel).

It includes products sold via salons but not salon services themselves.