This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
June 12, 2020 - The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the beauty industry to its knees, with many beauty companies recording a decline in sales of products associated with 'going out' such as makeup and fragrances.
Yves Rocher, a French makeup brand with four stores in Nairobi, has been hit hard by the pandemic. According to Maryanne Mungai, the brand's manager, the company has seen a significant decline in sales of products that were once in high demand.
However, the pandemic has also brought about a new trend in the beauty industry - the rise of self-care and relaxation. Many customers are now investing in skincare treatments and products that support self-care and relaxation.
Yves Rocher has adapted to the new trend by offering online deliveries and organizing orders made on Facebook messenger and WhatsApp. About 15 percent of their sales now originate online.
Makeup artistes, on the other hand, are feeling the pinch of Covid-19. Jennifer Mshai, a makeup artist and instructor at Mshymakeup, has seen a significant decline in bookings since the first Covid-19 case was announced.
Cancelled weddings, parties, photoshoots, and reduced one-on-one classes have meant less income for Jennifer, forcing her to think of alternative ways to keep her business going. She has been offering makeup lessons via Zoom, but not many people have shown interest.
Despite the challenges, Maryanne remains optimistic, saying that the beauty industry will bounce back once the pandemic is over. She has even been thinking of creating a makeup line, which she hopes to start actualizing after Covid-19.
